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October 16, 2009 7:10 PM Subscribe
Rachel Maddow interviews Americans for Prosperity's Tim Phillips.
Rachel Maddow questions the validity of Americans for Prosperity claim to be a grassroots organization - as well as the ethics of AFP president Tim Phillips. She is not the first to do so.
Previous interview of Tim Phillips with Chris Matthews.
Rachel Maddow questions the validity of Americans for Prosperity claim to be a grassroots organization - as well as the ethics of AFP president Tim Phillips. She is not the first to do so.
Previous interview of Tim Phillips with Chris Matthews.
Ugh, in part two, he keeps on saying "War on terr-ah." I get that he's trying to weasel out of a tough question, but that hurts to listen to.
posted by mccarty.tim at 7:30 PM on October 16, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by mccarty.tim at 7:30 PM on October 16, 2009 [1 favorite]
oh rachel maddow. you're so cool.
posted by shmegegge at 7:33 PM on October 16, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by shmegegge at 7:33 PM on October 16, 2009 [2 favorites]
I don't know what's it is called when a straight guy has a platonic crush on a gay woman, but I think I have that on Rachel Maddow. I don't really watch her show but I always perk up when I see her.
Also, there's no way to lose credibility more quickly than by using the phrase "(liberalpolitician)care."
Also, I sure as hell wish I had health insurance.
posted by Uppity Pigeon #2 at 7:40 PM on October 16, 2009 [11 favorites]
Also, there's no way to lose credibility more quickly than by using the phrase "(liberalpolitician)care."
Also, I sure as hell wish I had health insurance.
posted by Uppity Pigeon #2 at 7:40 PM on October 16, 2009 [11 favorites]
There's a few telling moments in this. The first is when she calls him on the Chinese worker issue. He distances himself from it -- classy, but the buck ain't gonna stop with him -- but says he stands by the campaign. Later he accuses her of cherry picking his mistakes from a long career, and asks how she would like it is he grabbed the most embarrassing things in her life. Way to stand by the campaign, fella.
Secondly, he repeatedly responds to her criticisms of him by saying things like "That's a terrible thing to say about the American people." You're not the American people, chump. Stand or fall on your own, but don't try to hide behind the people you have suckered, as though you have nothing at all to do with any of this, you're just the messenger of an otherwise ignored American message. You're the manufacturer of that message, and she's right, you're a fucking parasite. I'm glad somebody said it to your face, you worm.
posted by Astro Zombie at 7:45 PM on October 16, 2009 [8 favorites]
Secondly, he repeatedly responds to her criticisms of him by saying things like "That's a terrible thing to say about the American people." You're not the American people, chump. Stand or fall on your own, but don't try to hide behind the people you have suckered, as though you have nothing at all to do with any of this, you're just the messenger of an otherwise ignored American message. You're the manufacturer of that message, and she's right, you're a fucking parasite. I'm glad somebody said it to your face, you worm.
posted by Astro Zombie at 7:45 PM on October 16, 2009 [8 favorites]
Seriously, the word "Obamacare." I thought everyone used that humorously, until I watched this guy saying it over and over like it was the official title, or something.
They're going to kick themselves later if it passes and everyone ends up loving it, after they worked so hard to associate it with Obama's name.
posted by ctmf at 7:48 PM on October 16, 2009 [14 favorites]
They're going to kick themselves later if it passes and everyone ends up loving it, after they worked so hard to associate it with Obama's name.
posted by ctmf at 7:48 PM on October 16, 2009 [14 favorites]
I am an american people and
I want a pulic option and an end to
exemptin insurance industry fr anti-test laws
so there will be a free market.
posted by Postroad at 7:53 PM on October 16, 2009 [1 favorite]
I want a pulic option and an end to
exemptin insurance industry fr anti-test laws
so there will be a free market.
posted by Postroad at 7:53 PM on October 16, 2009 [1 favorite]
They're going to kick themselves later if it passes and everyone ends up loving it, after they worked so hard to associate it with Obama's name.
If I remember right, the media did call the last failure "Hillarycare", but only after it was clearly dead in the water.
posted by rokusan at 7:57 PM on October 16, 2009
If I remember right, the media did call the last failure "Hillarycare", but only after it was clearly dead in the water.
posted by rokusan at 7:57 PM on October 16, 2009
oh rachel maddow. you're so cool.
She lost a lot of credibility for using fake racist quotes to smear Rush Limbaugh. Not double checking wikipedia is not cool for a journalist, especially if you're going to accuse someone of being a racist... especially since there are many real quotes she could've used.
posted by gyc at 7:59 PM on October 16, 2009
She lost a lot of credibility for using fake racist quotes to smear Rush Limbaugh. Not double checking wikipedia is not cool for a journalist, especially if you're going to accuse someone of being a racist... especially since there are many real quotes she could've used.
posted by gyc at 7:59 PM on October 16, 2009
> They're going to kick themselves later if it passes and everyone ends up loving it
Have they ever acknowledged failure for any bad thing that has happened since the Republican majority of Congress in the mid-90s? Have they ever admitted supporting a failed program? Admitted personal flaws? Admitted weaknesses in ideology? Admitted saying something patently false? Admitted ever being wrong?
What makes you think this would change them?
posted by ardgedee at 8:09 PM on October 16, 2009 [5 favorites]
Have they ever acknowledged failure for any bad thing that has happened since the Republican majority of Congress in the mid-90s? Have they ever admitted supporting a failed program? Admitted personal flaws? Admitted weaknesses in ideology? Admitted saying something patently false? Admitted ever being wrong?
What makes you think this would change them?
posted by ardgedee at 8:09 PM on October 16, 2009 [5 favorites]
Never actually trying to refute opposing arguments, instead saying variations on "You're wrong! That's outrageous! How dare you! We are for the people!" is my gold standard for bullshit. It works quite well in the healthcare debate, cf: this guy, Betsy McCaughey, etc.
posted by Ndwright at 8:12 PM on October 16, 2009 [4 favorites]
posted by Ndwright at 8:12 PM on October 16, 2009 [4 favorites]
They're going to kick themselves later...
Nah, Ardgedee has it: they will already have moved on to some other talking point by then, and it's not like anyone in the press would ever bring up "old news".
The Republicans are total jedi masters in not only understanding the modern American attention span, but in using it to maximum effect.
posted by rokusan at 8:12 PM on October 16, 2009 [3 favorites]
Nah, Ardgedee has it: they will already have moved on to some other talking point by then, and it's not like anyone in the press would ever bring up "old news".
The Republicans are total jedi masters in not only understanding the modern American attention span, but in using it to maximum effect.
posted by rokusan at 8:12 PM on October 16, 2009 [3 favorites]
In my eyes her credibility slid a bit when she launched her war amputee/hero strawman and channeled Bill O'Reilly for a moment or two. Also, her interview will never reach the people his tour reaches because they'll never watch her show.
That being said, I had no idea this troupe existed and am pleased to know that yet another false-fact machine has Greedy Suits running the hamster wheel under the hood.
posted by CynicalKnight at 8:22 PM on October 16, 2009 [2 favorites]
That being said, I had no idea this troupe existed and am pleased to know that yet another false-fact machine has Greedy Suits running the hamster wheel under the hood.
posted by CynicalKnight at 8:22 PM on October 16, 2009 [2 favorites]
This wasn't the most fair and balanced thing I've ever seen. But it was the truth, and it was an example of someone fully confronting an entrenched political evil face-to-face. I can't think of the last time I saw that on TV.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 8:27 PM on October 16, 2009 [11 favorites]
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 8:27 PM on October 16, 2009 [11 favorites]
Have they ever acknowledged failure for any bad thing that has happened since the Republican majority of Congress in the mid-90s?
It's an uphill battle to get them to acknowledge the world is round.
But lots and lots of people have finally caught on. The American people are, when taken as a whole, kind of like an oblivious giant. Lots of stuff can go on with out them catching on, but once you've gotten their attention, they will beat you savagely and repeatedly with that big club they're always carrying around.
posted by Kid Charlemagne at 8:45 PM on October 16, 2009 [5 favorites]
It's an uphill battle to get them to acknowledge the world is round.
But lots and lots of people have finally caught on. The American people are, when taken as a whole, kind of like an oblivious giant. Lots of stuff can go on with out them catching on, but once you've gotten their attention, they will beat you savagely and repeatedly with that big club they're always carrying around.
posted by Kid Charlemagne at 8:45 PM on October 16, 2009 [5 favorites]
She almost choked there at the end. I certainly couldn't sit across from that guy and smile for over 15 minutes.
posted by Quonab at 8:47 PM on October 16, 2009
posted by Quonab at 8:47 PM on October 16, 2009
What makes you think this would change them?
What I mean is, if that happens, they'll have shot themselves in the foot. They're going to have made the task of disassociating something people love from the man more difficult, having named it after him themselves.
But you're right, people will forget anyway as soon as they start calling it something else.
posted by ctmf at 8:47 PM on October 16, 2009
What I mean is, if that happens, they'll have shot themselves in the foot. They're going to have made the task of disassociating something people love from the man more difficult, having named it after him themselves.
But you're right, people will forget anyway as soon as they start calling it something else.
posted by ctmf at 8:47 PM on October 16, 2009
Television journalism desperately needs more Rachel Maddows. I think it would greatly benefit all TV watching Americans if all TV journalists, on all sides of the political spectrum were as reasoned, direct and respectful as she appears to be.
Of course, I don't really watch a lot of TV so I'm basing this opinion on the many clips I've seen of these various shows online, so I could be missing a lot of examples where she hasn't been so fair or credible...she just seems to be one of the few I've seen who's really doing what I would consider to be her job.
posted by Jeeb at 8:47 PM on October 16, 2009 [1 favorite]
Of course, I don't really watch a lot of TV so I'm basing this opinion on the many clips I've seen of these various shows online, so I could be missing a lot of examples where she hasn't been so fair or credible...she just seems to be one of the few I've seen who's really doing what I would consider to be her job.
posted by Jeeb at 8:47 PM on October 16, 2009 [1 favorite]
Seeing this made me want to send Maddow some kind of trophy or fruit basket.
posted by heathkit at 8:50 PM on October 16, 2009
posted by heathkit at 8:50 PM on October 16, 2009
Personally, I like to imagine Republicans do kick themselves for their rhetorical mistakes, but only behind closed doors in their bedrooms, South America, or in public restrooms. These are the places they do all shameful things.
Granted, that's assuming they actually care about getting reform killed. I get the sense from this guy that he's a political troll for hire. He feasts on money and teh lulz, and will coil himself around any campaign that will give him money. Hence his defense for the sweatshop. After all, the check cleared from the company, so why should he complain?
But seriously, ObamaCare has to be the dumbest attempt to wedge against healthcare ever. Hillarycare was different, as the American people were already used to their two-minutes of hate against Hillary, but Obama's remained remarkably buoyant despite constant attacks. A 49% approval rating is not exactly the beginning of a national coup. And it says nothing about the bill's ideas, flaws, or the people who are actually writing it. At best, Obama's been offering vague outlines of what he wants in the bill, and it's been the elected representatives in congress who are writing it.
Like she said, he's pitching fear over information. And I'm worried that "ObamaCare" is meant to quell up some of the worst fears that still remain in America, namely xenophobia and racism. Before anyone says that conservatism != racism, let me just explain that this is the choice to use a foreign-sounding name of a half-black president to scare people. If it's supposed to be about how the stimulus package was "wasteful," why not call it PorkCare or StimulusTriage?
posted by mccarty.tim at 8:56 PM on October 16, 2009
Granted, that's assuming they actually care about getting reform killed. I get the sense from this guy that he's a political troll for hire. He feasts on money and teh lulz, and will coil himself around any campaign that will give him money. Hence his defense for the sweatshop. After all, the check cleared from the company, so why should he complain?
But seriously, ObamaCare has to be the dumbest attempt to wedge against healthcare ever. Hillarycare was different, as the American people were already used to their two-minutes of hate against Hillary, but Obama's remained remarkably buoyant despite constant attacks. A 49% approval rating is not exactly the beginning of a national coup. And it says nothing about the bill's ideas, flaws, or the people who are actually writing it. At best, Obama's been offering vague outlines of what he wants in the bill, and it's been the elected representatives in congress who are writing it.
Like she said, he's pitching fear over information. And I'm worried that "ObamaCare" is meant to quell up some of the worst fears that still remain in America, namely xenophobia and racism. Before anyone says that conservatism != racism, let me just explain that this is the choice to use a foreign-sounding name of a half-black president to scare people. If it's supposed to be about how the stimulus package was "wasteful," why not call it PorkCare or StimulusTriage?
posted by mccarty.tim at 8:56 PM on October 16, 2009
Uppity Pigeon #2: "I don't know what's it is called when a straight guy has a platonic crush on a gay woman, but I think I have that on Rachel Maddow."
I guess I have that too; my wife says, "your girlfriend's on" when it's time to watch her show.
posted by secretseasons at 8:58 PM on October 16, 2009 [2 favorites]
I guess I have that too; my wife says, "your girlfriend's on" when it's time to watch her show.
posted by secretseasons at 8:58 PM on October 16, 2009 [2 favorites]
Truth be told, I imagine the Republicans will start taking credit for the healthcare bill if people like it. After all, since Olympia Snowe voted for it, it does technically have bi-partisan support, so they can say "We worked hard, under a Democrat-dominated Whitehouse and Congress to bring America affordable healthcare. It wasn't easy but we pushed our bill past the Democratic supermajority, but we fought hard for bipartisan support for this common sense bill, and now we're proud to have world-class care for our citizens."
And, of course, the rhetoric will drop "ObamaCare" for something like "America's healthcare," "The American System," or "Patriot Care."
After all, consider how they fought against Medicare, and yet now about 40% of their platform is "We'll keep the scary Democrats away from making ANY changes to Medicare."
posted by mccarty.tim at 9:05 PM on October 16, 2009 [1 favorite]
And, of course, the rhetoric will drop "ObamaCare" for something like "America's healthcare," "The American System," or "Patriot Care."
After all, consider how they fought against Medicare, and yet now about 40% of their platform is "We'll keep the scary Democrats away from making ANY changes to Medicare."
posted by mccarty.tim at 9:05 PM on October 16, 2009 [1 favorite]
Before anyone says that conservatism != racism, let me just explain that this is the choice to use a foreign-sounding name of a half-black president to scare people. If it's supposed to be about how the stimulus package was "wasteful," why not call it PorkCare or StimulusTriage?
Yeah, but by now people know his name. Maybe what you're saying is the idea, but I don't think it works among the mushy middle when we already went through Rev Wright during the campaign.
posted by krinklyfig at 9:14 PM on October 16, 2009
Yeah, but by now people know his name. Maybe what you're saying is the idea, but I don't think it works among the mushy middle when we already went through Rev Wright during the campaign.
posted by krinklyfig at 9:14 PM on October 16, 2009
I don't know what's it is called when a straight guy has a platonic crush on a gay woman, but I think I have that on Rachel Maddow.
I saw her on Conan the other day where she was talking about how she got love letters from straight guys saying like they had a crush on her and then asking if that made them gay. She said "I always write back yes".
The right had a lot of success killing healthcare reform by branding it "Hillarycare." I think they are aiming for a repeat of that by calling this "Obamacare"
posted by delmoi at 9:21 PM on October 16, 2009 [1 favorite]
I saw her on Conan the other day where she was talking about how she got love letters from straight guys saying like they had a crush on her and then asking if that made them gay. She said "I always write back yes".
The right had a lot of success killing healthcare reform by branding it "Hillarycare." I think they are aiming for a repeat of that by calling this "Obamacare"
posted by delmoi at 9:21 PM on October 16, 2009 [1 favorite]
I hope as Rachel Maddow gets a bit older, she'll develop the temperament and acumen to skillfully allow someone like that to expose themselves, rather than becoming righteous about it in the middle of the interview in order to ensure the audience knew how she felt. It may seem obvious, but she should have let her interview subject remain the subject of the conversation, rather than her feelings (though I definitely feel the same way). Her baring her feelings like that is, unfortunately, a bit of a weakness in this setting, because telling people you feel a moral indignation while interviewing someone is going to make you look a bit like a victim, and it's not professional, though a part of me is really glad she did it given the opportunity. I do like her, and she's much more educated and far better in many ways than nearly any liberal talking head these days, but I hope that her bare earnestness will gradually be overcome by wry sophistication (and I think it will).
posted by krinklyfig at 9:25 PM on October 16, 2009 [6 favorites]
posted by krinklyfig at 9:25 PM on October 16, 2009 [6 favorites]
The right had a lot of success killing healthcare reform by branding it "Hillarycare." I think they are aiming for a repeat of that by calling this "Obamacare"
Yeah, I think so, too, and they're counting on the same sort of visceral dislike a lot of politically moderate people had for Hillary Clinton at the time to be true of Obama now, but it's not. People like him more than they ever liked her, so using his name isn't creating the same effect. Granted, a lot of it has to do with the misogynistic way the media has always portrayed Hillary Clinton as opposed to Obama, though the outcome is still that it's not working like it did before. But I see them making this mistake a lot, the idea that the same exact playbook that worked in 1993 will work today. Obama has a long way to go, and the opposition is way more hysterical than they were last time, but I don't think things are the same at all as far as how the public sees this issue and the people involved in trying to create reform, and that is a relief.
posted by krinklyfig at 9:41 PM on October 16, 2009
Yeah, I think so, too, and they're counting on the same sort of visceral dislike a lot of politically moderate people had for Hillary Clinton at the time to be true of Obama now, but it's not. People like him more than they ever liked her, so using his name isn't creating the same effect. Granted, a lot of it has to do with the misogynistic way the media has always portrayed Hillary Clinton as opposed to Obama, though the outcome is still that it's not working like it did before. But I see them making this mistake a lot, the idea that the same exact playbook that worked in 1993 will work today. Obama has a long way to go, and the opposition is way more hysterical than they were last time, but I don't think things are the same at all as far as how the public sees this issue and the people involved in trying to create reform, and that is a relief.
posted by krinklyfig at 9:41 PM on October 16, 2009
I hope as Rachel Maddow gets a bit older, she'll develop the temperament and acumen to skillfully allow someone like that to expose themselves, rather than becoming righteous about it in the middle of the interview in order to ensure the audience knew how she felt.
A skilled operator like that isn't going to slip up on their own.
posted by delmoi at 9:51 PM on October 16, 2009 [4 favorites]
A skilled operator like that isn't going to slip up on their own.
posted by delmoi at 9:51 PM on October 16, 2009 [4 favorites]
True that, krinklyfig (I take it you're dried, not fresh). OTOH, she was sitting across from a sociopath. That man is a cancer in our society, making a career of attempting to get evil passed through the legislative processes. I find it pretty hard to fault her for confronting him in blunt and honest terms.
posted by five fresh fish at 11:16 PM on October 16, 2009 [4 favorites]
posted by five fresh fish at 11:16 PM on October 16, 2009 [4 favorites]
She's pretty good in the first bit, not so good in the second when she has to tell him what she thinks of him which is all a bit awful. She also stumbles over her words quite a but. I think the fact that this is considered so great more a comment on how bad American TV news can be....
If you want to see a real takedown Google Jon Snow or Jeremy Paxman (Brits). Both are far better interviewers.
posted by rhymer at 12:31 AM on October 17, 2009 [1 favorite]
If you want to see a real takedown Google Jon Snow or Jeremy Paxman (Brits). Both are far better interviewers.
posted by rhymer at 12:31 AM on October 17, 2009 [1 favorite]
"This wasn't the most fair and balanced thing I've ever seen."
To hell with fair and balanced. I want the truth, which I got from this interview.
posted by wsg at 12:41 AM on October 17, 2009 [4 favorites]
To hell with fair and balanced. I want the truth, which I got from this interview.
posted by wsg at 12:41 AM on October 17, 2009 [4 favorites]
Personally, I rather liked the bit where she told him what she thought of him.
posted by grouse at 1:01 AM on October 17, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by grouse at 1:01 AM on October 17, 2009 [2 favorites]
I knew nothing of Rachel Maddow until I watched her recent three pieces on acorn. Some of the best reporting I've seen in a long time -- particularly her look at how the US media had uncritically regurgitated the line of right-wing activist organisations without doing any digging whatsover of their own.
See it here.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 1:56 AM on October 17, 2009 [1 favorite]
See it here.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 1:56 AM on October 17, 2009 [1 favorite]
If only we had a mainstream media that would investigate these lying liars when it counts. It took over half a year for the New York Times to wake up and actually bother to do a piece about Betsy McCaughey and her death panel lies. That kind of delay is perfect for future historians researching how America turned into a third-world disaster zone, but it is almost certainly useless for public discourse here and now.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 3:29 AM on October 17, 2009 [3 favorites]
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 3:29 AM on October 17, 2009 [3 favorites]
Never trust anybody that answers all their questions with, "You betcha!"
posted by chillmost at 5:02 AM on October 17, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by chillmost at 5:02 AM on October 17, 2009 [1 favorite]
I don't know what's it is called when a straight guy has a platonic crush on a gay woman, but I think I have that on Rachel Maddow. I don't really watch her show but I always perk up when I see her.
I'm a gay man with a crush on Ms. Maddow. There should be a word for an impossible platonic crush. Can we get an ancient Greek up in here?
posted by The Whelk at 8:28 AM on October 17, 2009
That was absolutely great, hearing Rachel call this slimy huckster a "parasite who gets fat on American's fears." Just. Perfect.
posted by porn in the woods at 8:53 AM on October 17, 2009
posted by porn in the woods at 8:53 AM on October 17, 2009
I like how she told him what he was, and that he said it was mean to say it about "The American People," but it would have been better at the end. Let the guy hang himself, THEN kick him with the parasite remark.
Also, as an American Person, I would like to take this opportunity to let Rachael Maddow know my feelings were not hurt when she insulted the guy. While he may feel he represents every American, the feeling is not mutual. However, I do like the tactic, and intend to use it at work the next time I screw up.
"It looks like we'll need to reinstall Windows to get your programs working again."
"What?! It was just fine this morning! You screwed it up! I could have done better with Geek Squad!"
"That's a terrible thing to say about the hard-working American People."
posted by mccarty.tim at 10:25 AM on October 17, 2009 [3 favorites]
Also, as an American Person, I would like to take this opportunity to let Rachael Maddow know my feelings were not hurt when she insulted the guy. While he may feel he represents every American, the feeling is not mutual. However, I do like the tactic, and intend to use it at work the next time I screw up.
"It looks like we'll need to reinstall Windows to get your programs working again."
"What?! It was just fine this morning! You screwed it up! I could have done better with Geek Squad!"
"That's a terrible thing to say about the hard-working American People."
posted by mccarty.tim at 10:25 AM on October 17, 2009 [3 favorites]
She's pretty good in the first bit, not so good in the second when she has to tell him what she thinks of him which is all a bit awful.
Yeah, you know I think it's possible to expose someone like this sort of the way Russert used to do it, to set someone up so that they lie and lie and lie, and then play back previous video to destroy their castles of sand.
The great thing about The Daily Show is often all they do is pick out the most absurd things people say in the media, play it back and just let it hang in the air while everyone turns it over in their minds. It would definitely have been enough to let him claim martyrdom on behalf of the American people, then verify that he was, indeed, saying what we all thought he said, and then let it stand, because that right there is all the evidence anyone needs to decide that the guy is a scumbag. I'm happy she gave him the what for, in a purely personal way, but there's a reason journalists don't do that, and I don't think it makes the interview better.
posted by krinklyfig at 4:19 PM on October 17, 2009
Yeah, you know I think it's possible to expose someone like this sort of the way Russert used to do it, to set someone up so that they lie and lie and lie, and then play back previous video to destroy their castles of sand.
The great thing about The Daily Show is often all they do is pick out the most absurd things people say in the media, play it back and just let it hang in the air while everyone turns it over in their minds. It would definitely have been enough to let him claim martyrdom on behalf of the American people, then verify that he was, indeed, saying what we all thought he said, and then let it stand, because that right there is all the evidence anyone needs to decide that the guy is a scumbag. I'm happy she gave him the what for, in a purely personal way, but there's a reason journalists don't do that, and I don't think it makes the interview better.
posted by krinklyfig at 4:19 PM on October 17, 2009
BTW, Jon Stewart does put inject his own feelings in his interviews all the time, and it's sort of great (but grandstanding with an audience to back you up can get a bit overdone), but as he's said many times, he's a comedian, not a journalist. I think Maddow will do better over time if she resists the temptation of making her interviews about her, because she will benefit by creating a reputation of professionalism, and a lot of times that means stepping back to allow your subject to tell the story, because the audience is smart enough to figure it out. That doesn't mean you let people get away with obfuscating (as Russert frequently did), or that you let a lie stand. She can always frame it with an investigative piece to give it more context if the need exists, as she does anyway, and I don't think the danger is as high of people being fooled by propagandists like this guy if they're watching him on her show.
posted by krinklyfig at 4:28 PM on October 17, 2009
posted by krinklyfig at 4:28 PM on October 17, 2009
My crush on Rachel is actually kind of plutonic, instead.
posted by Forrest Greene at 11:02 PM on October 17, 2009
posted by Forrest Greene at 11:02 PM on October 17, 2009
I only ever see YouTube clips of her show, I have no idea when it's actually on, but every time I see her I want to marry Rachel Maddow a little bit more.
(ZOMG. I didn't even know that she's queer. That's so awesome. LET'S RUN AWAY TO VERMONT AND GET GAY MARRIED AND I WILL HAVE 10,000 OF YR GAY BABIES, RACHEL MADDOW!)
posted by grapefruitmoon at 5:39 AM on October 18, 2009
(ZOMG. I didn't even know that she's queer. That's so awesome. LET'S RUN AWAY TO VERMONT AND GET GAY MARRIED AND I WILL HAVE 10,000 OF YR GAY BABIES, RACHEL MADDOW!)
posted by grapefruitmoon at 5:39 AM on October 18, 2009
Oh yeah, I'm a queer lady, if that wasn't obvious. So, I guess thus far I win the thread for having the only *possible* crush on Ms. Maddow. Or I lose for being the most heartbroken that I don't get to take her out of my computer and into my bed.
posted by grapefruitmoon at 5:42 AM on October 18, 2009
posted by grapefruitmoon at 5:42 AM on October 18, 2009
What an uber douche, slimy weasel, make you sick to your stomach scumbag piece of human trash! What an example of responding to every question with either an acccusation or fake moral outrage, but never providing a single real answer. Between him and Betsy McCaughey that is quite some overload of demagoguery at its worst. Good for Rachel, even if it wasn't her best performance. More Rachel Maddows and Jon Stewarts and fewer Tim Phillips and Betsy McCaugheys and maybe the world would have a fighting chance.
posted by blue shadows at 5:44 AM on October 18, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by blue shadows at 5:44 AM on October 18, 2009 [1 favorite]
> So, I guess thus far I win the thread for having the only *possible* crush on Ms. Maddow.
There's no such thing as a crush which is or isn't "possible," and opening the "queer" umbrella while glibly prescribing who can get with or desire whom underneath it defeats its purpose. imo.
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 12:00 PM on October 18, 2009 [9 favorites]
There's no such thing as a crush which is or isn't "possible," and opening the "queer" umbrella while glibly prescribing who can get with or desire whom underneath it defeats its purpose. imo.
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 12:00 PM on October 18, 2009 [9 favorites]
You may want to take your gaydar into the shop to get it recalibrated, grapefruitmoon, if Rachel Maddow hasn't been reading as queer to you.
posted by gingerbeer at 12:29 PM on October 18, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by gingerbeer at 12:29 PM on October 18, 2009 [2 favorites]
There's no such thing as a crush which is or isn't "possible," and opening the "queer" umbrella while glibly prescribing who can get with or desire whom underneath it defeats its purpose. imo.
Um. Wow. So I was kidding, right? And kind of going on the theme of those other comments that were saying "I have this *im*possible crush on Ms. Maddow!" So, yeah, anyone can crush on anyone, and I'm well aware, and I would never say "Neener neener, you can't stand under my queer umbrella!" so please don't imply that that was my agenda.
You may want to take your gaydar into the shop to get it recalibrated,
Well, yeah, but there is "knowing" someone is queer and having, y'know, actual confirmation. I don't ever assume that because someone "reads" queer that they ARE.
As if I would ever deny someone space under the queer g-ddamn umbrella. Hrmph. My dander. It is up.
posted by grapefruitmoon at 1:02 PM on October 18, 2009
Um. Wow. So I was kidding, right? And kind of going on the theme of those other comments that were saying "I have this *im*possible crush on Ms. Maddow!" So, yeah, anyone can crush on anyone, and I'm well aware, and I would never say "Neener neener, you can't stand under my queer umbrella!" so please don't imply that that was my agenda.
You may want to take your gaydar into the shop to get it recalibrated,
Well, yeah, but there is "knowing" someone is queer and having, y'know, actual confirmation. I don't ever assume that because someone "reads" queer that they ARE.
As if I would ever deny someone space under the queer g-ddamn umbrella. Hrmph. My dander. It is up.
posted by grapefruitmoon at 1:02 PM on October 18, 2009
Why do I get the feeling Metafilter has been infested with ANGRY BEES this weekend?
posted by The Whelk at 2:14 PM on October 18, 2009
posted by The Whelk at 2:14 PM on October 18, 2009
Just this weekend? I thought the ANGRY BEES lived here. With the address "MetaFilter: 1 Angry Bees Lane" you kind of get that impression.
posted by grapefruitmoon at 3:01 PM on October 18, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by grapefruitmoon at 3:01 PM on October 18, 2009 [1 favorite]
Welp, sorry I didn't get the joke, gfm. I read it as "I think she's fly too, and I'm a woman, so I win for being queer."
I thought the bees were just looking for the good drugs! Maybe they're jonesing reeeeal baaaad.
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 3:12 PM on October 18, 2009
I thought the bees were just looking for the good drugs! Maybe they're jonesing reeeeal baaaad.
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 3:12 PM on October 18, 2009
Also, this video of Maddow on Obama's Nobel has been fun to pass around, and recommends her clarity and charm beautifully.
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 3:15 PM on October 18, 2009
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 3:15 PM on October 18, 2009
I wish, every single Sunday morning, that Rachel Maddow was hosting Meet the Press instead of Captain Beige (aka David Gregory). When she made her debut on the show as a panelist this summer, she cleaned the floor with Dick Armey. She's the only host on TV right now with the education, skill and grace to eviscerate these lying scumbags, and I say we let her at 'em.
posted by bitter-girl.com at 7:19 AM on October 19, 2009
posted by bitter-girl.com at 7:19 AM on October 19, 2009
I wish I had a queer umbrella.
posted by staggering termagant at 9:07 AM on October 19, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by staggering termagant at 9:07 AM on October 19, 2009 [1 favorite]
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posted by mccarty.tim at 7:21 PM on October 16, 2009 [3 favorites]