"Meet Tim Russert" - (Media Matters)

[annabanana]

Today I received Media Matters survey of the recent career of Tim Russert (Cheney's most "reliable outlet" per the Plame Case)

His blatant bias and relentless trivialization of anything Democratic is clearly laid out in example after example of egregiously slanted questioning. Loaded premises abound. He needs to be called on it BIG TIME. Jon Stewart edged up to it with Brian Williams on The Daily Show on Thursday night, but was ultimately too respectful of his guest to really come up to the plate.

You will find in this article the journalistic crimes of Tim Russert:

The serious and high-minded approach to political coverage Russert brags about would be a welcome change from the political coverage for which Russert is responsible.

During this week's Democratic presidential debate, Russert didn't ask a single question about global warming, continuing his longstanding habit of all but ignoring the topic. He didn't ask a single question about the mortgage crisis. (As one Cleveland resident noted, "We've got the mortgage industry's toxic waste scattered all over this city, but Mr. Blue-Collar-Buffalo-and-Cleveland-Marshall-Guy Russert couldn't be bothered with a question about it.") He didn't ask a single question about executive power, the Constitution, torture, wiretapping, or other civil-liberties concerns. But that shouldn't come as a surprise; of all the questions he has asked while moderating presidential debates during this campaign, only one has dealt with any of those topics.

He has, however, asked Dennis Kucinich what he felt compelled to insist was a "serious question" -- whether Kucinich has seen a UFO. And he has asked about John Edwards' expensive haircut.

Funny, Russert doesn't mention UFOs or haircuts in that MSNBC promo.

Much MUCH more at link: http://mediamatters.org/items/200802290020?f=h_top

[Faygo Kid]

1. Timmy the tongue - planted firmly on Limbaugh's posterior

You want to see Timmy give great deference - even reverence - to someone he interviews? Watch any of his interviews with Limbaugh, in which he treats the walking pilodinal cyst as the Second Coming, and his bombastic, ignorant statements as the equivalent of the Psalms.

At least Chrissy is entertaining in his madness. Tim Russert is the most self important blowhard this side of George Will, and at least Will never insulted every journalist that ever lived by reverential treatment of Rush Limbaugh.

[annabanana]

2. His position as primary NBC Political Analyst in DC is wrong on

SO MANY levels.

AS the rest of the media ship begins to correct it's rightward course, his bias becomes more and more evident. I hope NBC starts taking a good look at how "odd" his so-called journalism is beginning to look to the majority of Americans.

[Alcibiades]

3. Has he denounced McCain

for misinterpreting Senator Obama's comment on Al Quaida in Iraq? If Russert wants people to take him seriously as an objective and neutral arbiter, he must point out that McCain has clearly misinterpreted the context of Obama's response.

I now see why someone was really smart to advise no one in the Bush administration to answer hypotheticals. Though I disagree with them on nearly all matters of policy, it is tactically ill-advised to speak to these things publicly. Once you start answering them, it's "gotcha!" time.

[ihavenobias]

5. Also, will he question McCain for happily accepting the endorsement of racist/homophobe/zealot

John Hagee (who endorsed McCain the other day)? Especially in the context of how he grilled Obama on farrakhan at the last debate?

Will McCain denounce Hagee? Not so far, despite the INSANE things Hagee has said: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x98767

[annabanana]

6. This specific case is glaring, given the pummelling Russert

attempted when he was beating Obama with the Farrakhan stick.

[ihavenobias]

11. EXACTLY

Not only that, but like Cenk says in the YouTube clip, shouldn't this sink McCain's candidacy? Imagine a similar situation for Obama...the story would be all over the place.

[Bandit]

10. He is in one of McCains Ads promoting McCain

He has become blatant about his Bias..

[ThomWV]

4. Stop watching him and notifiy the stations that carry him and more importantly the sponsors

The key is in the Advertisers. Believe me, they get rid of 'personalities' when the buying public lets them know they are sickend by the asshats they pay to have on the air.

[gerrilea]

7. I never believed his questions were ever fair and balanced, great link and post!

After reading most of the link, I'm not surprised, but this is the MSM and the corporate masters again, wanting us to believe white is black and slavery is freedom...

[Warren Stupidity]

8. As I learned after last weeks debate, a lot of DU loves them some timmeh

and think he is just great and really gets things going and gets the candidates 'mixing it up' with his gotchas and tricky-shit. The fact that he is a vapid reknucklian operative who tosses softballs at their side hasn't seemed to enter into the love me some timmeh equation. After more than 25 years of blatant media bias, you'd think we'd be wise to their ways. Instead we seem to have grown accustomed and accepting.

[annabanana]

12. I think he's looking worse and worse. It's not that he's changed,

so much, as it is that the sharp rightward trajectory of the Corporate Media has (ever so slightly) modified lately under pressure from alternative media. His sins are more glaringly apparent, in high relief, if you will.

[Support the ACLU]

9. Thanks for posting this

[NNN0LHI]

13. I can't believe some seemingly intelligent people can't see through this GOP shill

He is as bad as they come.

Don

[annabanana]

15. The fact that he's NEVER called on his BS is the thing that bugs

me the most.

[AntiFascist]

14. All I can say is....

(with sincere reverence to Swamp Rat :yourock:)

[Disturbed]

16. Russet works for GE, a War Profiteer.

Tim Russert Media Whore

In 1992, shortly after being named moderator of Meet The Press, Tim Russert was having lunch with a broadcast executive. The mealtime conversation was about the pros and cons of working for General Electric’s NBC subsidiary. Russert expounded on how being employed by GE had brought him to the realization that things functioned better when Republicans were in charge.

“You know, Tim, you used to be such a rabid Democrat when you worked for Pat Moynihan,” said the executive. “But now that you’ve gotten a glimpse of who’s handing out the money in this business, you’ve become quite the Jaycee. Were you wrong about everything you used to believe so strongly?”
“I still believe,” Russert said, leaning across the table. “I believe in everything I ever did. But I also know that I never would have become moderator on Meet The Press if my employers were uncomfortable with me. And, given the amount of money at stake, millions of dollars, I don’t blame them. This is business.”

The executive agreed. “But are you concerned about losing yourself? You know, selling out?”

Russert pounded the table. “Integrity is for paupers!”

http://makethemaccountable.com/podvin/media/020109_Russert.htm