Why all the Rachel Maddow madness (as an employee of GE) she is just doing her job. She is tied to

[CK_John]

a troubled corp that is in panic mode, as all major corps are, she read the memo. Layoffs coming, 401k contribution cutting, be a good GE'er or start floating your resume. She is in survival mode, that's all.

[Armstead]

1. That's bunk. Maddow is far from being a corporate stooge.

I don't know why Progressive Intellectual Honesty is so repugnant to so many on our side of the spectrum these days.

Maddow is simply voicing the same concerns that many progressives have about whether Obama will represent a true fresh start, or simply a replay of the more conservative aspects of DLC Clintonism, which is not all that different from Republican conservatism on many issues.

[TornadoTN]

Maybe she needs to actually let him get into office first

Let me clarify - I like Maddow, but she's doing herself no favors by playing "Chicken Little" 24/7.

I don't have a problem with questioning Obama's governance if he starts doing things that are contrary to our values, however, he hasn't even taken office yet and his picks for cabinet offices are far from decided. Her "concern trolling" is out of place because she has nothing to base her "concern" on.

[Armstead]

9. I believe the questions and pressure need to start early

It's going to be real tempting for Obama to fall back on the same "wise men" who helped to repeal deregulation and encourage mega-mergers, bad trade deals and other fundamental problems that helped pave the way for W and the debacle that have led us to this sorry point.

So rather than wait until we're set on a course backward based on an illusion, those who ARE "concerned" need to be voicing concerns now, in the formative stages.

[theboss]

2. Clinton's DLC centrist positions gave us 8 years of prosperity

I'm still puzzled as to why a move in that general direction is a bad thing.

Democrats are now the party of fiscal responsibility. Balanced budgets and the like.

Clinton's policies with a tempering of Clinton's desire to sell out on trade is a good thing.

[justiceischeap]

4. I for one don't think it's a bad thing to look at models that ACTUALLY work

And go in that direction initially to help our struggling economy.

Of course, we could encourage Obama to do something completely new and untested and if it fails, he's a lame duck President and doesn't get re-elected. But hey, as long as the DLC is out of the picture that's all that matters. :sarcasm:

[theboss]

5. Here is what succesful Dems seem to understand: you need prosperity to build a safety net

Obama has made some big promises over the last two years. And - unlike George W. Bush - he believes in paying for his promises.

So, he needs a booming economy.

[Armstead]

11. Because that direction helped bring us to this point

Deregulation, bad trade policies, rotten healthcare did not start with W.

They were the extensions of the darker side of those policies, which in the 90's created an illusion that glossed over underlying trends that were already hollowing out the middle class and the domestic economy, and helping to bolster the political power of the Corporate Oligarchs.

[theboss]

18. These policies have been in place since 1960

The two biggest issue with Clinton's policies were his deregulation of the financial markets and the trade policies that put no requirements on trade partners regarding labor and environmental standards. I believe Obama recognizes that.

But Obama is certainly not going to go back to a 70 percent top tax rate.
He sees the value of middle class tax cuts.
He knows the importance of a vibrant investment class.
He knows the drag that budget deficits put on the economy.
He knows the importance of free trade in general.
He knows the destructive powers of inflation.

[OwnedByFerrets]

16. Im glad you added your last line.

[Beacool]

17. Shhh, why confuse them with the facts.

Many spent so many months throwing the Clintons under the bus that they forget how great the economy was during his tenure. We should be lucky to have a Clinton third term.

[theboss]

20. I want a Clinton-ish thrid term

I don't want any of the BS soap opera stuff.
I don't want the complete and total selling out to Wall Street.

But policies that are more Clinton than Bush are certainly in order.

We arent' getting FDR's policies, folks.

[Beacool]

21. I was referring to the economy and not the other BS

that marred his presidency, some of his own doing, but the majority caused by the Republicans.

[NorthCarolina]

28. Screw the DLC, I voted for CHANGE n/t

[theboss]

30. To what?

You can either go for LBJ liberalism.
Or Clinton liberalism (which is essentially what Obama ran on).
Or a splitting of the difference.
Or, you know, Reagan conservatism.

Obama didn't run on a radical platform.

[Hamlette]

3. oh stop. Just TRY to look at the facts before you blame some boogey man for your theories

her numbers are kicking butt which MSNBC has never done before. Her job is NOT in jeopardy.

[Hieronymus]

7. You bet ... she rates number two behind Keith. O'Reilly is three. Those

who find fault with her are the real Chicken Littles.

[CK_John]

12. Every job is at risk. n/t

[Ichingcarpenter]

6. 'She is in survival mode, that's all.' .... yeah MSNBC doesn't like hit ratings

What a stupid post.

[ellacott]

8. She can be a little too whiny at times

It's gets frustrating for me and I change the channel. When she had a NY congresswoman on to talk about the latest drilling bill that was passed she didn't let the woman speak. She didn't talk Rachel down because kept whining.

Randi had the woman on the next day and she explained what's in the bill and why they voted for it.

I don't see Keith doing as much whining and his show is popular.

[Hieronymus]

14. LOL, Randi isn't in the same league as Keith and Rachel.

[ellacott]

15. Well, Rachel got outdone by a minor leaguer

because Randi was able to allow the woman to explain the bill in a way that Rachel couldn't.

[Hieronymus]

19. That is rare, indeed. Randi isn't known for letting anyone speak uninterrupted.

[ellacott]

22. That is very true, that does bother me a lot about Randi

This time she let the congresswoman speak.

[Turn CO Blue]

29. Randi has a ways to go.

I won't listen to her. When Rhandi can present herself in a more sophisticated manner, without yelling over and interrupting every guest, then I'll give her a second chance. Bluster is bluster, regardless if it's Rhodes or Hannity or O'Reilly.

[soleft]

10. People haven't been paying attention to what she's been saying all along

1. Yeah, she's happy Obama won - but she's not crazy about alot of his positions, she's particularly concerned about his plans for Afghaniston - so expect to hear a lot of critiques there. Especially since she's writing a book about the use of the military to achieve our global objectives.

2. Back in June when the pundits were accusing Obama of shifting to the center for the general election, she was outspoken telling them Obama has always been in the center. In fact, I think that was the topic that sent poor Joe Scarborough throwing off his mike and running off the set.

Apparently people on DU just aren't capable of holding two thoughts in their brain at the same time. Yes, it's great Obama won. We must remain vigilant in examing and questioning our leaders.

[ellacott]

13. You made good points until the end

I'm aware of her feelings regarding Afghanistan. When Joe threw off his mike it was about whether Obama had flip flopped on his position on withdrawing the troops within 16 months. Rachel was trying to tell him that Obama's position has been consistent and was trying to give examples.

There is a difference between having a legitimate policy debate and being a pessimist.

Rachel has admitted that this is a part of her personality. She says she's a glass half empty person.

It has nothing to do with us being incapable of holding two thoughts in our brain at the same time.

[soleft]

25. How about two emotions at the same time?

[ellacott]

27. We can do that too

Don't underestimate us.

[gravity]

23. GE is one of the best ran corps in the country

They don't have an agenda with Rachel Maddow, other than that she brings in the ratings.

[jonnyblitz]

24. People here want MSNBC to be a DEM version of FAUX News

and they get pissed when anybody deviates from that script.

[high density]

26. I'm not a big fan of her

But your analysis is way off. Her show is bringing in great viewership for the network. Layoffs hit the people behind the scenes, not the talent in front of the cameras.