Rachel Maddow is a Damn Cheerleader I Tell You

[berni_mccoy]

Of course, my header is total :sarcasm:, just to get that up front and out of the way.

Transcript from Maddow on Letterman via Kos: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/1/9/823295/-Rachel-Maddow-speaks-the-truth

If Rachel posted her comments her, I'm certain she'd be called a cheerleader for it. I know many other long-timer DUers have made similar positive comments about Obama and we've been labeled cheerleader at best.

Letterman: It's coming up on the anniversary of president Obama being inaugurated. Give us the assessment here. How is it look?

Rachel: "The most interesting thing about Obama's first year, is how crazy the opposition has gone in reaction to him. And that's been so exciting - The Sarah Palin, Micheal Steele, tea party stuff on the right - That i think nobody is notice that he's kind of quietly put together the most legislative accomplished first year of any president in a generation. He has done a lot".

Letterman: Certainly has done a lot, because there was a lot to do. But effectively accomplished things, or just accomplished things?

Rachel: "Well, the bailout thing - while being wildly unpopular - does appear to have stopped the financial industry from disappearing. We still do have AN economy. It's not the best one, but we have one. To sort of saving us from having another great depression was a thing he didn't planned to do, but he actually did it, and he had to do a lot of politically unpopular things.
"He also did the giant stimulus, which even conservatives starting to admit now worked. And if health care signed - that's something that what, 6, 7 presidents have tried to do and nobody has been able to. So everybody is saying what a disappointment he's been, while he's quietly doing everything he wants to do".

[Larkspur]

1. Unfortunately for Obama, that's the best compliment he can get

but those of us on the unemployment line and those of us who will be going back to the unemployment line have a different view of Obama and it ain't pretty. His only saving grace is that the Repukes are worse, but his timidity is hurting most ordinary Americans while allowing the fat cats on Wall STreet to get fatter.

[still_one]

13. Until companies start hiring it is going to be terrible for those unemployed. That is why they

extended the unemployment and subsidized COBRA for 9 months, because they know this will take a long time

[discocrisco01]

37. Jobs

That what is the solution to bring back jobs.

[CLANG]

60. Unfortunately, bringing back jobs isn't the solution

but only the end result of solutions we've yet to implement. Even though basic math can describe those solutions, basic math also finds "we the people" on the short end of the equation.

[Dappleganger]

20. Your statement doesn't speak for all of the unemployed.

I still believe in what he's done and what he's trying to do.

[greenbird]

57. Please don't speak for me.

I'm underemployed, my husband is unemployed, we just lost our health insurance, we don't have two nickels to rub together. We are both proud of and happy with this President.

[treestar]

74. You're assigning the blame for that to the current President?

Try blaming the last one. the current one is trying to get us back on track. What the hell is wrong with cheerleading for him to do that?

[NYC_SKP]

2. If Maddow posted here, she'd be despised, insulted, unrecced, and ultimately she would leave.

Like our Nance Greggs.

Maybe things will change... :eyes:

[DevonRex]

6. Yep. I guess that's why nobody mentioned the interview until now. nt

[Knight Hawk]

14. The last thing...............

Like the Willie Nelson song with the words "the last thing I needed the first thing this morning was for you to walk out on me"Nancie Gregg ran away just when she was most needed to man the barricades..........just sayin

[blondeatlast]

18. Nance left? Say it ain't so...

Sadly, I'm seriously considerign a quiet exit myself. This place has seriously devolved.

[NYC_SKP]

22. Check your PM.

I don't want to bring the wrong kind of attention to her thread.

If the administration will, to put it kindly, get their shit together I'm sure she'll come back.

:shrug:

[TicketyBoo]

51. I'd love to

see it, too, if you don't mind?

[Dappleganger]

21. +1

[Vinnie From Indy]

23. I think Rachel understands that politics and opinion are hardly polite and often mean

While I understand the desire by many to have more harmony and a higher level of civility at DU, the fact is that discussing politics will always be an activity that comes with not so pleasant baggage. It is unavoidable and and some cases beneficial to the debate.

I doubt that Rachel validates the worth of her opinion on the wild rantings and vicious attacks that might be directed her way. She undoubtedly seperates the wheat from the chaff and deals with substantative rebuttal when appropriate. She would do just fine at DU.

I didn't know Nance had stopped posting here. Did she give a reason?

[goclark]

40. Nance always had a reasoned voice and will be missed

by so many ~ what a huge void.

[Control-Z]

83. Nance left? n/t

[cliffordu]

94. I doubt it. The idealogues and the purity police and the

self-appointed bosses of the new liberalism, activism or whatever they claim to be would take a dump on her, too.


Which, between that and what has happened to Nance, says it all.

[Toots]

3. One thing I have noticed about Rachel is, She speaks the truth

She usually has facts at hand and I have yet to catch, or hear about a single untrue thing she has stated. She is a Liberal, very much so, but she is truthful. Some may call what she says as cheer leading but I just say she is telling it like it is and not as she wishes it were. She does that as well, don't get me wrong, but she keeps opinion separate from fact at all times.

[Kaleva]

4. recced

[DevonRex]

5. She was great! Rachel had lots of good stuff to say about Obama

and absolutely nothing bad. She's a team player, a pragmatic liberal Democrat. I just love her. I didn't like the glasses so much, though. That was hilarious when they switched glasses with each other.

[JamesA1102]

15. Nothing Bad???

I guess you missed all her shows where she went after the President on DADT and DOMA.

[DevonRex]

25. We're talking about the Letterman show here.

That's okay, though. I can see where you might have gotten the wrong impression. And Dems MUST be pushed to get rid of DADT and DOMA. Absolutely. You and I agree there 100%.

[berni_mccoy]

31. I truly hope DADT and DOMA are repealed this year.

[goclark]

41. That would be outstanding! nt

[DevonRex]

92. As do I. We really need to start an aggressive proactive campaign

for repeal here on DU. Let's be the forum that takes positive action to make it happen.

[malaise]

7. She was great

Love her

[nevergiveup]

8. What she told Letterman won't be popular here

but Rachel is damn smart and pretty good when it comes to looking at the big picture.

[spiritual_gunfighter]

9. and Rachel was already thrown under the bus

by most of the Obama supporters months ago, is she okay now?

[Hissyspit]

26. I have not forgotten that. Saw several instances of

'Rachel Maddow is dead to me.' Saw a 'just can't watch her anymore,' too.

Pretty ridiculous.

[spiritual_gunfighter]

28. Of course I wont name any names

but as I recall a couple of the same people who considered Rachel a "traitor" are on this very thread. Kinda pathetic.

[berni_mccoy]

32. Goes both ways. I see plenty of people now touting the House healthcare bill

who hated it when it passed in the House.

[Jax]

55. pathetic but typical spiritual_gunfighter

I remember when she was thrown under the bus here too.

It made me sick then and still does.

I see those posters on this one too. They love her now but wait, it she doesn't kiss the big ring every show she will be trashed here.

Alyce

[berni_mccoy]

67. You've got people who are constant Obama haters throwing her under the buss now

in this very thread.

[spiritual_gunfighter]

80. Knowing Rachel as we do

it is merely a matter of time before she is found under the bus again. I am predicting a "Rachel Maddow sucks" thread within the next two weeks.

[QC]

52. There were even sly references to her "bias," wink wink wink,

you know what I mean, nudge nudge.

[spoony]

62. I know, they're trying to pull her out, now. lol.

These posters can be so unbelievably juvenile.

[jaxx]

10. Yay Rachel.

She's the one who puts it all in perspective.

[Hekate]

11. "... he's quietly doing everything he wants to do." Meaning what he SAID he'd do.

Dr. Maddow was very quick on her feet with Dave Letterman, some of the stuff he threw at her.

[chimpymustgo]

36. No. Meaning what "he WANTS to do." NOT what he SAID he'd do. BIG difference.

[90-percent]

12. Rachel is pretty tall too?

one thing she does that I think is fantastic is that she'll run a background piece about somebody or something on the right, like the house of infidelity christian home in DC, and then have a guest on "from the other side" She asks EXPLICITLY if the guest found anything factually troubling about her presentation. In most cases, they concur with her coverage.

Rachel seems to have tremendous respect for truth and facts. She is not a propagandist!

-90% Jimmy

[jpak]

16. GOOOooooo Rachel!

Sis Boom Bah!

:thumbsup:

[NJmaverick]

17. Rachel Maddow is a brilliant woman

she sees the big picture and how much President Obama has accomplished.

[Hissyspit]

19. "I'm reading it from your book, dude."

Classic moment: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7184511

[berni_mccoy]

30. Yeah, that was completely awesome. Rachel radiates awesomeness.

[CLANG]

63. She's polite too!

I'm sure she meant more like, "I'm reading it from your book, jackass.":toast:

[seeinfweggos]

24. you are right

and so is she

rec'd

[GeorgeGist]

27. Rachel does post here.

[berni_mccoy]

29. Really? I'd love to see one of her posts!

[Name removed]

33. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[berni_mccoy]

35. Right, because cheerleader is NEVER used first used to attack someone with here

who posts positive news. :sarcasm:

You must be reading a different DU.

[hfojvt]

34. I noticed that too

kinda surprising.

[debbierlus]

38. 'He's quietly doing everything he wants to do'

Interesting.

Expanding the war in Afghanistan

Cutting deals with corporate execs and insurance lobbyists - putting the hammer down on the Senate for the drug reimportation bill from Canada.

Appointing Bernacke & Geithner to top financial administrative positions - the architects of the Wall St collapse.

Expanding Bush's executive powers dogma

I see no discussion of any Obama's policies with this post or the ramifications of his actions. We have an economy. One that continues to hemmorhage jobs while bonuses to Wall St & big banks add up to multiple billions. Did anyone read the top post today about the mortgage relief plan? Not one person has seen ANY relief from this program.

Whatever.

[berni_mccoy]

44. Rachel's support for the President must really get under your skin...

[debbierlus]

46. If you think I need a political pundit to validate my beliefs

You are sorely mistaken.

Sorry to disappoint you.

[berni_mccoy]

66. If you believe Rachel is a "political pundit" then you have bigger problems than anyone can help you

with.

[DevonRex]

93. Agreed. She gets a LOT of good information out there. She knows

when and how to criticize and she does it in a way that gets people to actually DO something rather than get demoralized into thinking that nothing they do will make any difference.

She's a brilliant investigative reporter, IMO. And she's just brilliant period.

[theFrankFactor]

95. Picky, Picky, Picky...

Seriously, I agree with you. I wonder how far an MSNBC commentator would get if they attacked corporate collusion in the White House and Congress as much as they make fun of Republicans. If they exposed Comcast, GE, NewsCorp, the AMA the whole Health Insurance Lobby, ya know IMPORTANT stuff?

I was one of these party loyalists who thought the problem was the Republicans. Now we have majorities in both houses and the Executive branch and this is supposed to be the best we can get; and worse, what we deserve.

Lowered expectations. Barack Obama is a corporatist first and serves the same masters as the Republicans. It's all about corporate domination of the People's house.

If the Republicans had the MANDATE and numbers Barack Obama entered the WHite House with they would have every fucking thing their little black hearts desired. As it is they'll have to be patient and wait until 2012 when mr. Hope and Change goes home and they can get back to business as usual. Congressional Democrats are just a distraction.

[maryf]

96. "And if health care signed

- that's something that what, 6, 7 presidents have tried to do and nobody has been able to. "

and even if it passes it won't be health care reform, it will be health insurance reform!!

Wonder if Rachel is on the health insurance payroll now...

[pattmarty]

39. Ya know, one of the things that amuses me the most here at DU is....

........when a person (any person) praises or supports a particular bill or policy how EVERYBODY praises the person. Then the very next day that same (hero) person will do something "unliberal" and everybody will be all over his/her ass. A good example is Dennis Kucinich. Now, I am in no way either praising or damning Kucinich, but it shows how fickle some people are. I like Bernie Sanders, he is probably the most "liberal" Senator and people here at DU jumped all over him when he decided (for admittedly political reasons) to support the "reform" bill. Ya can't have it both fucking ways. Either someone is your "hero" or they ain't. I love my wife and have been married for almost 30 yrs and listen to her on numerous issues, BUT WE DON'T AGREE ALL THE TIME. I didn't see the Letterman show and I really like Rachael, but from the transcript shown here, I would have disagreed on some of her statements. BUT, I STILL LIKE HER. Now, this is really going to get me in "liberal" trouble; I like Pat Buchanan too. When he is not being partisan, he is one of the most astute people out there when assessing political situations. Admittedly, there are not too many people on the "other side" nowadays I respect.

[donco6]

49. True. Tomorrow when Rachel "trashes" Obama for something -

she will be dead to the BOGers.

[ecstatic]

56. You respect Pat Pukkkanon? Wow!

He is about as vile as it gets! :wtf: :puke:

[pattmarty]

79. Look VERY closely how narrowly I praised Buchanan. He can............

................analyze political shit (WHEN not being partisan) pretty god damn good. Chuck Todd gets trashed here regularly, but I'll tell ya, when it comes to numbers this kid is a absolute fucking whiz.

[renate]

71. you are DEAD to me (i kid, I kid)

Even though I'm puzzled by the concept of a liberal who likes Pat Buchanan, my point is the one you just made... people don't agree with each other all the time, and expecting a politician or commentator or friend to be in 100% concurrence with one's own beliefs is a recipe for disappointment.

:thumbsup: for what you wrote.

[treestar]

76. This is DU where you are supposed to throw people under the bus

for a single disagreement! :rofl:

[donco6]

42. Interesting story.

But was the whining really necessary?

[berni_mccoy]

43. based on your response, I'd say the sarcasm was warranted

"whining"? Right, that's what I was doing.... :sarcasm:

[donco6]

47. Sounded like whining to me.

To each his own, I guess.

[cliffordu]

45. She is SOOOO in the tank for him...

:rofl:

[abq e streeter]

48. I'm in the "disappointed with Obama" camp, but have great admiration and respect for Rachel

Maddow.......I consider her defense of President Obama to be something to not be taken lightly/dismissed , same as I do for anyone here who posts specifics about the positive things he has done and why he deserves credit for those things, and time to do more. I happen to feel I have genuine justification for my disappointment/disillusionment, that I've expressed too many times to feel like detailing once again, but no, I don't think she's a "cheerleader" nor is my "head exploding" ( as I've seen it expressed here on other occasions).....I try to always consider the possibility that I'm wrong about things I criticize Pres. Obama for, but would hope that those I perceive to be supporting everything he does and dismissing valid criticisms as "hate , vitriol" etc. , would do the same.

[DutchLiberal]

50. Yes, he may "sign health care". But where's the reform he promised?

Where's the public option he now lies about having ever supported? He's making it mandatory that millions of Americans buy insurance from private insurance companies --the same companies that have been fucking over the people for decades now.

Is signing such a thing really something to be proud of?

[Mithreal]

53. Hey there, you, you oversimplifier, yeah you

There is a difference in audience.

Some may call me dishonest, I would disagree, but when I speak about my political views to a general audience my views are in strong support. That is why my Republican brother called Obama my idol.

When speaking to fellow Democrats that should place our values and principles first, that is another story.

I'll paraphrase a fellow DU'er and add my own comment. It must be very sad to need validation for your opinions in this way but whatever floats your boat, am I right.

[jillan]

54. She is so smooth. I was so proud of her for biting her tongue.

You could just tell she made a quick decision to be professional and to publicly support our President to Dave's viewing audience.

I just LOVE her!

[ecstatic]

59. That could be it. Why do so many liberals air our dirty laundry

when the teabaggers/Cheneys of the world are waiting for the chance to take over again? If that's what Rachel did, then my respect for her has increased. I know many liberals and so called liberals are angry about one thing or another but there's a time and a place to air those grievances (the best time is not in a mainstream setting that will empower the GOP).

[jillan]

65. I couldn't agree with you more. I know we're not sheep, but

we fought so hard to get a Dem elected President, and a Dem majority.

I know he's not perfect, and we sure have alot of DINO's in Congress...but it is still 1000000x better than the repugs.
I have so many issues with Obama, but my venting stops here and with certain friends.

As for Rachel - you could just read her body language that within a split second she decided to take the high road.
She is pure class.

[Quasimodem]

68. I agree.

While tailoring her message to the venue, Rachel continued to speak only the truth. Just not all the truth.

On her own show Rachel can voice complete, nuanced criticism to an audience of whom she may assume are at least aware of the facts under discussion.

In what is pretty straightforwardly a entertainment program where she can exert little control, all that criticism would do is to give sound-bites to the opposition.

[graywarrior]

58. I rec'd this because I agree with Rachel

Hand me my bon bons, will ya?

[berni_mccoy]

72. lol, thank you

this brought some much needed laughter to my soul.

Thank you again.

[QC]

61. I'm sure she will resume her customary position under the Hopemobile soon.

Around here, people are either saints or devils, and that status changes from moment to moment.

[bullwinkle428]

69. Probably the next time she does a story on GLBT issues

where she displays the huge graphic over her shoulder that says "FIERCE ADVOCATE?", just like she did earlier this week! ;)

[QC]

70. Yes, that could do it.

Of course, expressing very mild disagreement with any of Obama's positions or actions is enough to earn one devil status around here.

[Arkana]

64. Under the RV for Rachel! She's a DLC corporatist sellout and must be destroyed!

1st Keyboard Warriors Division, MOUNT UP!

[girl gone mad]

75. You got the metaphor backwards.

Rahm is driving the bus, Larry Summers is in the passenger seat, Obama is along for the ride. Liberals and progressives have all been thrown off by this point.

[girl gone mad]

73. He should have slit the throat of big finance when he had the chance.

Now they will continue to feed off of the middle class until there is nothing left.

[HughMoran]

77. That's a fair analysis from Rachel - who hasn't shied away from criticizing Obama

Kudos to her for providing a fair analysis when asked directly.

:applause:

[winyanstaz]

78. Rachel rocks :)

[HBravo]

81. Sorry but

this not what he said was his plan. He talked about we should have the same plan that the leaders of our government have but he turned over the the health care plan to these people and they come up with this incomprehensible plan that favors the cooperations. The stimulus plan, they have only released 1/3rd of the money in order to jump start and save the economy and now they are talking about a second stimulus plan. :wtf: Why a second plan when they set up the first to have a revolving/updating account that it would never run out of money. Is he setting up to have the repubs.:puke: take back over or does he really not know what he is doing. Sorry right now I am disillusioned.

[pundaint]

82. Not counting having Ms Bernhardt on her show, this is the first time I strongly disagree

with Rachel. Part of the reason 6 or 7 presidents may have not gotten any healthcare bill is because they may have been too principled to accept "any" bill and call it reform. There would always have been plenty of corporatist support for this piece of shit. The only reason it might pass now is the complete abandonment of the People's interests by both parties in the competition to acquire power. I wont give credit to the guy who sets the house on fire, for finally addressing the rodent problem. A fix worse than the problem just doesn't count.

[autorank]

84. In general, she's not a cheerleader. But she is here.

That OK with me. She does a very good job most of the time and stays on a story consistently.

[freddie mertz]

91. Rachel has emerged as a truly outstanding REPORTER, especially as regards the right.

Her work on the corporate sponsorship of the teabaggers and anti-HCR groups, on "the Family," and the rest are truly Emmy-worthy.

It's interesting to note, too, that she has basically abandoned punditry on her TV show.

[LeftyMom]

85. I take it you don't watch her show.

She's plenty critical of Obama, which is why the pom pom brigade will almost certainly resume shrieking your fool heads off about her before a week passes.

[DailyGrind51]

86. Rachel is correct, considering his irrational, but relentless opposition.

[freddie mertz]

90. FROM THE RIGHT. Which was what she was talking about.

This is being spun very dishonestly here.

[freddie mertz]

87. "How crazy the opposition has gone in reaction to him""...

She is talking about the teabaggers and the rightwingers here, as is made clear by the transcript.

So, nice try.

She is and has been very supportive of the president, especially of late.

And always conducts herself with class and dignity.

Which is something a few people could stand to learn from.

[hulka38]

88. +1

The OP knows who Rachel was referring to with that quote but has decided to play dumb. This technique worsens a discussion board.

[freddie mertz]

89. You are correct, and it is part of a pattern. nt.

[ibegurpard]

97. That wasn't exactly glowing praise you know