The Right Seizes On Ed Schultz Line

[babylonsister]

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2009_12/021606.php

RIGHT SEIZES ON SCHULTZ LINE.... Earlier this week, MSNBC's Ed Schultz appeared on "Morning Joe," and pressed David Axelrod on health care reform, criticizing the Democratic plan from the left. Soon after, on his radio show, Schultz said White House officials were emailing hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski -- during the program -- to complain about all the liberal critics of health care reform on the show.

"Now think about that," Schultz told listeners. "Here's the White House getting in contact with 'Morning Joe' because they're afraid there's too many lefties on the air!"

Schultz's comments were, not surprisingly, quickly embraced by far-right bloggers, who said Schultz confirmed fears about MSNBC being in cahoots with the president's team. After all, the argument goes, if White House aides are communicating with "Morning Joe" hosts during the program, it suggests ... something nefarious. One went so far as to call it "state control" of the media, adding that it would be scandalous if conservative media figures "had been caught taking orders from Bush during the program."

James Joyner, himself a conservative, noted how silly this is.

Now, first of all, all we know if that Schultz claims he saw the hosts looking down at their BlackBerries during the show. He doesn't claim to have seen the messages or that the hosts said they had a question from the White House. It's pure wild ass speculation on Schultz' part.

But let's take a leap of faith and presume that MSNBC's show hosts do in fact get emails from the White House trying to spin them. Is that really that shocking? The White House has a rather sophisticated communications shop, after all. If the hosts are checking their emails while guests are on the air -- which strikes me as a rather bizarre thing to do -- then it stands to reason that they get whatever emails are sent during the show, including those from the White House.

How, exactly, does that translate into state control?

It's the political equivalent of working the refs. Watch any NFL game and you'll see players and coaches pleading with the officials to throw a flag or reverse a call. And every so often, the ref will change his mind after hearing the argument! Does that mean the refs are under the coaches' control? Of course not.

And, one presumes, Limbaugh, Hannity, and Levin did indeed get messages from the Bush administration and other Republican operatives during their broadcasts. Hell, Limbaugh has admitted to "carrying the water" of the party, putting a spin on things contrary to his own beliefs in order to help Republicans win. He was getting his talking points from somewhere.

Does anyone really think Joe Scarborough, a former Republican Congressman from Florida who many presume has future political ambitions, is a stooge for a Democratic administration? It just doesn't make any sense.

Regrettably, the failure to make sense seems largely irrelevant here. What matters is getting people excited, not keeping them informed.

—Steve Benen

[freddie mertz]

1. How do we know this isn't true? Ed works there, probably knows what's up.

Who knows?

[ShortnFiery]

7. Didn't you get the memo? Ed Schultz has been thrown under da bus.

:silly:

[freddie mertz]

8. Yes I have noticed that. Getting crowded down here.

He spoke about what seemed to be a risk to his job the other night, this was probably part of it.

[kayla9170]

26. If the Right is Using Ed's Lines....it is probably because

He called them. He still does have some friends and family to connect with, since he was a former GOPer. They are probably in his My Faves. :hide:

[Cali_Democrat]

23. Don't you think Ed should provide evidence before making wild accusations?

:shrug:

[still_one]

2. The right are desperate. It is a double edged sword if they use this as a campaign issue

First of all Ed Schultz will bite them in the ass, because he will point out what they are trying to do

Second, even Ed has been modifying his views on this. He admits it helps people, and suggests it will get changed

Third, Democrats all all voices to express their views. That is not allowed in right wing and republican circles. Which is better?

[graywarrior]

3. I gave up watching Ed.

[FrenchieCat]

6. So have I.

[graywarrior]

13. Over the top drama queen

[Generator]

20. Why because criticism of the president/Dems was too hard to handle?

Are you seriously saying that middle aged boring guy who looks like my dad looked when he was 55-is a drama queen? That he's not doing it because he believes it? He's just a sellout for the money huh? I heard the opposite the other day, he said he's going speak his mind even if it cost him his job. The gist was-he's too LEFT. Did you see the health town hall he did the other day? How upset the people without insurance made him?

I mean he actually stands with the people. I watch his show every day. He tries damn hard to give the president and Democrats a break. Some on this board only stand with Obama-no matter how rightward he turns. I don't understand your people anymore. Are you really afraid to face what critics say? No, you just dismiss them with ad hommim like drama queen or other nastiness. I continue to be stunned that democrats continue to act just like Republicans did under Bush and can't stand any criticism of their leader.

I've been watching your trapped duck for years and now I just feel sad. I guess it's only cheerleading for the team and the issues be damned. It really makes me sad.

I suppose you'll just attack me now. But you guys were here all those dark Bush years and now after all of that, all that propaganda and lies, you are going to stick your fingers in your ears and pretend that there is no valid criticism of what's going on?

[Donnachaidh]

21. wasn't enough of a lovefest for groupies, was he?

Ed's show is for the people who have put away Tiger Beat.

[DBoon]

4. it would be scandalous if conservative media figures "had been caught taking orders from Bush....

You mean they weren't? Give me a break!

Scandalous, hell it was common knowledge. Nobody in any position of power could do anything about it.

Remember, those were the days when congressional democrats had to hold hearings in a basement, because the republican majority would not allow them any other space.

[global1]

5. I Didn't Get That Impression - If The WH Did In Fact Blackberry AM Joe.......

that they were trying to control MSNBC & send them orders. I got the impression that they wanted to defend their position. That's why Axelrod agreed to come on the program. He made himself or the WH made him available.

Seemed like they wanted 'equal time'.

What's wrong with that?

Didn't we use to have 'equal time' for people to state and defend their positions?

All we have now are talking heads that spin.

I think it is good to know that the WH is listening to the banter on the cable shows and is willing to come out themselves and defend their positions.

BushCo just had their lackies do it (Limbaugh, Hannity, Beck, et al).

[niceypoo]

9. So many people under the bus now

nobody left to drive it

[proud2BlibKansan]

10. There's another thing Ed said they are outraged over

Something about the GOP wanting us all to die.

Which just might be true. :)

[fascisthunter]

11. "state Control over Media"... that would be FOX news idiots!!!!!

good lawd is the right wing a bunch of dorky liars.

[Cali_Democrat]

12. People like Ed are becoming tools for folks on the right

Willing tools at that.

[EFerrari]

14. My articles appear on right wing sites. Does that make me a tool?

No, when someone appropriates your words to their ends, that makes them manipulators.

And it just makes the right wing better spinners. If the left spent as much time spinning against the right as it does against the left, maybe we'd get somewhere. Maybe.

If you think your idea all the way through, what you advocate for is silencing not only dissent but even supportive political speech from the left because anyone can take any statement and spin it.

[Cali_Democrat]

15. Ed is being used as a tool to attack Obama

That's what I mean. The right is using Ed to attack Obama.

Just like how people use a hammer to hit a nail. What is a hammer? It's a tool. Ed in this case is the hammer or the tool if you will.

[EFerrari]

16. The right wing is good at working with whatever they have.

That doesn't mean Ed or any of us should shut up. It means we have to get better at countering them.

[Cali_Democrat]

17. But he's also a willing tool in this case.

Am I supposed to believe Ed here when he says that Obama's White House is getting into contact with Morning Joe because they think there are too many lefties on the air. Really?

He doesn't have any real evidence to back this up. He's just making a wild accusation without thinking and the reich wing is running with it and using it to attack Obama.

That makes Ed a willing tool for the right.

[EFerrari]

18. Given that the Obama White House slams the left about once a week,

Ed is probably right.

IOW, the Obama White House spends a lot more time tamping down the left than tamping down the right.

Is that okay with you? I find it pretty disturbing myself.

[Cali_Democrat]

19. Again....there's no evidence to back up Ed's claim

Claiming that a Democratic White House is getting into contact with major media outlets trying to get "lefties" off the air is pretty bold.

You had better have some evidence to back this up because it's a very shocking and disturbing accusation. Ed provided no real evidence for this.

That's not fair IMO and now the right is using this to show that Obama is controlling the American media.

I find that to be disturbing.

[EFerrari]

25. LOL. Is it really? That's nuts.

[Donnachaidh]

22. LOL!

The only tools are the ones pulling such nonsense out of their arses and posting it on message boards.

:rofl:

[Cali_Democrat]

24. Well it looks like Ed pulled this one out of his ass

He's claiming that Obama's White House is getting into contact with a major media outlet and trying to get lefties off the air.

That's a pretty shocking accusation. Evidence would be nice to have in this case.

So...who's really pulling nonsense out of their asses?

[grantcart]

27. Ed has gone of the deep deep end recently