The Occasional Observer

6 comments:

SheaHeyKid said...

Unfortunately this clip, from Newt's website, chops off the best part. Newt then challenged the reporter to give him one thing Obama's done (essentially implying that the reporter was not unbiased, but rather in the tank for Obama), at which point the reporter agitatedly cut off the interview and sent it back to the studio. What was he expecting Newt to say in response to his question?? How was he not prepared for that response, and ready with a follow-up question? What a tool.

Newt then challenged Allen:

I'd like you to tell me one thing Sen. Obama's done.

With that, Allen retreated, and said:

Thanks very much, Mr. Speaker. I'm going to leave it there. I'm not going to argue the case. Thanks very much.

End of Transcript.

Their characterization of his response as "retreated" is VERY generous. He was visibly agitated and irritated by Newt's response, and he abruptly ended the interview.

9/03/2008 11:36 AM

SheaHeyKid said...

Here is a more complete link, including the reporter's response at the end.

9/03/2008 12:35 PM

Fredo said...

"There were some openings presented by Speaker Gingrich there, and we'll get to them."

Spoken like the true political operative that Olbermann is. Can you believe a "news" network has this guy in the anchor chair?

He didn't say: "some controversial statements" by the Speaker; or some "strong statements by the Speaker"; or simply, "Speaker Gingrich stating his case." No, he goes right to "presented some openings" as though it's his duty and obligation to give the audience hope that there are faulty premises in Newt's argument, and that it's his responsibility to argue to the pro-Dem position.

If that man's not the definition of a clown...

9/03/2008 3:53 PM

Fredo said...

BTW, Newt was awesome. If only everyone had that kind of backbone to stand up to the press. Rudy's doing it, Newt's doing it, I hope to see Mitt doing it as well.

9/03/2008 3:55 PM

SheaHeyKid said...

That wasn't even Olberdouche's best moment of the evening. That came after Lieberman's speech when he felt the need to "correct" Lieberman's interpretation of George Washington's warnings about the dangers of political parties paralyzing the system in his farewell address. (A topic we've discussed here before, BTW.) In any case not only was a correction uncalled for (since Lieberman's analysis was dead on), but Olbermann just rambled incoherently and said nothing useful.

9/03/2008 4:52 PM

Fredo said...

The simple fact of the matter is: know thyself. Olbermann hosting an hour long political-telemag with a clearly stated bias is fine.

To dress him up as a hard-news guy impartially covering the RNC is a joke.

9/03/2008 5:21 PM