HuffPost gives Maddow the Obama treatment

[Willinois]

I wandered over to HuffPost to read some of the hilarious, out-of-touch-with-reality responses to Bob Cesca's smackdown, when I saw their article about Rachel Maddow's interview on David Letterman's show. The best way I can describe it is that she got the Obama treatment.

I posted a video of the same interview with the boring subject line, "Rachel Maddow and David Letterman bash Fox." I thought it was the most straightforward way to describe the focus of their entertaining discussion about the press.

HuffPost came up with this headline on their front page: "Rachel Maddow Tells David Letterman She Used To Be A Huge Glenn Beck Fan"

Well, it's true that Maddow said as an aside that Beck's style as a performer used to be better on his radio show than he is today. Her comment was a little surprising but it certainly wasn't the highlight of a fascinating interview. More surprising to me was that a late night talk show institution like Letterman argued on his show that Fox isn't a legitimate news network. It's something that too many reporters and news editors haven't had the courage to say publicly.

But HuffPost chose to emphasize something a little more shocking. Who would have thought that Maddow likes Glenn Beck? Of course, the short article takes the comment out of context without mentioning that she obviously disagreed with his views, the critical conversation they had about conservative talk radio blowhards, and her list of made-up Fox news stories. None of that is new or sensational. "Maddow likes Glenn Beck" is sensational.

This is no different than what the press regularly does to Obama, and netroots bloggers usually follow their lead. It's not new and sensational when Obama attacks Republicans or argues for the same progressive priorities he's been trying to pass since he took office. That's boring! But Obama bashing progressives...now that's a headline!

Obama can spend most of a speech harshly attacking Republicans and what we get is an out-of-context quote of Obama attacking liberals. Writing headlines and blog posts that outrage liberals is good for business!

Pretty soon you have a bunch people complaining on message boards that Obama attacks liberals more than he attacks Republicans. Their stupidity isn't entirely their own fault. They're only repeating the lie that their favorite blog and news organization sold them!

At least this confirms that it isn't just about Obama. The press (and too many netroots bloggers) have institutional mores that will always seek to stoke progressive anger against Obama. The only surprising thing is how many progressives keep falling for it.

[Cha]

Great analogy, Will! I'm sure Rachel will see it too. I was surprised that huffnpuff allowed Bob Cesca's Open Letter to the Whiners, there.

The professional leftists certainly separate the prigressives from the progressives!

[PoliticalTiger]

Huffington Post seems to pride itself that it has mastered the "art" of Yellow Journalism so well.

What was once a promising online source for news and commentary has turned into the far-left's version of the National Enquirer, or even worse, Fox News!

[SeattleGirl]

(12-16-2010 07:17 PM)PoliticalTiger Wrote:  Huffington Post seems to pride itself that it has mastered the "art" of Yellow Journalism so well.

What was once a promising online source for news and commentary has turned into the far-left's version of the National Enquirer, or even worse, Fox News!

I hear you, PT. I used to go to HuffPo on a daily basis, but after Obama was elected, the place really started going downhill.

[Dagnabit]

Interesting is there a link to the interview?

[Willinois]

(12-17-2010 12:21 AM)Dagnabit Wrote:  Interesting is there a link to the interview?

It's at the HuffPost article, but here's a link so you don't have to visit their site. I haven't seen the full interview online but this is a big chunk of it.

[Dagnabit]

The very end of the clip,

"but you can move into dangerous areas if you dont care about the truth of what you are saying"

Thanks for the the link!

[NJMaverick]

Huffington Post has one thing in common with America's right. They have an aversion to intelligent people and the truth.

[mstinamotorcity]

I have noticed that HP has taken quite a few right turns since the Affordable Care Act was passed. Ms. A, Huffington has bent a few corners herself. When she notices that she has given the all clear to assault the Presidents policies (not constructive criticism), but all out assaults. What I know about Ms. Huffington is that she always wants to deal on an all or nothing bases. Like if we don't get single payer or public option (all wanted it except big Insurance) in the Health Care we should say no.And its the President's fault, and he should have used his bully pulpit. He should have pushed until he got it because the American people want it it is polling in the high seventies,meaning percentage wise. We all knew that. But what a lot of people did not know is Big Insurance is BIG!!!!!!!!!! And Ms. Huffington can pay for Health Care, so as long as it took to get what she wanted it would have not made her any difference except in cost.

[Capn Sunshine]

(12-18-2010 01:37 PM)mstinamotorcity Wrote:  And Ms. Huffington can pay for Health Care, so as long as it took to get what she wanted it would have not made her any difference except in cost.

Many are unaware that Ms. Huffington is so incredibly wealthy she could pay millions as an uninsured with a disastrous malady and still have money left over to pay the domestic staff.

[firedupdem]

Excellent example of how they mislead and stoke anger. I have never been a fan of the hp and I don't trust Ms. A. She certainly seems to have an agenda and stoking outrage and anger and misleading people are a big part of it.