MSNBC's Shuster Suspended For "Pimped Out" Comment about Chelsea; Dem Debate Jeopardized

[DeepModem Mom]

Friday Feb 08, 2008
Shuster Suspended For "Pimped Out" Comment

NBC NEWS STATEMENT REGARDING CHELSEA CLINTON COMMENT:

On Thursday's "Tucker" on MSNBC, David Shuster, who was serving as guest-host of the program, made a comment about Chelsea Clinton and the Clinton campaign that was irresponsible and inappropriate. Shuster, who apologized this morning on MSNBC and will again this evening, has been suspended from appearing on all NBC News broadcasts, other than to make his apology. He has also extended an apology to the Clinton family. NBC News takes these matters seriously, and offers our sincere regrets to the Clintons for the remarks.

Both the Clinton and Obama campaigns accepted invitations from us on Thursday evening to participate in a February 26th debate. Our conversations with the Clinton campaign about their participation continue today, and we are hopeful that the event will take place as planned.

***

Friday Feb 08, 2008
"Pimped Out" Comment Could Jeopardize Dem Debate on MSNBC


David Shuster

At 1:18pmET a TVNewser tipster wrote: "Howard Wolfson on Clinton conference call just blasting MSNBC for comments David Shuster made about Chelsea Clinton being 'pimped out.' Wolfson threatening to pull debates. Says there's a pattern at NBC."

The "pimped out" reference is about a comment Shuster made while filling in for Tucker Carlson yesterday. He was talking about Chelsea Clinton's role in her mother's campaign. Shuster said, "Doesn't it seem like Chelsea's sort of being pimped out in some weird sort of way?"...

Howard Kurtz writes about the incident on the Washington Post web site, quoting Wolfson from this afternoon's conference call. Calling it "disgusting," and "beneath contempt" Wolfson added, "I, at this point, can't envision doing another debate on that network." Just this morning MSNBC announced a Feb. 26 debate between Sens. Clinton and Obama.

http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/msnbc/pimped_out_comment_could_jeopardize_dem_debate_on_msnbc_77029.asp

[ordinaryaveragegirl]

1. KO also reiterated apology tonight... n/t

[Avalux]

2. But debates on Fox News are A-OK? The feigned outrage hides the real reason.

For those of you who have forgotten:

When it comes to politics, Murdoch, known in media circles as the “dirty digger,” is equally adaptable in pursuing his personal gain. The most loyal right-wing Tory and friend of Margaret Thatcher during the 1980s, as he built up his media holdings in Britain, he switched his loyalties to “New Labour” when he saw that Tony Blair could provide a fresh face for even more reactionary politics and was more than willing to further Murdoch’s interests in return for editorial backing. He made similar swings in his native Australia between the Labor and Liberal parties to further his efforts at monopolizing the print and broadcast media.

So, it should really come as no surprise that Murdoch is now emerging as a prominent backer of the Democratic US Senator from New York, Hillary Clinton. The Financial Times of London reported Tuesday that Murdoch will personally host a July fundraiser for Mrs. Clinton on behalf of his News Corp.

CBS News reported on the upcoming fundraiser with the provocative headline “Rupert Murdoch Loves Hillary Clinton.” It stated, “The mating ritual of the unlikely allies has been under way for months.”
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2006/may2006/murd-m10.shtml

[HeraldSquare212]

3. It's all an excuse to run from debates.

I'm starting to think their fundraising surprised them and they don't need the free media anymore, so they needed to find a way to bow out.

[aquart]

4. Right. Because no one should react to perceived insults.

Like the fuss Obama made about ...what was that...a bunch of references to MLKjr and Jesse Jackson, and, of course, the very real completely unfeigned outrage over the racist "fairy tale."

Yep. You are so completely correct.

What is that pungent fragrance? Hypocrisy?

[HeraldSquare212]

5. LOL. Did Obama cancel debate participation because of those things you admit to? nt