Steve Benen on Mark Halperin's 'gaffe' on Morning Joe

[flpoljunkie]

Steve Benen, Political Animal
Blog

June 30, 2011 9:10 AM

Mark Halperin and the Quote of the Day
It’s hard not to love that “liberal” media.

On MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” the three-hour program co-hosted by a conservative Republican former congressman, Time magazine’s Mark Halperin was asked for his assessment of President Obama’s White House press conference. “I thought he was kind of a dick yesterday,” Halperin said.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eFWvFsRTYE&feature=player_embedded

There are a couple of angles to keep in mind here. The first is that Halperin’s credibility as an objective observer of political events has long been dubious, at best, but this morning’s little stunt should remove all doubt. In candor, I don’t much care that Halperin sides with the right over the left, and takes cheap shots at Democrats. I care that Halperin is presented to the public as a neutral, even-handed expert, when that’s plainly not the case.

To this extent, the “dick” comment only helps bring an end to a thin pretense.

The other point that’s worth remembering is the larger dynamic. Forget Halperin’s choice of words, and instead consider the argument he and his “Morning Joe” colleagues were pressing. They were annoyed, apparently, because President Obama wasn’t docile and conciliatory during his press conference. He showed some backbone, and this seems to have troubled the political establishment to no end.

by Steve Benen

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_06/mark_halperin_and_the_quote_of030598.php

[babylonsister]

1. Spot on, as usual...

I care that Halperin is presented to the public as a neutral, even-handed expert, when that’s plainly not the case.

and


If the president stays cool, he’s an emotionless Mr. Spock. If the president shows some fire in the belly, he’s “a dick.”

Yes and yes. Recommend.

[BeyondGeography]

2. Mostly, I'm pleased that Halperin has been unmasked for the half-assed game player that he is

And permanently damaged.

[mod mom]

3. "should remove all doubt" agreed but also, who starts an apology with "all joking side"?

It's obvious where he stand and thought he was clever in presenting his view this way. Halperin needs to be removed from presenting himself as an unbiased analyst.

[soleft]

4. Looking foward to Maddow tonight

[Rosa Luxemburg]

5. disrespectful off with his head!

[Ninjaneer]

6. So wait, he asked if there was a 7 sec delay, and THEN said it? n/t

[EffieBlack]

7. Yes

It was pretty unbelieveable. There was a little bit of a build up before he said it - this wasn't a gaffe. He knew exactly what he was saying and clearly wanted to say it.

[CTyankee]

15. He actually said "I want to say..." in the video. When he's assured that there is

a 7 second delay he grins and triumphantly delivers what he thought was a clever response, like some freshman at Harvard right out of prep school who thinks he knows everything and wants to impress the whole class with his brilliance.

The term "smartass" comes to mind...also "juvenile"...and the man is in his mid-forties. He ought to know better...

[rhett o rick]

19. Exactly. It wasnt just some thing he blurted out. nm

[flamingdem]

8. MSNBC wants you to call 212-664-4444 - They like to hear from viewers!@$%$@

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10285339 /

[phone]

[truebrit71]

9. I have always thought that Halperin was a dick..takes one to know one apparently...

...:eyes:

[blm]

10. Poor Halperin - it was so much easier for the MSM when Rove just scripted all contact with Bush.

Rove must be busy this week and they're left to try and please BushInc on their own.

[Enrique]

14. speaking of Karl Rove

Halperin, on the goodness and innocence of the victimized Karl Rove and the terribly unfair media depictions of him:

MH: Let me say one thing we say in the book about Karl Rove, who I respect and enjoy…I enjoy his company. If you look at the allegations of Karl Rove that have been propagated in Texas and in Washington by the media, the liberal media, and by Democrats, and you look at the allegations, there’s…except for the useful indiscretions to which Karl has admitted, there is no evidence for the allegations against him.

[Tarheel_Dem]

11. Is Halperin a DU contributor?

:rofl:

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

12. K&R!! Well done!!! n/t

[CakeGrrl]

13. K/R

Obama Derangement Syndrome strikes again. These asshats can't help overreaching when they get a chance to insult and disrespect this President. And it backfires.

I hope he turns up the heat on the stuff that pushes their buttons, delivered in his usual cool style. It drives them bugshit.

[Mass]

16. Great post. Once again, Benen is spot on.

[blm]

17. ^^^kicking the truth upward^^^

.

[jenmito]

18. Joe should be suspended, too, for goading him on, telling him there IS a 6-second delay.

Only AFTER he said it, Joe claimed he was kidding. Joe always gets away with things that others (like Olbermann) don't.

[baldguy]

20. Halperin's real problem isn't that he insulted the President without cause.

His problem is that he's incapable of doing real political analysis.

[Ikonoklast]

21. Maybe Halperin should have waited until after Mr. Obama is re-elected.

When he no longer has to 'make nice'.

[Supersedeas]

22. both points are spot on: about the pretense and the media's distaste for Dem backbone