Hardball: Chuck Todd asks if Colbert's Congressional Appearance is "Good for the System"
h/t Heather for the video.
I know not to spend a lot of time wondering if Chuck Todd is more than an inside-the-Beltway tool. But it's a shame he had to go full-blown concern troll to keep the gate locked for proprietary fetish Washingtonians. Stephen Colbert engaged in a fascinating guerrilla theatre moment to gain attention for migrant farm workers -- a group of people who the White House Press Corps rarely speaks to, betcha.
Todd's wiggling discomfort with Colbert's literal and figurative gate-crashing is readily apparent, but my eyes rolled hardest at this exchange with Lawrence O'Donnell:
TODD: What if Al Franken was in character in the U.S. Senate? What if he decided to be Stuart Smalley in the Senate?
O`DONNELL: Never going to happen.
TODD: I understand that he -- well you say, I know, never going to happen. I guess what I`m asking, Lawrence, is, you know, I understand this whole -- we`ve sort of merging reality and celebrity into one now. This is what the 21st century media culture is, whether it`s "Dancing with the Stars" or "The Colbert Report" or whatever it is. I just -- I`m asking you, is this good for the system, bad for the system, or is it simply the system?
O`DONNELL: Oh, I think the system can take it.
The system? THE SYSTEM? Which system would that be, Chuck? The system that prevents important Congressional hearings on C-Span3 from getting any attention? The system that allows the most marginalized humans in our fifty states to remain completely voiceless? Or the system that protects the safe-seat congressional staff from having to do anything but rubber stamp lobbyist-written make-the-rich-richer legislation?
Perhaps what bothers Chuck Todd the most is Colbert's challenge to HIS system: the Blackberry class Washington journalista cocktail party circuit, which Colbert shames. Stephen Colbert's actions today show that journalism and celebrity can be used in an attempt to actually make a difference. Meanwhile, Chuck Todd clutches his pearls and feigns worry over mockery of Congress (really) while covering "news" that happens only in areas with five phone bars and festooned carpeting. He and the rest of the Washington Life Magazine Power 100 ought to be ashamed.
Update: Salon's Alex Pareene makes a really good point: "Maybe instead of repeating Colbert's punchlines, and then complaining about them, Chuck Todd could explain what the AgJOBS bill is. "Immigration is a serious issue," we're told, but then we're not told anything about the issue of immigration."
Full transcript below the fold:
TODD: All right. We are back with Lawrence O`Donnell and Jonathan Allen.
Lawrence, you worked on Capitol Hill, as a staffer for one of the most famous senators, maybe ever, in the 20th century, Daniel Patrick Moynihan. I ask you -- was today a good day or a bad day for the institution of the United States Congress?
O`DONNELL: I've been asking myself that all day, Chuck. You know, at the Senate Finance Committee where I scheduled the witnesses, I will say that I never, ever would have had a witness like this. And one of the reasons is -- we never needed to get attention for our hearings. It was the most important committee using the most important subjects. However, when the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security and International Law wants --
TODD: By the way, you've got to correct. Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding.
O`DONNELL: Yes.
TODD: I know, well done.
O`DONNELL: When they want to get the cameras there, there is only one way. And so, he did bring attention to an issue and he broke character to certain point and made a serious point about this. He brought attention to an issue that otherwise would have gotten none, but it seems, in most the coverage, the attention is all about him.
TODD: You know, I guess I`ve got ask Jonathan -- Borat has done this. I mean, is that what we saw today, the Borating of Congress? I mean, did Congress get the joke?
ALLEN: You know, I`m not sure that Congress did get the joke. We've heard a lot of this talk from Democrats who are trying to cover-up afterwards. You know, he brought attention to the issue, but I think that Lawrence made the point there. He brought more attention to himself that the issue. I think, you know, to some extent, he made not only a mockery of Congress, which can be done in small ways, appropriately.
TODD: Sure.
ALLEN: But this is a rather large way. But also, in a way, kind of the issue because if you -- this is a serious issue, the plague of migrant farm workers, and here he is making jokes and a lot of them fairly lewd jokes. I know you can`t play them because it`s a family show here, but I`m sure they`ll be replayed on Comedy Central or Pay-Per-View at some point.
TODD: Over and over again.
O`DONNELL: But, you know, he also -- he also reminded them of the biblical passage, "Whatever you did for the least of my brothers," and then he went on to say, it seems like the least of my brothers right now, a lot of people have the least of brothers right now because of the economy`s so bad and he didn't want to take any hardship away from all the other unemployed, but he`s made the point that the least of our brothers are these migrant workers and made the point that they suffer and have no rights. There`s a -- there is a section of this presentation of his that was very serious.
Chuck, the most fascinate thing for me --
TODD: I don`t -- yes?
O`DONNELL: -- was Chairman Conyers tried to get rid of him when he came in and discovered that the subcommittee chairwoman had invited a comedian to the hearing. That was for me the great part.
TODD: What if Al Franken was in character in the U.S. Senate? What if he decided to be Stuart Smalley in the Senate?
O`DONNELL: Never going to happen.
TODD: I understand that he -- well you say, I know, never going to happen. I guess what I`m asking, Lawrence, is, you know, I understand this whole -- we`ve sort of merging reality and celebrity into one now. This is what the 21st century media culture is, whether it`s "Dancing with the Stars" or "The Colbert Report" or whatever it is. I just -- I`m asking you, is this good for the system, bad for the system, or is it simply the system?
O`DONNELL: Oh, I think the system can take it. And you saw the conflict, John Conyers, the full chairman, with all the --
(CROSSTALK)
TODD: Long time, right. The guy`s been in Congress for decades.
O`DONNELL: -- shows up and basically says, "What is this guy doing here," and literally says to Colbert, basically, "Get out of here, leave, I don`t want to hear your statement." And then the subcommittee chairwoman has to come in and explain, "Well, I invited him." I mean, that to me was one the most absurdest moments I've ever seen just -- and knowing way that chairmanships work, that to me was stunning.
TODD: That he didn't --
ALLEN: Well, she`s already --
TODD: Go ahead, Jon.
(CROSSTALK)
ALLEN: -- Speaker Pelosi. Zoe Lofgren had told Speaker Pelosi what she planned to do, so I think she probably felt like she had the permission to do it over and above Chairman Conyers.
TODD: You know, and, Lawrence, I want to ask is -- I`m going to get you get the last word because you`re going to get the last word -- I want you to promote your show.
O`DONNELL: It's in my contract, Chuck.
TODD: Don`t get -- don`t get me wrong, you`re going to get the last word. But I guess, is it fair to say -- here we had a comedian testifying on Capitol Hill, we had an actual brawl breakout on a U.S. Senate debate, we have Chris Christie yelling at audience members, you know, is this -- is this campaign 2010 in a nutshell?
O`DONNELL: It`s what it`s coming down to. And as you know, Chuck, in that at final month, the tension builds everywhere in both parties.
TODD: Right.
O`DONNELL: Every word, every move is scrutinized. The pressure increases every day on these things. And I think -- that`s what Conyers was responding to. I think that he was walking in there saying, "Hey, wait a minute, we`re in a campaign season. Is this a crazy thing for us to do?"
TODD: OK. That`s the last word. Lawrence O`Donnell, Jonathan Allen of the "Politico" -- thanks so much.
could cost him the election.
Well, he was following protocol.
When Colbert informed Conyers that he was invited, all was well and according to protocol, and Colbert stayed.
I'm sure Conyers is actually a fan of satirical comedy like most Democrats.
"Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob"
-= Franklin Delano Roosevelt =-
...is totally cool. Met her before she was in Congress, her district office is closeby; I sometimes run into her (wearing sweats) at the grocery store on weekends. Trust me, she knew what she was doing when she invited him to testify.
Regards,
Tengrain
devoted only to capturing the facial expressions of the Congresscritters.
Steven King looked like he would have willingly strangled Colbert.
The levels of reflective reflexion are almost magical...
The Newsmodels at Russia Today discussed Colbert's appearance at the SubCommittee on Immigration.
They said the most outstanding thing was the enormous media coverage.
Everyone commented on it - the security guards, the subcommittee members, the media who regularly cover congressional hearings.
Colbert shone a bright light on the pivotal immigration issue - undocumented workers performing vital tasks.
Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) asked him why he chose this issue.
His response is poignant.
Colbert explains why he is advocating for migrant farmworkers
When will government of the people, by the politicians, for the corporations perish from this Earth?
Not soon enough!
Let me take Alex Pareene's point one step further. Chuck Todd is an NBC news executive, maybe he could call the NBC news bureau in New York and have them assign somebody called a "reporter" to hop on the thruway and drive a couple of hours, like Colbert did, to do some reporting, spend some time on that thing called the "Internet" to gather some background, use strange technology like the "telephone" to interview other "news sources" and do a "serious news story" on this issue. But no, instead the "news" media send their "reporters" to take pictures at a hearing and watch C-Span as a comic who played a reporter reporting on a real issue tells about the experience. Colbert's character is better at the role than a reporter. Then Chuck wastes airtime complaining instead of actually, you know, reporting on the real news story behind the hearing and the comedy. Pretty clear why the nation is in such a mess, the corporate media - like many in Congress - has little respect (and maybe understanding) of their true Constitutional responsibilities and has turned so much of the system into a "for me and my friends" club. And "we the people" allow this to happen.
Through that noise, it's no small wonder that most folks couldn't tell you what was the issue they were talking about. I'm glad O'Donnell was there to point out that Colbert broke character to explain that his interest was in giving voice to the powerless. Chuck and his ilk want nothing to do with that-- didn't touch it with the proverbial ten foot pole.
Todd is a thinly masked whiny right wing shill. He was the number cruncher in past elections and parlayed that into a better gig at MSNBC for which he does a very POOR job. He is always feigning some concern for a possible left wing blunder, but is always silent when the GOP spews some outrageous unsupported lie. His wife either is, or has been, a GOP PR person so perhaps he is trying to weave the talking points into his broadcasts, who knows? Either way, his broadcasts show laziness in this analysis and thinking. He is exactly what is wrong with "beltway" think. There is a real "ick" factor about his work. Perhaps, it is that he is so transparent in his bias.
Yes. Todd still sees today's republicans as a legitimate party, and that ship has sailed.
There is no longer any reason for journalists to pretend the republicans are looking out for the future of America and her citizens.
Todd is still pretending. Put Todd up along side the rest of the MSNBC cast and he just looks silly.
The cast of CNN have the very same problem, although AC360 does have it's good segments these days.
I'm hoping that under their new corporate masters, CNN will finally drop the facade completely.
"Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob"
-= Franklin Delano Roosevelt =-
Digestive?
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
I watched Colberts testimony and thought, maybe a bit of levity is what is needed in The House and Senate to make these self-righteous buttwipes wake up and do their jobs.
Who else is going to tell these god damned fucking politicians the truth about what happens out in the real United States? Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert are the *only* "journalists" out there speaking the truth about Republican treason against us.
Even the likes of Al Franken are fucking liars and crooks, working for their theofascist corporate masters.
I guess you missed his speech on the Senate floor on DADT? As for Todd, Bob Cesca blasted him on twitter last night for his pompous bullshit. Perhaps if they all spent more time covering real issues and less time covering Sarah Palin's facebook and twitter pages and Lindsay Lohan we'd all be better informed.
Excuse me? What would you like Al Franken to do? Storm into the senate and beat the crap out of Mitch McConnell, while screaming pass progressive laws?
;)
"Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage, but may not be worn in flight."
---Southwest Airlines
Sounds great. Wake some of those fuckers up.
far left loon >.<
coulter, or any of these 'Thug mouthpieces ever appearing in similar capacities.
"Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage, but may not be worn in flight."
---Southwest Airlines
A: "Never going to happen"
Ah, wasn't Frederic March right? "Where do we get such men?"
"Trust no one, Mr. Mulder." - Well-Manicured Man
Who says irony is dead.
You couldn't be more wrong about Franken. He was also great at this year's Netroots!
Much more importantly are Hardball, all the other talking head fests, and the villager pundits good for the system?
i dig it...=)
are the politicians; they make me laugh all the time, they are never serious about the real problems in the country.
Politicians don't make me laugh, they make me cry. Them and some of the people who elect them.
Congress deserves to be mocked mercilessly and repeatedly. I have no problem with it. They're not untouchable.
far left loon >.<
took me awhile to appreciate Colbert's appearance. The bulb came on when I heard about Pawlenthy going to visit the flood area and I thought "Run away me nah sow tans, the government is coming to help." The only way to fight farce is with farce.
That shill can't tell the difference between what Sacha Baron Cohen does and what Colbert did? What a maroon.
of this. It was a five minute testimony for crying out loud. We got it.
Let alone laughed. I found that depressing. A serious excess of self-esteem, which hated the mirror Colbert held up to 'em. There weren't many laughing in the gallery, either, which I found a bit surprising. I doubt I could have restrained myself on at least a couple of the lines...
Kinda sad.
"Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage, but may not be worn in flight."
---Southwest Airlines
Colbert is the Samuel Clemmons of our time. He speaks truth to power right in their faces. His WH Correspondence Dinner speech was an all time classic. At the time, it was panned by most of the media (who were the but of several jokes) as well as politicians. Why, because he called them out for their lies, failures and crimes. Colbert strips them all naked and exposes their inadequacies to the world. Instead of doing better, they would much rather demean him and whine further evidencing how on target his commentary is.
on Bill Maher's show last year? If you missed it, here it is.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/23/jere...
I also found a post from out own Heather which I'm reading again right now. While the video won't load, I'm more interested in Heather's take which begins like this:
"Chuck Todd got called out on Real Time by Jeremy Scahill for calling investigations into torture "political catnip". Apparently Todd has taken no lessons from his back and forth with Glenn Greenwald on the issue since he was still as defensive as ever when someone with well more than an ounce of journalistic integrity calls him out for his lack of it.
Todd went on Morning Joe defending Cheney, and Glenn Greenwald ripped him for the same thing Scahill took him to task for on Real Time:"
Those of you who'd like to read the rest can do so here:
http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/r...
Wow. The Colbert Report is the same as Dancing With the Stars? What alternate reality does he live in where a show about one group of b-list and has-been celebrities berating and voting off another group of the same for thier lack of ability to dance is equal to political satire? What a whiney troll.
what if Hardball and Chuck Todd's show became more like the Colbert Report and Jon Stewart's show. We would be shouting with joy, giving them candies and flowers.
tom delay was on dancing with the stars.
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
I just wish Chuckie boy would try on the character of "Journalist".
It's not all or nothing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lg1Ibt4xP7g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeIPREBq7Uc
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
It's Todd's job to report on these matters seriously, but he's only concerned about the pedigree of the person showing him up?
It must really sting that it's coming from an entertainer; Todd's always trying to reduce politics to mere entertainment. Colbert's boxing him in. A good day for Congress; a bad day for Chuck Todd.
Todd is just pissed because Colbert has more journalistic talent than Todd ever will - and he's not even trying (to be one of the "Very Serious" beltway idiots)
eff you Chuck... You have yourself to blame for this. If you fools would do your job, Colbert wouldn't have to do it for you...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIU0RMV_II8
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
EOM
who has no business in the news gathering business. He fits right in with the pack. This question, just more proof he's one hard-hitting sonofabitch. NOT.
me-oww!
on this I thought I was watching Faux Noise....What an idiot!! Why does MSNBC even have him on that network? Keith made a complete fool out of Chucky's comments on Countdown when he reported it properly....
Is Todd married or related to some high mucky muck on the network? Because he sure isn't there because of talent.
“The greatest evildoers are those who don’t remember because they have never given thought to the matter, and, without remembrance, nothing can hold them back,”
What an idea. Actually inform the public! Why don't they actually inform the public about what the Tea Baggers are going to actually DO to the country? You know and I know the reason. They would rather be a National Inquirer type of business than a real information business. And who cares if the country goes down a rat hole like it did (and is still doing) because the media did not do its job when Bush destroyed the country. No, they are much more concerned about what Colbert is doing to their view of the system.
Colbert made me nervous and uncomfortable.
don't like it when a mere comedian shows them up by having more guts, integrity, credibility and compassion in their job then the alleged professionals could ever hope to muster.
They can't get their heads out of their a**es long enough to get the joke on them.
Showing Congress what a Dinosaurs they have become ... that being bad for the system ? NO WAY !!!
Get your lemonade, watch the traitors hang.
Congress' TREASON have no boundaries, so does M$M's brainwashing/sidetracking.
Republicans for Voldemort.
Government does work, just not for YOU. Government work ONLY on the behalf of the Tycoons.
Annoy a Co
I think the reason all the blond fluffers over at Fox and Chuckles Todd at NBC have their panties in a bunch over Colbert is because he mocks and parodies what they do do for a living, and does it quite well by all accounts. I seem to remember a study where they found that the people with the most accurate info about current events were viewers of the Daily Show, and the most misinformed were regular viewers of Fox News. Pretty ironic, eh?
Anyway, if Randy "Duke" Cunningham can have Tickle Me Elmo tesify before a congressional committee, why not a fake news reporter? Somehow I think the republic will survive.
Funny how Chuck Todd's sensibilities were offended because Colbert testified but never mentions Elmo or the other nonsense that has gone on over the years. And Chuck Todd should just pack up and move over to Fox right now. After he was quoting a Fox reporter as if he (Todd) would rather be over there with Major Garrett. Maybe Todd should just report as opposed to editorialize and things may be a little better even if he would be still better if Todd was gone.
...like grill Baseball Players and Porn Stars. I'm outraged!
They don't need this nonsense.
Todd Chuck = A Joke... (as usual)
Tullycast
The Man's.
me-oww!
Surely there are archives ripe and ready to show newsies and the public's "outrage" during and after the GOP's inviting Sesame Street Elmo to a Congressional hearing in 2002 at the invitation of "Duke" Cunningham (now behind bars)...right?
http://www.theorymatters.com/why/elmo.html
"I believe one day of me studying anything makes me an expert," Colbert explained when challenged on his credentials as a witness.
Oh, Chuuuuuuck...this just shows why you youngsters shouldn't be allowed on the air.
Ronald Reagan "tore down that wall" 30 years ago.
What, you thought he was elected because he was intelligent? Living in the real world?
Grow up.
A mockery of congress? Conyers threw him out 'cause he was a comedian? These congressional buffoons have been around much too long and have grown in their pomposity to the extent that they can no longer see their foolish histrionics and backroom machinations for the harmful, selfish, and totally unproductive games that they are! While agreeing that democracy is the form of governance of choice, I find it increasingly difficult to accept our current means of implementation to be at all satisfactory!
Comments are closed on this entry