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The New Alan Colmes

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Media
Posted on Fri May 15, 2009 at 07:48:25 AM EST
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Mika Brzezinski writes a letter to the NYTimes:

. . . Joe’s evenhanded approach angers harsh ideologues on both sides. Last week, he was attacked by right-wing hosts for being too open-minded, and now by your liberal editorial page.

This liberal thinks The New York Times should follow Joe Scarborough’s example of speaking truth to power — regardless of which party is in power.

Mika Brzezinski
New York, May 11, 2009

Yeah, I laughed too.

Speaking for me only

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    The New Alan Colmes | 50 comments (50 topical)

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    Scarborough remains the only MSNBC personality... (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by JoeCHI on Fri May 15, 2009 at 08:06:32 AM EST
    worth watching, as far as this life-long Democrat is concerned.

    I have actually (5.00 / 1) (#7)
    by Capt Howdy on Fri May 15, 2009 at 08:59:17 AM EST
    started to like Maddow.  she has been doing some pretty good reporting.

    Parent
    Love her content and smarts (5.00 / 1) (#32)
    by lobary on Fri May 15, 2009 at 10:25:30 AM EST
    but the constant snark of the show is very off-putting. I wish she'd tone it down and stick to the straight dope.

    Parent
    see your point (none / 0) (#35)
    by Capt Howdy on Fri May 15, 2009 at 10:31:45 AM EST
    the snark doesnt bother me.  I just like that I see her talking about subjects I dont see anywhere else.


    Parent
    She did a snark free - extrememely (none / 0) (#42)
    by inclusiveheart on Fri May 15, 2009 at 11:19:02 AM EST
    well organized interview with two experts on interrogation last night.  It was just about one of the most level-headed and fact-based discussions I've seen on the torture issue and the history of that time in which the program was initiated.

    Parent
    yes (none / 0) (#43)
    by Capt Howdy on Fri May 15, 2009 at 11:24:07 AM EST
    it was.  and not the first time this week that she has done good work

    Parent
    I HATE the snark, too. (none / 0) (#47)
    by JoeCHI on Fri May 15, 2009 at 01:45:03 PM EST
    And, let's face it, she's not very gifted with the humor thing.

    Parent
    To each his own (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Fri May 15, 2009 at 09:01:28 AM EST
    But I was laughing at Brzeznski, not Crazy Joe.

    Parent
    Kind (5.00 / 2) (#10)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri May 15, 2009 at 09:09:04 AM EST
    of says something about the others doesn't it?

    Parent
    Ed Schultz is the best person there... (none / 0) (#31)
    by Pol C on Fri May 15, 2009 at 10:24:27 AM EST
    ...largely because he's loud and proud in his support for single-payer health care in this country. No other anchor or host on TV has been willing to go there.

    Parent
    I like Joe (5.00 / 4) (#6)
    by DancingOpossum on Fri May 15, 2009 at 08:53:34 AM EST
    Even when he's wrong on an issue, he's entertaining and smart, and he always gives his guests a fair and respectful hearing even when they're completely at odds with him.

    But Mika is a weird one. I just don't get her. It's true that she was an avid and open Obama acolyte during the primary but I've never heard her espouse any liberal viewpoints. Sometimes she'll curb Joe's excessive rhapsodies to conservatism but she's all in favor of Village-approved themes, all the time: social programs is EVUL and torture is OK if it keeps Amurrica safe were two topics where she nodded her head and murmured approvingly this morning, for example. If she's a liberal I'm Mrs. George Clooney.

    I agree about Joe Scarborough (5.00 / 1) (#48)
    by ghost2 on Sat May 16, 2009 at 01:08:51 AM EST
    Even when I don't agree with him, and his opinions can drive me crazy, he is smart.  I love how he puts the usual village airheads (typically Barnacle and Andrea Mitchell) on their place. He constantly attacks the village wisdom.

    Crazy as is, I like listening to both him and Pat Buchanan. At least they have a mind of their own, and don't regurgitate talking points handed to them.  On the other hand, a robot such as Claire McCaskill brings me close to vomiting.

    Parent

    I like Buchanan, too! (none / 0) (#50)
    by JoeCHI on Sat May 16, 2009 at 08:47:45 AM EST


    Parent
    Buchanan's a dishonest (none / 0) (#51)
    by jondee on Sat May 16, 2009 at 03:11:27 PM EST
    hypocrite who refuses to make his faux-populist isolationism retroactive to any period before he bacane an isolationist.

    Parent
    without the last name (none / 0) (#26)
    by Capt Howdy on Fri May 15, 2009 at 10:10:09 AM EST
    shes Carrie Prejean

    Parent
    Mika is like so many of (5.00 / 1) (#9)
    by Jjc2008 on Fri May 15, 2009 at 09:05:37 AM EST
    privileged kids of the rich, famous, politically connected.  She got a pass, she gets guests because of daddy; she speaks as if she has worked SO HARD....

    and they all get along, don't you know....the rich and famous offspring......just like their parents.  We will come on, fight each other, pretend we hated each other and then all party together at our parents' estates.

    I am sorry but I am in a class warfare kind of (bad) mood.  

    That seems to be true (5.00 / 2) (#13)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Fri May 15, 2009 at 09:25:55 AM EST
    with many people....whether they are filthy rich or just had a completely supportive background for growth.

    They have made success, so obviously anyone can and people who don't just aren't hard workers. But if any of these people had to deal with certain other people's childhoods (poverty, absent parents, etc), health issues, etc, they wouldn't be so sure "they can".

    Parent

    What is wrong with (none / 0) (#12)
    by maddog on Fri May 15, 2009 at 09:24:21 AM EST
    battling it out during the day and partying together at night?  I believe Regan and Tip O'niell did the same thing.  


    Parent
    She doesn't seem to have much upstairs. (5.00 / 1) (#21)
    by Joelarama on Fri May 15, 2009 at 10:04:05 AM EST
    I can't bear watching her make a fool of herself morning after morning.

    Alan Colmes would be a good replacement for her.

    Idiot's aren't exclusive to the (5.00 / 0) (#45)
    by SOS on Fri May 15, 2009 at 11:30:13 AM EST
    right wing.

    Mika Brzezinski (5.00 / 1) (#49)
    by joanneleon on Sat May 16, 2009 at 05:09:56 AM EST
    is no liberal.

    On a positive note, Scarborough must be getting some pressure, finally.  MSNBC has a real opportunity to have a great morning show.  They've got a great format and at times have very good guests.  The show is ruined primarily by Scarborough and now by Mika too.  The morning shows on CNN and Fox are awful.  I never thought I'd see the day when Willy would be the most informed host, but nowadays, he often chimes in with the correct facts or the reasonable point of view to get things back on track.  New hosts are needed, and they should name the show generically this time so that it's not tied to a particular person.

    Betcha Mika Doesn't Visit (1.00 / 1) (#3)
    by tokin librul on Fri May 15, 2009 at 08:23:13 AM EST
    JoeScar's "Lori Klausitis Memorial Office..."

    She's a liberal? (none / 0) (#2)
    by byteb on Fri May 15, 2009 at 08:15:22 AM EST
    Seriously?

    Who knew...

    That was the part I was laughing at (none / 0) (#22)
    by ruffian on Fri May 15, 2009 at 10:04:22 AM EST


    Parent
    heh! (none / 0) (#4)
    by andgarden on Fri May 15, 2009 at 08:42:11 AM EST


    Mika Brzezinski (none / 0) (#5)
    by Capt Howdy on Fri May 15, 2009 at 08:51:30 AM EST
    can write??!!

    Something extra in her "Morning Joe?" (none / 0) (#11)
    by MaryGM on Fri May 15, 2009 at 09:11:28 AM EST
    The last time I tuned into that show, both she and Joe were discussing the merits of torture.  I quickly turned it off in disgust.

    Wow.  Thanks for that, BTD.  It's been a rough morning, and I needed a laugh.

    The New Alan Colmes (none / 0) (#14)
    by Capt Howdy on Fri May 15, 2009 at 09:42:31 AM EST
    also
    Alan is sexier

    ick...perish the thought of Combs and sexy (none / 0) (#44)
    by DFLer on Fri May 15, 2009 at 11:30:00 AM EST


    Parent
    The country is moving in a pro-life direction (none / 0) (#15)
    by ProudTroll on Fri May 15, 2009 at 09:48:50 AM EST
    Conservatives and moderates have moved in the pro-life direction.  Are you sure you guys want amnesty?  You are providing voting rights to a demographic that is pro-life for the most part.

    More Americans "Pro-Life" Than "Pro-Choice" for First TimeAlso, fewer think abortion should be legal "under any circumstances"
    http://www.gallup.com/poll/118399/More-Americans-Pro-Life-Than-Pro-Choice-First-Time.aspx

    "Similarly, by ideology, all of the increase in pro-life sentiment is seen among self-identified conservatives and moderates; the abortion views of political liberals have not changed"

    Not an outlier either (none / 0) (#16)
    by ProudTroll on Fri May 15, 2009 at 09:50:16 AM EST
    as Pew finds the same trends toward the pro-life direction among moderates (as well as independents) as well.

    Public Takes Conservative Turn on Gun Control, Abortion
    http://pewresearch.org/pubs/1212/abortion-gun-control-opinion-gender-gap

    "There has been notable decline in the proportion of independents saying abortion should be legal in most or all cases; majorities of independents favored legal abortion in August and the two October surveys, but just 44% do so today. In addition, the proportion of moderate and liberal Republicans saying abortion should be legal declined between August and late October (from 67% to 57%). In the current survey, just 43% of moderate and liberal Republicans say abortion should legal in most or all cases."

    Parent

    And one outlier (none / 0) (#24)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Fri May 15, 2009 at 10:07:46 AM EST
    poll proves your point?  LOL.

    Parent
    Don't tell me (none / 0) (#23)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Fri May 15, 2009 at 10:06:43 AM EST
    You've been isolated in Alaska for the last 100 years and haven't had access to information of any kind, and you're dreaming all of this stuff up in your head.

    The Republicans are in the tankers right now and they're thinking that abandoning social issues might be one way out of their hole....which of course is completely antagonistic to your silly post.  And yes, the pendulum WILL swing (maybe sooner than Democrats think), but it won't be due to any social issue.

    Parent

    Okay (none / 0) (#25)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Fri May 15, 2009 at 10:09:56 AM EST
    two outlier polls.

    Wait until a few more polls come out before you decide this is truth.

    Parent

    Sorry Teresa (none / 0) (#29)
    by ProudTroll on Fri May 15, 2009 at 10:19:19 AM EST
    It's not just two "outlier" polls showing movement to the pro-life position.

    Compare the results from Quinnipiac 4/2009 to 7/2008 and CNN 4/2009 to 8/2008.  The trends are pretty visible.

    http://pollingreport.com/abortion.htm

    Parent

    You should be thrilled then (5.00 / 1) (#34)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Fri May 15, 2009 at 10:27:18 AM EST
    We believe the sentiment in the country is otherwise.

    May the GOP continue as the Party of Dobson.

    Parent

    Which is why SOUTH DAKOTA (none / 0) (#30)
    by andgarden on Fri May 15, 2009 at 10:24:07 AM EST
    just defeated another abortion ban by 10 points last fall.

    Puh-leez.

    Parent

    Oh, and just because (none / 0) (#33)
    by andgarden on Fri May 15, 2009 at 10:26:00 AM EST
    Vote by Age
    Yes
    No  
    18-29 (19%)
    40%
    60%

    30-44 (28%)
    46%
    54%

    45-64 (38%)
    45%
    55%

    Parent

    Was this tract (none / 0) (#40)
    by KeysDan on Fri May 15, 2009 at 11:10:28 AM EST
    referenced in Brzezinski's defensive letter to the NYTimes?  I did not notice it when I read it, so fill me in, please.

    Parent
    Nah (none / 0) (#46)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Fri May 15, 2009 at 11:37:34 AM EST
    It's off topic but by the time I saw it, there was a substantial amount of comments on the subject.

    Parent
    You guys are in the minority on parental consent (none / 0) (#17)
    by ProudTroll on Fri May 15, 2009 at 09:52:31 AM EST
    You guys are in the minority even in your own party.  This poll was also taken during a time when the "pro-choice" position was the majority position in the country.  Now that it isn't according to gallup, a fair inference is that support for parental consent has gone from staggering to overwhelming.  Even the milennials overwhelmingly support parental consent.

    Americans Want Parental Consent for Teen Abortions
    http://www.gallup.com/poll/23905/Americans-Want-Parental-Consent-Teen-Abortions.aspx

    "Support for parental consent is slightly higher among men than among women (74% vs. 65%). The policy is widely supported by Republicans and independents, but even a majority of Democrats favor it.

    Younger Americans, aged 18 to 29, might be expected to have more sympathy for the freedom of minors to act without parental consent, but that is not the case. There is no difference by age group on this question, with 69% of those 18 to 29 favoring parental consent, compared with 71% of those 30 to 49 and 68% of those 50 and older."

    So you are in favor of criminalizing abortion? (5.00 / 1) (#37)
    by Radiowalla on Fri May 15, 2009 at 10:41:08 AM EST
    What exactly do you have in mind?  How much jail time and for whom?  Doctors only?  How about the nurses?  Or the women.

    All of this talk, talk, talk about 'pro-life' is really skirting the issue which is "do we want to go back to time when abortion was criminalized.?"

    Of course many Americans don't like the idea of abortion, but very few actually want to criminalize it.

    Parent

    now (none / 0) (#19)
    by Capt Howdy on Fri May 15, 2009 at 10:02:32 AM EST
    which way is the country moving?

    Politically, James Dobson has surrendered.

        I want to tell you up front that we're not going to ask you to do anything, to make a phone call or to write a letter or anything.

        There is nothing you can do at this time about what is taking place because there is simply no limit to what the left can do at this time. Anything they want, they get and so we can't stop them.

        We tried with [Health and Human Services Secretary] Kathleen Sebelius and sent thousands of phone calls and emails to the Senate and they didn't pay any attention to it because they don't have to. And so what you can do is pray, pray for this great nation... As I see it, there is no other answer. There's no other answer, short term.

    wow (5.00 / 1) (#38)
    by ruffian on Fri May 15, 2009 at 10:59:26 AM EST
    there is simply no limit to what the left can do at this time. Anything they want, they get and so we can't stop them.

    Has anyone notified Obama, Reid and Pelosi?

    Parent

    seriously (none / 0) (#39)
    by Capt Howdy on Fri May 15, 2009 at 11:00:09 AM EST


    Parent
    Pelosi (none / 0) (#41)
    by jbindc on Fri May 15, 2009 at 11:12:39 AM EST
    is too busy playing CYA (and playing it badly, at that).

    Parent
    heh (none / 0) (#20)
    by andgarden on Fri May 15, 2009 at 10:03:57 AM EST


    Parent
    if only it was (none / 0) (#27)
    by Capt Howdy on Fri May 15, 2009 at 10:10:58 AM EST
    true

    Parent
    Well, I wish we could pray the pray away (none / 0) (#28)
    by andgarden on Fri May 15, 2009 at 10:13:53 AM EST


    Parent
    Somebody get Barbara Boxer on the phone! (none / 0) (#36)
    by lobary on Fri May 15, 2009 at 10:32:07 AM EST
    I'd like to see her take Mika to the woodshed again for old time's sake.

    The New Alan Colmes | 50 comments (50 topical)

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