Not since Talladega Nights has a Will Ferrell movie been so prescient.
From the New York Times:
Matt Lauer Fields Storm of Criticism Over Clinton-Trump ForumIt was a high-stakes political moment, far from the chummier confines of the “Today” show and, for Matt Lauer, NBC’s stalwart of the morning, a chance to prove his broadcasting mettle on the presidential stage.The consensus afterward was not kind.Charged with overseeing a live prime-time forum with Donald J. Trump and Hillary Clinton — widely seen as a dry run of sorts for the coming presidential debates — Mr. Lauer found himself besieged on Wednesday evening by critics of all political stripes, who accused the anchor of unfairness, sloppiness and even sexism in his handling of the event...
Brother Charlie Pierce brings it home:
...By the end of it, I was exhausted. I was exhausted by the sheer magnitude of the mendacity and ignorance, by Lauer's somewhat understandable inability to check the deluge of lies and inanity, and by the postgame commentary that tried to explain why the event had been something more than a clinical manifestation of sociopathic megalomania. Then Brian Williams threw it over to his colleague Hugh Hewitt, who thought Donald Trump had had a great night.And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of Heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.We're all so fcking doomed.
11 comments:
Based on events during this election to date, the have come to the following conclusions:
The conservative powers that be knew they weren't going to win this election even before the gaggle of 16 first took the stage, but the projection was a sub-five point differential and the downtick results ended in a wash...ie. conservatives effectively stay in power and dictate the political agenda.
Trump showed up, took the nomination, and now electoral projections are well over a 5 point differential loss and even in solidity red states (like recently in Utah) any Republican win will be by the smallest margins in recent history. ie. conservatives loss control of power and, with their voting base, will have a hard time getting it back in some areas without moderating their platform, which they intentionally set up to be an impossible task.
So, the media's marching orders, (what their promotions, bonus, and firings will be based on this year) is how many percentage points they can shave off the current projects toward what they expected back before Trump. Hence Hillary gets attacked, Trump gets coddled, Trump's people get jobs, the cameras NEVER turned around, and "It's Both Sides!"
Matt Lauer the infotainment rentboy for NBC/ Comcast. I did not watch so my condolences for those who did!!I never could understand why this guy is so popular?
Matt Lauer was far more effective sitting on Bob Costas's shoulders as he reached up to interview the US Olympic Women's Beach Volleyball team or better still--trading fancy cocktail recipes with Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski.
It's a great sin what is being done under the auspices of journalism today. Matt Lauer is but the latest example of unskilled people destroying what was once a high craft.
Imagine if journalism was carpentry. And one discovered, for instance, that tables needed a few books beneath two legs to keep them from falling over; and if you wanted it stained, the assistant carpenter would piss on the wood.
Look what they did to my song, Ma.
My summation:
Lauer: Coffee, Mr. Trump?
Hillary: Cough Cough Cough.
Lauer: Shut Up.
My take on Lauer's job? "That's infotainment".
In Baseball, a manager will tend to move hot hitting players up in the line up.
Joy Reid has been batting with a scorching bat of late. I would move her up in the line up in the debate games.
Re Robt: how bout a deeper question. What happened to Melissa Harris Perry?
As you and BG have duly noted for many months Trump needs to be wrapped around the Republican Party's neck like a burning tire, tying them together at every opportunity, but the Democratic Party refuses to do so.
I prefer the NFL motif, cut Lauer (and void the balance of his contract). Then start Joy Reid.
Since the very idea of the program was "Today" in prime-time, Lauer was the obvious choice. I kept expecting to see Roker cut in with the weather.
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