Within moments of us getting booted out of Christine O'Donnell's campaign headquarters yesterday, the great Oliver Willis popped up on our show's self-serving RSS feeds, when he blogged about this fundraising email from the Christine O'Donnell campaign.
It reads:
Dear Patriot: The charade is over. We all knew that my opponent couldn't hide behind the *failed* policies of Obama, Pelosi and Reid forever. Even the *liberal* media led by Rachel Maddow and Keith Olbermann can't cover up the truth ... Help me lead the charge against liberals in Washington by donating $100, $75, $50, or $35!
It is oddly flattering to learn that Christine O'Donnell thinks we are important enough to raise money off of, to raise money off me and Keith as liberal villains, and to complain about the way we cover the news and politics.
But here's the thing:
If you are unhappy with our coverage of you, Ms. O'Donnell, if you think that we intentionally "cover up the truth"... as you said in your fundraising letter, I can assure you that our reporting on you would be so much better-informed if you were actually in it, if you would actually talk to us, instead of having your staffers call us names and getting some angry man to yell "Get off my lawn" at us, just because we asked for an interview.
We know you're very busy -- we would have been happy to talk even just with anyone from the campaign. We want to get your side of things. We'd love to improve our coverage of you by adding your campaign's perspective on it.
You won't let that happen. And now you're complaining to your supporters that you don't like the result.
For those of us who work here at MSNBC, one of the most surreal things about this particular election year, has been conservative politicians' efforts to make us part of the elections: Republican politician or conservative activist X complaining that they're not represented in our coverage, and then refusing to be represented in our coverage, claiming that we're afraid to bring you're their point of view, and then refusing to share their point of view with us.
You might remember what happened earlier this year with Republican Senator Scott Brown of Massachusetts.
Would you, Scott Brown, like to push your whatever-agenda on my nightly platform? Because you're very much invited to do so! You don't like what I'm doing with my nightly platform? Please, sir! Help me change it! Participate in it! Be on the show!
Every time we've asked Scott Brown to come on the show, he's said "No." Your prerogative. Complain about you not-being-here all you want. Or, refuse our invitations to be here. But you can't simultaneously complain about not-being-here, and also refuse our invitations to be here. You can't. You are, of course. But it's craven and pathetic. Come on.
Remember this scary ad from Liz Cheney's new conservative group "Keep America Safe"—
Voiceover: What are they so afraid of? Why don't they want to talk substance? Why are they panicked? Why don't they want to debate the issues?
Okay, Liz Cheney, you could totally run that ad if we here at msnbc actually were afraid to debate you. But when we ask you to come on and debate -- over and over and over again-- and you're the one saying "no," then you can't complain that we're afraid to debate!
There's also the phenomenon this year, of Republicans using either my name-- or the name of somebody else here at this network-- to raise money.
Marco Rubio ad: On Tuesday, Marco Rubio announced 12 simple ideas to grow the economy and create jobs. How can you know the plan is right? Rachel Maddow thinks it's wrong.
That was part of a fundraising ad put out by Republican Senate candidate Marco Rubio of Florida-- Marco Rubio must be right, because Rachel Maddow says he's wrong!
Even if I am inherently wrong about everything, to date, Marco Rubio has declined every single one of our requests to interview him.
Likewise, Sarah Palin. We have asked Sarah Palin to come on this show I-don't-even-know-how-many-times, and she has never agreed to come on, happy to use me in one of her money-making stump speeches, unhappy to tell me why. Like, to my face.
It has been a weird year for those of us at msnbc as conservatives have tried to run against us, instead of running against their actual Democratic opponents.
Here's the deal: We have big egos, those of us in this business. We all love seeing our faces caricatured in political ads. We all love seeing our names in black-and-white in these fundraising emails. But you can't simultaneously complain that you're not being allowed access to "the media juggernaut that is msnbc Primetime airwaves," and then refuse to come on by, when we offer you that access.
So... say "yes," Christine O'Donnell! It will be fun, I promise!
Say "yes," Sharron Angle! You will get a fair shake! Pinky swear!
Say "yes," Sarah Palin! You have my number!
Ken Buck, come by any time!
Joe Miller, I'd love to talk to you!
Liz Cheney, door's always open -- to anyone in your family! Any Cheney, any time!
It will be fair. It will be fun. And then-- then, you can brag about not being afraid to actually talk to the liberals that you complain about as a means of raising money.
Come on, come on, come on.
Leave a Comment:
This is exactly what the Left has been doing to FOX News from the President on down! And now MSNBC finds it shocking that someone would complain about coverage and make them part of the story.
Can you say "irony" with a straight face? No...really?
Democrats have been interviewed in FOX hundreds of times, even the President.
Can you name one democrat who refused to go to FOX News and then raised money out of how FOX News is afraid to talk to him?
Sorry, TRMS, these folks (or their handlers) know Rachel is going to make them tongue tied, even if you try to be nice when you do it. Their criticism is frustrating but I don't see them changing their minds. Afterall, if you were an advisor in their camp, would you tell O'Donnell, Angle, Rubio, Palin to go on TRMS?
Hmmm...could it be that these candidates and/or handlers know that Rachel and Keith are smarter and more politically savvy about these candidates' own local issues? Or that republican deficit/tax math and political "logic" are a joke?
It is a right wing habit to ignore logic and criticize or demonize (and then try to profit from) that which they fear or do not understand. Case in point.
You said it right Hyper Typer I am 60 and in all the elections I've voted in I have never saw so many looney toon's in this years election,I don't know what rock these nuts crawled out from under but they are completely crazy.
Hypertyper and Dale, agreed -- never loonier, unless you count the LaRoushies of the '80's. But maybe, just maybe, method in the madness vis a vis Rachel. Like Marco Rubio, Christine O'Donnell provoked a confrontation in a very public way and then IMMEDIATELY turned it into a fundraising opportunity.
Some of the Democrats Rachel interviewed in Delaware twigged to this and advised her not to give air time to O'Donnell's antics at all. It's a dilemma for a journalist; how does she cover a story well and fairly without becomming a tool or dupe of the candidates she covers?
can we just have a "like" button on the blog?
[LIKE]
that's better.
Way to go, Rachel. I hope someone -- anyone! -- listens and comes visit you. Meghan McCain is a great example of a Republican guest getting not only a fair shake but a friendly environment to plug her book etc. Why won't republican candidates visit?
Perhaps they are chickens, but, being chickens, they have already been used to pay for medical bills, and therefore aren't able to come on your show.
Or something.
♥
Meghan McCain is more progressive than a fair lot of Democrats. She practically doesn't count.
What we need is one of those "Take our country back from this socialist ivory-tower elitist moslem indonesian terrorist antimurikan librul Hussein".
Rachel, these people are way too chicken**** to come on your show and talk to you. Your style of journalism is way too factual for these people. They like to make up their own realities and are scared of talking to people that might make them try to wake up from their coma of ignorance. You don't let people get away with talking crap and diluting the truth, and that is what their game is all about.
Kudos to you for trying though. Wish you the best of luck.
LUV ya
Rachel Tobacco and it's Costs ?
My comment was in caps ,to get your attention !!! lmao !!
How can we, as country talk about healthcare, along with BP's obligation for fixing their mess without forming and discussing the parallel that exists between the Tobacco's Industry and it's effect on Healthcare in the USA ???
Hello Ben
Hey Rachel..........u should remind Mrs. O'donnell that it was the Republicans who got us in to debt that the Republican Party is to blame for China having our debt. U won't get a response from her but u could let the American people & the Democrats know that!
The Republicans got us into the debt? Please explain, I'm not one to just take half cocked comments for gospel. See I think I big part of the problem was the housing market, which if you remember it was the Democrats who passed legislation to give incentives to banks to give loans to people who otherwise wouldn't be approved. These toxic assets created a loophole in the market for peole on Wall St. to take advantage, again Democrats passed this legislation. I'd also like to add that Obama doesn't seem to have any problem spending money with his Democratic House & Senate. Now Bush also spent too much money at the end of his Presidency with a Democratic House & Senate. He could have vetoed spending bills that they put forward so he also deserves blame. I'm just tired of the whole argument where Democrats try to throw spending by Republicans in the face of Conservatives. Conservatives are against the spending and big government regardless of who does it.
The downward spiral started with the oil industry, eplain how the cost of gas in 2000 was less then $1.50 and by the the summer of 2007 gas was $5, $6, $7 in some places and even higher in others. Not to mention in one day the price of gas was increasing 4 and 5 times in that day. If you have a $16 gallon tank which I do it's costing up to $80 to fill it and if incomes are not increasing at a rapid rate this will affect your other finances. Adding to the fact of increasing transportation cost of getting goods to the market for consumer consumption.
Unemployment rate was around 4% when the previous Administration took office by the time they left was up to 10% and the country was bleeding jobs at a rapid rate. Meaning lost of income due to massive jobs being shipped over seas, homes go into foreclosure, cause of budget deficit for local county, city, state and federal governments due to loss of tax revenue.
Less not forget Republicans control congress from 1994 to 2006 so they were a very big part of that legislation which gave incentives to the banks and allowed predatory lending.
So if Republicans who claim to be fiscal conservatives were so great what happen? Just asking.
And one more thing please do not brag or bring up Reaganomics that was definately a disaster.
The Rape-Public-Cons got us into debt: by prosecuting two wars (at least one of which was indisputably a "war of choice") while, at the same time, enacting massive tax-cuts (a combination unprecedented in human history, not merely American history) - tax-cuts, which furthermore, were disproportionately targeted at the richest of the rich. Just to state some of the more obvious problems the Goober'n Oil Party created for us. Of course, at the time, the Bush regime was keeping the cost of the wars "off the books", so maybe you're one of the goobers who must have thought the money for the wars would just appear by "magic"...
One thing not talked about concerning Ms O'Donnell's comments about having secret information about the Chinese plot to take over America. She says she got it from a missionary. Doesn't that give the Chinese ammunition against any missionary they may catch. They are often labeled spies which allows them to be executed. Ms O'Donnell is giving testimony in her comments that missionaries are in possesion of classified Chinese material. Why doesn't she just walk into churches and start shooting people?
It's also a Republican Gov here in Indiana who has done alot of questionable business with the Chinese. How much of the heartland is owned by China?
Excellent and exciting show!
As for them (GOP) showing up, they seem to be spending time on Lawrence's show so maybe this is a trend. Maybe The Last Word is the Liberal Media Juggernaut's GOP Tenderizer Gate and they choose that path as a trial of their ability to sustain.. "The Liberal Media Juggernaut!!"
I hope they show up though.
Love that caption by the way, Liberal Media Juggernaut!
Reminds me of Angle's term, "Machine" in her clandestine, "I haz juice!" conversation.
I dont think its worth their time the people who watch this FAR left show are not going to change even in the face of clear common sense.
Common sense is not so common, nor is it often sensical. That's why liberals prefer to rely on facts.
I wouldn't let you anywhere within a 1 mile radius of me and my house either. Maybe she knows your ratings and your just not worth her time
If anything, O'Donnell isn't worth Rachel's time.
Ahhm, If TRMS were just too insignificant to warrant a visit, how is it then significant enough to be used for fundraising?
Did you know, that insignificant is the opposite to significant, just like hot is the opposite of cold? Maybe you should try watching Sesame Street, they are really good in explaining basic concepts of logic in an easy-to-understand language.
A journalist traveled to a state seeking to interview anyone from a Senate candidate's campaign--as journalists do. Usually Senate candidates use interviews as an opportunity to articulate their policy positions.
Reality. Cleaned.
Bra.Vo.
I think you have a problem with passive agression
Tell us what you really think.
Well, your passive aggression is kind of unpleasant, really. You comment as though you really hate the show, but evidently that doesn't keep you from watching it - glutton for punishment, then? Anyway, keep watching... maybe you'll learn something useful, eventually.
Great show, and that is the bad thing with politics, they feel that they have a misrepresentated, but the one thing with Christine O'Donnell is that she has embarrassed herself with all of her ridiculous comments she has made. Politicians suck because you shouldn't be afraid to go on someone show to state your opinions. Sarah Palin was embarrassed on an ABC interview when she was McCains vice president and that's why she only goes on FOX News because they know how empty-headed she is, and now you wonder why Chrisitne O'Donnell is staying away from every station except for FOX News, I hope eventually someone will come on there tho lol, keep it up Rachel, someone will eventually cave
hello Rachel i don't know if this is the best way to reach you or your staff. This weekend is the NYC comic con. i am a Artist and will be attending. i plan on showing a self published Zombie comic. In which i used the controversy in Arizona as a conspiracy to frame the story of my Zombie book, and your in it, delivering the news cast that leads up to the Zombie free for all. I thought it might be cool for a good lead in for "moment of geek". I would be happy to send you images. please contact me threw my email. thank you.
As I posted somewhere else around here recently, I'm still a love-zombie for Rachel... I love her for her Brains! Braiiiinnnnnns!
Me too. Every night as my husband and I are watching, I say to the TV: "I love you Rachel." Not only brains, but beauty, common sense, self respect and thoughtfulness. I notice that the few sane Repugs, like Mark McKinnon, always get a fair shake from Rachel. It's the nut cases that are afraid of her; she's too smart for them. I'd love to see her intervew Sharron Angle, wouldn't you all?
Rachel,
I love your show! How can anyone with half a brain want to vote for any of those republican/tea party idiots? I mean, really? I didn't go to college but I am smart enough to look at the facts and figure out that those people are nuts They have spread hatred throughout this country ever since Obama took office. Where were they when Bush ran this country in the toilet? Its clearly a racial issue, no doubt about it. They claim they hate government spending but yet they never said a word when the prior administration got us in 2 wars, Medicare Part D and countless other crap that wasn't paid for. They all ought to be gathered up and thrown on a desert island far, far away and forgotten. Perhaps then, America could be the America it once was.
I love you Rachel... you fight for common decency and you fight to find out what is actually going on. As to Tammy's comment.... go way way back to Reagan and his cronies. They re-emerged in 1994 and now in 2010. It's refreshing that we can see a journalist with the cajones to stand up to these clowns. Keep on fighting the good fight!
Love the show Rachel. I lost my job in late 2008. I was making what the average american makes, let's call it 50k. Unemployment benefits helped me pay my bills for the three months that it took to find a new job. Shortly after landing the new job I broke my ankle playing soccer. Because my new job did not offer health insurance I was paying $250 a mo. for cobra from my previous employer. Part of the stimulus went towards cutting that cobra payment down to around $50. Six months later after healing I returned to my new job which they we're gracious enough to keep for me. A few months later my new company went out of business which meant for me, back to unemployment. This time it took a lot longer to find a job and the ui benefits that I paid in to the system were running out. Part of Obamas stimulus package was to extend those for another six months. I only used about a month of those extentions before I finally found another job. If it weren't for obama I would probably have been on the streets with an enormous hospital bill that I would have to pay.
Because of Obamas stimulus package, after the worst year and a half of my life, I am now a healthy and productive member of society again. Paying taxes, paying rent, carpayments, eating out once in a while, in other words: consuming again. Without the stimulus our nations economy would be short one average american.
Every time I hear conservatives say the phrase "failed stimulus" it makes me want to puke. Its as if they are not allowed to say stimulus without the word failed in front of it.
I am lucky. I am probably only one of a few thousand people in this whole country who can say Obama has made a dramatic impact in their lives the way it did mine. Wanna know why I am so lucky? Timing. If the gop takes control of congress, I'm afraid that nobody else will experience just how great it is to live in Obamas America.
I hear you. I'm almost 63 and lost my job in Nov 08. No more unemployment. Not easy to find an employer who wants to hire a 63 year old. I have health issues that won't let me stand for more than an hour or two, so there goes any retail jobs. Forget my professional field - PR, Mktg, editing - even customer service - the age thing. I had to take early SS just to pay the mortgage, etc. I'm now looking into a reverse mortgage just so I can pay for health insurance. PA's high risk pool is full. While under Cobra, I had serious cardiac issues and thank God was able to get a cardiac ablation before cobra ended. If it wasn't for the stim helping me pay for cobra, I'd probably be dead!! Which is just what the GOP and baggers would prefer, I'm sure. : )
Congratulations Rick. I'm only recently re-employed myself (after more than a year-and-a-half of being "laid off" out of work). Thank goodness for the President AND his stimulus.
Two other words: "talking points", eh?
Ps. Please excuse any spelling or gramatical errors as I sent this from my phone using xhtml.
Someone should ask O'Donnell if she got her "classified info" from the Bush uncle who is the co-chair of the US-China Chamber of Commerce.
I know James Edwards and those evil conservatives over at the Political Cesspool would love to come on your show and debate you, Rachel. Does your invitation extend to them? Why not?
The Christine O'Donnell stuff is boring me and I start surfing the Internet or cooking whenever someone on TV starts talking about her. I'm sure she's blast to cover, but I'm bored.
It's like watching someone boxing a Bozo Bop Bag.
It was funny the first 20 seconds, but now I realize nothing new is going to happen. Wingnuts Wobble But They Don't Fall Down.
You go, Grrrl! Funny stuff... great analogy.
Dear Rachel and The Rachel Maddow Show, Your contribution to the political and ethical dialogue is refreshingly intelligent. Thank you for reporting the state of our choices of political candidates; that's the story IMHO 2. Keep up the great work! You are Awesome.
Jack
Every time Rachel asks people to come on the show in this way I can't help but think of Mrs Doyle in Father Ted, Don't know if Father Ted made it to the US, but if you watch this clip and I hope you'll see what I mean...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVH3IBr_Ipk
:)
Obviously O'Donnell isn't going to talk to Rachel... but her inability to find any O'Donnell supporters seemed a little strange.
Then I saw the most recent Daily Show. If Rachel sincerely couldn't find an O'Donnell supporter - if the "can't find O'Donnell supporters" thing wasn't a shtick - then maybe there was more than a little truth in the Daily Show's "reporting". Maybe Rachel just needs to try a different part of Delaware?
There's virtually no show on MSNBC that can be taken as anything less than a smear machine for the DNC. Why would any conservative waste their time going on a network with three viewers, and a cadre of sophomoric hosts.
How is it that apparently nobody watches the show and yet a lot of conservatives campaign on them? How come they are important and insignificant at the same time?
"Smear machine"? You mean, as in "slander"? As any lawyer could explain to you (or at least to any one with at least two connected neurons), TRUTH is an absolute defense against charges of slander. Any specific "smears" you'd care to try to refute here? You see, if they're factual, and accurate, they're NOT "smears".
Clearly, the moral and intellectual poverty of their political positions doesn't "play" well with viewers, when confronted with actual facts and logic...