CNN’s excellent media reporter Oliver Darcy’s take around an important and electrifying moment on “Meet the Press” didn’t read quite right to me. The compass-bearing was off by a few degrees by my estimation. Here is what I saw. Chuck Todd defended the NBC newsroom and every journalist who works there, with a shattering rebuke of “the bosses” who desecrated ethics and standards, while abusing the public trust, truth and the audience. Chuck Todd didn’t “rip” NBC News, which is the sum of its journalists, legacy and history.
Morning Joe’s hosts Mika and Joe stated, a few minutes ago, that they were not consulted in the hiring of Ronna McDaniel, were not told of the hire and heard about like everybody else. They also stated they would have vehemently objected if they had been asked their opinion and that she will not, big emphasis on not, be on their show. Historian John Meacham, in less strident language, essentially agreed, stating that she lacks any moral standing and her idea of “ taking one for the team” in this case is anti democratic. They all agreed that they welcome diverse political views, but lying, not accepting the results of an election, and still doing so unacceptable.
Eff Rona and her pathetic lying on behalf of Trumpler, the oily orange, pathologically lying sociopath and his cadre of spineless bootlickers, of which she is a member in high-standing. Can anyone say, “NBC bye bye?” If choosing this GOP witch is an indication of NBC’s perspective at this “break glass moment,” I turn the channel now never to return. Fire Rona, give her a damn parachute for the admittedly stupid mistake, own it loudly and move on. WTF- history is watching!
“The truth won on Sunday, and both Chuck Todd and Kristen Welker are owed the gratitude of all who care about the truth. These are people who can be trusted. They earned it.”
Excellent sentiments Steve and I agree wholeheartedly. I thought both Welker and Todd were right on point. Election deniers have no place as news analysts, except to serve as a warning to others.
When Welker asked Ronna about whether Biden was fairly elected, she repeated her position by saying, “Biden is President, but you must admit that there were election irregularities.”
Agreed! Every election has irregularities, yet in Trump’s case, there were over 250 audits and recounts. 61 lawsuits, in which all but one (a technicality), went in Biden’s favor. And many of the firms doing the audits are companies associated with the Republican Party. Imagine if the scenario was in reverse and democrats hired Democratic firms to do the audits? My god, the outrage that would ensue.
And of the cheating that took place, all can be attributed to Trump and his minions; fake electors, extorting election officials with phone calls to find more non-existent votes by Trump, Giuliani and others. Mark Meadows and other Trump officials voting twice.
Ironically, the SC called an election in 2000 in Bush v Gore without democrats at least being able to finish one recount, and these morons think that it’s Trump that got screwed.
Now imagine America today had actually the election been fair and Gore was inaugurated. Trump wouldn’t even be a contender….:)
My follow-up to NBC inquiry I received after my first, fiery email. This is not about showcasing myself, for better or worse. It just "is."
"Third start to this message. I'm trying my best not to sound like an MTG harpie. I remain furious that anyone in your previously, highly credible station dreamed up the idea of competing with lesser networks to land Ronna McDaniel as a consultant/staff/mouth. I remain furious that you blew off her smears of MSNBC anchors in favor of increasing viewers, thus revving up your bottom line.
"As to her 'real self,' we've observed her for several years. We aren't stupid. She was/is an active part of TFG's enemies domestic coup clan. She was its most visible cheerleader. Now, she's sucking up to whomsoever will have her because she needs a job. And possibly sanctuary from TFG. Turns out NBC 'won.' Never, in my wildest imaginings, did it occur to me that NBC would embrace someone like McDaniel. She is the stuff of Fox News. You KNOW that! And yet...
"So, to answer your question about resolution of this matter, far as I know it has not been resolved. Frankly, it's unclear to me what will resolve it. But dropping McDaniel would be a start. The damage you have done to your trusting viewership may not be reparable. You are getting a lot of publicity, though. Was it worth it?"
MSNBC and. NBC are my “go to” ports for information. This gives me an uneasy feeling and I am hoping this does not harm their reporting. Looking forward to what Rachael Maddox has to add to this. Wonderful reporting Steve.
I would expect someone of the talent, caliber, and lap dog devotion of Ms McDaniel to take a job on the Fox Department of Lies and Propaganda Channel and not at one of America’s most honored and respected news organizations. Shame on NBC, and further proof of the hideous rot at the core of American democracy.
Todd and Welker taught anatomy to their bosses. Real people have a spine. Real people have principles and ethics. The news without integrity is simply propaganda.
If you are going to do the news for “hits” then simply be honest and call it a variety show
Excellent! I’m so glad to read this. Our Dish DVR failed to tape MTP this Sunday, which was weird. I too thought the CNN reporting was lame. Great take on the situation, Steve Schmidt! It’s a pleasure reading your words here as always.
Truth is the lifeblood of democracy. And, it’s so good to hear Todd and Welker of NBC stand for truth and push back against the corruption of truth that NBC News execs are infecting our democracy with by hiring McDaniel. This is, imo, a watershed moment for American news media. Will they stand for truth, objectivity, integrity, morals, and ethics? Or, will they go the way of Fox and other “news outlets” in turning our news media into a farcical dishonest cesspool of intellectual disingenuousness and Russian styled state tv? If more do what Todd and Welker just did, perhaps our news media could make its way back to being the harbinger of truth democracy must have to survive.
Morning Joe’s hosts Mika and Joe stated, a few minutes ago, that they were not consulted in the hiring of Ronna McDaniel, were not told of the hire and heard about like everybody else. They also stated they would have vehemently objected if they had been asked their opinion and that she will not, big emphasis on not, be on their show. Historian John Meacham, in less strident language, essentially agreed, stating that she lacks any moral standing and her idea of “ taking one for the team” in this case is anti democratic. They all agreed that they welcome diverse political views, but lying, not accepting the results of an election, and still doing so unacceptable.
Eff Rona and her pathetic lying on behalf of Trumpler, the oily orange, pathologically lying sociopath and his cadre of spineless bootlickers, of which she is a member in high-standing. Can anyone say, “NBC bye bye?” If choosing this GOP witch is an indication of NBC’s perspective at this “break glass moment,” I turn the channel now never to return. Fire Rona, give her a damn parachute for the admittedly stupid mistake, own it loudly and move on. WTF- history is watching!
Kudos to Chuck and Kristen for standing up & speaking out! More journalists should!
“The truth won on Sunday, and both Chuck Todd and Kristen Welker are owed the gratitude of all who care about the truth. These are people who can be trusted. They earned it.”
Excellent sentiments Steve and I agree wholeheartedly. I thought both Welker and Todd were right on point. Election deniers have no place as news analysts, except to serve as a warning to others.
When Welker asked Ronna about whether Biden was fairly elected, she repeated her position by saying, “Biden is President, but you must admit that there were election irregularities.”
Agreed! Every election has irregularities, yet in Trump’s case, there were over 250 audits and recounts. 61 lawsuits, in which all but one (a technicality), went in Biden’s favor. And many of the firms doing the audits are companies associated with the Republican Party. Imagine if the scenario was in reverse and democrats hired Democratic firms to do the audits? My god, the outrage that would ensue.
And of the cheating that took place, all can be attributed to Trump and his minions; fake electors, extorting election officials with phone calls to find more non-existent votes by Trump, Giuliani and others. Mark Meadows and other Trump officials voting twice.
Ironically, the SC called an election in 2000 in Bush v Gore without democrats at least being able to finish one recount, and these morons think that it’s Trump that got screwed.
Now imagine America today had actually the election been fair and Gore was inaugurated. Trump wouldn’t even be a contender….:)
My follow-up to NBC inquiry I received after my first, fiery email. This is not about showcasing myself, for better or worse. It just "is."
"Third start to this message. I'm trying my best not to sound like an MTG harpie. I remain furious that anyone in your previously, highly credible station dreamed up the idea of competing with lesser networks to land Ronna McDaniel as a consultant/staff/mouth. I remain furious that you blew off her smears of MSNBC anchors in favor of increasing viewers, thus revving up your bottom line.
"As to her 'real self,' we've observed her for several years. We aren't stupid. She was/is an active part of TFG's enemies domestic coup clan. She was its most visible cheerleader. Now, she's sucking up to whomsoever will have her because she needs a job. And possibly sanctuary from TFG. Turns out NBC 'won.' Never, in my wildest imaginings, did it occur to me that NBC would embrace someone like McDaniel. She is the stuff of Fox News. You KNOW that! And yet...
"So, to answer your question about resolution of this matter, far as I know it has not been resolved. Frankly, it's unclear to me what will resolve it. But dropping McDaniel would be a start. The damage you have done to your trusting viewership may not be reparable. You are getting a lot of publicity, though. Was it worth it?"
Sure, McDaniel should be fired at once and paid out of her contract. More importantly, the people that hired her should be gone as well.
In addition to RM, everyone at NBC involved with her hiring should be fired. Anything less is not enough for me.
“What is now happening at NBC seems to be the equivalent of a transplanted organ being rejected from a human body” - great analogy
Thanks for the updates and commentary on this ongoing story Steve.
It will be interesting to see what the execs do now. It appears firing her would be a bargain for NBC at any price.
Thank God they stood up and did the next right thing. I can’t imagine how hard that must have been. Courageous! You too Steve Schmidt!
Grateful to you, Kristen Walker, and Chuck Todd.
MSNBC and. NBC are my “go to” ports for information. This gives me an uneasy feeling and I am hoping this does not harm their reporting. Looking forward to what Rachael Maddox has to add to this. Wonderful reporting Steve.
I would expect someone of the talent, caliber, and lap dog devotion of Ms McDaniel to take a job on the Fox Department of Lies and Propaganda Channel and not at one of America’s most honored and respected news organizations. Shame on NBC, and further proof of the hideous rot at the core of American democracy.
Todd and Welker taught anatomy to their bosses. Real people have a spine. Real people have principles and ethics. The news without integrity is simply propaganda.
If you are going to do the news for “hits” then simply be honest and call it a variety show
Excellent! I’m so glad to read this. Our Dish DVR failed to tape MTP this Sunday, which was weird. I too thought the CNN reporting was lame. Great take on the situation, Steve Schmidt! It’s a pleasure reading your words here as always.
“Gaslighting and Character Assassination”. For Pete’s sake, why can’t we say they are big fat liars.
Truth is the lifeblood of democracy. And, it’s so good to hear Todd and Welker of NBC stand for truth and push back against the corruption of truth that NBC News execs are infecting our democracy with by hiring McDaniel. This is, imo, a watershed moment for American news media. Will they stand for truth, objectivity, integrity, morals, and ethics? Or, will they go the way of Fox and other “news outlets” in turning our news media into a farcical dishonest cesspool of intellectual disingenuousness and Russian styled state tv? If more do what Todd and Welker just did, perhaps our news media could make its way back to being the harbinger of truth democracy must have to survive.
www.tomthedemocratist.com