The Other McCain

"One should either write ruthlessly what one believes to be the truth, or else shut up." — Arthur Koestler

Spot the Error

Posted on | September 17, 2012 | 12 Comments

Something here offends me:

The weird ecstasy of the media-political complex at the convention in Charlotte … was the first sign that its attachment to President Obama, always fawning, had become morbid.
In spite of the anemic economy and a real unemployment rate above 11 percent, the high priests of pontificating liberalism were giddy with euphoria. The Democrats “put on a nearly flawless convention,” Paul Begala opined, and it was soon all but incontrovertibly established that, come November, the president — beautiful, magical, and lovable as he was — would vanquish his boring opponent.
The media savants sympathized with the delirium of Charlotte because they worship at the same altar and feed at the same trough. . . .
The closeness of mainstream journalists to President Obama has debauched their integrity.

Paul Begala is one of those guys, like George Stephanopoulos and Chris Matthews, who turned a career as a Democrat Party operative into a career as a TV personality. He is not and never has been a reporter, but only a commentator, and a highly partisan commentator at that.

The fact that Begala appears on a TV network no more makes him a journalist than starring in war movies makes Tom Hanks a military hero.

Al Sharpton? Not a journalist. Karl Rove? Not a journalist.

Please stop confusing the two phenomena. Thank you.

 

Category: Media Bias

Comments

12 Responses to “Spot the Error”

  1. Bob Belvedere
    September 17th, 2012 @ 7:22 pm

    Right on, brother, right on.

  2. Bob Belvedere
    September 17th, 2012 @ 7:23 pm

    There are pundits.
    There are journalists.
    There are reporters.
    All different species.

  3. Evi L. Bloggerlady
    September 17th, 2012 @ 8:08 pm

    http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/daily/2012/09/17/which_campaign_is_in_disarray Rush had a lot of good stuff today. FYI

  4. Charles
    September 17th, 2012 @ 8:17 pm

    Can you even call Paul Begalia a commentator? I’d say he’s still just a political operator.

  5. Bob Belvedere
    September 17th, 2012 @ 8:18 pm

    Alternative Title: SPOT THE LOONEY…
    http://youtu.be/z_Nq3xuHkgE

  6. Al Pipkin
    September 17th, 2012 @ 8:56 pm

    “There are reporters.” ??? Really? I thought they had become extinct, along with the Cape Verde Giant Skink.

  7. AnonymousDrivel
    September 18th, 2012 @ 12:03 am

    Excellent reminder, RSM. Pin your post to the top of the blog as a daily note for rational people.

  8. Wombat_socho
    September 18th, 2012 @ 3:43 am

    There’s still some hiding out in the business and sports sections. Don’t tell anyone.

  9. rjacobse
    September 18th, 2012 @ 8:05 am

    Journalism within the lickspittle media is dead.
    People like RSM are the only ones still practicing real journalism.

  10. Commentators and Reporters: Not The Same Thing « Blog de KingShamus
    September 18th, 2012 @ 9:12 am

    […] So sayeth the Other McCain himself. Paul Begala is one of those guys, like George Stephanopoulos and Chris Matthews, who turned a career as a Democrat Party operative into a career as a TV personality. He is not and never has been a reporter, but only a commentator, and a highly partisan commentator at that. […]

  11. Commentators and Reporters: Not The Same Thing | The Conservatory
    September 18th, 2012 @ 9:12 am

    […] So sayeth the Other McCain himself. […]

  12. Bob Belvedere
    September 18th, 2012 @ 9:19 am

    And there’s Robert Stacy McCain!