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Did Tim Kaine Get His Cable News Talking Points From Rachel Maddow?

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by Frances Martel | 3:38 pm, February 17th, 2010

» 8 comments

To commemorate the first anniversary of the signing on Obama’s stimulus bill, DNC chair and former Virginia governor Tim Kaine made more television appearances in one 24-hour cycle than it felt like he had during the entirety of his tenure before today. On occasion, Kaine had been showing up on MSNBC to remind everyone that someone was, indeed, in charge of the party despite the growing tide of Republican (and general right-wing) opposition, but his appearances were always overshadowed by Michael Steele telling someone to shut up, calling someone “baby” or, worse, winning an election. After waiting for so long, what did Kaine bring to the table at Fox and Friends, Morning Joe, and American Morning? The gameplan for victory Rachel Maddow gave him the night before.

His statements on the morning programs were repeated almost verbatim across channels: the midterm elections will be tough but the Democrats have great candidates this time around, the stimulus is working, they will pass health care reform this year, and anyone who doesn’t believe the stimulus is working should see how many Republicans are trying to take credit for the results of the stimulus despite voting against it.

If it sounds familiar, it’s because Maddow suggested to Kaine that emphasizing these exact points would lead his party to victory. “What Democrats need to do to win in the midterms,” she explained, “[is that] they need good candidates for open seats, they need to pass health reform, and they need to make sure everyone in the country– left, right and center– knows about Republican hypocrisy on policy,” to which Kaine replied “you pretty much nailed it.” He added the emphasis on economic improvement to that list, the only point he touched on this morning that did not come directly from Maddow.

Her final word of advice? “You should be on TV more.”

While it feels a little late for Kaine to start – where was he when Martha Coakley threw away the most consistently Democratic Senate seat in America? – it appears that may be the tip he takes most to heart from their meeting last night. Now if only he could turn himself into an animated .gif, the midterm elections would be a done deal for the Dems.

Watch Tim Kaine discuss party politics with Rachel Maddow below, and compare to the ideas in his morning appearances:

American Morning, CNN, Democrats, DNC, Fox and Friends, fox news, Michael Steele, morning joe, msnbc, publicity, Rachel Maddow, RNC, Tim Kaine, TV

TfT

But but but, didn’t y’all or Rachel herself just recently claim” I don’t do advocacy journalism”?

Given we already know that Joe/Mika get bberry messages directly from the WH, perhaps Rachel got these talking points from the White House, aired them, and gave the DNC chair the message on air.
The Real Royal King

Probably like those BBC messages during the War, you mean? “Marjorie told me she gets better bath salts from the shop off the High Street, but it opens an hour later.” Cunning!
Olby Sucks

Maddow’s a partisan hack. Nuff said.
Jim R

Kaine needs to go, but them so do most of the weak-kneed Dems; where would you start?

But, they’re our weak-kneed Dems, given the parallel universe alternative where what sank us happens to be the Republican cure; so Rachel needs to keep it up. Somehow intelligence and honesty must win out in the end or we’re all screwed anyway.
The Real Royal King

Since you never watch Maddow, Johnny-Jeff, you don’t realize how critical she has been of the Democrats. I’ll make a deal with you. I’ll watch Maddow so someone can comment informatively, and I’ll leave the commentary of Men’s Pair Figure Skating to you.
parakeeta

Tim Kaine sucks — he’s a coward. Bring Back Howard Dean!
Olby Sucks

Rahhhhhhhh!
puck30

Did anyone give thought that it wasn’t Maddow talking points he was echoing. But DNC talking points Kaine & Maddow were parroting?