Mortal Enemies Andrew Breitbart And Media Matters’ Eric Boehlert Battle On GMA
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Judged purely by their back and forth on Twitter over the last six months, its safe to say that Andrew Breitbart and Eric Boehlert are not very fond of one another. In fact, it’s fair to say that they each hold the other in the lowest possible esteem. So it was with great anticipation that followers of both feisty Internet personalities tuned into Good Morning America this morning to see the pair debate the Shirley Sherrod controversy.
Alas, the burden of unreasonable expectations about the head-to-head seemed to extinguish the flames of passion, as both Breitbart and Boehlert were not only on their best behavior, but sadly, were also kind of..well, boring. Mediaite was able to speak to both gentleman shortly after the taping, and both agreed that the meeting was not only respectful, but verged on convivial.
While heading to JFK to catch a flight back to his home base of operations in Los Angeles, Brietbart explained that the reason behind his low energy was due to lack of rest from the Shirley Sherrod story. “I honestly had not slept in 40 hours. So when I entered the studio i was in a dream-like state that seemed more surreal the moment I saw Eric Boehlert.” So – how was the first meeting of his mortal rival? Breitbart explains “he stuck out his hand, smiled and said ‘Mr. Breitbart!’ I answered ‘this was inevitable’ and then we taped the piece.” Before a dropped call abruptly ended the cell phone interview, Breitbart did offer one bon mot, claiming “Eric Boehlert’s beard is just as dreamy in person as it is in his Twitter avatar!”
Eric Boehlert concurred that the meeting was completely congenial, telling Mediaite that he wasn’t really expecting any sort of showdown, but he did get a polite shot in against his online foe. “Just because I think he’s pathological and a cancer on our nation’s politics doesn’t mean that I can’t sit at the same table with him and be civil.”
The interview, led by George Stephanopoulos, superficially covered the nuts and bolts of the Shirley Sherrod controversy with predictable sorties, obfuscations and parries by both Boehlert and Breitbart. Both individuals are acutely skilled in media messaging, and neither strayed from their own talking points – which made for an exchange that was more minuet than mosh pit.
Of course there is also great irony that a segment so focused on race relations in America is being held by three white gentlemen.
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91 comments
It just isn’t fun unless one side is screaming, yelling, and kicking
ABC Skips Label for Liberal Media Matters During Shootout With ‘Conservative’ Andrew Breitbart
Conservative journalist Andrew Breitbart and Eric Boehlert of the liberal organization Media Matters debated each other on Wednesday’s Good Morning America, but ABC only identified the ideology of the right-leaning guest. Boehlert was simply the “senior fellow with the watchdog group Media Matters for America.” [MP3 audio here.]
Yet, Breitbart’s website was described in a previous segment as “conservative.” In a follow-up piece, news anchor Juju Chang labeled him “a conservative blogger.” Breitbart and Boehlert were appearing to discuss the firing of USDA employee Shirley Sherrod, following the posting of a tape of her on Breitbart’s website.
Read more: http://newsbusters.org/blogs/scott-whitlock/2010/07/21/abc-skips-label-liberal-media-matters-during-shootout-conservative-a#ixzz0uLJ0O7C9
Ps colby, How’s your piece coming:
Liberal journalists suggest government shut down Fox News
Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2010/07/21/liberal-journalists-suggest-government-shut-down-fox-news/#ixzz0uLJNCQCr
pss, consider me CHECKED!!
Thanks for the smashing copies and pastes from such distinguished sources!
TRUTH AND DECENCY DIE WITH BREITBART AND FOX NEWS!
I didn’t know Breitbart and Fox had the power to fire Shirley. And since Shirley had already resigned before Fox ran Breitbart’s video, it must have been retro-active.
Or Michelle – liberal members of journolist react to the election of Obama….too funny. They are cultists.
Obama wins! And Journolisters rejoice
http://dailycaller.com/2010/07/21/obama-wins-and-journolisters-rejoice/
Must have been writer – apparently Matt Lauer blamed FNC for her firing this morning on the Today show, along with his other liberal co-horts.
Journalism is dead.
I’m loving and laughing at these libs working overtime to defend Obama and Shirley — too bad they don’t have the same sense of interest when it comes to the slandering of the tea partiers.
Oh well….it is what it is.
Funny that this board is still silent on the new journolist revelations….should be a daily article here. Instead of “Moment of Beck” perhaps Glynnis can start “A moment of journolist”
TfT, I don’t know about you, but I would LOVE to be a fly on the wall over at Mediaite as they discuss how to go about ignoring this story. Fascinating!
CMCC, Colby, that stands for Consider me checked, colby, I just didn’t want to write it out.
Cuckoo!
TRUTH AND DECENCY DIE AT BREITBART AND AT FOX NEWS!
King, care to explain why Shirley resigned before Fox even showed the video?
Can I borrow a swatter, please?
TRUTH AND DECENCY DIE AT BREITBART AND AT FOX NEWS!
“TRUTH AND DECENCY DIE WITH BREITBART AND FOX NEWS!”
…and arise from the dead in the form of….Keefy Olberdork, Sgt Schultz! Thanks for the comic relief.
Britefart, the “accidental” racist , thank God no one will ever again listen to him, he will never be able to do this crap again
Well Michelle, Colby, Tommy, Frances, et al will be all gaga tomorrow since Olbermann has tweeted that he will provide a special comment tonight on the Sherrod situation on countdown to no ratings.
They will do anything here to ignore the journolist (now cabalist) story. Makes them look pretty foolish, but hey, this is a lefty site, we all know that, so protecting lefties is part of this board’s game. It is what it is.
I should think because a President a bit too sensitive to post racial niceties went wobbly.
Now: I have as irrelevant a question as yours …. Well, never mind.
TRUTH AND DECENCY DIE AT BREITBART AND AT FOX NEWS.
Tft, I’m sure olberdork has sent them an advanced copy for their review.
The King blames Fox for everything, even though he always claims no one is watching. A truly sick mind.
How come context is all of a sudden so important to the left? Context wasn’t important in the Trent Lott situation; it wasn’t important when Katie cut/pasted/edited/sliced/diced/ the Palin interview (the entire interview has never been seen); it wasn’t important when the left attacked Rush (and made up all kinds of shit about him).
But now, context is everything? But as usual, the msm is placing context where it doesn’t belong….making up stories and blaming FNC for her firing. Anything to protect he himself I guess.
“I should think because a President a bit too sensitive to post racial niceties went wobbly.”
barry must still be reeling from that knock out race relation gaff calling the cops stupid. Yep, hope and change….
Welfare Michelle, Too bad you sit on your ass all day and just watch the geezer channel fox and read newsbusters cause you missed a delightful interview with Glynnis this morning on the Stephaniie Miller show discussing how breitfart is finished and how the geezer channel has its own agenda etc and she has a wonderful sense of humor , maybe you could take some lesons
But Iris, the ‘geezer’ channel is the only one that will report on black racism. The MSM refuses to cover such stories.
Shirley Sherrod, spoke to Media Matters’ Joe Strupp today about the experience of going from cable news villain to heroine in less than 24 hours, and unlike many in the media, Sherrod is not angered by the White House or the NAACP: She’s reserving her outrage for Breitbart and Fox News.
I hope this helps you through this very difficult day for you rightists in America:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yop62wQH498
No need for thanks.
TRUTH AND DECENCY DIE AT BREITBART AND AT FOX!
The Stephanie Miller show, I actually listened to that this am. I was prepping for a colonoscopy and, well it just seemed the right thing to do.
I’ll thanki you Real Royal!!
A black racist outraged at Fox News. Imagine that.
Andrew Breitbart has to actually survive in the free market, whereas Eric Boehlert is fully supported by Nazi aid and sympathizer George Soros.
So I’ll trust Breitbart over Boehlert any day.
Is that because of reverse racism?
TRUTH AND DECENCY DIE AT BREITBART AND AT FOX NEWS!
Hey, Iris the moron, I haven’t watched FOX at all today. Sorry, the picture you have of me in your head isn’t accurate. Move along, moron!
King, what is ‘reverse racism’? Do you mean like how you express outrage over white racism, but ignore it when it comes from blacks? Is that what you mean by ‘reverse’?
FROM MY MOUTH TO GODS EARS!! From Shirley Sherrods latest interview
“And– surprise, surprise– she wants to sue, but isn’t sure who to attack legally yet: “I don’t know enough to know. I wish I did. I would love to sue. I am going to talk about it.” Sherrod has a lot to be angry about, and given the number of frivolous lawsuits filed in this country, she probably has legitimate ground to stand on against, at the very least, the USDA for using this video to fire her.”
I’d add Breitbart just for Fun.
Shirley’s take on Fox Entertainment
“I have refused to do an interview because they are biased,” she explained. “I don’t think Fox News does it fairly. It is worse so now. I have sat and listened to the way they cover the news even before this administration and I saw what was going on.”
She also accused Fox News of racism, telling Strupp that “they are after a bigger thing, they would love to take us back to… where black people were looking down, not looking white folks in the face, not being able to compete for a job out there and not be a whole person.”
This will be interesting — who can she sue? The NAACP for withholding the full video? I would expect that is her only option, but than again, INAL.
And if she sues for “out of context” stuff, then that opens the door for a gazillion conservatives to sue any/all media outlets for misrepresentation of fact and truth.
It’s a very tough day at Compound W, Iris. Forgive Michelle in Utah. I have.
TRUTH AND DECENCY DIE AT BREITBART AND AT FOX NEWS!
Here ya go yweston:
“Tainting the tea party movement with the charge of racism is proving to be an effective strategy for Democrats. There is no evidence that tea party adherents are any more racist than other Republicans, and indeed many other Americans. But getting them to spend their time purging their ranks and having candidates distance themselves should help Democrats win in November. Having one’s opponent rebut charges of racism is far better than discussing joblessness.”
-Mary Frances Berry
Thanks for that.
TRUTH AND DECENCY DIE AT BREITBART AND AT FOX NEWS!
How dare anyone show a video of Shirley speaking her own words. Oh, that’s right. It was all edited. Even when the crowd applauded her racist comments. And if Shirley was completely innocent, why did she resign before Fox even showed Breitbart’s video? And even if Fox was biased, what difference would it make? According to the Royal King, no one watches Fox.
Welfare Michelle, Good for you but i guess that means you were soaking in the rantings of your beloved madman Glennie with little hearst popping above your head
She also accused Fox News of racism, telling Strupp that “they are after a bigger thing, they would love to take us back to… where black people were looking down, not looking white folks in the face, not being able to compete for a job out there and not be a whole person.”
Imagine that? She knows that for a fact, eh? Take a number for the fake racism charges Shirley, it’s as busy in here as the Carnegie Deli.
Alas, the burden of unreasonable expectations about the head-to-head seemed to extinguish the flames of passion, as both Breitbart and Boehlert were not only on their best behavior, but sadly, were also kind of..well, boring. Mediaite was able to speak to both gentleman shortly after the taping, and both agreed that the meeting was not only respectful, but verged on convivial.
It has to be boring when you can’t talk about anything..
Iris, i wouldn’t dream of taking welfare that could be going to a drug taking, out of work, lazy, liberal.
You’re right RoyalK, it is a hard day for these cowardly un Ameerican right wingers, especially at Michelle’s Compund Welfare
Wait for a count of 10….wait for it…now …try again.
Mediaite: Still waiting on your story about the ThinkProgress edited video or the new Journolist accusations.
Instead we get media coverage of a Greenpeace press release and a Onion video? Really?
Goddamn, you are fucking pathetic.
Sorry, Eric Boehlert . No one’s taking Breitbart’s word that the “N” word wasn’t uttered, they are taking the evidence in the videos that show it didn’t happened.
Have ya ever heard of “video replay?” They use it in sports to determine much more serious issues.
Sherrod was caused to resign in a very irresponsible way. Shockingly so. And the NAACP, what an embarrassment of incompetency born out of fear. Because if you were to ask the NAACP if within their ranks there are some people with racist sentiments, they would not deny that. Nor could they, any more than the tea party can, because racism is a fact of life across the full spectrum, left and right, white or black, Latino, Irish, Oriental… All the tea party or organizations like the NAACP can do, is try to be dilligent in rooting out racism, in an appropriate manner, when it raises it’s head. The NAACP tried to act prudently in that regard, falling for the edited video, but instead acted foolishly.
In this case, there was a complete breakdown of the system all around. BriteBart was irresponsible, many of the networks were irresponsible, the USDA, and the White House. Hopefully it is a learning experience, and we can be more responsible with edited video footage…
Man, I was supporting her until you just posted her racist rant.
The burden of unreasonable expectations…I think that is a fair statement. And what does that burden bear…
“unreasonable expectations about the head-to-head seemed to extinguish the flames of passion.”
I mostly agree with that passion. I actually do, but everyone else is allowed the same lyrics…
I was pleased to see the Administration apologize. Let’s hope lessons were learned. Don’t believe a word from Breitbart, don’t believe a word from FOX News.
TRUTH AND DECENCY DIE AT BREITBART AND AT FOX NEWS!
I do help my cousin work w/ the Athabascans mostly in Labrador and Newfoundland.
I figure I am relatively “non’racist” whilst still being aware of different aboriginal cultures.
You should have! They blew it again.
King, according to things you’ve said about Fox ratings, no one is watching Fox but you. Just turn off your set.
There is a difference….there is a huge cultural difference and it always will have an effect.
Whether I am a “white boy” or not.
“Whether I am a “white boy” or not.”
I can’t remember the last time I thought that way.
Nobody else should treat me that way either.
My cat watches FOX & Friends, but only when the Gretch is on. He laughs so hard I have to give him a Sucret.
TRUTH AND DECENCY DIE AT BREITBART AND AT FOX NEWS!
I am multi cultural…mostly Scot/French and Aborigine with major Celtic backlash.
And I am a naturalized American citizen.
You are who you are.
It’s not really possible to have a debate with anyone from Media Matters. This web site operates as a bureau of disinformation for the Left. If Andrew Breitbart said 2 + 2 = 4, Media Matters would issue a press release the next day, claiming that 2 + 2 = 5. That is their modus operandi, as they demonstrate each and every day.
If you doubt that these people are intellectually dishonest, try to post a comment critical of Media Matters on their web site. It will be censored by the thought police as a matter of course. You see, they don’t believe in freedom of speech at Media Matters — indeed just the opposite.
You can debate honest intellectuals on the left, but these folks are just hack propagandists. No dialogue is possible, and it’s a waste of time to even try.
My cat watches FOX & Friends, but only when the Gretch is on. He laughs so hard I have to give him a Sucret.
These are things that I have never figured out whilst becoming an American.
Total LIE!
I am just all sort of curious about The Royal Kings’ cat
The Royal King’s cat must be black. He wouldn’t want a white one, since white cats have never faced the ‘yoke of oppression.’
Obviously from your perspective, Media Matters is partisan, etc. Yes, they are an advocate for the progressive (or if you prefer “liberal”) view. Likewise, without any doubt, BriteBart and FOX are advocates for the conservative view. But in this case, BriteBart was found to have pawned off an edited video (though it remains to be seen if he knew it was selectively edited) on the public for the purpose of accusing someone of racism. So he deserves to be called out on that, by Media Matters and everybody else. Otherwise, journalism has no integrity.
ROTFLMFAO!
Oh, man are you a funny man!
Let me get a handkerchief- I am laughing so hard.
Would you like a Sucret?
TRUTH AND DECENCY DIE WITH BREITBART AND WITH FOX NEWS!
It was just too easy.
It seems like any and everything that is referenced is automatically racist.
I don’t think it has to be that way but I won’t apologize if I watch young black men create crime faster than young white men.
Certainly no more biased than FOX or Andrew BriteBart. I mean, how many late night comedic bunch lines end with “fair and balanced”?
Grampy nutso , hate to burst your old senile bubble but this is what she said
“They intended exactly what they did. They were looking for the result they got yesterday,” she said of Fox. “I am just a pawn. I was just here. They are after a bigger thing, they would love to take us back to where we were many years ago. Back to where black people were looking down, not looking white folks in the face, not being able to compete for a job out there and not be a whole person.”
Pass the Sucrets…….. from any functional brain perspective.
The kids are out of control…this isn’t a racial thingy. The days of “whiggers” are over…It’s just young punks abusing a system that has enabled them.
I’m at fault…but not to this level.
Remember, every vote for your childs’ music is music you DO have to listen to.
Bingo!
I don’t need to respond to that.
But, truth does need repeating.
So I did.
Bingo!
You should let your “cat” use the computer then.
It would certainly make much more sense then you do…
To all of the outraged conservatives on this website, it seems like you are beside yourselves because of the fact that Mediaite has not reported on the Daily Caller’s story of Journolist that came out last night about how supposedly liberals wanted to destroy Fox News…
Here’s my theory as to why this is:
After the disastrous debacle with the Sherrod story and how the media jumped to conclusions, I’m sure Mediaite is going to want to make sure they get the whole story before they jump to conclusions from a conservative source (as the Daily Caller surely is) about the story you so desperately want them to report on. Give it time, I’m sure it’ll pop up. You can surely understand why they aren’t so quick to jump on this after yesterday. Just a thought.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/21/daily-caller-fails-to-rep_n_654034.html
I know, I know, it comes from Huffington Post. You’ll take what it says with a grain of salt, unlike you would with Newsbusters or (ahem) the Daily Caller.
Naw.
They’re just waiting to see how Ezra Klein & all the other girls from the now defunct (but always despicable) site, spin the stories being revealed at the Daily Caller, before they make the mistake of possibly weighing in with something that might actually be true.
Can’t have that…
You say to-may-to…
Hey, that Huff-Poo post wasn’t half bad.
Stein even framed the issues somewhat correctly, early on in the piece. But I must disagree when Stein says:
Here’s my beef.
There’s nothing at all “progressive” about this group’s worldview. I say that due to the fact that “progressive” within the political sense it’s intended, directly implies progress, & that’s hardly the path these Leftist would collectively like us to take.
Rather, today’s Left is attempting to take us backwards, into an era & place where heavy handed omnipresent govt will have a hand & a say, in absolutely everything that people can do.
And every system of govt that has followed onto that path, has always caused great human suffering, economic hardship, corruption, bloodshed & death.
Bearing in mind that that type of heavy handed govt control has failed every time it’s been tried, that’s not “progressive” at all.
It is in fact, “regressive”.
However, when Stein states:
It’s impossible to disagree.
psst iris, a little internet tip for you. when you make fun of someones username in a thread it means they got under your skin and its the only way you can strike back. its been fun watching you fuck yourself over and over but its getting old so i thought id let your poor loser ass in on it.
Valkyrie, you need to brush up on the difference between news, opinion, and propaganda. Media Matters definitely falls into the propaganda camp, and proves it on a daily basis.
Most of what you find there are videos, tapes, and transcripts of what people or news organizations have actually said. The intention is partisan, but the information speaks for itself.
Why does the media give these guys a forum. The two worst offenders of “out of context” in existence. I want some coverage of the oil spill or the economy but instead we have to listen to two ego maniacs yell over each other that the other is worse. Pathetic.
Appearing on Wednesday’s Dylan Ratigan Show on MSNBC to discuss the Shirley Sherrod controversy, Politico co-founder Jim VandeHei pointed out the NAACP’s role in fueling racial accusations:
Politico co-founder Jim VandeHei pointed out the NAACP’s role in fueling racial accusations: “If you think about this, where this thing started, the NAACP comes out and makes this charge against the tea party movement.”
VandeHei rejected the NAACP’s claim of racism in the political movement: “It’s a very, very diffuse group. You cannot say that they are racist anymore then you can say the Republican Party’s racist or the Democratic Party is racist, so it creates this culture and it’s a dangerous topic, it’s a dangerous fire to light, and then when it happens this is the outcome.”
I’ll bet Dylan’s head nearly exploded!!
im surprised eric boehlert was able to pull his lips from george soros’ nutsack long enough to go on a morning show
Valkyrie, if you stick up for propagandists, it rubs off on you. You should call Media Matters for what it is. But, hey, that’s your choice.
Again, a rational mind can analyze video, recording or transcripts on its own terms. Your problem is that you only see the vase, and not the faces.
Even though Sherrod had actually already resigned, O’Reilly’s show, actually showing the video out of context, was recorded prior to her resignation. Bill O’Reilly of Fox News was the first cable network to air the video this past Monday night, 07/19/10. Due to his promise to his sheep-like viewing audience, of standing behind everything he airs, he offered his apology. make no mistake, Fox was first.
http://www.theolympian.com/2010/07/22/1312362/bill-oreilly-apologizes-to-shirley.html
Did you notice Breitbart’s answer to George’s first question. Umm, uh, I uh, that, errr…hee haw…!
Develop more partisan bullshit they could pump out of with The Whale?
STILL waiting for evidence of factual errors at MediaMatters.org. Request no. 21.
It’s no coincidence that there’s no legitimate counterpart to MM on the right. They couldn’t impartially substantiate their reportage with copious links and in-context transcripts in like fashion without exposing their own corruptness and vacuity.
For all the cheep shots and fingers pointed at MM, there is NEVER any proof to back up the allegations. Because there IS none. Zombie-ized Fox viewers have been paper-trained into thinking that an allegation is as good as proof. Hardly.
“try to post a comment critical of Media Matters on their web site. It will be censored by the thought police as a matter of course. ”
How can you possibly know what ISN’T there? I’ve seen many critical comments at MM – which you’ve obviously never visited or you wouldn’t be lying about them.
“Let me get a handkerchief- I am laughing so hard.”
Try swallowing it.
“Certainly no more biased than FOX or Andrew BriteBart.”
MM was established to track and expose right-wing bias and lies in mainstream media. Fakes News has kept them exceptionally busy – though Dimbart, the Washington Times, Lush Limbaugh and other craven so-called “news” sources have piled on with their own “neocon porn.”
Breitbart’s experience with nitwit conman James O’Keefe should have made him more cautious in his acceptance of video from outside sources – except that he obviously didn’t CARE if the video was genuine. If he did, he would have contacted the NAACP to verify its provenance and accuracy before posting it.
Olbermann’s special comment was essentially correct: there is blame enough to go around. However, the root cause of this mess is clearly the conscience-deprived and cowardly Andrew Breitbart – cowardly for failing to stand up and admit that he deliberately distorted and perverted the words and intent of a thoughtful, contrite woman.
I registered in order to comment that this article is written with extreme childishness. Judging from the front page, the topics, while themselves arguably worth attention, are subheaded with the same juvenile style. Redundancy doesn’t begin to describe this domain.
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