On Sunday’s Reliable Sources, liberal radio host Bill Press didn’t mince words in discussing Rep. Michele Bachmann‘s (R-MN) presidential aspirations, calling her a “laughingstock.”

Host Howard Kurtz, and panel, wondered if Bachmann’s command of an Iowa audience cut against that notion, and whether sexism is to blame for the gulf in media interest between Bachmann and fellow Minnesotan Tim Pawlenty (R-MN), a notion which Press handily dismissed.

Bill Press is a left-of-center radio host who is also a member of the White House Press Corps. Tommy Christopher is the White House correspondent for Mediaite, and readers familiar with his columns know that he is not afraid to admit his liberal tilt as well. Press had Christopher on as guest this morning to talk about the news of the week, particularly Donald Trump’s odd boast that he’d screwed Gaddafi over a land deal of some sort, but perhaps a more interesting bit was their candid appraisal of the new White House Press Secretary Jay Carney.

It was just over a month ago that former print journalist Jay Carney took over as White House Press Secretary from Robert Gibbs, and what a month it has been. With multiple crises in the Middle East, the budget fight, the Wisconsin-led public union protests, and Japan’s earthquake/tsunami/possible nuclear meltdowns, Carney has had many full plates to deal with. All things considered, the White House reporters I’ve spoken with give Carney good marks on his first month on the job, which several of them describe as a “trial by fire.”

Conservative media lightning rod and former “Matt Drudge bitch“ Andrew Breitbart is nothing if not quotable, a quality he displays to amusing effect (intentionally and otherwise) in his interview for April’s issue of GQ magazine. Asked why former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin (R-FNC) wasn’t on his 2012 dream ticket (he picked Allen West and Michele Bachmann), Breitbart responded that the job was “beneath” her. The governorship of Alaska must have been positively subterranean, then.

The announcement of Jay Carney as successor to White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs has ended weeks of speculation, but raises questions about how Carney will take to his new post, and it to him. In exclusive comments to Mediaite, members of the White House Press Corps expressed optimism about Carney’s tenure, and identified possible challenges for the new Press Secretary, including his own status as a former journalist, his relative distance from the Obama administration’s inner circle, and his boyish good looks.

In the wake of Sarah Palin‘s video address dealing with the Arizona shooting, it was easy to predict that her controversial “blood libel” reference would generate passionate reaction from many. Without delay, Rep. James Clyburn, offered up his instant reaction to the comment on a radio show with liberal host Bill Press that is likely to stir up some controversy of its own.

In the media debate over this year’s midterm elections, the “enthusiasm gap” has been front and center. Recent remarks by President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden have gotten a chilly reception from the base. At today’s White House briefing, Press Secretary Robert Gibbs cut through the whining and the disappointment, and delivered a pitch-perfect frame for the upcoming midterms. Asked by progressive radio host Bill Press about that enthusiasm gap, Gibbs cited some encouraging poll results, then delivered a call to arms, saying “Everything (Democrats and independents) care about is at stake.”

Right near the end of a segment examining the continued relevance of Newt Gingrich, Hardball host Chris Matthews made a comment that probably seemed offhand to most viewers, but not all. In a modern media warscape that has each side out to convince itself of the sinister, conspiratorial bias of the other, Matthews’ comment to Media Matters senior fellow Eric Boehlert regarding the media watchdog, to keep posting the information because “we rely on it,” probably set off blaring sirens at the Media Research Center.

As the debate over whether or not President Obama is a Muslim has gone away, it has been replaced with the debate over whether or not the form of Christianity that he practices is a mainstream one. One of the biggest proponents of the belief that it is not has been Glenn Beck who has been challenged over his comments from the likes of Bill Press as well as Robert Gibbs. Yesterday on his show, Beck responded to Gibbs.

On his radio show yesterday, Glenn Beck criticized progressive radio host Bill Press over remarks Press made on Countdown that were critical of Beck’s analysis of President Obama’s religion. Press said of Beck “We don’t need a Mormon to teach Christians what the gospels are all about.” Beck then reiterated his criticism of the president’s faith, and said he would welcome a correction “if I’m wrong.” Press tells Mediaite that he’s happy to correct Beck in a one-on-one debate on liberation theology, anywhere, anytime.

On his radio program today, loyal Mediaite reader Glenn Beck struck back at attacks on his Mormon faith, even on ones that don’t exist. “Bill Press and Tommy Christopher…have written a despicably ignorant article in Mediaite,” Beck said, before playing a clip of Press saying “We don’t need a Mormon to teach Christians what the gospels are all about.”

Beck then follows up his complaint about attacks on his faith by attacking Bill Press’ faith.

Of course, Press didn’t co-write the article in question, and the entire point of that article was that Press should no more attack Glenn Beck’s faith than Beck should attack President Obama’s. Beck makes several other claims that deserve scrutiny, as well.

Glenn Beck‘s “Restoring Honor” rally has sparked a circular holy firing squad, with critics attacking Beck’s Mormonism from the left and the right. On last night’s Countdown, “Toxic Talk” author Bill Press detailed Christian attacks on Beck, noted Beck’s attack on President Obama’s religion, and finished with his own shot at Mormons. To Beck’s assertion that Obama’s religion is a “perversion of the gospel,” Press responded, “We don’t need a Mormon to teach Christians what the gospels are all about.”

“Congressman with Guts” Alan Grayson (D-FL) went for Press Secretary Robert Gibbs‘ throat in an appearance om MSNBC today, calling for him to be fired, and saying he belongs on Fox News. The tough talk was in response to Gibbs’ now-ubiquitous “professional left” comments, but Grayson, who refers to Gibbs as “Bozo the Spokesman,” also accuses Gibbs of doing a “miserable job” at highlighting the Obama administration’s accomplishments. As someone who listens to Gibbs do just that on a nearly daily basis, I have to disagree.

There are some liberals who are freaking out about Fox News’ move to the front row of the Brady Briefing Room. Not helping matters was Bill O’Reilly‘s joking suggestion that he and Sean Hannity “hog-tie” Major Garrett and go tête-à-tête with Robert Gibbs themselves.

If it helps at all, I can personally vouch for the fact that nothing like this will ever happen. But even if it did, I don’t think it’d be such a bad thing.

It may sound corny to some, but Helen Thomas is never very far a way from my thoughts, but the occasion of the White House Correspondents Association’s re-assignment of her iconic front-row center seat in the Brady Briefing Room provided me with the impetus to speak with Helen for the first time since her controversial retirement. I called her this afternoon to reconnect, and to get her reaction to the news. I was surprised to learn that my call was the first she’d heard of it. Her reaction, and those of some of our colleagues, after the jump.

Some critics of Glenn Beck’s 8/28 “Restoring Honor” rally (a group that includes me) have also wondered how much of the estimated $2 million cost of the event might be used to pay Sarah Palin‘s speaking fee. While not the main focus of criticism of Beck’s rally, questions about funding for the event have been raised. As it turns out, Palin will not be paid a speaker’s fee, and the charity that’s partnering with Beck on the event does stand to benefit significantly from the event.

As Bill Press pointed out awhile back, Glenn Beck‘s August 28 “Restoring Honor” rally is being financed by tax-free donations which will benefit the Special Operations Warrior Foundation only after Beck’s event is paid for. The website StopBeck points out that the New Orleans Saints owner has donated an item for auction to Beck’s rally, the same Glenn Beck who referred to New Orleans Katrina victims as “scumbags.”

Right-wing media watchdog Newsbusters and influential conservative uber-blogger Ed Morrissey are taking exception to a “Libtalker Meltdown” by my White House press colleague Bill Press. What kind of Toxic Talk did Bill engage in to draw fire from the right? Reacting to a new poll that says 6 in 10 Americans lack faith in President Obama, Press called Americans “spoiled” and “impatient.” I’d say he was being kind.

Bill Press is a member of an increasingly endangered species: the successful progressive radio host. With his new book, Toxic Talk: How the Radical Right Has Poisoned America’s Airwaves, my White House press colleague aims to diagnose, and treat, the left’s deficit on the dial. While it lives up to its title, Toxic Talk is much more than a catalog of crass conservative cacophony. Breezy and full of insights for left, right, and in between, Press’ book is essential reading for political media junkies.

Keith Olbermann‘s assault on Glenn Beck‘s upcoming “Restoring Honor” rally continues. Following up Bill Press‘s predictably scathing review of the event last night, Olbermann had Reverend Al Sharpton on the program for his take on Beck’s event, which happens to coincide with the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.‘s “I Have a Dream” speech. Sharpton’s take concluded with him calling the rally a “joke… and I’m being kind.”

On last night’s Countdown, syndicated radio host and Toxic Talk author Bill Press took aim at Glenn Beck‘s August 28 “Restoring Honor” rally, which he has previously likened to an Al-Qaeda rally at Ground Zero. Among the topics discussed were Beck’s fundraising tactics, the “desecration” of Dr. Martin Luther King‘s memory, and, most importantly, Beck’s lack of a permit for the event. Bill takes special care to note that the National Park Service is still mulling the request over. He also refuses to take Keith Olbermann‘s bait that “Restoring Honor” is to be a racist event, putting it in the proper perspective.

Keith Olbermann and Bill Press are very excited for the upcoming “Restoring Honor” march on Washington, set to take place on August 28th and feature Glenn Beck as its speaker and leader. Press, in particular, is curious to see how it will turn out, as the permit request for the event has yet to be approved.

Oof. Is it ever really a good idea to fight crazy with crazy? In an attempt to express his displeasure over Glenn Beck‘s plan to hold his ‘Restoring Honor’ rally at the Lincoln Memorial on August, 28th, the anniversary of Martin Luther King’s ‘I Have A Dream’ speech, talk radio host Bill Press made this unfortunate and over-the-top comparison.

Mediaite’s Tommy Christopher decided to take his own Flip camera earlier today and ask some politicians and commentator the question that has nearly brought down on of their own: Do you fully support the Obama agenda? Check out the video after the jump to see their response. SPOILERS: No one gets slapped.

The uproar surrounding CNN commentator Erick Erickson‘s comment about pulling a shotgun on an ACS census worker seemed to be dying down, after rippling all the way to the White House. News reports about a March incident (prior to Erickson’s comments) in which a warning shot was fired (with a shotgun) at a census worker may turn the heat back up.