This was very, very good. Shuster at his best. Might even top that interview of the Dentist, About-to-be Disbarred Extension School Attorney, Real Estate Agent and Wig Model, Dr. Orly Taitz. But, if Shuster keeps disemboweling rightist icons like Breitbart and Taitz, they aren’t going to like him longer.

I see that O’Keefe has been ordered to live with his parents until his next hearing. That sounds cruel and unusual, but only appropriate for this little weenie.

What exactly is David Shuster at MSNBC? A commentator, pundit, reporter?

If he was wearing his reporter’s hat for this interview (such at it was), he needs to be slapped down and hard by Phil Griffin. If we can Griffin to make a fist and restore order at his network.

If he was a commentator, why is he hosting a daytime news program?

Does anyone over at MSNBC get to say whatever they want at any time? Opinions,news, facts, commentary, analysis, …it’s just all one big stew to eat from?

Yeah, we’ve got the same problem, i.e., blurring of lines between reporting and commentary, at Fox and to a lesser extent at CNN but this is gettting ridiculous.

And the Shuster compounds his error by having Eric Boehlert of Media Matters – someone who loathes Breitbart (and vice versa) – on for a softball interview about Breitbart.

This is just indefensibly unprofessional reporting by Shuster.

I don’t care if you’re on the left or right, this type of stuff – and yes Fox does it too – has to stop.

Although the raw facts of the O’Keefe case are both troubling and amusing, and certainly interesting, as to the journalism issue, you are correct, SteveMG. Shuster is doing the same thing many of us are quick to accuse FOX, justifiably, of doing.

It’s not going to stop. It is high theatre, now. FOX would have no ratings were it not for their drunken walk down an ethical line. I fear MSNBC is doing the same thing. Again, I have to confess, I understand the appeal to some. We haven’t had anything as amusing in the “news” as O’Keefe since the diaper-clad astronaut’s drive from Houston to Cape Kennedy.

I agree that Shuster belongs to the new type of reporter whose political alignment is quite open. He doesn’t exactly hide it though, especially if you follow his twitter page. This is quite a contrast with Fox News, who usually still pretends that they’re impartial when they’re really not

I agree that Shuster belongs to the new type of reporter whose political alignment is quite open.

Sorry, when did Shuster admit to being a opinion journalist/advocate and not a straight down-the-middle one?

Earlier, I read about the Schuster “reprimand” on another site and now that it factors into this post, if I might take a moment to address this side issue…

Obviously in light of this situation and the one from last week with Joe Scarborough, MSNBC needs to develop a policy covering their employees use of Twitter. This may be a murky area because if I’m not mistaken, NBC got the cable channel in the divorce and Microsoft kept the .com, so Twitter is somewhere in between, but clearly a policy needs to be written and rights of ownership established.

Otherwise, I’m sure you couldn’t expect the two parties above to come to any agreement. As SteveMG alludes, Schuster’s job description isn’t well understood and he’s often a target by the hard right. And, I’m sure Breitbart is feeling some heat because a reply he gave Hugh Hewitt in a recent interview could be used to diminish the ACORN/O’Keefe scandal.

HH: And I think that’s the key thing. Lots of people work for lots of corporations, and do dumb and sometimes illegal things that are not within the scope of their employment. And this was not within the scope of his employment.
AB: Yes, absolutely. That is absolutely the case.

(Note: The keyness of the interview segment is not my original idea, but one that exists on the web)

By the way, TVNewser had a better pic for this story: both of their mouths were wide open. Should do that next time, makes reading talking-head shouting stories more exciting!

“How David Schuster Lied to Me to get me on MSNBC” – see bigjournalism for details. To include this little ditty:

“as I said, I don’t have a horse in this race” (from email from Schuster to Breitbart). Breitbart also has all of David’s tweets up on his board.

Poor MSNBC; flailing and failing all around.

As SteveMG alludes, Schuster’s job description isn’t well understood and he’s often a target by the hard right.

Well it really shouldn’t be a left/right matter. Megyn Kelly has the same problem (among others) at Fox.

There needs to be clear lines drawn by the networks between opinion and reporting.

That shouldn’t be a liberal or conservative view; that should be the view, it seems to me, of news consumers who want professional reporting and not advocacy, whether from the left or right.

And it’s getting worse.

Well, most conservatives complain about how there’s a liberal bias in the media and that journalists should just tell their political affiliations openly. Shuster is one of them – and now whine?

@SteveMG: I tend to watch CNN, if I’m watching news in the afternoon, so my knowledge of the complaints against Schuster is only from what I’ve seen in anti-MSNBC comments. I have seen a little bit of Schuster over the past year or so, but just like a lot of MSNBC programming, there’s too much “personality” for my taste.

Shuster is one of them – and now whine?

Because he and MSNBC are selling Shuster as a straight reporter.

If he/they come out and say, “David Shuster is a liberal advocate”, fine. But don’t tell us he’s neutral.

Same for Fox journalists or anyone at any other network.

Not everything is politics.

I have seen a little bit of Schuster over the past year or so, but just like a lot of MSNBC programming, there’s too much “personality” for my taste.

Good point. I think the networks, esp. FNC and MSNBC, are pushing their people to be more “edgy” and do more “personality-driven” interviews.

That’s fine up to a point.

m says:
January 28, 2010 at 4:45 pm

I agree that Shuster belongs to the new type of reporter whose political alignment is quite open. He doesn’t exactly hide it though, especially if you follow his twitter page.

How Schuster lied to get the interview:
http://bigjournalism.com/abreitbart/2010/01/28/how-david-shuster-lied-to-get-me-to-appear-on-msnbc/

So much for “not hiding” it, huh?

Entertainment at its best. One liberal against another pretending to be a conservative. Follow the money. Breit’s a smart man…

Problem is, ImNotSmart, is that you don’t know how to distinguish the difference between “journalism” and entertainment. Breitbert and Schuster both knew what they were doing. Breitbart wasn’t “lied” to. He knows this makes for great television and that you and your ilk will eat this crap up when they see it. Satire. Comedy. Entertainment. But not worth discussing as a partisan issue. Both are making out quite well today because of this show they put on. Well played, all. Sorry it’s a bit over your head, NotSmart.

tjl says:
January 28, 2010 at 6:37 pm

Oh… I get it. See… I was confused because I thought MSNBC was supposed to be a news channel… not Comedy Central 2.

PS-
Yes, Schuster DID lie. No, you can’t deny that. Yes, you can lie in an effort to make good television. No, this wasn’t supposed to be “satire” or “comedy,” rather it’s political ideology, which itself can be entertaining.

Now, if you’re theory is that Breitbart is actually a Liberal pretending to be a Conservative, I’d like to see some proof please.

Ha. He’s said as much. He grew up as a “liberal jew” (per Breitbart) yet claimed that during the Justice Thomas confirmation he had a change of heart. Sure. Oh, and years back he helped develop the Huffington Post. I believe, correct me if I’m wrong, that’s supposedly a liberal blog…. I’m sure he knew of the sites intentions, no? Would you campaign for Obama if the price were right and you were so ideologically opposed to him? Of course you wouldn’t. Proof enough? Of course it’s not. Because it’s not what you want to hear.

MSNBC is as much of a news channel as Fox News. Take that for what it’s worth. I’m not, nor have I ever defended MSNBC. Much like I will never defend Fox News. Fox News tells you what you want to hear and MSNBC tells a small amount of liberals (hey, I can get in on the rating bashings ) what they want to hear. They are one in the same. Go outside, read a book, it will be much more beneficial to you.

It is comedy…it is satirical… because these are two grown men yelling at each other about some boy who broke into a Senator’s office. Two grown men. As if either has a “horse in this race.” Fighting. Then reporting back to their “followers” that each was misrepresented and duped. It’s a satire of masculinity — I’m louder than you are! I won’t stoop to your level. Go team go! Blah, blah….

You continue to fight the good fight, but if you are as smart as you claim to be there’s no way you can just fall for all of this. It’s entertainment “news.” But certainly not News.

Honestly, there is no comparison between Fox and MSNBC. Fox clearly separates its news and opinion programming. And even an political opinion show like O’Reilly’s allows dissenting points of view. You could watch Olbermann all year and never hear anything except left-wing opinions.

This O’Keefe story is perfect proof of this. Fox is the only news source that covered BOTH the Acorn scandal and the O’Keefe story from the start. Every other network buried the Acorn scandal for as long as possible, but jumped on this story about the whistleblower. That, my friends, is hypocrisy, plain and simple.

And that is why Fox News is the must trusted TV news source, trouncing the competition in a poll published earlier this week.

Keep trying Felix. You’ll get there, buddy. Fox is as partisan as MSNBC. Blind…sheep…etc. I should add “sad.” How can you trash Olbermann but leave Beck out of the equation. Educate yourself. Read. Study. This is ridiculous.

You know, all this partisan back and forth does raise an interesting question; Why was Schuster in New Orleans? Is he down there because of this “phone tampering” story? Is he there because their local team is headed to the Super Bowl or was he hoping to score an interview with Brangelina?

Schuster: Show me your….

How can you trash Olbermann but leave Beck out of the equation.

Beck is an ideologue with bizarre views but has never pretended to be a “news anchor” and is not allowed to anchor any news coverage at Fox.

Olbermann calls himself a “news anchor” and is allowed to anchor and cover news stories. Presidential debates, conventions, breaking news stories, et cetera.

I’ll agree to “trash” both. But let’s remember that one is a loopy commentator who doesn’t pretend to be anything else. The other is a loopy personality who pretends to be a news anchor.

But we agree they are both loopy… now we’re talking semantics. If you think that Olbermann is a journalist then you are an ideologue. Likewise with Beck. Hannity, a right-wing ideologue, was the post-SOTU show on Fox News last night. Wouldn’t those looking for non-partisan news prefer to get a non-partisan show?

Ratings — apples and oranges. As far as “news” — apples and apples. Anything after 4pm on both channels (if I recall) is commentary. If Olbermann wants to call himself a “journalist”…. fine. Neither of the two Dr. Dre’s in hip-hop were indeed Drs. We believe what we want to believe. Some believe in Olby’s rhetoric, others in Beck’s.

If you think that Olbermann is a journalist then you are an ideologue.

Sorry, this isn’t my thinking: both MSNBC and Olbermann himself say he’s a journalist. In fact, he says he’s a “news anchor” and “Countdown” is a “news cast.”

I agree he’s not a journalist. And you agree he’s not a journalist.

The problem is the people who pay for him – and he himself – think otherwise.

Hannity is a commentator who does a commentary show with different guests on. He does not – and hever has – anchored news coverage of presidential debates or conventions. Olbermann does both.

This goes back to the question of reporters and commentators and the need to keep them separate. MSNBC does a terrible job at it. Fox does a slightly less terrible job. Both deserve criticism.

This interview is simply devasting to Shuster as a professional.

It’s clear that he would be more appropriately utilized as a side-kick to Rachel Maddow.

Shuster would supply her show with a more feminine aesthetic and she’s supply with a scrotum.

@Cecelia: Nobody answered my “why is Schuster in New Orleans” question and because he apparently doesn’t have a show or it’s not listed on the website, i had to go way around to find something which says that he’s there for the O’Keefe story, but…

As far as I’m concerned Schuster may not have helped himself, but who cares about him, he and his show don’t even rate a flyout from the tv homepage?

The real question is who authorized the expenditure of network resources to send an “anchor” to do extended coverage of a non-story about a 25 year-old’s delusion?

I’m sure the people that NBC News have downsized and those who feel their bureaus have been neglected or possibly eliminated really appreciate the fact, so much is being spent on something so utterly unimportant.

Magister,

O’Keefe has acted criminally and will face justice (as he should) and there’s no doubt that Olbermann and Phil Griffin sent Shuster to cover the beginning of that process.

When I think about this in light of your words and the words of Shuster’s tweets, I think about a scene from the movie The Shinning.

Do you remember the scene when the mom character of that movie turned the corner in the hotel and there was the ghost of the murderous former caretaker donning a party hat and a martini of blood?

I can understand partisanship and I understand too that Olbermann is partisan, but why does journalist David Shuster feel so secure that he publicly dons the party hat and raises the bloody drink?

tjl says:
January 28, 2010 at 7:02 pm

Interesting (not really). Out of curiosity… according to Markos Moulitsas (found of the Daily KOS… about as far left as you can get), he was a Republican and joined the Army. According to Wiki, in the “1988 presidential election, he served as a Republican precinct captain and assisted with the re-election campaign of Illinois Congressman Henry Hyde.” But changed his opinions after that.

I guess, by your “logic” his site is all for “humor” too… right? I mean, we should apply the same standards across the board… right?

The problem with you tjl, isn’t that you’re wrong… and it isn’t that your condescending to everyone else. It’s that you’re wrong AND condescending… and you make stuff up to fit the situation. Your “theory” is garbage, based upon nothing and completely irrelevant.

Schuster lied… and even if you believe it’s all a farce (with exactly what to gain?), his “character” still lied. So how does that change anything?

Magister says:
January 28, 2010 at 7:14 pm

I’m pretty sure he’s there for the story. It wouldn’t make sense to go there for the Super Bowl (use the local affiliates for that… and the Super Bowl is in Miami, New Orleans is just playing in it). The timing, everything, and I think even his Twitter statements, show that he’s down there for the story… plain and simple.

ImNotSmart. I win. Simple enough. I’m not wrong, I’m just better than you and your right-wing rhetoric. I know you’re scared. There’s a black man in the office and there’s nothing you can do about it. I also know you’re lonely as you spend most of your time on this site. How about I pay for you to go to college. Learn a little. Pick up a little reading comprehension. I’m sorry I made fun of your boyfriend, Mr. Brietbart. By my logic, I’m better than you. And by my logic you pussied out and never emailed me. tjl: 1 ImNotSmart: 0

Still waiting for that email… I know you’re a big fan of throwing insults via the Internet — it’s so safe in here, isn’t it. But once you prove to me that you’re capable of lobbing insults to me, and not at me, we can probably move on and be more cordial. Until then, I will continue to live my life knowing that I am better than you and I will remain as a condescending prick. Until you man up, excuse me, “boy up” I’ll leave you alone.

Please, also, tell me what I made up. As smart as you are, please tell me why your only friend, Mr. Brietbart, helped form the Huffington Post… Last I checked he was a right-wing republican when he did so. You STILL can’t give me an answer to that. All you can do is lob insults and hide behind your computer screen (still no email!!!). You, are a fool to the highest degree. ImNotSmart, you make me happy to be alive! I’ll mark you down as another person I’m oh so better than. Thanks, you whiney rag. Smooches!!!

Sorry, I missed that part about you comparing Brietbart to Kos and…well, meaning it. I got a good laugh at that one, little guy. You hate Kos, but respect Briet? Two peas, one pod. You’re a strange little fella. Sorry, I just needed to add that. You are too funny. Thanks for the pick-me-up!

Is there anyway we could get people to get a new shtick other than “too funny” or “I spewed coffee all over my computer”, etc….when trying to denigrate a critic?

It’s gotten beyond hackneyed.

Why did Mediaite delete my post yesterday about this story? All I did was tell the truth about how David Shuster is a third-rate TV journalist/lefty ideologue with a very irritating “sing-song” vocal delivery that he tries to use for phony dramatic emphasis. Anybody who has watched MSNBC knows Shuster is a reporter lackey for Chris Matthews and Keith Olbermann who both run Shuster ragged on any stories negative to conservatives. Shuster reported for weeks and weeks on every detail and speculation on the Sen. George Allen “macaca” story and the Scooter Libbey prosecution. Shuster also shot off his liberal foot when he helped Obama by accusing the Clintons of “pimping out” their daughter Chelsea during last year’s Democratic primary campaign. Maybe the truth hurts, but you should not censor it.

tjl says:
January 29, 2010 at 2:22 am

There’s a black man in the office and there’s nothing you can do about it.

Yes… that must be it. Me, who has grown up in a suburb of NYC… who went to a school where I was a minority… yes, I must be afraid of the people I’ve spent my life around. I guess, that’s it, huh? I’ve beat you on every other point… so it comes down to the fail safe. How pathetic you’ve become.

I also know you’re lonely as you spend most of your time on this site.

Um… wouldn’t that make you “lonely” too?

How about I pay for you to go to college.

Well, I have been thinking about picking up a Masters. You wanna pay for it… SURE!

By my logic, I’m better than you.

Yes… and what “logic” it is. *rolls eyes*

Actually, I feel like I’m in good company. There must be a lot of people who you think you’re “better than.” But a freaky gigantic ego isn’t really anything to be proud of.

Still waiting for that email… I know you’re a big fan of throwing insults via the Internet — it’s so safe in here, isn’t it.

I emailed you weeks ago.

Meeting
From: ImNotBlue ImNotBlue (imnotblue@live.com)
Sent: Fri 1/08/10 12:48 AM
To: tjl201034@yahoo.com

And as soon as I did… you turned tail and ran away for a few days. Why is that?

I will continue to live my life knowing that I am better than you and I will remain as a condescending prick.

Shocker…

You STILL can’t give me an answer to that.

Yeah, and you want to help ME with reading comprehension?! HA! The irony, I’m sure, escapes you… but not me.

You hate Kos, but respect Briet? Two peas, one pod.

Well… I don’t “hate” KOS. I disagree with KOS, and think his tactics are often disgusting… and that the people on his site are often far-left lunatics… but I have no animus for the man himself. As for Breit… I don’t really know enough about him to care. His site is new, and I don’t know much about the man.

But who cares? How is any of that relevant to anything? Breit proved that Schuster lied to get the interview… what else is necessary?

You see… this (again) is just another example of you trying to change the subject. You can’t defend you earlier foolishness about this all being shtick… so you jump on a new topic. You can’t really address the journalism of the thread, so you make up someone else to talk about. It’s really a shame that you’re so interested in saying SOMETHING, but can’t really add anything relevant to the topic. I’ll respect you for kinda trying to make an effort… but you fail because you’re not talking about anything significant, or remotely relevant.

Sorry… please try again.

Well, you’re up…

Again, you are so wrong on so many levels. But I appreciate that you’ll meet up. I’ll be the one laughing and pointing, little guy.

Also, still waiting for you to explain to me why Briet helped develop the liberal blog Huffington Post, ImNotSmart. You asked me to state my case for saying that he is a liberal pretending to be a conservative. I did and… (crickets). Again, still not answering that one.

That e-mail… I knew you’d back out.

tjl says:
January 29, 2010 at 11:27 pm

So, you no longer want to meet up… huh? Pointing and laughing… will you be high? Is that what you’re telling me?

No surprise there.

Also, still waiting for you to explain to me why Briet helped develop the liberal blog Huffington Post…

*Sigh* I really hate when people who pretend to be smart (ie: you), can’t do their own research. Very quickly… here’s what Wiki has to say on the matter:

In 1995 he saw the Drudge Report and was so impressed that he emailed Matt Drudge. “I thought what he was doing was by far the coolest thing on the Internet. And I still do.”[5] Matt Drudge introduced him to Arianna Huffington, when she was still a Republican,[6] and Breitbart subsequently assisted Huffington, after she became a progressive, in creating her website.

So… it looks like Huffington (another former Republican, just like KOS… which you still are ignoring because it doesn’t fit your “logic”) and Breitbart were friendly BEFORE her website came to be. Friendship knows no political bounds (most of my friends are on the left), so perhaps it was that which caused him to work with Huffington. Of course, it’s tough for you to argue that Breitbart is… um… what is it that you’re arguing? Anyway, it’s tough for you to make your argument about Breitbart, while knowing that Huffington’s story is essentially the same but in reverse… Republican to Liberal.

Next time… do your own research.

@ImNotBlue: Arianna was a semi-regular on John Gibson’s MSNBC show during the Clinton era and though she wasn’t the one I held in lowest regard, she used to infuriate me to no end.

INB,

This astounds me too. I’ve had no idea that there were so many liberals who act as though it’s “cats and dogs sleeping together” if two people with contrasting politics are friendly to one another.

It’s like we’re all supposed to doing drive-bys at each other.

You know they don’t live in that sort of hostility with their conservative family members or neighbors.

ImNotSmart, I love that Wikipedia is your “research.” You really aren’t that smart… HA!

And sure, I’ll be “high.” How old are you? You obviously didn’t go to college as you claim. With jokes like that, I’m sure it was a lonely experience if you did.

I’ll meet up. And I will point ant laugh. Not because I’m “high” but because you’re beneath me. HAHA! Are you really lonely. I apologize for making fun of you if you are. I just think you’re an easy target…

Oh, ImNotSmart, I also love that you are still defending Breit developing the Huff Po. They’re friends!!! That’s why he did it! Meaning… the all might buck, Which is exactly my point. Reading…com…pre…hen….sion.

first time on this, but how can David be punished when Rush and all those other misfits say whatever they want, and on top of that they lie, lie, lie, and yes I miss you Dan Abrams,
these people who are trashing David , Keith, and other progressives, just look in the mirror we all have to live with ourselves