Watching Maddow vs. Armey was like...

[ClusterFreak]

...watching Obama vs. McCain all over again. Especially the first debate. The one where he wouldn't look at Obama and only made eye contact with the moderator.

All Armey did whenever Rachel challenged him on any point was rub his hands, adopt kind of a subtle 'who's this broad' demeanor, and talk past her while looking mainly at Gregory. Rachel on the other hand turned in her chair to address him directly and to look right at him when he was talking.

Rachel was absolutely wonderful. In the past I have been stylistically critical of Rachel on her own show, specifically as it relates to her tendency to snark and smirk. However, I don't know if there is anyone else in the 24/7 cable news universe who is more willing to speak truth directly to the face of power and to do it while armed to the teeth with an exhaustively researched set of facts. Keith never confronts anybody on his show, because he only surrounds himself with like minds. Rachel has the gonads to interview people she disagrees with, sometimes vehemently.

Rachel deserves a big thanks for today, and for her continued valiance covering the health care story on her show.

[Evergreen Emerald]

1. She is a journalist

She digs for the truth. Something that has been missing in journalism of late.

I am so disappointed that I missed MTP this morning. It sounds as if she kicked butt.

[malaise]

8. It will be repeated on GEM$NBC in a few hours

and you can find it on their web site as well.

[tosh]

9. It replays at 2pm.

(I missed it too!)

[rhett o rick]

21. Are you in Seattle? It's on KONG at 10 am. nm

[oldtime dfl_er]

23. THANKS

I just got up and am ready to pour a coffee and turn it on. I'm so disgusted with the way the health care debate has been going, there are just no words. So I for one will probably be sending Rachel a thank you email later today.

[BlooInBloo]

34. hah! That the one I'm watching.

[Larkspur]

32. Actually, she's not a journalist. She never studied journalism

She studied political science and that's what her Ph.D is in. I'm sure someone on her staff studied journalism, but that was not her field of study.

Rachel is a Rhodes scholar and it shows in her emphasis on studying the facts and the tactics of each side in communicating their positions.

[cui bono]

41. Just because she didn't study it doesn't mean she's not a journalist.

Not every profession requires a degree.

[Larkspur]

42. She has no training in journalism and she would be the first one to tell you

On her radio show a few years ago, she said that she doesn't see herself as a journalist. She's a talk show host, not a journalist. That doesn't mean she can't do due diligence on a story, but any person making a public opinion about a topic would do research to back up their argument. Only Reich Wing radio ignores the facts.

[cui bono]

45. She may say that, but I say she's more of a journalist than those who call themselves that.

She is really great. I hope she stays off the sillyness she had started doing so much though. It was a real turn off.

And I beg to differ... a LOT more than Reich Wing radio ignores facts. ;) Did you ever hear that when David Gregory was asked why he doesn't question what people say when they don't tell the truth? He said it wasn't his job as a journalist. Now that's a story I heard from someone else in an interview, but I tend to believe it. Perhaps they think if they just keep a journal they qualify?

[Larkspur]

46. Ever since I saw David Gregory dancing with Karl Rove, I never considered

him a journalist.

Journalists like David Gregory left their journalistic credentials in the garbage bin so that they can pursue power and ratings via their TV shows. Rachel acts more like a journalist because she's not interested in gaining power. She's interested in serving the Truth. Her "silly" segments will never go away. It's part of her style.

[cui bono]

48. Me too! That did it for me. And I so hated it when Rachel had her radio show

on Air America and they would run Gregory's MSNBC show for the first hour. Ugh!

[snake in the grass]

68. Colbert and Stewart are also not journalists...

...and yet they do the job that asswipes like Gregory are not willing to do. Rachel is the closest thing we have to a Cronkite in the MSM. Amy Goodman wipes the floor with all of them but she just doesn't have the coverage she and we deserve.

[Cleita]

71. As a political scientist, which is one of her degrees that she earned at Oxford

University and she is a Rhodes Scholar, I'd say she's a quick study for the journalist credentials. I do believe that Keith Olbermann who does have Journalist credentials seems to think she passes the test. Now how do the other talking heads on TV measure up?

[SusanaMontana41]

62. Edward R. Murrow never studied journalism

Was he not a great journalist?

[Larkspur]

67. How did he see himself?

Rachel does not see herself as a journalist.

[downeyr]

81. Albert Camus didn't see himself as an Existentialist...

...but somehow he is always grouped with them.

[RaleighNCDUer]

91. You are that which you seem to be. nt

[eleny]

2. Agreed about her abilties and her performance of today

She is so forthright and Armey looked smarmy.

[madmax]

7. eneny, that's a great slogan

'Armey looked smarmy, or Armey is smamry.' ;)

[eleny]

10. Lol! Well, he kept rubbing his hands together. Like... ewwwww.

[glinda]

19. More like an old greedy miser.

[eleny]

38. He surely left the Seante to "get his"

[nolabear]

51. ROTFL! Perfect slogan!

Rachel made me proud, and Armey reminded me of someone who reeeeeeaaaaallllyyyy enjoys abusing his power. I wouldn't put a child of mine in a room with him alone. His treatment of her was egregious, but I have to admit the look of sheer disbelief on her face when he lied outright was priceless.

[madmax]

58. ACK, sorry I mispelled your name, eleny

It's the drugs. :evilgrin:

[Motown_Johnny]

3. was more like Good v. Evil to me

[glowing]

4. I agree. He sounded like a pathetic, old snarly man with lies.

She sounded like a thoughtful, concerned bright person who had enough self-assuredness to directly address her foe with facts and without screaming at him or over-talking at him.

[lamp_shade]

5. I also observed the "who's this broad" demeanor and refusal to make eye contact.

He looked so old and "small".

[proud2BlibKansan]

13. He is truly scum

[Stinky The Clown]

6. I agree with you about the show today, Maddow's performance, and your assessments ......... but ....

.... there is one other person - at least - who is equally or even more well armed than Maddow.

Lawrence O'Donnell

[lunatica]

14. I say equally because I've never seen either one stumble on facts

Their IQs, cognitive and moral as well as emotional are so far above the Republican stone age grunting mentality that they may as well be a different species. the next step in homowhatever evolution.

They're just dinos spewing crap

[glinda]

18. I agree with you.

[butterfly77]

61. I'll second that...

he should be the host of MTP..

[seeviewonder]

11. I love Rachel!

I think she may be the only true journalist left in 24 hour newsland.

[CrispyQ]

12. Is there a video of this out, yet? --nt

[Rhiannon12866]

78. Link:

Rachel Maddow Battles Dick Armey On "Meet The Press" :hi:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=385&topic_id=355107&mesg_id=355107

[CrispyQ]

92. He wouldn't even look at her!

I love Rachel. She's well informed, calm, reasonable.

Thanks for posting. :hi:

[Rhiannon12866]

106. Everyone has said that, but I watched it again and wondered if

he just didn't want to turn his face away from the camera. :shrug: :eyes:

Needless to say, when he wasn't talking over her, she mopped the floor with him. She really is the best, brilliant, sense of humor, and explains the most complicated issues so clearly that anyone can understand them... :applause: :hi:

[wtmusic]

15. Rachel was the voice of reason, Armey was the voice of politics

Rachel pwned him.

[Iwillnevergiveup]

16. It would be interesting

to add up the minutes allocated to each of the 4 panelists. Coburn and Swarmy tend to talk more slowly with a drawl, and that speaking style hogs time. Daschle did better than I expected, but Rachel got in zinger after zinger with her directness. It was also immediately apparent to me that Swarmy had great difficulty giving her eye contact - he did focus on Gregory and was clearly uncomfortable sitting next to her. I believe that's why he was doing so much hand rubbing - it was a stress release.

Now we need to flood Rachel with kudos and "Meet the Press" with a demand that she appears much, much more regularly.

I was very gratified to see a promo for her show toward the end. It went something like this health care debate is really between people who want to see reform and people who don't want to talk about it in the first place.

[Larkspur]

28. Here's the comment I sent them a few minutes ago

Thanks for having Rachel Maddow on Meet the Press. She did a excellent job countering lies and distortions from Dick Armey with facts. She definitely came prepared to discuss the healthcare issue and that's what I like about Rachel. She bases her arguments on facts, not ideology. Please have her on Meet the Press again and please consider having her guest host when David is on vacation or absent. It would be nice to see a strong and intelligent woman host a major Sunday morning talk show for a change.

[WhiteTara]

97. good job. n/t

[Iwillnevergiveup]

75. A couple of other folks

also posted the time factor and how comparatively little was given to Rachel. So, is there any news outlet that actually ticks minutes for individual guests? Or would it be up to one of us to watch the tape and record seconds and minutes as the show went on?

IMHO, Charlie Rangel and that Chamber of Commerce fool and while we're at it - DAVID GREGORY - contributed nothing to the debate. That's too many people at one time. I wish it would have just been Rachel and Swarmy.

[notheyrejustwrong]

17. Yes, DR. Maddow did a good job. nt

[glinda]

20. It was smart to put a man (Tom D.) up with her also.

[rhett o rick]

22. Tom D is on my shit list. nm

[glinda]

31. Understandable but he is still a Dem and is a male. It would have been a disadvantage

to not have the panel set up as it was.
My comments have nothing to say negative about Maddow, but rather, acknowledge the vile nature of some people in the way they treat women. I also include some women in this sick and aggressive behavior.

[GoldenOldie]

27. It was apparent that Armey was really straining to control his normal venomous attacks

against Rachel. It also appeared that Gregory was a little antsy and fearful that he would lose control if Armey did his normal performance. I also thought that Rachel was given much less time to respond than the others but this could be to her advantage. Rachel is one of the very few who actually listens and evaluates before responding. By listening, she was actually handed much more information than her opponents wanted to share. Monday will be a must watch Rachel Maddow show!

[felinetta]

24. His "moveon.org" and Pelosi responses were so predictable. He is one slimy, lying carnival act.

[annabanana]

25. kickers. . . . . n/t

[pansypoo53219]

26. ooh, amazing thought NBC should grab for ratings.

replace gregory with maddow!

[Judi Lynn]

30. No kidding! Now there's an idea. They should use it, although we'd miss Rachel's weeknight show. n/t

[woofless]

36. Never happen.

The last thing they want to do on MTP is commit journalism.

[misanthrope]

59. Hell no! Replace Gregory with Lawrence O'Donnell**nm

**

[me b zola]

29. Rachel nailed Armey

Armey's website/PR group is working to scare the bejeezus out of seniors, yet it is he, not the Dems, who are working to dismantle social security & medicare.

Rachel did a great job. :thumbsup:

[csziggy]

33. What I loved about Dick Armey's appearance on MTP

Was how he kept trotting out the same lies and talking points the Town Hall Disruplicans have been using. I didn't see all of the show, but the part I did see had Armey just repeating the lies his lobbying firm has been paying to distribute.

I wish Rachel had been able to call him on that - or did she and I missed it? I'll have to record it so I don't miss the parts while I am yelling at Armey!

[BlancheSplanchnik]

35. can someone provide a link to video?

No cable here, and I don't see anything on nbc.com

[glarius]

40. Here's the video.

Here it is. Click on the symbol under the picture of David Gregory and you'll see the whole show.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032608/ns/meet_the_press_online_at_msnbc

:hi:

[Deb]

54. Thank you nt

[BlancheSplanchnik]

85. **MWAH** !!

thanks glarius!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

She is just the coolest. Love how she explains things so clearly, too. I can only keep up with so much, so I love how she explains her references and all that.

[awnobles]

37. Smart,

prepared and unafraid. Great combination.

[cui bono]

39. Repeats at 11pm Eastern/1am Pacific time tonight on MSNBC.

[totodeinhere]

43. Rachel ate him alive didn't she. n/t

[varun]

44. Dick Armey's "Smile" while Rachel challenged him

was also reminiscent of McCain Vs. Obama.

Yes, Dick did not make eye contact with Rachel. All he could do was "smile" smugly.

[DailyGrind51]

47. Don't you wish Rachel was White House Press Secretary?

[cui bono]

49. No. We need her to be impartial and keep the WH honest. n/t

[rvablue]

52. Hell no! I like her right where she is: on national TV during prime time

smacking down spin and lies.

[WhiteTara]

95. she isn't on in middle America very often

I just traveled the middle of the country and on many basic cables, there is no MSNBC. It was pretty tough. If I hadn't had my laptop and DU, I would not have known a thing.

[WhiteTara]

96. she isn't on in middle America very often

I just traveled the middle of the country and on many basic cables, there is no MSNBC. It was pretty tough. If I hadn't had my laptop and DU, I would not have known a thing.

[crazy_vanilla]

50. his body language was very telling

* hunched over, as if to become less visible

* arms with hands closed high above his chest as if to protect himself

* rubbing hands in a show of extreme discomfort

* silly, insecure grin on reddening face

He was definitely uncomfortable and it showed.

[crazy_vanilla]

53. Rachel did an amazing job

She was well prepared and well-spoken and was not afraid to call a spade a spade. No dancing around the truth. And she still managed to be civil. Bravo Rachel!:fistbump:

[AnnieBW]

55. Dick Armey is an odious toad

I could tell that there were at least three times that he wanted to refer to her as "little lady". I'm very proud of the way that Rachel handled herself and him, even though Gregory was obviously cutting her off to let the "real guests" speak.

[marew]

66. I agree! But odious toad is being too kind!

She spoke much more intelligently than anyone up there. She was unbelievably better prepared with facts rather than old worn out gibberish from the old guys. I've never been impressed with Gregory anyway. Are they anti-liberal or anti-woman or both. The guys had nothing on her! She should have been given more opportunity to talk but maybe they all are afraid of truth! She is tough and will not easily be put off. She can more than play with the "big" boys.

Thanks Rachel! We love you!

[brewens]

70. Odious Toad?

Don't you think that is a little unfair to odious toads?

[lazyriver]

56. I'll K& R that. Rachel is tough, smart, and quick witted. She

doesn't seem to be afraid to cross the corporate line. She somehow manages to get many members of the Neanderthal Party to appear on her show and/or speak with her in another format then gets them to consistently reveal their inner stupid all with a charming smile. She is the only reason I turn the tee vee on at all anymore.

[Lindsey]

57. She was fabulous. The righ-wingers are so used to spoutting

their lies with no one calling them on it and Rachel did so incredibly. She actually had things written down on a piece of paper and was giving the audience websites, and disputing Armey's disgusting lies. She was great!

[ScottLand]

60. Amen!

Rachel is a gem. She knows what she's talking about and she was prepared to remind Armey of everything he ever said.

[troubledamerican]

63. She will be missed

when MSNBC cancels her due to whatever excuse they come up with.

[RayStar]

69. Rachel is the best

MSNBC knows a winner when they air one!

[dhpgetsit]

64. I am a HUGE fan of Rachel Maddow.

Super smart and a good sense of irony.

[bertman]

65. Rachel is just a top-notch journalist. We are so lucky to have her getting more and more

air time.

Recommend.

[KyleA]

72. Would you buy a used car from Dick Armey ?

Cock Navy just needed a gold bracket and pinky ring to be the stereotypical car hustler

[bertman]

73. Not even a clunker. Did you notice how he adroitly changed the subject when Rachel

pointed out his direct connection to the violence-fostering front group?

Politician's politician.

[Hestia]

74. She was great when "the boys" allowed her to talk. She brought notes and everything,

and Armey's FreedomWatch has put out a memo about her, but still Dick really didn't let her talk at all. It was liked "I may *have* to have her on the show, but that sure doesn't mean that she gets that much air time."

[MrBlueSky]

76. You know, folks...

I always viewed Ms. Maddow as Keith Olbermann's sidekick. Until now. In November and December 2000, the Republicans trotted out protesters which were bussed in during the middle of the night by Karl Rove. We did not fight back. At the time, I was hoping Al Gore would have fought back with his supporters shouting down these "Sore/Loserman" Republican operatives. Now, the corporate buddies and lobbyists are at it again... putting out their paid shills at the Town Halls over healthcare reform. Ms. Maddow is beginning my long-awaited pushback. Finally! (Wonder where she was in 2000?!?!?)

[kwenu]

77. Rachel is excellent but I don't think it's necessary to criticize Keith O. to give her her props.

[ClusterFreak]

83. I think Keith's great too...

I watch his show a lot, more than Rachel's, but it's just that Keith does surround himself with people who agree with him. You have to acknowledge that. It's two different styles I guess. I wish Keith would take on the subjects of his wrath head on at least once in a while. Worst Persons may be a great piece of theater for him, but it'd be nice to see him perhaps confront some of these people one on one during an interview at least once in a while.

[proud patriot]

79. It was great

:headbang: she so rocks

[Jim Sagle]

80. The most maddening part was the fact that it was left to Rachel to argue the Democratic case.

No OFFICIAL Democrat showed up to represent. (Daschle was THERE but he didn't actually show up.)

[DainBramaged]

82. Dick thinks women should be home in the kitchen

not debating HIM on the Tee Vee. He is nothing more than a condescending, weasel, douche bag.

[Doctor_J]

84. My fear is that

this will be comletely overshadowed when Armey and 10,000 of his terrorists riot on Sep 12, with the help of Big Media, of course.

Remember that 50,000,000 idiots voted for McCain and Palin despite the fact that it was crystal clear from the debates that they were unqualified and unprepared.

[urgk]

86. When Rachel is being professional and deeply analytical....

There's no one I'd rather see debate publicly on my behalf.

When she gets cute and silly and Daily Show, I have to turn the channel. It's just not her thing. She isn't cut out to be the jester, she is cut out to sit at the big table and have a hand in what decisions get made.

[ClusterFreak]

103. I'm in 100 percent agreement with you.

:toast:

[crossfade]

87. In defense of Keith

None of the neandercons will show up on his show. I'm sick of people bashing Keith. He's the best liberal commentator we've got.

[peace13]

90. Well put! n/t

[ClusterFreak]

101. Please, try not to be so sensitive.

Ain't none of us in this world above criticism. Me, you, included.

[euphoria12leo]

88. Dr. Rachel Maddow

How about Senator Rachel Maddow?

We need some kick butt people in the Senate!! I have a few more names but this is about
Rachel.

[peace13]

89. Weird how you have to smack down Keith!

Unless you have earplugs in when Keith does his special comments you have heard him standing up and telling it like is is many times. It is unfortunate that you had to bring him into this. For the count I think KO and Rachel are the two bright spots in a sad dark liberal existence. Without them we would still be lost. Kieth actively supported Rachel in her fist years on TV. I am sure that he would be happy that you are so taken with her.

[ClusterFreak]

102. Good gawwwwwwwwwwd....

Why do people get so upset about this kind of stuff? All I actually did was state a fact: Keith surrounds himself with like minds. I've been watching his show faithfully for the last few years and I swear to you I couldn't name a single right wing talker or politician he's gone toe to toe with.

Don't we liberals prefer facts over hysteria? Isn't that what we rail against the right wingnuts for? Jeezus. I'd prefer it, I'd think it'd make his show better, if Keith did what Rachel does - at least once in a while - and call people out to their face. That's all.

I don't have earplugs in my ears, either. I hear what he says in his Special Comments, just as you do. I don't know how you extrapolate that I am somehow unappreciative of his opinions, his expressed point of view. His loudly, and boisterously expressed point of view. Please don't confuse a criticism that he doesn't take rightwingers to task to their face on his show, with some sort of lack of appreciation for what Keith stands up for on his show. Because I'm not criticizing him for that...and you know it.

[peace13]

105. Then you have heard him ask non 'like minds' on the show. n/t

[ClusterFreak]

107. No. Have you? n/t

[PVnRT]

93. From what I read

It sounded more like Mike Tyson versus many of his early opponents.

[WhiteTara]

94. actually, that's OVARIOS to you, my friend

Brave women fear nothing,
Brave men, fear women. Anonymous

[ClusterFreak]

100. OVARIOS!!!!

:spray: :rofl:

Whomever is responsible for inventing that word, you, or someone else...mad props!:headbang:

[mimitabby]

98. We love Rachel!

[LeFleur1]

99. Rachel States Facts

It's refreshing, but Gregory should have told Armey to shut up when he was trying to talk over her...which is exactly what his "people" do at town meetings.

Tom D. did well too, countering all the misspeaks of the Oklahoma guy.
The Republicans twist the truth and they are very good at it. With the exception of Rachel the interviewers seldom call them on it. Every time they spew lies they should be stopped short and corrected. Every time.

[G_j]

104. she is dying to get Cheney on.

an open invitation