I caught this MSNBC commercial last night featuring their own Chuck Todd, explaining (apparently) how he thinks about his job:
My job is to bring up issues that Americans care about.
It’s my responsibility to ask the tough questions. No matter who’s leading the country, they need to be held accountable.
I have unique access to the president, his advisers, the candidates and members of Congress.
I’d better use that access for a greater good. Use it for people who can’t get through the White House gates. For people who can’t be heard.
The American people deserve answers.
Huh. The Chuck Todd I see on television is more like this, this, and this–and don’t forget the time he met a journalist (Jeremy Scahill) who actually does work that resembles Todd’s self-description. Scahill appeared on a TV show panel with Todd, and criticized him for saying that investigating Bush-era torture policies would be a distraction. Off the air, Todd told Scahill that he shouldn’t be so impolite: “You sullied my reputation on TV.”
I guess my question is this: Does Chuck Todd have another job? One that more closely resembles this description of a fearless truth-teller, giving voice to the voiceless?
Chuck Todd is a tool. During BushCo’s plundering of the empire where was the fearless Chuck Todd asking all the tough questions? Todd was kissing ass while Helen Thomas tried to challenge the offenders. It really pissed me off when both Chuck Todd & George Stephanopoulos dismissed Dennis Kucinich & Ron Paul as “not viable candidates”. Not that I wanted to see the wacky Libertarian in office imposing his idea of a minimalist government but reporters should “report” and journalists should investigate but dismissing potential candidates as “not viable” is opinion like the crap that comes from the talking heads on Fox Noise. IE- O’Reilly, Hannity, Beck, Palin..
After they dismissed Kucinich the networks followed suit and blocked him from the debates thereby dismissing potentially the most progressive choice of a candidate that we had.
what a waste of flesh. andrea mitchell and whatever her first name donnelly too. gatekeepers and spin
meister’s who don’t have a clue on how to track a story or report it honestly too! handed their stories by
white house press secretary and told if they don’t do it the white houses way they won’t be let
back in the press room. did we forget barbara starr who takes her news from the pentagon press secretary who stands out of camera to make sure she tells it word for word! this is today’s press corps.
anybody could do these jobs afterall all you have to do is lie lie lie!
I was sickened by that self-serving commercial. Does MSNBC really think the people who watch their channel, buy such bullshit. At least Rachel, Ed and Lawrence are doing something good with their commercials but Chuck Todd is nothing but a little creepy slime. I was shocked to learn he was a “supposed liberal” who worked for Tom Harkin. I could have sworn he was just another repuke. I never watch his show. I can’t even stand to look at him. In fact, the only ones I watch are Rachel, Lawrence and Ed and I would watch A; Sharpton if I were home when he comes on.
These comments might be embarrassing to Chuck Todd. I, too, saw the commercial and thought that is not the Chuck Todd I have watched over the last four years. This is what I call “promospeak”. The ideal is “sold” as truth: comments and questions are asked based on that ideal. Meanwhile most reporters don’t challenge the statement, except Maddow and Hayes. Russert is believable. I need as much accurate/believable in-depth information in order to make informed choices. This is one business where the reporters and politicians don’t seem to be held accountable for misinformation. I have to read FactCheck and FAIR type blogs which should be attached or included. Just saying.
As a progressive radio talk host and publisher, I, too, think that MSNBC
I am not a listener of Chuck Todd . But I did see him crack up laughing over Obamas economic bill last week ,and that tells me all i need to know about where the bloggers here stand on him.That the above author lauds Skahill is also true to form.Believe me Skahill is no conservative.He is not close to any center either.
Chuck,
Somehow you need to make all things Republican a lie! No one is perfect but especially not the man you defend! I am an independent voter and am sick of your bias! Will need to switch from watching you and Brian and Andrea and all you people who hate people who want to get America out of a Sinkhole!
No recovery possible with this man!
Chuck its hard too watch your show maybe you should go work on Fox.