Lordy! Lauer Recognizing Rush is Right?

Today Show/NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

[governsleastgovernsbest]

by Mark Finkelstein

May 1, 2006

Since we had snow - Tony Snow - in April, why not another unseasonable event - Matt Lauer citing Rush Limbaugh, if not approvingly, then certainly as a respectable source for purposes of making a point?

The issue was high gas prices, and the pandering band-aid some in Congress have proposed in the way of a $100 tax rebate. Today displayed this quote from El Rushbo, from his show of this past Friday:

"Instead of buying us off and treating us like we're a bunch of w----s, just solve the problem."

If Lauer did not explicitly endorse Rush's take, he came close, certainly recognizing that the question Rush raised merited an answer. Lauer filled in the blanks when he read the quote out loud, then posed this question to guest Pat Buchanan: "Pat, has anyone put forth any solution that can solve this problem?"

In reply, Buchanan said that "both parties are playing politics" and went on to suggest that in the short term the only thing that will solve the problem will be higher gas prices that will force people into mass transit, thereby reducing demand.

Lauer returned to the subject matter of the Limbaugh quote: "How do you feel about Bill Frist's proposal of a $100 rebate? Do you think that can fly?"

Buchanan: "I think it may be able to fly because a lot of things are going to fly down there. The Congress is in real panic because the American people are enraged over not only illegal aliens but over rising gasoline prices. So I think you could see a real tsunami in this election this fall."

What's next - Katie Couric using an Ann Coulter quote to taunt Ted Kennedy?

[McGruff]

Any word on where Chris Matthews was last week? Hardball had guest hosts all week long, but I never heard a mention of why Matthews was awol. Even Laura Ingraham on her show asks "anybody know where Matthews is?".

I haven't heard a thing, but now you've got my interest peaked.

[johnny7]

...I never heard a mention of why Matthews was awol.

I heard he's moonlighting as a lawn sprinkler.

[roses of sharon]

LOL, so Pat, while speaking with a DNC hack, is encouraging a tsunami for liberal/environmentalist for congress to reduce gas prices?

That makes so much sense that it's more proof that Pat has BDS, in spades.

[prairiebreeze]

Agree with your solutions. Buchanan is a bitter old twit.

[DustyMoment]

"How do you feel about Bill Frist's proposal of a $100 rebate? Do you think that can fly?"

According to a news report on the radio this morning, this lame political hack job is already toast. Americans recognize when they are being bought off.

If the political elites want to do something substantive about high gas prices, here's a list of suggestions:
1) substantially reduce the taxes per gallon of gas
2) open up domestic fields to oil producers for exploration and drilling, including ANWR and the fields
3) allow new refineries to be built
4) give the oil companies tax credits to explore new sources of energy
5) provide tax incentives for alternative energy production such as hydroelectric, solar, nuclear, and wind (tell Teddy Chappaquiddick to STFU and sit down)

[Carolinamom]

Chris Mathews recently dissed Hillary. I'm afraid to guess where he's been, but a stray thought of his being in an undisclosed location being re-programed slipped through my mind. LOL

[eyespysomething]

But that doesn't hurt Republicans (ahem, conservatives) necessarily. because Rush is a conservative. He's pointing out the hypocrisy of certain politicians. It could hurt Frist though.

I'm just shocked that Lauer doesn't think the $100 rebate is a great idea.

[EmilyGeiger]

[sheik yerbouty]

Is Lauer finally growing a brain?

[governsleastgovernsbest]

As others have speculated, Lauer and NBC were probably more apt to accord Rush respectful treatment today because his quote in turn permitted them to bash a Republican - namely Bill Frist - for his pandering rebate proposal.

I'll believe Lauer has changed when he approvingly quotes Rush or another conservative for purposes of criticizing a liberal politician!

[sheik yerbouty]

He will have to acquire more gray matter first..

[Redbob]

Wait until folks realize the cause of the gas scarcity is that all those illegals are using so much!