Disgraceful: Russert Tries to Bait Murtha into Criticizing Cheney

NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

[governsleastgovernsbest]

It's a bit early for a Passover Seder, but Tim Russert had his own version of the Four Questions on this morning's Meet the Press. Not once, not twice, but four times Tim Russert put questions to Jack Murtha clearly designed to provoke the anti-war congressman into taking a verbal swing at Vice-President Cheney. Murtha refused to rise to his host's bait. Russert began by displaying Mr. Cheney's recent statement [displayed below]. Palpably fishing for a big headline, he put this provoking question to Murtha:

"How does it feel to be linked with Al-Qaeda by the Vice-President?"

View video clip of Russert's questions here.

Murtha answered with a chuckle and the fairly mild complaint that the VP isn't listening to what he's saying. Not obtaining the outraged reaction he was seeking, Tim tried again, this time upping the ante by raising Murtha's military background:

"But you're a Marine. Do you like being linked with Al-Qaeda?"

Again, Murtha wouldn't bite, offering the bland notion that the Iraqis themselves would take care of Al-Qaeda. Russert wouldn't be stopped:

"You think the Vice-President's questioning your patriotism?"

Murtha was clearly committed to taking the high road: "No I don't think so." At that point I figured Russert would give it a rest. But he made once last try to wring a quotable comment out of his guest:

"Did he apologize to you?"

Murtha dismissed the notion with a good-natured chuckle, observing that at least VP Cheney didn't blame him for bringing about the British withdrawal.

A truly disgraceful performance on Russert's part. Clearly seeking heat -- and headlines -- rather than light, the MTP host tried and failed to provoke a guest into making controversial comments. What does it say about Russert's, MTP's and NBC's objectivity that Tim took a harder line with VP Cheney than Jack Murtha himself?

Mark was in Iraq in November. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Russert out-Murthas Murtha ping to Today show list.

[Condor 63]

I can't blame Russert for trying. He was fishing in a honey-hole.

Everyone gets skunked now and then.

[SkyPilot]

Russert "Potato(e) Head" will forever be known as:

"Timmy the Perjurer"

[Just A Nobody]

Ping

[operation clinton cleanup]

Murtha must be back on his meds... nice try Timmy.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Yes, it's a host's job to elicit his guest's opinions. But here, with his repeated, provocative questions, Russert was clearly seeking heat -- and headlines -- rather than light.

[ShawTaylor]

This is the same Russert that was like a very mild castrated lamb when he was interviewing Hilary Clinton?

[johnny7]

“A truly disgraceful performance on Russert's part. Clearly seeking heat -- and headlines -- rather than light, the MTP host tried and failed to provoke a guest into making controversial comments.”

Maybe the Libby trial ain't going his way...

[ABG(anybody but Gore)]

I used to think Russert was the one honest liberal in the news. I've long since been disproven of that notion...

[BigLittle]

Not once, not twice, but four times Tim Russert put questions to Jack Murtha clearly designed to provoke the anti-war congressman into taking a verbal swing at Vice-President Cheney.

Did he try $10,000.00 in marked bills?

[WBL 1952]

Russert seems to have developed his own credibility problems.

His questions more and more sound almost amateurish and his demeanor the same.

I find myself listening to about 10 minutes before I simply turn the TV off. I never used to do that.

It may be time for MSNBC to find a replacement for him. I think he took some real damage at the Scooter Libby trial for being on recrod as telling the FBI one thing and the Court another. That and our finding out how he manipulates the information he gleans and passes out favors. That is totally unprofessional.

[Riptides]

Russert works for NBC. Why are you surprised at what he asked Murtha? Furthermore, why do you waste your time watching Meet the Press?

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Russert works for NBC. Why are you surprised at what he asked Murtha? Furthermore, why do you waste your time watching Meet the Press?

I admit to being surprised. Although I have no illusions about NBC's liberal bias, and am aware of Russert's background as an aide to Mario Cuomo, this was one of the more egregious examples of bias in which I've seen Russert engage. As to why I watch: I do so both out of fascination and because you might say it's my job as a professional contributor to NewsBusters, whose mission is exposing and combatting liberal media bias.

[atomicpossum]

Russert was being the same jackal he's always been.

The surprising part is a reserved Murtha. I think Madame Speaker probably tightened the testicle cuff before she let him out to play.

[kjo]

Exactly. I haven't watced MTP in years. It is nothing but a stage for Russert to use the latest DNC talking points.

MTP has not been a decent talk show since Lawrence Spivak died. That show used to have a panel of questioners from across the entire political spectrum.

Now, it's nothing but a DNC propaganda piece.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

I was also surprised by Murtha's refusal to rise to the bait. It was evident that he had made a conscious decision before coming on the show not to do so. Or, as you suggest, perhaps Pelosi had made that decision for him. I have to say that I thought Murtha pulled it off well, actually coming across as good-natured.

[Loyal Buckeye]

Meet the Weazel

[Dilbert56]

It's a scathing indictment of NBC when, in a discussion with Murtha, their "journalist" comes off as the unhinged one.

[jazusamo]

I used to have a little respect for Russert, no more, he's just another mouthpiece for moonbats.

Thanks for the ping, Justa.