Today Show's Baloney Balance: Bills Buchanan as 'Republican'

Today Show/NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

[governsleastgovernsbest]

by Mark Finkelstein

March 24, 2006

Have a look at the legend beneath the photo below of Pat Buchanan. 'Republican' strategist? Really? Buchanan quit the Republican party in 1999 to run for president as the candidate of the Reform Party. Go to Buchanan's official web site, The American Cause. The creed advanced there is Pat's particular brew of protectionism and conservatism, with nary a reference to the Republican party.

So why, might you ask, would NBC engage in such false packaging? The answer is obvious: to gull viewers into thinking that it is presenting a fair balance of opinions.

This morning, Buchanan was part of a panel discussing the war in Iraq. His counterpart was former Clinton spokeswoman Dee Dee Myers. A more mainstream Democrat you could not find, and certainly a skeptic when it comes to the war. To 'balance' her, NBC chose Buchanan, who is not merely a skeptic on the war, but has been one of its harshest critics. Have a look, for example at this 2003 column in which Buchanan, speaking of Iraq, alleges that "a neoconservative clique seeks to ensnare our country in a series of wars that are not in America’s interest." Buchanan left no doubt, by the way, that by 'neo-conservative' he particularly had Jews in mind, adding "neocons say we attack them because they are Jewish. We do not. We attack them because their warmongering threatens our country."

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Here's Pat on this morning's Today show. Note legend beneath name:

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Today Show/NewsBusters ping.

[Bahbah]

NBC and MSNBC are the only two places on the planet where Buchanan is allowed to strategize for the Republican party. Could there be a smidge of...gasp...bias.

[ChadGore]

Pat Buchanan is not a member of the Republican party.

[cripplecreek]

How do I know the republican party isn't paying him to be a strategist?

[Dane]

NBC and MSNBC are the only two places on the planet where Buchanan is allowed to strategize for the Republican party. Could there be a smidge of...gasp...bias

And pat gladly goes along with the fraudulent charade.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Exactly - if that's what it takes to get him the gig.

[DCPatriot]

LOL! This only adds insult to their injury from the other day when Laura Ingraham raised David Gregory's blood pressure.

BTW, did you notice how strange the TODAY SHOW appeared with all different hosts...including a sub for Al Roker?

[Dane]

How do I know the republican party isn't paying him to be a strategist?

LOL! You are really scraping the bottom of the barrel defending NBC.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

How do I know the republican party isn't paying him to be a strategist?

How do I know the Republican Party isn't paying Cindy Sheehan to be a strategist?

[poobear]

"How do I know the Republican Party isn't paying Cindy Sheehan to be a strategist?"

'snort' ;D! Good one GLGB!

[cripplecreek]

A strategist is a paid job not an elected position.

[Malesherbes]

Thanks to the Freepers who undertake the chore of watching the Today Show and reporting on its contents. It's an unpleasant job, but I guess someone has to do it.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Exactly. My tag line says it all ;-)

[denydenydeny]

"Bush, Threat or Menace?"

[jim_trent]

He was probably on because Liberals and Buchanan have so much in common. They both hate Republicans and both are anti-Semetic.

[joe fonebone]

I can describe Buchanan in one word, stupidfrigginjackass!!!!!!!

[Huck]

LOL! Republican strategist?? I mean, c'mon. The reason these libs love Buchanan is that he is a willing accomplice. He's happy to bash away and they love to let him do it. But of course they've got Adolf in his little box. Let him step out of line and they'll use his own words to destroy him. Ok, now I'll read the article. Just had to rant.

[LibLieSlayer]

pat is an ignorant, racist, isolationist, anti-Israeli, anti-Bush son of satan.

He is NOT a Republican... I wonder if he still carries his reform party card?

LLS

[Patriot from Philly]

Yes, this is an old trick by MSNBC. Now the parent station has taken it up. Have Pat B. play the Republican/Conservative talking head. This way they can have 2 Bush haters and anti-Iraq war commentators "debate".

Nice.