Chuck Todd Admits He Lets Politicians Off The Hook To Keep Access
This week on Meet The Press, host Chuck Todd invited group of political comedians to the roundtable and was questioned by The Daily Show‘s Lewis Black. He asked why hosts like Todd let politicians go unchallenged when spreading misinformation. In a moment of unusual (and for him, probably, regrettable) candor, Todd admitted that his job is to simply let politicians to say what they want as long as they feel comfortable enough to want to come back to the program.
“We all sit there, because we all know, the first time we bark is the last time that they do the show. You say something, and sometimes it is last time they will ever come on your show. There is that balance.”
No one should be surprised at this fact. Conservatives have all but boycotted any media that challenges them but are happy to do shows like Todd’s. What is surprising though is that Todd had his guard down enough to say it out loud. This admission should destroy what little credibility he and others of his ilk, retain.
Copyright 2014 Liberaland
By: Mark Quincy Adams
A proud 'pragmatic progressive' Mark Quincy Adams has been a political
talk show host and prolific pontificator since 1992. Find him on Facebook and Twitter @politicalglutton
Carla Akins December 28th, 2014 at 15:43
That makes Todd a prostitute not a journalist.
Mainah December 28th, 2014 at 15:56
An unabashed prostitute even.
Chinese Democracy December 28th, 2014 at 15:59
I would be a prostitute for that kind of money lol But I would never allow conservatives to spread lies. That hurts the whole country.
Hannity will quote the Sunday liars as proof something he said isnt a lie heh
edmeyer_able December 28th, 2014 at 16:13
That’s a slight to us….uh… I mean those prostitutes.
StoneyCurtisll December 28th, 2014 at 17:02
My personal opinion is..
If you are going to be a prostitute, media or otherwise..
Do your damned job, but dont make it so obvious.
If Chuck Todd is so damned worried about his employment over asking tough questions..
He could always go to work over at Fox, (as long as the tough questions are Not directed at right wingers, but towards liberals)
Iamalwaysright01 December 28th, 2014 at 20:10
except some of the biggest liars he’s had on his show have been democrats
edmeyer_able December 28th, 2014 at 20:54
Rhetoric, and unsubstantiated bs will get you down voted.
Iamalwaysright01 December 28th, 2014 at 23:48
the premise of this article is rhetoric and unsubstantiated BS. Susan Rice’s appearance on MTP was 20 minutes of serial lying. Then there was Debbie Wassermann Schultz and Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid and don’t forget Barney Frank and Joe Biden
edmeyer_able December 29th, 2014 at 11:16
How in the world do you call an admission by the host on live tv “unsubstantiated bs”?
raincheck December 29th, 2014 at 05:55
I’ll ‘up vote’ you on that ;)
Carla Akins December 28th, 2014 at 16:43
That makes Todd a prostitute not a journalist.
Mainah December 28th, 2014 at 16:56
An unabashed prostitute even.
Chinese Democracy December 28th, 2014 at 16:59
I would be a prostitute for that kind of money lol But I would never allow conservatives to spread lies. That hurts the whole country.
Hannity will quote the Sunday liars as proof something he said isnt a lie heh
edmeyer_able December 28th, 2014 at 17:13
That’s a slight to us….uh… I mean those prostitutes.
StoneyCurtisll December 28th, 2014 at 18:02
My personal opinion is..
If you are going to be a prostitute, media or otherwise..
Do your damned job, but dont make it so obvious.
If Chuck Todd is so damned worried about his employment over asking tough questions..
He could always go to work over at Fox, (as long as the tough questions are Not directed at right wingers, but towards liberals)
Iamalwaysright01 December 28th, 2014 at 21:10
except some of the biggest liars he’s had on his show have been democrats
edmeyer_able December 28th, 2014 at 21:54
Rhetoric, and unsubstantiated bs will get you down voted.
Iamalwaysright01 December 29th, 2014 at 00:48
the premise of this article is rhetoric and unsubstantiated BS. Susan Rice’s appearance on MTP was 20 minutes of serial lying. Then there was Debbie Wassermann Schultz and Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid and don’t forget Barney Frank and Joe Biden
edmeyer_able December 29th, 2014 at 12:16
How in the world do you call an admission by the host on live tv “unsubstantiated bs”?
raincheck December 29th, 2014 at 06:55
I’ll ‘up vote’ you on that ;)
OldLefty December 28th, 2014 at 15:58
That’s why Charlie Pierce calls him the caretaker of the Overlook Hotel of American journalism.
OldLefty December 28th, 2014 at 16:58
That’s why Charlie Pierce calls him the caretaker of the Overlook Hotel of American journalism.
Mark Quincy Adams December 28th, 2014 at 16:10
Did you notice how Todd tried to get the political comedians to admit that THEY contribute to the public’s cynicism right before admitting that he lets politicians lie to the American people on his show week after week?
Mark Quincy Adams December 28th, 2014 at 17:10
Did you notice how Todd tried to get the political comedians to admit that THEY contribute to the public’s cynicism right before admitting that he lets politicians lie to the American people on his show week after week?
edmeyer_able December 28th, 2014 at 16:12
Saw it live (the only reason was every other station was talking about the missing plane and he had Lewis Black on). When I heard him say that the 1st thing I thought of was the Erin Burnett/rudy guliani interview this week.
edmeyer_able December 28th, 2014 at 17:12
Saw it live (the only reason was every other station was talking about the missing plane and he had Lewis Black on). When I heard him say that the 1st thing I thought of was the Erin Burnett/rudy guliani interview this week.
StoneyCurtisll December 28th, 2014 at 16:51
I would hate to ask a politician a hard hitting question, for fear I might not get to ask them a softball question next time…
This is basically what Todd said.
StoneyCurtisll December 28th, 2014 at 17:51
I would hate to ask a politician a hard hitting question, for fear I might not get to ask them a softball question next time…
This is basically what Todd said.
edmeyer_able December 28th, 2014 at 17:05
Apparently chucky can’t take the heat…..
Steve Marmel @Marmel 21m21 minutes ago
Holy crap! Terrible hack journalist @chucktodd has blocked me!
I’ve never felt more alive.
RT this awesome.
edmeyer_able December 28th, 2014 at 18:05
Apparently chucky can’t take the heat…..
Steve Marmel @Marmel 21m21 minutes ago
Holy crap! Terrible hack journalist @chucktodd has blocked me!
I’ve never felt more alive.
RT this awesome.
Denise December 28th, 2014 at 17:13
It’s working so well, mtp’s ratings are so low, the devil can almost see it
Denise December 28th, 2014 at 18:13
It’s working so well, mtp’s ratings are so low, the devil can almost see it
Guy Lauten December 28th, 2014 at 17:57
What he and his corporate masters don’t seem to get is that they should let the lying bastards go, and see how long they will allow the Democratic politicians to dominate the Sunday airwaves. So what if they have Faux; when the all the guests on all the other network Sunday talk shows are Democratic, the GOP will be pleading to have their shills back on the shows.
Guy Lauten December 28th, 2014 at 18:57
What he and his corporate masters don’t seem to get is that they should let the lying bastards go, and see how long they will allow the Democratic politicians to dominate the Sunday airwaves. So what if they have Faux; when the all the guests on all the other network Sunday talk shows are Democratic, the GOP will be pleading to have their shills back on the shows.
tiredoftea December 28th, 2014 at 18:54
Chuck just gave away what’s been obvious to all for a very long time. The dumbification of journalism is complete. We have no credible watch dogs, only pandering supplicants of broadcast propaganda. It’s a bad day for our country when the best we have is Oprah, Larry King and Barbara Walters. Journalism schools should close and send all their students to acting classes.
edmeyer_able December 28th, 2014 at 19:09
Watching Stephen Colbert evolve the last 2 years gives me hope that he wont pander to any of his guests. I really look forward to seeing what his show consists of when it finally airs.
And I would hold Jon Stewart above most of what passes for journalism on cnn save for Erin Burnett.
tiredoftea December 28th, 2014 at 19:18
I’m not going to get too excited at hanging the prospects of a free press and our democracy on late night comedians. But, there seems to be some irony there.
raincheck December 29th, 2014 at 05:44
I agree with what you said.. and I will add, although it is ‘comedy’ it can have power, in the same way ‘political cartoons’ have… it often exposes them in a way that a serious debate can’t… I’m not sure if I’m expressing what I want to say correctly…
tiredoftea December 29th, 2014 at 11:25
Yes, but the effect is limited to what they pick for comedic effect. They are not the “muckrakers” of years past where their job was to expose the corrupt and powerful in D.C. regardless of party, position or program.
Chuck just told the truth that we all knew, every single one of the Washington reporters is complicit in this lie. There will be no more “Watergates” coming from newspapers.
raincheck December 29th, 2014 at 16:15
“Chuck just told the truth that we all knew, every single one of the Washington reporters is complicit in this lie”
That is so sad……
tiredoftea December 29th, 2014 at 16:39
No kidding! So much for the mainstream media being hostile to the Repubs.
Iamalwaysright01 December 28th, 2014 at 20:08
2 comedians?
edmeyer_able December 28th, 2014 at 20:43
If you watch them with an open mind you’ll see that in their humor there is more questioning of politicians than any of the softballs morning joe, fox news, wolf blitzer or carol costello throw at their guests. Even Candy Crowley doesn’t pitch like she used to.
raincheck December 29th, 2014 at 06:30
“If you watch them with an open mind”
That’s part of the problem… The ‘hate’ runs too deep. When presented with facts, it’s just brushed aside..
raincheck December 30th, 2014 at 12:32
https://www.facebook.com/moveon/photos/a.61232960492.81458.7292655492/10152461636190493/?type=1&theater
raincheck December 30th, 2014 at 12:48
I know I’m a sap when it comes to stuff like this video.. it tugs on some emotional part of my brain… I think a good Journalist can be a REAL hero.. unfortunately we have to create them from a script and put it in a television show…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTjMqda19wk
Carla Akins December 30th, 2014 at 13:09
Sap away. I must have watched episode 1 easily 20 times. In full disclosure, I have a thing for Sorkin’s writing – I don’t care how self-righteous or over the top it gets. I have all three seasons saved to the DVR. (Spoiler) If I watch Charlie die any more times, I’ll have to increease my shrink visits. ;-)
raincheck December 30th, 2014 at 13:32
Carla you are great!! I love knowing that about you… I just choke up over that scene when he answers…
tiredoftea December 30th, 2014 at 16:09
Only in Sorkin’s world!
tiredoftea December 28th, 2014 at 19:54
Chuck just gave away what’s been obvious to all for a very long time. The dumbification of journalism is complete. We have no credible watch dogs, only pandering supplicants of broadcast propaganda. It’s a bad day for our country when the best we have is Oprah, Larry King and Barbara Walters. Journalism schools should close and send all their students to acting classes.
edmeyer_able December 28th, 2014 at 20:09
Watching Stephen Colbert evolve the last 2 years gives me hope that he wont pander to any of his guests. I really look forward to seeing what his show consists of when it finally airs.
And I would hold Jon Stewart above most of what passes for journalism on cnn save for Erin Burnett.
tiredoftea December 28th, 2014 at 20:18
I’m not going to get too excited at hanging the prospects of a free press and our democracy on late night comedians. But, there seems to be some irony there.
raincheck December 29th, 2014 at 06:44
I agree with what you said.. and I will add, although it is ‘comedy’ it can have power, in the same way ‘political cartoons’ have… it often exposes them in a way that a serious debate can’t… I’m not sure if I’m expressing what I want to say correctly…
tiredoftea December 29th, 2014 at 12:25
Yes, but the effect is limited to what they pick for comedic effect. They are not the “muckrakers” of years past where their job was to expose the corrupt and powerful in D.C. regardless of party, position or program.
Chuck just told the truth that we all knew, every single one of the Washington reporters is complicit in this lie. There will be no more “Watergates” coming from newspapers.
raincheck December 29th, 2014 at 17:15
“Chuck just told the truth that we all knew, every single one of the Washington reporters is complicit in this lie”
That is so sad……
tiredoftea December 29th, 2014 at 17:39
No kidding! So much for the mainstream media being hostile to the Repubs.
Iamalwaysright01 December 28th, 2014 at 21:08
2 comedians?
edmeyer_able December 28th, 2014 at 21:43
If you watch them with an open mind you’ll see that in their humor there is more questioning of politicians than any of the softballs morning joe, fox news, wolf blitzer or carol costello throw at their guests. Even Candy Crowley doesn’t pitch like she used to.
raincheck December 29th, 2014 at 07:30
“If you watch them with an open mind”
That’s part of the problem… The ‘hate’ runs too deep. When presented with facts, it’s just brushed aside..
raincheck December 30th, 2014 at 13:32
https://www.facebook.com/moveon/photos/a.61232960492.81458.7292655492/10152461636190493/?type=1&theater
raincheck December 30th, 2014 at 13:48
I know I’m a sap when it comes to stuff like this video.. it tugs on some emotional part of my brain… I think a good Journalist can be a REAL hero.. unfortunately we have to create them from a script and put it in a television show…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTjMqda19wk
Carla Akins December 30th, 2014 at 14:09
Sap away. I must have watched episode 1 easily 20 times. In full disclosure, I have a thing for Sorkin’s writing – I don’t care how self-righteous or over the top it gets. I have all three seasons saved to the DVR. (Spoiler) If I watch Charlie die any more times, I’ll have to increease my shrink visits. ;-)
raincheck December 30th, 2014 at 14:32
Carla you are great!! I love knowing that about you… I just choke up over that scene when he answers…
tiredoftea December 30th, 2014 at 17:09
Only in Sorkin’s world!
Iamalwaysright01 December 28th, 2014 at 20:08
“No one should be surprised at this fact. Conservatives have all but
boycotted any media that challenges them but are happy to do shows like
Todd’s.”
Are you kidding me? Conservatives haven’t boycotted any media that challenges them …you are projecting
raincheck December 29th, 2014 at 06:31
“you are projecting”
And you are ‘willfully ignorant’
Iamalwaysright01 December 28th, 2014 at 21:08
“No one should be surprised at this fact. Conservatives have all but
boycotted any media that challenges them but are happy to do shows like
Todd’s.”
Are you kidding me? Conservatives haven’t boycotted any media that challenges them …you are projecting
raincheck December 29th, 2014 at 07:31
“you are projecting”
And you are ‘willfully ignorant’