MSNBC's Partisan Anti-Cheney Crusade

FRANKEN TRULY UNHINGED

MSNBC Pushes Drunken Cheney Conspiracy Theory







While MSNBC has long been an outlet for liberal cable talk, when did it become a haven for fringe partisan conspiracy theories? On the perpetually low-rated NBC-owned news channel, three segments have now aired accusing Cheney of hunting while drunk.

Topping them all, Wednesday evening's unhinged Al Franken meltdown (video at Expose The Left) was proudly presented by the increasingly liberal Scarborough Country, where host Joe Scarborough appears imminently poised to join the likes of Arianna Huffington and David Brock on the dark side.

With partners-in-crime Keith Olbermann and Lawrence O'Donnell on previous MSNBC shows, Scarborough allowed Franken to push this kooky theory:

AL FRANKEN: It’s inconceivable that you don’t go to the hospital unless there’s a reason you don’t go to the hospital. If you had been drinking you wouldn’t go to the hospital. Or, you’re an amazing jerk, that’s the other, or both.

Beyond his increasingly obvious leftist loyalties, why is Scarborough so consistently accommodating to Franken's needs? As we reported in December:

...until 2003 Scarborough was part of Mike Papantonio's Florida law firm. The two continue to seem close, with the latter still appearing on "Scarborough Country" from time to time.

Known by his knickname "Pap", trial lawyer Papantonio is not only one of Air America's weekend hosts, but plays key roles in parent company Piquant LLC's business affairs and internal legal issues. He's a boardmember and major investor, holding several million units and warrants.

Scarborough's ties to "Pap", a notorious Florida-based trial lawyer, even caused a mini-scandal at MSNBC:

When Scarborough left Congress in 2001, he joined the firm, only to leave in 2003 after an on-air incident, exposed by the Washington Post's Howard Kurtz, left him red-faced:


Two weeks ago, MSNBC talk show host Joe Scarborough introduced a guest, attorney Mike Papantonio, to point a finger at the "Rat of the Week."

Papantonio slammed a wood-preserving company called Osmose, saying it makes a dangerous product used in playground equipment and has "figured out how to poison our children and make a profit in the meantime."

What Scarborough didn't say is that Papantonio is his law partner, and that their firm has filed a lawsuit against Osmose. Instead, he urged viewers to demand that the government recall the company's product.

Earlier Wednesday, it was fellow MSNBC host Keith Olbermann who aggressively pushed the loaded Cheney theory, steering an interview with Texas Monthly's Paul Burka almost entirely in that direction. Expose The Left also has the video here.

Combined with Lawrence O'Donnell's fact-free assertions of the same nature, we now have an obvious trend: MSNBC is not willing to treat Cheney honestly or fairly.

And liberals are surprised the Veep picked FOX News for his interview?


Think Franken stopped there? Guess again. Appearing for a live chat on behalf of the Olympian newspaper in Washington state, Franken had some additional Cheney "jokes". Is this funny?

Dan, Sioux Falls: What do you think of Cheney choosing Fox for his first interview since the hunting accident?

Franken: I found it puzzling.

Sam, St. Paul: Why do you think the media has been so focused on the Cheney incident when the Libby story is so much more important?

Franken: I think that's a great point, why do you think Cheney shot the guy? I don't think Scooter Libby necessarily said that he was instructed to out Plame, I think he said he was instructed to leak classified information, that may be it, but I don't think he was necessarily told to out Plame.

Again, because the Radio Equalizer has a hard time "getting" Franken's alleged "jokes", perhaps one of our lefty friends can enlighten us as to why it's funny to accuse Cheney of intentionally shooting someone in order to sidestep an already-fading political controversy.

ALSO: In the Washington Post today, Howard Kurtz explores Cheney's decision to be interviewed by Brit Hume. There's plenty of whining by sour-grapes media insiders and partisan operatives about why Cheney picked FOX News over their sorry networks.

UPDATE: more CNN sour grapes, Drudge lead.

UPDATE: Howard Kurtz has media and blogospheric roundup here.

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