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Tim Russert Plays The "I'm Blue Collar" Card
Debate moderator Tim Russert goes out of his way to remind viewers of his Buffalo blue collar background in a question he asks about Hillary's economic plan....
I’ve had a chance to read it very carefully. It does say that you pledge to create 5 million new jobs over ten years. And I was reminded of your campaign in 2000, in Buffalo — my hometown, just three hours down Route 90 — where you pledged 200,000 new jobs for Upstate New York. There’s been a net loss of 30,000 jobs.
Russert is at the top of his profession. Why does he need to waste our time telling us what a salt-of-the-earth blue collar background he has? Why do we need to be told that he knows something about what's where on "Route 90"? Do we really care?
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Why do you care, Greg? Why focus on the trees instead of the forest?
February 26, 2008 9:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
For once, Russert's just saying that he's from Buffalo, not that he's from a blue collar background. Northeast Ohio is actually more similar to Buffalo than to Columbus and points south, so I think people there would be interested to know what Hillary told the people of that part of upstate NY when she was running for the Senate. I certainly had no idea that she made this particular campaign promise, one that she obviously had a serious chance of failing to keep.
She shouldn't have overpromised and underdelivered then, and I would imagine that makes people wary that she might do the same thing now while running for President.
There are a zillion things for which to criticize Russert, but I didn't think this was one of them.
February 27, 2008 12:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Greg, constantly posting new debate threads whenever you would, if you were a non-priveledged user, otherwise post a comment, is not helpful for maintaining conversation.
February 26, 2008 9:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
The moderators are the best yet in all the debates with CNN being second on DEMS then Faux in SC.
These are the best questions yet.
TX debates sucked, moderators should have allowed the minutes for the health care arguments.
February 26, 2008 9:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
because russert is a buffoon, hunter
February 26, 2008 9:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
A salient point.
February 26, 2008 9:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is it just me or is Obama kicking her ass and is she seeming very agitated?
And yes, these are probably the best questions in a while, Texas was pretty pathetic, I was about to throw up if they threw one more soft ball to Hillary.
Although I'm sure she'll hit the trail tomorrow complaining about the media hating her or something, because SNL said so.
February 26, 2008 9:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
For what it's worth, "Route 90" is the New York State Thruway. It's known as the Thruway, or maybe I-90. No one upstate calls it "Route 90."
February 26, 2008 9:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
msnbc sucks! The video buffers every 30 seconds.
I found an Ohio station that streams the debate without buffer:
mms://a261.l2233650591.c22336.n.lm.akamaistream.net/D/261/22336/v0001/reflector:50591
If that doesn't work, try this:
http://www.wkyc.com/video/news/breaking/
February 26, 2008 9:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks, that works much better.
February 26, 2008 10:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Interesting there are some that don't get MSNBC, CATV, or high speed.
I take it for granted Comcast delivers.
February 26, 2008 10:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have high speed. The problem seems to have been on the msnbc side.
February 26, 2008 10:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Genghis--THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! I missed
most of the debate because of that buffering. At least I'll get to see the end.
February 26, 2008 10:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
I generally dislike Russert, but as I commented on one of your many other threads, we in Buffalo are aching to have her address how she promised 200,000 new jobs to Western New York State. She brought in 10 and we lost tens of thousands more. She doesn't answer the Buffalo News on this issue, I applaud Russert for trying to make her answer it now. She continues to evade it though. Why does she lie to get elected like she did in Buffalo?
February 26, 2008 9:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
I know who's getting a copy of "Big Russ and Me" for his birthday....
February 26, 2008 9:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
As if Josh Marshall wasn't fixated enough on Tim Russert...
Almost 50% of his posts are aimed at Timmy.
Sheesh.
February 26, 2008 10:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Cleveland.com also has a pretty good streaming version, for those of you who aren't in front of a TV.
February 26, 2008 10:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama's best debate to date. end of story. end of clinton too.
February 26, 2008 10:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Russert's a buffoon, but HRC brought it on herself.
You can't hammer "the media" for two days heading into a debate and then expect that the moderators won't have some zingers for you.
February 26, 2008 10:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
give him a break, he should be proud.
they named Buffalo after him.
February 26, 2008 10:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow, what to do when a debate in a blue collar state focuses a question on actually delivering for blue collar workers? Oh, yeah, attack the questioner......call him a buffoon.....that oughta help. [snark]
February 26, 2008 10:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe Russert cares about New York. Why ya gotta break bad on a brotha?
February 26, 2008 10:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
:-)
I think Greg takes a lot of cheap hits but for once I think Russert asked a fair question no matter what our very own cheap shot artist says. :-)
Except that wording of "Route 90," as noted above, is bizarre.
Russert has been away a very long time.
Best, Terry
February 26, 2008 11:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
let's see
hillary had an idea TEN YEARS BACK
and george bush has implemented how much of hillary's plan ???
so what are we blaming hillary for again ???
February 27, 2008 12:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
Me thinks Russert was sending subtle hint to Ohio voters - know hard to think of him & subtlety in same sentence - but upstate NY has suffered from many of the same economic ills even though bases differ & it was as if to telegraph that she's not good for her promises to economically depressed areas. Similar demos. I wonder?
And since I'm an Obama supporter I can't be accused of the beat the press motive for this explanation. Pissing them off is really working for her.
February 27, 2008 1:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
Does the Buffalo News worry so much about Bush saying he'd half the deficit or put Social Security in a lockbox?
It's hard to create jobs in New York when the buffoon at the top is spending all our money like a fire sale.
Debate answer: "Well, Tim, someone hit the Trifecta, and it wasn't me."
February 27, 2008 1:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
If words matter, if the difference between "denounce" and "reject" matters, if campaign promises matter... then your argument carries no weight. She didn't campaign on any one else getting it done or quantify that anyone else could cock block her. She campaigned that SHE could get it done. What did she accomplish in tune with that campaign PROMISE? She got federal funds for a company from India with whom she's close ties to open an office and hire ten people. 190,000 to go Senator.
February 27, 2008 9:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
Tim Russert can call himself whatever he wants - he's still a giant tool who loves to hear himself talk and thinks we would rather hear his (self-defined) cleverness and gotcha moments than hear what the candidates have to say. He never listens, just interupts and plows on with his script. If I were a candidate I'd refuse to debate if he is allowed to moderate. Timmah'd make a big fuss, of course, but really, he is out of control.
February 27, 2008 2:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ok, contra my prior comment, I have to credit Powkat's giant tool comment after watching the video of Russert grilling Candidate Obama with his bogusey Farrakhan theory. Way out of line.
February 27, 2008 2:24 PM | Reply | Permalink