Talking economics

Crooks and Liars:

The usual round table got together this morning on Meet The Press and as usual, GOP shill, Mary Matalin, was spewing forth her talking points, facts be damned. Forecasts for the U.S. economy look dim, and host Tim Russert puts up poll number showing 83% of Americans think the economy is in bad shape — but according to Lady McCheney, people really aren’t worried about their personal finances, it’s the evil liberal media that’s giving them the perception that the economy is tanking.

...

Matalin: “Well, there’s an element of cognitive dissonance there because if you ask them how their own personal finances are going, those numbers completely switch. Yes, he’s looking around. Those numbers are completely true. They absolutely switch on their own personal finances.”

Shrum: “I think most people are getting very insecure about their personal finances.”

Matalin: “That’s because they’re berated with these numbers. “

James Carville jumps in immediately and debunks everything she says, but Tim Russert does absolutely nothing to counter her spin and like most of the media, allows the right wing lies and distortions to go unchallenged. Bob Shrum finishes strong in this segment, but as soon as he starts going after McCain’s admitted ignorance of the economy everyone jumps in and Russert cuts it off. Now there’s a surprise…

Nice work Russert. Why question that talking point, huh? I am sure you have some piece of minutia that would be more fun to hem and haw over. Maybe someone wrote a book and mentioned you in an unflattering light, and you want to pick that apart, hmm? That would be important to get on, right?

And let's not get into McCain's big weakness in economic matters. Wouldn't want to get into that debate...probably wants more time to talk about Farrakhan and hypothetical situations that Democrats have to get us out of.