President Obama is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't

[JUNE 10, 2010] MSNBC’s coverage of the oil spill catastrophe in the Gulf has been to cast blame on the Obama Administration, and the onslaught of attacks on him by MSNBC commentators, guests, and pundits are comparable to those of Fox News, who routinely condemns the President for one thing or another. On both networks, Obama is damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t.

The rants on MSNBC against the President have run the gambit across their broadcasts from Chuck Todd (“The Daily Rundown”), Joe Scarborough (“Morning Joe Show”), to Chris Matthews (“Hardball with Chris Matthews”), and all in between. They have compared Obama’s response to that of the political posturing of John F. Kennedy and Bill Clinton during their respective catastrophic moments as president. The fact is that both former presidents had more experience in "political theater" than Obama does, and they also had great moral failings that Obama does not have.

Chris Matthews interviewed former Shell Oil CEO John Hofmeister on his show [6/14/10] as an “independent voice.” Matthews peppered him with questions about the leadership ability of the President. Hofmeister referred to Obama’s handling of the oil spill as “inexperienced” and insinuated in his follow-up comment that it was something he and Matthews had discussed off camera.

It became clear in Matthews interview with Hofmeister that MSNBC was doing what the news media has done since Obama became president, questioning his ability to lead the country.

In addressing his anger and frustration with media’s criticism of him in an interview with NBC’s Matt Lauer, the President responded to a question and said that he holds meetings with his Administration and oil spill experts so he can know “whose ass to kick”. NBC released his comment out of context and the media immediately criticized him as trying to act tough before even hearing the question Lauer asked that prompted Obama's response.

Gretchen Carson of “Fox & Friends” responded to NBC’s sound bite of the President using the word “ass” by saying it was “un-presidential”. Days before, she criticized him for lacking emotions.

CNBC’s Erin Burnette complained on “Morning Joe Show” [MSNBC, 6/11/10, 8:30 a.m.] that a letter sent to BP to come to a meeting at the White House the week of June 14th did not specifically address BP’s CEO Tony Hayward. If Obama had ever had a photo opt with Hayward the headlines would have read: Is Obama too close to BP?

The media seems to think they have Obama on the ropes and they’re punching away, but as they have underestimated the effectiveness and fortitude of this president in the past, as they punch away, his approval rating holds steady.

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© 2010 Shar'Ron Maxx Mahaffey. All rights reserved.

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