Mark Halperin's career is all but over, for now.

[Honeycombe8]

Last edited Sat Oct 28, 2017, 08:41 PM - Edit history (1)

Mark Halperin's career is all but over for now. Maybe he'll be able to resurrect some of it later. But it won't be the same.

Here's what I read has happened so far:

"Game Change" book re the 2016 election, co-author. Penguin Books cancelled the deal.
"Game Change" show about his book re the 2016 election. HBO miniseries. HBO cancelled.
MSNBC/NBC NEWS/BLOOMBERG, Senior Political Analyst job. Suspended
"The Circus" program on Showtime, co-host. Probably not being renewed for next season.
"Bloomberg Politics" show, contributor and former co-managing editor. Gone.


He had a lot of irons in the fire! I had no idea. His past behavior has cost him $$$ millions in jobs and deals, looks like. I doubt he'll be able to re-establish himself to his former level of success. I couldn't tell a thing by watching him on tv. He seemed so academic, unassuming, low key. I guess it's true what they say: You gotta watch the quiet ones.

[SummerSnow]

1. I hear a Fox news in his future

[JI7]

2. Halperin was one of the problems with news reporting these days. It was more about celebrity

Rather than discussion of issues by experts.

Elections became about polls and horse races.

GOOD RIDDANCE

[Honeycombe8]

10. He actually was very experienced at research, investigative reporting....

and politics. Read his bio. He started on a desk doing the hard, gritty work. He wasn't one of those pretty boy broadcasters.

[JI7]

13. But that's not what he did . He played the horse race bs.

[Honeycombe8]

15. I don't know what you mean. We all look at polls. That's what it's about. Winning. nt

[JI7]

18. No. It was about avoiding issues and I'm glad his dipshit ass is gone

[Honeycombe8]

22. I watch a lot of political tv. These guys talk politics 12 hrs a day.

You can't sit there and talk about the same things over and over. And in the end, it's about winning and the numbers.

Some shows discuss the issues. Like Maddow. She doesn't have a lot of guests. She discusses in detail an aspect of an issue, or a scandal, or the numbers, in more detail than other shows. Other shows have a different format. They have pundits on. They will discuss the candidates' positions on different issues, but their job is not like Maddow's. For one thing, each of thm has just a few minutes to speak, and the hosts ask them questions.

They talk about everything, though. And in the end, it IS about the race, the numbers, and winning. Not sure what the political talk shows are not reporting that you think they should. It is a race, so there's no avoiding that.

[grantcart]

30. I actually found him very pedestrian, repeating the main hot topic of the day with conventional spin

[JI7]

33. yup , and that's the "best" i could say about him

[TeamPooka]

53. He was a lot more pundit than reporter on TV lately since his big hit book

[imanamerican63]

3. The bad thing all these idiots and what they have left?

They made enough money!

[HipChick]

4. What a Dick...

If only he had kept it in his pants...he brought it on himself..

[PoliticAverse]

5. Yeah pretty much it seems. Maybe he can push his next book on Fox news though. n/t

[Stuart G]

6. He might make it. According to the letter in another post, all of this happened

at least 10 years ago. He stopped the inappropriate behavior, and the people on the later jobs, after ABC News will back him up. (he says) If this is true, that he has changed completely over the last 10 years, and his co-workers back him up, then there will be little results from the recent disclosures.

...Therefore, if the above is true, no recent behavior at the last few jobs over a 10 year period he could end up ok. He gives restitution to those he harmed, and continues his career path. He could come out ok, if he has really changed. We will all find out as people look into his present behavior..and that of the last 10 years or so....Time will tell...If he really has been a "good boy" for 10 years, current employers might give him a pass. After all, he has changed, and would have proof of that change..

[dsc]

7. He would be a lawsuit waiting to happen unless there is some

proof he could offer as to why the change occurred.

[Stuart G]

8. In another long OP, he offers that proof in his letter..Here is a link:

Here is a link, and you can read the letter he wrote in the last few days.
.It is below the picture, it is somewhat long, but offers proof of change. I would strongly suggest you read the entire statement to get an idea how he has changed and his guilt over the behavior of years ago.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=9758561

[Honeycombe8]

23. I already did. It's irrelevant to his career, IMO.

Companies don't want to be associated with scandal. It taints them and draws criticism. They'd rather hire someone without sex scandal attached.

Rehabilitation is applicable in one's private life, or in a private job. He's in media.

[Honeycombe8]

9. That's about forgiveness and his personal life...those things. But career...

companies don't like to be associated with these types of scandals. It taints them and draws criticism.

Look at Dan Rather. I guess that's a good example. Not quite the same thing, but a scandal. He's cont'd in the biz, but not at the same level where he was before. However, Brian Williams did get re-hired for his own non-prime time show. So maybe. But I doubt it. Because he actually molested people (if the accusations are true and his apology is correct in admitting to some of the accusations).

He has only himself to blame, of course. A tragedy that he had this huge flaw but a bright mind and talent.

[oberliner]

14. There is a new article about an incident in 2011

New Accuser: Serial Harasser Mark Halperin Targeted College Girls, Too

https://www.thedailybeast.com/new-accuser-serial-harasser-mark-halperin-targeted-college-girls-too

[Not Ruth]

27. He destroyed a lot of lives 10 years ago

Time for him to disappear

[brooklynite]

11. WADR wasnt suspended

It ended after the election; nothing to do with Halperin’s behavior.

[Honeycombe8]

17. What is "WADR"? nt

[Honeycombe8]

24. Oh, "With All Due Respect." HE was suspended. But I stand corrected.

I read that somewhere, or maybe I misread it, when I read it was no more. I've removed that reference.

[tblue37]

12. Unassuming academic Halperin called Pres. Obama a dick on Morning Joe. Not so low key! nt

[Honeycombe8]

19. Well, yeah, but he was referring to what Obama had said in a speech the night before.

He wasn't talking about generally. But yeah, that was weird. Joe was dumbfounded and didn't know how to respond, and didn't seem to care for that. Maybe the vulgarity of it.

[bettyellen]

29. So, his vulgar assessment was borne out of "gritty research"

LOL

[Volaris]

35. He might have made his bones at a desk job doing real journalism,

But he made his money being a dirty little witch of a Gossip Queen. Don't care why, I'm glad he's leaving for at least a little bit.

[JI7]

25. And defended trump on the access hollywood tape

[Honeycombe8]

32. Unless you have a tape of that...I posted a tape of him talking about it...nothing good to say

about Trump.

I'm not defending Halperin at all, mind you. But just sayin' that's not what I saw when I looking for him talking about the Trump Hollywood Access tape.

[JI7]

34. ok, i looked it up. it wasn't access hollywood he defended trump on. But he defended Trump on what

the women who accused trump of sexual assault were saying and he didn't what they were saying was bad.

[Ilsa]

28. He knows about dicks. His accusers said he was rubbing

His erect penis against them when they were seated and working.

[Honeycombe8]

45. I read that. Eeewwwwwwww. So gross. nt

[renate]

16. I'm sad for the other guy, what's his name... John Heileman

I like him and I'll miss The Circus.

[Honeycombe8]

20. I thought about him, but to be fair...I'm thinking John knew but looked the other way.

He wrote a book with Halperin. Worked closely with him at MSNBC and Showtime. No doubt they got to know each other really well. I don't know how long they've known each other. Maybe not. But things like predatory behavior, past or present, get around. All these guys know each other, incl at the different networks. And the women told friends. Yeah, Heileman probably knew.

[BannonsLiver]

21. That doesnt sound fair lol

[emulatorloo]

55. I know nothing about my co-workers sex lives. I've collaborated closely on some big scale projects

too w people, zero knowledge of my collaborators sex lives either. I don't know why DU'ers assume stuff like this. Doesn't seem "fair" at all to just assume Heilman knew, but of course ymmv.

[Honeycombe8]

58. Because I've been around working men for decades.

He knew and worked with Halperin for a long time. It was common knowledge how he had behaved while at ABC for 10 years.

I worked in the legal field for years. It's a community of professionals, the same as the news business would be. People at one place know people at the others. People leave jobs at one place and go to work at the other. Word gets around. No way he didn't know about how Halperin had behaved while at ABC, IMO.

Who might NOT have known were the suits at the top. People tend to keep the word on employees from the top brass.

I knew what lawyers had been accused of sexual harassment, and which ones had paid hefty sums for it (or their firms did). All the while the lawyers kept prospering at the firms (partners are part owners of firms). I didn't even know the lawyers or the females. But word got around. I knew who had had sex with whom on what night on what conference room table. Word gets around.

Plus, men usually talk about their conquests. Maybe you didn't, but most men do, IMO. As George Clooney said about Weinstein (paraphrasing): Well, he talked about women, and I was surprised because I knew some of those women, but I thought it was just talk. Men are good at hiding domestic abuse, but they see women in such a way that they assume other men have the same view, and they brag, even when what they're saying is inappropriate or possibly criminal. Like Trump in the Hollywood Access tape.

[emulatorloo]

60. Ok thanks for the clarification of yr thinking.

I'm a retired professional as well. Your experience does not mirror mine at all, however I completely understand what you are saying after hearing about your workplace.

Thanks for thoughtful and helpful reply

[GeorgeGist]

26. Sounds perfect ...

for F O X.

[Demsrule86]

31. He is a jerk...called Obama a 'dick'.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwibxdvM8ZTXAhVq0YMKHbYLCf4QtwIILjAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DZ2-HjBI_1ag&usg=AOvVaw3RxzgFJ9XXn16a_kGryJv0

[Honeycombe8]

46. He was actually SUSPENDED by MSNBC over that remark. 2011. nt

[Demsrule86]

48. He deserved it...but notice they fired those who have 'crossed the line' with Trump.

[StevieM]

54. I was wondering if I was the only one who remembered that. (eom)

[Demsrule86]

57. I remember it...he was always right leaning.

[Tavarious Jackson]

36. Why hasn't Mika denounced this?

Why has morning Joe not mentioned this? They sure humped Hillary over Weinstien

[Honeycombe8]

42. She made a statemnt. Halperin's on the MSNBC payroll, suspended. I'm sure there's a gag rule.

I'm sure the station sent out a "here's what you say and nothing else" rule. Mika said that.

Just like if there's a scandal with any company. The employees can't go out and start giving their info and opinions on it to the press.

[coolsandy]

37. That clip also proves that Obama was damned if he did and damned if he didn't. How he managed to do

all that he did is amazing but Executive Orders can easily be overturned as Trump is showing us. But in fairness to Obama, he almost had no other choice because the GOP would not allow any help that he called for. And they bragged about it!

[AngryAmish]

38. I am shocked at how much television people watch

And have such an emotional involvement with people they do not know.

I was barely aware this Halperin creature existed. If what everyone is saying about him is true than good riddance I suppose. But in the end he was on a TV show. It is like getting worked up about what Jake The Snake Roberts said in a promo. I suppose calling Obama a dick is bad and all, but it is all a work.

[oberliner]

39. He wrote Game Change

Presumably, as a DUer, you are interested in politics and elections. He co-wrote one of the best selling books on the 2008 election.

[AngryAmish]

40. I did not read it. I knew the ending.

[oberliner]

41. Fair point

I found it to be a pretty interesting read. In any case, that's where I knew him from. Also Morning Joe.

[Honeycombe8]

44. I think it aired on a cable channel; I was a cordcutter, so couldn't see it.

I saw some clips. It looked good. Ed Harris...a really good actor.

[Demsrule86]

49. It was actually very good...And I like Woody Harrelson very much.

He and Matthew Mcconaughey were wonderful in True detective...if you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it.

[Honeycombe8]

43. He was more than that. He was one of the high profile people in the political analysis world.

You know that famous movie "Game Change," about the McCain-Palin campaign and the election? He co-wrote that. He was on teh p/r of NBC News, Bloomberg, MSNBC conglomerate, and had deals with Showtime and HBO about his famous writings on presidential campaigns. He's been working in the politics writing or investigation arena for decades. He developed a solid reputation of knowledge and insight into certain areas of politics, just as others have. He was not just a broadcaster or media person, like Brian Williams, Walter Cronkite, Dan Rather.

This is what people interested in current events and politics do: we watch political shows, read political writings, join political forums like this one. As for myself, I also have other interests. But I'm very into politics, since that has a direct effect on my life. My taxes, my retirement, my health care, the cost of housing, the economy, wages, unemployment, the environment, global warming....it's all related to politics.

So it's not your thing. Go forth and don't criticize people in a political forum for being interested in politics more than the average Trumper.

[yortsed snacilbuper]

50. Did halperin use tictacs,

like trump?

[Zen Democrat]

51. He said about Obama, "What a dick" on Morning Joe & should have been permanently suspended.

[Honeycombe8]

59. Most people get one pass at doing something inappropriate.

I'm sure you're glad you weren't immediately fired the times you said or did something inappropriate or stupid. I know I am.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

52. Funny...always thought he was creepy even before the latest news nt

[emulatorloo]

56. Me too!