TYT Interviews: Cenk w/ David Sirota - Hate For Progressive Critics Of The Obama Admin

[ihavenobias]

Run time: 12:30 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlHFSD9_f1M   Posted on YouTube: September 22, 2010 By YouTube Member: TYTInterviews Views on YouTube: 1717   Posted on DU: September 24, 2010 By DU Member: ihavenobias Views on DU: 801

 
Summary: Cenk talks to http://www.youtube.com/redirect?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.davidsirota.com%2F&session_token=MwKNZfhcRbqqy1bX2zyNQdige-l8MTI4NTQ0Nzk1MQ%3D%3D|David Sirota> about the idea that progressive critics of Obama and the Democratic party are going to result in losses in the 2010 elections.

PS---Check out (and subscribe, it's free) our new channel, http://www.youtube.com/thetopvlog|The Top Vlog>. There are other great vloggers from Huffington Post, NPR, Daily Kos, Firedoglake, Think Progress, Brave New Films, Daily Show Co-Creator Lizz Winstead and more!

[Radical Activist]

1. Oh, I bet these two had an orgy of deflecting responsibility for their actions.

They're two of the biggest dishonest haters in the media. Their argument reminds me of how Rush Limbaugh used to cop-out of responsibility for his words by saying he's "just an entertainer." If these two have no influence at all then why do they record shows and write columns? Is it all a waste of time because no one pays attention to them? Why do they bother getting out of bed in the morning if their job has no importance?

What they dishonestly avoid discussing is the role progressive media does play in the larger conversation by influencing the rest of the press. The right-wing media pushes their issues into the rest of the press. We don't have a left wing media that does that when Obama pushes a progressive issue. People like Cenk and Sirota make it easier for the mainstream press to ignore progressive issues and bash Obama because all they do is spin and complain.

I'm all for pundits criticizing Obama when he's wrong, but these guys won't even defend Obama when he's right. That's a problem that hurts the entire progressive movement.

[ihavenobias]

2. Busted

1. Angry critical rant when you admit you didn't listen to the interview that specifically discusses anger at progressive critics? I'm not sure the point could be better proven, so I sincerely thank you for your response!

2. You wrote "these guys won't even defend Obama when he's right". Thank you again and allow me to quickly and easily disprove that:

There are countless clips of Cenk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1FT3iG1guk|defending> (or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avOewUfIxag|praising>) Obama and Democrats while http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsXuD0wWYFU|tearing the GOP to shreds>.

Don't take my word for it, check out the links provided (plenty more where those came from). Unless of course you're of the opinion that ANY criticism of the president or Democratic party is unacceptable and that praise and defense is the only option 100% of the time. That's on the substance, but if you personally don't find him to be entertaining that's a perfectly valid opinion (that I disagree with) and a separate issue.

[Radical Activist]

3. I listened to the interview...

and guess what. Near the end, Sirota was back to his usual baseless speculation about Obama putting more moderates in the administration and triangulating. The only fact he based this on is that moderates are currently being REMOVED from the administration. Wow. He came to the exact opposite conclusion of what the evidence suggests. It's almost like he's fixated on repeating his narrative about Obama no matter what the facts are.

Sirota has been dishonestly spinning about Obama since the primary when he was supporting the former DLC Senate leader John Edwards. I think there's something deeper about his dislike for Obama than his stance on the issues. I don't know how to explain why a former Nader supporter would back a candidate like Edwards who had a more conservative platform and voting record than Obama.

[ihavenobias]

4. 2 More Things

1. If you listened to the interview before commenting your first comment subject was interesting - "I bet these two had an orgy of deflecting responsibility for their actions." Why would you 'bet' unless you hadn't listened? Rhetorical question, no need to respond.

2. I refer you back to my original response, it says all that needs to be said.

[Radical Activist]

5. I specifically referenced something said at the end of the interview.

What's your point with the word games? I wrote the first sentence while the video was still playing. So what? I already know the usual routine from these two.

A couple examples of Cenk attacking Republicans doesn't say anything. It's no excuse from non-stop dishonest spin and hyperbole, especially from Sirota. Either you value accuracy over exaggeration or you don't. These two don't when it comes to Obama.

[ihavenobias]

6. Like I said

there are plenty more examples (only about a million ripping the GOP), but since you don't watch the show you wouldn't know.

And if there were actual strong, fundamental change to the system (be it the private insurance system or the financial system) there would be good reason to give more praise to the Obama Admin. Constant praise and defense is counterproductive partisan BS in my opinion. That's what the right did under Bush. And simply saying 'Obama isn't Bush' doesn't justify the practice in any way.

[Radical Activist]

7. And the right has been extremely successful

at using their fifth column to control and manipulate corporate press coverage. Have you never noticed and thought that maybe we could use similar tactics to get the same results? I was specific in my earlier post that I don't expect constant praise from anyone. But couldn't they at least praise Obama when he does or says something progressive? The examples are very few and far in between with these two.
Did they praise the progressive messages in Obama's BP oil speech?

[ihavenobias]

8. Praise should only be given when deserved.

If the reason to give praise is far and few between honest people will only give it when warranted. Remember when the right wingers would complain about all the negative media coverage of the Iraq?

They complained that there wasn't enough focus on all of the GOOD things (a school built here, a hospital there, a month with less deaths, etc.). Never mind that the fundamental problems weren't any closer to being fixed which was of course the issue. And the fact that there just wasn't very much (major) good news to report.

Pretending otherwise is a terrible thing. And if you run on fundamentally changing Washington you can't be surprised if people are critical when there is no fundamental change on the major issues. Incremental changes? Yes. And you'll argue that will eventually lead to fundamental change, but there's no good evidence to support that. And again, if you're going to bring incremental change and put in status quo establishment types (Geithner, Summers and the gang) it doesn't exactly fit with the excitement and hope promised.

[Radical Activist]

11. We had 30 years of deregulation and corporate control of government.

The trend is now reversing for the first time in 30 years. There are things worth praising. And in fact, every major change in American history seemed incremental at the time.
We're getting Elizabeth Warren and Summers is on the way out. Sirota uses those facts to conclude that Obama is moving right. That's defies logic. I think that for Sirota its more about personality and less about issues than you'd like to believe.

[ihavenobias]

12. Good point about 30 years since it also includes the 90's

Clinton signed NAFTA, the Telecom Act and some of the worst deregulation that directly led to the financial collapse. Of course criticizing him at the time was frowned upon by many Dems.

Funny how that works.

PS---You might enjoy this new TYT video I posted: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x508186|Extreme GOP Hypocrisy Exposed>

[Radical Activist]

13. And the problem for many pundits like Sirota and Ted Rall

is that they're living in the past still fighting Bill Clinton, even as Obama is undoing some of the damage Clinton did. They're out of touch and out of time.

[Ramulux]

9. Do you even know who these guys are?

"but these guys won't even defend Obama when he's right"

You obviously have never watched The Young Turks or read any of David's articles. Cenk is constantly giving Obama credit for everything he deserves to be given credit for. I have read dozens of articles by Sirota where he praises this administration. You dont know what you are talking about. These guys are not on team democrat they dont give a shit about party identity, they care about whats right and are willing to call out Obama on his bullshit regardless of his party affiliation.

Also, there is the fact that Cenk puts on a 3 hour show, 5 days a week where he spends the majority of the time calling out republicans and their craziness. But I guess that's not good enough for you, I guess hes not doing ENOUGH for the progressive community.

[bbgrunt]

10. thanks for posting this. Issues vs. personality is the heart of the problem here.

[WillyT]

14. K & R !!!

:kick: