Right-wing hack lies on MSNBC, gets called on it

It is a sign of the times that it is noteworthy when a cable news host calls a lie what it is.

That's what happened when some right-wing hack went on David Shuster's 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and repeated the zombie lie about money for ACORN in the stimulus bill.



Kudos to Shuster for jumping on the ACORN lie as soon as it flew out of the hack's mouth.

But what a sad commentary on the state of political journalism that simply calling a lie a lie is all it takes stand out from the herd of go-along-to-get-along TV talking heads.

NBC suspends David Shuster

On Thursday, as noted by Media Matters, MSNBC's David Shuster made a crude sexually-suggestive remark regarding Chelsea Clinton's work on behalf of her mother's presidential campaign.

He used the expression "pimped out" when referring to her work reaching out to Democratic Party superdelegates on Hillary's behalf.

Today, NBC News suspended Shuster.

NBC NEWS STATEMENT REGARDING CHELSEA CLINTON COMMENT:

On Thursday's "Tucker" on MSNBC, David Shuster, who was serving as guest-host of the program, made a comment about Chelsea Clinton and the Clinton campaign that was irresponsible and inappropriate. Shuster, who apologized this morning on MSNBC and will again this evening, has been suspended from appearing on all NBC News broadcasts, other than to make his apology. He has also extended an apology to the Clinton family. NBC News takes these matters seriously, and offers our sincere regrets to the Clintons for the remarks.

David Shuster Destroys Rep. Marsha Blackburn

This is what happens when you send a GOP backbencher to a gunfight armed only with a bunch of RNC talking points [h/t Crooks & Liars].



That is brutal. It's almost too painful to watch.

We need much more of this kind of critical examination of GOP attack memes.

The "controversy" over the MoveOn.org ad has been ridiculous from the start. It is a complete fabrication, absent any substance whatever. Shuster's evisceration of Rep. Blackburn laid that out for all to see.