Norm Ornstein jumped on Kasie Hunt for "both sides are the sameism" this morning

[octoberlib]

Link to tweet

Kasie Hunt repeats the casual and false equivalence of Harry Reid and Mitch McConnell on filibusters. To reiterate for the upteenth time, Reid changed the rule only because McConnell refused to confirm ANY DC Circuit nominees, no matter how moderate, qualified. Both sides again!

Link to tweet

@kasie The idea that Harry Reid didn't contribute to the Senate's descent into bitter hyperpartisanship is simply ludicrous.


@NormOrnstein
Replying to @kasie
I know the desire to show you are balanced. But truth is not always balance. And by entirely equating Reid— who was no angel— with McConnell, who blew up more norms and practices in the Senate than all other leaders before him combined— is just wrong.

@kasie
Replying to @NormOrnstein
My comments this morning were meant to illustrate the slide toward where we are — not to equate McConnell and Reid. You are correct in that McConnell has a singular focus — judges — and he’s willing to sacrifice basically every norm on that alter. In that way yes you’re correct


@NormOrnstein

Replying to @kasie
I understand the intent, and I respect you as a terrific reporter. But you have to understand that import of the comment, which fits conventional journalistic wisdom, puts equal blame on both sides. And that lets the miscreants get off without any consequences. They all do it!


@kasie
Replying to @NormOrnstein
Understood. Thanks for your kind words as well as your tough ones — I have been an admirer since being assigned your books in college — I am humbled by this whole thing!

[moondust]

1. Thank you, Norm.

[dalton99a]

2. Kick

[Botany]

3. Norm is also on board with the McConnell is a traitor meme too.

n/t

[Polly Hennessey]

4. Kasie will never change.

What is different this time is that someone called her on it using facts.

[thegoose]

10. She's just a brown-haired, wonk-eyed version

Of the bleach blonde over-made-up Megyn KKKelly.

[lostnfound]

15. That's ridiculous

She’s not jaded but she is becoming more savvy over the last couple of years

[lostnfound]

14. Kasie is smart and learns. I believe she will think this question over

I expect she will consider and absorb it as constructive advice.

[OnDoutside]

5. Is there any link to where the differences are all set out ?

[octoberlib]

7. I googled it and couldn't find one.

[OnDoutside]

8. No probs, thanks. While I believe it is self evident that McConnell is a towering evil rat, I would

love to see a timeline.

[Duppers]

6. Why is she on msnbc?

[LiberalFighter]

9. Many use the same "excuse".

[PaulX2]

11. Nuclear Option Or No Judges Whatsoever Harry Reid's Choice

Not his fault. When dealing with power mad traitors, you have to use whatever power you have.

Good Job Harry.

F You McConnell.

[MarinCoUSA]

12. Friggin THANK GOD Norm pushed back on Hunt for this

Almost smashed my TV watching this.....

Like the Senate Cloture Rule just showed up on the emergency room operating table and Dr Reid decided it had to be cut off. JESUSFUCKINCHRIST!

And "meant to illustrate the slide toward where we are" is BS, too. McConnell stated the day BHO was inaugurated.. That started the "slide". Reid fights back, so the F what.

[Xipe Totec]

13. With both boots. nt

[JHan]

16. I wonder sometimes if reporters and pundits just lack "institutional memory"..

or just refuse to point out how awful the GOP has become because GOP obstruction of Obama is a fact. Republicans have just been fucking awful for A LONG TIME NOW.

[True Blue American]

17. Pretending to be Fair!

The excuse for both sides do it is a total lie. Any attempt at Democrats fighting back is terrible.

But I have news for them, you fight back the honorable way by exposing the lies. The Republican Party has become one big Nutshell game.