Thursday, August 28, 2008

Democratic convention tension: PUMA, Matthews and Olbermann

Coming into the Democratic convention, the media focused its attention on the possible fireworks between Barack Obama and the Clintons. The promise of tension from feisty Hillary supporters and republican mischief makers, the most notable being The P.U.M.As. Short for "Party Unity My Ass", the meaning has since changed to the tamer "People United Means Action".

After Bill and Hillary's gracious and full-throated endorsement of Barack and the non-impact of the P.U.M.As, it seemed the media wasn't going to get the drama it wanted. Ironically the tension and fireworks anticipated from the convention came from the media themselves.

Keith Olbermann who's recent feature in the 'New York Magazine' was titled 'One Angry man' lived up to it by causing friction with MSNBC stablemates Chris Matthews and APF pundit Joe Scarborough. Republican strategist Mike Murphy stirred the pot. Conservative blogger Michelle Malkin was attacked by a mob led by underground media personality and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones.

1) Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews fight to be the alpha dog

Keith Olbermann steals Chris Matthews' thunder by assigning credit to Matthews' observations to fellow MSNBC pundit Rachel Maddow. Matthews gets upset by Olbermann's seeming oneupsmanship

2) Keith Olbermann tries to wrap up mischievous Republican strategist Michael Murphy from ring side
'Let's Wrap Him Up': Olbermann Tries To Get Rid of Republican Murphy
As Chris Matthews was interviewing GOP consultant Mike Murphy in the interlude between Bill Clinton and Joe Biden tonight, Olbermann could be heard off-camera angrily demanding "let's wrap him up, alright?"
From Newsbusters.org

3) Keith Olbermann harrumphs Joe Scarborough, “Jesus, Joe, why don’t you get a shovel?”


4) Chris Matthews makes a stinkface after Olbermann steps on his line
Matthews Furious—Did Olbermann Lift His Lines?
Matthews appeared to be reading a script from his laptop, when he suddenly stopped. Olbermann picked up the thread and threw it to young Russert. A furious expression crossed Matthews' face and he began to shake his head and mutter, until his image was blotted out by a prominent NBC logo.
From Newsbusters.org

5) MSNBC in defense of their Convention lineup
MSNBC prez defends convention team
DENVER — Amid a spate of awkward on-air conflicts among MNSBC anchors at this week’s Democratic convention, some staff members say there are sharp internal disputes at the cable network over whether its opinion and personality-driven political coverage has crossed the line.

“The situation at our channel is about to blow up,” a high-ranking MSNBC journalist told Politico on Wednesday.
From Politico.com

Update: A new PunditFight animation

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