Jim Geraghty of National Review and Greg Corombos of Radio America serve up all crazy martinis today. They slam ESPN for hitting a new politically correct low by replacing the play-by-play announcer because his name is Robert Lee, a man of Asian heritage who has no connection whatsoever to the Confederate general. They also slam both President Trump and the media for making outlandish accusations about the other in public when both sides have plenty of legitimate fodder to use. And they dismiss Valerie Plame’s billion-dollar crowdfunding effort to buy Twitter and close Trump’s account as nothing more than a quick money grab.
media
Trump’s Troubling Response, The ‘But Obama’ Defense, Media Misdirection
David French of National Review and Greg Corombos of Radio America address the horrific violence in Charlottesville over the weekend. David and Greg criticize President Trump’s failure to condemn the specific white supremacist and Neo-Nazi groups that led the marches and the connection of the man who committed the vehicular homicide– particularly when the president has a history of getting specific with other targets. They also groan as far too many on the right deflect from President Trump’s stumbles by pointing out egregious mistakes President Obama made along similar lines – mistakes the same people roundly condemned. And they ridicule the news media for grossly manipulating terrorism statistics to suggests right-wingers kill more Americans than Islamic radicals and for relying on the far-left Southern Poverty Law Center to decide who is a right-wing extremist.
Haley Hits Hard, Scalise Status Ignored, Fury of the 1%
CNN Eats Crow, GOP’s Healthcare Headache, Sanders Scandal, Serena Slighted?
David French of National Review and Greg Corombos of Radio America discuss the resignation of three CNN reporters after the redaction of a deceptive story on a top Trump advisor. They also express frustration over the tactics of Senate Republicans as the debate over the new healthcare bill escalates.Then, they decry the double standard, as it provides little coverage of the FBI’s bank fraud investigation of Bernie Sanders’ wife. And they defend John McEnroe’s controversial comments on NPR that while Serena Williams is the best women’s player of all time, she would struggle greatly on the men’s tour.
Capitol Police Stop Shooter, Political Attack?, Polarized Media Reactions
Jim Geraghty of National Review and Rich McFadden of Radio America discuss the Capitol Police response to the shooting early Wednesday morning in Alexandria, VA where House Majority Whip Steve Scalise and others were injured during their practice for the 2017 Congressional Baseball Game. They also speculate about the possible motive of the 66-year old shooter from Illinois based on reports of his incendiary political views found on his social media account. And they react to the polarized responses on social media that are erupting across the political spectrum following the attack.
Immigration Enforcement, FBI Tracked Trump Aide, Spicer’s Bad Day
Ian Tuttle of National Review and Greg Corombos of Radio America cheer Attorney General Jeff Sessions for announcing he plans to vigorously enforce immigration law and recommend felony charges for anyone entering the U.S. illegally after already being deported. They also react to reports that the FBI conducted surveillance on Trump campaign aide Carter Page in 2016. And they respond to Sean Spicer’s comments suggesting Adolf Hitler did not use chemical weapons in World War II and the media’s massive overreaction to it.
Three Martini Lunch 3/15/17
Jim Geraghty of Radio America and Greg Corombos of Radio America discuss MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow turning a supposedly big scoop on Pres. Trump’s tax history into a dud of a story. They also discuss why some in the media are determined to make Chelsea Clinton into some sort of political power player. And they shake their heads as former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley starts testing the waters for a presidential run in 2020.
Three Martini Lunch 2/20/17
Jim Geraghty of National Review and Greg Corombos of Radio America react to ‘Face the Nation’ host John Dickerson admitting the media are responsible for their own credibility problem by getting things wrong and engaging in “hysterical” coverage. They also groan as the nation’s largest gathering of conservatives gives the highest-profile speaking slot to Milo Yiannopoulos before rescinding it in a swirl of controversy. And they examine C-SPAN’s rankings of all former presidents and find several curious decisions.
Three Martini Lunch 2/17/17
Jim Geraghty of National Review and Greg Corombos of Radio America discuss reports that intelligence officials and the FBI have not found any criminal activity thus far by Mike Flynn after reviewing transcripts of his call to Russia and testimony to the FBI. They also react to Thursday’s high-octane press conference as Trump and the media clashed again. And they rub their hands with glee as Ted Nugent says he’s considering a run for Michigan’s U.S. Senate seat.
Three Martini Lunch 2/16/17
Jim Geraghty of National Review and Greg Corombos of Radio America enthusiastically welcome a liberal threat to launch primary challenges to Democratic senators in 2018 for being too nice to Donald Trump. They also slam Republicans John McCain and Susan Collins for voting against very solid conservative nominees. And we react to the mainstream media temper tantrum after not getting to ask questions at some of Pres. Trump’s press conferences.