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UPDATE: Don’t look for Time Magazine’s Mark Halperin to appear on another news show right away now that he’s been suspended by MSNBC. We’re told that the suspension does not let him out of his contract which precludes him from appearing on another news network during its duration. MSNBC President Phil Griffin called Halperin on his cell phone shortly after the end of Morning Joe this morning to inform him of the decision to suspend him. Griffin told Halperin what MSNBC intended to say in a statement. Halperin immediately agreed and said that he wanted to make a statement as well.
Time Magazine has just issued a statement upbrading its Editor at Large. The magazine says his “comments on air this morning were inappropriate and in no way reflective of Time’s views. We have issued a warning to him that such behavior is unacceptable. Mark has appropriately apologized on air, via Twitter and on The Page.” Halperin added that his remark “was not funny. I deeply regret it.”
PREVIOUS, 9:07 AM: MSNBC has suspended political analyst and contributor Mark Halperin indefinitely for a slur he made today on Morning Joe describing President Obama. During a discussion of the president’s Wednesday press conference, Halperin, also an editor at large for Time magazine and co-author of Game Change, was asked by host Joe Scarborough what he thought of the president’s performance during the press conference. “Are we on a seven-second delay today?” Halperin asked. “I want to characterize how I thought the president behaved.” After assurances that there was a delay, he said: “I thought he was kind of a dick yesterday.” Everyone on the show’s panel was stunned, and later in the show Halperin and the hosts apologized on camera. Said MSNBC soon after in a statement: “Mark Halperin’s comments this morning were completely inappropriate and unacceptable. We apologize to the President, The White House and all of our viewers. We strive for a high level of discourse and comments like these have no place on our air. Therefore, Mark will be suspended indefinitely from his role as an analyst.” Halperin also made a statement in response to the suspension: “I completely agree with everything in MSNBC’s statement about my remark. I believe that the step they are taking in response is totally appropriate. Again, I want to offer a heartfelt and profound apology to the President, to my MSNBC colleagues, and to the viewers. My remark was unacceptable, and I deeply regret it.” Here’s his on-air apology:
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Well that was awkward.
Perfect and all the reaction that’s needed to this story.
But of course it’s going to go on and on because adults would rather be children.
That is a terrible headline. Whatever the dictionary might say, “slur” has a racial connotation these days. Most people reading that are going to think Halperin was making a racist comment, rather than just calling the guy a dick (which is barely out of bounds).
>> Whatever the dictionary might say, “slur” has a racial connotation these days.>>
No, it doesn’t. That’s why people say “racial slur,” to distinguish them from other slurs, like bitch, thief, slut, skank, liar, coward, tightass and so on.
I think “dick” is a pretty mild one (not one you label the President with, not on TV, but a mild one), but it’s a slur nonetheless.
UNFORTUNATELY, why he said it is all but lost in the politically correct run amok atmosphere in which the slightest questioning of the accepted truth by the left leaves them— see Jon Stewart— all atwitter.
NEVER DARE QUESTION us or our sacred Obama or we will run you out of your job!
If you have watched any appearance by Halperin— who knows more about politics than most of the chattering classes and is highly respected here in Washington by all parties— of late on that cesspool called MSNBC, it was clear that the deaf, dumb and blind allegiance to Obama in light of his disasterous administration had finally worn thin.
This morning, Halperin finally blurted out what most of us independent minded Dems realized from before the beginning— and certainly was on full display yesterday.
NOT a slur, but the inartful truth. Obama makes most of us here in D.C. yearn for the Carter days. The vast majority of the American people are way ahead of the pols and the talking heads who seek to defend Obama no matter what— part of why MSNBC gets crushed all day every day in the ratings. Rip and read from the White House PR whilst getting a tingle up the leg.
Most of us? Speak for yourself. And unless the GOP get a viable candidate that, so far, has yet to appear, Obama will be re-elected fairly easily. Economy and all…
Oh, please how many people were fired (Maher, for one) or had their music banned (many including The Dixie Chicks) for saying they were against and ashamed of President Bush. It works both ways, DJT.
I agree.
Calling someone a “dick” is hardly acceptable from someone who is an MSNBC political analyst. You keep your personal feelings, especially when you’re making a slur, to yourself in this situation. It’s childish and makes Halperin look like a complete amateur and tool.
Just last week a commentator on FOX news was forced to apologize for asking Michelle Bachmann if she was “flakey.” This guy, knowing he was on the air, calls the President a “dick.”
He should be fired just for being so unprofessional and stupid.
I agree with Halpern that Obama was being a dick. Doesn’t mean that you should actually say it though on a news show, completely unprofessional and stupid. Such a comment does make him look a childish, amateur tool, even if he was kinda right about it. Shoulda reworded that one a bit.
What is so wrong with someone being honost
How do you know? you can’t even spell the word.
just a typo mack be cool
But everyone knows that if you criticize Obama you are racist. Everybody knows that.
Nobody thinks that. A lot of people criticize him and aren’t racist, just as everyone who criticized Bush wasn’t anti-America, or bigoted against the mentally challenged.
But someone who makes such a false and overly-defensive claim probably IS a racist.
But are aren’t you! If your are going to criticize the President of the United State then do it and leave the name calling out it.
Mark exemplifies the high level of discourse on MSNBC since Olbermann left.
I’m sure if it had been about President Bush, MSNBC wouldn’t have had any problem whatsoever.
MSNBC prob would have given him a raise.
No, but it would have been acceptable to say it about Chaney : )
Exactly. There are no limits to MSNBC slurs about President Bush, or ANY Republican. This is just consistent with their bias.
Feel free to point out all the times someone on air on MSNBC called anyone in Bush’s administration a dick or worse, and was not punished for it.
Yes, they have a bias (not for liberals, but for ratings, which they for some reason think they can achieve by being liberal). But you’re also setting up a dumb straw man argument.
Yes, blame it on technology and the technician. “Oops,that got on camera.” You are all at fault. When you are a presence in the media in discussion and debate about any issues in the public, especially in discussing the office of the White House, use your ‘indoor language’ not your ‘outdoor language.’ Here’s a helpful hint- look down at the tie, shirt and suit you’re wearing – see? it’s not cut-offs, t-shirt and flip flops – your attire should remind you where you are what you’re supposed to be doing and in what manner you’re supposed to be doing it. As the audience I expect higher standards and calling the president a “dick” while sitting in position of your job – on or off camera – does not remotely fall within those standards.
AND what standards do you hold— ignore the truth even when confronted with video evidence and simply mistake reality?
If you bothered to watch the video you would notice that Halperin NEVER calls Obama ” a dick”. He said Obama acted like a dick at yesterday’s campaign speech at the White House. Even today’s Washington Post points out the numerous untruths uttered by a guy so far in over his head as to make jimmy carter look like FDR. Actually, we call purposeful untruth for personal gain lies.
Moreover, what any of us says or writes or thinks in public or private is not your concern— as we have not yet made you censor in chief.
The true sadness that the little leftist clique in politics and the press are more upset about saying Obama acted like a dick than the fact that he has been dicking the country unchecked for over two years now with his European/socialist viewpoint and agenda.
QUESTION— are you better off now than you were 4 years ago?
Doubt it— certainly the near 70% of Americans polled by NBC/Wall St. Journal last week do not think so.
At least in 1980, we Dems had someone unafraid to stand and challenge the Carter “malaise” and push him for the nomination knowing that electoral disaster awaited us in the fall with jimmy at the top of the ticket.
Ted Kennedy showed guts— any takers this time around before it is too late???
So sick and tired of the Carter bad president meme. In his four years in office Carter accomplished more good for this country than most do in eight.
“As the audience I expect higher standards and calling the president a “dick” while sitting in position of your job – on or off camera – does not remotely fall within those standards”.
Unless it’s someone like Bill Maher referring to Bush…in even harsher terms. Don’t get me wrong. I think both instances are acceptable. I just don’t like the double standard applied by the media.”
I think you’re missing something: It’s not OK for a political analyst on what is supposed to be a serious show to use base and vulgar insults, regardless of their target but it’s perfectly acceptable for Maher to do it because that vulgarity is part of the premise of the show. He’s not somehow degrading the quality of the show by resorting to such language, seeing as it forms the show’s basis. Maher also tends to back up those insults with thoughtful commentary, whether or not you agree with his interpretations. The fact that one is insulting a Democrat the other a Republican is irrelevant and doesn’t indicate a causal relationship to me, based on the examples you’ve given.
Well said.
Maher is a comedian, not a political analyst on a serious news show.
Is it ok to call Bill a dick ?
If you think calling the President of the United States “a dick” is “barely out of bounds” you must be a Republican. Even Halperin acknowledged his comment was inappropriate.
Haha i find it amusing that you are saying he called obama a dick maybe you should listen to it one more time he said he was kinda acting like a dick not one time did he call him a name he simply spoke of the manner of abamas attitude and actions
I’m sure FAUX NEWS will give him his own show now
Readers of the Note will not be surprised. And I think this is just the latest entry in a resume he hopes to get him on the news network without news.
Mr. Halperin asked about and believed he was on a delay when he made this comment. Without a doubt, many others comments have been made off air that would certainly be deemed inappropriate “if on air”.
We have freedom of speech as one of the foundations of our constitution.
Granted, Mr. Halperin should not put his trust in a delay, and be more cautious about his comments in any possible place where they can be repeated or broadcast…but, this was in theory off air with the delay.
Trust me, President Obama and all other politicians and journalists have similar thoughts on a daily basis, and I am sure they are expressed to others.
And, with all due disrespect, the president was being a bit of a sarcastic “dick’ in his press conference. I am not impressed that he spent all of one hour plus meeting separately with various leaders about the important pressing financial issues.
The president should be leading this debt ceiling/budget discussions instead of making Congress “do their job”…because at the end of the day…the people suffer as the politicians play their games at our expense…when it should be for our benefit.
Well at least he’s given up that “I’ll unite the people” bullshit. That was all he claimed to offer when he ran for president, so now what does he have left but to sit back and watch others do their jobs and vote “present.” nothing new there.
What a bunch of thin skinned pussies the lefties are. But it’s ok to call people on the right a moron, or a terrorist or much worse. Dicks are useful and provide pleasure. This country barely survived 3 years of Obama implementing his socialism, so I’d say calling him a Dick is a compliment. He’s awful.
And what word would you use to describe someone who revealed the identity of an active covert US agent trying to protect the country from terrorism, because her husband wouldn’t sign off on a false report. I guess you might call that person a Dick.
Read a book and learn what socialism really is. Stop using it as a cute buzzword, because you and the rest of those screaming “SOCIALIST” don’t have the vocabulary or intelligence to thoughtfully express your problem with the current government.
Oh, Lord! Still that Valerie (P)lame crap? It is people who continue to believe that «Cheney did it» who «don’t have the vocabulary or intelligence to thoughtfully express your problem with the current government».
Jean – thank goodness for the sake of the U.S., you are in the minority.
«In the minority»? Really? Think again…
Jean – thank goodness for the sake of the U.S., you are in the minority.
«In the minority»? Really? Think again…
As far as I am concerned, MSNBC makes errors in their reporting all the time which is why I read Nikki Finke and this blog. Who cares what Halperin said. Not only do I agree with Halperin, it’s free speech.
There is no ‘news’ on ‘cable news.’ After this performance – on the part of ALL of the parties on the air and in the control room – does anyone really need any further proof? If you do need further proof, what’s that going to take? I stopped watching all of them – MSNBC, CNBC, CNN, Fox – because I’m interested in actually solving some of the horrific problems facing the country, not name calling and setting odds on horse races.
This is the first actually intelligent post I’ve seen on this topic. Couldn’t have said it better myself. All the cable news stations are slanted either to the left or to the right and all they do is try to bash and discredit the other side. Sad that is what our country has come to.
Wrong. Other news outlets report FACTS. Only Fox News has a slant.
Wow, a bit of truth telling on the TV and the guy gets suspended. They are all “dicks”; the politicians and the pundits. So what’s the big deal?
JG-went there right away. And glad it wasnt so. I like Halperin.
Hope the dont go the way of David Schuster(?). By the way where is that guy. robbie goldstein
It wasn’t a slur, but still: I have never seen a white President be more disrespected on a regular basis by folks. And that goes for the right and left.
I don’t agree with Obama on lots of stuff, and probably won’t vote for him again, but I still respect the the office and the man.
“I have never seen a white President be more disrespected on a regular basis by folks.”
Really? Remember the last democRat alleged “president”? The impeached, perjuring, disbarred rapist?
Remember him? He’s garbage and the country knew it then and now.
However, the current fraud is far worse in office – he’s even worse than the old dope Jimmy Carter, which makes him the worst president in history.
WHAT?????? How about George Bush? Were you living under a rock for eight years. Honestly, have you lost your mind or were you being sarcastic?
Were you alive when Bush Jr. was President? What about when Clinton was President? You actually think that Obama gets worse treatment than those two? I don’t think so. They are/were ALL EQUALLY trashed.
Either Halperin was drinking Bailey’s, not coffee, or he’s a complete idiot. He should know that you can’t say that word and get away with it. But it was sure fun to watch!
So because people are ignorant we should dumb down our own language? I didn’t get the memo that stated that slur now only refers to racial derogatory comments.
Agree w/ JG. I read “slur” and I think someone dropped some sort of racial epithet. But ‘dick’ hardly seems actionable in describing any politician. Even POTUS.
He was right on the money imo
Who’s asking for your opinion?
Agreed.
When considering the pummeling George Bush received during his 8 years in office, calling President Obama a “dick” is hardly offensive. After viewing that pathetic press conference, it would have been more accurate to call him un-presidental, moronic and/or juvenile. This guy is clueless without a teleprompter. Not only is he a dick, but he is clearly an imbecile. And we can thank many of you in Hollywood for supporting and helping to promote this disastrous presidency.
While not the right phrase, the President’s press conference did make him out to be kind of a jerk, sorry. I have no problem with a free press being able to say so. When Bush gave the “Victory” speech, I had no problem with Press saying “this is ridiculous”. I’d prefer a press that plays with the gloves off and tells me their honest feeling, whether I agree or not. It at least tells me what their biases may be.
The president isn’t a king. No matter who is in office, Democrat or Republican, I’m hopeful that the press says exactly what they think good or bad.
Wow. I call Shenanigans! When Bush was in the White House people called him worse things and no one got suspended for calling him names. Homeboy here calls Obama a dick and he gets suspended. Such a double standard when it comes to liberal and conservatives.
It was wrong to say it. But reading around the net – i didnt see the show – Halperin asked if they were on delay and Mika and Joe egged him on and told him to have “faith” [that they were on delay]. If that is true, why were they not on delay? Did they want to create a newsmaking incident at Halperins expense? Delays are routine and for the very reason behind this incident – when you are live or talking off the cuff there is always the chance that you are going to say something that is rude, profane, etc and the job of the button man is to catch it. We only know Halperin said something rude because his backup was out to lunch. There are probably lots of times that something worse has been said and bleeped out.
Its ok to joke about old ladies as “teabaggers”, but if you call the President a ‘dick’, you gotta run thru hoops to apologize. Obama IS a dick. So are most politicians, and quite frankly, so are most journalists. Sadly it is these non-stories that make news, not the consequences of political policy or the lack of investigative integrity from the news media.
This political correctness has gotten so out of hand and so tiresome. Sure, he shouldn’t call the President a dick on TV. But why isn’t an apology enough? He made a mistake, he immediately takes a responsibility and he STILL gets suspend and thrown under the bus.
And why is all this outrage so selective? Jesse Jackson can go on Fox News and say he wants to cut Obama’s “nuts off” and drop the N bomb and nobody cares. Tracy Morgan makes a joke in a comedy club and these stupid special interest groups hold his career hostage. Meanwhile Chris Brown nearly beats Rhiana to death and he gets 58 BET awards.
I agree that this President gets disrespected more than any white President ever has and for nothing. Eight years of that smug, smirking little rich brat as President and no reporter ever called him something so childishly nasty. Between this and Issa calling him the most corrupt president in modern history (never backed that charge up with anything) and Gingrich saying he’s a loud tribesman who is a greater threat than the nazis and now this. It’s impossible to ignore that race is playing a part in this level of invective and disrespect for a president who only wants to provide health care to more people and stop giving tax breaks to millionaires and billionaires.