Michigan

Mackinac Center Explains Why It FOIA'd Emails About Rachel Maddow

Evan McMorris-Santoro | April 5, 2011, 10:36AM

Last week when news of their Freedom Of Information Act requests aimed at labor studies professors from state-run universities in Michigan broke, the conservative-leaning Mackinac Center For Public Policy think tank declined to talk about them. But on Monday night, in a long post on the center's own website, the Mackinac staffer behind the FOIA requests offered a long explanation of why the center wants to know what Michigan labor studies professors were hearing and saying about Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI) and MSNBC's Rachel Maddow.

The short version: Mackinac's been at war with labor studies departments for years, and the fight in Wisconsin opened up a new front.

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Michigan

Conservative Think Tank Receives Bomb Threats After Michigan FOIAs

Evan McMorris-Santoro | April 2, 2011, 10:43AM

Mackinac Center for Public Policy in Midland, Michigan

The Mackinac Center For Public Policy -- the conservative-leaning think tank in the news this week after it requested emails from Michigan labor studies professors regarding Wisconsin and MSNBC's Rachel Maddow -- says it has called in the FBI after receiving a series of threatening voicemails that promised to bomb their Midland, Michigan headquarters.

"You are on Main Street," one of the voicemails said, according to details posted on the Mackinac website. "You are the first place to be bombed."

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Michigan

Maddow Gets Radio Silence On Michigan FOIA Questions (VIDEO)

Evan McMorris-Santoro | March 30, 2011, 10:38AM

On her show last night, MSNBC's Rachel Maddow followed up on our story about the labor studies professor FOIAs in Michigan. She found the conservative donors who fund the think tank asking for emails from Michigan professors about, among other things, Maddow herself, less than willing to talk about where they sent their money.

Quick refresher: the Mackinac Center, a Michigan think tank funded by big names in the conservative movement ranging from the Kochs to the Wal-Mart Waltons to the family that founded Blackwater, used the Freedom Of Information Act to request copies of every email sent or received by labor studies professors at state universities that mentioned Wisconsin, Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI), the city of Madison and Maddow. The universities have not decided how to respond, but the professors say the FOIAs suggest Mackinac is trying to catch them in illegal political advocacy. Mackinac has declined to speak on the record about the requests.

On last night's episode of her show, Maddow described the response she got from Mackinac and the donors that fund it when she asked about the FOIAs: nervous silence.

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Rachel Maddow

Rachel Maddow Falls For Satirical Web Site (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | February 1, 2011, 4:34PM

Rachel Maddow

Rachel Maddow's show on MSNBC often specializes in the application of obscure knowledge toward current political issues. But there's one piece of info they missed out on: That an online post they picked up and amplified on the air was from a parody site.

As The Atlantic reports, Maddow last night reported on a post on the apparently right-wing site ChristWire.org calling upon Sarah Palin to support a U.S.-led invasion of Egypt in response to that country's political crisis. "An American-led invasion of North Africa," Maddow said in disbelief. "To be clear, this is what these folks are asking Sarah Palin to do. This is not Ms. Palin's own idea."

The only problem: ChristWire is a satirical site!

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Pres '12

Steele: Obama Vs. Gingrich Would Be 'Fascinating To Watch' (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | January 28, 2011, 10:08AM

Michael Steele

In an appearance on the Rachel Maddow show last night, former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele seemed to offer a quasi-endorsement of former Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA) for the Republican nomination in 2012 -- if only because Steele, who seems to have transitioned into pundit mode, thought it would be really interesting.

Maddow was discussing with Steele how so many of the prospective candidates for president are former officeholders and current personalities, with Maddow wondering whether this was an easier thing to do than to face scrutiny over their policies and actions in government. (Health care reform for Mitt Romney, raising taxes for Mike Huckabee, ethical issues for Sarah Palin.)

Steele responded. "You know, I think the reality of it is, the gauntlet that they'll have to go through is obviously one that's gonna have a high degree of scrutiny -- you know, their past service. And there will be a lot of crazy noise that's brought up about, you know, a decision made here, or an action taken there," he said. "But at the end of the day, they're going to have to communicate, whether it's a Newt Gingrich -- and I'll tell you quite honestly, I would love to see a Newt Gingrich-Barack Obama debate. That intellectual stimulation there would be fascinating to watch."

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RNC

Steele: 'From The Very Beginning' There Were Calls For My Resignation (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | January 21, 2011, 10:10AM

Former RNC Chairman Michael Steele

Former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele appeared last night on the Rachel Maddow show, offered a vociferous defense of his performance as chairman -- and said how some people had opposed his style of managing the party from the very beginning.

In her introduction, Maddow discussed the immediate scheming that occurred against Steele, and how right-wing media outlets such as the Washington Times quickly began agitating for his ouster.

"I think you nailed it pretty well," Steele said, "that, you know, from the very beginning, literally within the first 30 days of my being on the job, there were calls for my resignation. Now, I don't know how one does -- how you screw up so badly in 30 days on a job that they want to get rid of you when you don't even know where the washrooms are.

"But clearly, there was -- there was a distinctive style issue for me. I mean, I'm a very, you know, grassroots guy. I'm very oriented on being in the neighborhoods and communities," Steele said. "My first venture out of Washington was to Harlem. And I remember a member asked me, why are you going to Harlem as RNC chairman? I said, because there are votes there. Let's take our message to the people."

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Barack Obama

Maddow And Olbermann Slam Obama's Tax Cut Compromise (VIDEO)

Megan Carpentier | December 8, 2010, 10:03AM

Rachel Maddow and Keith Olbermann

If you were first astonished at the outlines of President Obama's tax cut compromise with GOP leaders on Monday and then angry yesterday when Obama called liberals "sanctimonious" for suggesting that he compromised too soon, you weren't alone. MSNBC hosts Rachel Maddow and Keith Olbermann came out last night with guns blazing, and spared few shots.

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NV-SEN

Reid To Maddow: Wear A Disguise Like Angle Does And Maybe You'll Score Interview (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | October 28, 2010, 1:14PM

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on MSNBC's Rachel Maddow Show

During an interview yesterday with Rachel Maddow, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) offered the liberal TV host an idea for how she could land an interview with his Republican opponent, the very inaccessible Sharron Angle: Dress up like Bill O'Reilly.

Maddow ended the interview on a joke question: "Do you have any suggestions for me on how I can get Sharron Angle to talk to me while I'm here in Vegas?"

"Maybe you should do what she does," said Reid. "Pretend you're somebody else."

Maddow and Reid then talked about the possibility of a disguise. "Maybe you could dress up as Bill O'Reilly," Reid said.

It's possible that Reid might have been referring to the Republican Angle campaign's recent use of decoys for Angle to dodge a crowd of reporters -- one of her more creative means to avoid answering questions from anyone other than conservative media venues that she can use to raise money.

The TPM Poll Average gives Angle a lead of 49.6%-46.6%.

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Joe Miller

Miller To Maddow On Gay Marriage: 'I Want To Be Straight With You' (VIDEO)

Jillian Rayfield | October 26, 2010, 10:44PM

Republican candidate for US Senate in Alaska Joe Miller

Joe Miller has been known for giving the press the runaround and, in his interview today with Rachel Maddow, he took that rather literally. The approximately five-minute interview took place as Miller was walking from a roof, down to his car, with Maddow peppering him with questions about same sex marriage as they walked.

Maddow asked him if he'd support a constitutional ban on same sex marriage. "That's up to the people," Miller said. "If you get a three quarters vote ratifying -- I'd vote for it."

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DE-SEN

Maddow: 'I Have All These Questions' For Christine O'Donnell, But Her Camp Booted Us (VIDEO)

Christina Bellantoni | October 6, 2010, 8:41AM

Rachel Maddow and her MSNBC show's producers last night reenacted the Christine O'Donnell campaign's oddball ejecting of the Maddow team from the Republican Senate nominee's Wilmington, Delaware headquarters.

Maddow told viewers that because O'Donnell doesn't have any public events, it's "hard to cover" her campaign against Democrat Chris Coons, who Maddow also spoke with for the show.

"I have all these questions," Maddow said as she and her production team did a play-by-play outside the O'Donnell building showing how they were booted.

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DE-SEN

Rachel Maddow Booted From Christine O'Donnell's Delaware HQ

Christina Bellantoni | October 5, 2010, 4:26PM

Rachel Maddow

MSNBC's Rachel Maddow and her show's producers were ejected from Senate nominee Christine O'Donnell's headquarters today with an "angry guy" insisting they were not welcome back.

Maddow tweeted earlier about the kerfuffle, sure to be a part of her show tonight:

Ejected from O'Donnell HQ. Staffer insulted producers Bill & Laura then angry man came outside and told us to leave and not come back.

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Christine O'Donnell: Anti-Masturbation Crusader. Witchcraft Dabbler. Republican Senate Nominee.]

This afternoon Maddow told TPM in a statement that she spoke with O'Donnell's staffers "multiple times about us being here today and wanting to speak with someone -- anyone, even a volunteer -- from the campaign."

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2010 elections

Biden To Maddow: GOP Has A 'Desperation' To 'Pander To The Lowest Common Denominator' (VIDEO)

Jillian Rayfield | September 16, 2010, 9:38AM

Vice President Joe Biden was on Rachel Maddow's show last night, and talked a lot about the Republicans' attempt to "delegitimize" President Obama because that's what you do "when you can't compete on ideas." He added that there's a "desperation on the Republican side to pander to the lowest common denominator."

"The truth is," Biden said, "that it's real tough for the Republican Party. It's really kind of hung on a shingle. You know, 'no moderates need apply.' It sort of spawns a tone in politics that is not helpful to getting things done."

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Christine O'Donnell

Christine O'Donnell's 1996 Anti-Masturbation Campaign On MTV's 'Sex In The 90s' (VIDEO)

Jillian Rayfield | September 14, 2010, 10:14PM

Christine O'Donnell won the Republican nomination for senator in Delaware tonight, and Rachel Maddow wasted no time showing the footage she obtained of O'Donnell's 1996 appearance on MTV's "Sex In The 90s" TV show.

O'Donnell, it seems, is opposed to masturbation, and considers looking at pornography akin to adultery. And back in the 90s, though the hair was different and Joan Osborne's 90's mainstay "One Of Us" played in the background, O'Donnell maintained a similar stance: "The Bible says that lust in your heart is committing adultery. You can't masturbate without lust!"

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Christine O'Donnell: Anti-Masturbation Crusader. Witchcraft Dabbler. Republican Senate Nominee.]

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2010 elections

Bellantoni To Maddow: O'Donnell's Views On Sex Aren't The Only Ones Worrying The GOP

Megan Carpentier | September 8, 2010, 12:01PM

TPMDC's Christina Bellantoni appeared on "The Rachel Maddow Show" last night to discuss Delaware Senate candidate (and tea party favorite) Christine O'Donnell's extremely conservative positions on pornography, abstinence and masturbation. But, as Bellantoni pointed out, O'Donnell's positions on sex are hardly the only controversial thing about her campaign.

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KY-SEN

Dick Armey: Rand Paul Made 'Rookie Mistake' Going On Maddow

Christina Bellantoni | June 16, 2010, 1:03PM

Former Rep. Dick Armey (R-TX)

Former House Majority Leader Dick Armey told reporters today that Senate candidate Rand Paul is an "amateur" who made two big mistakes -- appearing on Rachel Maddow's show and declaring himself as a leader of the tea party movement.

"Rand Paul made an amateur, freshman, rookie mistake -- he thought MSNBC was a legitimate news organization," Armey said at a lunch today hosted by the Christian Science Monitor. "These are not professional people. ... Bless his heart, he walked right into a buzzsaw."

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Rand Paul

Libertarians On Paul's Civil Rights Stance: 'Very Reasonable'

Zachary Roth | May 20, 2010, 5:42PM

KY Sen. candidate Rand Paul (R)

Rand Paul's apparent opposition to a key provision of the Civil Rights Act places him well within the mainstream of libertarian thought, according to several leading libertarians.

The GOP Senate candidate told MSNBC's Rachel Maddow last night that he would have tried to "modify" the law's ban on racial discrimination by private businesses. That was an expansion of comments he made last month to a Louisville newspaper, in which he said that opposing the ban was "the hard part about believing in freedom."

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Rand Paul

Rand Paul: 'I Will Not Support Any Efforts To Repeal The Civil Rights Act'

Justin Elliott | May 20, 2010, 12:08PM

KY Sen. candidate Rand Paul (R)

Following intense media scrutiny on his views on the landmark civil rights legislation of the 1960s, Republican Senate candidate Rand Paul released a statement today "unequivocally" asserting that "I will not support any efforts to repeal the Civil Rights Act of 1964."

Paul says he supports the Civil Rights Act "because I overwhelmingly agree with the intent of the legislation." He stops short of saying he supports the law's mechanisms to force desegregation. And he concludes the statement this way, citing health care reform: "This much is clear: The federal government has far overreached in its power grabs."

Here it is in full, via Time:

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Rand Paul

Paul: Opposing Civil Rights Act Is 'The Hard Part About Believing In Freedom' (VIDEO)

Zachary Roth | May 20, 2010, 12:07PM

KY Sen. candidate Rand Paul (R)

As we've all heard by now, Rand Paul has set off a firestorm by criticizing the Civil Rights Act for requiring private businesses not to practice racial discrimination, in response to questions last night from MSNBC's Rachel Maddow.

But Maddow's inquiry picked up on comments the Kentucky GOP Senate candidate originally made last month in an interview with the editorial board of Louisville's Courier-Journal. So it's worth taking a closer look at that interview. And in some ways, Paul's libertarian position comes off as both more radical and more fully-formed than it did last night.

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Rand Paul

Rand Paul: 'Loony Left' Unleashed By Civil Rights Act Discussion (Audio)

Evan McMorris-Santoro | May 20, 2010, 12:03PM

KY Sen. candidate Rand Paul (R)

Swapping the Rachel Maddow Show set for perhaps more accepting digs this morning, Rand Paul told listeners of the Laura Ingraham radio show that the controversy surrounding his criticism of parts of the 1964 Civil Rights Act is political theater dreamed up by the "loony left."

Ben Smith tuned in to Ingraham's right wing radio show and reports on the host's interview with Paul:

"I've never really favored any change in the Civil Rights Act," Paul said, according to Smth. "They seem to have unleashed some of the loony left on me."

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KY-SEN

What Did Rand Paul Really Say On Maddow Last Night?

Evan McMorris-Santoro | May 20, 2010, 11:25AM

KY-SEN candidate Rand Paul on the Rachel Maddow show

It didn't take long for Kentucky Republican Rand Paul to stumble into trouble. Steeped in libertarianism and partly in the conservative anti-establishment tea party movement, his views -- particularly those on the Civil Rights Act -- have been the subject of much scrutiny and debate since he won the GOP Senate nomination Tuesday night. Last night, Paul's views burst into the national debate after an interview Paul gave to Rachel Maddow set the Internet alight.

In a nutshell, here's what he said:

"Well, there's 10 -- there's 10 different -- there's 10 different titles, you know, to the Civil Rights Act, and nine out of 10 deal with public institutions and I'm absolutely in favor of," he told Maddow deep in their 15-minute interview. "One deals with private institutions, and had I been around, I would have tried to modify that."

Got that? Rand Paul agrees with most of the Civil Rights Act, but not the part that deals with private businesses. And he won't say whether or not that one part of the bill would have been a deal-breaker if he had been in Congress when the bill was up for a vote.

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J.D. Hayworth

Maddow Grills Hayworth On Man-And-Horse Marriage Comments (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | March 16, 2010, 10:35AM

Rep. J.D. Hayworth (R-AZ)

Rachel Maddow last night challenged former Rep. J.D. Hayworth (R-AZ), who is running against Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) in the Republican primary, on his assertion that the Massachusetts Supreme Court defined marriage as an "establishment of intimacy" that could lead to man-and-horse marriage -- when the phrase "establishment of intimacy" isn't in the decision itself.

"Where in Massachusetts law or in the Supreme Court ruling does it say, 'the establishment of intimacy?'" Maddow asked. "I read, spent the whole afternoon sort of looking for that, and couldn't find it anywhere."

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Tea Party Nation

Tea Party Nation: Liberals Have Attacked And Are Uploading Porn To Our Site

Christina Bellantoni | January 11, 2010, 9:01AM

A Tea Party protester in Washington.

It was a rough week for Tea Party Nation.

The group first accused MSNBC's Rachel Maddow of joining as a sort of liberal spy, and after TPMDC's coverage of the issue (and Maddow denial) the site seems to have gotten a flood of liberals engaged in apparently suspicious activity.

Organizers with Tea Party Nation, planning a convention in Nashville next month starring Sarah Palin, sent out an email blast late Friday detailing what they have seen, and noted they will "correct these problems."

"They have joined en masse, coming on the site to offend, disrupt and interfere as much as they can," organizers wrote. "They have uploaded inappropriate content, sent us obscene messages and even uploaded pornographic images."

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Tea Party

Maddow Says 'Liberal Troll' Wasn't Her

Christina Bellantoni | January 7, 2010, 12:20PM

Rachel Maddow

We asked MSNBC's Rachel Maddow for a response to the Tea Party Nation banning her from their site, and she suggests the idea is so ridiculous they made it up as a publicity stunt.

"I used to be an activist, too, so I understand the strategy of using the name of a well-known person to try to get publicity," Maddow told TPMDC in an email.

"Of course, this idea of me trying to join their listserv is completely made up, but still -- I'm flattered the Tea Party folks think I'm well known enough to help their cause," Maddow wrote. "I wish them all best luck with their conference."

Tea Party Nation Convention

Tea Party Email Warns Members: Beware Liberal Trolls Like Rachel Maddow

Christina Bellantoni | January 7, 2010, 10:37AM

Tea partiers beware: "You can and will be banned for being a liberal."

Organizers behind the upcoming Tea Party Nation convention we wrote about this morning told members today that MSNBC's Rachel Maddow tried to join the group and "we banned her 7 minutes after she joined."

TPMDC, which also has signed up for the TPN mailing list, received an email to all members warning them that as the convention nears "we will in all likelihood be invaded by liberal trolls looking to disrupt the site." The subject line was "Liberal Troll Alert!"

"Tea Party Nation reserves the right to ban anyone for any reason we feel necessary to ensure the well being of the site and our members," the group writes in the email, which you can read in full after the jump and view here.

Late Update: Maddow responds.

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