Year to year MSNBC sees smallest decreases of any network in total viewers

Interesting. My guess would be that MSNBC has more loyal viewers.

MSNBC saw the smallest decreases of any network in total viewers. Year-to-year, MSNBC is down -6% in total viewers for both total day and primetime.

MSNBC was #3 in total day/demo viewers behind FNC and HLN. The channel was also #3 in total day/total viewers behind FNC and CNN. MSNBC topped CNN each hour between 6pm-12amET.

"Morning Joe" was the second most watched morning program in total viewers, but struggled in the demo averaging 115K, the fewest of the four.

(snip)

"The Ed Show" was one of the few cable news programs to grow in both total viewers (+25%) and demo viewers (+4%) year-to-year and was the number two program in its time slot. Also, the 5pmET "Hardball" topped "The Situation Room" for the first time in total viewers.

Both "Countdown" and "The Rachel Maddow Show" were down in the demo year-to-year, but Maddow's program did grow slightly (+2%) in total viewers. For the first time since 2000, MSNBC, which airs a replay of "Countdown," topped CNN at 10pmET in total viewers. MSNBC was also #2 in total viewers at 11pmET, which hasn't happened since Maddow's show premiered in 2008.

Though Olbermann's program saw year-to-year decreases (-13% total viewers/-30% demo), 8pmET "Countdown" moved back into the cable news top 10, finishing 10th among cable news programs in total viewers. "Maddow" was #11.

VIDEO- Ed Schultz is fired up: "I think Palin is flat out stupid."

By GottaLaff

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Earlier I liveblogged Ed's hard core, very welcome, heartfelt rant. Now you can see it for yourself.

Ed Schultz is fired up: "Fox fueled all of this stupidity!"

By GottaLaff

Ed Schultz went on a hard core rant just now, and I liveblogged; paraphrased some:

People on Potomac River are embarrassing Caucasians in this country. We have people of color advancing in America, we should be proud of this. They're a bunch of phonies. Obama has done nothing to take anyone's guns away!

Why didn't they do this in the last eight years? Why now? What has Barack Obama done? What have the liberals done?

Wall St: Where do the Tea Bag nut jobs stand on R's being responsible for it?

Fox fueled all of this stupidity.

[Shows clips of Palin, Bachmann, Beck, Hannity... others...]

6 idiots you can always count on.

[Plays clip of Clinton opining on Oklahoma City parallels]

That got the Drugster's attention today. [Plays Boss Limpdong clip].

Rush, there's no such thing as gov't. run media. They all want you to believe that gov't. is the problem. Let me give you something real easy to understand: Obama has an F rating, meaning suck, bad, from Brady campaign against gun violence.

Obama does NOT want your gun. He hasn't proposed a single thing that would infringe on 2nd amendment rights.

If we face another anti-gov't. attack, we could spiral out of control re: civil unrest. Media must focus on this. [Laffy Note: Thank you!] I do.

They're playing with the emotions of Americans out there who are easily misguided. ... who just live by a little bit of information...the 'two word culture.' We read less, don't have all the facts.

O'Reilly couldn't let his ego get out of the way, his own people called him on it, but he didn't back down. What does that tell you about responsibility in commentary?

We don't get the facts.

I think Palin is flat out stupid. Bachmann irresponsible. I feel good that I was angry, because I'm calling them out on it. I'm a lefty. I hunt and fish more than any of 'em. ...

Why is it that some people have a hard time with what's really happening out there? What's happening is that we are fed lies every day. There's a difference between debate and lies. O'Reilly lied.

Tea Partiers are misguided, mostly racist, afraid, clinging to their guns/religion, and in many respects are what's wrong with America, and sometimes we the media are what's wrong with America... because we COVER the Tea Party. That's a huge story? It's outta whack.

Whew!

Someone had to say it. Ed finally did.

VIDEO- The Ed Show, Heidi Harris: ""Who threatens, Ed? Nobody. Oh, stop. Nobody does that!"

By GottaLaff

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Heidi Harris, a radio host, made the Twitterverse's collective head explode, mine included. Wow, just take a breath, Heidi:

"Our Tea Party last week in Searchlight, as you know, had about 20,000 people despite what they try to tell you, they try to make the number low..."

"Who threatens, Ed? Nobody. Oh, stop. Nobody does that... The only people who ... did anything wrong were Harry Reid supporters..."

VIDEO: Ed Schultz: "Tell me a Democrat who's thrown a brick through a window"

By GottaLaff

I tweeted Ed a thank you for this earlier:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Ed had no patience for Heritage Foundation Guy's being evasive and in denial:

"You are the problem, Ernest.... It's not happening on both sides... This is how the righties operate. They can't even give good commentary without attacking."

BREAKING: Senate stand-off with Senator Bunning is over

By GottaLaff

MSNBC (The Ed Show) is reporting that the stand off is over. Bunning agreed to allow a vote on one amendment that would pay for the $10 billion cost of the package, he won't object. He'll have a chance to have 2 amendments on the larger package.

Roll Call has more:

In the end Bunning agreed to a deal allowing him one vote on an amendment to pay for the bill’s $10 billion cost. That proposal was offered by Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) last Thursday at the start of his filibuster, but Bunning rejected it because he feared his amendment would not pass.

Reid has also agreed to give Bunning two votes on amendments to a larger, one-year extension bill that is currently under consideration in the Senate.

Bunning has put a hold on all of President Obama's nominees. Senate Democrats were threatening to hold an all night session, "forcing Bunning into an actual filibuster by repeatedly offering up unanimous consent agreements to bring the bill to a vote."

AUDIO: The Ed Schultz Radio Show with Lizz Winstead & Laffy

By GottaLaff

Can you tell this means a lot to me?

Seriously, what a blast, and what an honor. Lizz Winstead is so gracious, such a generous, sweet, funny pal, she nearly... nearly... made me get over my nervousness.

Okay, no she didn't, but she made it a whole lot easier.

I hope you like it:

PhotOh! Shameless Ed Schultz fangirl post

By GottaLaff

I am unapologetically gaga over this. Ed also tweeted something similar just now on Twitter, and I am flattered beyond belief:

(click on image to enlarge)

What an honor.

And Lizz Winstead could not have been a more generous, hilarious host. I love today.

Go ahead, tease me. I don't care.

Laffy will be on Ed Schultz radio show within the hour

By GottaLaff

FYI, I will be a guest on the Ed Schultz show at 11:15 or 11:30ish Pacific today, live stream here.

Lizz Winstead is the guest host and invited me on.

That is all.

VIDEO: Ed Schultz Tells Robert Gibbs He’s ‘Full Of Sh*t’ And ‘You’re Losing Your Base’

By GottaLaff

Last night I was on Twitter (am I ever not on Twitter?) and noticed The Uptake's tweets on their live coverage of Minnesota progressive talk radio AM950’s Blue State Bash at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

I toddled over to their feed and saw Ed Schultz speaking very freely-- and frankly-- about a lot of things.

That's how it should be. We need to be able to speak our minds. And whether I agree with Ed or not, I appreciate his bluntness and passion. (Speaking of which, you can do that too, here on TPC)

For example:

Schultz also noted that April 7 will be his first anniversary of his TV show, a date that coincides with Sarah Palin’s scheduled appearance on behalf of Michele Bachmann in Minnesota. Schultz — resides in Minnesota — made this pledge to the audience:

If all of you here will make a commitment to me tonight that if I bring my TV show right across the street from where they’re doing their rally, you’ll all show up. [applause] That a deal? Ok, we’ll do it. [...]

We need to get rid of Michele Bachmann. [applause] Any congressional member who thinks that members of Congress should be investigated for their anti-American views doesn’t understand what voting is all about.

He-e-e-ere's Ed:

Videos- "Spirited" HCR Debate On Morning Joe 12/17/09: David Axelrod, Ed Schultz, Howard Dean

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

VIDEO- Ed Schultz nails Rep. Joe Barton's flawed talking points re: Supermax prison

By GottaLaff

Ed stymied Not Joe Lieberman, and he went all deer in the headlights. Talking points much, Other Joe?

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, explains why many GOP members of Congress oppose the Obama administration’s decision to bring Guantanamo Bay detainees to a detention facility in Illinois.

Note: It's wise to stock up on facts before appearing on national television.

And why again does Texas have a different view of terrorists than the rest of the United States? They haven't even seceded yet.

AUDIO- Dean On Health Care: "Kill The Senate Bill"

By GottaLaff

Dean On Health Care: "Kill The Senate Bill", via Vermont Public Radio:

Former Gov. Howard Dean says the Senate health care bill should be killed if it doesn't expand Medicare.

Dean says the time has come for Senate Democratic leaders to kill the current health care reform bill because it's no longer worth supporting.

Dean is upset that the Democrats appear willing to weaken a public option provision in the bill in order to secure the vote of Independent Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman.

If this were the old west, I have a feeling Traitor Joe would have a posse chasing him across the plains, guns a-blazin'.

Ed Schultz disagrees with Howard Dean, by the way. He's saying as much on his show on MSNBC as we speak. He's livid at Lieberman, but doesn't think the bill should be tossed.

Sherrod Brown is saying that he's talked to Lieberman again, "made another plea" and will continue to try.

Video- The Ed Show: Senator Boxer talks health care reform

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

I don't know what to think about this other than it's reminiscent of GWB and his "hard work" mantra. Bubble living at it's finest.

VIDEO: Barney Frank and Ed Schultz clash

By GottaLaff

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Ed and Barney Frank really got into it. It was a little surprising, until I realized who I was watching and what strong personalities both of these men have.

Ed Schultz responds to Harry Reid's public OPTion announcement

By GottaLaff

Ed Schultz is talking to David Suster on MSNBC about Harry Reid's press conference. Here are my award-winning, patented, internationally acclaimed quick notes. Paraphrased some:

Ed Schultz:

All politics local. It forces Republicans to go home in 2014 and tell their constituents they don't want health care. Great move. Change we can believe in. We're not there yet, but we're close. It's a win for Dems and for Harry Reid, because Reid is showing leadership by not letting Republicans get in the way. He's throwing it to the people on a local level to decide what they want. They've got til 2014 to get out of this thing.

Like it or not, the Dems will change the system.

No Snowe vote? It's a victory for the Obama White House no matter how you look at it. He didn't force, get too pushy. He didn't draw a line in the sand (although we've been calling for him to do that). Nancy Pelosi has been strong.

4 of 5 bills, Houses combined, have a public option. So opt out was the fair thing to do, per Reid.

CBO score will be important. The federal money will have to get to the states, not a No Child Left Behind.

The progressive movement spoke up, went after Blue Dogs, pressured Reid. Had he not done this, I'd say he'd lose next year.

A shocked Ed Schultz: Howard Dean supports opt-out compromise for states

By GottaLaff

What? Howard Dean supports the states' opt-out compromise to a strong public option? That's what Ed Schultz just said, and so I looked it up, since I had trouble believing what I'd just heard. He was right:

There's been a lot of talk today about the opt-out public option compromise we talked about earlier. In a nutshell, the health care reform bill would include a national public option, but states that didn't want to participate could affirmatively choose not to.

Howard Dean obviously won't get a vote on this, but his voice is clearly influential in the process and among reform advocates. He told the Huffington Post today that he'd still prefer a genuine, robust, national public option that's available from day one, but Dean conceded that this compromise is palatable.

"If I were a member of the U.S Senate I wouldn't vote for the [Senate Finance Committee] bill but I would vote for this," Dean said, "not because it is necessarily the right thing to do but because it gets us to a better conversation about what we need to do." [...]

[I]n a wholly political context, he acknowledged, adding the opt-out option to the bill might be the best and only way to get something through the Senate.

"I would like to see that come out of the Senate because it is a real public plan," he said of the opt-out compromise. "Then they can negotiate it [with the House] in conference committee... And if this passes I won't say it is not reform because it is reform.... If this is what it takes to get 60 votes I say go for it."

Noting Dean's leadership on the left on health care reform, Sam Stein added that Dean's support "for an opt-out provision -- however qualified -- is sure to have ripple effects on Capitol Hill."

On a related note, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) told MSNBC this morning that the opt-out measure is being "very seriously considered" by Senate Dems, and he's "very optimistic" that there will be "some kind of public option in the bill the president signs." [...]

It seems unfair to punish consumers in deep "red" states, just because they're governed by far-right conservatives.

However:

It's even easier to imagine some states opting out, and then opting back in when they see other states benefiting from the public-private competition.

On The Ed Show just now, John Nichols of The Nation just called the opt-out a "nightmare". He says you end up creating a race to the bottom, not to the top.

The Ed Schultz Show listens

By GottaLaff

It's good to know that some in the media are listening:

David Shuster and Ed Schultz are very active on Twitter, but not in the usual narcissistic, "I'm a celebrity" way. They listen, they read, and sometimes even retweet what their viewers tweet. It's nice to know they're paying attention.

And when they do retweet, thousands of people also pay attention.

The post referenced in the tweet is here.

VIDEO- Tancredo: ‘Sonia May-eer’ appointment could mean Obama is racist

By GottaLaff

At the end of the segment last night, Tancredo claimed that Schultz could be accused of hate speech for his attacks on Beck and that he would be “affronted” by the mere suggestion that he might have a “deep-seeded hatred for the Latino community.”

As I've said previously, Tancredo's mouth opens, racism falls out.

Ed Schultz on Cheney investigation: "Go for the jugular"

By GottaLaff

On MSNBC just now, Ed Schultz was discussing the CIA/Cheney investigation. He is pushing hard for it, saying:

"Go for the jugular."

He went on to say that "the Lefties want this done, and there will be political fallout if it isn't." He sees this as a defining moment.

And he concluded with (some paraphrasing):

"We can't ignore the past. The American people want this to go forward. The Democrats will pay a political price if they don't investigate."

Then there's that whole justice thing....