Media

Mad Maddow: GOP Candidate Tangles With MSNBC Host in Wild Interview

The segment started promising. MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow began her interview with Oregon Congressional candidate Art Robinson (R) by telling the audience she was “delighted” to have him on the show. But delighted was soon replaced by words such as “criminals,“ ”communists,“ and ”concerned.”

Maddow was trying to to accuse Robinson of receiving a de facto $150,000 campaign contribution because a third party group produced an independent ad apparently costing that much. The ad targeted Robinson’s challenger: 12-term Democrat Rep. Pete DeFazio.

“Isn’t this essentially an in-kind donation of that size?” Maddow asked. Robinson was overtly evasive in his response, deciding instead to drive home his talking points.

That wouldn’t do for Maddow: “Does the fact that the donations [to the independent group] are anonymous bother you at all, just as an American? If you get elected in part because of this spending and you find out that its from criminals, or foreign interests, or communists or something, wouldn’t that bother you?”

Robinson refuses to answer the question directly, and instead accuses Maddow of trying to “smear” him. The interview degenerates from there, and includes Maddow yelling, laughing, and throwing her hands in the air:

The full 18-minute interview can be seen below:

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Comments (447)

1 2 3 ... 14
  • WBOPP
    Posted on October 8, 2010 at 8:10am

    I’m from Indiana but im sending Art some money. He IS a Jedi master. I love the part on Global warming ” I am a scientist , its not a belief its science “

    Report Post »  
    • Hoka
      Posted on October 8, 2010 at 9:02am

      I’m in CO and Mr Robinson certainly earned a contribution from me too.. [clap] loved how he handled the interviewer!

      Report Post » Hoka  
    • missy123
      Posted on October 8, 2010 at 10:34am

      OOPS! I forgot!
      Liberals don’t know anything about science!
      They just like to “talk over” anything scientific!

      Report Post »  
  • adifftake
    Posted on October 8, 2010 at 8:09am

    That goes to prove two things. Two can play the game, and anyone who agrees with Fabian socialism can have thier own show.

    Report Post »  
  • claymoremacm
    Posted on October 8, 2010 at 8:09am

    Rachel who?

    Report Post » claymoremacm  
  • matinva
    Posted on October 8, 2010 at 8:08am

    I‘m going to donate money to Mr Robinson even though I don’t live in his district. I wish more candidates would put these liberal losers in their place. Way to go, Art!!

    Report Post » matinva  
  • ChazzArtist
    Posted on October 8, 2010 at 8:08am

    Good for you, Art… keep up the good fight from the elitist “Partisan Media Complex.”

    Report Post » ChazzArtist  
  • Jake Wilde
    Posted on October 8, 2010 at 8:08am

    Best interview she has ever done. Or well the best I’ve seen. Kudos to Mr. Robinson for making her look like the zealot moron that she is.

    Report Post »  
  • UprootedYankee
    Posted on October 8, 2010 at 8:08am

    I love this guy!

    Report Post »  
  • Coralchristie
    Posted on October 8, 2010 at 8:07am

    This was pretty funny. She couldn‘t address her own lack of curiousity about where his opponent’s money came from and certainly wasn’t ready to treat him intelligently. The next lead in to the global warming question, he anticipated, and she didn’t like that either. Guess having her “greater” intelligence challenged wasn’t something that she could handle.

    Report Post »  
  • Fighting4America
    Posted on October 8, 2010 at 8:04am

    Art Robinson rocked in this smear campaign from Maddow. This guys was quick and ready for all of her tactics. LOVE it. Gonna donate right now to his campaign for out witting Ms. Maddow!!!
    Art 1
    Maddow 0

    Report Post » Fighting4America  
    • 52tucker
      Posted on October 8, 2010 at 5:41pm

      He didn’t outwit her, he out yelled her.

      Report Post »  
    • Axl187
      Posted on October 9, 2010 at 3:03pm

      @52tucker,”He didn’t outwit her, he out yelled her.”…..lol,are you kidding me?He wasn’t any louder than she.She just wasn’t prepared for someone who had obviouslywatched her show a few times to get a feel for her tactics.It’s called research.It’s what we should expect from a scientist.

      Report Post » Axl187  
  • Browncoat359
    Posted on October 8, 2010 at 8:03am

    Dear Art Robinson,you ROCK! Mr.Robinson fully trumped this ridiculous empty headed buffoon. Assuming thta Maddow’s concerns regarding the anonymous donors(who I’m sure she would not worry herself over were they anaonymously donating to a Democratic candidate)are the least bit sincere or legitimate then she ought to ‘strap on’ her journalists hat and go look into the matter herself. If she has then there must not be much to report since in the span of 5 minutes she never revealed anything about them.
    Same MSNBCrap,different day.

    Report Post » Browncoat359  
  • JRAGWEED
    Posted on October 8, 2010 at 8:02am

    Rachel’s attempt to do a hatchet job on Art Robinson failed. Right out of the DNC playbook. Art tuned her into a raving lunatic. fantistic job, I’d vote for Art anyday.

    Report Post »  
  • Star Spankled
    Posted on October 8, 2010 at 8:01am

    Maddcow met her match !!

    Report Post » Star Spangled  
  • PA_BOB
    Posted on October 8, 2010 at 7:57am

    NICE JOB ART!!!! Way to show Madcow for what she is–an irrational, unhinged, rabid progressive who, when she doesn’t get her own way, acts like a 3-yr old.

    No wonder no one watches this trash.

    Report Post »  
  • lostandfound65
    Posted on October 8, 2010 at 7:56am

    How can someone who supports communist policies worry about money that comes from communists? Her line of question is idiotic. They never question their own kind this way…or terrorists for that matter.

    Report Post »  
  • BurntHills
    Posted on October 8, 2010 at 7:56am

    we just read on another story, someone suggested we just start laughing at the dems, publicly LAUGHING at them… Mr Robinson’s gentle smile thru-out may have been more what unhinged her!!

    Report Post » BurntHills  
  • LadyIzShy
    Posted on October 8, 2010 at 7:56am

    does George S tell us when he gives money through his groups that has been funneled to appear clean? they all do this sadly it is politics as ussual

    VOTE and DEMAND term limits

    Report Post » LadyIzShy  
  • dcart888
    Posted on October 8, 2010 at 7:55am

    Will Maddow grill Democrats for accepting Soros $$$ NO

    Report Post » dcart888  
    • manny
      Posted on October 8, 2010 at 1:41pm

      will glenn beck or any repub talk about koch noo

      Report Post »  
  • GMoney
    Posted on October 8, 2010 at 7:55am

    Honestly, does anyone take this thick-necked, deep-voiced “woman” seriously?

    GMoney  
  • grandmaof5
    Posted on October 8, 2010 at 7:55am

    A raving lunatic? They just don’t get it, or even try to, and then can‘t handle it when the guest doesn’t bite.

    Report Post »  
  • Patriot Z
    Posted on October 8, 2010 at 7:54am

    hmmm pains me to say it, but maddow was right. look when asked a question.ANSWER IT. directly dont they understand it this kind of side stepping dance that is driving us to near civil war? Lib progressive are looking for ANY reason to smear, and ridicule us. They have more money and way more resouces devoted to doing this. We need to be extreamly careful. We have the right message, we have the facts. but remember humans are not ‘fact based machines’ they are animals skittish, paniky and as far as the electorate goes..pissed off and sick of the games. it dosent take much for a major lead to be stopped. ask meg whitman

    Report Post » Patriot Z  
    • Fighting4America
      Posted on October 8, 2010 at 8:16am

      I think the best response is: Your a reporter, why don’t you investigate for me. I’m busy running a campaign against a socialist. Can you help me our Ms. Reporter!!! I think the people will still respect him for his answer simply because her agenda was so clear.

      Report Post » Fighting4America  
    • Rock Knutne ND
      Posted on October 8, 2010 at 8:21am

      @Patriot Z.

      I respectfully disagree with your stance on this topic.
      This is EXACTLY how all the Conservative candidates should respond. Art Robinson is a scientist and well spoken. He was ready for everything she threw at him and then some. It was a sneaky sideways attack interview and he busted her when he said “you preceded that question with a pejorative statement”. That‘s how it’s done conservatives! This interview should be sent out to any conservative running for office. It’s a masterpiece.

      I‘m going to this guy’s website and donate right now as well.

      Report Post » Rock Knutne ND  
    • WestOfThePecos
      Posted on October 8, 2010 at 8:29am

      hmmmmmmmm… I think he did answer the questions even before they were asked. How predictable are these far left news reporters.

      Report Post » WestOfThePecos  
    • Madison2012
      Posted on October 8, 2010 at 8:39am

      No Maddow is not right. People have a right to free speech and can buy any commercial time they want and it doesn’t matter where the money comes from. The point is the man doesn’t have to even answer that question as it should be understood that this group used their free speech rights. He has nothing to do with them. If he “I approve this message” on the commercial then she would be right. This is nothing more than a trick to make him look bad. He did the right thing by talking about his personal fund raising, his opponents funds and his issues with the limited free air time he got in front of the 10 person liberal crowd that watch Maddow.

      Report Post » Madison2012  
    • Thomas Payne
      Posted on October 8, 2010 at 8:43am

      I wonder if she “investigated” the campaign contributions Obama received with such…..diligence? NOT!

      Report Post » Thomas Payne  
    • Max jones
      Posted on October 8, 2010 at 8:43am

      Look, these progs are sincerely trying to save their own lives. Collectively, they have all bought in to the lies being used to allow the institution of the New world order. Not having the Scriptures to bolster themselves, they are very fearful and will do anything. Maddow is no different. The main difference between the progs and conservatives is the trust in government…they do, we don’t.
      Because they do not have ‘life after death’ and redemption through Christ, they must do the things they are doing, and they are obligated to believe that they are right and we are wrong! Pity the poor deluded souls. Pray for them: most are condemned to worship the beast. This won’t be pretty for them. The supremacy of the TRUTH will catch them unawares.
      The liberal agenda calls out to all devolved and degenerate people, and there is a LOT of them.
      If they get in trouble politically, be on the lookout for violence. Remember, they think they are fighting for their lives, WE are, too!! Their Eternal life . Pray that we can salvage some of them, as onerous as they are. Each is God’s child, and He loves each one. Don’t count on many volunteers from the left, though. They are almost totally propagandized.

      Report Post » Max jones  
    • Beckofile
      Posted on October 8, 2010 at 8:44am

      Google a map of election results in the red and blue colors. This will show you that the country is majority red and the elites in the cities who run the media are misleading everyone. Here is a link to your red country. Do not trust what comes from the urban elitist.
      http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/interactives/campaign08/election/uscounties.html

      Report Post » Beckofile  
    • Rowgue
      Posted on October 8, 2010 at 11:28am

      Normally I would agree that a politician needs to answer a question when asked and stop spinning and spewing unrelated rhetoric in respose. But in this case Maddow asked a completely idiotic question and was clearly out from the get go to smear the guy. This wasn’t a serious interview it was a sad failed attempt at a hit piece.

      Report Post »  
    • heavyduty
      Posted on October 8, 2010 at 2:12pm

      Well if you think that the candidates ought to answer the questions that have nothing to do with the campaign. What about all the Democrats that won’t answer the questions about their campaigns. If you ask them a simple question about how they voted on some bills in their state. They will talk about anything but that question. No this man was right in not answering those questions that had nothing to do with his campaign. Especially ones that have to do with 15 years ago. I guess women are the only ones allowed to change their minds. I applaud this guy for not giving in to her questions. Then when he did start to answer one of the questions. She wouldn’t shut up long enough for him to give an answer. He was right in all she wanted to do was smear him for the contribution that he probably didn’t know about until after it was aired. DON’T LOOK A GIFT HORSE IN THE MOUTH.

      Report Post »  
    • A_SOWER
      Posted on October 8, 2010 at 2:53pm

      I believe he responded well, the questions she asked were based on skewed views, she asked if he still believed that AIDS was a vast government conspiracy, which she ‘quoted’ from his newsletter, but if you actually listen to or read the ‘quote’ he says that the way that the AIDS infections were reported was a political tactic to keep the issue relevant. So, she indeed presented a false premise or lie….No reason to answer to lies that you did not tell.

      Wish he would’ve called her on the time delay point, if she’s experienced with the time delay, then she should in no way be firing statements while he’s still talking….

      Report Post » A_SOWER  
    • 52tucker
      Posted on October 8, 2010 at 5:40pm

      You’re right. Answering the questions could have gotten this interview in his corner. Instead he came off looking overly defensive, aggressive and evasive.
      Smear or not, face it and shoot it down with real answers.

      Report Post »  
    • AZfreeman
      Posted on October 8, 2010 at 6:16pm

      To say “maddow was right..” is crazy, and shows a complete lack of understand of how this game is played…(either that, or you are a double agent from the dark side). We have to understand the difference between answering a legitimate question from a true journalist and being attacked by a political hack who only wants to smear and promote their agenda or ideology. Going back through thousands of documents to find that particular “GotCha” question is NOT journalism and should not be treated as such. If you want a proper answer, ask a proper question – period! Additionally, trying to control the interview based only on those ‘hit questions’ to discredit your guest is totally reprehensible. More and more this is what the Liberal/Progressive hacks do. This interview was a classic and Art Robinson gave us all an excellent tutorial on how to destroy this kind of reporter, and certainly earned a donation for his campaign from each of us. Do it now! ..rf

      Report Post » AZfreeman  
    • Axl187
      Posted on October 9, 2010 at 2:03pm

      He actualy did answer prettty much every question the minute she asked it.He said the radiation issue was alot more complex than 30 sec would allow but she acts as if she isn’t aware of the fact that we use radiation in hospitals every day to treat illness.When she asked about the HIV article he said that it was one of many that he had written about different theories.As for the schools,many people think it’s time for a change to public schools.You realy should pay attention to the classic Maddow/Olberman style she put on the global warming question.He said himself with thousands of other scientists,far more tham there are at the UN.She cut her remix down to omit the mention of any other scientists other than himself.

      Report Post » Axl187  
  • CyberBoy
    Posted on October 8, 2010 at 7:54am

    I like him. Great candidate!

    Report Post » CyberBoy  
  • hoodm85
    Posted on October 8, 2010 at 7:53am

    Maddow just gets totally owned by Art Robinson, it’s awesome!!! The left is coming unhinged, the party is over.

    Report Post »  
  • wingedwolf
    Posted on October 8, 2010 at 7:52am

    It’s about time GOP people grew some stones and started standing up to these @s643ls!!! This is delicious. I enjoyed every second.

    Report Post » wingedwolf  
  • BurntHills
    Posted on October 8, 2010 at 7:52am

    is she Jon Stewart (Leibowitz) or Steve Colbert’s SISTER?? she LOOKS like them. holds her head like them when she feels snidely, etc. is she a she?

    BurntHills  
    • Areyoukiddingme
      Posted on October 8, 2010 at 8:28am

      Oh wow this is a female… My bad in the earlier post.

      Areyoukiddingme  
    • dantom
      Posted on October 8, 2010 at 8:37am

      No she is their brother.

       
    • Beckofile
      Posted on October 8, 2010 at 8:37am

      It’s Ralph Machio or Pat from the old SNL.

      Beckofile  
    • cruisemates
      Posted on October 8, 2010 at 11:23am

      Rachel Maddow used to be effective, but she has lost her touch. I watched her last night for awhile disparage Chrisitine O’Donnel. She spent 10 minutes acting like Christine was crazy because she said she had seen ads for Hillary running for President. She wanted us to believe that COD had said that about this election cycle when Christine never said that. She mocked, she called her “fruity loopy” she mugged at camera – meanwhile Christine was getting great air time and looked perfectly credible every time she spoke.

      I figured it out. IF YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT POLITICS then you might be stupid enough to fall for Rachel Maddow this election cycle – but in terms of offering convincing arguments to thinking people she has become a joke.

      The under-estimation of the American voter worked fantastically in 2008, when most people who voted weren’t really paying attention, but this is a new age. There has never been such an involved electorate. We now care about what all our congresspeople do, and we have the Internet.

      At last – we will have true accountability in government, (and not the kind Obama promised) because we have seen how people in government will lie – but we can keep them honest here.

      Report Post » cruisemates  
    • N37BU6
      Posted on October 8, 2010 at 3:18pm

      It’s been noted before:

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRI5MYm6UNw

      Report Post » N37BU6  
    • leanright
      Posted on October 8, 2010 at 4:04pm

      Slamming her sexual preferences makes you no better than her and the way she’s “reporting” these days. It‘s 2010 can’t we just leave that alone?

      Having said that she used to be effective and worth listening to for the other sides perspective. She’s desperate for the “gotta moment” or smear tactics instead of being creative or showing leadership by debating the Dems points. It’s more like a confession the Dems have been wrong and there is no defense. I hope this crushes Fozzi and I became the 3501 legal person to send a little money his way for the campaign.

      Report Post »  
    • neubienose
      Posted on October 8, 2010 at 4:11pm

      cruisemates …didnt even google it….http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/senate-races/123293-christine-odonnell-warns-obama-ive-seen-many-hillary-for-president-ads-running

      sheeple, the polictian didnt answer questions again.

      Report Post » neubienose  
    • N37BU6
      Posted on October 8, 2010 at 6:56pm

      I don’t mock her because she looks like a man… I mock her because she’s (poorly) ripping off Jon Stewart’s schtick.

      The way she speaks, the overly-dramatic, sarcastic pauses, sideways eye movements, and little head flicks… she’s ripping him off completely.

      Report Post » N37BU6  
    • uhadenoughyet.com
      Posted on October 10, 2010 at 3:24am

      I dont know but that Maddow dude got owned by the old guy!

      Report Post » uhadenoughyet.com  
  • BurntHills
    Posted on October 8, 2010 at 7:48am

    she was out to smear him, totally.

    BurntHills  
    • Awakened One
      Posted on October 8, 2010 at 8:09am

      Same O same O on MSNBC. Why is this kind of ad unusual? Both parties have been receiving this type of ad for years. Any chance she asks a Dem this same question, in the same tone? Nah.

       
    • SnapTie
      Posted on October 8, 2010 at 8:09am

      Mr. Maddow smears any Republican.

      SnapTie  
    • Areyoukiddingme
      Posted on October 8, 2010 at 8:11am

      HA! Art Robinson destroys this reporter Guy. You can tell he is fully confidant with everything he replies back to this little weasel.

      Let‘s talk about where Obama’s funding came from shall we?

      Report Post » Areyoukiddingme  
    • Steve
      Posted on October 8, 2010 at 8:15am

      Epic FAIL! :D

      Report Post » Steve Smith  
    • Beckofile
      Posted on October 8, 2010 at 8:23am

      Why does Ralphie Machio ask about how the democratic governors association along with other elite democratic donors in Colorado sunk 500,000 dollars into anonomous ads against a GOP candidate and in turn helping the weakest of them get elected in the primary. Now we in Colorado are stuck with a failing GOP candidate screwing up a three way election which will result in a socialist party win. I am sick of the double standard. We need to start funding these anonomous factions if that is how the game is played. Fight fire with fire.

      Report Post » Beckofile  
    • Max jones
      Posted on October 8, 2010 at 8:23am

      hooray for the candidate….we should all be this confident.

      Report Post » Max jones  
    • beekeeper
      Posted on October 8, 2010 at 8:51am

      Wow, “Maddow was trying to to accuse Robinson of receiving a de facto $150,000 campaign contribution because a third party group produced an independent ad apparently costing that much.”

      There’s a crucial element Maddow is choosing to ignore – a donation to the campaign is something the candidate’s campaign controls, independent “third-party group(s)” are outside the control of the candidate’s campaign.

      Using Maddow’s newly-discovered logic, are democratic candidates getting “in-kind” donations when Unions run ads against the republican? When a candidate appears with the President at a fundraiser “for the party”?

      If we‘re gonna sit by and say it’s OK for the teachers union to run ads against a politician, why can‘t a collection of people that aren’t in a union do the same thing?

      Can the left explain why two individuals come together and pool their resources they suddenly have less rights than they did individually UNLESS they are part of a labor union? This is their basic argument against the “Citizens United” judgement. Their premise that companies will work against the better interests of their owners (citizens), employees (citizens) or customers (citizens) is remarkable…

      Report Post » beekeeper  
    • ME
      Posted on October 8, 2010 at 8:57am

      Troll reporter, I think sums it up. If you think she was an unbiased person just asking questions then you really need help. I truly hope that is the last time I ever seen that poor excuse for a human much less a reporter.

      Report Post » ME  
    • Dustyluv
      Posted on October 8, 2010 at 9:01am

      It was an all out hit job, I saw a good man fight off a MADCOW!

      Report Post »  
    • klevalt
      Posted on October 8, 2010 at 9:05am

      $150K on an election???? WHY is that an issue when MILLIONS are donated every day to promote other candidacies all over! Maddow is an idiot, and she tried to browbeat someone that she underestimated by far!

      Report Post » klevalt  
    • Tigger House
      Posted on October 8, 2010 at 9:10am

      I love this guy, never loses focus.

      Report Post »  
    • ohio30us
      Posted on October 8, 2010 at 9:26am

      typical Dem/Lib can‘t beat’em smear’em

      Report Post »  
    • Marcobob69
      Posted on October 8, 2010 at 9:33am

      I’ll bet no other (R) will want to go on that guy’s show!!! Can you say “smear tactics”!!! That is all the lame stream media knows.

       
    • CoFX
      Posted on October 8, 2010 at 9:58am

      check the top video at 3:20…. did I really just hear Maddow refer to her guest as “dude” ? What a condescending moron. How can this woman have one of the most popular shows on MSNBC? Nevermind, I think I just answered my own question.

      Rogue  
    • missy123
      Posted on October 8, 2010 at 10:32am

      Great job at beating her at her own game Mr. Robinson! I wish I lived in Oregon just so I could vote for you!
      Maddow is nothing more than a female Ed Schultz! They try to endlessly batter Republicans when you know a Demo would never receive that kind of treatment!
      The MSM really needs to come up with something better than belittling Conservatives. The only outcome will be the country rooting for the underdog!
      November 2nd is right around the corner and they are trying to pull out all the stops for fear of being the laughing stocks!

      Report Post »  
    • moonpeace
      Posted on October 8, 2010 at 10:33am

      This Maddow woman has been like that as long as I have known her. She is as left as left goes. If you really want to piss her off, say something that puts down her choice of being a lesbian. Did you see her when she was covering the oil spill in LA? She was dressed like a man and looked like a man. Now that is her choice and I wouldn’t judge it, but you would think she would know that many Americans are different and our thinking is different from hers.

      Report Post » moonpeace  
    • pilot2b
      Posted on October 8, 2010 at 11:43am

      I am not a fan of Maddow and think that she would continue down the path she was trying to lead this guy instead of asking him the differences between him and his opponent. But I also think he hurt himself a little in not admitting to writing some things that he no longer believes in. Also, to say someone cannot understand some complex idea that they have……isn’t that the same type of mentality we are trying to unseat in Washington right now?? Just saying……. At the same time, I hope he beats the pants off of Fozzi or whatever the hell his name is!

      Report Post »  
    • Chicago Ray
      Posted on October 8, 2010 at 2:57pm

      Rachel Mad Cow is on the loose again.

      Why is it she’s supposed to matter? I thought so…she doesn’t.

      Report Post » One Man Progressive Wrecking Crew  
    • Breaker 19
      Posted on October 8, 2010 at 3:50pm

      Goes to show you that when two guys fight, it is still the REAL man that wins!

      DIOS BENDIGA AMERICA ... JESUCRISTO ES EL SEÑOR!  
    • ltb
      Posted on October 8, 2010 at 5:48pm

      Rachel is an awful funny name for a guy.

      Report Post » ltb  
    • RCScrolls
      Posted on October 8, 2010 at 9:16pm

      Hey its Ms MADCOW and dont forget it.

      Report Post » RCScrolls  
    • Robert W
      Posted on October 9, 2010 at 12:47am

      Whos maddow?

      Report Post »  
    • Question with BOLDness
      Posted on October 9, 2010 at 5:14pm

      Allright Art!!! Good for you!!

      Report Post » Question with BOLDness  
    • thecommish58
      Posted on October 12, 2010 at 6:35am

      She may be the most incompetent host I have ever seen…this rookie politician tied her in knots and made her look like a member of the 9th grade debate team – and her show in tanking why?? I thought Americans loved seeing someone crash and burn nightly….the make an outlandish accusation formed as a question shtick is growing old – the 360 crowd would be ashamed how you have failed.

      Report Post »  
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