MTV Gives Obama Free Hour of Air Time, Denies He’ll be Political
- Posted on October 13, 2010 at 1:31pm by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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MTV’s parent company Viacom is giving President Obama an hour of free air time for a town hall meeting on Thursday, claiming that the event will not be political. Because of that claim, a spokeswoman says, Viacom will not be extending the same courtesy to any Republicans.
Human Events reports that the TV special, called “A Conversation with President Obama,” will be live and commercial-free on six Viacom networks at 4 p.m. on Thursday, including MTV, BET, and CMT.
According to Viacom spokeswoman Kelly McAndrew, the company is adamant that the event will not be political, and therefore does not require equal time for someone who may think differently than Obama about the country’s issues. That‘s despite the fact November’s mid-term elections are about three weeks away.
“We’re not giving an hour of free time to the president to freely express his views. We’re hosting a town hall with 250 young people to ask questions of the president,” McAndrew told HE.
“This is not a campaign appearance. This is a town hall discussion.”
The White House conceived of the concept and asked for the commercial-free TV time, according to Viacom. However, MTV and BET already had “asks” into the White House to do something with the president.
While McAndrew said that the audience’s questions would not be submitted in advance, she did admit that the the audience members would be pre-screened to ensure “diverse” inquiries.
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Comments (219)
davecoolworld
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 1:56pmObama, Chavez what’s the difference? Seriously. Viacom is part of the “machine” that is degrading society. Obama not politicizing…um, sure.
Report Post »watcherinfl
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 1:55pmGood Point – We should all watch, and if one political word is spoken – hit them with a lawsuit from the people of the United States. Can we do that?
Report Post »DagneyT
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 2:45pmLove that idea! Sadly, I do not receive MTV.
Report Post »M31Sailor
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 3:28pmI just emailed Viacom and told them they woukld hear from my lawyer if one political word comes out of Obummers mouth. It will also be the first time i use a lawyer other than buying my home.
Report Post »Sailor
roberja
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 1:53pmsorry – questioners – I was listening to the rescue of the 18th miner! That is good use of tv time.
Report Post »Griz489
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 1:50pmPeople are not stupid MTV watch your ratings take a nose dive
Report Post »beached
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 2:24pmuh, going from 10 total viewers to 5 total viewers is probably not going to impact MTV much. The surprising news to me was that MTV is still in business.
Report Post »suran
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 1:50pmSo what’s Obama going to talk about. Oh, that’s right. Himself.
Report Post »SnapTie
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 2:13pmHe has to have the questions before hand so they can set up the idiot board. All actors are non union.
Report Post »NoName22
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 4:23pmObama puts the PR in president.
Report Post »roberja
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 1:49pmThis should a program full of dead air! The Republicans should demand equal non-political time! What are they going to do – bleep him when he gets “political”? Lately the White House hasn’t been too good lately at venting their questiobers!
Report Post »Prospero
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 1:49pmI say more power to MTV and Obama. It‘s good when Democrats waste time and money on people who don’t vote.
Report Post »TMACK
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 3:08pmIf I recall correctly…this is a FREE hour of air time so no DNC money is getting spent. All of Obama’s rhetoric and lies will be filling the ears of the young and impressionable college students…all for free, 3 weeks before one of the most important, if not THE most important election to date.
Since this is being touted as a “town hall meeting” I will expect to see many conservative students also posing questions to the the Poser himself. We’ll see.
Report Post »Prospero
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 3:23pmStill, kids don’t vote.
Report Post »TMACK
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 3:50pmTrue, kids don’t vote, but many college students are of age AND having nephews that attended a very liberal college in Indiana, there are many non-eligible students involved in campus politics and guess which way the majority of them sway…
Report Post »PA_BOB
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 1:47pmI demand an investigation into campaign finance ethics. This is an indirect contribution–in the form of viewership and lost advertising revenue–that adds up to millions per channel involved, plain and simple.
Report Post »finalfrontier100
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 2:52pmDemand that investigation? Of the oh-so-fair-and-law-abiding Justice Department? It’s hard to be heard when the government is on the take.
Report Post »LadyLiberty
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 2:56pmI was thinking the same thing, The claim it will not be ‘political’ is not applicable here; this is the President of the United States speaking to a group of people admittedly ‘Town Hall’ style– it is ENTIRELY political.
Obama really seems to be trying to reach out to the ‘young vote’ … first Rolling Stone, now MTV. Two outlets who are about as relevent to Politics as leg warmers are to a mermaid.
Report Post »1776Federalist
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 3:12pmI a sure that Eric Holder will have the DOJ on the case immediately and will prosecute the guilty to the fullest extent of the law! As if that would ever happen! Probably when monkeys fly out of our buttts!
Report Post »Greyhound424
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 1:46pmWhere is my shovel? It’s getting pretty deep here! I don’t watch mtv or black entertainment tv, as I am white and prefer white entertainment tv.
Report Post »walkwithme1966
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 2:10pmAnd which station would that be, Fox? White entertainment TV – give me a break!! http://wp.me/pYLB7-ec
Report Post »M31Sailor
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 2:50pmAnother hard hitting comment from Walk
Sailor
Report Post »justsayin
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 2:53pm1966 Loser. Why is it okay to have Black Entertainment TV, but the thought of having White Entertainment TV is so offensive to you.
Report Post »Ellie
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 1:45pmSure, Sure, and no audience members will bring up any political questions.
Typical Viacom farce.
Report Post »DagneyT
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 2:39pmEllie, you are a “Feeder” aren’t you? LOL Love it! sure sure
Report Post »luvamerica
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 1:45pmThey really must think we are ALL pretty stupid to believe this will not be “political.” It’s beyond insulting to me.
Report Post »Hisemiester
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 1:45pmTo all of you who know people who watch MTV tell them “Don’t”
Report Post »RAISINGCONSERVATIVES
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 1:44pm“Diverse inquiries”?? Yeah…we’ll see…What a joke!!
Report Post »Rob_M
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 1:44pmHas he ever not been political ever?
Report Post »BQI
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 1:43pmAnd these empty heads of mush, as Rush puts it, will soak it up and run back to the beer bash.
Black Conservative Blog: http://www.blackquillandink.com “Obama, The True Believer?”
Report Post »PAINESMAN
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 3:36pmMY GOD!!!!!!! Thank you BQI.
Report Post »If I had not seen this video with my own eyes I would have said you were nuttier than a fruit bat.
My 3 sons will be seeing this video asap. At 11, 19, and 24 years old , my hope is that they will spread the word of this impending end to their future.
WHO NEEDS CONSPIRACY THEORIES WHEN YOU HAVE THIS.
I say we track these people down and subject them to their own compact housing unit. PRISON!!!!!!!
PAINESMAN
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 4:51pmHey BQI, you’re freakin me out.!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »That link was pulled. Tell me its not cause I attempted to post to facebook….pretty scary stuff.
starman70
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 7:49pmPainesman:
You can bet it was pulled because it wasn’t to become common knowledge. It was meant for only the most ardent population control and environmental freaks on the planet.Of course, that is what the UN is comprised of.
Report Post »BrerRabbit
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 1:43pmAnd I have some swamp land!
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 2:56pmOcean front property in Arizona
Report Post »Rev. WC
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 1:43pmYa right! And you believe this guy why?
Report Post »ick
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 1:42pmHey, have a question for you. Does everyone remember all the air time MTV gave to Bush? Man, that was some great outreach.
Perhaps they should stick to shows about pregnant teen Moms.
Report Post »STANDUPANDSPEAK
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 1:42pmHopefully, this does not cancel the new episode of Jersey Shore :)
Report Post »rmsuperglide
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 4:10pmEverything this president does is politicle!
Report Post »NoName22
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 4:21pmFor the Jersey Shore fans:
http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1942081
Report Post »bospopp
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 1:42pmSo let me get this straight….. Some young college kid is going to ask Obama why the economy is still in the dumps, or why unemployment is still high. How is he going to respond? I‘m guessing it’ll BECOME political.
Report Post »Oh, God!
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 1:51pmActually, they had a casting call for actors to be in this town hall forum. That is why the questions don’t have to be given in advance and their prescreening is screening the “actors”. I find it insulting that these people think we are that stupid and gullible. Is there anything that this man won’t do? Hmmmmm, I’m thinking, I’m thinking, I’m thinking…NO!
Report Post »Oh, God!
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 1:58pmHere is the link. It was on Drudge from Monday.
http://casting.backstage.com/JobSeekerx/DrudgeReport.asp
Report Post »KenInIL
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 2:16pmDoes anyone have a login to backstreet so we can see a screenshot of the requirements?
Report Post »sandman7545
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 3:47pm@Oh, God!
Report Post »They are shooting for the dumb college kid demograph and yes they are that stupid… I know I used to be one of those ignorant indoctrinated students…
timeisnow
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 4:36pmO MY God
See if anyone can post this on the The daily beast, Huffington post, they sensor most things like this. Let them know we can see what a set up this is and what fake plants the kids will be… What fools they are that they didnt think we would know whats they were up to.
Report Post »heavyduty
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 8:38pmYes, and you can bet he is not going to get caught with his pants down like he did the last time when that lady told him she was exhausted trying to defend him. You can bet that question won’t ever come up.
Report Post »Beltfeed
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 1:42pmMTV is bad for America
Report Post »DSTSS2010
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 1:41pmHow stupid do they think we are? Obama will be Republican bashing all the while, except when he’s bragging about himself! Ho, Ho, Ho, “diverse” translates to a variety of like-minded individuals (Democrats all).
Report Post »M31Sailor
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 2:45pmWhat is he going to speak about?
Report Post »The importance of Hip Hop music.
Sailor
timeisnow
Posted on October 14, 2010 at 12:09pmOne of the Democrats was on MSNBC this morning, and she was saying Obama had 8 months to help the Dems and the only reason he is out now, is to promote himself… He has thrown his own under the bus…This is planned all the time.
Report Post »DagneyT
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 1:39pmThis is nothing more nor less than a “get out the youth vote” effort! Blatant pandering from the media yet again! BO has no clue how to be “non-political”! It is all about energizing his base! A good reason for parents to forbid MTV in their homes!
Report Post »tobywil2
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 2:02pmDidn‘t Ayn Rand spell Dagny’s name without an “e”.
Report Post »angrymob
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 2:13pm@ Dagneyt
So what…there will only be three in the room. Obama, the pundent, the idiot who thinks he’s done a good job!
Report Post »DagneyT
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 2:25pmYes, but I’m not a plagerist.
Report Post »tobywil2
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 2:34pmWell, anyway, I hope you and Johen Galet are well. http://commonsense21c.com/
Report Post »DagneyT
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 2:46pm@Toby, did you mean John Galt?
Report Post »DRAIN_THE_CESSPOOL
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 2:53pmYep, youth vote. Not political? Yeah right. I remember when MVT only played videos. Those were the days.
Report Post »tobywil2
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 2:55pmSure did. You have a good day, now! just kidding you! http://commonsense21c.com/
Report Post »timeisnow
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 9:07pmjust called Viacom at 1-212-258-6000 and ask for MTV complaints dept. or here is the email to file a complaint
viewersservices@mtvn.com
Write and complain that the Republican demand equal time, becaue if Obama is talking about issues of today, what is it, if not political? What crap!
Report Post »tobywil2
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 1:39pmFor the last 18 months, there has been absolutely no correlation between what Obama says and what he does! That fact makes Obama’s rhetoric irrelevant.
People keep talking about boycotts; let’s start a boycott that doesn’t punish the innocent.
Let’s boycott Obama.
How do we do boycott Obama? Just hold the Remote while watching TV and whenever Obama is flashed on the screen (news or commercial), change stations!
One click provides a great feeling of accomplishment and power!
TRY IT YOU WILL LIKE IT!!!!!!!
http://commonsense21c.com/
Report Post »DagneyT
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 1:46pmI do, and I’m an Arbitron rater!
Report Post »LadyIzShy
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 2:01pmLOL I already do that.. i refuse to watch him
Report Post »libertyordeath87
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 2:27pmI’ve been doing that since Jan 21, 2009.
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 2:36pmI can’t stand to look at his smirking lying face and always change the channel. This is just another try at recruiting our kids. Man, I just hate that guy. Obama leave my kid alone!
Report Post »Danielle1212
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 3:20pmTOBYWIL2 – Every time the “O” is on tv or radio, I hit the mute or last button. BEST WAY NOT TO SEE OR HEAR HIM!!! I have NEVER felt this way about a President before; I have always respected the position of the President whether I didn’t agree with his policies (no matter who was President at the time). However, no other President and/or First Lady has had so much antagonistic feelings for conservative American citizens or such an arrogant image of himself. I have to agree with you, the best way to deal with the “O” is turn the channel and/or mute the sound!
Report Post »NoName22
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 3:26pmWhatever a boycott may entail, do not turn a blind eye to what he says.
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
Report Post »Eagle07
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 6:49pmThey should give RNCchairman Steele an hour to face the same people with questions also.I am boycotting viacom if they don’t.
Report Post »LUDWIKA BRONISLAWA
Posted on October 14, 2010 at 2:06amI can’t stand the sound of his voice.
Report Post »TMACK
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 1:36pmGive me a friggin’ break.
Report Post »TMACK
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 1:43pmThere’s absolutely no political agenda, right MTV?
Report Post »Rev. WC
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 1:47pmA good day will be when Obama, Clinton, Carter, and Bush go away!
Rev. WC
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 1:48pmDoes anybody watch MTV?
Report Post »pajamash
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 2:00pmBy nature of the job, everything he does is political. I call FOUL!
Report Post »JGP
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 2:00pmBottom line for this is to make Obama appear cool. Doesn’t have to be political. Questions will be “what kind of underwear?” b.s. Remember that crock from before?
Report Post »jds7171
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 2:11pmWho cares. Viacom can do whatever they want. It is there channel. They can have Castro, obama, harry reid, nancy pelosi play grab a$$ with each other if they want. They don‘t have to invite ourside if they don’t want to. If it gets them ratings then they are doing there job, make money for their shareholders if they have any. If they don’t have any, make themselves money.
Report Post »pajamash
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 2:12pm“We’re not giving an hour of free time to the president to freely express his views. We’re hosting a town hall with 250 young people to ask questions of the president.”
AND THE ANSWERS HE GIVES ARE NOT TIED TO HIS POLITICS?
Report Post »pajamash
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 2:13pm“The White House conceived of the concept and asked for the commercial-free TV time”
Can you say INDOCTRINATION!!!!!
Report Post »staythecourse
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 2:15pmThis is the most amazing claim being made by this station. To pretend that it is not political. Of course it is political. The lies of the left and the left controled media is so frightening. Just like Obama’s constant double talk and lies… this station is lying. It is allllllll political!
Report Post »Miami
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 2:17pmHugo Chavez & Castro‘s speeches aren’t political either
Report Post »solaveritas
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 2:28pmThe Republicans AND other parties need to file a protest NOW with the F.E.C. There is NO way this will not be political, regardless of whether he begins with answering questions about his dog.
Plus, the Democrats are beginning to be afraid that (because they are soooo far left) they are losing their base (blacks, minorities), who are really CONSERVATIVE but just don’t vote that way.
Organizations like http://www.RagingElephants.org are FINALLY reaching out to blacks to help them begin to vote their conservative values.
Since Obama is refusing to move to the middle like Clinton, if we make this a choice between FAR LEFT and Constitutional Conservative, we will win, BIG!!!
But, for now, let us not cede ANY ground, and holler loud about this DISINGENUOUS claim that the MTV, BET, etc., time is not political. He DOES think we are stupid, doesn’t he!
Report Post »snowleopard3200
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 2:37pmI think either President Obama or MTV are getting desperate for ratings.
http://www.artinphoenix.com/gallery/grimm (mixed art)
Report Post »Citizen7154
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 2:53pmGreat. If it is not political, perhaps they would be willing to postpone the airing until after November 2nd. …After all the President has a lot of work to do before the elections convincing people that his pathetic policies have worked. I would hate for anything to cut into that schedule since every time the President starts talking about these failed policies, he damages his own agenda.
Report Post »timeisnow
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 2:56pmCall Everyone on the Blaze or however reads the Blaze,call Viacom and complain
1212-258-6000
Report Post »A1955Rosie
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 3:07pmIt makes sense T…..He’s appealing to kids….they’re barely wheened from momma and have no “vested” interest in this society. As the older person knows…nanny government makes no sense especially when you’ve saved and gone w/out to invest in future only to have you tax dollars go to THIS!
Report Post »timeisnow
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 3:12pmI just called Viacom at 1-212-258-6000 and ask for MTV complaints dept. or here is the email to file a complaint
viewersservices@mtvn.com
Write and complain that the Republican demand equal time, becaue if Obama is talking about issues of today, what is it, if not political? What crap!
Report Post »Areyoukiddingme
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 3:12pmSnooki and the Teen moms are making a special cameo i hear.
Report Post »w4jle
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 3:27pmThey had a casing call for the event, it stated things like no more than 10% minorities and front row people must be attractive. Yep! Nothing political or designed to try to get the young liberals out to vote.
Report Post »pmjme
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 3:38pmThank you TIMEISNOW. I sent them a complaint demanding they give equal air time or face a boycott of their sponsor’s products. It’s really the only recourse I see at this point. Questions about Obama’s policies are his politics. Anyone who tries to claim that this won’t be political is either lying, mentally ill or both.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 3:39pmLOL .. he is always political !! I call for equal time !!!! It is only “fair” isn’t that what Obama wants EVERYTHING “FAIR”?
Report Post »CatB
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 3:58pmJust sent my email to demand equal time or cancel the event!
Report Post »starman70
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 7:50pmMTV is blocked on mt TV!
Report Post »FedupinFlorida2
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 7:58pmYou got that right. We are suppose to believe any old !#&$? they tell us. I know I’ll be watching NOT.
Report Post »jzs
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 9:07pmFor FREE? That’s an outrage. FOX actually pays presidential candidates to be on their station (Palin, Huckabee etc.). And worst FOX let’s Republican candidates to fund raise for their free air time. What has happened to capitalism?
Report Post »Compete or Lose
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 9:28pm.
.
.
You don’t suppose MTV is selling advertising to foreign companies to finance this FREEBIE??
Isnt that an improper influence??
Do you suppose that MTV will announce all the patrons that funded this 1 hour show???
Report Post »LUDWIKA BRONISLAWA
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 9:38pmYeah, um, ah, how can a politician having a ‘TOWN HALL’ meeting not talk politics? Isn’t that kind of the point??? I guess it’s like, if I do something I could relate to work everytime I drive my car I can write off my entire cost for said car. WHATEVER!
Report Post »drbage
Posted on October 14, 2010 at 10:20amHmm, Castro and Chavez get all the free air time they want, but then again they are forthright in admitting that they control/own the media–a refreshing bit of honesty. I might watch just to see how many questions are actually asked and watch the duck and dive so as to not answer the question, if per chance one is hardball.
Report Post »yumamom
Posted on October 14, 2010 at 9:59pmAre you serious? Not political? What are they gonna ask “what kind of beer do you drink?“ Whats Obama gonna say ”stay in school and stop listening to that crazy music!” Of course its political. Everything about the obama’s is political and they get the most mileage out of it that they can…especially 3 weeks before the election.
Report Post »