Conflict of Interest? MSNBC Hosts & Other 'Influential Progressives' Visit White House to Discuss Tax Policy

If MSNBC President Phil Griffin really does want to shake the network's pro-Obama image, having its most recognizable figures visit the White House to discuss President Barack Obama's tax proposals isn't exactly a great start.

On Tuesday, four of MSNBC's prime time TV hosts were spotted entering the West Wing of the White House for a special meeting with the president. These hosts included, Ed Schultz, Rachel Maddow, Al Sharpton and Lawrence O'Donnell. Interestingly, Chris Matthews, a notoriously enthusiastic Obama supporter, was not included on the guest list.

Schultz confirmed that he would be meeting with Obama via his official Twitter account to discuss the "fiscal cliff."

On my way to DC to visit with the President on fiscal cliff...Nancy Pelosi joins me tonight on the Ed Show..

— Ed Schultz (@WeGotEd) December 4, 2012

Just outside the Press office at the White House... twitter.com/WeGotEd/status…

— Ed Schultz (@WeGotEd) December 4, 2012

“This afternoon at the White House, the President met with influential progressives to talk about the importance of preventing a tax increase on middle class families, strengthening our economy and adopting a balanced approach to deficit reduction," White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest said in a statement.

Huffington Post reporter Jennifer Bendery reported that a White House spokesperson said Obama scheduled the meeting with Maddow and "other progressives" to discuss the "importance of extending the Bush middle-class tax cut."

WH spox says Obama mtg with Maddow, other progressives to discuss importance of extending the Bush middle-class tax cut.

— jennifer bendery (@jbendery) December 4, 2012

Mediaite reports, citing a source familiar with the meeting, that other "progressive media" members were in attendance on Tuesday, including staffers from the Washington Post, Daily Kos, and HuffPo.

As previously mentioned, MSNBC's president told the Huffington Post that he wants to shake the network's pro-Obama image. How do you think it's going so far?

(H/T: Buzzfeed)