Two extraordinary media moments took place today, both created when press-card-carrying MSM-ers stepped out of character and actually probed the Democrat veneer.
CNN's Dana Bash asked Senate Democrats why not just support the House bill that funds the NIH, where clinical trials for children with cancer are under way. This prompted the following from Harry Reid, after some total agitprop about Obamacare's debut: "It's working now, it will continue to work and people will love it even more than they do now by far."
DANA BASH: But if you could help one child who has cancer why wouldn't you do it?
REID: Lissen, why would we want to do that? I have 1100 people at Nellis Air Force Base sitting home. They have a few problems of their own. This is, to have someone of your intelligence suggest such a thing [means] you're irresponsible.
Why would we want to help one child with cancer?
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Over at the White House, Jay Carney wrestled with ABC's Jon Karl as he pressed for an answer whether the president shared even a modicum of blame for the shutdown.
KARL: But does he bear any responsibility?” It’s a simple question. Does he bear any responsibility for this mess?”
CARNEY: He certainly did not vote to shut the government down. And if that’s what you’re asking, no, he did not vote to shut the government down. The Republicans did.
KARL: No, I’m asking if he bears any responsibility.”
CARNEY: Jon, he did not… Republicans in Congress chose to shut the government down. The option to keep it open was available to them. It’s an option that a majority of the House of Representatives supports, a bipartisan majority…
KARL: But hasn’t the President failed to create an environment where this stuff doesn’t happen?” Karl asked, adding “I mean, I’m asking.”
CARNEY: No. He’s had multiple meetings and dinners…”
KARL: So he’s done nothing wrong in all of this? This is all the Republicans’ doing on their own, that the President…
CARNEY: Well, Jon, you can do an essay, or decide for yourself, and make those judgments....
You can do an essay?