Last week, members of the GOP attacked Obama for his oncoming TV blitz, drudging up the familiar (and unsuccessful) argument that the president acts more like a celebrity than a politician. Ken Spain, member of the National Republican Campaign Committee, sent out an email stating, “Celebrity Sunday is almost upon us and while many will have no choice but to tune in, the numbers continue to show that people are tuning the president out.” Nation correspondent Ari Melber appeared on MSNBC on Friday to defend Obama, claiming that his media presence informs the public of exactly what he stands for and helps maintain a healthy democracy. Additionally, it is a response to what the right wants: answers to tough questions. Melber points out this irony and the more obvious reality that “you don’t see Miley Cyrus on Meet the Press.”

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—Alana Levinson

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