A lot of people wrongly believe Barack Obama is a Muslim. As I documented in a cover story for the magazine, this is largely due to a viral internet rumor that's been spread via email.
Of course, Obama is a Christian. (Not, it should be added that that should make a difference one way or the other, but, of course, it does) Here's a clear cut example where there's fact and fiction and the press has the simple job saying which is which. But instead you get this insidious hedge, like this line from a reporter on Good Morning America:
Just for the record he constantly says he's a ChristianChris Hayes
A lot of people wrongly believe Barack Obama is a Muslim. As I documented in a cover story for the magazine, this is largely due to a viral internet rumor that’s been spread via email.
Of course, Obama is a Christian. (Not, it should be added that that should make a difference one way or the other, but, of course, it does) Here’s a clear cut example where there’s fact and fiction and the press has the simple job saying which is which. But instead you get this insidious hedge, like this line from a reporter on Good Morning America:
Just for the record he constantly says he’s a Christian
He doesn’t “say” he’s a Christian any more than he “says” his name is Barack Obama or that he represents Illinois in the United States Senate. These are just facts. They need to be openly stipulated as such.
Chris HayesTwitterChris Hayes is the Editor-at-Large of The Nation and host of “All In with Chris Hayes” on MSNBC.