During a fawning interview with former Clinton Secretary of State Madeleine Albright on Tuesday, MSNBC anchor Andrea Mitchell touted her guest’s new memoir and thanked the “predictably wonderful” Democrat for spending much of the segment trashing President Trump. At one point in the interview, Albright claimed “the Statue of Liberty is weeping.”
“The pandemic gripping the world is showing a huge difference in the way world leaders are handling the crisis, with many critics faulting the lack of U.S. leadership and mixed messaging from the White House,” Mitchell proclaimed. That came just moments before offering this gushing introduction of Albright:
Joining me now is the first woman to be secretary of state, Madeleine Albright, who also of course served as U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Her new book is Hell and Other Destinations: A 21st Century Memoir. Madam Secretary, I’m lucky enough to have a copy of the book, which is really, really valuable as we’re stuck here at home. But it’s a wonderful, wonderful companion to have you with us here live today and with your new book as well.
The anchor particularly highlighted: “You’re talking about the leadership void in this new book as well, that we see here in the United States very frankly.”
Minutes later, Mitchell invited Albright to slam Trump directly: “What about the President’s executive order that he says he’s going to sign to stop immigration?...as an immigrant of this country, fleeing from the Nazis with your family, after the war, how do you feel about the President’s messaging on immigration?”
Albright didn’t need any convincing to seize the opportunity:
Well, I’m stunned. And I really do think that the Statue of Liberty is weeping. It is un-American....I think he did it for political reasons. I think he wants to kind of shut down America, which as far as I’m concerned is un-American....I was quite appalled. But the truth is I’m getting tired of being appalled because every day there is something contradictory to what was said the day before and it gets increasingly confusing. And what is needed in a leader is to take responsibility and to be predictable. You can’t be unpredictable all the time.
In reply, Mitchell swooned: “Well, Madeleine Albright, you, Madam Secretary, are predictably wonderful and your books are always best sellers. So congratulations in advance on that.”
Earlier in the friendly chat, Mitchell remarked on Albright’s teaching career: “I know that you’re one of the most popular professors, still ongoing, with online teaching as well....And I know they learn so much from you.” As she wrapped up the conversation, Mitchell lamented that she couldn’t be in one of Albright’s classes: “And thank you again. I just wish I could be one of your students.”
When you bring on a partisan guest, tee them up to attack the President in the midst of a global health crisis, and then tell them how “predictably wonderful” they are, it’s time to stop pretending that you’re a journalist.
Here is a transcript of the April 21 exchange:
12:38 PM ET
ANDREA MITCHELL: The pandemic gripping the world is showing a huge difference in the way world leaders are handling the crisis, with many critics faulting the lack of U.S. leadership and mixed messaging from the White House. When it comes to flattening the curve, few have gotten as much praise as Germany’s Angela Merkel and New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who took early steps to limit the number of cases in her country, suffering just 12 fatalities.
(...)
12:39 PM ET
MITCHELL: Many of the countries with the best responses have one thing in common, women leaders. Joining me now is the first woman to be secretary of state, Madeleine Albright, who also of course served as U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Her new book is Hell and Other Destinations: A 21st Century Memoir. Madam Secretary, I’m lucky enough to have a copy of the book, which is really, really valuable as we’re stuck here at home. But it’s a wonderful, wonderful companion to have you with us here live today and with your new book as well.
Well, let’s talk about women leaders. Because it’s so striking that women have really been in the forefront. This is a subject that you’ve talked about. You’re talking about the leadership void in this new book as well, that we see here in the United States very frankly. But look at the way women have taken leadership around the world.
MADELEINE ALBRIGHT: I find it very interesting and I can tell you why I think it’s happened. First of all, and I think you just heard it with the New Zealand Prime Minister, to take decisive action. Women actually know how to do that. I do think that we have certain characteristics that are helping. First of all, I think we’re good at multitasking because that’s what one has to do as a woman, is to think about your home and your children and your job and various other aspects. And it gives you peripheral vision.
Then I also think that we have the capability of learning from our lessons and to have empathy. And I think the way many women have come to power has been hard work and actually being polite and nice to the people around them rather than kind of being egotistical about how they’re getting there. And I think also this kind of not being afraid to tell it like it is. And so, I think it is interesting in terms of what are the characteristics of women that allow this.
And then I think the last one – and it’s germane, especially, is that we like our children to agree with each other, to have some unity in the family and not pit one child against another and try to divide. I think what we try to do is bring together. So having some resiliency, working together, and telling it like it is.
MITCHELL: I’m really struck by how much multitasking is an issue for so many women who are working from home, home-schooling their kids, managing the families, worrying about health care for spouses and partners and children and themselves. From your experiences, you’re one of the supreme multitaskers, having raised your daughters and doing it all, you know, while having very high-profile jobs.
ALBRIGHT: Well, it’s absolutely essential. And it’s something that we get criticized for, for not concentrating enough, but I actually think the multitasking is very, very important.
(...)
12:42 PM ETMITCHELL: I know that you’re one of the most popular professors, still ongoing, with online teaching as well. What are the stresses you’re seeing in your students and the challenges for college kids not having the excitement, enjoyment of commencement, those seniors, as well as those afraid to go out in this new world?
(...)
12:44 PM ET
ALBRIGHT: I learn a lot from my students.
MITCHELL: And I know they learn so much from you. What about the President’s executive order that he says he’s going to sign to stop immigration? It’s for all intents and purposes already been stopped. But as an immigrant of this country, fleeing from the Nazis with your family, after the war, how do you feel about the President’s messaging on immigration?
ALBRIGHT: Well, I’m stunned. And I really do think that the Statue of Liberty is weeping. It is un-American. And I – you know, I was asked recently to describe myself in six words, which was a worried optimist, a problem solver, and a grateful American. And I am a grateful American. And I do think immigrants want to help participate and make a difference. But as you point out, all of this has basically been done through some kind of order, and the fact the system isn’t set up to even interview people at this point.
I think he did it for political reasons. I think he wants to kind of shut down America, which as far as I’m concerned is un-American. We are a country that has had and needs to have an important role internationally. We are not the kind of country that wants walls around us. We want to be out there and participate in what is going on internationally in every way.
And so I was quite appalled. But the truth is I’m getting tired of being appalled because every day there is something contradictory to what was said the day before and it gets increasingly confusing. And what is needed in a leader is to take responsibility and to be predictable. You can’t be unpredictable all the time.
MITCHELL: Well, Madeleine Albright, you, Madam Secretary, are predictably wonderful and your books are always best sellers. So congratulations in advance on that. And thank you again. I just wish I could be one of your students.
ALBRIGHT: Thank you so much. It’s good to be with you. Stay safe.
MITCHELL: You too.
