Despite Media, Buffett Recession Obsessions, 1Q Growth Revised Up

May 29th, 2008 10:05 AM
Matching predictions from Reuters and Bloomberg, the government's Bureau of Economic Analysis told us this morning that the economy grew at an upwardly-revised annualized rate of 0.9%. As I've said frequently, this is nowhere near acceptable. But it sure as heck isn't a recession.Initial reaction to the news by the Associated Press's Jeannine Aversa was unfortunately predictable (bolds are mine…

Bozell Blames Media for Public’s Economic Misconceptions

May 5th, 2008 9:31 AM

Matthews Disses Dittoheads: 'Manipulable

April 30th, 2008 5:53 PM
Dittoheads, you've been dissed. Chris Matthews has dismissed you as "manipulable"— mind-numbed robots, you might say. CNBC's John Harwood seconded the snub. It happened on this evening's Hardball as Matthews mused about the potential impact of Operation Chaos on the upcoming primaries.CHRIS MATTHEWS: How much of a move do you hear, John Harwood, the so-called Operation Chaos is going to play…

CNBC on the Future of Network Newsgathering: 'That Ship has Sailed

April 8th, 2008 12:32 PM
It's no longer profitable for networks to have their own news organizations, according to CNBC's David Faber. In the wake of the news that CBS is in negotiations to outsource its news division to CNN, Faber explained on CNBC's April 8 "Squawk on the Street" CBS's news division is a victim of an evolving business. "The news that CBS is once again considering a deal under which it would…

Cramer: 'I’ve Had a Lot of Death Threats

April 3rd, 2008 4:05 PM
Coming off his April 2 interview with Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) on his show "Mad Money," CNBC's Jim Cramer told "Squawk Box" his job entails some hazards. "You know, look, obviously I've had a lot of death threats," Cramer said on CNBC's April 3 "Squawk Box." "They're actual death threats. And, you go to the state police and the state police go to the local…

More Cramer Outlandishness - 'The American Public Don’t Know Jack

March 24th, 2008 3:28 PM
Do you think the federal government guaranteeing $29 billion in a loans for JP Morgan Chase to take over Bear Stearns is a good idea? It really doesn't matter what you think, according to CNBC's Jim Cramer. Cramer defended the move by the Fed from any potential public scrutiny on CNBC's March 24 "Squawk on the Street." "The American public don't know jack," Cramer said in response to a…

Doh! Cramer Told E-Mailer to Hold Onto Bear Stearns Stock a Week Ago

March 17th, 2008 1:11 PM
He'd probably like to take this comment back, but then again there are probably many things CNBC "Mad Money" host Jim Cramer has said that he'd like to take back. In a response to an e-mail posted on his Web site on March 11, Cramer said Bear Stearns (NYSE:BSC) wasn't in trouble and advised the writer to keep his money in the investment bank: "Dear Jim: Should I be worried about Bear Stearns…

Cramer Verklempt Over Spitzer

March 12th, 2008 8:25 AM
Jim Cramer is known for wearing his heart on his sleeve. But the host of CNBC's "Mad Money" normally lets his emotions show over matters financial. In August, for example, he went ballistic at Ben Bernanke, pleading with the Fed chairman to lower interest rates in the face of widespread home foreclosures.This morning, however, Cramer got verklempt not over the discount rate but at the falling…

A Rather Sedate Jim Cramer Reacts to Spitzer Prostitution Revelation

March 10th, 2008 3:56 PM
Later Says He’d 'Bank on a Socialist in Brazil' more than 'a Republican'It wasn't exactly one of CNBC "Mad Money" host Jim Cramer's most jovial appearances, but it was certainly interesting to see how he'd react to the big story of the day. A dejected Cramer showed his disappointment immediately following reports New York Governor Eliot Spitzer was involved in a prostitution ring on CNBC's…

Media Finally Getting It: Ethanol Mandates a Dumb Idea

February 28th, 2008 1:51 PM
They're starting to get it. The media are figuring out government meddling in U.S. energy policy is taking a toll on the American economy. On February 20, the Labor Department reported that the Consumer Price Index (CPI), a key inflation reading, rose 0.4 percent in January, matching December's rise. Why? Increased food costs because corn is being used for ethanol. "Farmers are replacing…

LA Times Owner Blames US Economic Problems on Clinton and Obama

February 27th, 2008 9:54 AM
For years, NewsBusters and the Business and Media Institute have informed readers about how the press, since George W. Bush was first elected, have tried to create a self-fulfilling prophecy by misrepresenting economic data in as negative a way as possible.This is likely the cause of the public's continued pessimism about economic conditions even as the economy has expanded for 25 consecutive…

NBC’s Missed Prediction: $4 Gas by Mid-February

February 19th, 2008 12:43 PM
Early last month, when oil prices flirted with inflation-adjusted record highs, fears of sky-high gas prices were filtered through the media. CNBC's Erin Burnett gave viewers a frightening prediction of $4-a-gallon gasoline during a January 2 appearance on the NBC "Nightly News." The "Street Signs" anchor cited John Kilduff, the vice president of risk management at the MF Global Ltd.…

'GMA' Warns Recession Fears Are Causing Arsons

February 11th, 2008 2:50 PM
Just when you thought the economic doom and gloom couldn't get any worse in the news, "Good Morning America" has determined recession is now causing arson. "We have news this morning on the home foreclosure front, word that cash-strapped homeowners are taking desperate measures," ABC co-host Diane Sawyer said. The February 11 "GMA" has determined "cash-strapped homeowners" are taking "…

Buchanan: McCain ‘Will Make Cheney Look Like Gandhi

February 6th, 2008 4:24 PM
Former Nixon and Reagan aide-turned media pundit Pat Buchanan has a unique take on the Sen. John McCain's success in running for the Republican presidential nomination. What does Buchanan think will happen if McCain succeeds as the GOP nominee for the upcoming 2008 presidential election? "He will make Cheney look like Gandhi," Buchanan said. Buchanan participated in a panel with former Bill…