Just hours before President Barack Obama delivered his annual State of the Union address, msnbc host Martin Bashir (and good friend of “The Ed Show”) had a lively exchange with Tea Party freshman Rep. Joe Walsh, a Republican from Illinois.
Walsh insisted that Obama’s policies are “destroying the country.”
“I would love it if he would adopt the opposite and try to undo a lot of what he’s done,” said Walsh.
Bashir pointed out that Obama inherited the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, which started under President George W. Bush, fellow a Republican.
“The proof is in the pudding,” said Walsh. What? Here’s the facts that Bashir presented:
We’ve seen 3.2 million private sector jobs created over the last 22 months.
Still, Walsh remained unconvinced.
“By every single indicator, Martin…the economy is worse by every indicator than when he was elected,” said Walsh.
Say what?
The interview really heated up a few minutes later when Bashir asked Walsh about the accusation that he owes $117,000 in child support.
Walsh said he would not discuss the issue on television, but acknowledged the existence a proposed bill in Illinois that would forbid people owing more than $10,000 on child support to run for office.
Walsh then demanded to know why Bashir was asking about it.
“Because this speaks to the integrity and character of individuals,” Bashir said forcefully. “Just as many people have asked very serious questions about Newt Gingrich and his serial adultery and his multiple affairs and people have asked very serious questions about Mitt Romney and whether he knows anything about what it feels like to be an ordinary wage earner in the middle class given that he’s so wealthy, so I’m asking you honestly and honorably as much, and respectfully. You are serving a constituency in the Congress and yet many of your own constituents find you to be a man who seems to lack a level of integrity where you harrang the president, you talk about not wanting to raise debt against your children and yet you yourself are in debt on child support.”
Walsh acknowledged he was fighting allegations that he’s a deadbeat dad.
“If and when those charges are proved, if they are disproved will you acknowledge that i’m no not?” Walsh asked.
“I will,” Bashir responded.
Steve Frank