Star Spangled Staggers

US politics from outside the beltway

"The President was kind of a dick yesterday"

Mark Halperin, a political analyst for Time magazine, is in trouble after calling the president "a d

By Duncan Robinson Published 30 June 2011 18:34

Time is one of the most respected names in journalism. It's the go-to guide for the world's elite and its writers and columnists enjoy access to the highest echleons of US politics. Some of its writers, however, also have a potty mouth. In the video below, Mark Halperin, a political analyst for Time gives a, err, frank appraisal of President Barack Obama, calling the 44th President of the USA "a dick".

Halperin has been suspended from his position as an NBC contributor. Salon did not cry over his suspension. One of their bloggers remarked: "Mark Halperin is a horrible political analyst who is wrong about everything." No big loss for NBC, then.

It's not the most offensive description of Obama that you will hear as the election draws nearer, but it is a lesson for producers everywhere. When doing live television, always keep that bleep button to hand...

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Tags: Time Mark Halperin Barack Obama

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6 comments

Fri, 2011-07-01 13:59 — Mr. Divine (not verified)

He was described not as a 'dick' but a 'kind of a dick'. There is a subtle difference. Obama was sort of a dick but not a fair dinkum one hundred percent pure dick. He just kind of resembled one but wasn't actually one.

Thu, 2011-06-30 20:03 — Wrensense (not verified)

The question is : Is he right?
no brainer!

Thu, 2011-06-30 21:01 — hugh markey (not verified)

Richard Nixon had no objection to being called 'Dick'. "Tricky Dicky", maybe. And Dick was elected to presidential office twice.

Barrack - now this word has quite sinister connotations.
Time hacks, sorry,journalists used to write anonymously - for whatever reason.

Time Please, gentlemen

Thu, 2011-06-30 23:45 — David Greenwell (not verified)

Sounds like fair comment

Fri, 2011-07-01 05:11 — charlesfrith

Time is not one of the most respected names in journalism. It's for brain dead people who need to be told what to think. I cringe if it's the only thing available on a plane.

Fri, 2011-07-01 11:27 — Lawrence Efana (not verified)

Think what you think but it sounds well relieving should you go, to go with a clean conscience, than with one that makes you sleepless - one never in peace!

A "Dick" does not just fit into Obama no matter how one twists and turns, hopefully with a living active "God-given" brain!