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MSNBC is used to taking shots from Republicans and conservative media competitors. But, in the run-up to the 2020 presidential election, the network is facing consistent criticism from some of the people most likely to champion it: progressive Democrats.

"Some members of the public are under the mistaken impression that MSNBC is the progressive counter to Fox News, which couldn't be further from the truth," says Adam Green, co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee. "It's not a progressive perspective. It's an establishment perspective."

Cenk Uygur, who spent six months as an MSNBC host in 2011 before founding the brand The Young Turks and recently embarking on a run to replace Rep. Katie Hill in Congress, has also emerged as a critic. "The problem is having everybody think you're the progressive standard-bearer when you might be running the most anti-progressive programming on air," he says.

Specifically, progressive activists, operatives and 2020 campaign staffers speaking with The Hollywood Reportersay that MSNBC's hosts and personalities have discounted more left-leaning Democratic candidates like Sen. Bernie Sanders and refused to take some, like candidate Andrew Yang, seriously.

Political consultant Rebecca Katz, who has advised New York progressive hopefuls like actress Cynthia Nixon and now-mayor Bill de Blasio, says MSNBC is among the cable news networks that "never treated Bernie as a frontrunner," despite the senator's success in raising money from a broad coalition of donors. She adds, "Bernie Sanders has raised the most money from the most people of anyone in this race. That he is an afterthought on cable news, after months and months of people saying Mayor Pete Buttigieg could win when he was 8 percent in the polls, is quite the juxtaposition."

More recently, Democratic candidate Yang has taken shots at the network, accusing Comcast-owned MSNBC of shortchanging his campaign and blaming it for a series of on-air errors that have omitted his candidacy. He has refused to guest on MSNBC until he receives a public apology.

MSNBC personalities, most notably Morning Joe regular Donny Deutsch, also have been criticized for comments made about Sen. Elizabeth Warren's candidacy. On Nov. 27, Deutsch said that Warren has a "likability issue," a comment that MSNBC contributor Karine Jean-Pierre pushed back on as a "problematic" and gendered critique.

To be sure, MSNBC veterans including six former on-air hosts, contributors and producers speaking with THR don't see a conspiracy against the more progressive candidates in the race, and the network has shown no interest in publicly feuding with them.

"We are proud to have a diverse range of voices from all political perspectives in our lineup, which includes smart opinion programming in primetime as well as breaking news coverage," an MSNBC spokesperson says. "We've made a concerted effort to invite balanced and thoughtful discussions to provide clarity on the critical stories that are shaping the nation."

A former Democratic contributor for MSNBC argues that the network has been very consistent in having a "pretty mainstream progressive view," rather than "following the energy of their political base in the same way that Fox News does."

Assessing the situation, the ex-contributor says the network's progressive critics are probably "frustrated that the kind of energy that they're feeling among their base and at the grassroots level and across the campaign trail ... is not the same kind of energy they're feeling at MSNBC. It's not because MSNBC is treating them unfairly, it's that they don't understand what MSNBC is about."

In an effort to defuse tension with the Yang campaign, the network has not discussed the feud publicly and recently attempted to smooth things over in a Nov. 23 conference call with his advisers. S.Y. Lee, a spokesman for the Yang campaign, rejects MSNBC's contention that it apologized during the call but declines to speak further about the strained relationship.

Despite their concerns, even the network's biggest critics have largely positive things to say about the primetime opinion lineup, most notably host Chris Hayes. And Rachel Maddow, of course, is MSNBC's biggest star and ratings draw, holding her own against Fox News' ratings king, Sean Hannity.

Viewers have been responding in big numbers throughout the Trump era, though viewership has dropped this year compared to 2018. In the third quarter of 2019, MSNBC bested CNN in total viewers for both total day (880,000) and primetime (1.53 million), though CNN won both categories in the 25-to-54 demo and Fox News was the overall winner.In November, MSNBC boasted four of the top 10 shows in cable news, with Maddow in third place (3,175,000 total viewers), Lawrence O'Donnell's show in eighth place (2,266,000 total viewers), Nicole Wallace's afternoon show in ninth place (1,994,000 total viewers) and Chris Hayes in tenth place (1,984,000 total viewers).

While the network's ratings have slid, it is projected to generate more advertising revenue in 2019 ($614 million) than in 2018 ($578 million), according to Kagan, a media market research group within S&P Global Market Intelligence.

MSNBC also has faced public criticism about the diversity of its hosts. "It had a diverse lineup and they did away with that," a former on-air host says. The lineup once included daily shows from Joy Reid and Al Sharpton, both African American, who now host only on weekends, along with the since-departed Tamron Hall, Tour, Ronan Farrow and Jose Diaz-Balart (now with NBC News). But, in recent years, the network has added Craig Melvin, Ali Velshi, Ayman Mohyeldin and Yasmin Vossoughian as diverse weekday hosts.

MSNBC chief Phil Griffin and NBC News chairman Andy Lack have taken flak for some of these departures and for hiring both "Never Trump" Republicans and pro-Trump conservatives like Hugh Hewitt, who was given a Saturday morning show that was canceled in June 2018 but is still a contributor for the network.

Over the last few years, since Lack returned to the network in 2015 and talent changes were made, the network's daily format hasn't really budged: opinion in the morning, followed by several hours of hard news, followed by several hours of left-leaning opinion shows, capped off by an 11 p.m. news show hosted by Brian Williams.

While that formula has largely been successful, a former manager at the company predicts that more changes will be made to the dayside lineup to make the transition from news programming to opinion commentary "cleaner." For example, Wallace's show, Deadline: White House, is a largely opinion show that is sandwiched between two shows hosted by journalists, Velshi at 3 p.m. and Meet the Press Daily (and weekly) host Chuck Todd at 5 p.m.

"There's a lot of talk about Nicole Wallace, generally, because she's very good," the person says. ("Nicolle Wallace is really strong," says former CNN U.S. president Jon Klein. "She's just someone you look forward to watching every day.")

For MSNBC's sake, progressive activists are urging the network to course-correct and tap into party energy on the left before it's too late. Uygur notes, "If throughout this election cycle they never have progressives on, there's no way to undo that damage."

This story first appeared in the Dec. 19 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. To receive the magazine,click here to subscribe.

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MSNBC's Biggest Election Year Fight May Be With the Left - Hollywood Reporter

Rev. Al Sharpton said during his MSNBC show Sunday that the legacy of impeachment will forever be a stain on President Donald Trumps presidency. While a Democratic strategist pointed to Trumps history of always falling short.

The fact is Ive known Donald Trump for 35 years, Sharpton said during a panel discussion. Marched on him after the Central Park Five. Had other times he would try to be a Democrat, would come to our National Action Network conventions. One of the things that is core to him is that hes always fought for legitimacy. He was never looked at as a peer by the legitimate business community in New York and around the country. Now for him to be impeached, even if hes not convicted and removed, it gives him the imprimatur from here out that hes illegitimate. There will always be the asterisk on his name that schoolchildren will read. Is this the reason were seeing 170-some-odd tweets from Mr. Trump that he is feeling at the core that his legitimacy as a president will be permanently stained?

Former Hillary Clinton spokesperson Philippe Reines explained that the difference between Trump and former President Bill Clinton is that Americans opposed the impeachment. Sunday, Fox News released a poll saying not only do people believe the president should be impeached, but 50 percent now believe he should also be removed from office, up from the mid-40s before the Judiciary Committee hearings.

Theres a huge difference. Bill Clinton won in a legitimate electoral landslide in both 92 and 96, he recalled. Donald Trumps electoral win was ranked 46 in American history. His 63 million in the popular vote was 3 million behind Hillary Clintons 66 million votes. This is not the same as Bill Clinton. And by the way it did hurt Bill Clinton long term. Yes, people dont know that he was impeached but not removed. They know he finished his term. But Republicans did pretty well in the following 20 years.

Reines wondered, however, where the stain would appear, Trumps record of bullying or inability to pass anything other than his tax cut, which wasnt received well by voters.

What is it that is going to have to emerge as his real work? Reines asked. This is all that he has done for three years, which is either commit a crime or cover up the crime that he committed or make it worse by obstructing any investigations of the crime. Thats what hes about.

He doesnt care about that, said Republican strategist Rina Shah, claiming that the president didnt care about it because there were so many people at his rallies.

Oh, sure he does, Reines shot back about Trump cares a lot about his legacy.

Shah then claimed that Trump doesnt care about the numbers an ironic statement because just hours earlier, Trump ranted about the numbers on Twitter.

Reines explained that the most significant difference between Clinton and Trump is that Clinton hasnt gone through 50 years of his adult life trying to live up to his father.

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then let us make a small request. Like you, we here at Raw Story believe in the power of progressive journalism. Raw Story readers power David Cay Johnstons DCReport, which we've expanded to keep watch in Washington. Weve exposed billionaire tax evasion and uncovered White House efforts to poison our water. Weve revealed financial scams that prey on veterans, and legal efforts to harm workers exploited by abusive bosses. And unlike other news outlets, weve decided to make our original content free. But we need your support to do what we do.

Raw Story is independent. You wont find mainstream media bias here. Unhinged from billionaires and corporate overlords, we fight to ensure no one is forgotten.

We need your support to deepen our investigative reporting. Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Invest with us in the future. Make a one-time contribution to Raw Story Investigates, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click to donate by check.

then let us make a small request. Like you, we here at Raw Story believe in the power of progressive journalism and were investing in investigative reporting as other publications give it the ax. Raw Story readers power David Cay Johnstons DCReport, which we've expanded to keep watch in Washington. Weve exposed billionaire tax evasion and uncovered White House efforts to poison our water. Weve revealed financial scams that prey on veterans, and efforts to harm workers exploited by abusive bosses. We need your support to do what we do.

Raw Story is independent. You wont find mainstream media bias here. Unhinged from corporate overlords, we fight to ensure no one is forgotten.

We need your support to keep producing quality journalism and deepen our investigative reporting. Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Invest with us in the future. Make a one-time contribution to Raw Story Investigates, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you.

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Trump has spent 50 years trying to live up to his father now his presidency will forever be stained: MSNBC panelist - Raw Story

Barf BagWelcome to Barf Bag, a daily politics roundup to help you sort through the chaotic Trumpian news cycle.

The Washington Post has an in-depth story on Pete Buttigiegs years-long effort to understand anti-black racism, and it kicks off with a charming anecdote about a time when he was a college intern for Renee Ferguson, a well-known television reporter in Chicago, and he was baffled by the idea that being a white man might have helped him gain access to a building that Ferguson, a black woman, was turned away from.

After she explained the pretty fucking obvious dynamics of the situation, they had this exchange:

I think I understand what white privilege looks like, Ferguson recalled telling Buttigieg.

I dont know if thats whats going on, he said.

Yes, you do know, she said. I couldnt get in, but you could. Think about how many times in your life that youve just been able to walk through doors and the rest of us got turned away.

And Ferguson is a Buttigieg supporter! Ouch. But more importantly, we also learn that Buttigieg perhaps doesnt know how to eat fried chicken:

Buttigieg is still asking how to deal with addressing differences.

He brought it up with the Rev. Al Sharpton when they dined at a soul food restaurant in Harlem. Sharpton noticed that Buttigieg was very self-conscious in that he did not want to rub people the wrong way or be misunderstood, so much so that he asked Sharpton if it was okay to eat fried chicken with his hands.

You eat fried chicken with your fucking hands, dude.

Meanwhile, Bernie Sanders has no problems discerning the correct way to eat common food objects, as I learned in this good profile of his campaign by BuzzFeeds Ruby Cramer that maybe made me cry a little bit:

In one swift hand motion, as if to dispense with this line of inquiry entirely, he lifts the slice from its white paper plate, folds the crust lengthwise, takes a large bite, and swallows.

This is my life, he says.

Ivanka Trump was recently at the Doha Forum in Qatar, where she continued to pursue her passion for standing. And while BuzzFeed reports that an array of senior leaders took hard questions on topics ranging from allegations of war crimes to the impeachment of Donald Trump, Ivanka was pitched some softball questions by... a State Department spokesperson... who works with Ivanka.

Here are some of the extremely hardhitting questions Ivanka was asked:

How many times do you think Ivanka said actualize in her responses?

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I Can Only Assume That Pete Buttigieg Thinks Fried Chicken Should Be Eaten With a Knife and Fork - Jezebel

A middle school principal who was demoted for allegedly preventing teachers from giving black history lessons has now filed a lawsuit against the employees who accused her of racism.

Patricia Catania, who served as principal atNew York'sIntermediate School (IS) 224, wasdemoted to an assistant principal jobat a nearby high school this summer. The change came after multiple teachers and students accusedCatania, who is white, of racist behavior during her time at IS 224.

Some of those accusations stemmed from an incident in February2018, whenCatania reportedly barred English teacherMercedes Liriano from teaching lessons centered around black history.

"She's racist," Lirianotold the New York Daily Newsat the time. "She's trying to stop us from teaching our students about our own culture."

That alleged incident led to an investigation from thecity's department of education, as well as publicbacklash from figures like civil rights activist Rev.Al Sharpton, who called Catania's actions a "disgrace" and an "insult."

But now, Catania is pushing back against those comments. Theex-principal has now filed a lawsuit against two black teachers at her former school, as well as two union employees.Catania's lawsuit alleges that the teachers waged a "maligning, malevolentand racist campaign" in an attempt to force her out of the school.

"Calling me a racist is not unlike calling Mahatma Gandhi a violent man there are just no facts to support the charge,and I was well known to be the exact opposite of the grossly misapplied 'racist' label,"Catania said in acourtdocumentobtained by the Daily News. "However, none of this mattered to my cancellers. They decided I had to go, and that was that."

Catania's lawsuit claims that the black historyincident occurred only becauseLiriano did not have an "adequatelesson plan" prepared on the subject. The former principalsays that she asked Liriano to craft a specific plan, which led the teacher to go on a "loud tirade."

The suit goes on to state that the argument with Liriano was the "spark" of a conspiracy to oust Catania so she could be replaced by a principal of "African or Caribbean ethnicity."

Liriano, however, explains the incident completely differently.According to the Washington Post, the teacher presentedCatania with an entire lesson plan for Black History Month, a subject she'd taught for more than a decade. Liriano said she was still rejected and met with hostility from her principal part of a pattern of "racist" behavior against her and other black teachers.

"We were just emotionally distressed by the harassment, the retaliation, the unjust animosity she had towards us,"Liriano told the Washington Post.

"This principal came in with this belief that black teachers were incompetent and set out (to) try to prove it to run them all out of the system,"Jeanne Mirer, a lawyer representing the teachers, told the WashingtonPost. "If that isnt racism, I don't know what is."

It's unclear yet when Catania's lawsuit will be resolved, but the ex-principal hasasked for a trial by jury.

"Shes been portrayed as the villain, but she's really the victim here,"Anthony Gentile,Catania's attorney,told the WashingtonPost. "It was racism, pure and simple, [even though] some people may not see her as sympathetic as when this happens to a brown-skinned person."

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Principal responds after being accused of banning black history classes: 'She's really the victim' - Yahoo Entertainment

C. Ron Allen

Boca Raton, FL It was shortly after 10 a.m. when Radio Hall of Famer Tom Joyner hung up his headset and rushed out of the studios at Hot 105(WHQT,FM105.1) for a bio break. As Joyner gingerly made his way down the hallway, a group of about 30 children and their chaperones greeted him with hugs.

The pioneering urban radio personality stopped for photos, all while sharing his trademark bear hugs with the ladies. Some got autographs, others were in awe after sharing the space with the legend. It was a moment they all will remember.

Just like that Monday morning in June, today, Friday, Dec. 13, is another day that will be etched in my memory. Thats because Joyner, 70, who hosted the syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show, signed off from the airwaves at 9:59 a.m. after 25 years.

For a quarter century, my alarm went off each weekday at 6 a.m. to Joyners familiar jingle, Oh, Oh, OhIts the Tom Joyner Morning Show indicating the start of a four-hour party with a purpose. At this party though, Joyner and his sidekicks kept their more than 10 million listeners highly informed, motivated and empowered.

This was not just another radio show, he redefined the role of a radio host beyond the traditional perception of a disc jockey. The talented cast, crew and team represented the communitys conscience and provided information and perspectives on important issues that were not being discussed in mainstream media.

The show, which was much a staple in the Black community as soul food and Bible study, was a community, a network that the Alabama Tuskegee, Alabama, native cultivated across the globe. In its heyday, the show was heard in more than 100 cities,. It was not unusual for service members stationed overseas to would call in while listening.

Many political leaders were elected to Congress or other top governmental positions after their stories aired on this platform.

Many political leaders were elected to Congress or other top governmental positions after their stories aired on this platform. He provided jobs for many, including members of congress,countless celebrities especially artists and comedians who got their break on this show.

While the show had its share of buffoonery, Joyner took his position of influence very seriously. He brought health and fitness to the forefront among Blacks with important initiatives such as the 2008 Get Out the Vote and his Take A Loved One to the Doctor campaign, which began as a way toto get Black men to visit the doctor to ultimately prevent fatal diseases.

He doled out financial advice, but most notably is his massive support for students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), a project to which he promises to devote continue through his retirement. His Tom Joyner Foundation has raised more than $100 million through an annual celebrity cruise for fans to help enrolled students pay tuition.

The son of a famed Tuskegee Airmen, Joyner was literally one of the hardest working men in the radio business. His career took off long before syndication was the norm. From 1985 to 1993, he hosted a morning show in Dallas, hopped on a plane and did another in Chicago in the afternoon. Then back to Dallas. He was back in Dallas by late evening. He did 10 shows, racked up 8,000 miles weekly and earned him the moniker Fly Jock.

In 1993, Joyner became the first Black personality to successfully go nationwide with music on a morning show with music ,when ABC Radio Networks offered to carry his program on several radio stations from a single base of operation.

Joyner began preparing for this day two years ago. A few factors forced his decision: an aging audience, radio stations attracting younger listeners, advertisers shifting elsewhere, and syndicated rivals such asSteve HarveyandRickey Smiley, who now has the hosting baton, have chipped away his fan base.

My goal was to die on the radio. Have my funeral on the radio, Joyner, who garnered numerous honors during his 50-year career, told a reporter recently.

Over the last two weeks, many celebrities including Oprah, Patti LaBelle, Spike Lee, Tyler Perry and the Rev. Al Sharpton called in or sent toasts to the man who had such a profound impact on them and our community.

It warmed my heart on Thursday when his former sidekick of 20 years, J. Anthony Brown sat in on the entire show. The two parted ways in 2016 after a disagreement, and today, J. called back to say thanks. In fact, heHe was the last caller.

I will miss the show largely because there wont be anyone to expose government corruption, confront the cases of police brutality, and speak the truth to power especially during these problematic times in American history.

But like anything else, such is a part of this journey we call life.

Mr. Joyner, you epitomize what it means to be committed to a cause. You made my life fuller over the past 25 years. , and Tthanks for stressing the importance of the mandateof us we all must makinge an impact on our communities.

I know your good work will continue, there will never be another Tom Joyner or Tom Joyner Morning Show and my mornings will never be the same.

C. Ron Allen can be reached at crallen@delraybeachtribune.com or 561-665-0151.

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Radio Icon Tom Joyner Signs Off, Leaving an Immeasurable Impact - The Boca Raton Tribune