Anchor challenges Democrat Senator on ‘fiscal cliff’

Image: CNBC anchor Maria Bartiromo, Source Breitbart 

 Finally; a break in the ongoing and boring saga of the US ‘fiscal cliff’ negotiations in which we are fed a constant diet of dire consequences should an agreement not be reached to bring some balance to the budget. We’ve all been here and heard it all before, and are sick and tired of it.

 The Administration and its echo chamber in the mainstream media are maintaining that the problem is that Republicans are refusing to compromise despite the President making it clear that anything other than he wants, will be vetoed. It seems that the Obama definition of compromise is for the other side to give him whatever he wants. Any proposal from the GOP is rejected out of hand.

 This tactic has only worked till now because of the liberal media pushing the party line, something that might be changing with CNBC anchor Maria Bartiromo challenging Democrat Senator Ben Cardin to cheering from floor traders:

Bartiromo exploded that narrative by challenging Cardin on ANY alternative type of revenue stream that doesn't include raising tax rates. Cardin would not agree to any of them, thus destroying the idea that Democrats are embracing the "balanced approach.”

“So how come you’re not moving forward? What’s the problem? Because the American people are so tired of this, and they are really tired of the lawmakers thinking that the American people are stupid. You can’t keep coming on the show every week saying the same thing: ‘It’s not a balanced approach.’ 

“You’re talking about $1.2 trillion in revenue, but you’re not prepared to put anything on the table. People are not stupid!” … 

… “That’s all you want to do. That’s it. It’s your way or the highway. Raise the rates on the rich. No other way. Your way or the highway. That’s it. That’s where we are. Thank you, Senator.” … 

What happened next was one of this unscripted and spontaneous events that we love seeing on CNBC. Because the anchors are often engaged in these shouting matches while reporting from their perch hovering over the trading floor (or in the case of Rick Sentelli right smack in the middle of the trading floor) the traders, the men and women who actually have to deal with the consequences of politicians' ham-fisted policies, are listening and following the heated exchanges. 

After Bartiromo called Cardin (and all Democrats) out for their duplicitous approach the traders erupted in cheers and applause. They were rewarding her for finally doing what most anchors and reporters refuse to do. …

It’s interesting to speculate on occasions as to whether some of the more intelligent journalists find it embarrassing to be required to constantly recite the party line although the dumber ones like Mathews clearly have no problem with it. Maria seems to break the mold.