Unbelievable: Bernie Sanders on MSNBC: Why is There No Progressive TV Network?

Sometimes when you're half-paying attention to the TV in the background, you have to hit the DVR button to make sure you heard things right. That's what happened when I caught this "interview" between Richie Maddow and Bernie Sanders the other night on MSNDNC. Turns out I did hear things right. I just can't believe my ears.

Maddow asks how to handle those that dare speak out against state-run health care, whether to mock them (the choice of Saul Alinsky, Obama's mentor) or refute them (done less since the Dems are losing the health care debate). Senator Sanders (I) answers by blaming talk radio and accusing Fox News of being "an arm of the Republican Party" (so more mocking naturally), and then he does the unthinkable. He asks a progressive talk show host on the most progressive cable news channel in America why there isn't a progressive television station.

It's like going on PBS and asking why there isn't a public broadcasting station. It's like going on Cinemax and asking why there aren't any skin flicks. It's like going on Jon Stewart and asking why there isn't any comedy. Okay, so maybe he'd have a point on the last one.

Business and Media caught this nonsense, too.

Granted Sanders is a self-avowed socialist with a 100% lifetime legislative score from the AFL-CIO. He supports a single-payer universal health care system. As in only a public option. No private insurers. And he's from Vermont, where there are probably fewer voters than volvos with Obama stickers. But still. That's quite a statement. Where did Bernie Sanders think he was? The O'Reilly Factor? This had to have hurt the gang at NBC's feelings. They've been trying sooo hard to out-Barack CNN.

Better kick it up a notch, Keith and Richie. Maybe put a bust of Lenin in the studio. Bernie ain't impressed.