Twit tweet:
On substance, Democrats got what they wanted: that Mueller didn't charge Pres. Trump because of the OLC guidance, that he could be indicted after he leaves office, among other things. But on optics, this was a disaster. #MuellerHearings— Chuck Todd (@chucktodd) July 24, 2019
Thwap:
"On substance, it was clear the Ted Bundy violently murdered 30 people and deserves to rot in jail. But on optics, he looked good on TV so who knows what should happen?"— Mikel Jollett (@Mikel_Jollett) July 24, 2019
Yes, Chuck with democracy on the line we wouldn’t want you to do something crazy like focus on the actual substance. What a departure that would be from your entire life in politics of being a glorified theater critic— Cliff Schecter (@cliffschecter) July 24, 2019
And really who cares about substance, right? Surely not the media’s job to try to focus on that instead of optics, right?— Michelangelo Signorile (@MSignorile) July 24, 2019
Trump currently screaming like a maniac at reporters who will all later say that Democrats have an optics problem.— Tom Watson (@tomwatson) July 24, 2019
Today the media decided it’s ok to question someone’s mental acuity based on their demeanor on TV. So we can expect the same when donald trump speaks — right?— Philippe Reines (@PhilippeReines) July 24, 2019
Because every time he opens his mouth he barfs up a myriad of symptoms of Neurosyphilis, NPD, dementia & chronic idiocy.
Terrible optics for the Democrats. https://t.co/RxSBZqWDDN— Crabby Tom Hilton (@TVHilton) July 24, 2019
if an optics win is when you spend three hours shouting conspiracy theories at someone who politely refuses to engage, i should have had a lot more success dating— Alexandra Petri (@petridishes) July 24, 2019
BONUS: It's not just poor Chuckie. It's print media hot takers and the execrable Brian Williams, too. We saw something like this coming, but were hoping for better. No more.
BONUS II: No More Mister Nice Blog has more on- point commentary here and here. Amanda Marcotte bemoans the media's bizarre distortions. Susie Madrak has more reaction from the twitterverse.
