It’s time for Jeff Zeleny to go!

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2012

Fox friend steals from Goofus and Gallant: Whatever you think of last night’s debate, it’s time for Jeff Zeleny to go.

Zeleny is the timid fellow who represents the New York Times in panel discussions on Special Report. That's on the Fox News Channel.

He’s also the fellow who wrote the Times’ front-page report about last night’s debate. In our view, it’s time for this hackster to go:

ZELENY (10/12/12): Biden and Ryan Quarrel Aggressively in Debate, Offering Contrasts

It was the debate that President Obama and Mitt Romney did not have a week ago.

Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. and Representative Paul D. Ryan fiercely quarreled at the vice-presidential debate here on Thursday night, with Mr. Biden using the cutting attack lines against the Republican ticket that Mr. Obama did not and Mr. Ryan delivering a spirited case for conservative policies that Mr. Romney had soft-pedaled.

The 90-minute debate, which unfolded in rapid tempo, offered a spirited airing of the sharp contrasts over the administration’s handling of the terrorist attack in Libya, the pace of the economic recovery at home and the role of government in addressing the nation’s fiscal burdens.

While Mr. Obama and Mr. Romney were not on stage, they were at the center of the conversation as their running mates made certain the evening was squarely focused on defining the men at the top of the ticket. But, under pressure to pass the test, Mr. Ryan displayed a proficiency in areas like foreign policy and kept pace with Mr. Biden, who is 27 years his senior.

It was Mr. Biden who sought to quiet the rising clamor among Democrats that the president was not assertive enough with Mr. Romney at their debate last week in Denver. A day after Mr. Obama conceded he was “too polite,” Mr. Biden showed no hesitation in hectoring, heckling and interrupting his challenger.

Zeleny didn’t write that childish headline, but it’s closely drawn from his copy. And his copy betrays the bias we often see in his work.

We don’t think we’ve ever used the B-word in describing the work of a major reporter. But good God! You can’t call Zeleny subtle!

In Zeleny’s copy, Biden “uses cutting attack lines.” Ryan “delivers a spirited case for conservative policies.”

Ryan “displays a proficiency in areas like foreign policy.” Biden “shows no hesitation in hectoring, heckling and interrupting his challenger.”

In paragraph 3, the whole evening was built around possible shortcomings of the Administration. There was no discussion of possible flaws in Romney's proposals or outlook.

And the bullshit doesn’t stop there. The pencil-necked Fox friend continues:

ZELENY (continuing directly): Within a single minute, Mr. Biden worked in three attacks on his rivals, referring to Mr. Romney’s opposition to the auto industry bailout, his statement that the foreclosure crisis would have to “run its course” and his comment about “47 percent” of Americans who he said were overreliant on government benefits.

“These guys bet against America all the time,” said Mr. Biden, whose temperature was running close to boil for most of the evening.

Mr. Ryan, who kept his composure for most of the night, suggested that Mr. Romney misspoke when talking about the 47 percent. He added pointedly, “I think the vice president very well knows that sometimes the words don’t come out of your mouth the right way.”

Biden’s “temperature was running close to boil.” Ryan “kept his composure for most of the night.”

“Goofus and Gallant” is written like this. But that feature offers morality plays intended for 8-year-old children.

Zeleny frequently types this way—and yes, this is a front-page news report! As an opinion column, this piece would be dumb.

It's on the front page of the New York Times, posing as news.

It’s time for this weak, timid Fox man to go. It’s time for him to be shown the door—to take his bullshit through it.