Tucker Carlson says NFL superstar Michael Vick "should have been executed" for his dogfighting cruelty

Tucker Carlson on Hannity's 'Great American Panel'

Tucker Carlson addresses Vick role
Fox analyst Tucker Carlson gave the harshest critique of Vick's past yet, saying the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback "should have been executed" for his gruesome dogfighting crimes.

Carlson was guest hosting for Sean Hannity's show on Fox News Channel on Tuesday night when he made the remarks. He led a panel discussion about President Barack Obama commending the owner of the Eagles for giving Vick a second chance after his release from prison. Vick served 18 months in federal prison for running a dogfighting ring.

"I'm a Christian, I've made mistakes myself, I believe fervently in second chances," Carlson said on the show. "But Michael Vick killed dogs, and he did [it] in a heartless and cruel way. And I think, personally, he should've been executed for that. He wasn't, but the idea that the president of the United States would be getting behind someone who murdered dogs?"

HotAirs' Ed Morrissey asked Tucker Carlson for a clarification of his controversial statement

Video: Tucker Carlson says Vick should have been “executed” for dog killings
I love dogs — we have three — and I think what Vick did was horrifying and shockingly cruel. Executed? I don’t know. I do know that 19 months is a joke. People get more than that for tax evasion. He certainly shouldn’t be back in the NFL with Obama rooting for him. What the president said is disgusting. That’s the story as far as I’m concerned.

Howard Kurtz: Tucker Carlson, Stephanie Miller on Jon Stewart and "partisan hackery"

Recently Howard Kurtz hosted a panel that discussed the smackdown between CNBC's Jim Cramer and The Daily Show's Jon Stewart. The panel also featured two APF pundits, conservative Tucker Carlson and liberal Stephanie Miller. It's notable because Tucker was on the receiving end of one Jon Stewart's most memorable smackdowns. Appearing on CNN's Crossfire co hosted by Tucker, Stewart condemned the show's format of combative "partisan hackery".

Understandably after Jim Cramer and CNBC's format was criticised by Stewart, Tucker used this opportunity to get back at Stewart labelling him a "partisan hack" and warning his "sanctimonious" tone will lead him to being considered "unfunny".

VIDEO: Stephanie Miller and Tucker Carlson scoring the basic cable
showdown between CNBC and Jon Stewart

Read a partial transcript of this panel discussion on CNN- State of the Union: Reliable Sources - Aired March 15, 2009

Watching Tucker Carlson speak of Jon Stewart, the common theme is Carlson's concern for Jon Stewart's "unfunniness"

TUCKER talking Jon Stewart with Howard Kurtz: He's [Jon Stewart] smart, he's talented but he's becoming so self-serious and sanctimonious that it's just a matter of time that he becomes unfunny
TUCKER defending himself on CNN's Crossfire: Wow I thought you were going to be funny. C'mon be funny.... Is this really Jon Stewart. What's it like to have dinner with you? It must be excruciating do you lecture people when you come over their house... I think that you're more fun on you show

VIDEO: Jon Stewart on Crossfire with Tucker Carlson

Tucker Carlson booed at CPAC. Michelle Malkin feels it was deserved

Speaking on the first day of CPAC 2009 (Conservative Political Action Conference), Conservative pundit Tucker Carlson was roundly booed for his tacit support of the 'New York Times'. A favourite target of the right for it's supposed liberal bias.

VIDEO: CPAC - Tucker Carlson tries to defend the New York Times, gets booed

As the Washington Independent reports, the timing of Tucker's charge was made more awkward as an advertisement for PajamasTV (online conservative news) seemed to illustrate Tucker's unpopular point.

Conservatives Confident Their Day Is Coming
Carlson finished his speech ("thank you for indulging me") and the day was gaveled to a close. The image on the giant screens in the Omni Shoreham’s ballroom changed to an ad for PajamasTV, which promised "analysis" of the news-just the thing that Carlson had criticized. In a parody of Apple’s "I’m a Mac, I’m a PC" ads, a staid-looking man in a suit played "mainstream media" to a hip young man’s "PajamasTV."

"It’s my job to tell you the facts," said Mainstream Media.
"Yeah, like Dan Rather got it right about President Bush’s service record," said PajamasTV.

Influential blogger and Pajamas TV presenter Michelle Malkin echoed the sentiments of the jeering CPAC crowd. Michelle, who has spearheaded reporting that has successfully entered and challenged the mainstream news cycle disabuses Tucker of the notion that the right don't do any reporting of their own. Listing her newest contributions:

The whitewashing of Gary Locke — and why Tucker Carlson deserved to be booed
I was amused to read about Tucker Carlson’s finger-wagging to conservatives at CPAC yesterday — apparently repeating the canard that the Right doesn’t do reporting like the vaunted New York Times and needs to stop "just analyzing things based on what the mainstream media has reported."...

Today my syndicated column reports on the truth about Gary Locke’s ethics-tainted record, which you can find in blogs, but not in the New York Times...

Michelle eases up slightly, by giving some credit to Tucker before the final uppercut

It’s one thing to see left-wingers pimp the myth that conservatives don’t do reporting. But to have a Beltway conservative show up to CPAC and lazily engage in such uninformed sanctimony? Funny thing is: Carlson was a terrific reporter in the early days of his own career... before he went on to become one of those many, you know, professional analyzers of things. Do as he says, not as he does.

He deserves all the boos he got.

Rush Limbaugh and Sarah Palin invited to speak at CPAC (Conservative Political Action Conference)

Sarah Palin and Rush Limbaugh are arguably the two most popular and polarising conservative figures in America today. Both seen as the defacto leaders of the GOP and removed from Washington. Palin, a first term Governor for Alaska. Rush, an influential radio talker with a listernership of 20 million.

Whilst they are both formidable in their grassroots appeal. Liberal pundits and strategists may be willing to accept Limbaugh and Palin as Defacto leaders of the GOP as it allows them to paint a "controversial and extreme" face for the GOP.

On Rush Limbaugh as the Defacto Head of the Republican Party
"Rush is a double-edged sword, he cuts both ways" said Phil Musser, a Republican consultant and former executive director of the Republican Governors Association. "Sometimes you love him, sometimes you cringe at his impolitic (he'd say honest) fusillados."

John Weaver, a former senior aide to Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), said that Republicans must be careful not to allow their Democratic rivals to paint them all with the brush of Limbaugh.

"The Democrats and the far left will do all they can to grab electoral turf," said Weaver. "And one sure way to do it is take some of the most controversial voices on the extreme right -- like Limbaugh and [Alaska Gov. Sarah] Palin -- and try to insist they speak for all members of the center/right movement."

The annual (Conservative Political Action Conference) CPAC conference's speaker list has been a traditional measure of the most influential voices for Conservatism. Once again despite attempts to marginalise them, Talk Radio remains a powerful voice for conservatives. Based on their placement on the schedule, Rush Limbaugh and Sarah Palin are Conservatism's proud marquee names.

Rush Limbaugh, Joe Scarborough, and Sarah Palin to Speak at CPAC
The annual CPAC convention of conservatives is expected to be a sellout because two huge names are coming to deliver red-meat speeches: Rush Limbaugh and Sarah Palin.

Other notable pundits invited to speak include:
- Joe Scarborough
- Tucker Carlson
- Ann Coulter
- Michell Malkin
- Glenn Beck
- John Ziegler

Prominent politicians include, GOP Presidential contenders, Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul
- Download the schedule of events here for CPAC 2009

Movers and Shakers: Where are Pundits like Hannity, Maddow, Beck and Garofalo headed for 2009

In case you're wondering what to expect from you're favourite pundits for 2009. Below is a listing of the changes, promotions and movements surrounding the roster of APF pundits.

Janeane Garofalo starring in '24'
Janeane Garofalo joins '24', the series thriller known for its 'conservative' portrayal of Washington and it's handling of terrorism. Interestingly Janeane's previous medium-term acting gig was for the 'West Wing', a show that portrayed Washington though a liberal reality.

Time right for Garofalo on '24'
Actress-comedian Janeane Garofalo, an outspoken liberal, is set to co-star on the conservative-leaning real-time drama, whose co-creator/executive producer Joel Surnow jokingly describes himself as a "right-wing nut job."

Former CNN pundit, Glenn Beck defects to Fox News

Fox News Hires Glenn Beck Away From CNN
The Fox News Channel brought in a big name from a rival Thursday when it announced that it had signed Glenn Beck, the host of a widely viewed talk show on Headline News, a sister network of CNN.

Mr. Beck, who has frequently raised hackles in liberal circles with his acerbic conservative commentary, will host a new talk hour on Fox News from 5 to 6 p.m. weeknights.

Sam Seder and Marc Maron officially return to a full time schedule on Air America Radio
After playing with an upstart video format for a year. Sam and Marc's intimate video show - 'Maron V Seder' got picked up by AirAmerica in the months leading up to the Presidential Election as an 'internet only' live video program. The program has since been renamed 'Break Room Live' and backed with the full production values of Air America continues as an ongoing program.

About BREAK ROOM LIVE
BreakRoomLive.com will also be home to exclusive on-demand video content from Marc and Sam. Along with a fully interactive blog, Marc and Sam will provide BreakRoomLive.com with interviews, political discussions, and irreverent comedy that can’t be seen anywhere else.

John Gibson no longer on TV but his radio show is retained by Fox News

So, What's The (Big) Story With John Gibson?
Last night, faux newsman Stephen Colbert had a send up of real newsman John Gibson of FNC, saying "the network announced that it is canceling the Big Story."

At the time, John Gibson's show was removed to make way for Election season programming - 'America's Election Headquarters'. The timeslot has since been allocated for Glenn Beck's new program.

Tucker Carlson no longer has a show but remains a contributor to MSNBC

Tucker Canceled; Other Programming Changes Ahead
Insiders tell TVNewser Tucker Carlson's 6pmET show Tucker is getting the axe, but Carlson stays on as a political contributor to all MSNBC shows at least through the 2008 election.

MSNBC's Chief White House correspondent, David Gregory assumed Tucker Carlson's former timeslot.

Stephen Colbert honours John Gibson and Tucker Carlson in a satirical segment devoted to Elliot Spitzer

STEPHEN COLBERT: But as the saying goes John Gibson, Tucker Carlson and prostitution scandals come in threes...

Rachel Maddow's role refocuses her radio presence as her TV star rises

Maddow rechannels energy at Air America
During the election last year, Maddow established herself as one of the big three at MSNBC, which had its best run ever, with her show following Chris Matthews and Keith Olbermann.

But she was a charter host on Air America in March 2004, so she and the radio network have now figured out a way to give her an ongoing presence there.

She has dropped her daily evening show on Air America, but will "provide content" for an hour-long morning program, largely built on her MSNBC show of the previous evening.

The problem, says Maddow, is that something had to give...

[Sean] Hannity and [Alan] Colmes part ways

Hannity and Colmes no longer. Who will Hannity face next?
After a remarkable twelve year run, Alan Colmes is set to leave FOX News Channel's top-rated Hannity & Colmes at the end of the year, according to key sources...

Sean Hannity has the timeslot to himself and is rating very well thus far. Alan Colmes remains a FoxNews contributor and continues to host 'The Alan Colmes show' syndicated by Fox News Radio.

Al Franken, Jonah Goldberg and Rich Lowry on Pundits Fighting

In a post pre-dating this blog by 3 years, Conservative pundit Jonah Goldberg contemplates "Pundits Fighting". When the APF blog relates American politics and punditry to pro-wrestling, it deals with the parallels in the theatrical presentation, archetypes, charisma and psychology. It was not intended to be about real life fisticuffs as Jonah contemplates.

Fight Al Franken? I Guess Not...
As many of you have probably heard, Al Franken, the comedian liberals take seriously, challenged my friend and paycheck provider Rich Lowry to a fist fight this week... Franken was responding to Rich's argument that the Left is on a campaign against manliness. As one might expect, Franken thought he was making a brilliant and funny point about conservative hypocrisy...

Jonah Goldberg considers how he matches up with Franken and how Conservative fare against liberals as a whole

Anyway, at first, I thought I might pick up the gauntlet Rich decided to ignore. There are only a couple of problems. First, while not too long ago I think I could have opened a huge can of whup-ass on Franken, these days I'm so out of shape I have the upper body strength of a twelve-year-old girl — albeit a pretty tough one.

But this whole episode has initiated a vast amount of beer talk among my friends. In short, we keep trying to figure out which conservative pundit-types could beat up which liberal pundit-types in a fight. So far, I hate to say, the conservatives don't look as good as I would have thought.

Jonah Goldberg sanctions some hypothetical Pundit matches. Interestingly there are only a few that have become official Pundit Fighters in the APF:

Tucker Carlson and Matt Labash of the Weekly Standard would certainly be good picks but, I'll tell ya, the list for a good conservative goon squad dries up pretty quickly... I know most of my readers don't like Joe Conason, but you'd bet on him if he were in a gladiator ring up against Ramesh Ponnuru or Michael Medved... who would win in a fight: Bill O'Reilly or Geraldo?

View the existing Fighting Pundit roster.

As Jonah Goldberg reminds, there is a further case to make Al Franken the poster child for the American Pundit Fighting. As previously stated, Franken is unique in that he is a wrestler, Saturday Night Live alum and pundit. Possibly a future senator and arguably the first to challenge other Pundits to a fight.

More on Rich Lowry VS Al Franken
- Spinsanity debate: Al Franken vs. Rich Lowry
- The Battle of the Books: Lowry vs. Franken
- Fisking Franken, Rich Lowry setting the record straight
- Read another Pundit, Pete Dominick challenging Bill O'Reilly to a fight

Pundit Profile 1: Tucker Carlson, Ann Coulter

Tucker Carlson currently hosts Tucker, a fast paced News show on MSNBC. He was a contestant on the recent series of Dancing with the Stars, being the first personality to exit. Tucker has written one book, Politicians, Partisans, and Parasites: My Adventures in Cable News.

Ann Coulter is a columnist, has written 3 books and frequently offers opinion on TV - usually causing controversy. She has her own website which contains her most recent columns. Her columns can also be found on Townhall and WorldNetDaily just to name a few. Her 4 books are:
1) High Crimes and Misdemeanors: The Case Against Bill Clinton (1998)
2) Slander: Liberal Lies About the American Right (2002)
3) Treason: Liberal Treachery from the Cold War to the War on Terrorism (2003)
4) How to Talk to a Liberal (If You Must): The World According to Ann Coulter (2004)
5) Godless: The Church of Liberalism (2006)
6) If Democrats Had Any Brains, They'd Be Republicans (2007)
7) Guilty: Liberal "Victims" and Their Assault on America (2009)

Shoot Fights: When pundits get personal - Kilmeade VS Garofalo, Stewart VS Crossfire

In wrestling, a 'shoot' is when one of the combatants overrides the agreed script and does something unexpected by injecting real emotion. This may involve actually hitting (physically connecting with) other wrestlers or using very personal verbal attacks. In essence making a fake wrestling scenario or feud into a real one. Shoots aren't necessarily a bad thing as the heightened realism makes for compelling viewing and is sure to garner an audience.

In punditry, shoot fights may come in the form of pundits ambushing their unsuspecting guests by injecting their own personal feelings (usually contempt) in interviews. Essentially turning a professional disagreement into a personal one. A certain level of decorum is expected during interviews even from those with opposing ideological perspectives. Largely because the interviewer may want the interviewee to return for future appearances, a reputation as a hostile interviewer may also dissuade any other potential guests.

Below are a few examples of Pundit shoots:

Brian Kilmeade of Fox and Friends shoots on Janeane Garofalo, whilst the interview begins cordially its clear that Brian gets personal by the end. To her credit APF pundit Janeane holds her own.

VIDEO: Brian Kilmeade and Janeane Garofalo debate the Iraq War

Hugh Hewitt is known for being a tenacious interviewer to those he disagrees with, even Republicans aren't spared. Helen Thomas was subjected to Hugh Hewitt's lawyerly badgering by pressing her for her ideological leaning. Helen is clearly flustered by the questioning and vainly tries to convince Hugh that journalism by its nature should not have bias. Listen here.

Former Air America talker Al Franken did a shoot on conservative Radio host Neal Boortz who was a guest on his show. Although the two are (were?) amicable with each other, Franken was particularly fixated on undermining Boortz in this exchange. Whilst Neal expected a discussion of current issues, Al started it off by playing a succession of clips that appeared to show Boortz misrepresenting things and pressing him to explain. Neal did not take too fondly to Al's tactics, hitting back saying

NEAL BOORTZ: (10m 5s) Be prepared to talk about some issues, not play a stupid, childish, moronic Al Franken game of 'Gotcha!... I am tired of playing the little nursery school thing with you Al.

Neal hangs up the phone.

Listen to the exchange between Al Franken and Neal Boortz

Finally, Jon Stewart does a shoot with a difference. Usually shoots are conducted by the interviewer largely because they come from a position of strength/control. John Stewart appeared on CNN's Crossfire hosted by (liberal) Paul Begala and (conservative) Tucker Carlson. Whilst Jon wasn't as influential as he is now, he was arguably more reputable than the dual hosts. He was openly hostile to the show (specifically its combative format) and took pot shots at Tucker. Its been said that his damning indictment of the show eventually led to its cancellation.

VIDEO: Jon Stewart challenges hosts 

Tucker Carlson and Paul Begala on CNN's Crossfire

Jon Stewart confronts CNN's Crossfire
JON STEWART: (5m 2s) Its interesting to hear you talk about my responsibility, I didn't realise --and maybe this explains quite a bit-- that the News organisations look to Comedy Central for their cues on integrity. What I would suggest is when you talk holding Politician's feet to the fire. I think that's disingenuous
TUCKER CARLSON: How are you holding up? -- I mean c'mon.
STEWART: No no no no but my role isn't I don't think... If you're idea of confronting me is that I don't ask hard enough News questions we're in bad shape fellas
CARLSON: We're here to love you not confront you.
STEWART: But what I'm saying is this, I'm not. I'm here to confront you cause we need help from the Media and they're hurting us
PAUL BEGALA: If the indictment is -- and I have heard you say this -- Crossfire is everything asI said in the intro left/right, black/white. Its because we are a Debate show...
STEWART: That would be great! I would love to see a debate show... to do a debate would be great but that's like saying pro-wrestling is a show about athletic competition
CARLSON: I think you're a good comedian. I think your lectures are boring...

Update: I almost forgot, Mark Levin. Anyone with even a cursory awareness of Mark Levin knows that he is curt with people whom he disagrees with. He dominates all conversation with liberal callers, often shouting down and abruptly ending conversations. This is simply Mark Levin's persona, and his audience enjoys it. Paul Hackett, veteran of the Iraq War who famously sought office as a Democrat appeared on Mark's show. Paul was there to clarify some controversial statements he had made on another program. Paul Hackett showed poise against Mark who was a stiff worker, firing insults and pointed questions.

Listen to the exchange here - Audio: "Unterfuhrer," round two — Levin vs. Hackett