Full transcript of 'Wrestlers vs. Politicians' featuring Ronny Chieng of The Daily Show

Ronny Chieng continued The Daily Show's tradition of linking US politics with pro-wrestling. During his tenure, wrestling mark Jon Stewart was one of the first mainstream outlets to endorse the #PoliticsisWrestling meme. In 2010 for a segment titled 'Crumbums & Fatcats', Daily Show correspondent Wyatt Cenac and Mick Foley cut a promo which led to Stewart to surmise "So what you're saying is the whole f*cking thing [American Politics] is fake like professional wrestling".

With WWE Hall-of-Famer Donald Trump as President, Ronny Chieng filmed a 2018 segment in Appalachia to ask wrestler 'Progressive Liberal' for his state of the union.

VIDEO: Wrestlers Vs. Politicians | The Daily Show With Trevor Noah

RONNY CHIENG voiceover: Democrats may know how to rally their base but when they reach out to Middle America they say things like
ELIZABETH WARREN excerpt: Working families to get a share of the prosperity they're creating, we need a serious enforcement of competition laws
*deflating music*
CHIENG vo: You're boring!!!
NANCY PELOSI excerpt: Single payer! Single payer! Single payer
*deflating music*
CHIENG vo: It's like you don't even care about what you're saying
CORY BOOKER: Can you hear me now?
CHUCK SCHUMER: It's not working

Cut to the exciting part

CHIENG vo: No it's not. And it's no surprise. In the last election, people in swing states went for a guy who said things like...
DONALD TRUMP excerpt: Who's going to pay for the wall?! I'd like to punch him in the face I tell ya!
CHIENG vo: Trump honed his trademark oratorical style where else? In professional wrestling and if Democrats were gonna fight back, they needed someone who could go head to head with a WWE Hall-of-Famer like Trump. And in the heart of coal country we found him
DAN RICHARDS excerpt: Shut your ignorant mouths cuz the Progressive Liberal has something to say
CHIENG vo: Finally a Democrat who doesn't make me want to change the channel. Dan Richards has been making headlines wrestling as the Progressive Liberal and riling up small-town audiences all over Trump Country...

'Progressive Liberal' Dan Richards making headlines

RONNY CHIENG: How hard is it to pretend to have these liberal values?
DAN RICHARDS: Oh I'm not pretending
RICHARDS excerpt: You're on the wrong side of history so shut up!
CHIENG vo: But even if the crowd hates him, the Progressive Liberal could teach swing state Democrats some classic wrestling techniques for getting voter's attention
DAN RICHARDS: You wanna stick to broad brush stroke talking points
CHIENG: Right. So Middle America would rather learn about politics through a mostly naked man than by reading a book?
RICHARDS: Yeah

Pro Wrestler sits down with Daily Show correspondent Ronny Chieng

RONNY CHIENG vo: But Dan assured me that besides wearing shirts, politicians and wrestlers had one key difference
DAN RICHARDS: People in politics will say anything to get elected whereas a good wrestler is only gonna say things that they truly believe in
CHIENG: So what you're saying is that the level of political discourse in wrestling is actually higher than in politics?
RICHARDS: Oh yeah

Blue team vs Red Team

RONNY CHIENG vo: But with Congress immobilised by partisan politics what advice did the Progressive Liberal have for Democrats
CHIENG: Let's say you're Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell puts you in a headlock, what do you do?
DAN RICHARDS: Ummm I'd reverse it into a top wristlock and I would stomp on his elbow breaking his wrists
CHIENG: *nods* And the issue would be resolved?
RICHARDS: Without a doubt

'Commander-in-briefs' Ronny goes in the ring with Dan Richards

RONNY CHIENG vo: The Progressive Liberal had some great ideas for updating Democrats' messaging but could he take on the Heavyweight Champion in the White House.
RING ANNOUNCER: Introducing the 'Commander-in-briefs'!
CHIENG: Is it just me or is it getting cold in here? Because there's a snowflake in the ring!
RICHARDS: I am not a snowflake!!!
CHIENG: Snowflake! Snowflake!
RICHARDS: Quit pandering
CHIENG: I'm one of them

Dan Richards shows how to get a pop as a progressive liberal

CHIENG vo: My pandering was working. Time to take this to the next level
CHIENG: You know what this man wants? Let me guess what you want to do with the guns in this country. Just let me guess.
*crowd boos*
CHIENG: You wanna take them away
RICHARDS: I don't wanna take away guns. I'm just for really strict background checks
CHIENG vo: OK, that wasn't too hard to understand and the audience was into it
CHIENG: Fine! Whatever about guns. Let me guess what you want to do about marijuana
RICHARDS: I think what people wanna do behind closed doors should be their business
*man in crowd cheers*

The future of American Politics

CHIENG: Like Hell you do
RICHARDS: That is my position as the Progressive Liberal
*crowd cheers*
*triumphant music plays*
CHIENG vo: Looks like broad brush talking points work. Especially that marijuana one Democrats. So maybe let wrestlers craft slogans for your next campaign. Like "Lock Guns Up", "Make America Greatest" or "420 4 2020".
Let's face it, what really turns on swing state crowds isn't words. It's action
CHIENG: I don't care about your positions cuz you suck
*Ronny runs the ropes and takes a bump*
CHIENG vo: Middle America wants a strong hero who won't back down from a fight. So Democrats if you want to beat a wrestler president. Keep it simple and go on the offensive
*Ronny getting stomped on the turnbuckle*
CHIENG: Fake News! Fake News!
CHIENG vo: Welcome to the future of American politics

I contend it's been the prevailing state of American Politics for a while now, this blog was founded in 2007.

Henry Rollins on travel: "Fox News is pro-wrestling and MSNBC is a TV Blog"

Henry Rollins is a Punk Rock legend and ever evolving artist. Known for his outspokenness Rollins toured with APF's Marc Maron and Janeane Garofalo on their 'It's Not a Play and There's No Music' tour in 2007.

Interview with Henry Rollins: Punk Rock World Traveler
WORLD HUM: So how does an experience like that color the way you consume mainstream media about, say, Iran and U.S.-Iran relations?
HENRY ROLLINS: Good question. It occurs to me that CNN, as neural and sometimes milquetoast and mediocre as they can be, and they’re the nicest, and FOX news, they’re the professional wrestling, and MSNBC, they’re a blog that’s a TV show, all these outlets ultimately are pro-war—some people might argue with me—and pro-corporate bottom line. Whereas Al Jazeera, to me, that’s news. Where you get to hear the full soundtrack of what an Iraqi hospital sounds like full of people with no anesthesia, when you just hear nothing but human screams. That’s bringing it home...

- Marc Maron's WTF podcast Ep 23: Wyatt Cenac talks pundits and professional wrestling

Jon Stewart's unedited interview with Chris Wallace on 'Fox News Sunday' (transcript)

 VIDEO: Exclusive: Jon Stewart on 'Fox News Sunday' (unedited)

Transcript of Chris Wallace interviewing Jon Stewart (June 20, 2011)
WALLACE: I'm just trying to understand you.
STEWART: Is that really true?
WALLACE: Yes.
STEWART: Because here's the thing that surprises me about that. I've existed in this country forever. There have been people like me who satirize the political process and who have satirized — what was it that Will Rogers said? How crazy is it when politicians are a joke and comedians are taken seriously? I've existed forever. The box that I exist in has always been around, the change is the box that you guys, you've moved closer to me. But I'd like to know what I'm doing that's really different than what you've seen previously from satirical comedians that work in the political milieu. What is different about it, that makes you so perplexed?

Sam Seder launches new podcast show - Majority Report Radio (Majority FM)

Sam Seder hosting his new radio podcast - Majority Report Radio (Majority.FM)

Sam Seder has launched a new incarnation of 'Majority Report radio' - Majority.FM'. His latest project in years after the rollercoaster ride that was Air America Radio. His partner on his last two projects ('Maron V Seder' and 'Break Room Live'), Marc Maron had struck gold with a comedy podcast that has consistently been ranked #1 on ITunes.

Sam Seder hopes to do the same with his brand of politics and comedy. A lot of Maron's early success was built on the network of friends he enlisted as guests and the following he had garnered on his previous shows on Air America. Sam shares a similar advantage albeit a long time in between drinks. Moreover he is assisted by the following he has cultivated on his website SamSederShow.com and the increased television profile he's had as a regular panelist on CNN and MSNBC.

Logo for Sam Seder's new 'Majority Report Radio' show - Majority.FM

Find all the relevant links to Majority.FM here
- Listen to Majority.FM on your music player here
- Go to the Majority.FM website
- Go to the Majority.FM Facebook site
- Go to the Majority.FM Twitter site
- Official Sam Seder website
- Listen to my 2008 interview with Sam Seder

Netroots Nation and and Right Online Conferences face off in Las Vegas

VIDEO: Ed Morrissey at RightOnline 2010

Ed Morrissey at RightOnline 2010 from AFPhq on Vimeo.

My speech to AFP’s Right Online conference
...I decided to try a lighter, humorous touch to make my point, and those of you who listened to my last night on the Hugh Hewitt show will recognize where I got my inspiration to talk about the sudden re-emergence of 1970s nostalgia.

VIDEO: Senator Al Franken Netroots Nation Las Vegas

Huffington Post: Sen. Franken to the Netroots: Only You Can Stop the Corporate Takeover of Free Speech
Over the weekend, Sen. Al Franken (D.-Minn.) made the corporate takeover of our media, and the government’s acquiescence to these corporations, frighteningly clear.

VIDEO: Netroots & Liberal Media Bias: Cenk Hosts MSNBC

Right-Wing Blogger Tells Cenk: Liberals Have The 'Liberal Media' On Our Side
Cenk Uygur of the Young Turks was filling in for Dylan Ratigan on MSNBC yesterday, and had on Sam Seder and conservative blogger Matt Lewis about Netroots 2010, Right Online, and media bias.

Who, me unleash violent nutcases? Beck wonders why the concern about the Tides Foundation -- but doesn't mention shooter
Glenn Beck was all hyped up about last week's Netroots Nation gathering in Vegas, especially the frequency with which he was mentioned. The reason, he said, was that "this was really about you" (which is, of course, one of the rhetorical devices Beck uses to get his viewers to identify with him).

EpixHD presents Janeane Garofalo's new stand-up special 'If you Will'

Actor, comedian and liberal activist Janeane Garofalo will be gracing us with her comedy stylings via subscription site Epix HD. The online movie channel is hosting Janeane's stand-up special taped May 8, 2010 at the Moore Theatre in Seattle, WA.

You can find plenty of Janeane Garofalo content and interviews as well as watch the entire special via the Garofalo page on EpixHD - Janeane Garofalo: If You Will

Watch Janeane on the Huffington Post responding to reader submitted questions - VIDEO: Janeane Garofalo On Obama vs. McChrystal, Glenn Beck's Douchiness & Justin Bieber's Hair

Read an AV Club interview of Janeane Garofalo here

Onion AV Club interview - Janeane Garofalo
AVC: You gave an interview several years back, deep in the heart of the Bush administration, where you said that the reason that you didn’t do stand-up as much then was that you didn’t find anything funny anymore. So can we assume that you’re ready to laugh again?

JG: Yeah, there was so much stuff that broke my heart during the Bush years that I honestly could not do stand-up without going down one of those tangents and getting very strident. But also I was working at Air America five nights a week, so it was very difficult to do stand-up, because I wasn’t leaving Air America until 11 p.m. So there was that. Now, granted, there are still as many heartbreaking things going on. There are so many things in the Obama administration to be sick over that certainly didn’t change. And also our media, if it’s possible, seems to be getting even worse. The alleged news media. And then there are the teabag racists adding insult to injury. But I don’t have that same heartbreak anymore, because it’s not fresh heartbreak anymore. It’s like I’m used to it. I’m sure we all are just used to it.

Iron Man and Captain America get political? Are they Conservative and Liberal darling?

Frequent consumers of political blogs will be familiar with editorials where authors argue that a popular but otherwise apolitical group or cultural product belongs to the left or right. In this instance the case being made - "Superhero movies are conservative".

Men of iron and steel
The release of “Iron Man 2” this weekend kicks off the summer blockbuster season. It’s an interesting cultural moment for conservatives. The movie version of Iron Man is one of the most unambiguously libertarian figures in popular culture, a billionaire industrialist playboy who spends much of the new movie telling the government to get bent when it tries to claim his amazing suit of high-tech armor. He’s patriotic, loves the military, and views the bad actors of the world from a Reaganite position of moral confidence. In the original movie, he did what Hollywood has been painfully reluctant to do, ever since September 11: he flew over to the Middle East and took out the trash...

The recent wave of super-hero movies has been largely agreeable to conservatives...

It is an interesting piece by Doctor Zero, clearly an avid comic book reader.

The piece goes on to mention the disparity between the "pro-conservative views" found in the blockbuster movies and the "liberal slant" found in the source material of the comics

The characters [in the movies] haven’t been overexposed and eroded through complex re-inventions [like they have in the books], leading lazy writers to inject leftist cant into their stories, in a desperate attempt to seem relevant and high-minded. Average folks who enjoy “Iron Man 2” this weekend would be utterly baffled by the portrayal of a nearly fascist Tony Stark in the recent “Civil War” storyline running through Marvel Comics. An industry that flirts with the idea of Captain America charging into battle against the Tea Party has lost touch with its roots, and taken leave of its senses. Fortunately, the superhero movies are giving us cleaner, more coherent interpretations of these great characters.

The idea that certain movies or heroes represent the values of certain political parties and politicians is not new. I previously mentioned how cultural writers have written that 'The Dark Knight' echoed George W Bush' brand of justice and that President Obama was some kind of Superman.

Marvel Comics: Captain America #602

But the most intriguing turn in the comic book universe is the reframing of Captain America as liberal patriot. With the latest controversy of Captain America seemingly portrayed as Anti-Tea Party threatening to alienate a portion of the fan base. Marvel Comics has responded to the controversy with Marvel Comics Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada defending the Captain America #602 storyline but conceding there was an error in the editorial process.

Marvel admits to 'mistake' in controversial Captain America comic
It looks like Marvel Comics' Captain America is throwing his mighty shield at the Tea Party Movement. Warner Todd Huston wrote on his Publius forum blog that the super-powered soldier who fought the Nazis in WWII observes with disdain Americans who are seemingly compared to Tea Party Movement protesters of today...

Update: (May 10, 2010)
Perhaps this might bring up Iron Man's conservative credentials, here is Bill O'Reilly on his cameo in 'Iron Man 2'. I will post the actual film excerpt when that becomes available online. In the meantime find a full transcript with screen grabs of O'Reilly's scene from Flicksided.com - Bill O’Reilly Trashes Potts, Stark In Iron Man 2 (Screenshots)

VIDEO: Bill O'Reilly In 'Ironman 2'

Keith Olbermann responds to Jon Stewart's crtitique

VIDEO: Keith Olbermann's response to Jon Stewart

Keith Olbermann responded to Jon Stewart's critique of him by replaying Stewart's skewering of him in its entirety and sheepishly apologising. Olbermann also referenced an earlier parody that Ben Affleck did of him for SNL in 2008.

KEITH OLBERMANN: Well yesterday Mr Stewart was first critical of Rachel [Maddow] and then last night of me... seriously Mr Stewart's critique of me won't mean much unless you see it so I will show it in a moment with 2 prefaces only

1) Jon you invited me on the show in 2003 and I said I couldn't make it because of the taping time. It didn't mean I couldn't make it forever. What, you can't pick up the phone and make a jingle?
2)I think it should be noted that when Affleck did this he didn't have a teleprompter. That guy was a technician like Rembrandt was a technician.

(Daily Show clip played in its entirety)

You want some baseless name-calling? You are... You know what? You're right.I have been a little over the top lately. Point taken. Sorry.

Air America closing down - Sam Seder, Michelle Malkin say their peace

Air America pulls the plug

Air America
It is with the greatest regret, on behalf of our Board, that we must announce that Air America Media is ceasing its live programming operations as of this afternoon, and that the Company will file soon under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code to carry out an orderly winding-down of the business.

The very difficult economic environment has had a significant impact on Air America's business. This past year has seen a "perfect storm" in the media industry generally. National and local advertising revenues have fallen drastically, causing many media companies nationwide to fold or seek bankruptcy protection.

Air America alum Sam Seder shares his thoughts on the company that launched him whilst providing its share of tumult

Nice Try
I'll probably have more to say on this in the future...

Contrary to the conventional wisdom Air America failed not because there was no market for liberal talk (all the big lib talkers still on air Miller, Schultz, Hartmann, Malloy and Rhodes are profitable or close to it)- it was because Air America owners- there were 5 in 6 years- listened to so-called radio consultants who were nearly hostile to the format but more relevantly stuck in the paradigm of a dying industry. Thats how you hire Lionel or Montel and fail to monetize your podcasts and online content.

Conservative Michelle Malkin shares her thoughts

Lib talk radio flops again: Air America goes bankrupt
The surprise isn’t that liberal talk radio network Air America announced it is going bankrupt today.

The surprise is that they lasted so long on fumes...

Sen. Franken hasn’t lobbied for a bailout, as far as we know. But don’t breath a sigh of relief yet. They’re still swinging the Fairness Doctrine noose. When they can’t compete in the marketplace, the Left will use the power of government to squash their competitors.

Update: January 25, 2010
Sam Seder appeared on the Brian Lehrer show to chat about the demise of Air America

And so it goes
I did a segment on WNYC about Air America,- it was pretty frustrating- it's always wonderful when people who don't do their homework are more than happy to push the most obvious and least informed narrative.

Go to the WNYC site and listen to the full conversation with Sam Seder and Ana Marie Cox here - Air America Folds

John Ziegler debates with Cenk Uygur of 'The Young Turks'

VIDEO: Sarah Palin Defender John Ziegler In-Studio w/ Cenk!

The Young Turksiew with John Ziegler (Dec 10, 2009)
JOHN ZIEGLER: I think that its interesting that you presume that because she doesn't answer a question that it must be "Ah she's an idiot or she's stupid". To me that is a circular argument - you presume she's stupid and everything that might indicate that she might theoretically be stupid you automatically say that is the explanation

CENK UYGUR: Even if I think you're right, which I don't even for a second. Even if I thought "hey, she's just trying to dodge the question". There is a million better ways to dodge the question.

At least leave the audience with a sense that you at least understand who Hamas is, that you understand what the Gaza Strip is. That you understand what the problem is. If you frame it that way you have to understand that people are going to think you didn't know what the hell you were talking about and hence you're underqualified, you're stupid etc...

In a previous posts describing the various interview formats used by pundits I've drawn comparisons to analogous styles of wrestling matches. The squash match, the handicap match, shoot fights and the Iron Man Match.

Today's example is the "Iron Man match". Its a long format debate known for its civility and technical execution, it is rare to find these type of match in the media landscape as HotAir laments

Video: Ziegler, Uyger debate about Sarah Palin
It’s a 26-minute debate that John Ziegler describes to me as “an educated and civil discussion” with Young Turks host Cenk Uyger, and he’s right. Cenk lets John talk and addresses his points openly, and avoids the kind of shout-downs that usually happens at MS-NBC...

I've discussed why its become harder to find these types of debates on Mainstream TV in detail previously

Technical Wrestlers: Hugh Hewitt and Thom Hartmann
Its increasingly hard to find pundits who engage in fruitful debate because of the popular 'Crash TV' formats of most TV and Radio. The small amount of time alloted and the diametrically opposite viewpoints held naturally degenerates into shouting matches.

Michael Moore VS Sean Hannity 2009: talking Capitalism, the war and religion

Sean Hannity and Michael Moore debated on Fox News' 'Hannity' program. It was a largely cordial debate with both men being gracious toward each other and even yukking it up. They recounted how they made a bet on their last encounter on Hannity's radio program in 2002 which incidentally Moore lost.

In this photo Michael Moore carries a sign that says "Sean Hannity was right" holding up his end of the bargain after losing the wager that George W Bush would be impeached from office.

This latest debate was quite broad and meandering partly due to Hannity's way of constructing questions and Moore never fully engaging, mostly facetiously "uh huh-ing" for this first half of the segment

VIDEO: Michael Moore on the Sean Hannity Show - October 6th, 2009 (Part I)

Sean Hannity is one of the few high profile conservative pundits willing to challenge equally formidable liberal counterparts. Sean Hannity previously debated progressive Utah mayor Rocky Anderson in a ticketed live event. Hannity also previously sparred with Michael Moore by becoming a counter guest of honor for the students of Utah Valley State College. This was expertly documented in the 2004 documentary 'This Divided State'.

Glenn Beck and Jon Stewart to get keys to the city in neighboring Washington State cities

Mirroring similar events in Utah depicted in the documentary 'This Divided State', another town is divided by ideology and celebrity spokespersons. As captured in 'This Divided State', in 2004 the Utah Valley State College student council extended a speaking invitation to political activist Michael Moore. The ensuing campus controversy led to a a counter invitation to equally divisive Fox News pundit Sean Hannity.

The spectacle of a community dueling over the arrival and "representation" of a political celebrity figure is being repeated in neighboring cities in Seattle, Mount Vernon and Bellingham.

Washington state towns battle over Glenn Beck, Jon Stewart
Two Washington state cities are taking the battle of the news pundits personally.

Responding to a plan by the city of Mount Vernon, Washington, to declare September 26 "Glenn Beck Day," in honor of the Fox News host and radio personality, the mayor of nearby Bellingham has decided to retaliate by offering the key to his city to Daily Show host Jon Stewart.

While it may seem odd for there to be a political battle over two national TV figures in small cities along the Interstate-5 corridor north of Seattle, both Stewart and Beck have connections to the places. Beck is a native son of Mount Vernon, and attended middle school and high school in Bellingham. Jon Stewart attended the same New Jersey high school as the current mayor of Bellingham, Dan Pike.

- Read CNN's article on the controversy surrounding Glenn Beck's invitation to receive Mt Vernon's Keys to the city - Hometown's honor for Glenn Beck spurs controversy
- Watch clips of Sean Hannity and Michael Moore in 'This Divided State' (2005)

Watch how contentious invitations are handled in the world of pro-wrestling as King Booker receives the Keys to the City

VIDEO: WWE - King Booker Receives the Keys to the City of Houston

Air America Talker Sam Seder gets involved in politics: Vote challenged in special election

Air America Talker Sam Seder was among several absentee voters being challenged for the Special Election contested between Republican Jim Tedisco and Democrat Scott Murphy.

Tedisco Tries To Make Roadkill Of Sam Seder's Ballot
We can now add another illustrious name to the list of absentee voters whose ballots in the NY-20 special election have been challenged by the campaign of GOP candidate Jim Tedisco: Sam Seder, the liberal talk-radio host with Air America!

Sam posted a message on Twitter yesterday: "NY20th race Tedisco challenged my absentee ballot. 4 days before the election I was jury foreman for a trial in NY20th. Challenge Fail."

The Tedisco camp had previously challenged U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's ballot -- the person that Tedisco is seeking to replace in Congress -- and now Sam is on the list, too.

Jim Tedisco's challenge would ultimately come short as he conceded the election to underdog Democrat Scott Murphy:

Democrat Scott Murphy wins Kirsten Gillibrand's Albany-area seat; Republican James Tedisco concedes
Republican James Tedisco conceded defeat Friday in the race to fill the seat vacated by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, handing a sweet victory to Democrat Scott Murphy in the conservative Albany-area district.

Tedisco and Murphy were separated by only a handful of votes following the March 31 special election, setting the stage for nearly a month of intense ballot counting. This week, Murphy's lead started to grow - he was more than 400 votes ahead Thursday.

Listen and download APF pundit Hugh Hewitt interviewing Jim Tedisco about that congressional race a week before it was decided

Janeane Garofalo and Keith Olbermann on "teabagging" and racism

VIDEO: Janeane Garofalo talking 'Tea Parties' on Keith Olbermann's Countdown

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

I featured Janeane Garofalo's last appearance on Olbermann's show, teaming up against Rush Limbaugh largely because I expected a rebuttal. The only rebuttal came via Fox News' Red Eye. Janeane returns as guest with Olbermann this time to eviscerate "teabaggers" who demonstrated during the Tax Day Tea Parties.

The combination of Garofalo with Olbermann is highly provocative and somewhat predictable. Janeane has her charms and is an able debater. She famously had a segment on her Air America show 'Majority Report' where she would debate with her conservative father, a retired Exxon executive. When "proud liberal" Janeane Garofalo partners with the highly partisan Keith Olbermann, the host acts as an accelerant creating goading television that serves only to alienate the other side.

What conservative Newsbusters' describes as

Garofalo: Tea Party Goers Are Racists Who Hate Black President
...for what Olbermann and Garofalo engaged in Thursday evening is amongst the most vile, hate-filled attacks on average American citizens ever conveyed on national television by so-called journalists.

Read the full conversation transcript from Newsbusters:

Garofalo: Tea Party Goers Are Racists Who Hate Black President
JANEANE GAROFALO: Thank you. You know, there's nothing more interesting than seeing a bunch of racists become confused and angry at a speech they're not quite certain what he's saying. It sounds right and then it doesn't make sense. Which, let's be very honest about what this is about. It's not about bashing Democrats, it's not about taxes, they have no idea what the Boston tea party was about, they don't know their history at all. This is about hating a black man in the White House. This is racism straight up. That is nothing but a bunch of teabagging rednecks. And there is no way around that. And you know, you can tell these type of right wingers anything and they'll believe it, except the truth. You tell them the truth and they become -- it's like showing Frankenstein's monster fire. They become confused, and angry and highly volatile.

Update: Race and Ron Paul
Seeing as Janeane brought up the issues of race and the corporate hijacking of the Tea Parties, I'd like to highlight a thoughtful discussion and spririted debate at popular White Nationalist forum, Stormfront.

As a sidenote, its worth noting that the 'Tax Day Tea Parties' partially stemmed from the movement that sprung during Ron Paul's Presidential Campaign. Paul ran on a platform that can superficially be described as being for:
1) Smaller Government
2) A fairer and simpler tax code
3) Equally taking to task Republicans and Democrats

Ironically many of the people and pundits who are on board with the Tea Parties are the same people who ridiculed the popular but marginalised movement spearheaded by Ron Paul. The pundits who were at least respectful towards Ron Paul include Bill Maher, Glenn Beck and Tucker Carlson with a recent about face from Ann Coulter. It's worth taking this into account as this informs the discussion being held at Stormfront

Were The Tea Parties Hijacked?
Because those people are all part of the problem. For over a decade now, these "conservative" commentators have helped frame the political debate in this country. They choose which stories are important, and conversely, they decide which stories aren't. By focusing the country's attention on petty issues, they distract us from the real problems in America. More than anything, these people are just in it for the money. They make sure to keep the debate shallow, so that there's no risk of it ever getting out of their control, and thereby slashing their profit margin. They build us up to be sheep, and themselves as our sheppards (sic). As I said, all they care about is profit, and their listeners and viewers are simply tools to get it. As long as these people control the debate on the right, it will never evolve beyond petty controllable issues.

posted by Winston Ingsoc Smith

Update II: The Backlash
I featured this Garofalo/Olbermann clip primarily because I anticipated a spirited counterattack. Whilst the first Garofalo-Olbermann connection only got a mild response, this one has found it's mark. Judging by these clips Janeane could take the honour for being the APF's current Top Heel (villain).

Fox News' Red Eye picks up the mantle once again

Video: Fox News' Red Eye on Olbermann and Garofalo - Round 2

GREG GUTFELD: She's as smart as she is hot. That's right, nobody's favourite artist Janeane Garofalo... was at it again on Countdown with Keith Olbermann... you may remember in February this sad little creature... compared women who listen to Rush Limbaugh to Eva Braun (Hitler's girlfriend). Well now she's focused her lizard-like brain on the half million or more people who attended Tea Parties

Mark Levin cuts a mean promo on Janeane Garofalo and Keith Olbermann

Video: Mark Levin says no conservative should work for MSNBC

MARK LEVIN: I want you to listen to this piece of crap. This piece of crap, this walking disorder - Janeane Garofalo. Now Janeane Garofalo tried radio, she's a failure. She tried acting, she's a failure. She's tried comedy, she's a failure. She's tried being a human being, she's a failure. She's a miscreant and a menace. And she's on a show with biggest pervert in the media - Keith Olbermann, Countdown to No Ratings. A pervert, a slob, a moron. Now how do I know this, because his ex-girlfriends write to me and tell me what a sleazeball he is. That's right Keithie, you punk. I know all about you, you are sick.

Now let's listen to these two morons. Let's listen to this one in particular, this Janeane Garofalo. This walking mental disorder...

Read the discussion on Olbermann Watch
- Mark Levin Rips Olbermann, Garofalo, Says No Conservative Should Work for MSNBC!
- Red Eye Rips Keith Olbermann and Janeane Garofalo!
- Lou Dobbs Rips Olbermann, Garofalo, and MSNBC!

LOU DOBBS: She's a one-woman hate event. She's just nasty, nasty piece of business. My lord, and to be on the Keith Olbermann show. You know a lot of meds running around there. His bile spewing everywhere. Listen to this exchange on that unwatchable broadcast. Here she is with her own sweet perspective, if this isn't enough to revolt anyone I don't know what would be required.

CNN VS Fox News - Susan Roesgen VS Shepard Smith

A little back and forth between CNN correspondent Susan Roesgen and Fox Anchor Shepard Smith during the Tax Day Tea Parties

VIDEO: Susan Roesgen on Fox News' support of the Tax Day Tea Parties

Susan Roesgen speaks to a man at the Tax Day Tea Party with a hint of hostility

SUSAN ROESGEN: I think you get the general tenor of this. It's Anti-Government, Anti-CNN since this is highly promoted by the right-wing conservative network Fox. And since I can't really hear much more and I think this is not really family viewing we'll toss it back to you Keira

VIDEO: Shep Smith on Susan Roesgen and CNN

Shepard on FoxNews fires back at Susan during his cross to Neil Cavuto

SHEP SMITH: Just a minute ago, that Susan Roesgen from that CNN that people use to watch a long time ago, she says that this is Anti-CNN and Anti-Government and highly promoted by the conservative Fox network... Anti-CNN, who's Anti-CNN? Settle down Susan. C'mon girl...
(fast forward)
In Sacramento at what is an "Anti-tax/ I'm fed up rally" that has nothing to do with CNN. Poor Susan Roesgen. Nobody hates you, we love the CNN now (audible boos) relax everybody c'mon. Don't get your hate on. My producer says she doesn't love CNN but you know what I mean.

Update:
The Huffington Post references Washington Post Media critic Howard Kurtz and speaks to the partisan coverage of the Tea Parties

Howard Kurtz Shocked By Fox News Tea Party Promotion
On the other hand, this brief rant by Fox Business Network anchor Cody Willard, posted by a Daily Kos contributor, didn't meet my definition of fair and balanced. Speaking of a young girl, Willard says: "Now she has to pay for the $800-billion Republican-Democrat fascist stimulus package . . . Guys, when are we going to wake up and start fighting the fascism that seems to be permeating this country?"

Guys, what happened to we're-just-covering-the-events?

Louis Menand: "Progressives choose Documentary", Conservatives choose Talk Radio?

Reading an interesting dissertation on 'Documentaries' written in response to Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11 I found this interesting quote:

Nanook and Me by Louis Menand
People who make documentaries don’t make them because they believe that “reasonable people can disagree,” or that there are two sides to every question. They believe that there are, at most, one and a half sides—a right side and a side that, despite possibly having some redeeming aspects, is, on balance, wrong. They make movies because they are passionate about their subjects and they want to arouse passion in others, many others.

These passions may tend to be progressive rather than conservative because progressives are more likely to be the sort of people who feel good about expressing their activism in an artistic medium that requires hardship and teamwork, and that results in a product that has little chance of making anyone rich.

An astute point, "expressing activism that requires... team work and... has little chance of making anyone rich". Hmmm sounds like the inverse formula to punditry and talk radio.

Different forms of expression to achieve the same ends, 'Documentary' the natural outlet for progressives and Talk Radio the preferred choice for conservatives.

Rachel Maddow appears on 'The View' (March 5, 2009)

Liberal Television and Radio talker, Rachel Maddow made her first appearance on 'The View'


The ladies talked about Obama's handling of the economy, Republican messaging and her transition to television.

VIDEO: Rachel Maddow on Rush Limbaugh's challenge to President Obama

RACHEL MADDOW: I think Rush Limbaugh is very successful and very smart. The idea that the President would actually debate him is hilarious. The idea that I would ask somebody on the Republican Party to debate me and demand to debate me -- of course it would be great for me but it would be stupid for any politician

Find out more about Rush' challenge to Obama. As to Maddow's assertions that it would be stupid for a politician to take the bait, it's happened before.
- Hannity was unsuccessful in booking a debate, but was at least acknowledged by President Obama
- Mark Levin successfully goaded Democratic politicians, Congressman Maurice Hinchey and William Delahunt to appear on his show

Sam Seder to MSNBC? Help a pundit get his own TV show

One of the most popular pundits in the APF, Sam Seder is asking for your support.

Hey MSNBC - Bring Sam Seder To 10:00PM ET
My Fellow Americans,

In the next few weeks MSNBC is going to choose a new host for their 10:00 PM slot-the spot right after Rachel Maddow and Keith Olbermann.

Some of my listeners have suggested I would be a good candidate to take that slot. I'm saying to myself, "What the hell, Obama says we need some stimulus. Maybe I can help." So, to gauge support for the idea I'm inviting you to join a Facebook group...

Once you join the group you'll get updates about how else you can help.

It is important to have more progressive voices challenging the Right and the establishment media.

I'm already getting endorsement statements that will help me build a
fan base. Here are some examples:

"It doesn't say anywhere in the Constitution this idea of the separation of church and state."
-Sean Hannity

"I am addicted to prescription pain medication."
- Rush Limbaugh...

You can also show your support through these outlets
- Media Bistro
- Atrios
- MyDD
- The Randi Rhodes Show
- The Huffington Post

The "postpartisan" Obama Years: Will Conservative Radio still be on offense and Liberal talk on defense?

One of Barack Obama's winning campaign messages was that he offered a break from the partisanship of the Bush/Clinton era. What he contemptuously referred to as "refighting the same fights we had in the 1990's". During Bill Clinton's reign, the opposition noise machine was dubbed the "Vast Right Wing Conspiracy". During Bush' 8 years, the opposition was diagnosed as having "Bush Derangement Syndrome".

Barack Obama has always projected the image of pragmatism and post-partisanship. Seen as a generational shift away from the tired battles of the past. He has aimed to solidify these credentials through his cabinet picks welcoming former rivals and those across the aisle.

Whilst this might be the conciliatory tone Obama hopes to set for Washington, the same may not extend to opinion media. As the power shifts from complete Republican control in 2000 to Democratic domination in 2008. Human nature would dictate that the inverse would also take place in Talk radio and partisan media, the apologists and gloaters shifting to become the naysayers and vice versa.

Whether it's human nature or not, it's now the business formula. The pundit equivalent of a change in possession in a football game.

Matt Taibbi identified this tit-for-tat media phenomenon when the political tide shifted when Republicans lost their majorities in the midterms of 06'.

Hate The Player, Not The Game
Some of the commentators took the tack, saying that what happened to Fox was a repudiation of their formula for securing an audience, that people were somehow tired of hate media, tired of that kind of invective.

Whereas, you know, I think actually the opposite is true. I mean, some of the people that they lost market share to were of the same kind of shouting and hating style, people like Glenn Beck from CNN Headline News – either that, or they were simply the opposite political orientation.

You know, Fox sort of became famous and became a major media power by having a lot of shows like The O'Reilly Factor that focused heavily on demonizing a liberal enemy. And I think you started to have some shows from the opposite end of the spectrum, like Keith Olbermann's show on MSNBC, which, to some degree, did the same thing in reverse for liberal audiences.

Matt Taibbi is quick to qualify that he may not be the most ideal spokesperson

The problem for me personally is that I have absolutely no credibility in this area, because that's exactly what I do for a living. I mean, I'm sort of an ad hominem expert for Rolling Stone

The new President's hope in post-partisanship in Politics will be difficult if the media find it in their best interest to maintain division to attract audiences. After all everyone loves a good fight.

- Read and Listen to Matt Taibbi's interview on tit-for-tat punditry - Hate The Player, Not The Game
- Read Matt Taibbi's article on this formula - THE LOW POST: Keep on Hatin'
- Read my previous posts discussing Taibbi's interview and article
- Go to Matt Taibbi's Wiki page
- Go to Matt Taibbi's official blog

Barack Obama's inauguration: Uniters, Critics and party poopers

Rush Limbaugh and the Punditocracy on Barack Obamas' Inauguration

Today is a historic occasion. The inauguration of Barack Obama, America's 44th and first African American President. It is also a transfer of power from an outgoing Republican President to a newly elected Democratic President. The theme of unity which was set by Barack Obama's campaign and his fabled 'pragmatism' has carried on to the politicians and candidates who have been critical of Obama.

Glenn Beck speaks to unsuccessful GOP Vice Presidential Nominee Sarah Palin via HotAir

Palin’s got a fee-vah and the only prescription is more Hopenchange
SARAH PALIN... he does have, I believe a strong desire. A since idea to bring this country together under an umbrella of of optimism and hope and I look forward to working with him on that.

American Morning's John Roberts speaks to former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney

MITT ROMNEY: This is not the Barack Obama we thought we knew
He's been already reaching out... he's very much following the speeches he's given on his campaign... he's showing a pragmatic bent... that's the direction we'd like to see.

While politicians have a pragmatic interest in commity, Pundits do not. Pundits are judged on their rhetoric alone so they have the luxury of being more idealistic and ideologically pure. Whilst the tone of unity might linger in the political class certain Conservative are setting their own tone in their opposition and skepticism of Obama.

Prominent conservative talkers Rush Limbaugh and Michelle Malkin expressed objection to the mood of fealty and conservatives "caving in"

Obama naysayers speak out
"Jan. 20 has turned into a schlock inauguration, (where) every last moocher has come to cash in on Obama," says the conservative blogger and pundit. "There are some of us who want to bang our heads against the wall."

While most Republicans now in office are saying all the right things about Tuesday's proceedings... some conservatives can't quite get themselves in the "We Are One" mood...
On his radio show last week, Rush Limbaugh railed against "people on our side of the aisle who have caved and who say, 'Well, I hope he succeeds. We have to give him a chance.'"

"Why?" Limbaugh demanded. "They didn't give Bush a chance in 2000. Before he was inaugurated, the search-and-destroy mission had begun...

Rush Limbaugh continued his theme as the conservative counterweight on his show

The Last Man Standing Refuses to Join the Cult of Barack Obama
The reason why this program's audience is going to skyrocket is because we're going to be the only ones doing this. We're going to be the only ones not in the tank. We're going to be the only ones that have not throw in the towel of responsibility and objectivity. We're the ones that have not joined the comet, the cult, the ones not heading to the Hale-Bopp comet!