CNN's Reliable Sources: Howard Kurtz calls out Bill O'Reilly for "unfair editing"

I've alluded a few times that CNN's Reliable Sources is a fruitful program for this blog as there is an overlap in the themes they cover and what this blog is interested in. Recently 'Reliable Sources' featured a segment that got this blog excited - it went meta.

Howard Kurtz played a video of Bill O'Reilly playing a video of Howard Kurtz talking about Bill O'Reilly complaining about how Jon Stewart selectively edits out videos.
Kurtz calls out Bill O'Reilly for selectively editing the excerpted clip from his show making it appear they were defending The Daily Show - "what was it that Bill was saying about unfair editing?"

O'Reilly's complaint that Jon Stewart selectively edited out clips.
Kurtz slams O'Reilly for 'unfair editing'

WWE Wrestling personality Jerry "The King" Lawler runs for Mayor of Memphis

Jerry Lawler for Mayor

This blog is about the analogy that Politics and Punditry is not unlike Pro wrestling. For the most part it discusses how Politics intersects with Wrestling but you might be surprised how often the wrestling industry and wrestlers themselves involve themselves in politics.

Popular WWE commentator and personality, Jerry "The King" Lawler has thrown his hat in the ring to be the mayor of Memphis, repeating a similar bid in 1999

Friend-of-show John Pollock recently interviewed Jerry Lawler on his Memphis Mayoral bid, the election taking place October 09'. The discussion acknowledges the overlap of charisma and presentation found in wrestling and politics, its significance in winning over audiences and how it is able to compensate for deficiencies in other areas (Policy knowledge for politicians, in-ring ability for wrestlers). This is one of the main planks of my analogy that politics is unlike pro-wrestling.

The Fight Network interviews Jerry "The King" Lawler
JOHN POLLOCK: ...How much does the [presentation/charisma] side of your wrestling background help you?
JERRY LAWLER: It's invaluable to me... I've almost taken it for granted because my entire career I've felt very comfortable in front of the camera or behind the microphone...

I think that it will be beneficial because there might be some brilliant political minds out there but you're right if they can't communicate with the people verbally then they're in trouble. And in the WWE throughout my career I've seen hundreds of wrestlers like that. Guys that have tremendous physiques and great wrestling ability but they just don't have the charisma when they're in front of the camera. The camera just doesn't really like them and they aren't able to communicate their feelings through making a promo or whatever. Trust me, guys that have a lot of wrestling ability but very few verbal or communicative skills they will not go as far as someone who has great communicative skills and not a lot of wrestling ability...

Hopefully I'll be able to bring that bit of expertise into the political ring so to speak and maybe even out-talk some of these other politicians. Believe me we've got some politicians here in Memphis that are pretty good talkers

JOHN POLLOCK: There you go, we can get some promo wars on Memphis television

Download and listen to the full episode here - Aug 21: Jerry Lawler / Dan Lovranski
Download and listen to the excerpted interview here - TFN: Jerry Lawler interview

Jerry Lawler is following in the footsteps of Wrestling legend Jesse Ventura who went on to become Governor of Minnesota, recently flirting with a Presidential bid in 08'. Aesthetically however Lawler's motor-mouth style is more akin to famed wrestling talker Jim Cornette who recently drew similar comparisons to wrestling and politics. Like Jesse Ventura, Jerry Lawler is not shying away from his celebrity or unconventional day job but instead incorporating his wrestling history and current relationship with the WWE in his campaigning and policy proposals.

Contribute and Donate to Jerry Lawler's campaign here

Jonathan Klein: "CNN should blacklist Talk show pundits"

CNN President Jonathan Klein recently made headlines for suggesting a ban on Talk Shows hosts as debate guests for their political programming.

No More Talk Radio Hosts on CNN?
... in his morning editorial meeting today, CNN/U.S. president Jon Klein asked his show producers to avoid booking talk radio hosts. "Complex issues require world class reporting," Klein is quoted as saying, adding that talk radio hosts too often add to the noise, and that what they say is "all too predictable."

Andy McCarthy of National Review Online comes to the talk show's defense in his post

CNN Bans Talk Radio Hosts
I wonder if the folks at CNN ever actually listen to the in-depth coverage complicated issues get for hours at a time on Rush's show and Sean's show. I wonder how Mr. Klein's assessment of talk-radio dullards squares up with, say, Mark Levin — an authentic scholar of constitutional law and American history, a mega-bestselling author of books on those subjects, and a former chief of staff to an attorney-general of the United States. Or, say, Hugh Hewitt, a cum laude graduate of Harvard, Order of the Coif student at UMichigan Law School, veteran of two prestigious federal court clerkships, like Mark a former Reagan Justice Department official, and now a professor at Chapman Law School. I wonder if Mr. Klein has ever heard Laura Ingraham or Steve Malzberg or Dennis Praeger (and I could go on and on) mixing it up with advocates for every side of every important issue.

Radio talker Hugh Hewitt in defense of his profession takes a similar tact as Andy McCarthy listing the esteemed credentials of his [conservative] peers.

The CNN Blacklist: The Most Busted Name In News Hits Itself In The Eye Again
Sure, I have many conservatives on... they are rarely given anywhere near the time or opportunity for serious conversation on MSM platforms as the left gets on my program or on the programs of my Salem radio network colleagues Bill Bennett, Mike Gallagher, Dennis Prager or Michael Medved. (When did you last see Victor Davis Hanson on CNN?) And CNN never allows the voice of the average center-right American to be heard in the same way that Rush allows, nor for the variety of guests --left, right and center-- plus the fun, passion, and patriotism of Sean Hannity or for the analysis of constitutional issues and presentation of political theory that Mark Levin provides or the humor and guests of Dennis Miller. Let's see, which CNNer has clerked at the Supreme Court as did Laura Ingraham?...

Mark Steyn also comes to Talk Radio's defense in his weekly chat with Hugh. He rebuts Jonathan Klein whilst maintaining his premise

H1: Mark Steyn, Andrew Breitbart (Thursday August 20, 2009)
MARK STEYN: Essentially they are discriminating an entire demographic there. There are plenty of talk show hosts just like there are plenty of cable TV hosts and there are a good Cable TV hosts and there are a lot who are no good and a lot of them happento be on CNN and are dying in the ratings. I don't think this is anyway out of the hole for them, CNN is dullsville a lot of the time...

Meghan McCain to fill in for Elisabeth Hasselbeck on ABC's 'The View'

As per Meghan McCain's Twitter account, she will be sharing the fill-in gig for ABC's 'The View' whilst Elisabeth Hasselbeck is away.

McCainBlogette
Yes, the rumors are true, I will be guest hosting The View while Elisabeth is on maternity leave. I couldn't be more honored or excited!!!!!

Meghan McCain will be guest hosting the show whilst Elisabeth Hasselbeck is away on Maternity leave. Former Fox News anchor E.D Hill will also be guest hosting.

Meghan McCain, E.D. Hill To Guest Host "The View" During Elisabeth Hasselbeck Maternity Leave
While Elisabeth Hasselbeck is out on maternity leave this fall, "The View" will be replacing her with Meghan McCain and "terrorist fist jab" former Fox News anchor E.D. Hill.

The New York Post's Maxine Shen reports that McCain will guest host the show for three days, starting September 9 (the Wednesday after Labor Day).

The folks at HotAir astutely point out that Meghan McCain will be hostign for a show that hasn't always been the kindest to their family - Quotes of the Day

Lawrence O'Donnell with TownHall protester Katy Abram, Mark Levin calls out Lawrence O'Donnell

Mark Levin is well known for cutting promos, calling out prominent politicians and politicos he disagrees with on his program. Coaxing them to appear on his show where he debates them using the bully pulpit to his advantage. It's an old schoolyard trick also found in wrestling. In the past he has lured Democratic congressman Maurice Hinchey, citizen-turned-Politician Paul Hackett and most recently conservative author David Frum who he has been feuding with. Their is little to gain for the taunted agreeing to such a showdown though it may show that the person has good humor or isn't afraid of a challenge. Constructive dialogue is not the aim but the awkward encounter and the ensuing fireworks does make for entertaining listening.

Mark Levin was at it again, this time challenging political analyst Lawrence O'Donnell after Mark found offense in his "bullying" of a citizen during an MSNBC debate on Health Care.

VIDEO: Lawrence O'Donnell debates with Town Hall protester
Katy Abram on MSNBC's Hardball

LAWRENCE O'DONNELL: Katy Abram I know you're not a regular at this stuff and you don't do it every day so take it easy we're just gonna go through some simple questions on this

After watching this clip Mark Levin calls out Lawrence O'Donnell on his show and challenges his assertions.

MSLSD’s Lawrence O’Donnell hiding from Mark Levin
MARK LEVIN: ... Now moron if you want to come on this program and try your little debating tricks I'd be more than happy to debate you. You coward! I've called you out before and you won't come on this program Laaarry!. Instead you attack citizens who are not used to debating morons like you and unfortunately I am.

Mr Producer find this jerk and see if he can drag his ass to this program will you. Tell him I've called him a coward, repeatedly on a national a show with 7 million listeners. You're a coward O'Donnell, Come on let's debate. You wanna debate Medicare? We'll debate Medicare You wanna debate National Health Care? We can do that too. You wanna debate the New Deal?

You wanna debate your hero, you're cult like hero Obama. Let's do that too. Except not on Chris Matthews show. No. Are you up to the challenge tough guy? I don't think you are but I'd be happy to have you here...

Listen and Download the audio of Mark Levin calling out Lawrence O'Donnell

Mark Levin isn't the only one coming to citizen Katy Abrams defense. Katy recently appeared on Glenn Beck's radio program where Glenn saluted her courage and assured her she was not alone in her thinking. Katy also read an email she sent to Glenn referencing the debate with Lawrence O'Donnell on MSNBC's Hardball.

Glenn Beck: What 'doing something' looks like
KATY: It says, hi, Glenn. It's 4:41 a.m. I finally just got a few hours of needed sleep. And sitting here writing you maybe is a way to help myself feel a little better. I can't stop crying right now. The gravity of the past two days is finally hitting me. I am merely an American who wanted to ask her senator a question. Sorry. That's all I wanted. Last evening I went on MSNBC's Hardball with Lawrence O'Donnell. The lamb walked into the lion's den knowing she could be eaten alive. The lion pounced. The lamb is still alive. But is questioning why she would have placed herself in such danger. I new Hardball would be difficult but I want those who don't watch the channels that I watch to hear from a normal American. I'm not a plant by the GOP. I am a mom. I may not be the most articulate person. I may not be well versed, but I know what I believe. I can't quote numbers or facts well. I know my limitations. But I know who I am. I know what I believe in.

Listen to audio of Katy Abram appearing on Glenn Beck's Radio show

TownHall's Matt Lewis: "Arlen Specter as Hulk Hogan"

Former Republican Arlen Specter has been in the news lately for Town Hall anger over Health Care reform and a recent 'Netroots Nation' straw poll showing his defection doesn't promise an easier passage to the Senate.

In the past I've likened politicians to wrestlers, interestingly another blogger has made a similar claim. Matt Lewis of Town Hall made a post on Arlen Specter's defection to the Democrats using a wrestling analogy, likening his switch to the infamous moment when 'Hulk Hogan' became 'Hollywood Hogan' after aligning with Kevin Nash and Scott Hall to form the NWO. If you think that is too dense with wrestling jargon for a political article, I present to you Matt Lewis' rundown.

Arlen Specter as Hulk Hogan
... But there was another reason it resonated.

From a conservative perspective, at least, the Specter story was a classic archetype that has been re-played throughout human history -- and retold in the Bible (Judas), American history (Benedict Arnold) movies (Anakin Skywalker) ... and even in the less sophisticated world of ... professional wrestling!

Actually, the wrestling example is especially applicable in this case, inasmuch as Specter's surprise announcement was staged so as to arouse the maximum amount of attention and controversy.

Matt Lewis is one of a host of prominent politicos and pundits who have used the wrestling analogy to describe politics, joining Ann Coulter, Jon Stewart and Marc Ambinder amongst others.

VIDEO: Hulk Hogan turns heel, joins NWO

Like Matt, I've made a similar wrestling analogy for a politician's "turn" also using an NWO reference. The politician in that instance was Republican Governor John Huntsman.

Democratic Congressman Rick Larsen calls out Fox News' Glenn Beck

VIDEO: Rep. Rick Larsen zings Glenn Beck and Glenn Beck supporters

I often highlight notable political news in anticipation of feuds. Just like in wrestling, the slightest incidences between performers can be a precursor to a new storyline or rivalry.

The latest is Democratic Congressman Rick Larsen calling out Fox News pundit Glenn Beck during a Town Hall meeting hosted in Washington Stadium. A lady questioner graciously thanked the crowd before reading a prepared statement. Representative Rick Larsen was gracious in kind and [clumsily] delivered his own prepared zinger to wild applause.

I've Got Facts On My Side & You've Got Glenn Beck On Your Side! Rep Rick Larsen Town Hall
CITIZEN: Firstly I'd like to thank you Representative Larsen for doing this for us tonight. Then I'd like to thank the audience (and most of you are gone). I think this is one of the most courteous audiences I've ever seen. I'm proud of you.

I have two real concerns about the nationalized health care insurance.

Why are all Americans forced into a government-run health care and insurance plan when only 46 million out of 312 million are uninsured?...

RICK LARSEN: Thanks... Thanks for your input and your comments. With regards to the first comment about being forced to buy health care, I’ll say it again...

I’m sorry, the bill does not force anybody to change their health care plan. If you’re in a plan, you will not be forced into the public option. You will not be forced into the health insurance exchange. Now folks will say that’s not true, but I’ve got facts on my side and you’ve got Glenn Beck on your side. It’s just not going to play off that way.

I fully expect Glenn Beck to replay this moment on his show and return fire at Representative Larsen. The ultimate outcome of course would be a PPV Debate event similar to the one between Sean Hannity and Utah Mayor Rock Anderson. Unfortunately a feud escalating to a satisfying conclusion such as that has been the exception and not the rule.