Saran Palin VS John Kerry: trading insults over Mark Sanford scandal

In pro-wrestling feuds between wrestlers usually start from the most innocuous of circumstances. A misplaced bump, an unintentional interference or a light joke at the expense of another. If the other party takes offense they will retaliate verbally by cutting promos or physically interfere in kind, a feud develops and they may go back and forth for weeks. In wrestling parlance this is known as "starting a program".

It seems a program is developing between 2004 Democratic Presidential nominee John Kerry and 2008 Republican Vice Presidential Nominee Sarah Palin. John Kerry kicked things off by making a crack against Sarah Palin in commenting on the then-disappearance of Governor Mark Sanford:

Sen. Kerry jokes: ‘Too bad’ Gov. Sarah Palin didn’t go missing
U.S. Sen. John Kerry must have been channeling his inner Letterman yesterday.

The Bay State senator was telling a group of business and civic leaders in town at his invitation about the "bizarre" tale of how South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford had "disappeared for four days" and claimed to be hiking along the Appalachian Trail, but no one was really certain of his whereabouts.

"Too bad," Kerry said, "if a governor had to go missing it couldn’t have been the governor of Alaska. You know, Sarah Palin."

Speaking to a group of servicemen in Kosovo, Governor Sarah Palin fired back at John Kerry with a dig of her own

VIDEO: Sarah Palin to John Kerry: "Why the Long Face"

SARAH PALIN: He looked quite frustrated and he looked so sad. I just wanted to reach out to the TV and say 'John Kerry, why the long face?'

Watch how a "wrestling program" develops in a real world context as carried out by Actor Mickey Rourke and WWE wrestler Chris Jericho on CNN's 'Larry King Live'

VIDEO: Chris Jericho and Mickey Rourke on Larry King

JibJab's latest video: "He's Barack Obama" (Superhero President)

The brilliant team at JibJab have unveiled their latest political animation. This one playing on the meme that President Barack Obama is a superhero who has come to save the day. Stylistically its a little different and more advanced than their previous animations (which is saying a lot). You can find a comprehensive "how it was made" feature on their blog including their account of meeting President Obama himself - Behind the Scenes: The Making of “He’s Barack Obama”

VIDEO: JibJab presents 'He's Barack Obama' (The Superhero President)

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

The President as superhero meme isn't new, considering the extraordinary burden they have in protecting and uplifting the citizenry. Barack Obama came into office tasked with saving a country that was in the midst of two wars and a collapsing economy, a mission seemingly so monumental it would need superhuman leadership to execute. The amount of hope invested in President Obama plus his promising rhetoric had him painted as either a god or a superhero, often sarcastically by his detractors.

Barack self deprecatingly referenced this meme at the Al Smith dinner

US elections: Barack Obama jokes he is Superman
Speaking during a high-profile political fundraising dinner in New York, the Illinois senator also mocked his own acceptance speech at the Democratic Party's national convention, which he delivered on an elaborately-constructed stage.

"Contrary to the rumours you have heard, I was not born in a manger," Mr Obama said.

"I was actually born on Krypton and sent here by my father, Jor-el, to save the planet Earth."

One might be mistaken for thinking that all heroic Presidents are righteous and clean cut defenders, not so. In the same way heroes are nuanced and complicated so are Presidents. Australian conservative columnist, Andrew Bolt drew a comparison between heroic vigilante Batman and former President George W Bush. Likening the way Batman was often vilified and under-appreciated because of his controversial and thankless efforts the same way Batman is by the citizens of Gotham City. Whilst both popular, Superman and Batman offer vastly different templates for heroism.

It’s George W. Batman
FINALLY Hollywood makes a film that says President George W Bush was right. But director Christopher Nolan had to disguise it a little, so journalists wouldn’t freak and the film’s more fashionable stars wouldn’t walk. So he hides Bush in a cape. He even sticks a mask on him, with pointy ears for some reason...

Anyway, the citizens hate Batman, especially once they are safe, for disturbing their sense of order, and violating their nice rules for defining their goodness...

And they hate him also as many Europeans hate Bush, for showing that what protects their world are not ultimately the laws they pass, but a violence that intimidates them, because they cannot match it.

Its worth noting Barack Obama's favorite comic superhero is Spiderman.

Child prodigy edition of the 'Pundit Pit' - Jonathan Krohn takes on challengers

Fox and Friends proudly presents a pint-sized edition of the 'Pundit Pit'.

It's a triple threat match with child prodigies
- 11 year old, published author Adora Svitak
- 14 year old conservative columnist Jonathan Krohn
- 11 year old College Graduate With 4.0 GPA Moshe Kai Cavalin

VIDEO: Prodigy Pundit Pit

STEVE DOOCY: You know we talk to grown ups all the time on this show about issues that affect kids, so today we decided to go straight to the source. It's our special child prodigy edition of the 'Pundit Pit'...

This segment featuring highly developed kids, particularly Jonathan Krohn who has clearly been influenced by Right Wing talkers has been parodied in comedy sketches like "The Lil O'Reilly Factor".

With that said mimicry is nothing new for kids who are developing their craft. It is not unlike young athletes being influenced by their favourite players like Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant. What makes it slightly cringeworthy and ripe for ridicule is when the mimicry is simply hollow aping without any real world understanding or earned wisdom which only comes with age.

Rather than the comparison of a young basketball player imitating the moves of Michael Jordan. I would liken the "kids as pundits" segment (particularly Jonathan Krohn's performance) to Backyard wrestling; undeveloped youngsters, attention seeking and a little hollow but with a conviction that still might lead to a career in the big leagues.

VIDEO: Back Yard Wrestling 20/20 ABC

Pundit roundup on Palin VS Letterman and jokes: Bill Maher, Rush Limbaugh, Laura Ingraham and Sam Seder

Over the past week one of the biggest news stories has stemmed from one of the more trivial beginnings, a tasteless joke from a late-night comedian.

Sarah Palin: Letterman owes women an apology
Sarah Palin says David Letterman owes an apology to young women across the country for his joke about her daughter.

The Alaska governor appeared on NBC's "Today" show Friday, continuing a feud with the CBS "Late Show" funnyman over his joke earlier this week that Palin's daughter got "knocked up" by New York Yankee third baseman Alex Rodriguez during their recent trip to New York...

The controversy may wind up giving both Palin and Letterman attention at a time both could use it. Palin is considered a potential future candidate for national office, and standing up for her family could make her a hero to her fans. Letterman is in the second week of his new competition with NBC's Conan O'Brien...

Below is a roundup of the controversy from several APF pundits
1) Conservative pundit John Ziegler, best known for his media criticism largely built on evidence of biased treatment against Sarah Palin continues his crusade with the launch of FireDavidLetterman.com.

2) Comedian Bill Maher, who himself has experienced losing a show over a controversial monologue joke pushes the envelope in a provocative defense of his fellow comedian and friend

VIDEO: Bill Maher Monologue, Palins versus Letterman

BILL MAHER: Sarah Palin said "It would be wise to keep Willow away from him". That's right he's 62 years old, he's gonna f*ck her right there on the stage. He's gonna pull open his jacket, take the stem from his heart surgery out and have his way with her right there (feigning sexual act)... the only bright side to this is that finally there's a comedian under fire for inappropriate remarks and its not me

3) Rush Limbaugh on the inconsistent treatment David Letterman has received compared to Don Imus.

Letterman's Attack on Palin and Her Family Exposes Lib Hypocrisy
Letterman has just sunk to a shadow of himself. He used to be genuinely creative and funny back in his NBC days, but he has now just degenerated into an angry old man, filled with cynicism, not humor. It's a sad thing to see, actually, because he was so good at one point and apolitical. But he's like everybody on the left. They've just become enraged about things. Even after their side wins, they're just enraged.

4) Air America's Sam Seder appears on a CNN Panel discussing Palin as a soft target and analysing jokes. Sam Seder also makes an appearance at the David Letterman protests revisiting two things he's done before 1) Challenge protesters 2) Be a thorn in John Ziegler's side

VIDEO: CNN's The Big Question - Palin VS Letterman: Who's Right
SAM SEDER: I don't know if he's commentating. He is making a joke. With that said I am a father and if somebody had made a joke about Alex Rodriguez knocking up my daughter, I would take offense but that's because I'm a Red Sox fan. I mean in the final analysis -- it's a joke... He's just a late night comedian... he's done it for years and years and he's done it about all sorts of people for all different ages

VIDEO: Fire David Letterman Protest: War on (Palin) Jokes @ BreakRoomLive.com

5) Laura Ingraham talks about how the media has managed to still paint Sarah Palin as the bad guy. Listen to Laura Ingraham's take on the Palin/Letterman controversy

LAURA INGRAHAM: There's nothing funny about what he [Letterman] said. It's in poor taste and it's not funny. Some things are in poor taste but its funny. Let's face it, this was not even funny.

Mike Huckabee, stand-up comedian ('The Full Ginsburg' presents)

If you were surprised that conservative personality Glenn Beck also moonlighted as a touring comedian then you might be shocked to find former Republican Presidential contender Mike Huckabee is an aspiring comedian also. Mike performed a show to an intimate crowd in New York presented by comedy troupe 'The Full Ginsburg', titled "I heart Huckabee"

I've highlighted numerous times the special appeal of Mike Huckabee. Mike seems to be going down the same path as John McCain, very personable men who are natural entertainers in apolitical settings. Unfortunately for Mike, that recipe doesn't always yield political success as McCain has shown. Mike's appearance on a small stand-up show is better likened to Beck's foray into comedy in that it shows an earnest interest in entertaining as opposed to a cynical ploy to get more votes or dollars.

VIDEO: Huckabee on being VP, Tina Turner, Spike Lee, Michael Phelps and taking out the trash


More info via Comic's Comic

Mike Huckabee cracks jokes, live from Ochi's Lounge
Here is some footage of Mike Huckabee, telling jokes and answering questions at the live comedy show put on by The Full Ginsburg on Saturday, June 13, 2009, at Ochi's Lounge, the basement space of Comix in New York City. You'll learn: When people speculated that Huckabee might be the GOP's Vice Presidential pick last summer, he was still taking out his own garbage; that Huckabee had one of The Full Ginsburg's cast members on his FOX News program

Bill Maher calls out President Obama, says he is overexposed. Roseanne Barr calls out Obama, says he is just like former President Bush

It seems everyday I feature new wrestling-style political promos, with Jim Cornette's rant, the Ed Schultz/ Hugh Hewitt feud, the Joe Scarborough/ Jon Stewart feud. In recent days ideologically friendly personalities, Roseanne Barr and APF pundit Bill Maher have cut promos on President Obama.

Bill Maher cut his promo on his 'New Rules' segment, delivering essentially the same message he made in an LA-Time op ed excoriating the media for overexposing Obama and playing up his celebrity. President Obama is more softly criticised for being complicit.

VIDEO: Bill Maher 'New Rules' - Obama, All Style No Substance (June 12, 2009)

Enough with the Obamathon
I'm still a fan, but there's a fine line between being transparent and being overexposed. Every time you turn on the TV, there's Obama. He's getting a puppy! He's eating a cheeseburger with Joe Biden! He's taking the wife to Broadway and Paris -- this is the best season of "The Bachelor" yet!...

I mean, selling the personal part to stay popular, I'm all for it, but you got us already. We like you, we really like you! You're skinny and in a hurry and in love with a nice lady. But so's Lindsay Lohan. And like Lohan, we see your name in the paper a lot, but we're kind of wondering when you're actually going to do something.

And let's stop worrying so much about doing anything that might tarnish the brand. See, this is why I don't want my president to be a TV star: Because TV stars are too worried about being popular -- and too concerned with getting renewed.

Jon Stewart and Rush Limbaugh have expressed the same, Limbaugh calling Obama "Pop Culture Celebrity-in-chief". Jon Stewart mocked the media's presentation of the Obama White House - "Brian Williams and a few dozen cameramen travel to the White House for a two-hour, two-day MTV-style reality show".

Speaking of Celebrity, Roseanne Barr is the latest Hollywood personality to admonish President Obama. This isn't unique in and of itself as there have been many celebrities outspoken against Obama from Chuck Norris to Jon Voight, Roseanne however is one of the first to attack Obama from the Left flank. Comedian Roseanne became a household name for her ground breaking sitcom but has recently dabbled in politics with hosting stints on Air America. Speaking to friend, APF pundit Stephanie Miller she unloads on President Obama much to Stephanie's surprise

VIDEO: Libtalker Roseanne Barr Slams Obama!

Courtesy of RadioEqualizer

NO HOLDS BARR-ED
STEPHANIE MILLER: How are you liking the new Obama Presidency?
ROSEANNE BARR: I don't at all. I just don’t at all. If you want to know what I think, go to read my blog, rosanneworld.com. And I don’t at all...
MILLER: What were you hoping for?
BARR: I was hoping for you know some change. Remember the reason why the guy got voted in? I was hoping for some change and for it to start there in the Middle East because that's why everything in the world is screwed up including our economy...
MILLER: But yeah. He's (Obama) clearly taking a lot stronger line with Israel than previous administrations.
BARR: No he isn't! He hasn't demanded one. He uses strong rhetoric. He talks harsh and carries the smallest stick in the world. He doesn't do anything. He hasn't even you know, don't get me started...

Come on, everybody's on the Kool Aid. I just, you know. Let's not even go into it then. Just go to my blog and read what Noam Chomsky said about it...
MILLER: You're cranky this morning, but I still love you.

Joe Scarborough feuding with Jon Stewart, Scarborough says Jon Stewart has a "Napoleon Complex" and is an "angry man"

The Daily Show anchorman Jon Stewart has been feuding with MSNBC's Joe Scarborough in recent weeks. The feud began when Jon Stewart questioned Scarborough's integrity as he charged that the 'Morning Joe' program was heavily sponsored by coffee chain 'Starbucks'. Joe Scarborough responded in kind by insinuating Jon Stewart had a "Napoleon complex" and was an "angry man".

Here is rundown of the feud in reverse order.
Stewart sidesteps the feud with some over the top self-deprecation

VIDEO: Jon's Napoleonic Complex (June 10, 2009)

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Jon's Napoleonic Complex
thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Newt Gingrich Unedited Interview

June 10, 2009: Jon's Napoleonic Complex
JON STEWART: I'm gonna start this show tonight as we do every night sitting down with good friends
(singing) Morning Joe, Morning Joe, its in the morning with a guy named Joe. I like my news like I like my coffee, watered down and stupid.
-- Plays video montage of Scarborough belittling Jon Stewart (pun intended)
For a small Napoleonic man -- I really hope this feud doesn't continue I don't think this show can afford it. I think we blew like $1000 on the pony shot

Joe Scarborough psychoanalyses Jon Stewart based on his experience with the man as a guest on his show

VIDEO: Joe Scarborough On Jon Stewart: 

A "Very, Very Angry Guy" With A "Napoleonic Complex"

JOE SCARBOROUGH: Did you hear Jon Stewart attacked us a couple of nights ago... he's an angry man
WILIE GEIST: I will just say, it seems there is something about Joe Scarborough that gets to Jon Stewart unlike most people
SCARBOROUGH: Some people have said its a Napoleonic complex... I don't know what it is but he is a very, very angry guy.
GEIST: He's angry at you, i'ts you. I don't know what it is?
SCARBOROUGH: He is. You know what's funny, I've been on a lot of these shows and everybody's pretty polite and decent. Colbert - great, Bill Maher - great. All of 'em. People that don't agree with me...
But Jon Stewart of the hundreds and hundreds of shows I've been on is the angriest person I've ever met

Interestingly Scarborough lumps Bill O'Reilly with Jon Stewart, not a surprising addition if you're talking about angry pundits

JOE SCARBOROUGH: Its kinda like Bill O'Reilly seriously, I've talked to Bill before, its like "Dude, you're on top of the world , you sell millions of books, you've got a million people watching you. You're the king of the cable world - Relaaaaax! Smile, life's good. Same with Jon Stewart. Don't be angry, smile. But he can't, its sad. I feel sorry for him actually.

Jon Stewart calls out Scarborough for a shameless corporate partnership

VIDEO: Morning Joe's Sarcastic Starbucks Sponsorship (June 8, 2009)

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Morning Joe's Sarcastic Starbucks Sponsorship
thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Newt Gingrich Unedited Interview

June 8, 2009: Morning Joe's Sarcastic Starbucks Sponsorship
JON STEWART: I get it now. See at the time I thought your jokey manner was just the way you were sublimating your shame for the discomfort you feel deep in your soul after extinguishing the last smoldering embers of any of your program's journalistic bona fides but now I realise that that wasn't the case. I was wrong because I don't get sarcasm.

It's worth noting this video features two other memes I've highlighted on this blog 1) Scarborough takes a shot at Stewart for his over reliance on writers 2) Stewart questions whether Scarborough is a real person or playing a character. Both topics were touched on here
1) Barack Obama is Teleprompter-dependent. Jon Stewart is dependent on his writers
2) Alan Colmes wonders how "Real is your Favorite Radio Personality?" after a Talker shoots his wife and dog

Wrestling legend Jim Cornette rants on the right wing

I've often likened the rhetoric and diatribes heard on Talk Radio to wrestling promos. Devastating stream of consciousness rants targeted at rivals or condemning policy, best exemplified in talkers Marc Maron, Mark Levin and Michael Savage. So what would a scorching political monologue sound like delivered by a wrestler? I present to you Jim Cornette.

Legendary wrestling manager Jim Cornette is considered one of greatest talkers in the history of wrestling. Recently he has made news for a rant on conservatives triggered when a fellow wrestling commentator, Joey Styles called Obama a marxist on Twitter.

VIDEO: Jim Cornette ranting about the Right Wing (Pt1 of 2)

- Listen to Part 2 of the Jim Cornette promo on the Right wing. Find the entire interview at 'Who's Slamming Who' - Cornette's Commentary with Jim Cornette

The expletive filled rant was impassioned as it was expansive, first Cornette explains the appeal of Conservative Talk Radio

JIM CORNETTE: I'm sick and fed up, I listen to the news everyday. I listen to this conservative Talk Radio in the car because I want to get mad because I'm driving a long way and I want something to keep me awake...

Driving back from Orlando, at about hour 10 I get really desperate and I turn on the Satellite Radio with these Conservative whackjobs like Limbaugh and Hannity and Michael Levine (sic) and some of these other guys -- I forget their names. They're all just just angry and screaming and yelling and talking about the end of the country...

Cornette goes on to speculate about Style's possible career motives for the Obama smear, invoking WWE Chairman Vince McMahon. As I've explained on this blog, Vince is personally invested in Politics using the WWE brand to promote voter engagement but largely plays a non-partisan role. Cornette thinks otherwise on Vince partisanship.

JIM CORNETTE: Maybe Joey Styles doesn't really believe any of this sh!t. He's just trying to blow Vince McMahon to try to get back on the air somewhere. Cause I guess Vince is a big time Republican too. We never talked about politics when I was there but I guess he is now. That's what I hear on the internet...
F*ck Vince McMahon and his Republican sh!t too. How about that?

But my favorite is when Cornette likens wrestling to punditry as this blog argues and commentators and wrestlers before him have illustrated, from Mankind to Marc Ambinder, Ann Coulter, Cyrus, Jon Stewart to David Letterman. Cornette charges that Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity are just like wrestling heels (villains)

JIM CORNETTE: Maybe Styles is like Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hannity or all these people I listen to that are -- You know that -- they're too smart to believe the sh!t that they say. They're heels cutting promos and its obvious and they're doing it for the marks who are dumb enough to believe it and they get paid big money to do it.

But in the process they're convincing these other mullets that what they're saying is true and they're dividing the country just like Cheney who can't stop talking about how we were right... and what's more Unamerican than publicly hoping that the President of the United States fails. That's like hoping the pilot of your airplane fails because you don't like his opinion on global warming...

Read a full uncensored transcript of Jim Cornette's rant here, via Willo of DemocraticUnderground.com - 33. Uncensored transcript

Watch vintage Jim Cornette in his element, cutting a promo in a wrestling context

VIDEO: Jim Cornette shoots on WCW

Ed Schultz attacks Hugh Hewitt and the Salem Radio network

In the early days of this blog I featured a feud between Liberal talker Ed Schultz and fellow liberal Sam Seder and network Air America. It was a heated affair, most notable as they were ideological familiars arguing mostly over business and aesthetic. Started because Sam Seder had lobbied for friend Thom Hartmann to replace Al Franken's newly vacated spot on the Air America programming at the expense of Ed Schultz.

Ed Schultz is the number #1 rated Liberal talker, granted a new show on MSNBC recently which is still finding its audience. The feud with Sam Seder demonstrated Schultz combustible personality and one wonders how he would treat a conservative rival or network. Wonder no more. PunditFight presents Ed Schultz' feuding with conservative talker Hugh Hewitt and the Salem network

Liberal talker cuts a vicious wrestling-style promo on Hugh Hewitt and the Salem Network

VIDEO: Liberal talker Ed Schultz calls out the Salem Network and Hugh Hewitt

Ed Schulzt's promo in a conversation with guest Virg Bernero, Lansing Michigan Mayor who made quite an impression of his own with his impassioned promo on the state of the car companies.

ED SCHULTZ: Hugh Hewitt. He‘s writing in "The Washington Examiner." He tells readers, don‘t buy GM or Chrysler cars. That‘s right. He says there‘s only one answer for conservatives angry at President Obama and the government for getting involved in the automobile industry. He says boycott...

Buy Ford, buy Toyota, buy anything. Conservatives, are you folks out of your mind? Do you know how many Americans have lost their jobs in manufacturing?...

And what do they do? They push back on the American families that are doing the absolute best they can to build a great product. And you conservative talkers, and I mean there's a collection of them on the Salem Radio Network. I mean there's Hugh Hewitt, there's Prager, Medved is in this crowd as well...

You know I‘m going to ask the listeners across the country to the Salem Radio Network, why don‘t you just boycott them? Prove to me that you‘re an American...

And by the way, they're advertising to American listeners, don't buy it. What do you say we just kick the American worker in the teeth?... Let's just genuflect to the Hugh Hewitts of the world.

This is what we voted against. These psycho talkers that are out there.

Read the offending Hugh Hewitt op-ed in the Washington Examiner - Just say no to Government Motors and Obamacars

Hugh Hewitt offers his rebuttal in a discussion with callers and Conservative author Jonah Goldberg
- Listen to the audio between Hugh Hewitt with callers and Jonah Goldberg on Ed Schultz

Conversing with a caller Hugh Hewitt takes a dig at Schultz' former incarnations (as a sportscaster and conservative) and includes his MSNBC counterpart Keith Olbermann in the mix

H2: Jonah Goldberg (Tuesday June 9, 2009)
HUGH HEWITT: I'm not going to call him an idiot, he's a sportscaster like Olbermann. They do not understand economics, they do not understand politics. They do not understand my arguments so I can't expect them to...

Again there are a lot of these guys, Olbermann used to be somewhat normal, they'll do anything or say anything for ratings and they'll scream and attribute to people positions they don't hold. This whole hate stuff. Its disingenuous, I don't think its very effective. I think they're stuck because when they had Bush to beat up they had a built in marketplace and now they're playing defense on Obama and it just doesn't work...

Ed Schultz offers his counter to Hugh Hewitt, courtesy of RadioEqualizer

VIDEO: Ed Schultz says he would pee on Hugh Hewitt

"MSNBC's Schultz Wants To Pee On Political Foe"
ED SCHULTZ: They worship money. They don't value human life the way they claim they do. That's a hoodwink.

So I guess Hugh Hewitt has never taken out a loan in his life. He's never had to depend on anybody else. He's probably the worst neighbor in the neighborhood. That's just a guess, I don't know that.

But I'd bring him over for a cocktail party. Sure, then I'd urinate on him, 'cause that's all he's worth.

Anybody who talks like that about the American worker is not an American, is anti-American and wants to see this country fail

Actor Jon Voight speaks at the 'Republican Senate-House Fundraising Dinner'

VIDEO: Bringing an end to this False Prophet Obama! Jon Voight

I've discussed previously the role Hollywood and Celebrities play in American Politics. For the most part Celebrities speaking out on politics are marginalised by their detractors, the right in particular have made a concerted effort in painting Hollywood as liberally biased. Though its worth noting arguably the two most recognisable Republican politicians past and present are Hollywood Republicans, California Governor Arnold Swarchenegger and idolised former President Ronald Reagan. You'll also remember the Republicans fielded actor Fred Thompson in the 2008 election.

Most recently young bombshell actor Megan Fox got into strife for her disparaging comments towards "Middle America". Her co-star in the upcoming blockbuster 'Transformers', Actor Jon Voight shores up the opposite flank by eviscerating President Obama.

Actor Jon Voight cuts a vicious promo on President Obama which HotAir.com described "Meat so red the cow’s still twitching."

Voight affirms my contention that Politics can learn a lot from Hollywood in this swipe at president Obama

JON VOIGHT: Obama as a candidate portrayed himself as a moderate. but turned out to be wildly radical, the way he played his deception is interesting but his campaign was meticulously thought through, well organised and their techniques of out reach to gather support and funds through the internet were innovative and their Hollywood savvy and use of media was masterful.

All their strategies should be carefully looked to see if we might mimic them in a positive way, legal way.

I've argued that Hollywood techniques in Politics is not new, with Bush administration having employed such tactics during their time - George W Bush and Obama: Flight suits and making a Hollywood President (part 1 of 3)

Some choice lines include:

JON VOIGHT: We are becoming a weak nation. Obama really things that he is a soft spoken Julius Ceasar, he thinks he is going to conquer the world with his soft spoken sweet talk and really thinks that he is going to bring all the enemies of the world into a little playground where they'll swing each other back and forth. We and we alone are the right frame of mind to free this nation of this Obama oppression

A guaranteed crowd pleaser, Voight gives a shoutout to the conservatives who matter most, the pundits

JON VOIGHT: And let's give thanks to all the great people like Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly, Laura Ingraham, Mark Levin, William Bennett, Glenn Beck, Hugh Hewitt, Dennis Prager, Michael Medved, Dennis Miller, Dick Morris, Ann Coulter, John Kasich, Michael Steele, Karl Rove, Newt Gingrich, Thomas Sowell, Victor Davis Hanson, Shelby Steele, Charles Krauthammer, Michelle Malkin, Fred Barnes and so many others lets give thanks to them for not giving up and staying the course to bring an end to this False Prophet Obama

It's a savvy move, the comprehensive laundry list will appeal to the respective fan bases of these influential talkers (the only notable ommission not surprisingly is Michael Savage). On top of that it makes it highly likely Voight's speech will get favorable play on their own programs.

Sean Hannity's exclusive interview with Gov. Sarah Palin (June 8, 2009)

After holding court with the biggest name in Conservative media last week, Rush Limbaugh. Sean Hannity proves his clout again by landing an interview with arguably the biggest name in Conservative politics, Sarah Palin. The poplar Alaska Governor and 2008 Vice Presidential nominee has limited her profile after the intense coverage and criticism she got as fallout from the GOP electoral defeat.

Sean Hannity talks to Sarah Palin tonight, no doubt touching on how the Obama presidency has panned out so far, how she as VP would have done things differently and her likely 2012 run to challenge for the Presidency. Watch a preview below

VIDEO: Sarah Palin On Obama's Disastrous Economics: "We Told Ya So"

SARAH PALIN: ... actions to reign in spending, slow down the growth of government. Instead Sean its the complete opposite, its expanding at such a large degree if Americans aren't paying attention unfortunately our country could evolve into something we don't even recognise, certainly something that is so far from what the founders of our country had in mind for us
SEAN HANNITY: Socialism?
PALIN: That is where we are headed...

Update: June 9
Watch the entire Palin/Hannity interview here

VIDEO: Gov. Sarah Palin Interview With Sean Hannity (June 8, 2009)

National Secret leaked - Stephen Colbert in Iraq

I have just received a dispatch from Stephen Colbert to go forth and leak that he will be doing a weeks' worth of episodes from Iraq.

VIDEO: Exclusive - Where and When Is Stephen Going to the Persian Gulf - Iraq Announcement

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Exclusive - Where and When Is Stephen Going to the Persian Gulf - Iraq Announcement
colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Keyboard Cat

Stephen Colbert's Iraq announcement
STEPHEN COLBERT: Greeting Colbert Nation and prepare yourselves to be entrusted with a National Secret - beginning Monday the Colbert Report will be doing a week of shows from Iraq, you're the only ones who know now do what anyone with a big secret would do, let it slip every chance you get. On your blogs, your tweets, your facebook, your bloofies. Don't know what a bloofie is? Get with the times Grandpa!

The Colbert Report in Iraq starting Monday. Go forth and leak

I've done just that. Over and out

Stephen Colbert appeared on Good Morning America to promote his mission to Iraq to entertain the troops, dubbed 'Operation: Iraqi Stephen Going Commando'. Host Robin Roberts mentioned Stephen was following in the footsteps of luminaries like Bob Hope and Marilyn Monroe, I would also add fellow APF pundits Bill O'Reilly and Al Franken.
VIDEO: Stephen Colbert on Good Morning America!

Mark Levin and David Frum continue feud, its getting personal

I highlighted previously the rivalry between Conservative talker Mark Levin and former Bush speechwriter David Frum. The rivalry continues.

Mark Levin begins his assault by questioning Frum's emotional state

Levin Takes Down Frum
David Frum was never much of a thinker. Try as he might, he just can't seem to attract interest, let alone a following, even when stabbing his old boss, President George W. Bush, in the back with a rambling screed. Profiting from a confidential relationship with a president is about as low as it gets. But Frum, the ex-speech-writer turned self-hating blogger, isn't done descending. Now he spends his lonely days and nights at his keyboard trying to settle personal scores and demonizing those who dare to dismiss his ramblings as the work of an emotional wreck.

Levin asserts his value of influence in this passage whilst evoking his fellow APF pundits. You will remember that David Frum argued for a different set of priorities in his debate with Mark

That's what people like Frum do. That's why he is exploited by Bill Maher, Jon Stewart, MSNBC, and Newsweek. They so wish he was the face of conservatism. But, alas, he can barely speak for himself. And apart from this response to Frum's latest ramblings, today will be like all other days. I will go on the air and talk with millions of listeners and Frum will write to himself on his own website.

David Frum responds in kind by going personal on Levin, questioning his peculiar social habits and shunning of criticism

AN ANSWER FROM MARK LEVIN - UPDATED!
DAVID FRUM: For now, see these extracts from Levin's October 2008 interview with C-Span's Brian Lamb:

Frum excerpts the C-SPAN interview
LEVIN: I am by myself when I’m doing the show, my producer, my call screener are not in the same room with me, they’re not even in the same town with me. So I am there listening to the caller, and nobody there to tell me what to say or do, or nod at me, or wink at me, or wave me off ....

I don’t have 10 writers like Jon Stewart, or Steven Colbert or most of these anchormen who do – who do straight news, so-called, I don’t – I don’t have – I have me. I don’t have research assistance....

DAVID FRUM: Here is a man who has literally isolated himself in a little box in his home. No social ties with anyone outside his family and pets. He does not interact even with the producers of his program. He has cut himself out of the feedback loop, and when something unwanted intrudes itself into his carefully sheltered experience, he reacts with rage.

Sean Hannity interviews Rush Limbaugh for the second time in the Obama era

The first time Sean Hannity interviewed Rush, I at the time speculated that Hannity might usurp Rush Limbaugh. Then the new rising star and emerging perennial second-to-Rush Glenn Beck interviewed 'America's Anchorman'.

Sean Hannity has interviwed Rush for the second time since Obama's inauguration and this time it's a more personal and expansive interview which includes a tour of Rush' estate.

VIDEO: Sean Hannity interviews Rush Limbaugh (Part One)

Rush explains to Sean how he has been painted as a 'wrestling heel' (villain)

Rush Interviewed by Sean Hannity (Part One)
HANNITY: "The new game in the Beltway is the 'Bash Rush.'" You're in the news almost every day. What's going on?

RUSH: Well, I think it's primarily because the Republican Party or the -- let's say, whatever, that the opposition to Obama has not surfaced politically in Washington. So it's us. You know, those of us who are consistent on the radio and on television criticizing him, we become the focus. For whatever reason, the Republican Party at any level has chosen not to take Obama on and has chosen not to try to attach him to any of the disastrous things that he's doing. I do. And, of course, liberals need a villain; they need a demon. They can't win a debate in the arena of ideas. They need a demon, and they need somebody to demonize, and I'm it, and I'm happy to be it.

Rush gives Hannity credit for his role in challenging Barack Obama

Rush Interviewed by Sean Hannity (Part Two)
RUSH: You were the first out of the box with the Reverend Wright and the Bill Ayers stuff.
HANNITY: Yeah.
RUSH: And people didn't want to hear it because they have a cult-like association and attachment to Obama. But fact of the matter is, the way to understand him is, is he wants to return the nation's wealth to its "rightful owners." He comes from a belief that those in America who have succeeded have done so on the backs of the poor and the disadvantaged. They've had their wealth stolen from them. Everybody. That's why he wants to cap CEO pay. That's why he doesn't want them, the achieved, flying their jets to Vegas. He can. He can take two GV's and three helicopters to New York for a date that you and I pay for; but if I pay for it, even myself on my airplane, I get castigated because it's somehow not cool. I think if you want to understand what this man is doing, what his policies are about, it's returning the nation's wealth to its rightful owners. That's how the UAW, the union, ends up with a major ownership stake in Chrysler and GM.

- Watch Rush Limbaugh on Fox News' Hannity program Part One
- Watch Rush Limbaugh on Fox News' Hannity program Part Two

New York Times reviews Glenn Beck's 'Common Sense' stage tour and simulcast

As posted previously Glenn Beck has embarked on his annual Comedy Stage show, this year dubbed 'Common Sense Tour'. Glenn Beck recently performed at the Midland Theater in Kansas City where it was simulcasted to 440 theatres around America.

New York Times reviewer Mike Hale provides his assessment.

Glenn Beck, Simulcasting Discontent
One of Mr. Beck’s favorite rhetorical tactics is a combination of misdirection and guilt by association: he doesn’t say nasty things about ethnic minorities or homosexuals, but he will slip in a reference to how all our cars will soon be built by undocumented workers, and he will, in a long, lame anecdote about "liberal" artists and the Metropolitan Museum, switch into a high, lisping voice for just a second. Mr. Beck’s appeals to racial solidarity are delivered in the same winking way: speaking of the "grand, magnificent" founding fathers, he leans toward his visibly homogeneous Midwestern audience and says "and we’ve lost touch with how much like us they were."

Glenn on Twitter commented of the NY Times review

@glennbeck You MUST see the NY Times review. I just got into Houston and getting ready for bed when it came in. WOW. At least he went in open. HA!

Find a comprehensive blog of the tour, updated with pictures and videos on Glenn's official site - Common Sense Comedy Tour Blog

Ron Paul makes an appearance in 'Bruno Movie' (Sacha Baron Cohen) - Rachel Maddow reports

Sacha Baron Cohen, the British Comedian behind alter ego 'Borat' has been in the news lately for a stunt embarrassing rapper Eminem with his new Character Bruno at the MTV Movie awards.

If you've seen the trailer for Bruno, you might have taken a double take at the 2 minute mark and thought aloud "Hey is that former Presidential Candidate Ron Paul?". You'd be right.

VIDEO: Bruno Movie Trailer

- Go to the official Bruno site here

As Rachel Maddow reports

VIDEO: Ron Paul punked by Sacha Baron Cohen in the new Bruno Movie

RACHEL MADDOW: Mr Cohen and his crew were able to trick Ron Paul into filming a scene with Cohen. A 5 minute scene where the character Bruno tries very unsuccessfully... to seduce Dr Paul, there's reportedly some dancing and some pantslessness.

Read about the "Bruno/ Ron Paul sex tape here" from the official 'Bruno' site

Bruno and Ron Paul Sex Tape
In a five-minute scene, Bruno tries—and fails—to seduce the Texas congressman and former Republican presidential candidate in a Washington hotel room. The scene, filmed in early 2008, occurs about halfway through the movie, after Bruno gets the idea that you have to make a sex tape to become famous.

Cut to a nondescript hotel suite where Bruno sits across from Ron Paul. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, a light blows out on the set. Bruno apologizes for the technical difficulties and suggests that he and Paul wait in the other room while the crew fixes the light.

Its quite ironic that Sacha Baron Cohen is capitalising on the popularity of Ron Paul. In a previous post I wrote how Ron Paul was the uncredited spiritual leader of the Tea Party protests, which you'll remember was crudely dubbed as the "Tea Baggers" protests by its detractors. Poetically Sacha's new character Bruno, the faux homosexual Austrian Fashion presenter is attempting make a sextape with Ron Paul.

Listen to Sacha Baron Cohen breaking "kayfabe" (out of character as his real self) talking about his original alter ego 'Ali G'. Interviewed on NPR's All things considered - Ali G: Fooling Serious Interviewees, All for a Laugh

SACHA BARON COHEN: That is really my objective, when I get in the room is to convince these guys that they are now going to be interviewed by someone who is totally ignorant and totally arrogant...

I think the power of television is amazing, when they're in the room with me somehow because there's a camera there, their guard is down and they'll answer basically almost anything just to make sure that they end up looking good on camera

Sacha Baron Cohen in his many "ignorant" incarnations has visited many Red States and interviewed several independent conservative leaders, Pat Buchanan as Ali G, Alan Keyes as Borat and now Ron Paul as Bruno.

Bill O'Reilly blamed partly for George Tiller's death: Marc Maron calls him a "truth murderer"

Making headlines has been the murder of George Tiller, controversial doctor infamous for performing late term abortions who was gunned down in front of his church.

Abortion Doctor Gunned Down at Kansas Church, Suspect in Custody
Dr. George Tiller, who remained one of the nation's few providers of late-term abortions despite decades of protests and attacks, was shot and killed Sunday in a church where he was serving as an usher.

The gunman fled, but a 51-year-old suspect was arrested some 170 miles away in suburban Kansas City three hours after the shooting, Wichita Deputy Police Chief Tom Stolz said.

George Tiller, often referred to as George "Baby Killer" Tiller by his detractors was a favourite target for Right Wing talkers like Laura Ingraham but most notably Bill O'Reilly.

Salon has a rundown on the rhetoric O'Reilly has used against the controversial doctor

O'Reilly's campaign against murdered doctor
But there's no other person [Bill O'Reilly] who bears as much responsibility for the characterization of Tiller as a savage on the loose, killing babies willy-nilly thanks to the collusion of would-be sophisticated cultural elites, a bought-and-paid-for governor and scofflaw secular journalists. Tiller's name first appeared on "The Factor" on Feb. 25, 2005. Since then, O'Reilly and his guest hosts have brought up the doctor on 28 more episodes, including as recently as April 27 of this year. Almost invariably, Tiller is described as "Tiller the Baby Killer."

The charges insinuating O'Reilly's complicity in this murder due to his demonisation of Tiller mirrors charges leveled against Fox Stablemate Glenn Beck, accused with triggering paranoid radicals with his own rhetoric. Watch Bill O'Reilly's reply to this charge of complicity here

Liberal talker and comedian Marc Maron, parodies the "coded language" to "paranoid radicals" by going on several tongue-in-cheek rants mirroring Bill O'Reilly's rhetoric

VIDEO: Bill O'Reilly Is A Truth Murderer @ BreakRoomLive.com

Break Room Live, July 2nd episode
MARC MARON: He is guilty of putting out there a message, these people know how to speak in code. Especially when the people they are speaking to are desperate and more marginalised than they ever have been of doing dangerous things. I sort of see him and Glenn Beck as dangerous cult leaders overseeing the minds of mentally fragile, angry lost people...

(Marc reading a reader's comment) "Its too late for Bill O'Reilly mother to get an abortion"
MARC MARON: Yes but its not too late for somebody to take the appropriate action. I'm reaching out to you progressive whackjobs, people out on the margin. Bill O'Reilly is a murderer of truth, he's a truth murderer. He kills truth everyday. Do you know how many truths that he's killed. Do you know how many truths remain unborn American truths because of Bill O'Reilly. Bill O'Reilly is a truth killer. I'll say it again - A truth killer. That's all I'm going to say to you people. If you respect somebody who kills the truth then what kind of person are you. If you think there is justice. An eye for an eye to take a truth killer out. I'm not saying to do anything but its in your hands, its in your heart...

Alan Colmes wonder how "Real is your Favorite Radio Personality?" after a Talker shoots his wife and dog

Troubled Radio Talker Shannon Burke

With the aid of the 'wrestling analogy' I often talk about the personas Radio Talkers adopt to win over audiences, whether it be as the people's champion or the cheeky villain. The persona a talker ends up with is partly informed by their real interests but also market concerns, like what the regional audience demands and what will entertain and captivate the masses. A talker may emphasise their hometown roots, their blue collar upbringing or project a heightened tough guy image in order to create points of separation from their talk radio competitors.

The preservation of the illusion that wrestling is real is known as "Kayfabe". An example of this is when a wrestler maintains his persona' or character outside the wrestling universe. For Hollywood Actors, its comparable to 'method acting'. However kayfabe in wrestling is rare these days as today's fans are well aware that wrestling is prearranged, keeping in character is seen as a quaint tradition. 'Method acting' for Hollywood is still an accepted part of the actor's process though some speculate it can lead to troubling obsession. In the sometimes isolated world of Radio, one wonders how much one's persona truly does seep into the mind of a RadioTalker.

Alan Colmes, former liberal counterweight to Sean Hannity on Fox News wonders the same. Commenting on the bizarre story of a liberal-turned-conservative Radio Talker, Shannon Burke shooting his wife and dog.

What went wrong with radio personality Shannon Burke?
It's hard to pinpoint exactly when Shannon Burke's life changed.

Maybe when he agreed to switch from a liberal Texas talk-show host to a conservative Central Florida mouthpiece.

Maybe when he changed to a more-aggressive style for a new role on an Orlando FM station...

Burke, 43, sits behind bars in the Seminole County Jail, held without bail, accused of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and animal cruelty in an April 30 shooting that injured his wife and her dog.

Alan Colmes ponders how authentic the on-air personas of his peers are and how fragile it can be to the sanity of a talker.

How Real Is Your Favorite Radio Personality?
We all have our on-air personas; our job is to entertain to the best of our abilities and attract audiences on behalf of our radio stations and our sponsors. You hear rumors about this host or that one, and whether he or she truly believes the things that are put out over the air. You hear whispers that one host or other isn’t really liberal as portrayed, or isn’t really such a staunch conservative but the act works, and it’s good for ratings. I just can’t imagine how someone can flip from left to right, from right to left, from decent, law-abiding citizen to crazed shooter of wives and animals...

How much of what we hear on radio is really an act? Does Rush really want Obama to fail, and isn’t he really laughing all the way to the bank at the Republicans who take him so seriously? Is the hate spewed by some hosts a way to appease the far reaches of the personalities of those attracted to talk radio? And when does one trade a good buck and a great gig for one’s soul?