Bill Burr and Joe Rogan on Politics being Blue Team (CNN) vs Red Team (Fox News)

Comedians Bill Burr and Joe Rogan distilled the 'Politics is Wrestling' analogy in a conversation about CNN vs Fox News on a recent episode of the Joe Rogan Podcast (Ep 909). Bill Burr discussed his anxiety watching those News channels as they bake conflict and partisanship in their programming.

VIDEO: Joe Rogan Experience #909 - Bill Burr

BILL BURR:(1h 16m 10s) Its why I can't watch CNN or Fox, I can't just sit there and listen - as much as I rant and rave which is just f*ckin pretty ironic - I can't sit there listening to people screaming and yelling at each other cuz they don't want to come together. They don't want to find what's right. They just want to win.
JOE ROGAN: They have a side and they don't want to look at the other side.
BURR: I have a red tie so I argue the "Red Tie" sh*t. You have a blue tie so you argue that. It's f*ckin childish…
ROGAN: Hashtag "I'm with Her". The I'm with her thing was driving me f*cking crazy too. What do you mean you're with her. Is it just "her", is it about a woman or is it about who is the right person to run the f*ckin country. Cuz its not her, are you voting Democratic?
BURR: And I thought those f*cking — you know CNN they kinda boxed out Bernie Sanders. It was almost like a fight, he might’ve been a better matchup. Who knows?
ROGAN: He was a way better matchup. He wasn't compromised. If you wanna talk about someone who was financially compromised, he wasn't compromised. He may have been the only guy who ever ran for President that wasn't completely tied in to the financial system.

Joe Rogan and Bill Burr talking about the CNN/Fox News divide

JOE ROGAN: The CNN/Fox divide, the left and right divide has never been greater in this country than right now. There's no one objective news source. There's not one news source that just tells you what's going on and doesn't do it from a biased perspective. Its left or right.
BILL BURR: But I think that divide only exists between the people that watch that sh*t. Its kinda like people — do you watch the UFC, do you not watch the UFC — If you watch the UFC then you're into this sh*t. I think there's just news junkies out there that just mainline that sh*t and they're the ones where that divide is like that.

Mike Cernovich proposes a Left VS Right Battle Royale headlined by Keith Olbermann and Alex Jones

I'll donate $100,000 to charity if @KeithOlbermann shows up to debate @RealAlexJones. One hour. Neutral moderator. https://t.co/vMrLhAOtPM

— Mike Cernovich (@Cernovich) 12 May 2017

Expounding on an earlier tweet, Mike Cernovich proposed a Left VS Right PPV showdown headlined by Keith Olbermann and new boss and partner, Alex Jones. I’ve been meaning to update the PunditFight roster with today’s current stars, the hype behind this hypothetical superfight might just be the inspiration.

Original 'American Pundit Fighting' roster (2007)

In the 10 years since it's founding, the APF roster has changed dramatically, escalating within the past year during the recent changeover in administrations. Jon Stewart stepped down from the 'Daily Show'. Stephen Colbert broke kayfabe to replace David Letterman on the 'Late Show'. Ratings juggernaut Bill O’Reilly was stunningly axed over sexual harassment claims. Alex Jones has arguably become the most influential pundit whilst the audacious Trump has effectively made the likes of Rush Limbaugh and traditional media obsolete.

It's telling of the times that the roster Cernovich offered to represent the Right is made up of independent personalities that don't occupy mainstream news outlets.

Cernovich Series PPV:
Team Republican (Cernovich, Weaver, Molyneux, Jones and Watson)

Cernovich Series PPV:
Team Democrats (Maher, Stelter, Olbermann, Harris, Tapper)

ALEX JONES — 2017-MAY-26, FRIDAY 
MIKE CERNOVICH: (3h 15m 08s) I predicted that people on the Right could do it better than people on the left. This a point that is being missed by the media. This is not a threat. I don’t want violence, I want a debate. Again, show me anyone on the left who has ever offered $100,000 to charity to debate me.
Alex Jones, big name. We can raise a lot of money for charity. We can livestream it, have a superchat going. I bet you we can raise a million dollars if we had a big —like a WrestleMania. Wow! I wish Alex were here right now so we could brainstorm off each other. I envision like a major UFC event. A major boxing match promoted by CNN, co-promoted by Infowars. Maybe get Breitbart, Daily Caller, Cernovich Media. Get all of us in a room and we can have an undercard leading to a main event.

So the Left, they can have Keith Olbermann, Bill Maher, Sam Harris, Jake Tapper, Brian Stelter. All these guys on the left can come in. Like a big battle royal. And then we can have people on the Right: Alex Jones, Paul Joseph Watson, Millie [Weaver], [Mike] Cernovich, Stefan Molyneux. We could have 5, 10 people on each side and this could all lead — God! Where is Alex right now when you need him?

This would be an amazing, amazing event, we could cut up a promo for it. I bet you we could do a million for charity. I would put up a $100,000 of my own money from Cernovich media to see this event happen for charity. It would be the Battle Royale, the Left VS the Right. Who has the better ideas? Who can gauge with free speech with the most tenacity, the most ferocity. Who has the better argument? Who's more logical, who's more cogent? Millions of people would watch this. We could air it on every network. Air it live on CNN, air it live on NBC, ABC, Fox News, MSNBC. Air it live on everybody’s social media, on everybody's YouTube. Crowdfund donations. Livestream it. All money would go to charity. Why isn't this happening?

Cernovich Series PPV: Team Rep VS Team Smack'Dem

The 5 on 5 matchup is perfectly set up for a team showdown, traditional Survivor Series style. It’s worth noting that only Bill Maher and Keith Olbermann are existing APF pundits. Expect more art to come for this dream fight.

Remember the Rumble: Donald Trump, Election 2016 wallpaper

Donald Trump and Election 2016 wallpaper
and why we should "Remember the Rumble"

Only a week into the Trump presidency and many people remain in a state of disbelief and denial that there's a new sheriff in town. Trump is the first President to arrive into power with a sub 50% approval rating, his second day in office met with a wave of oppositional marches that overshadowed the crowd figures at his inauguration. Not one to take disapproval lying down Trump snidely tweeted:

Watched protests yesterday but was under the impression that we just had an election! Why didn't these people vote? Celebs hurt cause badly.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 22, 2017

The President's senior counselor Steve Bannon adding "The media should be embarrassed and humiliated and keep its mouth shut and just listen for a while". Whilst it appears like weeping and gnashing of teeth from Trump's detractors it's best described as blind fury. In pugilistic fashion, Trump has worked his opponents into a frenzy with goading rhetoric that aims to distract and debase them.

This is why it doesn’t matter when Donald Trump lies by Joe Hildebrand
Unfortunately many in the American left and liberal media still seem wholly incapable of seeing what drove Donald Trump to power and are thus hopelessly ill-equipped to remove him from it. The only trick in the playbook seems to be to dig up one more scandal, one more "gotcha" moment, and hope that this will be the one that sinks him.

If Einstein is right that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result then it’s not Trump who is the crazy one...

Instead of getting outraged by everything he says over and over again or protesting his very existence, Trump's opponents should find out why people voted for him in the first place and offer them a better alternative.

After all, if he's as bad as they say he is how hard can that be?

Its worth noting that Trump successfully divided and conquered opposition from his right flank, from Fox News to the National Review #NeverTrumpers. He also gave the last rites to both the Bush and Clinton dynasties. Trump has deftly fashioned friends and enemies across multiple, often unorthodox lines. Successfully repurposing the broad, bipartisan discontent on issues (trade, voter registration) and groups (congress, the media) to suit his ends. Redefining the playbook for modern politics, overlooked is how Trump revealed that voters weren't as monolithic as previously thought. Demonstrating it's possible for a leader to convince supporters to accept sworn enemies, welcome"alternative facts" and forgive conflicts of interest.

A potpourri of policies offered by the right salesman may be dutifully adopted especially if one is content to win only marginal support. Brandon Wetherbee and Chris Kelly, authors of 'The Donald: How Trump Turned Presidential Politics into Pro Wrestling' frames Hildebrand's prescription thusly

The Great American Bash "Heel President" (Nov 9, 2016)
CHRIS KELLY: (18m 25s) That's the thing, we just miscalculated that the heel would get his comeuppance now. Cuz there's still "heat" to get.
BRANDON WETHERBEE: I got a text last night saying -- What happens to the heel when he wins? Well he just keeps winning.
KELLY: He just keeps winning until there's a good challenger that you actually want to be the face of the company...

We need to be reminded that Trump vanquished a gauntlet of opposition from both sides of the aisle. His audacious boast that he "could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody" without losing voters chillingly proved true. It'll be a tall order finding a challenger as teflon as the Don but the candidate pool has broadened, rival billionaire Mark Cuban indicating "I think it did open a door, I think he's set a path for entrepreneurs, for business people".

The road to the White House starts at the Rumble

Using the upcoming WWE PPV as inspiration, I've made a new wallpaper to remind voter's of the alternatives paths offered and what Trump's conquest in spite monumental doubts signifies. Reminiscent of Colbert's 'Hungry for Power Games', I've appropriated the tagline for this year's Royal Rumble in San Antonio. Whilst the theme is "Remember the Rumble", I have a feeling the aftershocks of this political earthquake will remain a constant until the big one returns in 4 years.

- National Review "Against Trump" wallpaper: The GOP 2016 Royal Rumble

Russell Brand talking about the "spectacle" of Politics to Alex Jones

VIDEO: Russell Brand - Humanity Coming Out of The Cave

RUSSELL BRAND (1m 07s): I suppose where our beliefs intersect Alex is that I think contemporary bipartisan politics is a meaningless spectacle to distract you from where power truthfully dwells so for me I don't have a view on Democrats, Republicans. I just sort of think of it as an interchangeable spectacle drawn across the reality. So I'm not surprised, disillusioned or disappointed...

Townhall Magazine: "100 Americans the left hate most!"

If one's mission were to "win friends and influence people" they would most likely do their best not to criticize, condemn or complain and act in a friendly manner. You may be mistaken for thinking this is what Politics is about, not quite. Winning elections is about having more votes than your competitor, its not necessarily about winning everyone over. If you're able to impassion a majority to victory it would almost be wise to cut your losses, sometimes having a constant opposition as a bogeyman can be the best motivator.

The world of wrestling is built on the very notion of "Us vs Them". Wrestlers orient themselves as either 'Heels' (villains) or 'Faces' (heroes) by their actions and their words. Their appeal however is based entirely on how they connect with the audience and not their orientation. Its not uncommon in wrestling to find that you root for the villain and loathe the hero.

Identity politics is built on proudly distinguishing oneself as part of marginalized group, insisting on such a narrative is a source of empowerment, a badge of honor. Its a tactic used by politicians and pundits with Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck arguably being the most effective proponents. Not surprisingly the marginalisation angle works best for the pundits when their ideological side is out of power and their supporters most engaged. As evidenced by the introduction of Liberal radio station Air America and pundits like Randi Rhodes, Sam Seder and Al Franken during the Republican Bush' second term. Also seen in the emergence of Glenn Beck and his brand of restoration during President Obama's first term.

Its not uncommon for these "marginalised" groups to glorify their status by identifying their biggest targets as TownHall Magazine have done below. But these lists can easily be recontextualized so the positions of strength are inverted as seen in these set of ranking  - Top 10 list of anti-Barack Obama conservatives

100 Americans se left hate most!
The more effective the voices that oppose their agenda, the greater the venom the Left spews in their direction. It’s this out-of-control behavior from our fellow citizens who are sold out to the ultraliberal progressive Obama agenda to “radically transform” the United States that led us to create this list of “The 100 Americans the Left Hates Most.”

The Townhall editorial staff compiled a massive list of those we believe have the largest bull’s-eyes painted on them by the Left and the Democrat-dominated government...

Download the PDF here - The 100 Americans The Left Hates Most

The usual suspects of PunditFight conservatives appear on the list, you'll have to go to TownHall magazine to find their respective rankings:
Hugh Hewitt, Bill Kristol, Michael Savage, Laura Ingraham, Mark Levin, Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, Michelle Malkin, Ann Coulter and Glenn Beck

Watch how marginalised heel personalities negotiate between each other to elevate themselves

VIDEO: WWE Over The Limit 2010 Randy Orton Vs Edge

NJ.com Ledger Live - Health Care Reform Town Hall: no room for a centrist

Brian Donohue of NJ.com's 'Ledger Live' reported from a town hall meeting on federal health care reform with Rep. Frank Pallone. Like similar times Town Hall meeting across America, it degenerated into a "wrestling cage match".

Brian had come to the meeting aware of the animosity that had tended to derail some of these Town hall meetings, he also came with some skepticism of the bill being passed through congress but he soon started changing his tune once he witnessed the Town Hall experience for himself:

Health Care Reform Town Hall: no room for a centrist
BRIAN DONOHUE: ... I returned today a changed man. You see, until last night I was opposed to HR3200 - that's the House Bill on Federal Health Care reform - but after seeing things like this (cut to video), I'm thinking "Anything those people are against, I should be for".

Until last night I thought the description that these Town halls as unruly, angry mob shouting matches was probably just "TV news being TV news" pointing their cameras at some yahoos and making everybody look like part of some angry mob. What I saw last night was far worse...

There was no debate going on. No discussion and no listening and there was no room for a person like me. A centrist like me who agrees with valid points on both sides of the debate but hates the fearmongering and paranoia... but there's no room for nuance or reason for this debate... no one is listening to anyone else. There is no room for facts...

Can there be any room for a centrist at a health care reform town hall meeting

Read written summary by Brian on that night's events on the 'Ledger Live' site - Health Care Reform Town Hall: no room for a centrist

At the risk of trivialising matters, speaking of resemblances the only other time you would not be surprised to see a mob of people booing a handicapped woman would be at a wrestling match. Presenting heel GM Vicki Guererro...

VIDEO: The Return of Vickie Guerrero

Glenn Becks says American Politics is like 'The Matrix'

I've talked about hyperreality plenty of times in this blog, Glenn Beck runs with the concept using the ultimate pop culture reference on the subject - The Matrix (1999)

Wikipedia describes Hyperreality thusly

Definition - Hyperreality
Hyperreality characterizes the inability of consciousness to distinguish reality from fantasy, especially in technologically advanced postmodern cultures. Hyperreality is a means to characterise the way consciousness defines what is actually "real" in a world where a multitude of media can radically shape and filter the original event or experience being depicted.

Glenn Beck, complete with props invoked the famous Matrix scene where 'Morpheus' (Lawrence Fishburne) offers 'Neo' (Keanu Reeves) a choice between finding the truth or remaining in denial as symbolised by the red and blue pills. It's worth noting the pun the pill colors Red (Republicans) and Blue (Democratic) represent politically in America.

Time to Shatter the Matrix
Let me put it this way: Remember the movie "The Matrix"? Nothing was real, the world people lived in was a fabrication — a computer program. Our lives have been like that movie and it is not about Barack Obama. It's about Obama and Bush and Clinton and Bush. It has been going on for years, it is just a play and it goes back to the progressive movement — on both sides of the aisle.

In the movie the hero is offered two pills: red to learn the truth about the Matrix; blue to go on living blissfully ignorant to what is really going on.

The way to take our country back will short-circuit the Matrix we are living in. And it has to do with gun rights, state's rights and what I call the civilest war.

It is too much to get into now — but next week take the "red pill" and get the truth.

VIDEO: The Red Pill/Blue pill scene from the Matrix

Arlen Specter switches parties, again. From Republican to Democrat.

Breaking news: Arlen Specter has defected to the Democratic Party

VIDEO: Sen. Arlen Specter defended his decision to leave the Republican Party

ARLEN SPECTER: I found myself increasingly at odds with the Republican philosophy and more in line with the philosophy of the Democratic Party... In the course of the last several months, I have travelled the State and surveyed the sentiment of Pennsylvania ... and have found the prospects for winning the Republican Primary are bleak. I'm not prepared to have my 29 year record in the United States Senate decided by the Pennsylvania Republican Primary electorate. Not prepared to have that record decided by that jury... But I'm prepared to take on all comers - all comers in the general election...

Read Rush Limbaugh's take on Arlen Specter's defection, via Politico

Limbaugh to Specter: Please take McCain with you
Conservative host Rush Limbaugh said Tuesday he isn't sorry to see Arlen Specter leave the GOP — and that many Republicans wish the Pennsylvania senator would take a few others with him when he goes.

"A lot of people say, 'Well, Specter, take [Sen. John] McCain with you. And his daughter [Meghan]. Take McCain and his daughter with you if you're gonna…" he told listeners, dissolving in laughter.

"…..It's ultimately good. You're weeding out people who aren't really Republicans," he said.

Read some reactions from noted Republicans and Conservatives,
- RNC chairman Michael Steele weighs in on Arlen Specter's defection

VIDEO: Michael Steele with CNN's Kyra Phillips talking about Specter's defection

MICHAEL STEELE: ... I seriously doubt that he's gonna to have a scott free ride to the nomination on the democratic side. No matter what kind of deal the trial lawyers or the Democratic party have made... This is an open primary seat for the Democrats. I love it. And we're gonna have a strong Republican candidate on our side and I love that even more. And if Senator Specter survives into the fall - Get ready to go to the mat baby! We're coming after ya & we're taking ya out!

- Read David Frum's (Author and Former special assistant to George W Bush) reaction via the New Majority site

Another Triumph for the Club for Growth
For years, many in the conservative world have wished for an ideologically purer GOP. Their wish has been granted. Happy?

Let’s take this moment to nail some colors to the mast. I submit it is better for conservatives to have 60% sway within a majority party than to have 100% control of a minority party. And until and unless there is an honored place made in the Republican party for people who think like Arlen Specter, we will remain a minority party.

- Watch Arlen Specter talking to C-SPAN in 2001 about his original switch from Democrat to Republican

Glenn Beck calls out the Media, Republicans, Democrats and Stephen Colbert

VIDEO: Glenn Beck - What are the Tea Parties really all about? (April 15 2009)

Glenn Beck cut a mean promo in front of a raucous San Antonio Tea Party crowd. He equally admonished Democrats and Republicans, former President George W Bush and President Barack Obama. Note how Glenn Beck calls out the media and a certain blustery pundit parody.

GLENN BECK: But since the media and Stephen Colbert are watching I'm going to speak very, very slowly (applause line). As I understand it, at least the way I see it here these have nothing to do with the Democratic Party other than the Democrats suck! (applause line) however no more than the Republicans suck (applause line). This has nothing to do with how much Barack Obama is spending. It's about how much Barack Obama and George W Bush and both Congresses have been spending for years (applause line). It has nothing to do with parties. It has everything to do with politicians from those parties lying to the people they're suppose to serve.

America is sick and tired of being sick and tired, of lies and corruption, of flushing our country down the toilet for their power. For the Donkey or the Elephant. I could give a flying crap and I have a feeling nobody here cares about the Donkey or the Elephant either.

Watch the Colbert promo which set of Glenn Beck
VIDEO: Tax Atax (April 15, 2009)

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Tax Atax
colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor NASA Name Contest

STEPHEN COLBERT: But no one is leaping of the patriotism cliff more enthusiastically than America's life partner, Glenn Beck. That's why he's holding his tea party in an historic location...

--Glenn Beck Video is played--
I can now announce that we're going to have our program live from the only place in America where I think it really, reaaally makes sense - The Alamo.

STEPHEN COLBERT: Yes! That does really, reaaally makes sense. So few remember that the Boston Tea Party began when George Washington and his rag tag troop of Union soldiers holed up in the Alamo surrounded by Nazis. Luckily before Napoleon could bring in his terminator reinforcements...

For what it's worth I would like to throw my support for this grassroots effort by Fox News corporation. I certainly hope that this occupation of the Alamo goes just as well as the last one

Fox Anchor Gregg Jarrett VS Lansing Michigan Mayor Virgil Bernero

This promo cut by Lansing Michigan Mayor, Virg Bernero could be considered a cousin to this rabble-rousing rant by Rick Santelli.

Gregg Jarrett asked the Mayor a series questions regarding the failing economy and its implaications to the Automotive industry and the Unions

VIDEO: Mayor Virg Bernero of Lansing Michigan with Fox Anchor Greg Jarrett

The Mayor cuts a passionate (some would consider premeditated) promo. It was effectively executed, catching the Fox Anchor flatfooted and desperately managing the embarrassment.

Watch Fox Anchor Greg Jarret incredulously making faces and trying to contain the Mayor:

GREGG JARRETT: 1) Mr Mayor, let me stop you there because that wasn't my question. You know? But now that you bring it up...

2) OK Mr Mayor, that wasn't my question and I'm sorry you were offended by it. But now that you bring it up...

3) Mr Mayor, you and I... There must be a disconnect in our Skype webcam because I asked you about paycuts and you're talking about healthcare...

4) Can I get a question in here? I asked about a paycut for workers. Not healthcare. But now that you've brought up healthcare. Let me put it this way...

5) Alright Mr Mayor, it's a television show. Not a campaign speech. You're not the Eveready battery. Calm down, we're just having a discussion here. Mayor Bernero of Lansing Michigan. Thank You very much

Sam Seder played the video on his show 'Break Room Live', commenting unflatteringly on the Fox Anchor's ploy

Break Room Live - February 24, 2009
SAM SEDER: What's the name of the fat guy interviewing him?... what a tool. (projecting) "We didn't have you on here to state your position, Why are you getting all passionate about this?" It's fantastic to watch these guys, what happens with these Fox guys. They must have -- that must be the go to thing right? I've just been embarrassed and so now I'm going to try and make you look like you were just too excited to embarrass me. Or something to that effect, right?

Listen to audio of Sam Seder discussing the smackdown by Mayor Virg Bernero - Break Room Live excerpt (Feb 24, 2009)

President Barack Obama and Governor Bobby Jindal: Cool and somewhat dorky?

President Obama's first Address to Congress

President Obama addresses the nation before a joint session of Congress. In his speech focusing on the economy and the promotion of his economic agenda.

Republican Response to President Obama Address to Congress

Louisiana Gov. Jindal delivered the Republican Party response to President Obama's Address.

As I did with the last State of the Union Address, attached is an animation so you can insert your own applause for both speeches. Whilst hopes were high for Bobby Jindal's opportunity to shine. The early reviews from both sides of the aisle have not been kind.

From conservative AllahPundit of HotAir:

Video: Jindal’s “awful” rebuttal
"Awful" is Ace’s word but I’m in no mood to disagree. And neither are most HA commenters, judging from this mammoth thread. This was his star turn and he came off wooden, especially at the beginning. Oh well. His loss is the rest of the GOP governors’ gain.

From liberal John Amato of CrooksAndLiars:

Bobby Jindal's Zombie like performance uses phony Republican talking point of 'magnetic levitation' trains
Bobby Jindal walked out to the microphone with a glaze in his eyes and seemed hopped up on Red Bull as he shuffled through the Republican response speech to President Obama. If the Republican Party thinks he's their solution they are sadly mistaken.

Instead of launching his national political career, he just about ended it. Some people thought he reminded them of Kenneth from 30 Rock, but at least Kenneth has some enthusiasm.

No Stimulus and "Speaking Democrat": A Primer by Congressman Thaddeus McCotter

There has been a lot of debate in Washington over President Obama's stimulus package, a larger supplement to the George W Bush stimulus packages signed in his closing year in office.

The Obama Administration, with its emphasis on post-partisanship and "change" hopes to leave behind the cheap political point scoring and ideological name calling. At it's height during the Presidential campaign seasons in 04' and 08' and ever present for George W Bush' 8 years in office. Creating a climate that infers America has shifted from a 'Terrorist' Presidency to a 'Socialist' one.

That "hope" of a new tone may be short lived as the minority House Republicans unanimously opposed the Stimulus bill. Despite attempts by President Obama to foster a less divisive climate in Washington.

A great example of the type of division and apprehension politicians from opposite sides have for each other is demonstrated in this video featuring Republican Congressman Thaddeus McCotter from Michigan.

VIDEO: Speaking Democrat - A Primer by Rep. McCotter

"Speaking Democrat: A Primer" (transcript)
THADDEUS McCOTTER: We're going to learn how to speak Democrat today...

We hear the word change which means the 1970's. Democrats will bring you change. Translation, Democrats will bring you the 1970's.

Government means socialism. Democrats support proactive government. Translation, Democrats support proactive socialism.

Enhance revenues translates into raise taxes. Democrats will enhance revenues. Translation, Democrats will raise taxes.

This is my favorite part. The rich means you. For example, Democrats will only tax the rich. Translation, Democrats will only tax you. Ouch.

The congressman providing a tongue-in-cheek lesson on the rhetoric used by his liberal colleagues. Whilst certainly exercised for comedic effect. Its the type of ribbing usually delivered in the form of chain emails, cheekily forwarded to colleagues to aggravate or amuse. Not something to be acted on the House floor with props. McCotter's promo was done in 2008 when Obama's promise of post partisanship was still a campaign slogan and not a Presidential decree.

It's reminiscent of the parody segments in Wrestling, where wrestlers use excessive amounts of ring time to stage elaborate stunts and mocking displays to aggravate their opponents and escalate feuds. Not as immediate or substantial as a face to face staredown with an opponent, or a direct exchange of words and fists. More a psychological taunt.

VIDEO: DX parody 'The Corporation'

Al Franken wins the Minnesota Senate seat. Coleman to challenge

Al Franken (D) has won the Minnesota Senate seat by referee's decision. But it may not stand. The disputed championship will most likely go to the courts as the incumbent Norm Coleman (R) plans to challenge the recount.

Franken Wins Minnesota Senate Race in Recount, But Lawsuit Looms
A Minnesota board has certified election results showing Democrat Al Franken has won the U.S. Senate recount -- by 225 votes.

But that doesn't mean the former Saturday Night Live comedian's race against his Republican opponent, incumbent Sen. Norm Coleman, is over. While FOX News has learned that Senate Democratic leaders will try to seat Franken on Tuesday, a legal challenge probably will keep the race in limbo...

Extending an already dramatic contest further...

The recount reversed the unofficial Election Day results, which showed Coleman with a 215-vote lead.

Franken made up the deficit over seven tortuous weeks of ballot-sifting in part by prevailing on challenges that both campaigns brought to thousands of ballots...

Al Franken is on the verge of completing an improbable APF resume having begun as a wrestler in his college days, making his name on Saturday Night Live, becoming a formidable voice for the left as flagship talker for Air America Radio to finally being elected to the Senate.

Wrestler, Satirist, Pundit and now Politician - summing up neatly all the universes this blog touches on.

Find some of my favourite Al Franken posts here:
- Al Franken - The Road to the Minnesota Senate
- Political life imitates art: Stephen Colbert for President and Al Franken for Senate
- Answering the critics: Jesse Ventura, Al Franken and The Terminator
- Al Franken, Jonah Goldberg and Rich Lowry on Pundits Fighting
- PunditFight presents: The Al Franken Wallpaper

Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Robert Gates

Hogans and Warrior = Obama and Hillary. Respect angle

The Circle is complete. First the rancorous primary, then together in 'Unity'. and finally a partnership in the State Department.

Republicans seem uniformly happy with Obama.

Wolf Blitzer: I haven't heard a mainstream republican dissapointed with the choices
Stephen Hayes: Republicans are generally happy

Hugh Hewitt speaks of Democrats being on "suicide watch" for Obama's centrist picks.
Click here for the Hugh Hewitt audio

Obama or McCain: Who they beat and how they got there

APF: King of the West Wing brackets

Beginning with the stiff competition of the primaries, the drama between Hillary and Obama in the protracted Democratic contest and finally the shifting storylines of the General Election. This grueling 2 year Presidential campaign all comes to a head November 4th. Who will be the victor?

They say, to the winner go the spoils - it may be a different case this time around. The incoming President will have to navigate through two current ground wars (Afghanistan & Iraq) and an existential one with the 'War on Terror'. They will have to manage an unfolding global economic crisis. Both contenders have promised to turn a new page for America amidst these waiting challenges. All with the backdrop of an ever more ubiquitous and chattering media - 24-hour news and the rise of punditry and opinion media coupled with the influence of blogosphere and let's not forget talk radio.

The grueling journey for the eventual President will pale in comparison to how hard it will be to retain the title - to preserve the esteem of the office and validate the confidence the electorate have bestowed on them.

Before we look forward to see let's remind ourselves of the contenders that might have been:
The fallen Democratic contenders
- Hillary Clinton (withdrew Jan 7, 2008)
- Mike Gravel (changed party Mar 26, 2008)
- John Edwards (withdrew Jan 30, 2008)
- Dennis Kucinich (withdrew Jan 24, 2008)
- Bill Richardson (withdrew Jan 10, 2008)
- Joe Biden (withdrew Jan 3, 2008)
- Chris Dodd (withdrew Jan 3, 2008)

The fallen Republican contenders
- Ron Paul (withdrew June 13, 2008)
- Mike Huckabee (withdrew Mar 4, 2008)
- Mitt Romney (withdrew Feb 7, 2008)
- Rudy Giuliani (withdrew Jan 30, 2008)
- Fred Thompson (withdrew Jan 22, 2008)
- Duncan Hunter (withdrew Jan 19, 2008)

Read more in-depth analysis of the primaries at PBS' Vote 2008 site . Read about the Democratic and Republican Primaries.

Update:
Watch the "King of the West Wing" brackets featured in the 'Pollocktics' segment for The Fight Network.

PunditFight presents: The Al Franken Wallpaper

This is a non-partisan blog so as with all PunditFight art it should not be taken as an endorsement.

It needs to be said, Al Franken holds a special place in the PunditFight community. He is the only pundit on the APF roster to throw his hat in for public office. He is also the only pundit I know of that has a wrestling background.

Wise-cracking funnyman Al Franken yesterday body-slammed a demonstrator to the ground after the man tried to shout down Gov. Howard Dean... The trouble started when several supporters of fringe presidential candidate Lyndon Larouche began shouting accusations at Dean.

Franken emerged from the crowd and charged one male protester, grabbing him with a bear hug from behind and slamming him onto the floor.

"I was a wrestler so I used a wrestling move," Franken said.

View the full NY Post article in PDF format here.

Lets' not forget he is also a Saturday Night Live alum, making Al Franken a peerless Punditfight Triple Threat.

- Download and disseminate your own Al Franken heads (PDF)
- Read previous postings on Al Franken
- Read Al Franken on the issues, from his official website

Barack Obama and John McCain: Personality, temperament and Narrative (Part 1)

Personality has played a big part this election season. A few months ago it was considered the wrong field to play on for Barack Obama, no doubt fearful of the "who would you rather have a beer with?" personality test that foiled Democratic nominee John Kerry the previous election.

Obama: 'Not about the issues' comment means making stuff up
The Illinois senator said he’s not running for president for his “pretty good personality” and that it’s a sign Republicans intend to scare voters away from him...

“I mean I think I’ve got a pretty good personality! But that’s not why I am running for president,” Obama said, later adding, “If you want it to be about personalities, you know, we’ll go out for a beer sometime and we’ll talk but you know you don’t have time, you’d rather spend it with your family.”

Personality has suddenly become a valid test for the Presidency - disguised as "narratives" and euphemistically called "Character" and "Temperament". Things have turned the last few weeks as Barack's "cool under pressure" demeanor has impressed the electorate relative to McCain's "erratic" appearance. Even before this was crystallized during the Presidential dry run of the Global Economic crises, one could argue the Obama campaign was surreptitiously always about personality if his top Media adviser David Axelrod is anything to go by

The Sixty-Day War - John Heilemann
In the trade, Axelrod is known for being averse to issues and policy, for preferring to focus on softer qualities of character, biography. “His brilliance is his ability to communicate emotionally with voters about his candidates, to bring out what makes them personally compelling and drive a larger narrative based on that,” says Hillary Clinton’s former communications czar, Howard Wolfson.

The Latest issue of Time Magazine features "Temperament" in its cover article.

The Temperament Factor: Who's Best Suited to the Job? - Nancy Gibbs
...full-blown clichés. Obama is aloof, self-possessed, cool under fire; McCain is passionate, impetuous, hot under the collar. Each one makes a virtue of his temperament as the right setting for the current climate. Americans, McCain says, "expect me to get angry, and I will get angry, because I won't stand for corruption." His impulsive intervention in the bailout negotiations suited his narrative as an action hero...

Ironically Barack Obama is fighting the personality war with John McCain the same way John Kerry fought it with George w Bush. Calculating this time it will work to the Democrat's favor.

Conservative defectors Christopher Buckley, David Brooks, Heather Mac Donald, Colin Powell among others have all used words like "intellectual curiosity", "depth of knowledge", "intellectual vigor". Silently coded as a contrast and welcome departure from the George W Bush' personality type.

As counterterrorism coordinator Richard Clarke commented on serving under George W Bush

The Choice 2004 - Decision making style
He doesn't reach out, typically, for a lot of experts. He has a very narrow, regulated, highly regimented set of channels to get advice.

One of the first things we were told was, "Don't write a lot of briefing papers. Don't make the briefing papers very long, because this president is not a reader. He likes oral briefings... He's not into big meetings, and he's not into big briefing books."

We will know in two weeks which personality America prefers.

VP Pundit Roundup: Joe Biden and Sarah Palin

Liberals on Vice Presidential nominee Joe Biden:

Sam Seder on Joe Biden - CNN: Secret Service to Biden's house

He's a corporatist and I've always imagined he spends a lot of time in the mirror choosing a pose for his Senate portrait- but at least he's no Evan Bayh.

Rachel Maddow on Joe Biden - Rachel Maddow praises Joe Biden on Womens' Issues


Conservatives on Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin:
Michael Medved on Sarah Palin - What Sarah Brings

It begins to close the energy gap... It underscores the best issues for McCain... She emphasizes McCain’s credibility as a reformer... Palin allows Republicans to compete on the novelty front... The choice should help to reassure grumblers on the right who have insisted that McCain isn’t a “real conservative.” ... Yes, this undermines McCain’s future use of the experience issue, but that’s almost certainly a good thing, too.

Hugh Hewitt on Sarah Palin - An Extraordinary Choice

Pro-life conservatives across the country have to be thrilled with John McCain's selection of Sarah Palin as the GOP nominee for Veep. Reformers have to be thrilled. Inside-baseball analysts have to be thrilled.

Mark Levin on Sarah Palin - McCain-Palin?

I should add that if Palin is the choice, this also suggests that McCain may not be as stubborn as portrayed — and that’s a good thing given his positions on a number of issues that have given conservatives heart-burn. At least it gives us some hope in that regard.

Rush Limbaugh on Sarah Palin - Governor Sarah Palin: Story and Experience Dwarf Barack Obama

...they're talking about how this is a bad pick because she doesn't have any experience. She's got more experience than Obama does! She has more experience running things. She's got a bigger story to tell than Obama has, and she's got plenty of people who will tell that great story of hers. Obama has nobody he wants us to hear tell his story. He has to tell his story himself. I think they've been rope-a-doped here. I think McCain has made a brilliant move.

Michelle Malkin on Sarah Palin - Palin for America: A true conservative

The announcement from Dayton will start any minute. There’s a new rock star in town. Conservatives are full of Hope that Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin will bring much-needed Change to McCain Republicanism.
Catch the fever.

Democratic convention tension: PUMA, Matthews and Olbermann

Coming into the Democratic convention, the media focused its attention on the possible fireworks between Barack Obama and the Clintons. The promise of tension from feisty Hillary supporters and republican mischief makers, the most notable being The P.U.M.As. Short for "Party Unity My Ass", the meaning has since changed to the tamer "People United Means Action".

After Bill and Hillary's gracious and full-throated endorsement of Barack and the non-impact of the P.U.M.As, it seemed the media wasn't going to get the drama it wanted. Ironically the tension and fireworks anticipated from the convention came from the media themselves.

Keith Olbermann who's recent feature in the 'New York Magazine' was titled 'One Angry man' lived up to it by causing friction with MSNBC stablemates Chris Matthews and APF pundit Joe Scarborough. Republican strategist Mike Murphy stirred the pot. Conservative blogger Michelle Malkin was attacked by a mob led by underground media personality and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones.

1) Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews fight to be the alpha dog

Keith Olbermann steals Chris Matthews' thunder by assigning credit to Matthews' observations to fellow MSNBC pundit Rachel Maddow. Matthews gets upset by Olbermann's seeming oneupsmanship

2) Keith Olbermann tries to wrap up mischievous Republican strategist Michael Murphy from ring side

'Let's Wrap Him Up': Olbermann Tries To Get Rid of Republican Murphy
As Chris Matthews was interviewing GOP consultant Mike Murphy in the interlude between Bill Clinton and Joe Biden tonight, Olbermann could be heard off-camera angrily demanding "let's wrap him up, alright?"

From Newsbusters.org

3) Keith Olbermann harrumphs Joe Scarborough, “Jesus, Joe, why don’t you get a shovel?”


4) Chris Matthews makes a stinkface after Olbermann steps on his line

Matthews Furious—Did Olbermann Lift His Lines?
Matthews appeared to be reading a script from his laptop, when he suddenly stopped. Olbermann picked up the thread and threw it to young Russert. A furious expression crossed Matthews' face and he began to shake his head and mutter, until his image was blotted out by a prominent NBC logo.

From Newsbusters.org

5) MSNBC in defense of their Convention lineup

MSNBC prez defends convention team
DENVER — Amid a spate of awkward on-air conflicts among MNSBC anchors at this week’s Democratic convention, some staff members say there are sharp internal disputes at the cable network over whether its opinion and personality-driven political coverage has crossed the line.

“The situation at our channel is about to blow up,” a high-ranking MSNBC journalist told Politico on Wednesday.

From Politico.com

Update: A new PunditFight animation

Roundup: Hillary Clinton speaks at the DNC

A roundup of comment threads regarding Hillary Clinton's speech at the Democratic National Convention.

From HotAir.com -
WaPo: Hillary inspired her delegates … to wish she had won

From CrooksandLiars.com -
Hillary Knocks It Out of The Park: “No Way. No How, No McCain.”

From MichellMalkin.com -
DNC night 2 open thread

The DailyKos with their roundup -
Your Abbreviated Pundit Round-up

Most importantly this story allows me to re-post my favorite montage picture

Hogan and Warrior = Obama and Hillary. Respect angle

In a previous post I suggested how the two warring Democrats should end their hard fought campaign.
The Democratic Primary: How should Barack and Hillary finish it? With Hillary's speech, the circle is complete.