Dean Barnett, Hugh Hewitt, Mitt Romney and PunditFight

Hugh Hewitt, who has been gracious to this blog in the past recently referenced PunditFight as he laid out his delegate hypothesis to his peers. Not surprisingly its Pro-Romney.

What Just Happened? Punditmania 2012
I will test this conclusion against a line-up of guests from the Daily Mail's Toby Harnden, to Michael Barone and Conn Carroll of the Washington Examiner, AEI's James Pethokoukis, Stephen Hayes of the Weekly Standard, Chris Cillizza and Jennifer Rubin of the Washington Post, Commentary's John Podhoretz, and the original dynamic duo of on-air blogging and punditry show-downs, Glenn Reynolds and Mickey Kaus.

Interestingly on this day, I was compelled to reference an old interview I did with the late Dean Barnett, a good friend and occasional fill-in for Hugh. Though this blog has always strived to be post-partisan, I recalled Dean's statement about wrestlers warring on screen but being cordial in the lockers. How civility may not always be possible but that it wasn't as heated as the audience were led to believe. These reflected my own personal thinking during my time away from full-time pundit watching.

My published transcripts didn't say as much as I remembered however I did find some endorsements of Mitt Romney that might be relevant for this time.

A PunditFight conversation with Dean Barnett
APF: It seems to me that Mitt Romney and Fred Thompson had the most compelling conservative credentials but there was a disconnect somewhere personality wise.

DB: One of the things that still irks me, is I don’t think the true Mitt Romney ever really came through to the electorate. If it did, this is a guy who worked for a big Company. Everybody who worked with him, everybody that did business with him loved him. Universally respected, universally liked.

I remember I was in Washington during the Primary season having lunch with another conservative writer and the name Mitt Romney came up, he’s question about Mitt Romney was "how come nobody like him". The people who know him like him but its true – and I’ve overstated it a lot – bur Mitt Romney didn’t quite connect with the electorate. Part of it was Mitt’s an idea guy. Mitt’s not a pound the lectern kind of guy. He’s an idea guy. He’s a thinker. He’s not a technocrat in that he’s also warm and outgoing and engaging guy. He is at his core an idea guy, I think if ran a campaign that communicated that side of his nature rather than what he did I think it might have gone differently. I hope he stays involved in public life because he has a lot of ideas and especially with the economic problems we’re having right now. He has a lot of ideas that should be heard, it’d be nice to have someone in politics who understands something about economics.

APF: It was certainly more pronounced in the case of Fred Thompson and we’re seeing the opposite with Palin. Do you think that kind of deficiency in the minds of voters can be overcome.

DB: To use your wrestling analogy, on the one hand you’re born with what you’re born with. On the other hand there’s a craft of getting through to people. You look at some wrestlers who get so much better – look at Hulk Hogan in his initial incarnation didn’t go over at all. But in his latest incarnation after Rocky III he was the biggest thing since sliced bread. They can develop their craft to become better and better. I think the same is true of politicians. They can learn what works, they can learn what doesn’t work they stay away from their weaknesses, they can emphasize their strengths. As you point out there is no substitute for - if you’ve got someone who can deliver a speech like Barack Obama, if you’ve got someone with the charisma and personal appeal of Sarah Palin. That’s being born on third base in a political sense with that kind of talent.

Hugh Hewitt remembering Christopher Hitchens

Hugh Hewitt regularly welcomed Hitchens' on his radio show and speaks fondly of the man after his passing.

Christopher Hitchens, RIP
I will replay my last interview with Christopher Hitchens --a three hour conversation about his autobiography-- sometime between now and the New Year. He was a joy to interview and a wonder to listen to debate, unfailingly gracious to me, my other guests and my audience...

I suspect that every one of the 50 conversations we had on air between 2006 and 2010 is still of interest because Hitchens could not be other than interesting, a compelling voice for freedom and courage in the age of terror. All of those transcripts are in the archive, and a New Year's resolution of mine will be to arrange to have them put into a single CD set so that people will be able to hear as well as read his command of the language and of his arguments. We spent a great deal of time discussing God, and I hope and pray I am correct in my views and that he can concede to me on that subject when we meet again.

Christopher Hitchens in memoriam:
- The art of "Selling" - Christopher Hitchens with Ralph Reed on 'Hannity and Colmes'
- Controversial author Christopher Hitchens appearing at Sydney Writers Festival
- Watch Christopher Hitchens volunteer to get waterboarded for Vanity Fair Magazine
- The week that was: Honorary APF pundits

John Cena and Hugh Hewitt on Sean Hannity's 'Great American Panel'

It was remiss of me not to report on this when it originally aired in March 09'. WWE Wrestler John Cena was a featured guest for Sean Hannity's 'Great American Panel' alongside Journalist Nina Easton and Conservative Commentator Hugh Hewitt. Readers of this blog will be aware that Hugh Hewitt, apart from being a PunditFight Wrestler is also an avid wrestling fan and has previously endorsed this blog.

Cena's appearance was on the back of his promo tour for Action movie '12 Rounds'. The WWE has always been active in politics in its support of youth voting and its 'Tribute to the troops' specials. It has also been accepting of its employees voicing their personal political opinions.

Topics discussed included President Obama's reliance on the teleprompter and his Aunt living illegally in the US, foreign affairs and whether wrestling is real.

John Cena On Barack Obama, Politics, If Wrestling Is Real
Just passing along that John Cena was on Hannity as a panelist on the Great American Panel segment. The segment started with a clip of 12 Rounds.

The first topic was about President Obama's teleprompter, Cena wasn't directly asked about that question. He was asked if he had to learn his lines in the movie, or did he need a teleprompter for that. A second topic was asked, but Cena did not answer before the break.
...
As always with politics you need to see things in context. Cena seemed comfortable being in a completely different type of environment than what he is used to. I was surprised that he would comment on political questions.

VIDEO: Hannity's 'Great American Panel' -
Hugh Hewitt, John Cena & Nina Easton PT.2

Find notes of Hugh Hewitt and John Cena's appearance from the 'Great American Panel' blog

New Tag Team: Hugh Hewitt & John Cena
A few thoughts from the green room last night that housed an unusual duo prior to the show. The likes of conservative radio talk show host Hugh Hewitt and former WWE champion and action movie star John Cena.

Both seemed to really enjoy each other's company a great deal, chatting about all things from politics to pro wrestling...

Hugh Hewitt's 'Hughniverse' - TownHall's podcast service no longer free

I've often remarked on the Hugh Hewitt show's comprehensive and convenient archived podcasts. Alas your opportunities to listen to Hugh's shows for free are dwindling. Like Rush Limbaugh years before him, Hugh's online media content has moved to a subscription format.

H3: 09/10/09 Mark Steyn, Mary Katharine Ham, Guy Benson, Joe Wilson with Hugh Hewitt
GENERALISSIMO DUANE: The free podcast for the Hugh Hewitt Show will end on September 30th 2009. After that the podcast will only be available to subscribers at the Hughniverse. You can sign up right now at a discounted introductory rate by going to www.hughniverse.com ...
HUGH HEWITT: At HughHewitt.com... you can join the Hugh-niverse... if you have not yet subscribed you're gonna miss the Lileks columns, you're gonna miss the conversations. You're gonna miss the podcasts when they go behind the veil. You definitely want to be a part of an organization of a community that I'm putting together to make sure that there is a place where like-minded serious but happy conservatives can go and talk amongst themselves about what is said and what isn't said by the mainstream media. What is done and what isn't done by the people who need to set this country back on the centrist, center/right course it needs to be on, with conservative principles, constitutional guarantees and free speech

Hugh Hewitt's premium content media can be found at his new 'Hughniverse' site

- Listen to Hugh Hewitt endorsing PunditFight here

Jonathan Klein: "CNN should blacklist Talk show pundits"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hugh Hewitt with John McCain's Campaign manager, Steve Schmidt talking Sarah Palin and a post mortem of the Election

Hugh talks politics and what happened in '08 to the GOP with former John McCain campaign manager Steve Schmidt.

04270902 H2: Steve Schmidt
HUGH HEWITT: How about Katie Couric and Governor Palin
STEVE SCHMIDT: Again in my view there was nothing that Katie Couric asked in that interview that was unfair to Governor Palin. It was not a good interview from the perspective of the McCain campaign but there were no questions that were asked that were gotcha questions or unfair questions.

It was a devastating interview for Governor Palin when you look back on it... It was the most consequential interview from a negative perspective that candidate for national office has gone through, not since Roger Mudd interviewed Ted Kennedy... But that doesn't mean I don't think Governor Palin was treated fairly, she was treated unfairly by the media during the course of the campaign.

Hugh asked a lot of questions that centered on the McCain's handling of Sarah Palin and their regrets, McCain troubled relationship with the conservative base and Schmidt's prognostications for the 2012 Election.
Listen the audio here - H2: Steve Schmidt

Caller criticizes Limbaugh, Hannity, [Hewitt], Levin on torture: "It's like you're all brainwashed"

Whilst pundits are largely autonomous they also travel in cliques, not unlike comedians and wrestlers. I'm always fascinated by how casual viewers perceive the personal affiliations of pundits. Whilst pundits might share the same ideology and even work on the same network, astute and engaged watchers will be aware that some relationships don't go beyond the professional and may even be discreetly icy.

In this example, a dissenting conservative caller rails at Rush Limbaugh and lumps Hugh Hewitt, Sean Hannity and Mark Levin into a collective. Generally speaking pundits don't like being lumped together by people other than themselves, largely because of ego and the proudly solitary nature of their work. It's a jarring assortment because Hugh Hewitt of the Salem family has little affiliation with Rush Limbaugh. Sean Hannity and Mark Levin on the other hand are more closely associated. To be fair, no right thinking Conservative Talker would want to disassociate themselves with the spectacularly successful Rush Limbaugh.

Having said that, I was surprised to hear Mark Levin appear on Hugh Hewitt's program to hawk his new book. It seems others were surprised by Levin's appearance also, which Hugh Hewitt quickly diminished and dispelled:

H1: Mark Levin, Jim Geraghty With Hugh Hewitt. Tuesday March 31, 2009
HUGH HEWITT: The Great One Mark Levin is here with me this hour and a lot of you have already sent emails and are wondering "why would I invite a competitor on?" and that's because Mark and I aren't competitors. We are cooperating hosts who try to do right by the country on the same timeslots on many markets and there's plenty of listeners to go around.

You know Mark Levin this is another indication that the left just doesn't get us. Doesn't get Rush. Doesn't get Hannity. Doesn't get any of us -- all the Salem hosts, Bennett through the rest of them. That we are all on the same team here. We might disagree and fight amongst each other occasionally. But boy we are united in making sure the country understands that we can't go down this road.
MARK LEVIN: Well you know, not only is that true but let me tell your audience something. You are universally adored by all of us
HEWITT: Now I'm blushing
LEVIN: Now hold on let me say it, all of us on the other hand are not. You are universally adored by my brother Rush and Sean and all the rest of us because you're so smart and kind and on the game and we do appreciate you Hugh.

Listen and Download Hugh Hewitt's interview with Mark Levin

With that said there is a curious ommision (probably innocuous) between the Media Matters and Rush Limbaugh transcripts for this same audio.
RushLimbaugh.com transcript

Who's Brainwashed and Ignorant?
CALLER: And it just -- it was crazy for you to keep going on and on like -- like Leveen (sic) and Hannity and you. It's like you're all brainwashed...

RUSH: Charles?
CALLER: You have and Hannity --
RUSH: Charles? Charles? Charles, you said --
CALLER: -- you with and Levin are all brainwashed, and you know it.
RUSH: You said at the beginning of your phone call --

MediaMatters.org transcript

Caller criticizes Limbaugh, Hannity, etal, on torture: "It's like you're all brainwashed"
CALLER: And it just -- it was crazy for you to keep going on and on like Levin and Hannity and Hewitt. It's like you're all brainwashed...

LIMBAUGH: Charles. Charles, Charles --
CALLER: You, Hannity, Hewitt, and Levin are all brainwashed and you know it.
LIMBAUGH: -- you said -- you said at the beginning of your phone call --

Hugh Hewitt asks John Boehner about Rush Limbaugh

Talk Radio has asserted it's influence once again. By taunting GOP leaders, conservative talkers led by Rush may have played a part in emboldening their political representatives.

Republicans find their voice
Congressional Republicans, who only weeks ago were sheepish about their own electoral failures and cowed by Obama's polish and popularity, are suddenly punching back -hard- on both sides of the Capitol.

Conservative Talker Hugh Hewitt sat with GOP House Leader John Boehner to discuss the chess match in Washington and the influence of Rush Limbaugh

House Republican Leader John Boehner on the non-stimulus bill and Rush.
HUGH HEWITT: Unbelievable. Now the President brought up Rush Limbaugh in your meeting. What did he say? And why did he come up?

JOHN BOEHNER: Well, I don't want to characterize what went on in the meeting at the White House. That's not really appropriate. But it was just, it was really just a casual remark as though some of us were taking instructions from Rush. Now I like Rush, but he’s a talk show host, and I'm in the policy-making business. And the President already heard what we had to say, and it didn't come from Rush Limbaugh. It came from us. And I'm the one that outlined the kind of wasteful spending in here that I don't think will achieve the objective.

HEWITT: Do you think the conservative base, that listens to Rush, listens to me, listens to the other talkers, are behind you?
BOEHNER: I do. I think a lot of Americans, probably more than half the American people, are looking up at some of this spending and wondering what in the world are they doing? Or they're saying "Oh. My. God. There they go again."

- Read the full transcript between Hugh Hewitt and John Boehner
- Listen and Download the audio between Hugh Hewitt and John Boehner

Daily Show: Barack Obama sounds just like George W Bush

VIDEO: Jon Stewart on Obama's Inaugural speech

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Changefest '09 - Obama's Inaugural Speech

Barack Obama Interview
John McCain Interview

Sarah Palin Video
Funny Election Video

The Daily Show notices Barack's Inaugural speech sounded like something George W Bush might say

Changefest ‘09 - Obama’s Inaugural Speech
JASON JONES: Why are you doing this? [being cynical]
JON STEWART: I don't know, what am I suppose to do? This is all I know.
JASON JONES: It's 'Hope' Day One.
JON STEWART: I know. I don't like it either...
JASON JONES: It's like, Why is cheese delicious on Italian food but when you melt it on Chinese food it's disgusting? I don't know. I guess when Obama says this stuff, I don't think he really means it. And that gives me hope...

Christopher Buckley, speechwriter for the Elder President Bush said this on the art of speeches

What Would Obama Say?
"The trick of speechwriting, if you will, is making the client say your brilliant words while somehow managing to make it sound as though they issued straight from their own soul," said the writer Christopher Buckley, who was a speechwriter for the first President Bush. "Imagine putting the words ‘Ask not what your country can do for you’ into the mouth of Ron Paul, and you can see the problem."

To quote the band 'Survivor' - "It's the singer, not the song".
Hugh Hewitt made a similar observation on the power (and transperancy) of Obama's cadence during the campaign season - Hugh Hewitt on how Obama talks: Cadence over content

Colbert hosting the pundits: Maddow, Scarborough, Hewitt and Papa Bear

Of all the pundits in the APF, Stephen Colbert arguably has the most universal appeal. Being comedic and having assumed a faux pundit persona, Stephen benefits from not being entirely culpable for his outrageous actions.

Stephen has a unique crossover appeal, voicing a caricature of a right wing pundit whilst personally being left-leaning. Interestingly Bill O'Reilly, the pundit template Colbert is fashioned after describes himself as an 'Independent'. With the shield of comedy, Colbert is caustic yet innocuous. It's the best of both worlds and an enviable license.

Below are a selection of Stephen Colbert interviews of the APF pundits:

Hugh Hewitt April 2006
Hugh Hewitt thinks the Republicans are aiming at an electoral iceberg and they need to turn the ship around quickly
Hugh Hewitt

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes 2010 Election Fox News

Joe Scarborough October 2008
Joe Scarborough gives reasons why John McCain won't win this election.


Keith Olbermann March 2006
Stephen thinks being a bully is just another way of getting your points across passionately.


Bill O'Reilly January 2007
Stephen finally gets to sit at the foot of the master, Papa Bear Bill O'Reilly.


Rachel Maddow November 2008
Rachel Maddow says the Bush administration has been like hiring a vegan to be your butcher.

PunditFight recommends BloggingHeads and MaronVSeder

PunditFight recommends Bloggingheads.tv. One of the best destinations for Political junkies, demonstrating the advances and promise of technology. It's creators described their motivation thusly:

Wright and Kaus, both journalists, had long been attracted to the idea of pontificating on TV, but so far few if any TV producers had seen merit in this aspiration.

Selected excerpts
Hugh Hewitt & Robert Wright: A Born-Again Experience


Christopher Hitchens & Eric Alterman: On Whether Christopher Hitchens Was Wrong

Find a Pundit listing of previous episodes here

Another equally impressive video program PunditFight recommends is Maron V Seder, two liberal pundits I've had the privilege of interviewing. Their show is described as:

... the first of its kind; a daily, live online political talk and comedy show... "Based upon the fact that no one has developed a model for what we’re doing, we’re confident that people will consider this a success," said Sam Seder.

Find MaronvSeder episode archives here

Third Presidential debate - Pundit Roundup with Full video

Presidential Debate III: Barack Obama VS John McCain

As is ritual after every debate - a roundup from the APF pundits (all conservatives so far)

Michelle Malkin on the final Presidential Debate

Debate wrap-up: Senator Government vs. Johnny Mac and Joe the Plumber
Joe Wurzelbacher the Plumber was a heaven-sent gift for the McCain campaign, and for once, McCain didn’t flub the opportunity to rub the infamous “spread the wealth around” line in Obama’s smug face. Obama’s tin-ear response? Citing his billionaire “friend” Warren Buffett!
The best line of the night may have been unplanned (or maybe not)? In jabbing Obama’s spend-spend-spend plans, McCain called him “Senator Government.”

Mark Levin on the final Presidential Debate

Something New
He's not going to change his position on some issues where we conservatives disagree with him tonight, but he is scoring big.

Hugh Hewitt on the final Presidential debate

The Joe The Plumber Debate: McCain Scores and "Senator Government" Stumbles
Thank you, Joe W., America's plumber, wherever you are. He must be a Browns fan.
McCain scored big with the Joe the plumber exchanges, and with the campaign tactics exchange. ... McCain accomplished more in just the first half of the debate than he did in the first two debates total, and the second half was just as good for him. "Spread the wealth" is now the Obama brand, and that can move the polls.

Read Hugh's patented Presidential Debate scorecard

VIDEO: Third and final Presidential Debate between Barack Obama and John McCain

Watch the full Vice Presidential debate with Pundit Roundup

A collection of opinions from APF pundits:

Mark Levin on the VP Debate

Palin Tonight
I have been involved in and observed politics for a long time. Governor Palin is a truly unique national figure. She is down to earth, personable, and smart as hell. That's right. She has been on the national scene for a little over a month... and she has shown class throughout. Too often too many are persuaded by the mainstream media's opinion and react to that...She is the bright light in this campaign from my perspective.

Sam Seder on the VP Debate

Super Pundit
Because I want to be considered a seer... spin will call it a draw or so, but Biden set a couple of traps and Palin fell into them there has been two or three issues Biden forced her to state a position which will come back to bite her and mccain in the rear... Palin hasn't embarassed herself but I have to say despite my issues with Biden over the years he has been stellar tonight

Hugh Hewitt, as always comprehensive and prompt with his analysis

Sarah 2.0 Wonderful
After the wave of assaults on her , Sarah Palin shows the nation why John McCain picked her and why the center-right loves her. She has a great night. Joe Biden does well too, but this was all about Sarah Palin, and she delivered a strong, strong message of energy and change... She is back as the GOP's best weapon in Election '08.

Hugh Hewitt's patented live Debate scorecard

Michelle Malkin on the debate

Sarah Rocks
First, I would like to see all the Sarah doubters and detractors in the Beltway/Manhattan corridor eat their words.

Eat them...

She was warm, fresh, funny, confident, energetic, personable, relentless, and on message... she exuded the sunny optimism that energized the base in the first place.

VIDEO: Watch the Vice Presidential debate in full

Courtesy of C-SPAN

Sarah Palin VS Joe Biden - Blockbuster Debate.

The highly anticipated Vice Presidential debate is shaping up to be a crucial factor in how the electorate will vote this November.

Barack Obama enjoys a comfortable bump after his capable performance during the 1st Presidential debate. Most observers agree the night had "no knockout punches", "no gaffes" and is effectively being judged like a Rorschach test - the candidates simply affirmed their choice amongst decided voters. The bump came from undecideds who may have hesitated on Obama but had been convinced by how Presidential he carried himself.

Sarah Palin is looking to convince her set of undecideds during this VP debate. Like Obama a capable showing will be the featherweight push to convince undecided who are are already leaning but hesitating towards them. Many undecided Republicans have already flocked back to the GOP ticket - Republicans wary of McCain as a RINO and unenthused Christan Conservatives. She will need to convince the other undecideds who are evenly attracted to Obama and McCain. Some of the shine has already faded for Palin due to some unconvincing recent interviews and the early mishandling by the McCain camp that stifled her authentic appeal.

It's a game of managing expectations, Palin only needs to produce a capable performance to right the ship anything less will likely sink it. If she exceeds them, she has a future captaining the Republican ship.
As Hugh Hewitt writes:

Obama's Bounce: Dead Cat or Trend?
Palin faces an enormous challenge, just as she did on the night of her acceptance speech. She will not be graded on the curve by the MSM as Obama was.

But she does believe the right things, and understands the crucial choice facing the country. These are significant advantages. And if the momentum reverses itself again as is likely, Sarah Palin's performance Thursday night will be the third time she has re-energized the McCain campaign.

Hugh Hewitt was granted the first Conservative radio Palin interview:
Download and listen Hugh Hewitt's Sarah Palin interview. Read the transcript here.

The interview provides some insight into the appeal of Sarah Palin, as she identifies it.

HH: Governor, your candidacy has ignited extreme hostility, even some hatred on the left and in some parts of the media. Are you surprised? And what do you attribute this reaction to?

SP: Oh, I think they’re just not used to someone coming in from the outside saying you know what? It’s time that normal Joe six-pack American is finally represented in the position of vice presidency, and I think that that’s kind of taken some people off guard, and they’re out of sorts, and they’re ticked off about it, but it’s motivation for John McCain and I to work that much harder to make sure that our ticket is victorious, and we put government back on the side of the people of Joe six-pack like me...

Included in that is also a post-interview analysis between Jim Geraghty of NRO and Interviewer Hugh. It's laboured and self gratifying but a fascinating study.
Hugh has also listed some post interview analysis from other sources - Reactions To The Palin Interview

Added Extra
We at the APF aren't afraid to make posters that have limited appeal and understood by an even smaller niche of wrestling fans. Click to see the original inspiration.

View my original post on the VP debate and the accompanying wallpaper

The McCain versus the media: Letterman, Time and the "liberal" media

There has been a lot of talk about McCain suspending his campaign to attend to the crisis in Wall Street. Some have considered it a shrewd move with one poll indicating it's already paying off. Others have speculated its a play to shelter his VP Sarah Palin.

Either way it's perfectly in line with the McCain's campaign strategy outflank the media. A move that plays to the base but uncharacteristic for McCain who has traditionally been treated well by the media.

Time Magazine's interview with John McCain

McCain's Prickly TIME Interview
For years, John McCain's marathon bull sessions with reporters were more than a means of delivering a message; they were the message...

Sticking to the old formula seemed like a good idea. But with the press focused on Obama, McCain got attention only when he slipped up during one of his patented freewheeling encounters with reporters. And so in July, the campaign decided to clamp down on the candidate...

...when TIME's James Carney and Michael Scherer were invited to the front of McCain's plane recently for an interview, they were ushered... past the sofa that was designed for his gabfests with the press and taken straight to the candidate's seat. McCain at first seemed happy enough to do the interview. But his mood quickly soured. The McCain on display in the 24-minute interview was prickly, at times abrasive, and determined not to stray off message.

Read the full interview here

Jonathan Alter of Newsweek thinks McCain is actually getting a free ride
McCain's campaign manager, Rick Davis speaks to Hugh Hewitt about the media's unfair treatment towards the GOP ticket

We knew it was going to happen, because it's been happening to John McCain for such a long time. This isn't new. We've been under siege by the left-wing media for a long time.

Listen to the Rick Davis' audio and transcript here
Campaign senior adviser Steve Schmidt takes the New York Times to task.

Letterman is the latest example of the now testy relationship between McCain and the Media. After McCain personally called Letterman to cancel a scheduled appearance, Letterman was clearly fixated on the snub (and what it inferred) throughout the show. Letterman invited outspoken Anti-GOP pundit Keith Olbermann in lieu of McCain. A move that some, like APF pundit Pete Dominick considered "spiteful".

VIDEO: David Letterman Reacts to John McCain 

Suspending Campaign ft. Keith Olbermann

Team Hewitt: Hugh Hewitt, Dean Barnett, Mark Steyn

I've been meaning to introduce stables to the APF for a while now, I proudly present the first of many. In wrestling, a stable is simply defined as "an alliance of like-minded individuals". In political terms there aren't too many solid alliances, only the John McCain/Joe Lieberman/ Lindsey Graham triumvirate come to mind.

Pundits have their own alliances, mostly by virtue of it being a small tight-knit community. I've always wanted to delve into the relationships formed within political media, how it affects their professional conduct. This was partially discussed during the Imus controversy when the "boy's club" were divided into those who stuck by their buddy or threw him under the bus.

First cab off the rank: Team Hewitt
Don't know how Dean Barnett and Mark Steyn will take to being under Hugh. Of course if there's any dissension they could just turn on him and ambush Hugh from behind.

- There is a neat toggle on the bottom left corner, click on it for a surprise.



Read previous Hugh Hewitt Posts here
Read previous Dean Barnett Posts here
Read previous Mark Steyn Posts here

Update: I had the fortune of interviewing Dean Barnett recently. Tune in to for the audio and transcript of our interview. We covered a few things including Dean's early political career, partisanship and John McCain.

George W Bush and Obama: Flight suits and making a Hollywood President (part 1 of 3)

It's a maxim in politics that people elect their leaders based on personality not policy. I would offer "narrative" is more powerful as it packages and predigests both elements for its audience. Whether this is harmful or not is another matter.

Much has been made about the harm of ubiquitous media, the 24 news cycle and the 5 second soundbite. The constant barrage of information, otherwise light and inconsequential only gain weight once coalesced into a larger narrative. Most of the overriding narratives are created by the media, forwarding digestable storylines for the casual and hurried observer. The negative ramifications of this is what conservative talker Rush Limbaugh derisively refers to as "The Drive by media". Narratives are also created by political opponents. Creating memes by consolidating isolated storylines to paint a candidate as being a "goofball", "elitist", "pretty boy", "French", or "cold".

Then there are the narratives the Candidates themselves create. This is what I'd like to focus on. Much has been made of Barack Obama's rise to prominence. In the early stages of his campaign, Obama seemed impervious to attack as he positioned himself as being post-partisan, after entering the national stage with a charming narrative invoking humble beginnings and the American Dream. In recent weeks Obama's campaign has gone through turbulence as conservative talkers have jujitsued Obama's pollyannaish script. Sean Hannity has taken to calling Obama a 'Hollywood production'. On his show Hugh Hewitt exposes Obama as Prompter Dependent, highlighting that Obama is a creation built on stagecraft and speeches but ultimately hollow away from the script.

This year's Presidential election can be summed up as two competing narratives - The transcendent historical candidate VS the American hero. A continuation of the Hollywood presidency of George W Bush...

continued in part 2 of 2>>

PunditFight: Hugh Hewitt's protege?

In recent days Hugh Hewitt has given this blog a ratings boost. Hugh has played the Donald Trump role, elevating the blog with his esteemed association and bringing with it more mainstream attention.

However reading posts like this, people might start turning on Hugh and the blog if there is a perception PunditFight is seen as Hugh's deranged protege.

Cicero writes:
Slow news day today, Hugh?
Looks like a rather nondescript blog to me. But I suppose I shouldn't be surprised.

Once again, allow me to provide some examples of what your readers SHOULD be reading...

Not unlike the Presidential candidates, at this point it's all about maximising the attention. Plotting the rollout of content so as to stay in the news cycle for as long as possible. Stay tuned for some new animations, including a tag team of everyone's favourite Boston/Cleveland connection.

- Hugh Hewitt endorses 'PunditFight'
- Introducing 'Team Hugh Hewitt' - Hewitt, Barnett and Steyn

Hugh Hewitt endorses Pundit Fight

Some flattering news today. Influential talker Hugh Hewitt, on his Friday show endorsed 'American Pundit Fighting'. Whilst not a complete non-sequitur it was definitely a welcome surprise.

Hugh Hewitt Show (August 15, 2008)
HUGH HEWITT: It reminded me of one of my favourite websites ever, have you seen Pundit Fight yet Generalissimo? Go google Pundit Fight, it is really a very funny website that treats pundits (like me I'm one of them) as though we're professional wrestlers. With the same conventions as professional wrestling and the same kind of theatrics and show, that sort of thing. It's a guilty pleasure, but he's a very smart guy. I just don't want it to catch on which is why I'm telling 2 million people about it. (sarcastically) So don't go to Pundit Fight. I don't know what the URL is.

It's extremely flattering and validating. Needless to say expect to see the APF releasing a Campaign ad with Hugh's endorsement sometime soon.
Listen to the full audio from Hugh's August 15th show
Listen to the excerpted audio of Hugh endorsing PunditFight



This might be a good time to address the unique accessory adorning Wrestler Hugh Hewitt. Attentive readers may have noticed that Hugh is the only pundit wearing a belt. See for yourself on the APF MySpace page.

Hugh is wearing the "Fight Champion" Belt described thusly:

Vote for pundit of the year!
The 'Fight Champion' belt goes to the pundit who is the most effective at opposing fellow pundits and other notable people of influence. For maximum points the Pundit should be challenging opponents who are more than capable of defending themselves. The award is not based on how many duels they win or lose, but rather the competitive fighting spirit in them.

I had originally planned to bestow awards to the pundits in 4 different categories commemorating their achievements in 2007. I silently postponed the awards, opting to let the nomination process marinate for another year. Read the awards on offer here. I did manage to fit Hugh with a belt however, largely because he was an outright winner for Fight Champion in 2007, Notable duels include:
1) Conservative Callers surprisingly defend Obama much to Hugh's chagrin
2) Hugh has an Iron Man match with marginalised conservative blogger Andrew Sullivan
3) Allahpundit of HotAir.com challenges Hugh Hewitt
4) Hugh and his callers duel over the chess game that was the Republican Primary
5) Hugh Hewitt turns the tables on legendary press reporter Helen Thomas