Will Ferrell & Zach Galifianakis’ Political Battle in "The Campaign"

VIDEO: 'The Campaign 'Movie trailer 

starring Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis

Will Ferrell & Zach Galifianakis' Political Battle in "The Campaign" 

A new political satire starring comic super cast Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis, The Campaign is bound for theaters this year. Indulging in his known penchant for George W. Bush impersonation, Ferrell plays a Southern politician running for office opposite Galifianakis in a congressional comedy making fun of American politics. A strong supporting cast include Jason Sudeikis, Dylan McDermott, Brian Cox, John Lithgow, Dan Aykroyd and Sarah Baker. This hilarious Warner Bros spoof preempts the real presidential elections with its August 10 release.

David Letterman in conversation with Jon Stewart compares Glenn Beck to Bobby Heenan

VIDEO: Jon Stewart on The Late Show
with David Letterman (Sept 29, 2010)

David Letterman and Jon Stewart have used the wrestling analogy to describe American Punditry more than once. So it's no surprise to see Letteman make this comparison between Glenn Beck and Bobby "The Brain" Heenan. What it does show is that Letterman has put some thought to the analogy and that he knows his wrestling.

Jon Stewart on The Late Show with David Letterman (Sept 29, 2010)
DAVID LETTERMAN: ... I finally figured out who Glenn Beck is, he's Bobby Heenan. Do you remember Bobby Heenan?
JON STEWART: Bobby Heenan, the wrestling manager!
LETTERMAN: That's right. That's exactly who Glenn Beck is.
STEWART: Bobby Heenan?
LETTERMAN: Bobby Heenan. Yes. He's just looking to make trouble. He has no idea what he's talking about. He just wants trouble.

Find previous occasions where Letterman and Stewart have used the wrestling analogy here:

• Jon Stewart, Wyatt Cenac and Mick Foley endorse the analogy that American Politics is like pro-wrestling
• William 'Bill' Kristol - Top wrestling heel (villain)
• Bill O'Reilly on David Letterman talking about Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh

Glenn Beck discussed this exchange between Stewart and Letterman with radio co-host Pat Gray on 'The Glenn Beck Program'

Jon Stewart hearts Glenn
PAT: The reference to Bobby Heenan or whatever, whoever he's talking about there is a really good reason not to go on Letterman's irrelevant show. Nobody knows who Bobby Heenan is.

GLENN: Doesn't matter. Look, David Letterman, you know, he doesn't believe, I believe, in anything I say. I don't believe in the things that he believes in.
PAT: Yeah.

GLENN: You know, why would I go there?
PAT: It's a useless exercise.
GLENN: I don't believe
PAT: In futility.

GLENN: Yeah, I don't believe in boycotting anything. I just believe in this: I spend my money and my time in things that I believe in. I don't believe in David Letterman. David Letterman does what David Letterman does. He's funny sometimes, he's I don't know honestly, David, I don't know how you do it every day. I don't know how you are still doing the top 10 and you don't think, really? Again? I'm doing this? I mean, I don't know how you do that...

What is most astonishing about this exchange is that Glenn Beck's showmanship and craft is seemingly not informed through a boyhood interest in wrestling. I hope someone will one day get a chance to ask if Beck ever watched wrestling as a kid. Not knowing who Bobby Heenan offers some clue to the negative.

To enlighten Pat Gray and Glenn Beck, here is a sample of Bobby "The Brain" Heenan's work

VIDEO: Bobby Heenan Angry with Andre the Giant

To be honest I actually don't see the Heenan/Beck comparison. The one I used was an amalgam of Stone Cold Steve Austin, Doink The Clown and Edge and Chris Jericho.

According to David Letterman, Glenn Beck is Bobby "The Brain" Heenan

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...

'Culture Warrior' Bill O'Reilly takes on Jennifer Aniston, Justin Bieber and Kim Kardashian

VIDEO: Bill O'Reilly - Jennifer Aniston: "Women Don't Need Men"

George Stephanopoulos Ignores Attack by Jennifer Aniston That O'Reilly 'Insulted' Single Mothers
BILL O'REILLY: I want to be fair about this, because there have -- there are many -- there are millions of single mothers who do a great job raising their kids.

MARGARET HOOVER: Do a great job.

O'REILLY: And they're abandoned and they're all kinds -- and they do. It's possible. But it's not optimum, and that's where Ms. Aniston makes her mistake. That she's throwing a message out to 12-year-olds and 13-year-olds, OK, that, hey, you don't need a guy. You don't need a Dad. Dad, ah, you know. That's destructive to our society.
...
O'REILLY: Aniston can hire a battery of people to help her, but she cannot hire a dad. OK? And Dads bring a psychology to children that is, in this society, I believe, under emphasized. I think men get hosed all day long in the parental arena.

VIDEO: Bill O'Reilly - Justin Bieber & Kim Kardashian

BILL O'REILLY: Now this is a magazine spread that's reminiscent of 'The Graduate' where Anne Bancroft and a young Dustin Hoffman at the time, they had this little thing. Alright.

I don't care about this, Justin Bieber he looks like Ringo Starr to me. I don't know the other one. She's in the water with a dress.What does that mean? I don't know...

Does this bother you at all?... do you care about this. Does it mean anything... Who took offence, did you take offence?...

Evan Sayet's 'Right 2 Laugh' - A night of conservative comedy

VIDEO: Right To Laugh Trailer

A Preview of the new show Right To Laugh on RightNetwork. Find more at http://rightnetwork.com Join some of the most popular stand up comedians around for an evening of big laughs, political satire, pop culture skewering and a message we can all get behind... more laughter in our lives.

Evan Sayet is the founder of touring Comedy night 'Right 2 Laugh'. As Kelsey Grammer announces it is "a comedy show that proves that funny people and funny things come from both sides of the aisle".

Evan Sayet as his website declares is a purveyor of "Conservative Commentary and Conservative Comedy". He has been a player in Politics and Comedy having worked previously with Bill Maher and former President George W Bush.

Evan Sayet - Biography
Evan has written and/or produced in virtually every medium there is. Starting out as a standup comic he was quickly spotted by David Letterman... he was an integral part of the team that made “The Arsenio Hall Show” the first late night program in thirty years to give “The Tonight Show” a run for its money and then the very first Creative Consultant on the highly respected “Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher” (back when Maher was funny).

The latest twist in Evan’s career came during the recent Presidential elections when he turned his attention and skills towards convincing others of the greatness of America and the need to reelect the President and stay the course in the Middle East. In short time Evan was made Communications Director for Los Angeles for President Bush...

- Find tour dates here - Evan Sayet and his Right to Laugh Comedy Tour in S.California
- Follow Evan Sayet on Twitter

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Marvel Comics: Captain America #602

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

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

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

VIDEO: Bill O'Reilly In 'Ironman 2'

Funny or Die presents SNL Past Presidents: Ferrell, Carrey, Carvey, Chase and Aykroyd

Funny or Die have made a star studded video in support of 'The Main Street Brigade's' campaign for a "strong and independent Consumer Financial Protection Agency".

Yes. Rub your eyes all you want, it is a reunion of SNL past Presidents with a special cameo by 'In Living Color's' Jim Carrey as Ronald Reagan. The advocacy short was directed by acclaimed director Ron Howard.

The full cast as follows:
Fred Armisen as Barack Obama
Will Ferrell as George W Bush
Darrell Hammond as Bill Clinton
Dana Carvey as George H.W Bush
Jim Carrey as Ronald Reagan
Dan Aykroyd as Jimmy Carter
Chevy Chase as Gerald Ford
Maya Rudolph as Michelle Obama

VIDEO: 'Funny or Die' presents SNL's Past Presidents Reunion

Funny or Die's Presidential Reunion from Will Ferrell

Funny or Die's Presidential Reunion
Barack Obama gets a surprise visit in the night from ex-Presidents Bush Sr., Bush Jr., Clinton, Ford, Reagan and Carter to get a few pointers about the Consumer Financial Protection Agency and why it's so important.

Sarah Palin performs stand up Comedy on 'The Tonight Show with Jay Leno'

Prominent Politicians traditionally deliver the funny in settings like the Annual White House Correspondents Dinner or the Alfred E. Smith Dinner. Esteemed events where leaders can unwind a little, make fun of themselves and lightheartedly rib their detractors. Aspiring leader Sarah Palin took the stage at the end of her appearance on Jay Leno's Tonight Show to deliver what maybe the first straight up Stand Up routine from a possible American President.

VIDEO: Sarah Palin's Stand up routine on Jay Leno

sp_jlshow
by therightscoop

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

Documentary: Mr Firth Goes to Washington

If you're in Australia, you may have seen Charles Firth's (of 'Chaser' fame) comedic documentary on the American Election - Mr. Firth Goes to Washington (2008)

In a part mockumentary style, Charles explores the Bush Presidency, the Primaries and General Election between Barack Obama and John McCain applying the analogy that Politics is not unlike Hollywood. Segmenting the documentary using chapters like 'The protagonist', 'The villain', 'The ending'. It's a meme that this blog has often expressed.

Read a review from the TV Tonight blog

Mr. Firth Goes to Washington
According to firth it has all the elements of a popcorn movie. There’s a hero (Bush) and a villain (Al-Qaeda). That’s pretty obvious. But his other parallels are equally amusing.

Like every good screenplay, the story has to open with an inciting incident. A big, eye-catching action set-piece in the first act. Enter 9/11. It immediately pits Bush as American’s very own Harrison Ford. Firth finds lots of footage of pithy, aggressive sentences to help the audience understand the premise. Some would even make a ripping poster by-line.

Firth says the scene of Bush on a navy warship declaring victory in the Iraq War was actually filmed a few miles off Los Angeles. He even visits a set said to be used for filming Baghdad scenes in Hollywood movies.

Watch video of 'Mr Firth goes to Washington' here

Indian-American Actor Kal Penn accepts a job in Barack Obama's White House

Kumar Goes to Washington
We've had actors-turned-mayors, and actors-turned-governors... but actors-turned-White House staffers? That's a new one!

"House" star Kal Penn -- whose character was killed off on Monday's episode -- is taking a sabbatical from acting to work for President Obama.

Actors like Fred Thompson, Jesse Ventura, Al Franken and Arnold Schwarzenegger all come to mind. 31yr-old Indian-American actor Kal Penn is breaking some interesting ground by sacrificing a lucrative lifestyle in the spotlight for his political convictions. Celebrities are often ridiculed for their political activism as they are caricatured for being out of touch from mainstream society.

Kal Penn is best known as Kumar from the Harold and Kumar movies and serious turns in the TV series 'House' and drama 'The Namesake'

Conservative Ed Morrissey gives Kal Penn kudos for his principled transition

Kumar goes to the West Wing?
I give kudos to Penn for pursuing public service at a large personal cost, at least financially. Public service can be honorable, and Penn deserves credit for choosing to work in that arena, even if I don’t necessarily agree with Penn on politics. I felt the same way when Tony Snow gave up his financially lucrative talk-show career to bring order back to the Bush press office, giving service to his country.

- Sean Hannity is not so impressed, snarkily boxing Kal Penn as the "star from the stoner movies"

Bill O'Reilly on David Letterman talking about Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh

Bill O'Reilly made his umpteenth appearance on David Letterman March 31st 2009. In this encounter Letterman attempts to group Bill O'Reilly with fellow APF pundits Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck. O'Reilly does his best to distance himself, patronisingly referring to Limbaugh and Beck as entertainers whilst reliably bignoting himself as a journalist. O'Reilly also credited Rush' uptick in ratings to his departure from talk Radio, showing there's no love lost between the two.

But the best exchange came when Letterman inferred that Beck, Limbaugh and O'Reilly were not unlike wrestlers. David Letterman, a 'Pundit Fight' reader perhaps?

VIDEO: Bill O'Reilly on Letterman 2009.03.31 (pt 1)

DAVID LETTERMAN: Now let's talk about your buddy Glenn Beck, there's a piece on him in 'The Times' the other day and he said what I think coalesces this whole deal
BILL O'REILLY: Which deal is that?
LETTERMAN: That you're too smart to say the things you say
O'REILLY: Me or him?
LETTERMAN: Everybody, you, Rush, Glenn Beck
(O'Reilly chuckles at being lumped with the others)
LETTERMAN: ...Glenn Beck says that if people take what I say as gospel they're idiots...
O'REILLY: Glenn is a talk show host. Rush Limbaugh is a talk show host, they're not journalists
LETTERMAN: What are you? You're a talk show host right
O'REILLY: I'm a journalist...
LETTERMAN: But now what you mostly do is commentary
O'REILLY: Now it is, Yes - But I was a hard news reporters. But those guys are basically entertainers and they admit it.
LETTERMAN: Now but you're an entertainer.
O'REILLY: Somewhat, somewhat
LETTERMAN: What do you mean somewhat?... I think Glenn Beck -- and maybe he got caught up in a moment of candour. But I think he speaks to this. I think you guys know exactly what you're doing, you've been very successful at it. But the truth of it is, you're not speaking your conscience.
O'REILLY: So we're charlatans is what you're saying
LETTERMAN: You're not charlatans, Its showbiz. This is why wrestling is so popular.

Martin Eisenstadt and the "reality based community"

All this talk about Martin Eisenstadt has many people chattering and wondering if he was the source who spoke of "Reality based communities" as famously quoted by Ron Suskind.

Faith, Certainty and the Presidency of George W. Bush
In the summer of 2002, after I had written an article in Esquire that the White House didn't like about Bush's former communications director, Karen Hughes, I had a meeting with a senior adviser to Bush. He expressed the White House's displeasure, and then he told me something that at the time I didn't fully comprehend -- but which I now believe gets to the very heart of the Bush presidency.

The aide said that guys like me were ''in what we call the reality-based community,'' which he defined as people who ''believe that solutions emerge from your judicious study of discernible reality.'' I nodded and murmured something about enlightenment principles and empiricism. He cut me off. ''That's not the way the world really works anymore,'' he continued. ''We're an empire now, and when we act, we create our own reality. And while you're studying that reality -- judiciously, as you will -- we'll act again, creating other new realities, which you can study too, and that's how things will sort out. We're history's actors . . . and you, all of you, will be left to just study what we do.''

Sarah Palin not knowing Africa was a continent - HOAX! or is it?

An audacious hoaxster has duped the News Media and has played a key role in the burying of Palin's credibility:

A Senior Fellow at the Institute of Nonexistence
It was among the juicier post-election recriminations: Fox News Channel quoted an unnamed McCain campaign figure as saying that Sarah Palin did not know that Africa was a continent.

Who would say such a thing? On Monday the answer popped up on a blog and popped out of the mouth of David Shuster, an MSNBC anchor. “Turns out it was Martin Eisenstadt, a McCain policy adviser, who has come forward today to identify himself as the source of the leaks,” Mr. Shuster said.

Trouble is, Martin Eisenstadt doesn’t exist. His blog does, but it’s a put-on. The think tank where he is a senior fellow — the Harding Institute for Freedom and Democracy — is just a Web site. The TV clips of him on YouTube are fakes.

Whilst some might see this as the next "Rathergate" and proof of liberal bias. I would look at it from the prism of the "Surrealism of politics" - Politics as a conceptual art piece.

It's astonishing to think that Palin's credibility has been sunk by 3 (Count them: THREE) Constructs. Parodies. Art pieces.
1) The Tina Fey caricature
2) Canadian radio hosts prank-calling Sarah Palin
3) This manufactured McCain leaker, Martin Eisenstadt

The pranksters explain the thesis behind their latest stunt:

They say the blame lies not with them but with shoddiness in the traditional news media and especially the blogosphere.

"With the 24-hour news cycle they rush into anything they can find," said Mr. Mirvish, 40.

But most of Eisenstadt’s victims have been bloggers, a reflection of the sloppy speed at which any tidbit, no matter how specious, can bounce around the Internet. And they fell for the fake material despite ample warnings online about Eisenstadt

To make things even more confusing, reality eating itself once more. Who's to say that these pranksters aren't pranking us by claiming this is all just a prank:

A Senior Fellow at the Institute of Nonexistence
...there is William K. Wolfrum, a blogger who has played Javert to Eisenstadt’s Valjean, tracking the hoaxster across cyberspace and repeatedly debunking his claims...

"As if there isn’t enough misinformation on this election, it was shocking to see so much time wasted on things that didn’t exist," Mr. Wolfrum said in an interview.

And how can we know that Mr. Wolfrum is real and not part of the hoax?

Long pause. "Yeah, that’s a tough one."

- Go to Martin Eisenstadt, the "("Hoaxer's")" blog

Arnold Schwarzenegger on McCain the "Action Hero" and Obama's "puny arms"

In a recent post I spoke about "celebrity" politicians using their showbiz history to counterattack critics. In my examples, satirist Al Franken was on the defensive when he invoked his past. On the other hand Action starts Arnold Schwarzenegger uses his showbiz past as an offensive manoeuvre.
This was lucidly illustrated in a campaign event in Columbus Ohio:

Schwazenegger Derides Obama as a 'Skinny' Wealth-Spreader
Headlining an event titled "Judgment Day,"* California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger tonight delivered an impassioned pitch for electing GOP presidential nominee John McCain before a packed arena of supporters.

*"Judgement Day" was the byline for Arnold's career defining movie - 'Terminator 2'

First Arnold cites the career that originally made him famous - Bodybuilding. Arnold connects with Ohio audience using his charming connections to the city outside of politics to raucous applause:

As you all know I love Ohio. I've been coming here for almost 40 years. I won the Mr World competition here. I've worked in movies here. I've done business here. I've made friends here and every year on the first weekend of March I come to Columbus Ohio... and we organise the 'Arnold Classic' - the greatest bodybuilding expo in the world

This allowed Arnold to segue into an amusing wrestling style promo against Obama. The charismatic Arnold convincingly navigated through a potentially laughable pitch especially in light of earlier McCain commercials that painted Obama as a "celebrity candidate".

Of course the 'Arnold Classic' is all about building up the bodies and pumping up. And that's why in the next 'Arnold Classic' I want to invite Senator Obama because he needs to do something about those skinny legs. Make him do some squats. Then we're going to give him some bicep curls to beef up those scrawny little arms.

Here comes the punchline, then the sell for McCain

But if we could only do something about putting some meat into his ideas.

Now Senator McCain on the other hand he is built like a rock. His character, his views are just as solid... He has spent 5 and a half years as a Prisoner of War... John McCain has served this country longer in the POW camp than his opponent has served in the United States senate.

Ladies and Gentleman, I only play an action hero in my movies but John McCain is a real action hero.

Listen and download a longer excerpt from Hugh Hewitt's show

The Hollywood Presidency: how the 'West Wing' and '24' have shaped this election

I've written extensively about the role Hollywood plays in Politics. 'Mr President', a French Documentary has used this premise to create an interesting portrait of how Hollywood helps us visualise and acclimate us to future Presidents.

- Read more about the 'Mr President' documentary
- Watch a promo for the 'Mr President' documentary

Selected transcript from the promo

The President has been a regular character in hundreds of films and television series... these images are powerful and potentially influential in the real political arena... they have even affected our view of who should or could be President... as America elects its next President, is their a downside to all this fantasy?. "There are consequences that are not captured on celluloid?"

That's 'Mr President' - a look at Hollywood's take on the Oval Office and it's impact on reality.

Read my previous posts on the "Hollywood Presidency"
- George W Bush and Obama: Flight suits and making a Hollywood President: Part 1 and Part 2

Answering the critics: Jesse Ventura, Al Franken and The Terminator

I've talked in the past about hyperreality and the surreal in politics. It's a hurdle Celebrity candidates often need to overcome. As it is a logical point of attack, candidates will often build the critique into their messaging. Hoping to turn a perceived weaknesses to their advantage.

Al Franken - a satirist, SNL alum and former Air America Radio Host has always traveled in Democratic circles. His bid for the Minnesota Senate however has been met with skepticism by voters and every bit of press Franken has received has an underlying arc of "Is he serious?".
a) New York Times - Al Franken, Seriously So
b) The Atlantic Magazine - He’s Not Joking
c) Time Magazine - Not So Funny

Al Franken has effectively used the predictable charge of his "seriousness" by Jujitsu-ing it into a string of talking points.

Those delegates knew that I'm serious... the people of Minnesota are going to get to know me and know that I'm real serious about this. I'm serious about having an Apollo program for renewable energy and energy efficiency. I'm serious about getting to universal health care and I'm serious about getting early childhood education for every kid who needs it.

VIDEO: Al Franken with CNN's Campbell Brown

Arnold Swarchenegger in his bid to be California Governor in 2003 was met with incredulity and much international fanfare. Arnold had originally built his reputation as the Action King of Hollywood, hoping to convert his name into a Governorship under the Republican banner. Though political life might seem an incongruous proposition for the musclebound Austrian, Arnold had married into American Political royalty. His wife Maria Shriver is a member of the storied Kennedy family.

Arnold successfully became Governor by deploying lines that proudly embraced his Action-hero persona. In a debate with fellow Celebrity candidate Arianna Huffington (running as an Independent) Arnold had quips like:

1. "Arianna. Your personal income tax is the biggest loophole. I could drive my Hummer through it." (calling attention to the hypocrisy of Arianna's proposed tax plan)
2. "I have a perfect part for you in 'Terminator 4'" (referencing his popular Action movie serial where he demolishes the opposition)

Read the full article from the New York Times - Live, the 'Arnold and Arianna Show'
Update: Watch Arnold proudly integrating his Bodybuilding and Hollywood past whilst stumping for John McCain

Though never actioned, the award for most audacious use of a candidate's celebrity past goes to Jesse Ventura. One might expect an ex-wrestler to distance themselves from their frivolous past if they were running for President, but Jesse isn't your conventional politician.

In his latest book - Don't Start the Revolution Without Me! - the former Minnesota Governor had planned to run for President by enlisting the help of an unlikely political source. He would run as an independent, planning to get ballot access on all 50 states by using a "fake" Wrestling storyline on WWE television to spawn a "real" presidential bid.



Jesse Ventura explains his ambitious wrestling plot for the Presidency

... the WWE who had been involved in the 'Get out the Vote' movement... would be dissatisfied with both candidates and they were going to run their own candidate which of course would be (WWE owner) Vince [McMahon] ... I would come onto the scene representing the people saying McMahon represents corporate America, he's never held office. I'm a legitimate candidate, I'll take him on... all this time Vince is sending his people out gaining ballot access for his new party across America... at the time of WrestleMania I would announce that this was for real. I am now a candidate for President.

Listen and Download the full Jesse Ventura interview from Wrestling-Radio.com

James Ponziewozik: Tina Fey and Sarah Palin on SNL

VIDEO: Sarah Palin on Saturday Night Live (October 19, 2008)

It's official. NBC's 'Saturday Night Live' is THE most influential Comedy/Politics show this election year, rivaling McCain and Hillary as one of the great comeback stories this election cycle. I would hope Stephen Colbert makes hay of SNL usurping his "most influential" status, similar to his challenge of Korean popstar Rain who previously upstaged him.

The latest Coup for SNL - a Sarah Palin cameo. The popular conservative GOP Vice Presidential candidate has been most notable for her scarce and underwhelming performances on the mainstream news stations. Interestingly this is what has fed into SNL's 'Parody Sarah Palin' as embodied by SNL alum Tina Fey.

Time Magazine's James Poniewozik has written several pieces on the two Sarah Palins - 'The Public Palin' (controlled by Fey) and the 'Real Palin'.

Prior to the unveiling of Palin's first appearance on SNL, James speaks to how Sarah Palin and the McCain camp should handle SNL's shaping of her image.
Palin vs. "Palin": When SNL Parody Becomes Campaign Reality

It's hard to tell where Tina Fey ends and Sarah Palin begins. Even before Fey lampooned Palin on Saturday Night Live--the updo, the wink, the syntax--people noted the resemblance. And for a politician new to the national stage, being likened to the intelligent, witty, popular Fey was not exactly a bad thing.

Until now, anyway. The governor's comedian doppelgänger has essentially taken control of Public Sarah Palin: the composite of images, biography and attitudes that stands in for the actual person in voters' minds...

James Poniewozik offers a prescription and a positive spin on her hijacked image

But if this is not the Public Sarah Palin her campaign would have wanted, it may be useful to Real Sarah Palin yet.

First, the damage. The brilliance of Fey's Palin is how closely it matches Real Sarah Palin. Not physically or in her accent... It's the extent to which Fey uses Palin's words. Spoofing... with Palin's actual meandering phrases...

So what's a Real Sarah Palin to do? First, she has sensibly laughed it off... She may even go on SNL, perhaps by the time you read this.

But SNL may also have given her cover on the campaign trail. Fey's Palin is no love letter--falsely confident, hapless, antiscience and calculatedly adorable--but she's harmless compared with the Real Palin we've seen lately: a culture warrior cannily playing on resentments, a mouthpiece for the McCain campaign's ugliest character attacks on Barack Obama.

Read Poniewozik's previous Palin/Fey article - Tina Fey: Palin's Worst Enemy or Best Friend?
Read reservation of Palin's SNL appearance from the Huffington Post- Palin on SNL? Not Without Preconditions!
Sarah Palin wasn't the only SNL target that went on the show to defuse any harm to their image

Amy Poehler raps on behalf of Sarah Palin