Stephen Colbert fights with Weekly Standard's Christopher Caldwell

Al Franken is not the only Pundit who isn't afraid to actually fight. Stephen talks about coming to fisticuffs with one of his guests on a recent episode of 'The Colbert Report'

VIDEO: Stephen on his fight with Christopher Caldwell (Nov 11, 2009)

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Sign Off - Stephen's Fight With Christopher Caldwell
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor U.S. Speedskating

Sign Off - Stephen's Fight With Christopher Caldwell (Nov 11, 2009)
STEPHEN COLBERT: That is it for tonight's show. I thought that it went pretty well except for the violent fistfight I had with Christopher Caldwell that we had to edit out. I bet he tells everybody back at the Weekly Standard he walked into a door. Goodnight everybody

Watch Stephen's full interview with Christopher Caldwell - November 11, 2009: Christopher Caldwell

PBS Newshour's feature on "Talkers Shaping Political Discourse in U.S."

PBS Newshour had an illuminating feature examining the role Talkers are playing in American Politics.

Some of the most poignant comments came from Michael Harrison, editor and publisher of Talkers Magazine

On why Talk Radio is the way it is and why it always has been

TV, Radio Talkers Shaping Political Discourse in U.S.
MICHAEL HARRISON: Radio, popular radio in America, all the way back to the '30s, has been a street medium. It's always been the medium of the street, reflecting populism.

So, what you hear on radio and what you're seeing now on cable news talk television, which is really an extension of talk radio, is just the First Amendment in action.

On the misleading estimation of the influence of Talkers

MICHAEL HARRISON: We have these nationally famous people who really have much smaller audiences than the awareness of them would indicate or make you believe. What happens is, they -- they talk to their faithful in terms that the faithful expect and understand. They preach to the choir. And some of the things they say are repugnant to people who have other choirs.

- Download the audio from PBS Newshour's report airing Nov 4, 2009

Rush Limbaugh to be dropped from group bid to buy St Louis Rams

Via ESPN

Checketts drops Limbaugh
Conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh was dropped from a group bidding to buy the St. Louis Rams.

ESPN's Adam Schefter first reported the story on Wednesday.

Limbaugh was to be a limited partner in a group headed by St. Louis Blues chairman Dave Checketts. Checketts said in a statement Wednesday that Limbaugh's participation had become a complication in the group's efforts and the bid will move forward without him...

A Limbaugh spokesman told ESPN that Limbaugh would have no comment on Wednesday. Earlier, on his syndicated radio show, Limbaugh was defiant, holding on to hope that he still could be part of the ownership group that buys the Rams.

"This is not about the NFL, it's not about the St. Louis Rams, it's not about me," Limbaugh said. "This is about the ongoing effort by the left in this country, wherever you find them, in the media, the Democrat Party, or wherever, to destroy conservatism, to prevent the mainstreaming of anyone who is prominent as a conservative.

"Therefore, this is about the future of the United States of America and what kind of country we're going to have."

If that is the case, this wallpaper might be the closest Rush and Rams fans will get to see of the potential pairing.

NEW Rush/Rams Wallpaper

St Louis Rams x Rush Limbaugh wallpaper

Rush Limbaugh interviewed and profiled on NBC's 'Today Show'

VIDEO: Rush Limbaugh profiled on NBC's 'Today Show'

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

On the October 12 edition of the 'Today Show' NBC correspondent Jamie Gangel profiled and interviewed influential conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh.

One of the more interesting revelations is Rush's admission that he revels in manipulating the media. This recalls an argument made by Leonard Pitts Jr who described Rush as a "clown who perverts conservatism for attention".

RUSH LIMBAUGH: When I now say "I hope he fails" it is to tweak the media. I know how to do it. I know how to yank their chain. I know how to send them into insanity. I know how to make them spend the next two days talking about me.
GANGEL VOICEOVER: Rush brand of satire also keeps everyone talking... Critics say they are offensive but Rush is unrepentant
GANGEL: You know its going to illicit a strong reaction
LIMBAUGH: Would you ask anybody who writes for Saturday night Live these questions?

This exchange were Rush shows joy and confidence in his ability to get the media talking and people tuning in follows the playbook he outlined in this classic interview where Rush describes "How Talk Radio Works"

Minimising one's seriousness is a tactic often used to neutralise oneself from controversy. Glenn Beck has often referred to himself as a "rodeo clown". Allahpundit of HotAir describes Rush' revelation and compares Rush's shtick to Jon Stewart's.

Video: The obligatory "Today interviews Rush Limbaugh" clip
No one who’s listened to the show for 10 minutes will find that revelatory, but I don’t think I’ve ever heard him acknowledge the degree of manipulation as candidly as he does here. (Money quote: "Would you ask anybody who writes for Saturday Night Live these questions?") Listening to this, his approach sounds like the opposite of Jon Stewart’s. Whereas JS [Jon Stewart] dons the clown nose, attacks the right, and then retreats into his "lighten up, I’m a comedian" shtick when they hit back, Limbaugh holds his clown nose behind his back where only his fans can see it and comes at the left as a serious commentator, going over the top to piss them off and then having a laugh when the inevitable liberal freakout comes.

Jamie Gangel previews part 2 of her interview with Rush at the end of the segment "In his usual blunt style he's going to tell us what he thinks of everyone from Hillary Clinton to Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck"

Glenn Beck appears on Fox Business' Imus in the Morning

Glenn Beck recently appeared on Don Imus' new show on Fox Business. Imus played devil's advocate by bringing up perceived frictions with stalwarts Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh who Beck threatens to eclipse in ratings and influence.

VIDEO: Glenn Beck on Career, Life Choices

Imus in the Morning

October 5, 2009: Glenn Beck on Career, Life Choices
DON IMUS: Saw you on the cover of Time Magazine. Your book's #1 I noticed this week. Sean Hannity, Rush they both hate you
GLENN BECK: No. No they don't
IMUS: They all hate you
BECK: They don't, they don't. Why? Why? Why must you stir up the hate?
IMUS: You're telling me Rush is happy you're on the cover of Time
BECK: No actually I got a note from Rush
IMUS: What did the note say?
BECK: "I hate you"
(group laughter)
BECK: Rush has - you know what- been very gracious. The whole time he has.
IMUS: Fine
BECK: Do you hate me?
IMUS: No, I'm not competing with you. They are...

For some background, read Jason Linkins speculation on Hannity's concern over Glenn Beck's ascendancy

Is Sean Hannity Afraid Of Glenn Beck?
I can imagine that Hannity might find the attention lavished on Beck to be a little bit galling. Hannity's had the longer career, after all, during which he's dutifully suited up, sat behind a desk and occasionally had to fend off actual arguments: from Alan Colmes in the pre-solo days, to various panels now. The deck was always stacked in Hannity's favor, of course, but he had to at least offer the appearance of an honest broker of debate. Beck doesn't have to do any of that. Beck gets to stand up and riff about whatever he wants, pull morning-radio stunts and, really, not even worry about making any sense at all.

NY Times David Brooks likens Limbaugh, Beck and Hannity to Wizard of Oz

NY Time Columnist David Brooks challenges the myth of influence Right-wing talkers like Limbaugh, Hannity and Beck have over the GOP base. Key players in what is derisively dubbed as the "Political Entertainment Complex". It is a reiteration of the questions raised after Huckabee's emergence and McCain's Lazarus-like return during the GOP primaries despite resistance from the "conservative-entertainment complex.

The Wizard of Beck
So what is the theme of our history lesson? It is a story of remarkable volume and utter weakness. It is the story of media mavens who claim to represent a hidden majority but who in fact represent a mere niche — even in the Republican Party. It is a story as old as "The Wizard of Oz," of grand illusions and small men behind the curtain.

But, of course, we shouldn’t be surprised by this story. Over the past few years the talk jocks have demonstrated their real-world weakness time and again.

David Brooks goes on to explain how pundits have managed to preserve their aura despite their many missteps. Its a similar perception juggling act found in wrestling - Aura: How pundits and politicians preserve their image

But this is not merely a story of weakness. It is a story of resilience. For no matter how often their hollowness is exposed, the jocks still reweave the myth of their own power. They still ride the airwaves claiming to speak for millions. They still confuse listeners with voters...

So the myth returns. Just months after the election and the humiliation, everyone is again convinced that Limbaugh, Beck, Hannity and the rest possess real power. And the saddest thing is that even Republican politicians come to believe it. They mistake media for reality. They pre-emptively surrender to armies that don’t exist.

Rush Limbaugh returns fire via Politico, accusing David Brooks of being "jealous" and inconsequential - "how many Americans know who David Brooks is?". A sentiment echoed by talker colleague Mark Levin

Rush Limbaugh on David Brooks: 'JEALOUS'
"Here's a little insight into conservatives, conservatism and talk radio — we don't care what David Brooks has to say," Levin said. "He is irrelevant. He is incoherent. And you guys should rely less on The New York Times. Its circulation is plummeting for a reason."

Time Wise on CNN's 'What Matters' talks Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck and Bill Maher

VIDEO: Time Wise on the "Racial Undertones" of the health care debate

Writer Tim Wise speaks to CNN 'What Matters' host Don Lemon about the "racial undertones" in the current debate on Healthcare. The discussion name-checks pundits Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck and Bill Maher. Accompanying the video of the discussion are the quotes referenced by Mr Wise.

1) Glenn Beck sees Healthcare as indirectly addressing "reparations"

GLENN BECK: Everything that is getting pushed through Congress including this Health Care bill are transforming America and they are all driven by President Obama's thinking on one idea - Reparations.
(puts on voice and holds up sign) "Crazy Right Wing extremists!" Before you say anything... His goal is creating a new America, a new model. A model that will settle old racial scores through new social justice

2) Rush Limbaugh is skeptical of "community service" as used by President Obama

Obama Hijacks 9/11, Twists it Into National Day of Service to the State
RUSH: We had a caller, a nice guy, Rob from Manhattan earlier in the day who said, "You know, I think you're misunderstanding Obama. He's kind of right. Manhattan after 9/11 came together like Manhattan never has. It's right to call out for community service."... He's hijacking this for what sounds like a wonderful thing. "Well, community service. We all gotta get together." You gotta understand "community service" is nothing more than community organizing. It is a tactic. Community service is one of the baby steps toward fascism.

So many things that Obama does appear to be isolated, but they are interconnected to organizing the private sector to serve the state -- and that's not the way this country was founded.

3) Bill Maher touches on the fears white people have of President Obama

NEW RULES - Real Time With Bill Maher - 9/11/2009
BILL MAHER: Crazy morons make things up for Obama to do and he does it. Same thing happened with the speech to schools this week where the President merely attempted to tell children to work hard and wash their hands and "Cracker Nation" reacted as if he was trying to hire the Black Panthers to hand out grenades in homeroom...

You know tomorrow Glenn Beck's army of zombie retirees are descending on Washington, It's the Million Moron March...

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

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

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

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

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...

Mark Levin VS David Frum, the feud rages on - "Quit whining"

One of the most colorful and personal feuds in punditry shows no signs of easing. The feud between Mark Levin and David Frum. David Frum is a moderate conservative concerned about the representation of the Republican Party as it seeks to find a face that will make it palatable once again to the electorate. After discovering popular talker Radio Talker Mark Levin, he held him as an example of the type of "whining", "shouting" conservative that was harming the movement. Levin responded in kind by saying that Frum was appealed to "McCain-style" conservatives, mushy on principle which was a losing position, adding his lousy book sales made him irrelevant.

Levin began devoting a section on his official website to catalogue players like Frum who he deemed harmful to Conservatism. David Frum in kind has discretely taken shots at Levin when the opportunity arises.

David Frum highlights Mark Levin's rebuttal to a piece he wrote titled 'Quit Whining!'

"Moron" "Idiot" "Lardass" "Fraud": Mark Levin Replies
My series on conservative despair mentions Mark Levin among others. Here the talk-show host responds with his familiar suavity of manner and elegance of language.

- Listen and Download Mark Levin's scathing rebuttal against David Frum

MARK LEVIN: You know there is a fraud out there by the name of David frum, a complete and utter fraud, jealous, petty, insignificant. The fact that I mention the guy is what brings him attention and he's fiercely upset by the success of 'Liberty and Tyranny'. And he's created a website, a little presumptuous, he's calling it the 'New Majority'... He wrote a book on the New majority and it sold less than 5000 hardback copies. He has no way of knowing the pulse of the people because he basically sits in his basement with his door locked, in his boxershorts like a good little goofball

Interestingly Frum has said in his arguments against Levin that the preoccupation of fame and influence over correct judgment is the reason why polarising talkers like him and Rush Limbaugh are problematic for the party. Frum has also charged that Levin is in fact the recluse.

Howard Kurtz' Reliable Sources "outraged" by Glenn Beck and Lou Dobbs

The most recent episode of CNN's 'Reliable Sources' had an illuminating panel discussion that reiterated many of the same points that I have made in my analogy that American Political Punditry is not unlike Pro-Wrestling. The panel comprised of Michelle Cottle, Michel Martin and Amanda Carpenter discussing Lou Dobbs, Glenn Beck and the theatrical nature of punditry.

VIDEO: Beck's "racism" charge hits Howard Kurtz's outrage meter

Michelle Cottle in particular made a salient point about how theater and a captivating persona are the keys to Cable news success, being responsible and informative are peripheral.

MICHELLE COTTLE: Two words: crazy sells. I mean, if you're talking about political punditry, it does not serve you well to go out there and talk nuance and whatever, or at least it doesn't get you the big audience. And more than that, the committed audience.

I mean, normal people have lots to do with their time. What you have with Glenn Beck is, the crazier he gets, the more obsessive he draws. And these people sit and watch every word and buy every book and go to every speech, and it's great for him and it's great for Fox, so they're not going to do a thing about it.

Michel Martin introduces another analogy that also captures the dynamic of mutual benefit and "all-in-a-day's-work" nature of the Pundit feuds - a "Hip Hop beef". I myself have used the wrestling analogy and have also likened it to the wolf/sheepdog cartoons.

HOWARD KURTZ: The average person must be watching this and saying "this is like a high school spitball fight"
MICHELLE COTTLE: You know O'Reilly and Keith Olbermann would go at each other like this. This isn't the first time this has happened. Cable news hosts decide that they need a nemesis. And it actually jacks up their ratings. If you can have someone on the other side that can get your followers fired up about being ticked off.
MICHEL MARTIN: This is like a hip hop beef, where they sell records by beefing on each other

A Hip Hop beef is described thusly:

Hip Hop Beefs
A beef is a term used in the hip hop culture to describe a grudge between two individuals...

Beefs in hip hop were created with two purposes in mind. One being that two artist with legitimate gripes between each other would be able to settle their differences while at the same time promoting their respective albums...

The Hip Hop beef is a more apt analogy than wrestling because whilst the dynamics are similar, the hip hop beef has real consequences to the careers of the individual feuding rappers. In wrestling, whilst the theatrics acted on screen may reflect real hatred or circumstances backstage, ultimately the feuding parties are on the same payroll and have the ability to pre-arrange their fights. Whilst "Hip Hop beefs" are more organic, both analogies reflect the art of theatrics for the sake of generating interest and creating dedicated rival camps (fanbases).

Michelle Malkin appears on the 'Today Show' with Matt Lauer

Michelle Malkin is doing the rounds on TV promoting her new book 'Culture of Corruption: Obama and His Team of Tax Cheats, Crooks, and Cronies'.

There is no formula that determines whether a pundit is suitable for mainstream TV. Conservative media monitors like RadioEqualizer made the observation that certain pundits were being shunned because of their strident conservatism. Mark Levin, who's book 'Liberty and Tyranny' consistently remained in the number one slot for the New York Times Bestseller List being the most recent example of this. Conversely it was argued that "useful" or "reasonable" conservatives like Joe Scarborough who were willing to attack their party were more welcomed on mainstream programming.

The appearance of Michelle Malkin on the 'Today Show' may put that theory to bed. Michelle who is often compared to Ann Coulter, is one of the most outspoken and relentless critics of the mainstream media and all things liberal. It proves that the metric for determining what makes a pundit suitable for mainstream TV consumption remains elusive. A 'Today' Show appearance is usually followed by a sitting on the 'The View' and perhaps a late night appearance on 'Letterman'.

"Controversial" pundits like Bill O'Reilly, Ann Coulter and Glenn Beck have experienced all or part of this journey. An appearance on 'The View' like some people have hoped might herald Michelle Malkin's place alongside these mainstream pundits.

VIDEO: Michelle Malkin talks with Matt Lauer about

Obama's "Culture of Corruption"

ABC's 20/20 profiles Glenn Beck

ABC's John Stossel profiles Glenn Beck providing an insight into his work schedule his turbulent history and highlights critics from Stephen Colbert to Jon Stewart and ladies from The View.

VIDEO: Glenn Beck profile on ABC's 20/20

Mark Levin smacks down "backbenchers" David Frum, Rod Dreher and Conor Friedersdorf

Mark Levin has gotten a lot of attention lately for his showdown with Conservative author and former Bush speechwriter David Frum. Levin has also caused a commotion on the blogs for some off-color comments he made towards a taunting caller.

The disgusting Mark Levin
MARK LEVIN: Answer me this, are you a married woman? Yes or no?
CALLER: Yes.

MARK LEVIN: Well I don't know why your husband doesn't put a gun to his temple. Get the hell out of here.

Listen to the offending clip between Mark Levin and the female caller here

One of the chief complainers of this patented outburst from Mark Levin has been Conor Friedersdorf. Conor deconstructs Levin's performance in a debate with Levin- friend and defender Dan Riehl:

Debating Dan Riehl -- Top of the First Inning
His words are problematic. On substance, the leap he makes is illogical. It is perfectly possible to love the United States and to believe that President Obama possesses the authority to move War on Terrorism detainees...

Mr. Levin is smart enough to know that. Perhaps anger clouded his thinking, as is common among folks who suddenly begin screaming loudly during conversations about politics. Or maybe the whole thing was theater, in which case the host unfairly berated a fellow American for the sake of entertainment....

Mark Levin responds to his critics Rod Dreher and Conor Friedersdorf directly

Mark Levin On Dreher, Frum And Friedersdorf
And while Rod represents the future of conservatism (just ask him), he doesn't understand my appeal. I mean, he listened to 15 minutes of my radio show and he just doesn't get it. No, Rod doesn't get it and he never will. He's just not that smart or interesting.

Mark Levin seems uninterested in addressing conservatives of little influence. Levin's rebuttal moves on to a higher profile target in David Frum, who Levin takes exception to for attacking his personal friend Rush Limbaugh in this provocative column: -

David Frum on Rush: "A walking stereotype of self-indulgence"
On the one side, the president of the United States: soft-spoken and conciliatory, never angry... He is at the same time an apparently devoted husband and father. Unsurprisingly, women voters trust and admire him.

And for the leader of the Republicans? A man who is aggressive and bombastic, cutting and sarcastic... With his private plane and his cigars, his history of drug dependency and his personal bulk, not to mention his tangled marital history, Rush is a walking stereotype of self-indulgence—exactly the image that Barack Obama most wants to affix to our philosophy and our party. And we’re cooperating!

Listen to audio of Mark Levin and David Frum's debate

The audio is entertaining like every Mark Levin debate. Mark in typical fashion uses his bully pulpit for advantage which Frum desperately pleads to the ref about. Unfortunately for Frum the referee is Mark Levin.

DAVID FRUM: Mark you're the one fiddling with the volume control of the microphone... [bullying] by fiddling with the volume control button... it's the only way -- It's a substitute for argument. It's a substitute for evidence and it's a substitute for thinking

David Frum takes his own shots by describing Mark Levin's radio aesthetic thusly

DAVID FRUM: Your educational background and your intellectual prowess is just as impressive as you said of yourself. But I must say, you have to choose between that and someone's walking up Broadway shouting at passing cars... I said what I had to say but I just didn't sound like a crazy person when I was saying it...

Returning to the earlier observation that Levin values the influence a critic holds. Mark "deviates into questions of ego" of Frum

MARK LEVIN: (interrupting) How many books have you sold? I'm curious
DAVID FRUM: What is that?
LEVIN: How many books did you sell?
FRUM: Over 25, 000. Why does that matter?
LEVIN: It matters if you're gonna have influence.
FRUM: How many -- (exasperated) Oh boy!
LEVIN: It's OK if you sit there and write to yourself... I'm gonna let you make your case to a big audience by the way. The fact of the matter is you've had no influence... it matters
FRUM: Whether I have influence or not will not alter whether what I'm saying is correct or not. If I'm right and I have no influence that's a calamity for others. And if i'm wrong and I have great influence that's a calamity for others also

Former wrestler Jesse Ventura appearing on 'Hannity', 'Larry King Live' and 'The View'

Former wrestler, Navy SEAL and Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura has been doing the rounds to promote the paperback release of his book, 'Don't Start the Revolution Without Me!'. A book I have previously noted for it's exceptional account of how Jesse planned to run for American President using a "wrestling angle" (storyline).

Below are videos of Jesse Ventura's appearances on 'The View', 'Larry King Live', and 'Hannity' with partial transcripts included. It's also worth noting the playful ways presenters act macho or incorporate wrestling terms when speaking to 'The Body'.

VIDEO: Jesse Ventura interview with Hannity On FOX - May 18, 2009

JESSE VENTURA: I think he's [President Obama] very intelligent, I think its far too early to be judgmental because let's face it he inherited a mess. He inherited two wars. He inherited an economy in the tank
SEAN HANNITY: You can't stop yourself
VENTURA: I wouldn't have wished that on my worst enemy
HANNITY: Well George Bush inherited a recession. He inherited the negative impacts of 9/11... Do you wanna arm wrestle (jokingly)
VENTURA: You're telling me that the United States was better off before George Bush or after
HANNITY: After
VENTURA: My God!...

VIDEO: Jesse Ventura on 'The View' - May 18, 2009

JESSE VENTURA: The point is this -- Alright, wait a minute if waterboarding is OK
ELISABETH HASSELBECK: Do you want me to put you in a full-nelson?
(audience laughter)
VENTURA: Wait, if waterboarding is OK then why don't we let our police do it to suspects so we can learn what they know... if waterboarding is OK then why didn't we waterboard McVeigh and Nichols, the Oklahoma City bombers to find out if there were more people involved

VIDEO: Jesse Ventura on Larry King Live - May 11, 2009

JESSE VENTURA: I don't have a lot of respect for Dick Cheney, here's a guy who got five deferments from the Vietnam war. clearly he's a coward. He wouldn't gp when it was his time to go. Now he's a chickenhawk. Here's this big tough guy who wants this hardcore policy and he's the guy who sanctioned this torture by calling it "enhanced interrogation:
LARRY KING: Do you think Rush Limbaugh is a better Republican than Colin Powell
VENTURA: No not at all. In fact if you compare the two, let's look at Colin Powell who's a war hero. Who's strapped it on for his country and didn't run and hide. Then you look at Dick Cheney who ran and hid. Well I have no respect fro Dick Cheney. I have tremendous respect for General Powell

David Letterman's 'Late Show News Recap'

VIDEO: 'Late Show News Recap'

REP. DANA ROHRABACHER: Mumbo jumbo
JIM CRAMER: Mumbo Jumbo, no to say chicken dumbo...
CHRIS MATTHEWS: Rope-a-dope...
GLENN BECK: Teeny weeny...
MEGYN KELLY: Hoity toity...
LARRY KUDLOW: Super duper...
ERIN BURNETT: Hanky panky, hanky spanky

Find a discussion at the Huffington Post - David Letterman's Ode To The News (VIDEO)

John Ziegler on the intelligence of viewers and Bill Maher, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert being seen as "real news"

doc talk
by luvnews

JOHN ZIEGLER: The reality is, people are stupid. And a lot of people do think Bill Maher or Jon Stewart or the Colbert Report or SNL actually is real news information and frankly its becoming more and more difficult to argue with those people because news has completely disintegrated in this day and age
NORAH O DONNELL: I think that's difference between us John, I don't think they think it is news... I think that people understand that it's a parody

This exchange links somewhat to this study from Ohio State University on the difference Conservatives and Liberals have in perceiving satire:

The Irony of Satire
Political Ideology and the Motivation to See What You Want to See in The Colbert Report

...we found that individual-level political ideology significantly predicted perceptions of Colbert's political ideology. Additionally, there was no significant difference between the groups in thinking Colbert was funny, but conservatives were more likely to report that Colbert only pretends to be joking and genuinely meant what he said while liberals were more likely to report that Colbert used satire and was not serious when offering political statements. Conservatism also significantly predicted perceptions that Colbert disliked liberalism.

Update
Keith Olbermann welcomes Heather LaMarre, lead author of the "Colbert Study" as guest to talk about her findings investigating the differences in how conservatives and liberals digest the 'Colbert Report'

VIDEO: Is Colbert Laughing with you or at you?

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

The Time 100 - The World's Most Influential People: Rush Limbaugh and Sarah Palin

Time Magazine currently has it's annual 'Time 100: The World's Most Influential People' issue out. Only one APF pundit is present, no prizes for guessing who. It's conservative talker Rush Limbaugh, his feature written by a worthy pundit candidate in his own right - Glenn Beck. The only other APF member featured is Ann Coulter, writing a piece for Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin.
Glenn Beck makes an interesting point about Rush' influence despite effectively dominating one domain.

Artists & Entertainers
Rush Limbaugh by Glenn Beck
For some of us, being a media personality just isn't as easy as it used to be. The theory goes that to build a large audience in this age of iPhones, podcasts and whatever the latest buzzword is, you have to do everything at once — and that means simultaneously host a radio program, host a TV show, write books and tour the country. Even Barack Obama had to hold a press conference, go on 60 Minutes, talk to Jay Leno and post clips on YouTube within the span of one week just to get people to pay attention to his budget.

'Top Heel' Ann Coulter talks about how Sarah Palin threatens to usurp her as Top villain

Heroes & Icons
Sarah Palin by Ann Coulter
The combination of Palin's attractiveness as a candidate and her ability to expose liberals made her a celebrity among Republicans. The only thing I have against her is that she threatens to surpass me in attracting the left's hatred.

- Find the 'Time 100' page here - The 2009 TIME 100: The World's Most Influential People
- For a full listing of 'The 100' go here - The 2009 TIME 100: Complete List

Update:
Video: Mitt Romney responds to the sparse Republican representation (only Limbaugh and Palin) on Time's 100 list

MITT ROMNEY: Gee I would like a lot more influential Republicans, I think there are a lot more influential Republicans than that would suggest but uh -- Was that the issue on the most beautiful people or the most influential people? I'm not sure. If it's the most beautiful I understand. We're not real cute.

Read more on the brouhaha stemming from Romney's perceived patronising comments toward Governor Palin
Via Politico - Some Republican leaders prefer not to discuss Sarah Palin
Via Conservatives4Palin - Romney Disses Palin Again - This Time by Proxy

Swine Flu and how pigs are "more dangerous than Bin Laden"

With all the 'Swine flu' panic going on in the news. I thought I'd unearth this story that got quite a bit of play from conservative pundits at the time. Whilst it involves an alarming threat caused by pigs (specifically Hog farming), as far as I can tell it's unrelated to the 'Swine Flu' scare.

VIDEO: Glenn Beck on Robert F Kennedy and Hog Farming

Are Pig Farms More Dangerous Than Terrorists?
BECK: Holy cow. What the question was, "Did you say that pig farms are more dangerous than Usama bin Laden?" He's not sure that he said it, but he agrees with it and he supports it.

- Watch a fuller clip of Robert F Kennedy testifying to congress here.

Robert F Kennedy's claims are explained in this Washington Times article

RFK Jr.: Hog farms bigger threat than Osama
Mr. Kennedy, son of the the slain New York Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, is an environmental law attorney who was testifying before a House Judiciary subcomittee when Rep. Steve King, Iowa Republican, asked him if a quotation attributed to him in 2002 about hog farmers representing a greater threat than the leader of Al Qaeda was accurate.

"I don't know if that [quotation] is accurate, but I believe it and I support it," said Mr. Kennedy, who has been involved in a vigorous legal effort against the meat industry for some years, arguing that manure and other products associated with large livestock producers emit toxic wastes that threaten the environment...

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