The appeal of Celebrity Presidential candidates— White House 46: The Rock vs John Cena

"Once in a lifetime III". John Cena vs Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson.

There's been a lot of chatter on the possibility of Pro-Wrestler Dwayne Johnson contesting for the Presidency. With broad appeal as a social media darling and the world's highest paid actor, the Rock has gotten bipartisan approval from the likes of leftist filmmaker Michael Moore and conservative publication, the National Review.
Outspoken billionaire Mark Cuban has spoken on how Trump's success has paved the way for other entrepreneurs to challenge for the highest office in the land. The same could be argued for Celebrities in general, rapper Kanye West one of the earliest to float a 2020 run before fellow self-promoter Donald Trump cut him off at the pass.
Along with politicians Elizabeth Warren and Ted Cruz, the likely Presidential field also includes celebrity powerbrokers Oprah Winfrey and Mark Zuckerberg. As guest on the 'Chapo Trap House' podcast, Matt Taibbi explains the appeal and advantages of running for office as a celebrity candidate.

Episode 77 — No Country For Gorilla Men feat. Matt Taibbi (1/29/17)
MATT CHRISTMAN: (32m 52s) It basically boils down to the fact that there's a symbiotic relationship between traditional politicians and the media, right? Because most people especially if they’re running for President on a National scale has never heard of these a**holes. So it's basically the media's job to — in collaboration with the candidate — shape a version of them for people to be introduced to and give them an idea of who they are
MATT TAIBBI: Right
CHRISTMAN: Trump because he's a celebrity had a prefabricated brand that he didn't need the media to help him create so that relationship just broke down because he wasn't a politician.
TAIBBI: That's 100% correct. What people need to remember -who are politicians? Most of them before they enter congress are 4th rate lawyers who get elected from these little... towns who gradually get built up and then they have profile and then in order to be turned into these mythic God-like characters they need the overwhelming attention of lots and lots of media people. But you don't need that if you're Donald Trump, he just bypassed that entire exercise. He's a celebrity by himself, without all the help of these sycophants.

Wrestling journalist Brian Maxwell expands the case for the logical pairing of celebrities and Presidential elections. Arguing elections are basically Reality TV talent shows that incorrectly test the competencies truly needed for the job.

Review America with Brian Mann & Nate Milton — Episode 1: The RNC
BRIAN MAXWELL: (25m 53s) If this whole campaign, this whole election is Pro-wrestling. The actual Presidency is 'Brawl for All'. Being a Pro-wrestling match doesn’t actually determine who the better fighter is...
What’s really harmful with our politics -especially in our current media age- is that the qualifications, the hoops that we have people run through don’t in anyway line up to what it actually means to be President. At all. So we've devised this obstacle course that doesn't actually test someone's readiness for this type of position.
I have no doubt as scary as it sounds- that Donald Trump might win this election cuz he might actually win the media job of converting people into voters... at the end of the day the job of the Presidency isn't necessarily a public relations job... The more that I look at it and I see we kind of opened things up. I think we’ve been doing it long enough that we can question the results.

SNL imagining a John Cena and Dwayne Johnson Presidency

Writing on the analogy that American Politics is Pro-Wrestling for the past 10yrs, I never imagined a WWE Hall-of-Famer in Donald Trump could occupy the White House. The fact the Rock, an actual Wrestler is poised to be a Presidential frontrunner is truly mind-boggling.
John Cena, another marquee Wrestler also makes a compelling case as a dark horse Presidential Contender. Though divisive in the Wrestling Universe ("Let's go Cena, CENA sucks!") especially compared to the "People’s Champion". Cena offers a clearer liberal representative whilst ticking the same boxes as the Rock — charismatic action hero, positive rolemodel and supporter of the Troops. A plus on Cena's ledger, he speaks mandarin.

VIDEO: John Cena supports #WeAreAmerica this Independence Day

If registered Republican Dwayne Johnson were to run, could he possibly challenge Donald Trump in a GOP primary? Could the winner between them face a Democratic nominee John Cena? Might the deciding battle in the "Once in a lifetime" feud between John Cena and the Rock be waged in the Political Arena? The rivalry that began for WrestleMania 28, avenged at WrestleMania 29 could possibly culminate in the election for POTUS 46.

Marc Maron talks to Norm Macdonald about politics and spirituality

On a recent live episode of the WTF podcast, political-talker Sam Seder ribbed his old friend and former 'Air America' co-host Marc Maron, "Politics! You remember politics right Marc?"

In a conversation with SNL alum Norm Macdonald, Marc Maron explains his current stance on Politics and Politicians.

Transcript: Maron on politicians (37min mark)

WTF Episode 219 - Norm Macdonald
NORM MACDONALD: ...Even with politicians, they're still human beings.

MARC MARON: Barely. But yeah, they're the worst f*cking people in the world. All of them!

MACDONALD: Well I agree, I'm glad to hear you say that because everybody thinks you're all leftist

MARON: Well I definitely land on the lefty side of things on ideological terms. I've found from doing political talk radio, carrying water for any of them you just gotta realise the quality of people you're dealing with. You're dealing with corporate whores who are operated by business interests. Really its gonna come down to - however you view politics- the question is "Do you give a sh*t about poor people?" and "Are we being taken advantage of?".

Now if you wanna frame that as "Obama is a communist and draining us of our livelihood", well that's your particular delusion and thats fine. But I just got disillusioned with all of it. These are not quality people. I did a joke on Michelle Bachmann on 'Real Time'...

MACDONALD: I saw that

MARON: Yeah and I was getting flack from a very small portion of the Right, (imitating) "He's a misogynist". Well she's a f*cking politician. Can you name me two politicians who demand any respect whatsoever. Why do we respect these people? These people are car salesman, they're idiots, they're more disingenuous than anybody as performers. They've basically figured out a way to bait and placate morons into voting against their self interest. It's an amazing skill but is it respectable? I don't know. Do you respect a guy who sells you horsesh*t in the guise of a health supplement?

The conversation goes into an interesting comparison of Politics and Evangelism and into a much larger, compelling discussion of spirituality.

- Listen to Norm Macdonald interviewing Ann Coulter (Jan 3, 2008)

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.

"The Rock" Obama. Saturday Night Live smells what Barack is cooking

We've had actors emulating Presidential candidates on wrestling programming. We've had Presidential candidates emulating wrestlers. We've had comedians compare the president to a wrestler. Now we bring you a wrestler emulating President Barack Obama.

"The Rock Obama" on SNL

The Rock is simply returning the favor after Candidate Barack appropriated his patented "If you smell what The Rock (Barack) is cooking" on WWE TV.

Watch and Download video of The Rock's SNL skit here - Saturday Night Live: The Rock Obama.
The sketch plays off the desire supporters have for Obama to show more emotion and get mad at the way things are being done under his watch.

The Rock, once speaker at the Republican National Convention appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live recently. Kimmel complimented The Rock (Dwayne Johnson) on his amusing impersonation and The Rock shared with the audience his interactions with President Obama and the First family.

VIDEO: The Rock On Jimmy Kimmel!

(Says President Obama told him Michelle had a crush on Dwayne Johnson)

Jimmy Kimmel Live with Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson (January 21, 2010)
JIMMY KIMMEL:Has he seen your impersonation of him, which is great by the way
DWAYNE JOHNSON (THE ROCK): Thank You. He has, he has. I got the word from the White House that he really enjoyed it. Its one of those things, I go on Saturday Night Live - its "The Rock Obama".

Our President is a former athlete and its all done within that spirit of locker room and guys poking fun at each other. What I do is what he would love to do which is throw a lot of Republicans asses through the window. That's what we do on Saturday Night Live.

Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin offer to co-host SNL

VIDEO: Beck and Palin offer to Guest Host 'Saturday Night Live'

NBC institution 'Saturday Night Live' reemerged to relevancy in 2008 with their lampooning of that year's Presidential Election circus. A key target at that time was Republican Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin, astutely played by Tina Fey. Fey's portrayal infiltrated the wider culture so effectively that Palin's image was hijacked and became unfairly informed by her caricature.

Glenn Beck recently hosted Sarah Palin on his program. In his conversation with Palin, Beck challenged Saturday Night Live to invite Palin and himself as Feature Guests for the comedy show. Beck, an avid comedy nerd and born entertainer would be an able fit for the program and we here at the APF are certain that Beck would likely consider it a career highlight.

Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin Offer to Co-host Saturday Night Live
BECK: ...It is so weird to see yourself on "Saturday Night," isn't it?
PALIN: It is weird.
BECK: It's just bizarre. Sarah and I would like to make an offer to NBC. Would you like to make the offer?
PALIN: I think that we should co-host. How could they say no?
BECK: They will.
PALIN: I bet they won't.
BECK: Want to make a bet?
...
BECK: They think they can make fun of us? I can make fun of me better, yes.
PALIN: They have no idea some of the things. Yes.
BECK: So, yes.
PALIN: Yes.
BECK: So we'll, NBC, there you go. It will be a very highly rated show I'm guessing. We'll make fun of us and give you guys the time off, where you don't have to make fun of us and we'll co-host the show.
PALIN: That would be a delight. I would do it. And if they're daring enough, they will say, yes.

Read the complete transcript from Conservative blog, Newsbusters.

Newest APF member, Introducing Dennis Miller

In anticipation of his eventual GM guest hosting spot on WWE's Raw, I proudly introduce Comedian and Radio Talker Dennis Miller to the 'American Pundit Fighting' roster.

Dennis Miller first made a name for himself as a comedian and SNL cast member, moving on to host popular talks shows on HBO and CNBC. He currently hosts a daily three-hour radio show nationally syndicated by Westwood One, covering culture, current events and politics.

As a talker Dennis is distinctly known for his flowery way of speaking and use of obtuse references, which stylistically is not to dissimilar to fellow comedian (but political opposite) Janeane Garofalo. In recent years much has been made of Miller's "drift" rightwards to conservatism after 9/11.

Dennis Miller address these matters in an illuminating interview for The Politico

The Dennis Miller interview
How would you describe your political beliefs: Republican? Independent? Libertarian?

Well, I’d say it’s eclectic pragmatism at some point. I’m a moderate in some degree because I have wildly swinging opinions but through some sort of ideological feng shui they end up in the middle. Some swing far to the left, others to the far right. I’m for the war, but I’m also for gay marriage. I don’t care if two folks with the same genitalia want to get hitched, I just don’t want some a—hole from another country coming over here and blowing up their wedding to make a political statement.

In just the past few minutes you’ve referenced obscure figures ranging from a '60s-era general to a vintage talking doll. Given your audience on conservative talk radio, are you too hip for the room?

I never signed up for anything called "conservative talk radio." I’m on Westwood One, and my boss Norm Pattiz is a liberal. I’m just on talk radio. I don’t think I’m too hip for the room at all. I’ve got 194 stations after just 16 months, which I’m told is good, and my mind is boggled at just how wise and funny my callers have been. On occasion I’ll get someone who is off the grid and I’ll feel like I’m on the phone with [Ted] Kaczynski, but for the most part it’s a pretty urbane crowd. I don’t think I’m too hip for the room. People always say ‘it’s so eclectic,’ but I’m making references to the Jetsons’ robot maid — not exactly Ted Cooley or Bucky Fuller.

Newest APF member Dennis Miller:
Note: Like all new Pundit animations, click on the button on the bottom left to see an alternate costume for Dennis.



- Go to Dennis Miller's official website
- Find a glossary of Dennis Miller's favourite quotes and references

Al Franken wins the Minnesota Senate seat. Coleman to challenge

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

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

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

Extending an already dramatic contest further...

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

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

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

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

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

Saturday Night Live Wallpaper: Sarah Palin, Hillary Clinton, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler

Strong Nspiring Ladies

A new wallpaper featuring arguably the most influential, most talked about rolemodel women of this Presidential Cycle and 2008 in general: Sarah Palin, Hillary Clinton, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.

Kindly let me know if you come up with a better acronym

Read previous SNL posts here:
- Saturday Night Live characters: Past Presidents, Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin
- The Reemergence of Saturday Night Live (and Hillary Clinton)
- McCain lovefest: The media, Pundits and Jon Stewart
- Read more Saturday Night Live posts here

PunditFight presents: The Al Franken Wallpaper

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

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

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

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

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

View the full NY Post article in PDF format here.

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

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

Saturday Night Live characters: Past Presidents, Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin

In a revealing panel discussion for The Museum of the Moving Image, key members of the SNL staff spoke on the role the show has played during the Presidential races of the last 30 years.

They recounted SNL Presidential characterizations of the past and touched on various subjects familiar to readers of this blog; The bending of reality when politics and satire collide, charisma and even a Jesse Ventura wrestling reference.

The panel consists of Lorne Michaels (Series creator and executive producer), James Downey (veteran SNL writer), Amy Poehler and Seth Meyers (cast members and Weekend Update co-anchors).

- Listen and Download the 'SNL' and Presidential Politics panel discussion
- View the 'SNL' and Presidential Politics transcript

Selected highlights:
On partisanship and SNL's influence on elections

...You can't think about the fate of Western civilization. You know, we're part of it, but we're not—honestly, nobody's going into the booth, and [saying], "You know I watched SNL and now I'm clear (Laughter) on what to do...
We don't try and deal with it in that grandiose way of what's best for the country. And again, none of this stuff works unless it hits pretty close. You can't go out there and just do a partisan rant. I mean, you can do that if you're on MSNBC (Laughter) but you can't really do it in comedy, because if you lose the audience, you lose them really fast.

On SNL enlisting Jesse Ventura to fill in for Al Gore

[Al] Gore was very much tougher to convince than Bush. Bush was like, "Yeah, I'll do it (Laughter)". Gore... needed a lot of hand holding. Franken interceded because Franken knew him very well, and so we were able to talk him into doing the stuff.

But then we didn't have a "Live from New York" thing... but [Gore thought] "I just don't feel this would be dignified"... we got Jesse Ventura to do the "Live from New York."

... one of our producers, calls the Minnesota governor's office. Jesse's in the background... "They want you to do, 'Live from New York.'" (Gruffly) "Yeah, fine!" (Laughter)... I just knew that if Jesse Ventura could do anything, he could do a "Live from New York." But he did the perfect professional wrestler kind of thing...

On the difficulty comedians may have satirizing Obama

Yes, because he's so fucking smooth! (Laughter) He's like a master jewel thief, like in a 1950's movie, who never leaves any finger prints. No one ever saw anything. No one heard anything. I'm saying he's just really impressive as a figure. I talk to people from other—the South Park guys say the same thing. Other comics and stuff, they go, "Wow. He doesn't have many handles, does he?"

For someone like me, Al Gore was a gift that would keep on giving. (Laughter)... I thought Gore was a much richer thing. Whereas Obama is just—he's tough. And I don't know any one... I've seen people who think they have the handle, but I don't think it's that good...

'Saturday Night Live' Presidential Bash

Image made with the aid of brilliant SNL resource - SNL Archives
- Watch a video collection of SNL's Presidential impersonations

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

Latest Sarah Palin Wallpaper: Tina Fey and John McCain

Introducing the fourth Sarah Palin Wallpaper this time with a twist. Technically speaking it doesn't feature Sarah Palin, in place we have John McCain and Tina Fey taking centrestage.

The wallpaper incorporates the 3 biggest stories of the past few days:
1) Sarah Palin
2) Tina Fey
3) Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac

Depending on the day, they shift in relevance in the minds of the media and voters. I've combined them into an aesthetic soup here but they're otherwise unrelated.

On the subject of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, below are some resources to learn more about the issues facing Wall St and where the Presidential candidates stand:
1) Read where the candidates stand from PBS
- Obama, McCain React to Wall Street's Turmoil
- Listen to Advisers from each campaign outlining how their candidate plans to better regulate U.S. financial markets
- Read John McCain's speech addressing Wall St and his Economic plan
- Read Barack Obama's speech addressing Wall St and his Economic plan
- Learn about the Wall St Crisis from a street level courtesy of 'This American Life'
- PBS Newshour describes the risky precedent of 'Moral Hazard'

Saturday Night Live: Tina Fey is Sarah Palin

We all saw it coming. After Sarah Palin was introduced to the country, many remarked at her likeness to SNL comedian Tina Fey. Coincidentally Tina Fey appeared on a 'Life' Magazine cover (2004) with Republican nominee John McCain many years prior to tapping Sarah Palin for VP.

Bloggers have speculated that McCain may have a crush on Tina Fey, not entirely preposterous considering fellow SNL comedian Amy Poehler seemed to think McCain had a crush on her.

In previous SNL episodes, Tina has made it clear she is a supporter of Hillary Clinton and strong women. What people are most interested in seeing is how the resurgent show will paint Sarah Palin over the coming weeks. If the "Saturday Night Live affect" - which has played a surprisingly vital role this election still has some legs.

Update: The reviews are in
- Sarah Palin liked it, and we're reminded she dressed up as Tina Fey for Halloween
- McCain Aide Carly Fiorina says it was sexist, whilst HotAir's AllahPundit warns of "reverse racism"
- Aaron Barnhart argues that for people searching for a vessel to damage Palin, Tina Fey isn't the answer

Who is the real celebrity John McCain or Barack Obama

I've talked in the past about Republican Presidential nominee John McCain's numerous appearances on the Daily Show and previous hosting of Saturday Night Live. MSNBC pundit Dan Abrams hosted a panel discussing who might be the real celebrity of this Presidential race? The panel guest were Newsweek Columnist Jonathan Alter, Associate Editor of The Hill A.B. Stoddard, Republican strategist Brad Blakeman



Find discussion of the clip at CrooksandLiars.com

McCain lovefest: The media, Pundits and Jon Stewart

A meme that has been around for years and is gathering steam once again is that John McCain is a Media darling. Ironic really, the sheen of Obama has worn off as the Democratic primary protracts and gets uglier. Saturday Night Live kickstarted a media backlash with it's mocking and critique of the media's fawning treatment of Obama. In this wake John McCain has reemerged as the top darling of the media.

On a recent episode of Seder on Sundays, host Sam Seder had an interesting conversation with a caller followed up by a discussion with his former cohost Janeane Garofalo. A caller had advanced a theory that much of John McCain's appeal was through his self deprecating and 'good sport' persona projected through his many appearances on the Daily Show with friend Jon Stewart. McCain even guest hosted Saturday Night Live in 2002, affirming his appeal as a cultural figure transcending politics. You could argue he was an 'Obama', before there was an 'Obama' as we know him now...
A Caller speaking to Sam Seder

I know of lot of progressive friends of mine...they were saying they were considering McCain... They seem to get, i'm not kidding, most of their news from the Daily Show. I understand their frustration with mainstream media of course. The Daily Show, as well as other talk shows - but particularly Jon Stewart has really lauded John McCain and presented him as this Maverick and this really cool guy and this progressive thinker...

Sam recounting the conversation to Janeane who has held the same theory for a while

He (McCain) went to SNL and I remember my friend Amy Poehler (comedienne and SNL cast member), the great Amy Poehler telling me that John McCain seemed to have a crush on her. Which told me he had great taste in women... I remember thinking at that time - theres' something appealing about John McCain. He seems to have a sense of humour about himself and he seems to actually believe what he's saying. Now that no longer holds...

Below are list of headings and links from the liberal blogosphere lamenting 'Irrational McCain Love':

From Crooks and Liars
CNN Reporter Doesn’t Know The Difference Between A Legitimate Question & Heckling, Defends McCain. Again.

It is such an indictment on the pathetic notions of journalism from a journalist–especially when it comes to dealing with media darling John McCain–that CNN reporter Jim Acosta can’t even recognize a legitimate question being asked of a presidential candidate and characterized it as being under fire from a heckler...

The Media’s defense of McCain’s 100-years in Iraq comment.

...from emailer Candice:
On Friday night April 4th’s Nightly News, Brian Williams made the claim that McCain had been well received by the crowd at the Motel monument site where Martin Luther King, Jr. was murdered. Not exactly the truth...

The Chris Matthews Show: How big an issue is John McCain’s age?

Argh. Despite polls that show that John McCain’s age is a factor for more voters than Obama’s race or Clinton’s gender, the punditocracy can’t lose their McCain love.

The Warrior King
From liberal blogger Digby of Hullabaloo
Quoting an exchange between anchors Brian Williams and Chris Matthews:

Brian Williams: You know what I thought was unsaid ---they took their position Chris, we're seeing the replay --- they end up in this spot and the sun is coming is just from the side and there in the shadow is John McCain's buckled, concave shoulder. It's a part of his body the suit doesn't fill out because of his war injuries. Again you wouldn't spot it unless you knew to look for it. He doesn't give the same full chested profile as the president standing next to him. Talk about a warrior...

Listen and Download audio of Sam Seder talking with a Caller, then Janeane about McCain's appeal.
Go to an episode Summary of John McCain's appearance on Saturday Night Live.

Hillary Clinton & Tina Fey VS Barack Obama & Tracy Morgan

There have been a lot of SNL mentions on PunditFight these last few weeks. It's managed to knock powerhouses The Colbert Report and The Daily show off their perches as the most regarded and relevant Political/Comedy shows on TV. Which isn't entirely a bad thing.

In a previous post I talked about how SNL alum Tina Fey came on the show to endorse Hillary Clinton with a comedic rant. In true wrestling fashion, Tracy Morgan appeared on SNL to rebut Tina with an endorsement of his own for Obama. For those who don't know, Tracy Morgan and Tina Fey both previously starred on SNL and now appear together on NBC's award-winning show '30 Rock'.

Tina Fey's closing argument for Hillary:

FEY: Know what? Bitches get stuff done.
(Tina Fey and Amy Poehler nod in unison)
Like back in grammar school,
they could have had priests teaching you but, no,
they had those tough old nuns who slept on cots
and who could hit ya and you Hated those bitches
But at the end of the school year
you sure knew the capital of Vermont!
So COME ON Texas and Ohio
Get on board, it’s not too late!…
BITCH IS THE NEW BLACK!

Taking on Tina Fey, Tracy's Rebuttal for Obama

In conclusion...
Three weeks ago, my girl Tina Fey, she came on the show and she declared that bitch is the new black. And you know I love you Tina. You know you're my girl. But I have something to say...

Bitch may be the new black, but Black is the new President, Bitch!

Download from CrooksandLiars here

Read comments for Tracy's rebuttal here, from CrooksandLiars
Go to Tracy Morgan's official website
Go to Tina Fey's Bio page from '30' Rock - the show she writes, executive produces and stars in.

The Reemergence of Saturday Night Live (and Hillary Clinton)

After rousing wins in Texas and Ohio, it wasn't just Hillary Clinton who emerged as victor. Conservative talk radio tried to take some credit for it. Rush Limbaugh and Laura Ingraham successfully mobilised their listeners to vote for Hillary in order to prolong the deadlocked Democratic Primary Race. This achievement was significant because Talk Radio's influence was diminished after they were unable to prevent the much despised John McCain from becoming the Republican Nominee.

However there was another diminished institution that reemerged into relevance after assisting Hillary to victory - Saturday Night Live. 'SNL' (as it is most commonly referred to) is an American Entertainment Icon. It has produced world renowned comedians from Eddie Murphy to Steve Martin and even APF pundit Al Franken. It was the place to turn to for laughs and topical insight.

But today SNL has struggled to remain relevant. It has been without a Marquee personality since the departures of Will Ferrell and Jimmy Fallon, the cast today is comprised of little known comedians. The show itself has been overlooked these last few years as political/comedy shows like The Colbert Report, Real Time with Bill Maher and The Daily Show have risen to prominence. In the last few weeks however things have turned around for SNL as they began to comment on the Presidential Primaries, in particular the Media's fawning treatment of Obama. In what is seen as a soft endorsement for Hillary, SNL has become a key player in politics. Overtly political shows like the Daily Show and The Colbert Report were never seen as hand maidens for any particular candidate, just in service of Comedy. SNL on the other hand was being charged with not merely going after laughs, but specifically targeting Obama.

Its all in the eye of the beholder of course. SNL denies actively promoting Hillary over Obama. In fact investigations by the New York Times and other media into the SNL "conspiracy" have found that the writers and players responsible are possibly more inclined to vote for Obama.

No matter what supporters of either side have to say, there is only one clear winner in this whole saga - Saturday Night Live.

Watch a discussion of Pro-Hillary SNL conspiracy from MSNBC's 'Live on Dan Abrams'

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Go to the official website of Saturday Night Live
View the Ultimate Roundup of SNL's Democratic Primary skits
Read the NY Times take on the issue, Pro-Clinton? ‘SNL’ Says You’re Joking
Read the LA Times' take on the issue, 'Saturday Night Live' takes pro-Hillary allegations seriously.
Read the summary from Huffington Post, SNL Boss Sees Pro-Hillary Bias As "Major Concern
Conservatives at HotAir comment on SNL alum Tina Fey's endorsement of Hiilary