Lindsey Graham Blasts Glenn Beck
Oct 5th, 2009 | 36 responses
Sen. Lindsey Graham, a close ally of Sen. John McCain’s, has blasted Glenn Beck.
First, on Fox:
And then on CNN, former Dick Cheney advisor Mary Matalin responds (claiming Beck is actually nonpartisan) to Graham’s comments — as does her husband, Democratic strategist warhorse James Carville (who does not mince words):
Beck is now one of the hottest political personalities on Fox News, getting huge ratings, but still losing advertisers. Although some predict Fox News’ owner Rupert Murdoch may eventually feel he has to pull the plug on Beck, it’s pretty unlikely at this point: his ratings are huge and growing so other parts of Fox News will likely benefit in terms of advertising since the ratings numbers are there. One problem for Beck is: in the unlikely event that he is canceled, just where would he go? He already has done CNN; MSNBC is unlikely to hire him and in the syndication market he could face boycotts akin to what Dr. Laura faced some years ago. Don’t hold your breath expecting Murdoch to give Beck the boot since he’s losing advertisers; he’s also picking up huge batches of viewers that boost the network’s overall ratings.
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36 Responses to “Lindsey Graham Blasts Glenn Beck”
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Anyone would have to be crazy to underestimate American gullability in the 21st century. It hangs on even long after the phonys have been revealed and the myths debunked. Beck's popularity is a sorry comment on how easy it is to exploit the ignorant and cynical among us. James Carville's take on Beck is exactly right.
As usual Carville can be gross and pass it off since he's the 'Ragin Cajun' but both he and Graham are wrong. Even Joe Scarbrough gets it wrong and he professes to be much like Beck, fed up with Democrats and Republicans alike. Mary gets it right. Beck clearly lets it be known he's not either one but maybe, just maybe, a closet Libertarian.
Many of us conservatives, individuals that understand the 'silent majority' that won an election as far back as the 60's, don't care for the extremism on the right or left and realize compromise can be cooperation rather than a 'sell out' on one's principles.
Both major parties have their zealots. Maybe they should have to bunk together so the rest of us can get along.
Two points here:
1. This goes to show what I've been saying all along: Glenn Beck is not a GOP shill – he speaks as a Libertarian.
2. Lindsay Graham is not a conservative either. So for him to blast someone else for not representing conservatism, he's probably not the best spokesman.
For a moment I had some hope for a new age of discourse when everything wasn't based on partisanship. Lindsey Graham was dismissing Glenn Beck as a spokesman for the Republican Party. Great! But why? Because of Beck's claim that Obama was a racist? Or a Nazi? Or a commie/socialist/fascist whatever? Or because of his history of histrionics and hypocrisy?
Nope, none of that. It' was because Beck wasn't Republican enough and said that America was better off with Obama than McCain.
Of all the outrageous things Beck has said and done, that was the example he chose as his tipping point.
“This goes to show what I've been saying all along: Glenn Beck is not a GOP shill – he speaks as a Libertarian.”
I think that’s a little disingenuous. While he formally is not a Republican, his audience and base of support are the very same people from whom Republicans obtain their support. Most of those so-called rightwing libertarians will no doubt, based on political/electoral constraints (read Duverger), vote Republican anyway. And the GOP knows this perfectly well. Is he an “official” mouthpiece? No. But who needs an official mouthpiece when Hannity, Beck, Rush, et al. can do the dirty work of riling up the base and getting their footsoldiers active for them.
I think the nuanced delineation b/t Beck and the GOP is no more acute than separating football players from their cheerleaders.
A libertarian who sites “24″ in defense of torture? Definitely a small “l” libertarian.
When did Glenn Beck ever say that the country is better off with Barack Obama rather than John Mccain? Isn't this the same guy he supposedly called a racist?
-Nikki-
In his CBS interview with Katie Couric, 9/21/09.
Calling Beck a Libertarian or an Independent is yet another right wing ploy to legitimize Beck. He is neither. He is a conservative hack and a racist, no more.
I love Beck, O'Reilly, Limbaugh, Hannity and Palin being the loudspeakers for the GOP. By all means, keep playing to that dwindling base. Keep reminding moderates and independents what a seething pack of greedy hatemongers the GOP has become. Go for it.
Btw, that “blast” from Graham seemed more like a “puff” to me. And GreenDreams is right, the more noisy the lunatic fringe on the right, the more they reveal their true selves. . . and it ain't very pretty.
The Obama-loving media, liberal bloggers, democrats, and RINOs – let the piling begin.
Yes, instead of the message (corruption in DC) opponents want to attack the messenger. Party above country, right??
Your username is a perfect example and completely reinforces most people's idea of a Beck viewer. Thanks.
Thank you Shannonlee for reinforcing the tone-deaf, knee-jerk reaction to the messenger the left exhibits and complete blindness to intellectual honesty.
A few questions:
Does it bother you a federally-funded organization repeatedly aided and abetted individuals wishing to evade taxes and establish child prostitution?
Does it bother you Barack Obama promised no lobbyists would serve in his administration, yet he has casually appointed 2 lobbyists?
Does it bother you to see children singing “Red, Yellow, Black, or white – they are equal in HIS sight… Barack Hussein Obama” ?
Does it bother you the dollar is being decimated, inflation is looming, unemployment hovers around 10%, our deficit is skyrocketing – and Obama STILL is pushing for a government-sponsored “public option” gauranteed to further put our country into debt??
I sincerely don't expect an answer – much less an honest one. You keep up the good work of assaulting those of us who actually CARE about our country.
Lindsey Graham is simply trying to clean up his imagine. He was a horrible anti-liberal during the Bush administration and a noted drunk. Maybe he thinks he can run for higher office. Possibly running on his military record as a reserve military lawyer.
Sorry, no questions, but you can get your own blog…or just scream your wild and crazy crap at a town hall meeting someplace.
LOL… Father_Time couldn't man-up and answer 4 simple yes-or-no questions, yet he is quick to throw out an ad hominem attack.
This is why more and more Americans are rejecting your liberal effete “we're smarter than you” mentality. We want our kids singing about America – NOT “M M M Barack Hussein Obama”. We want a reform, NOT a Government take-over of healthcare. We want ACCOUNTABILITY in DC, NOT the same old sh** but with a different party label.
Well, you've just answered your own questions for me.
have a nice day.
LOL – another cop-out, by Father_Time. Unable to answer 4 simple yes-or-no questions. Instead of addressing ISSUES, liberals divert to personality.
Thank you to you and Shannon for illuminating how liberals really are afraid of a serious debate.
Yes of course you win the debate.
I'm delighted that you care about “our country”.
Please pick up one of our excellent and provocative Politically Moderate bumper stickers at the door on your way out.
Dittos on the nice day.
I don't feed trolls.
Censor?
Fox “News”
ANTI 911 TRUTH
All Israeli all the time
Neocon News Network
William J Fallon UNREST
Complete Corruption effect
The “Federal” Reserve flush with cash
All MSM Propagandists singing same song
Ventura Sheehan Perot Paul Nader McKinney Kucinich Kaptur Gravel Gonzalez Clemente Choate Carter Baldwin Anderson
Grayson too?!
Hey O.V., you notice the title and mission statement of this blog? The “Moderate Voice”? Your hatred of liberals, Democrats and RINOs calls you out. I come to this blog to explore ideas and opinions from fellow moderates that might advance our causes and concerns. I am not here to duke it out with hateful right wingers like you. Go hang with your buddies at Fox… take your ball and go home. Please…
FT,
I'm a democrat and brought up quite a few questions to my elected representatives during a town hall meeting. What are you trying to say?
Oh wait….. Only ultra-liberal democrats don't go to town hall meetings. They just say “yassa, massa. Iza does whatevah da gubment tells me to, cuz theyz so good to us citzens”.
If your elected representatives are serving your needs and wishes…..reelect them. Mine (and millions of others) are not, so they won't be getting my vote – especially after blowing me off at the town hall meeting.
Yes Obamavictim is a right-wing hack. But please don't lump him in with all conservatives. Just like we shouldn't lump some of the more ultra-liberal types here on TMV in with all liberals.
I am a conserative democrat. Kind of a libertarian, kind of a conservative, kind of a moderate. Heck, I'm a walking contradiction. I'd probably vote against myself!
LOL
Shannon,
I love reading your posts and I love you as an American sister. But I truly have seen more racist comments from you on TMV than I have from Beck. I'm not trying to slam you. It's just an observation.
I see your point.
So what you're saying Keelaay – is that anyone who believes our country is veering far off course from the fundamental design of our Constitution – is somehow an extremist??
LOL – I guess “Moderate Voice” means “Party before Country”.
Again – call me any name you wish … but you STILL refuse to display any intellectual honesty. You couch your denials in ad hominem attacks – yet the REALITY is you're unwilling to care about your country!
Hey – as long as you can drive your gas-hog to Starbucks for a double latte and get home in time to watch Dancing with the Stars – it's all good, right Shannon??
Ummm… no, “Obamavictim”, that's not what I said. This blog is “An Internet hub for moderates, centrists, and independents..” as stated on the masthead. You are clearly not a moderate, centrist, or independent… So, as I said above, I don't understand why you hang at an internet site for political moderates except to throw rude and extreme flames. Seems to me like you would be much happier at a Fox News or Rush Limbaugh site. You certainly aren't advancing any moderate ideas here, nor do I figure your catcalling will change any minds.
Thanks for the note Jefferson. I'm not sure, but I too might be a conservative Democrat. Anyway, value your opinion and ideas. BTW, you are in good company regarding your vote. When asked the first thing he would do if elected mayor of NYC, Bill Buckley replied “Demand a recount!” Good to hear from you…
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Nice Job, Archangel. Heaven forbid FREE SPEECH be permitted on a political blog (gasp) by an individual who feels the REAL moderates were Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine, and the rest of our founding fathers.
Heaven forbid a comment be posted which challenges the sitting President and his agenda relative to the intent of the framers.
Thank you Thank you Thank you for protecting the noteable reputation of TMV!!
And yes – I full expect THIS post either be deleted or simply rejected as it surely violates the rules of liberal voices … err… moderate voices only at TMV.
Dear Obamavictim
Youre welcome to comment in keeping with TMV commenting rules. They are on the home page.
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