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The Spectacle Blog
I saw the blowout between Sean Hannity and Minnesota Congressman Keith Ellison on Hannity this evening over the impending sequester.
Hannity played two speeches by President Obama in which he spoke nearly word for word against the sequester (despite the fact the sequester originated in the White House). Ellison fired the opening salvo by telling Hannity “You are the worst excuse for a journalist I’ve ever seen,” and the proceedings went downhill from there.
Hannity let Ellison filibuster and for his trouble Ellison wouldn’t let him ask a question. After about six minutes of Ellison’s drivel, Hannity finally had enough and said, “Congressman, you’re a total waste of time,” and relieved the audience of its misery.
Talking to someone like Ellison is a double edged sword. Ellison is a buffoon but he is nevertheless a Congressman with a loyal constituency. Then again buffoonery has seldom been a barrier to entering Congress. Yet by interviewing Ellison, Hannity legitimizes him and thus adds to his prestige beyond his constituency.
I think Ellison caught Hannity off guard at the beginning of the interview (partially because Hannity couldn’t hear Ellison’s opening remark). It’s true that Hannity and Ellison have engaged in contentious discussions before but they managed to be cordial at least at the beginning of their discussion. Tonight, Ellison came ready for a fight the moment the bell rung.
I suppose it is a necessary evil to talk with the Ellisons of the world if only to expose their folly and shortcomings. And there’s nothing like winning an argument. But such exposes are not without risk. Aside from adding to Ellison’s prestige there is also the risk of having a fruitless discussion in which one is taken down to their level. Hannity now calls Ellison a total waste of time. Does this mean he will never book him on his show again? Maybe yes, maybe no. If yes then Hannity knows full well what he is getting into.
So if one must talk to a demagogue like Ellison then be sure bring armor and boxing gloves and be ready to use them at any moment.
View all comments (10) | Leave a comment
More Blog Posts by Aaron Goldstein
http://spectator.org/blog/2013/02/27/thoughts-on-hannity-vs-ellison
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RJ| 2.27.13 @ 1:32AM
The television world is based on ratings and if Ellison delivered good ratings, he will be on TV. But in terms of having a meaningful discussion, there are people whose temperament is such that nothing can be learned or accomplished. Unfortunately so many of television's political shows are a circus from Jerry Springer World. Some people may be entertained by them, but no meaningful or enlightened discussion can be conducted and nothing about the issue can be learned.
CLD| 2.27.13 @ 2:30AM
As cogent a commentary on the TV situation as will ever be found. Well done, RJ.
Sadly most of the discourse amongst politicians is no better.
spike59| 2.27.13 @ 5:39AM
“Congressman, you’re a total waste of skin"
-------------------------------------------------
There, Sean...fixed it for ya
OregonBuzz| 2.27.13 @ 9:02AM
Ellison is a typical Muslim.
Bob Grant| 2.27.13 @ 9:07AM
Fact: The sequester idea originated from the White House AFTER obama reneged on the deal with Boehner at the last minute.
The sequester idea was a desperation move by obama to avoid rehashing the issue before the election. He agreed to cuts with no tax increases in exchange for putting off further negotiations until after the election.
Notice how obama, once again, has reneged on the pledge not to tie tax increases to the sequester.
The man cannot or will not negotiate on good faith. He cannot be trusted. I suppose you could say he's a liar.
Now he's attempting to intimidate republicans by using scare tactics.
I say let the sequester happen. Let obama own it. Let him decide where the cuts will be made.
This should be a no-brainer for the republicans. An easy victory if they don't puss out.
Crassus| 2.27.13 @ 9:20AM
A battle of wits between unarmed opponents.
LarryK| 2.27.13 @ 9:22AM
"Ellison is a buffoon but " Stop after the but!
mnman81| 2.27.13 @ 10:51AM
I don't know if this phrase originated with Rush Limbaugh or not, but he once said, "When you argue with an idiot, it isn't long before people can't tell the difference." If there's a bigger POS in Congress than Keith Ellison, I can't think of one - and that's really saying something. I'm ashamed that he's from my home state, but at least I can say he's not from my district. He behaved like a four-year-old.
George S| 2.27.13 @ 10:59AM
You watched the interview. Hannity's advertisers noticed you watching the interview. Hannity can now charge them a little more because you watched the interview. Hannity will sleep a little better knowing that he has less to financially worry about since you watched the interview.
That's what it's all about in the world of political commentary. Nothing more.
Redfray | 2.27.13 @ 11:56AM
The ratings may have gone up, but you can't say we didn't learn something from this haggle. Lying is the most honorable talent these political people have. With the congressman having ties to the lying religion, and methods of debating from the dominant race, how else would you expect him to act? Sure he has a loyal constituency, just because it's a brotherhood. His brotherhood will never go against it's own kind, even if it kills them.