David Frum, trying harder than usual to alienate himself from the derangement of his party, suggests a thought experiment to determine which conservative "entertainers" actually believe the lunacy they peddle:
Suppose an agent arrived in the offices of Limbaugh/Beck/Hannity/O’Reilly etc. with an offer. “I can guarantee you a deal that will pay you twice as much - bring you twice as much fame - and extend your career twice as long - if you’d say the exact opposite of what you are saying now.” Which of them would sign?
Frum's guesses:
My nominations: O’Reilly accepts for sure. Beck likewise almost certainly says yes. Limbaugh would want to think it over, but would ultimately say no. Mark Levin: certainly not. Sean Hannity would need the offer explained a few times. Ann Coulter - that one puzzles me - but probably no. Roger Ailes? Do you even need to ask?
For my part, I'm not nearly so convinced of Beck, as his particular form of derangement suggests biological rather than commercial origins. And I'd put Coulter, whose every breath reeks of cynical opportunism, at the top of the "yes" list.
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COMMENTS (6)
Let's try this over in The Spine. I'll kick in a couple of bucks.
; o )
gw
Let's try this over in The Spine. I'll kick in a couple of bucks.
; o )
gw
Scarborough would probably say no, but then to be fair he's not a loony, in general.
With Beck it's a toss-up, I think. Agree on Coulter.
Scarborough would probably say no, but then to be fair he's not a loony, in general.
With Beck it's a toss-up, I think. Agree on Coulter.
Sean Hannity would need the offer explained a few times.
Now that is funny.
Sean Hannity would need the offer explained a few times.
Now that is funny.
"Sorting the Liars from the Loonies"
you would have a hard time sorting George from Walton.
One of them is a loony and the other a liar. Take your pick which is which.
"Sorting the Liars from the Loonies"
you would have a hard time sorting George from Walton.
One of them is a loony and the other a liar. Take your pick which is which.
Savage would also take that in a heart beat. He's insane, but his able to channel his madness into his wallet, which is probably a virtue, or at least is not frowned upon.
I'd say Beck definitely no, Coulter a real maybe because she thrives on hatred, so that's a tough trade off for her to work out, Limbaugh no given that such an offer would be at odds with his station at the center of the universe and so couldn't exist, Hannity would have to find an authority figure to give him say-so, Malkin, Dobbs & Ailes, fuggetabouit.
Regardless of their sincerity or lack-thereof, these people are not so much leaders of this movement as exploiters of it. There is no one that exercises control here, ju ... view full comment
Savage would also take that in a heart beat. He's insane, but his able to channel his madness into his wallet, which is probably a virtue, or at least is not frowned upon.
I'd say Beck definitely no, Coulter a real maybe because she thrives on hatred, so that's a tough trade off for her to work out, Limbaugh no given that such an offer would be at odds with his station at the center of the universe and so couldn't exist, Hannity would have to find an authority figure to give him say-so, Malkin, Dobbs & Ailes, fuggetabouit.
Regardless of their sincerity or lack-thereof, these people are not so much leaders of this movement as exploiters of it. There is no one that exercises control here, just as the Red Guard, once the forces were set in motion, were also an irresistible force. This type of thing only ends when it has played itself out.
I agree on Coulter, and I also don't believe this is a hypothetical. Given sufficient time, I believe the odds approach 100 percent that Coulter will pull a Huffington and simply redefine or rechannel her hatred.
I agree on Coulter, and I also don't believe this is a hypothetical. Given sufficient time, I believe the odds approach 100 percent that Coulter will pull a Huffington and simply redefine or rechannel her hatred.