PunditFight's blog

Michelle Malkin considers this possibly her favourite sign - "Still one of my favorite signs from all the Tea Party protests so far — simple, clear, non-partisan, positive, and fundamental"
http://michellemalkin.com/2009/04/06/get-ready-for-the-anti-tea-party-sa...

A dapper Marc Maron holds a sign at a Tea Party rally

Via one of my fave comedy blogs
http://thecomicscomic.typepad.com/thecomicscomic/2009/03/my-damn-channel...
Follow the link for the full post with Video snippet
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Say the word "Trio" and you'll think of many things (but probably not about the short-lived cable network), which is why when I tell you about "Pilot Season," you'll maybe think of a real thing that happens in Hollywood each winter/spring, but you're not likely to think of the documentary that Trio did about that real-life thing, and definitely not going to say, hey, wasn't there an improvised comedy about that real thing? (Unless you are a comedy nerd to the nerd power, or knew these people personally) Before NBC Universal acquired and terminated the Trio network, the channel was perhaps best known for celebrating TV pilots and programs that didn't get their due in Brilliant But Cancelled. In 2004, Sam Seder (who now co-hosts a daily online show with Marc Maron) wrote, directed and starred in Pilot Season, a six-episode mockumentary about actors and actresses going through the TV pilot process. The cast included -- are you ready for this -- Sarah Silverman, David Cross, Jon Benjamin, Isla Fisher, Andy Dick, Matt Besser, Ross Brockley, Laura Krafft, Marc Maron, Matt Price, Laura Silverman, Brendon Small and David Waterman. And now, "8 years later," My Damn Channel is giving us another look at Pilot Season...
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Jonathan Krohn defining Conservatism

I personally never understood "Principle not policy". To me that's like saying "forget how i govern just look at how I campaign". Or moreover "forget about governing".

That's always been the fascinating thing about some pundits, you could probably include parties in the minority - The luxury of remaining ideologically pure and steadfast in rhetoric when you know you'll never really have to test it against reality.

Ann Coulter has a new book out - Guilty: Liberal "Victims" and Their Assault on America. In case you're wondering she is wearing her patented black dress for the cover once again.

As with every Ann Coulter book tour, controversy is following her. Though most would the controversy is brilliantly orchestrated to follow her. On this occasion the controversy was not created by specific outrageous passages in the new book but an apparent lifetime snubbing from NBC as reported by the Drudge Report.

I've gone in detail how Ann Coulter, is the top villain in punditry. Just like a classic wrestling heel, she loves being hated and knows how to push the right buttons.

Bill O'Reilly is arguably one of the few people higher than Ann in the profile and ego totem pole. It made for an interesting dynamic when Ann made an appearance on the 'O'Reilly Factor'.

Bill the "proud independent" played a mild scold to Ann. Bill has offered advice to Ann in the past, suggesting she should not be so intentionally provocative if she wants to be taken seriously. A ploy that serves his interests as it throws critics who consider Bill a provocateur off the scent.

Bill butters Ann up a with compliment quickly followed with advice:
"The best part of the book is the Palin analysis when the press went after her... this is good information I can use but then you had a part in the book [where you defame a celebrity]... do you need that or can you just do it with the other stuff that really snaps..."

In a later exchange, Bill attempts to offer advice by using popular conservative author Bernie Goldberg as a surrogate. Ann cleverly retorts "my general policy is to take advice from people who sell more books than me not fewer books...". Bill O'Reilly, not one to miss an opportunity to big note himself replies with "You would take advice from me then?". Simply brilliant.

It is engrossing video. First seeing a "red faced" Matt Lauer awkwardly challenge an emboldened Ann Coulter. Then seeing 'super ego' Bill O'Reilly condescend to the suddenly defensive but nonetheless proud Ann Coulter.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
As a gift I present to you a Maron Collage. This was originally for a print thing that didn't pan out. Made a few changes and now you can wallpaper it.

Before we get to the art, some thoughts.

It's been two years. It's hard to believe isn't it? There is certainly a sweeping sense of emotion worldwide for this milestone. Part of it is its significance as far as American race relations. Part of it a catharsis from those wanting a change from the Bush years. And part of it is the sentimentality that the campaign effectively tapped into.

My hope for this new president is that people who became engaged in politics for the first time and were rejuvenated by Barack's candidacy remain engaged and take the new administration to task when necessary. Barack has undoubtedly transcended politics. Becoming an icon, a symbolic President. There is a danger that people will be detached and overlook malfeasance etc... the same way some Bush supporters might have dismissed criticism by saying "How could that be? He is a good Christian man". I hope this translates to a deeper understanding of politics and the issues as well as a dialogue on the significance of Government and not just the notion of a having a "cool" President.

It will be interesting to see how this all works out when the honeymoon is over. All signs point to an optimistic future - heck Maron's on board! That's saying something. Sam hmmmm?

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Below is a cross post from my blog.

A collection of PunditFight art encapsulating the entire Presidential campaign season. From the primaries starting in Iowa, the three Presidential debates, the Vice Presidential debate and the General Election.

Some Handy links looking back at the Election Season:
- View all the Art of the Primary PPV Posters
- Relive the struggle Between Hillary Clinton and Obama in the Democratic Primary
- Watch the main event between Barack Obama and John McCain
- Watch the rise and influence of Saturday Night Live
- Watch the entertaining sub plot involving the Vice Presidential candidates Sarah Palin and Joe Biden

It's a little hack, but it's sort of what I do.
Still in progress, will do a write up of some of the conservative defections which i figure will factor into the debate. Obama has some ammunition, ready made counter attacks.
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The 3rd and final Presidential debate between Barack Obama (D) and John McCain (R) will be contested at Hofstra University, New York. It will be held on Wednesday October 15th and moderated by CBS News' Bob Schieffer.

The issue that dominates the news entering into this debate and tipped to remain the frontburner issue for the incoming President remains the economy and the global financial crisis. The other main storyline entering into this final debate is the McCain camps' pressing of Barack Obama's association with 60's domestic terrorist William Ayers. This was a prominent storyline entering into the previous Town Hall debate however McCain supporters were puzzled and frustrated by McCain's failure to inject it into the discussion. Joe Biden and Barack Obama have challenged McCain to be a man and air those grievances "by looking him in the eye and saying it" to Obama's face.

It's the 3rd debate. There are two highly anticipated subjects on the board. The serious implications of Global Financial crisis - "Wall Street and Main Street" and the elephant in the room - "William Ayers".
Without further adieu...

Will John McCain, Barack Obama or Moderator Bob Schieffer inject William Ayers into the debate?

or will it remain focused on the American Economy and the Global financial crisis as with the first 2 debates?

Just wanted to know what you guys thought of Rachel Maddow's new show on MSNBC? What have you guys heard from other people?
The read I'm getting is that people are liking Rachel's new show and it may/will start and continue to surpass Keith Olbermann's show ratings wise and become the premiere MSNBC political show.
KO having lost some stock from his ego stoushes with Matthews during the conventions and the staleness and silliness of the O'Reilly feud.
This is an anecdotal read from a quick look at certain forums. What do you guys think?

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Sam Seder is a liberal talker with a great following on the left blogosphere. He is a pioneer when it comes to integrating and mobilising the online progressive community using the radio medium. He is credited for elevating prominent liberal bloggers like Markos Moulitsas (Founder of The Daily KOs), Atrios, and Digby amongst many others by giving them a regular platform on his show.

During the 2006 midterm elections Sam hosted a weekly segment called 'The Fighting Dems'. Organised with Markos, the segment profiled a range of Military Vets running for office as Democrats. Some candidates ran in Primaries challenging "less liberal" Democratic incumbents. The initiative helped propel military Democrats like Jim Webb into office. Sam was arguably the first national broadcaster to spotlight Senator Webb.

Whilst Sam has enjoyed great support from his audience, he has had a tumultuous career as a talker. He has had 3 different shows on AirAmerica ('The Majority Report', 'The Sam Seder Show' and 'Seder on Sundays') with talks of a fourth. It's possibly attributed to his outspokeness - he's been suspended for calling out a stablemate and received some grief over an on-air feud with a prominent liberal talker. Perhaps it could be something else entirely, The Boston Globe did see it fit to title it's feature profile of Sam "Failure is an option".

In our conversation we discuss the differences between the Liberal and Conservative infrastructure (ThinkTanks/ Talk radio/ Blogosphere). We Talk about the price of being outspoken and his opinion of conservative talkers Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity.

Enjoy!

A list of notable Sam Seder posts
1) Sam dissects Conservative talkers John Gibson and Armstong Williams (updated: broken links resolved)
2) Sam dissects Conservative talkers Michael Medved and Michael Savage (updated: broken links resolved)
3) Funny segment that involves Rush Limbaugh and regular caller 'Dewey'
4) Sam Seder on Maureen Dowd and the mainstream media

--Sam on the turbulence in Progressive talk and his own career--
I started my radio career at Air America, that creates some difficulty in and of itself. That whole Ed Schultz thing was blown way out of proportion. I don't think it's helped me in any way. Across the board progressive talk radio is having some growth problems and part of that is a function of the industry as a whole. They don't recognise it as a distinct format. Frankly the industry as a whole has larger problems than progressive talk.

--Sam on how his experience at Air America has helped him understand party politics--
There have been times in the past at Air America where people's assumptions as to why certain things were done. My losing my morning show for example or Maron losing his show. They project (pause) that dynamic of hearing what the audience thinks is happening behind the scenes. It's given me insight in the way that I as an outsider can see what is going on in the Bush Administration. There's been times where people have sent me emails about conspiracy theories that are taking place in Air America. Sometimes the conjecture isn't necessarily irrational, when people deeply care about an institution, whether it's Air America or the US government, and it's not being responsive to them in some way. They are left to their own devices in terms of creating a narrative to explain it.

--Sam on Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh and the conservative audience--
I don't know what their (Rush and Sean's) perception of reality is because I only know them [from what I hear]. I've met Hannity a couple of times off the show but he seems like as much of a nutball as he does on his show. I don't know the way they perceive reality. They espouse, I don't know that I would really call it a philosophy as I don't think it reaches that bar. There mouthpieces to a certain extent. Hannity is just lame, he's literally almost by definition a 'tool'.

Limbaugh I think has created a worldview that sells. If you want to create a strong and loyal audience it's a smart one. It's preying on his audiences' desire not to have such doubt in their life. It's really not that different in terms of dynamic to say Scientology or any other so-called philosophy that gives you answers and makes it easier for you. You listen to Limbaugh and anytime you're having a dilemma. It's resolved for you very simply and always in a way that makes "You" the winner because everybody else by definition is wrong and that is essentially the conservative ideology. That is why they're going to do so well in the role of the opposition...

I think Limbaugh is good at what he does, it's a very easy formula. If you look in the paper and you start with the assumption that anything you see or read that you don't do or experience on a regular basis is wrong. You'll find it's very easy because everything becomes a story...

Read full transcripts of the Sam Seder interview here