Paul Krugman vs. Bill O'Reily on Russert Tonight.

[newdealer]

It was hard to watch, but it was a condensed version of the political discourse in the media. There sat Krugman, full of facts, references, trying to act civil, while O'Riely bullied, dismissed facts, avoided the issues, and came out looking like he won the debate. AND THAT"S THE KEY:
He LOOKED like he won the debate.

The strategy of O'Riely and that whole media gang is to come into a debate, and instead of addressing the questions, they spout off indignities. The secret of this strategy is if you engage them on their level of discourse, it deteriorates to a loud argument, name-calling, and none of the issues are addressed. At Times, Krugman just said that it is impossible to have a debate with O'Reily. And it is true. O'Riely accuses people of character assassination, while assassinating their character. He dismissed every source Krugman offered as left-wing wacko sources. There was no debate, there was O'Rielly being the loud-mouth bully, and Krugman unable to make one point without it being dismissed by O'Rielly as left-wing hogwash.

A depressing show.

[gmoney]

1. Repeat from last week?

Wasn't fair seating Krugman next to the physically imposing O'Reilly who kept waving his arms around... he probably has a foot and 50 pounds on Krugman. Guess that's why he so quickly resorts to bullying...

[jpgray]

2. Emotional bully versus soft-spoken academic

Not the best match up. I would like to see O'Reilly vs. Cuomo or Krugman vs. Kristol/Brooks so that at least the odds are a little less stacked--O'Reilly couldn't talk over Cuomo, and Kristol or Brooks don't use Reilly's "shut up" tactics. Plus we would win each. :D

[dorktv]

7. The thing is, Krugman is very polite. I noticed that.

And he did what I love, provided back up data. O'Reilly needs to have people like Moore, and Franken go up against him, they can outshout him. I do not understand is why we should be 'better' and not 'sink to their level.' That is silly, when confronting a bully you hit back twice as hard. So if Bill O'Reilly wants to yell lies, one should yell back: You lie! And here is the proof, and where to get it! NO YOU SHUT UP! I have facts and where to get them to back me up!

[iwantmycountryback]

13. Krugman basically schooled the guy

It was great at one point O'Leilly was rambling on about some bullshit and Krugman's sitting there with his head tilted toward the ceiling, like what the fuck is wrong with this guy? Absolute gold when O'Dumbass tries to defend the Florida Recount and Krugman just whips out that AP thing. Gold.

[Sweatynipples]

3. .

I agree, it was very hard to watch. At times I thought O'Riely was seriously going to hit Krugman in the face. I also can't believe he compared mediamatter.org to the KKK.

[lapfog_1]

4. Krugman looked totally surprised

at the attack O'liely launched, complete with schoolyard bully
invectives and body language. Bill looked like he wanted to
get into a fistfight with Paul. Paul looked so surprised that
at one point he seemed want to either cry to leave.

It would be much better to have O'liely "debate" Carville. It might
actually turn into a fistfight... and O'liely would show us the
true cowardice which at the heart of every bully.

[Syrinx]

5. you nailed it

And that's all I got to say about that. :)

[Jim Sagle]

6. Krugman sliced and diced O'Reilly. As O'Reilly bloviated, Krugman kept

giving the camera a look that said, "This guy next to me is a fucking loony."

[the Kelly Gang]

8. quit simply..everyone should refuse to go on his show

[radiclib]

9. Little Russ let it happen

If Russert were any kind of "moderator", he would not have allowed O'Reilly's outrageous tactics. Instead, he just sat there with a buffoonish grin on his face. He should have brought popcorn. What a disgrace.

[SeekingTruth]

10. Anyone have Russert's email? Let's find and send him one..

Anyone have Russert's email?

Or for that matter, does anyone know of a site that has the contact emails for most television news people?

[ribrepin]

11. Yeah, I want to send CNBC an E-mail

I tried and they keep getting bounced back. Russet's e-mail would do as well. I'll send them both critique of the Program. Anyone?

[volosong]

14. I JUST SENT RUSSERT THIS FOLLOWING MESSAGE

Go here and Russert will get your message:

http://congress.org/congressorg/mail/compose/



I told him very nicely that when guests like O'Reilly get verbal diarrhea and are out of control that he should grab the biggest stapler and terminate the noise pollution. If a stapler is unavailable a bull pole will suffice.

[Morgana]

15. ... or Duct Tape

Good for you, Volosong.

Perhaps some of the people who ran out to buy duct tape at Tom Ridge's suggestion could use it for ranters such as O'Reilly!

[teglin_dem]

12. bill oreilly

is a idiot. He this he is entertaining but he is not.