The Alternate Universe Of Conservative Pundits

[JABBS]

On yesterday's edition of Fox News Sunday, conservative pundits Charles Krauthammer and Bill Kristol labeled Democrats who oppose the transfer of six U.S. ports to a United Arab Emirates-owned company "demagogues," but refused to criticize like-minded Republicans.

Kristol added that Democrats were "idiots" for the way they are handling the issue. Krauthammer suggested Democrats were pursuing the issue because they were too naive to make a distinction between "moderate" Arab countries and unfriendly Arab countries.

But even when prompted on the subject, both Krauthammer and Kristol refused to criticize Republicans opposing the transfer. In their alternate universe, the debate over the port transfers is between Congressional Democrats and the Bush Administration.

This hypocritical stance has become a regular spin line for conservative pundits.

On Fox News Channel's Hannity & Colmes last week, host Sean Hannity questioned Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) as to why he was opposing the port transfer -- not on the merits of the argument, but because it created an opening for the "Clinton, Schumer, Kerry Democrats" to loudly oppose the deal.

Meanwhile, syndicated radio host Laura Ingraham last week discussed at length how Democrats were being opportunists, only concerned with improving their collective chances during mid-term elections this November.

This is what passes for "debating the issue" among the conservative media. If Congressional Democrats and Republicans agree to oppose the Bush Administration, Democrats are wrong. Republicans? Nothing to see here ... nothing to see.

***

This item first appeared at JABBS.

[zbdent]

1. Read an interesting blurb in a 1997 "Parade Magazine" Q and A

over the weekend.

The letter asked about Krauthammer's incident which left him wheelchair-bound.

The response pointed out that Krauthammer was left in that condition after he dove into a hotel pool off a "springboard" and hit the bottom of the pool.

The interesting part of the story was that this act by CK resulted in him successfully suing the hotel for $1Million . . . boy, that "personal responsibility" really kicks in for repukes, doesn't it? And the "frivolous lawsuit" stuff, too, . . .

[underpants]

2. Since when does anything the Dems say or do even register?

I'm sorry weren't the mics cut off at one hearing?
Haven't the Dems had to have TWO hearings (elections and Plame) in the basement of the Capital?
Isn't every single push by the Dems disregarded from the beginning by ALL pundits?
Didn't millions march in the streets to only have "thousands" mentioned in a 10 second news blurb?

The Dems can do and say all they want. None of this got any attention until a Republican or two popped their head up and mentioned how dumb this sounded.

They are basically trying to (for some reason) pull out the Schiavo playbook again and create mythical opposition to a make believe issue.

[JABBS]

3. even if the dems did something right

you know krauthammer and kristol would mischaracterize it. party before country is their credo.