Posted on 10/22/2006 4:07:27 AM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest
On last night's Fox News Watch, Cal Thomas offered critical assessments of the independence of two of his fellow conservative commentators. Even while acknowledging that the two top-rated talkers have recently made comments critical of the administration, he suggested that, by and large, the pair lack political autonomy.
In the context of a discussion of President Bush's efforts to shore up support among conservative radio talk show personalities, Thomas stated:
"Even Rush Limbaugh, who is seen as being in the pocket of the administration, has been critical of Republicans not being more like Republicans."
And:
"Sean Hannity, recently - though he's pretty much a cheerleader for the Republican party - has said a few critical things, so it's not all 100% in lock step from all of them."
So, how do readers here score Cal's comments?
Personally, I give him a hit and a miss. When it comes to Hannity, I've often observed that his show too often has the ring of a recitation of RNC talking points.
But I disagree with Thomas's assessement of Rush. As a conservative, Rush will naturally tend to support a Republican, and generally conservative, administration. But I believe Rush's genius, and that which has put him at the top of the pops for coming on two decades, is his independence of mind. Limbaugh often speaksof the way he has followed his own instincts. When a big issue breaks, I am curious to get Rush's take precisely because it is often unpredictable.
Your thoughts?
Finkelstein lives in the liberal haven of Ithaca, NY. Webcasts and podcasts of Mark's award-winning TV show 'Right Angle' are available here. Contact Mark at mark@gunhill.net
Fox News Watch/NewsBusters caustic-Cal ping to Today show list.
Rush is obviously pro-Republican, as Thomas is; but he's got a sense of humor and an original point of view that Cal the cantankerous old fart would kill to have.
Mary Mapes is calling you Cal!
Overall, I think Hannity has more enthusiasm than brains -- he does have a "talking points" style!
I think Rush says what he thinks. What does Cal want (usually I like him)? Someone like McCain or all those Republican wimps who scurry to distance themselves from Bush when his poll numbers are down? Gingrich's rather disgraceful lapses of "distinguishing" himself from the Republicans?
Rush disagrees with Bush on some things (though mostly he's inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt), but he usually doesn't dwell long on those things -- no doubt he thinks (accurately) that the MSM is doing a fine job of criticizing (read: bashing) Bush without his help.
I disagree, partially. I like Rush. But ... the true Conservatives in his audience forced him to admit that the Republican leadership, and President Bush, were lacking BIG TIME on many of the issues. He HAD to admit we were correct and starting addressing the facts, instead of doing cover work, otherwise, he was going to lose a large segment of his audience.
Normally Cal Thomas doesn't say something, then in the same breath, cancel it out with CYA qualifiers. Like he did this week. Of late, FOX Newswatch is a disappointment. It doesn't cover the most important media blunders and it isn't especially informative. Too bad.
As for Rush? I'm always amazed at how he gets to the next layer in analyzing an event and explains it to the rest of us. He's our best teacher.
Sean. I'm totally grateful to Sean for traveling round the country to use his popularity for conservative candidates. He's fabulous in "walking the walk". He's our best cheerleader
I recall Rush was against the whatshername, Mires i think, nomination for Supreme Court, opposite Bush.
He was pro Ports Deal, while Hannity was against it.
Frankly, I don't care what they're "seen as," especially inside the Beltway. The ironic thing is that once someone starts worrying about how they're "seen," they lose at least a bit of independence. Both Hannity and Rush should do what they believe is right, regardless of what anyone thinks.
Just my opinion. :-)
Sean Hannity is more independent when he has a chance to speak his mind.
But I think ABC produces a show that is rigidly formatted with guests and such that make his show come off as talking points.
As for Rush, he has a mind but sometimes I get the impression that Mary Matalin phoned, e-mailed or faxed the latest talking points for him to repeat.
The Republican Party feels it can't win elections without getting liberal, "moderate" money and grassroots conservative support.
The administration says what we want to hear at election time and then does something else. Even foreign policy is a tough talk with weaker more diplomatic action type affair.
Diplomacy is being used a lot more than people realize in Iraq with Syria being talked to by the United States as opposed to any thought of using military force against Syria or the Iranians (who have a lot of sympathizers in Iraq).
Considering that both fuel the "insurgency" it would make sense to use military power against both.
Rush and Sean can be both straight talkers and repeat talking points but I wonder if either has the time to sit back and analyze what's really happening under the radar screen.
They report the flood of current events generated by both parties in the days leading up to the election but might miss what's really going on behind the scenes.
I read and reread Thomas's remark about Rush and failed to see anything attacking him. He states "Rush is seen as being in the pocket of the Administration". He does not state that he is. He is pretty close on the call, concerning Hannity (as are comments by other posters on this thread).
I will continue to watch and enjoy Cal Thomas, as I always have.
I think that both Rush AND Cal, like all of us, will pick the lesser of two evils.
They simply have a clear insight as to how well those choice will serve their own personal agenda, which is similar to every patriotic conservative.
How does Rush Limbaugh stand on Lincoln Chafe? Does anyone know? I think his views on this race would be more revealing than the general contest. I one is trying to discern what Rush's personal agenda is, then his opinion here would be more indicative about what motivates his thinking.
I like Cal Thomas - he's one of our top thinkers.
David, I agree, I think the headline of this post is NOT supported by the article and I saw this live on Fox, and didn't get any "negative vibes" from Cal's comments. In fact the opposite, he was on target. I personally don't have problems with Rush or Sean supporting Republicans, most of the time. In fact that's why I listen to them.
I saw the program and Cal was speaking in the context of why the leftist Air America radio program failed. My impression was that he was favorably contrasting conservative talk radio with liberal talk radio and why the latter inevitably fails.
I listen to Rush and he's often criticized Bush when he thinks he's wrong -- Dubai, illegal immigration, Medicare prescription drug entitlement, spending.
To borrow a description, he's not a mind-numbed robot!
Cal misses what Rush says about himself. ie He is equal time.
I don't like Hannity. He's mouthy and conceited in his views, to the point of being as nasty as a leaning over the left liberal, very irritating. He is very rude, and needs to be taken down a dozen pegs. I have come to like Bob Beckel much more than I do Hannity.... Beckel doesn't spew vileness, he acts like a gentleman, and is pleasant! I have been looking for a place to say this.
Rush I have always liked. I think he is his own guy, very funny, uses absurdity to get points across.
Michael is the most important Democrat shill out there.. telling Conservatives not to vote and acting hateful and crazy.. its just aweful.
I agree with Cal. However, he overlooked number 3 on the charts of top conservative talk show hosts -- Mike Savage! Rush and Sean are sissies compared to Savage. But because Savage has been blacklisted by Fox, Cal has to pretend that Savage does not exist. Maybe Fox should take a second look at their "fair and balanced" motto!
Shame on Cal Thomas. I don't recall Rush or Sean ever mentioning him, so why does he feel the need to disparage what they do? I think less of him after reading this. It makes him sound small and jealous of Rush and Sean.
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