The McLaughlin Group: Conservatives Love <strike>Authoritarians</strike> Imperialists
By Nicole Belle Saturday Oct 06, 2007 9:30pm
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Download | play (h/t Heather)
I admit that I don't watch The McLaughlin Group very much. The constant screaming over each other makes it hard for me to understand anyone's point and frankly, reminds me a little too much of dinners at my house when I was a teenager. But every once in a while, you'll get an unintended revelation that just proves once again, that our punditocracy are just bloomin' idiots.
In discussing that few Iowans appear to be warming up to Romney, largely because they have issues with his Mormonism, host John McLaughlin insists that Romney must make a speech à la John Kennedy that his faith will not influence his politics. However, Washington Times' Tony Blankley just thinks that Romney hasn't given Republicans a reason to vote for him. The funny exchange is at the end:
Blankley: He hasn't yet shown an ability, religion aside, to be a competitive candidate.
McLaughlin: Look Americans -- particularly Republicans like you [referring to Blankley] -- they love authoritarianism.
Blankley: I don't love authoritarianism. Even though I love you, John.
McLaughlin: Keep quiet now. They don't want a President. They want an imperialist.
That sums up the Republican party in a nutshell, dunnit?
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That sums up the Republican party in a nutshell, dunnit?
100,000%
Even though this show is little more than TV version of a barroom brawl, it's worth it occasionally to hear John call out moronic syncophants like Tony Blankley.
I'd love to see a video of that.
Yep, and the bloodier, the better.
When you look at how Rome evolved from a Republic to an Empire, particularly with respect to the relationship between the Senate and the Emperor, the parallels are there.
They want a daddy.
Yes it does sum it up. They want America to set up the conditions for the second coming and the rapture. Seriously.
Actually, many Iowans have a thing against Mormons. It has to do with their migration across the State, way back when and some of their 'activities' while crossing.
Says someone from Iowa and family grew up near Navoou, Ill (the Mormon origin).
[...] You can read the rest of this blog post by going to the original source, here [...]
Why rip on mchlaughlin group nicole? It's one of the few pundit shows I enjoy watching, even though it is a bit freestyle.
I remember when Kyle Bravlofski's little brother Ike was watching "The McLaughlin Group" once... That was the first time I'd "seen" it...yuk.
The only thing I can say regarding Tony Blankley: too bad the name doughy pantload is already taken.
And the Dem candidates are so much different.
Barack Obama
"Pray that I can become an instrument of God..."
"We can create Kingdom on Earth..."
Imagine for one second the liberal reaction if Romney actually said something like that. Or any Republican candidate.
Aw, Buchanan hearts Hillary.
dennis @ 13:
"Sometimes this is a difficult road being in politics," Obama said. "Sometimes you can become fearful, sometimes you can become vain, sometimes you can seek power just for power's sake instead of because you want to do service to God. I just want all of you to pray that I can be an instrument of God in the same way that Pastor Ron and all of you are instruments of God."
He finished his brief remarks by saying, "We're going to keep on praising together. I am confident that we can create a Kingdom right here on Earth."
Asked by CNN if he talks about faith more in churchgoing South Carolina than he does in the other early voting states of Iowa and New Hampshire, Obama said: "I don't talk about it all the time, but when I'm in church I talk about it."
if you want to troll...at least post the entirety of the quotes
obama says that he talks about faith in church...and that is where it belongs
i remember when the mclaughlin group was the only really partisan vs partisan show on tv...and thanks to john, it was always a bit tongue in cheek
i dont think he likes what has happened to his party either
dennis @ 13:
Well, at least our candidates don't hear a god, or any other imaginary voices, talking to them. And at least we wouldn't take our candidates seriously if they did.
uncle joe mccarthy @ 15:
Seriously, uncle joe. Tell me if Romney had said that, even in the same context, how would it be protrayed in the media? On liberal blogs? Tell me there wouldn't be a firestorm with only those words repeated a thousand times.
I surprised you don't have more from the McLaughlin Group, who posts their transcript on Tuesday and a podcast and video later in the week. What's I've noticed over the last couple of years is how much McLaughlin has come over to Eleanor's point of view; he really despises what Bush has done to his party. Even Buchanan is agreeing with her more, and while he might have drawn some flack last week for saying that the Republicans shouldn't make time for blacks because the blacks aren't going to vote for them, that doesn't mean he wasn't spot on in that assessement. Blankley is increasingly isolated in his rightwing position and he sounds increasingly insane.
Otay @ 17:
Democratic candidates don't pray to the god of hubris and deceit like the current occupant of the White House does, Dennis. And they don't going around preaching that the US should be a "Christian" nation like your gutless wonder candidate Mc Cain does.
Otay @ 17:
When Hillary is the Dem candidate for President, when there is no viable third-party candidate, and you hate the Republican candidate, how will you then take her seriously when you know she claimed she "“connected,” or “conversed” in a way, with deceased historical figures, namely Eleanor Roosevelt?
That will be tough for you, I know.
dennis @ 18:
if you take the quotes into context, then what is wrong with saying you would be an instrument of god, like the other parishiners (basically saying that they are having a positive impact upon the world) and saying that praise will build a kingdom here on earth.
these are positive statements...and if repugs did this, i would be fine with it
add to the fact that obama states the he speaks in this way only in church, where it belongs.
i wish the repugs would speak that way, instead of bringing god onto the campaign trail.
but keep it up chuckie
now you guys wanna rip obama for being too religious....its just too funny
accept it...in 08, you are out of power
you are done...finished...through
and sanity will again rule the world
and you can all spend your time calling el druggo, lufa boy and hannity and whining how the dems are destroying the white race
Tony Blankley is such a sharp dresser though, and that swooped sort of hair thing he has going. Oh sorry, not to take away from the substance (sick) of what he's saying, but I couldn't help it...I guess it's like his ilk commenting on Hillary and her many colored outfits, her cleavage, and her laugh. Yeah that sort of diminishing of what she's saying by directing attention to superficial things. Eh, maybe he had nothing of substance to say...never mind then.
When I hear of Hillary (or any other Dem) saying that Eleanor Roosevelt told her to attack Iran, then I'll start worrying.
But don't worry, it's not going to happen. We Dems don't nominate the insane, whether it be god-whisperers, or cross-dressers heroically imagining they were at ground zero more than the rescue workers, like the Repubs apparently do.
I'm glad Romney is experiencing the religious bigotry of the GOP primary voters first hand.
I would like to know if the Repugs ever think of their candidates as perfectly suited to be a Roman emperor? With blue-blood family connections, delusions of being connected on a T1 line with god, conviction of carrying out god's plans, and behavior perfectly suited to the lead-imbibing idiosyncrasies of a Nero or maybe even a Caligula, I would have to say they are very nearly a perfect rendition.
dennis @ 21:
At least I won't be voting for a failed platform, pretending the whole thing wasn't a "big lie".
Yuk it up now troll, your party imploded and hopefully has gone the way of the Wigs.
What's next, trying to convince us torture works?
BTW there dennis,
Not likely she's going to get it no matter how much clowns like you keep pushing her on us.
We don't like her.
And all that money? Not from us.
You sure would like us to elect her though, wouldn't you?
Dream on.
"...constant screaming over each other..."
Actually it seems quaintly civil compared to what passes for discourse on the cabloid channels.
Iowans only care if he is WHITE. If they had to chose between a white guy who was Muslim and a black man that was Christian, Iowa Repukes would choose the white guy. Matter of fact all Republicans would choose the white guy regardless his religion or so called closet sexual preference.
Poor sad dennis, caught in perpetual stutter. But but but Hillary Hillary Hillary, no but but but Bill Bill Bill, wait but but but Obama.....
The McLaughlin Group kicks ass. The thing that makes the group interesting is that almost everyone on the show will defer to logic and will admit defeat if they have been beat. You remember debate class? When you lost you had to admit it.
These days people like Hannity get their asses handed to them and they they start screaming about the troops or (fill in the blank) For the most part people on this show are intellectually honest whatever side they are on.. and that is really refreshing IMO..
I've watched McLaughlin for years, big fan, love the show. Eleanore is swellinore! :D
I think the point is that McLauglin doesn't side with neo-cons. He doesn't want an imperialist and I think he has a low tolerance for the new GOP. Blankley is a complete sycophant...but he is also right. Religion aside, Romney hasn't shown the Republicans any legitimate reason to vote for him....except that he's not Giuliani.
Derek at 30:
Lucky you said "almost". Blankley fortunately has never been "beat" so there never was ever a need for him to concede. Never! Never!
Yelow Elephant Safari at 11: gets the bestest ever prize for the bestest ever comment on Tony Blankley.
Ah... Takes me back to the McLaughlin Group bits they did on SNL years ago with Dana Carvey playing John shouting "WRONG" to everything anyone had to say on the panel.
dennis @ 21:
If anyone should worry, it should be you... Seriously with those reading and comprehension skills I would actually pay money to see some of your high school lit reports regarding Shakespeare or any other literary production other than "My Pet Goat." I guess the whole concept of "figure of speech" did not made it to your formation before dropping out at the tender age of 10.
Tony Blankley, former associate of Newt Gingrich, is as annoying as they come. He wants his opinion to be considered as law! Instead of the gastric by-pass, he should have had his big mouth sewn up.
What noisy people--- anyway, this is one instance where American apathy, and narrow-minded insularity pay off. People don't know about Mormonism, and that's not good for Romney. Like me, all I know is they have mega-wives. believe in blood scarifice of virgins, and worship Satan at Hallowe'en.
I doubt it has anything to do with bigotry (lord-- no) among the GOP faithful, like that one guy mentioned.
Otay @ 17:
Otay,
Perhaps you forgot one of John Edwards' now famous arguments to a jury on behalf of a girl born with cerebral palsy, he claimed he was channeling an unborn baby girl, Jennifer Campbell, who was speaking to the jurors through him.
Make that two candidates now who hear imaginary voices you won't be taking seriously, according to your statement.
You know, I remember hating the McLaughlin Group about 10 years ago. Too much cross talk, too little progress.
But I've recently approached the show again lately and I think as Mr. McLaughlin has aged, things are just a little slower, a little more friendly. And he is still very, very sharp. Perhaps brilliant even (despite the standard joke of his silly "predictions" and fake authoritarian demeanor -- all in good fun). Still occasional cross-talk, but not for effect, like that turd of a CNN show. These people are really allowed to get into their positions. And there is the ever-present danger that John will call "bullshit" on whatever talking points Tony or whoever might be spouting, and just completely dress them down for it. They don't stand a chance (even Tony has learned to just roll over or look a fool). That is some good fun...
If you had the same reaction I did you may want to wander back and see if you can make it through an episode. At least every other one, there is some real gold there, IMO.
Edwin @ 38:
Dude, Romney was my Guv and he sucked.
Try again Repug troll.
Sorry Edwin, you are not a Repug, but that was a troll.
I could stand to listen for about 15 seconds. That's about as much screaming cross-talk that a normal person can endure.
Last Friday's McLaughlin Group was the lamest I have ever seen. First they discuss Guliani, then Romney. Talk about watching paint dry. I didn't stick around for any more. I was falling asleep.
Gotta agree with Proud Amer. Lib............This weekends show was about as lame as it can get. Bring back Lawrence O'Donnell or even Jack Germond (going way back now).
Romney can't give a Kennedy-esque speech because that speech was about his religion NOT determining his policy. The republican base wants to hear him say his religion WILL determine his policy. That's why they voted for Bush afterall.
Ouch! This show gives me a headache. Doesn't Tony Blankley work for the Moonies. Weren't (aren't) the Moonies considered a cult. Mass wedding services, with partners picked by a tax evading ruler. It's amazing that the Repug party not only will give anybody credibility, but will actually embrace their BS, just for the votes.
I see someone here gets his news from Coulter, the queen of loony toons.
Dennis, you won't win anyone over to your side by quoting a loon trying to make the case that one of her many hated enemies must be stranger than her.
Let's see evidence that Hillary's "connection with" Roosevelt is anything other than a strong empathy with the positions of (something that "connection with" means to normal people), and that Edwards actually thinks he "channeled" someone.
Or you may decide not to bother, if you were planning on popping up Coulter's "evidence", which is probably similar to the evidence she used in her Godless book to "show" that evolution is a vast liberal conspiracy.
I love the mclaughlin group. They really get to the nitty gritty most times. I love that they have a full spectrum of opinions and elenore does a great job not putting up with crap.
One thing I did learn of value is that Al Franken must be doing very, very well. Blankley used his exit statement to say how Franken's campaign is starting to implode due to high negatives, throwing in he's too NY and not enough Minnesotan. (Even McLaughlin seemed surprised that Blankley was going to the Franken vs. Coleman campaign, seeing as the Democratic primary hasn't happened yet).
That attack alone tells me Franken is a growing threat. Well done, Al!
The McLaughlin Group is AWESOME! It's like the Jerry Springer of politics (with a stronger vocabulary) Although... At times above the din, Pat Buchanan does seem rational. It frightens me.
No, Americans don't want an authoritarian President as the 2006 midterms illustrated. They want a President they can trust to make good decisions but one who will do it within the framework of the law and the Constitution. They also want a congress with the balls to stand up to the President when he tries to act outside the confines of power he is aloted.
Dahgrostab'ph-r-i @ 1:
Sums up the neo-conservatives (used to be democrats that have hijacked the republican party) and the duped people that support both democrats and republicans. It is a divide and conquer strategy, keep the people fighting about BS as long as the elite in both parties enjoy all the power. Wake up.
That's one of the best comedy shows on TV. McLaughlin is obviously always having fun running the circus of clowns and occasionally he slips in some clear-headed, cut-to-the-chase wisdom. I've always wanted to appear on that show just to yell: "I can yell louder than you! I Can Yell Louder Than You! I CAN YELL LOUDER THAN YOU! I CAN YELL LOUD THAN YOU!" over top every answer.
This clip was one of the worst examples of McLaughlin Group. Generally it is much more controlled, behavior wise. I generally like it and if I ever get TV again this and Washington Journal will be shows that I will try to watch.
[...] We’ve seen that the Liberal brain is more adaptive, open to new experiences and data, and, therefore, less authoritarian. If true Liberals, what does it say of conservatives and republicans, and their world view? John McLaughlin, of The McLaughlin Group, has some insight on the question, via CrooksandLiars.com: [...]
Yeah, no sound on this computer... if this is a bad example then my post above won't make much sense, I guess (whoops!).
Is the McLaughlin Group downloadable/streamable anywhere (legally, I mean)?
[...] Republicans Love Authoritarianism - On The McLaughlin Group, host John McLaughlin let the truth slip out: McLaughlin: “Look Americans — particularly Republicans like you — they love authoritarianism.” Blankley: “I don’t love authoritarianism. Even though I love you, John.” McLaughlin: “Keep quiet now. They don’t want a President. They want an imperialist.” [...]
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