Bill Kristol - "This story is not going away"
Sun Jun 19, 2005 at 09:50:38 AM PDT
Just finished watching Fox News Old Time Right-Wing Gospel Hour Sunday, where - surprise! - the fair and balanced panel did an extended hatched job on Durbin. For those wise enough to spend their Sunday mornings doing something relaxing or uplifting, I'll give you the break-down. Chris Wallace gives an overview of Durbin's remarks while the camera cuts repeatedly to Brit Hume looking like someone just murdered his cat...
You see, Brit needs you to feel his
outrage at these irresponsible historical allusions. That is, until it's Brit's time to spin. Because the first words out of his mouth are, "This is
big!" and what's that on his face if not a barely suppressed smirk of glee?* Brit admittedly thinks this is great for the Republican party! After the obligatory talking points:
- Stalin killed 20 million people!
- Hitler?!!
- These comments will get American men and women killed!
- Pol Pot didn't even like rap music!**
Brit goes on to explain that the propensity to care more about the enemy than American soldiers is basically a core Democratic value that will ensure a Republican rout come Nov. 2006.
Memo to Brit: If Team GOPUSA really believed Durbin's comments would get Americans killed and actually cared about that notion, perhaps they wouldn't be pulling out all the stops to make this story as loud and long-lived as possible. I mean, employing the Republican logic for a moment, if someone yells fire in a crowded theater, does one hand the person a megaphone and ask them to repeat themselves? Ad nauseum? But of course, Durbin's remarks are not the real story, which should read "Republicans See Excellent Framing Opportunity to Reverse Horrendous Poll Numbers"
After Mara Liasson spends ten seconds earning her Fox paycheck, Wallace kicks it over to Kristol, who proceeds to confirm my worst suspicions with this gem: "This story is not going away." Because you would never let it, would you Billy Boy?! That's how important it is to you that insurgents don't hear these apparently empowering comments! Kristol does his usual number - "I actually agree with the Democrats on one or two completely peripheral items. That's how you can tell I'm independent-minded! Now how about those idiot fucking Democrats?!"
Over to Juan Williams. Ah, and poor, poor Juan. I was rooting for him at first as he vaguely attempted to put words to two very simple soundbites:
- If the Republicans actually cared about the effect of these comments, they wouldn't be using all their powers to keep those comments in the public spotlight for as long as possible
- Your implied argument is that, so long as America doesn't descend to the point where direct comparisons can be made between ourselves and history's murderous rogues gallery, we're doing just fine.
Instead, Williams pussyfoots around and proceeds to have his ass handed to him by Hume and Kristol. At one point, Kristol even said that Juan isn't always a responsible journalist! To his face! This was actually the first time I've seen genuine rage on Juan Williams' face and I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if he quits between now and next Sunday.
Anyway, this diary is intended not only to break down the travesty I just witnessed but also to illustrate what I think are two perfectly great responses to any Republican who tries to come at you with the Durbin comments. There are, of course, much more substantial counter-arguments to be made, but in this age of K.I.S.S.***, I think these would be most effective.
* Not snark
**Snark
*** Not the band
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