GOP Nominee
Former Candidates
A two-part question this week:
First: Who are some of your favorite present-day political commentators?
Mine: Thomas Sowell, Christopher Hitchens, Charles Krauthammer, Michael Barone, Jay Cost, George Will (sans his Obamaphilia phase in 2007), and I must admit that I hold a soft spot for Ann Coulter, for her biting wit.
Second: Who are some of your least favorite present-day non-liberal political commentators?
Mine: Pat Buchanan, Dick Morris, Bill O’Reilly (although I frequently watch his program, regardless), and Dennis Prager.
Have at it!
May 9th, 2008 at 8:08 am
Favorites:
Pat Buchanan!!! Joseph Sobran, Mona Charon, Susan Estrich (though we generally disagree), Michael Medved
Least:
Paul Krugman, Molly Ivans, Maureen Dowd, Charles Krauthammer, Christopher Hitchens
Guilty Pleasure:
Ann Coulter- she’s entertaining but on the whole harms the conservative movement. And her actual “analysis” isn’t worth a bucket of warm spit.
May 9th, 2008 at 8:15 am
Maureen Dowd is a non-liberal, eh?
Not scolding or anything, just pointing out that we all detest Maureen Dowd here (and yeah, she is really, really, really, really obnoxious, moreso than almost every other liberal columnist), so I figured non-liberals would be more intriguing.
But it’s no big deal, I guess.
May 9th, 2008 at 8:18 am
Favorites: Pat Buchanan and Joseph Sobran
Least Favorites: Every blood thirsty Zionist Noecon on Fox.
May 9th, 2008 at 8:29 am
Favorites: Pat Buchanan, Peggy Noonan, Thomas Sowell, Paul Cella, Bill Bennett, Ingraham, Rush
Least Favorite: Hannity, Kondracke, O’Reilly, Scarborough
May 9th, 2008 at 8:31 am
3. Jaco
C’mon, “bloodthirsty?” Really?
May 9th, 2008 at 8:39 am
Quite a few Buchananites so far…yuck.
Protectionist, religious right, an immigration demagogue, and weak on the WoT.
It’s so strange that deviations from party orthodoxy can create a situation in which Pat Buchanan, whose views are almost the polar opposite of mine, and I can be in the same party!
May 9th, 2008 at 8:40 am
Favorites:
Pat Buchanan (very insightful)
Victor Hanson
Rod Dreher
David Brooks
John Derbyshire
Least Favorite:
Bill O’Reilly
Christopher Hitchens
William Kristol
May 9th, 2008 at 8:43 am
favorites: Pat Buchanan, Bob Novak, Mark Shields, Al Hunt, Margaret Carlson, Kate O’Beirne (I used to watch Capital Gang a lot when it was on), Bob Beckel, Jack Germond, Peggy Noonan, Laura Ingraham, Judy Woodruff, Hugh Hewitt, Nina Eastman, Michael Barone, Tim Russert
least favorites: Dick Morris, Bill Kristol, David Brooks, David Gergen
Following Alex’s instructions, I included liberals among my favorites but only included centrists and conservatives among dislikes.
May 9th, 2008 at 8:48 am
6 Alex
Keep in mind, that just b/c someone lists Pat as one of their favorite commentators doesn’t make him a “Buchananite.”
For instance, even though I didn’t put them on my favorites list, I toyed with putting Krauthamer and Hitchens on there, both of whom I have major points of disagreement with, but both of whom are, by any objective measure, insightful and excellent at what they do. The same reason MWS could put Estrich up there (although I’d probably go for Kirsten Powers of the libs).
May 9th, 2008 at 8:49 am
7. Doug
Nice call on Dreher and Brooks
8. Clarence
It’s tough not to like Beckel, isn’t it? Talk about that “have a beer with” quality.
May 9th, 2008 at 8:51 am
Alex,
Oops. I missed that ITALICIZED “non-liberal” part.
May 9th, 2008 at 8:52 am
Keep in mind, that just b/c someone lists Pat as one of their favorite commentators doesn’t make him a “Buchananite.�
True.
May 9th, 2008 at 8:57 am
Maybe its just that he’s English but Christopher Hitchens strikes me as an arrogant blowhard.
May 9th, 2008 at 8:59 am
fredo, I don’t know about Beckel, but have you ever thought, “Gee, that guy (whether it be a politician or a pundit) would make a great drinking buddy” and then you read somewhere that they’re a tee-totaler?
May 9th, 2008 at 9:00 am
Doug,
No. It’s not because he’s English.
May 9th, 2008 at 9:04 am
Favs: Mark Steyn, Sean Hannity, Thomas Sowell, Victor Davis Hanson
Not so much’s: Andrew Sullivan, Pat Buchanan
May 9th, 2008 at 9:05 am
Speaking of political drinking buddies, the candidate this year that I would most like to have a few beers with is the one Republican I decided I would never vote for, even in the general- Rudy Guiliani.
On a person level, the guy has a lot of charisma and likeability, and I really enjoy listening to his interviews, but his stance on abortion is anathema.
May 9th, 2008 at 9:05 am
Dowd has written some of the funniest political commentary I have ever read. For me, its not so much whether I agree with someone as much as it is whether what they say is insightful and entertaining. I like Novak because he is generally honest and has a lot of inside info.
Fox (Hannity, Barnes et al) offers mostly diatribes and a lot of nonsense. Generally the problem with Fox is that they try to hard to make everything liberal evil and everything conservative godly. It has gotten old and tiresome.
May 9th, 2008 at 9:09 am
Pablo,
I agree on Fox, although their devotion is to neo-conservatism and the American Empire, not traditional conservatism.
May 9th, 2008 at 9:16 am
MWS, Joe Biden would be my drinking buddy of choice, and Mitt Romney would be if he were not a Mormon. John McCain would not be bad either. Hillary, if this is her true persona, which I doubt, would be alright.
May 9th, 2008 at 9:17 am
18. & 19.
On Fox, I agree with you guys that it does get a bit tiresome at times. Thinking back to the pre-Fox days, it’s still a huge net win that Fox broke up the monolithic liberal nature of the news networks.
But I disagree with PZ on the motivations at Fox: everything you’ve heard, even from the liberals at the network, is how they don’t feel any pressure to conform to any top-down agenda. The problem at this point is just that personalities are getting more arrogant and more stale. O’Reilly’s shtick was old for me about 5 years ago, and Hannity is such a wind-up doll with pre-prepared talking points that his program is tough to listen to (I do listen when he has a good guest, though). But if you look at Special Report, it’s still top notch. There’s no better anchor anywhere than Hume. And the panel is great: even Krauthamer and Kristol, with their neocon perspective (that I’m not always on board with), are thoughtful guests, not blowhards. The libs on the panel (Liasson or Powers) are usually thoughtful as well. If they’d just drop-kick Kondracke and add a traditional (paleo-) conservatve to the panel it would be perfect.
May 9th, 2008 at 9:20 am
14. Clarence
Haven’t had that experience, b/c I after think, “that guy seems great”, I’m back to watching the kids or mowing the lawn. Not enough follow-through to make my “bud with buchanan(or whoever)” dreams come true.
May 9th, 2008 at 9:21 am
20 Clarence
I can’t even imagine how much Biden would talk with a few drinks in him??!!?? Wow.
Sure would be entertaining though.
May 9th, 2008 at 9:25 am
On Fox, I agree with you guys that it does get a bit tiresome at times. Thinking back to the pre-Fox days, it’s still a huge net win that Fox broke up the monolithic liberal nature of the news networks.
As Ann Coulter has pointed out: it’s hysterical that liberals go completely berserk over Fox. They’ve got virtually everything else, and little old Fox comes along and they’re up in arms as if a military junta is trying to take over their monopoly.
May 9th, 2008 at 9:45 am
Favorites:
Charles Krauthammer
Christopher Hitchens
Mark Steyn
Thomas Sowell
Karl Rove
Michael Barone
Victor Davis Hanson
Jonah Goldberg
Newt Gingrich
Rich Lowry
David Frum
Bill Kristol
Mort Kondracke
Jay Cost
Tony Blankley
John Stossel
Bill O’Reilly
Jim Geraghty
Andy McCarthy
Bret Stephens
Ann Coulter
Juan Williams
Least Favorite:
Pat Buchanan
Robert Novak
Michael Gerson
Ramesh Ponnuru
Kathryn Jean Lopez
Laura Ingraham
Peggy Noonan
Mark Levin
Michelle Malkin
Andrew Sullivan
Ben Stein
Dennis Prager
May 9th, 2008 at 9:46 am
What about the home team? Allow me to put in a vote for Deroy Murdock and his syndicated columns — quite a hard-hitter in his polemical writing.
Basically, my faves come down to those I like to read or listen to in general, or those I like for their commentary on specific issues:
Faves in general (no particular order):
Deroy Murdock
Mark Steyn
Christopher Hitchens
David Brooks
Faves on specific issues:
Amity Shlaes (economics — not mentioned here yet)
Megan McCardle (economics, although she comments on other stuff)
Juan Williams (race relations; African-American community)
Kim Strassel (Capitol Hill politics)
Robert D. Kaplan (military affairs — another one at The Atlantic)
Notable Germans (bonus selection):
Dirk Maxeiner and Michael Miersch (environmental issues — this commentating duo is influential in Germany, especially for criticizing the socialist, nanny-statist, ecohysterical mindset held by 90% of Germans — their English-language homepage)
Henryk M. Broder (Jewish-German relations; Israel)
May 9th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Favs - Michael Barone, George Will, Bill O’Reilly, Pat Buchanan (I certainly don’t always agree with him - but he isn’t hampered by political correctness and speaks his mind), Brit Hume, Peggy Noonan, Bill Kristol (probably among the most competant proponents of hawkish foreign policy)
Least favorites - Rush Limbaugh (self-important blowhard), Sean Hannity (doesn’t strike me as overly intellectual and only knows how to trumpet the party line), Laura Ingraham (see Rush Limbaugh, plus she’s just too churchy and preachy on the culture wars and not nearly as insightful as Bauchanan), Ann Coulter (her only worthwhile attribute being her legs) - Scarbourough (he seems like he’s sold out and veered too far left now that he is at NBC)
May 9th, 2008 at 9:50 am
fredo, no, I haven’t literally had drinks with these people, I was just fooling around
May 9th, 2008 at 9:52 am
As far as Fox goes, it’s funny how up until recently Democrats refused to even go on there. Did you ever hear Republicans say, “I’m not going on with Chris Matthews or Tim Russert because they used to work for Democrats?”
May 9th, 2008 at 10:04 am
My least faves include the most celebrated AM radio squawk jockeys — although I won’t deny that I often agree with Rush, Ingraham, and Hannity more often than not. The booby prize winner for me is that stammering, spluttering Fred Barnes, mostly because he hems and haws and stutters so much like Porky Pig it’s impossible to listen to what he has to say.
May 9th, 2008 at 10:10 am
Favorite:
Jon Stewart!
David Brooks!
Tim Russert
Charles Krauthammer
Kirsten Powers
George Stephanopoulos
Bill O’Reilly
Brian Ross
Charlie Rose
Most of the 60 Minutes crowd (minus the disgraced Dan Rather)
Bill Bennett
Dennis Miller
John Stossel
Bob Woodward
Least Favorite: Bill O’Reilly (yes, he’s a favorite and least favorite)
Sean Hannity
Ann Coulter
Michelle Malkin
Joe Scarborough
Newt Gingrich (post 90’s– he seems to have this Al Gore complex-things he’s more important than his present job title suggests)
Most of the NRO crowd (Byron York excluded)
Laura Ingraham
Dennis Prager (is this guy more full of IT or full of himself? I cannot say)
My Gosh, I like lots of libs. Maybe it’s because I’m secure in my conservative philosophy?
May 9th, 2008 at 10:12 am
sampo, I should have mentioned Charlie Rose. Best talk show on TV.
May 9th, 2008 at 10:16 am
How could I forget Mark Levin?! He’s the worst. A cancer among Republicans.
May 9th, 2008 at 10:17 am
Favorites: Larry Kudlow, Jay Cost, Robert Tracinski
Least: Pat Buchanan, Mark Levin
May 9th, 2008 at 10:18 am
Brit Hume and Dennis Miller are two additional names that certainly belong on my ‘favorites’ list…
May 9th, 2008 at 10:26 am
I like Larry Kudlow too. Glad Metro and I have something in common.
May 9th, 2008 at 10:30 am
Fav’s:
Jay Severin
Michael Graham
Jon Stewart (one of the best)
Howie Carr
Michelle Malkin
Laura Ingraham
Ann Coulter (grrrrr)
Not’s:
Bill O’Reilly
Rush
Gingrich (I can’t seem to get him to stop sending me his American Solutions blasts)
Krauthammer
May 9th, 2008 at 10:34 am
Another vote from me for Kudlow as well as Stossel.
May 9th, 2008 at 10:35 am
I cant believe no one has floated Michael Savage’s name yet.
May 9th, 2008 at 10:35 am
Yes, yes, Kudlow and Stossel, definitely!
May 9th, 2008 at 10:37 am
Alex,
Why do you dislike Dennis Prager? That really surprises me.
May 9th, 2008 at 10:38 am
How anyone could think that Kudlow has anything to offer punditry is beyond me. His solution to every problem is to cut taxes… BOOOORRRING.. ZzzZZZZzzz…..
May 9th, 2008 at 10:38 am
Crickets chirping…
May 9th, 2008 at 10:41 am
I was going to Savage him after Levin, but couldn’t remember the name. (Probably a good thing.) So consider him added.
May 9th, 2008 at 10:42 am
sampo, think of we Kudlowites like pro-lifers. Taxes are about 10 times higher than we would like and we consider it an outrage.
May 9th, 2008 at 10:44 am
Jmac tearing things up in Texas. Not too surprising but there has been some talk that Texas could go blue this year.
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/latestpolls/index.html
May 9th, 2008 at 10:45 am
Why Kudlow? I like his positive outlook — also enjoyed his TV pundit show pitting Steve Moore against Bob Reich. This used to be my one of my favorite TV shows along with Brit Hume’s Special Report and the Jim Lehrer News Hour. But I got tired of watching so much TV and canceled my cable again.
May 9th, 2008 at 10:46 am
Does Jim “Mad Money” Cramer count as a political commentator?
May 9th, 2008 at 10:49 am
Favorite:
Bill O’Reilly
Tucker Carlson
Peggy Noonan
Michelle Malkin
Hugh Hewitt
Brit Hume
Least:
Al Franken
Paul Krugman
Keith Olberman
Sean Hannity
Ann Coulter
Michael Savage
Pat Buchanan
Rush Limbaugh
Wolf Blitzer
Jack Cafferty
Lou Dobbs
Newt Gingrich
LEAST FAVORITE: Geraldo Rivera
There are very few commentators I like, hence the much larger list of dislikes… With few exceptions like Hume, Hewitt, and Malkin, I dislike conservative commentators who act as pawns of the GOP. That’s why O’Reily and Carlson are my favorites, they are both independent-minded conservatives… Tucker more so. But he was obviously too conservative for NBC..
May 9th, 2008 at 10:53 am
nate, ever see the video where jon stewart ripped carlson to shreds?
May 9th, 2008 at 11:19 am
#50 That was so funny - and I miss “Crank Yankers” the show that came on before Stewart.
May 9th, 2008 at 11:22 am
I assume this question is focused on MSM — and politics, more than policy or philosophy.
That said, I like:
Tim Russert, Michael Barone, Jeff Greenfield, and I used to like Chris Matthews.
I am not sure who qualifies as a “non-liberal” commentator on politics that I do not care for. Oh, wait, I can think of one — unrivalled in that category for nigh 40 years: Kevin Phillips!
May 9th, 2008 at 11:35 am
Guilty pleasure:
I get a kick out of listening to James Carville! Just watching the way the wheels whirrr in his snake-like head is exhilirating. When he is right, he is dazzlingly right, and when he is just spinning, it is utterly transparent but still amusing.
May 9th, 2008 at 11:43 am
Chris Matthews talks way too much. Tim Russert has his moments, but he too can get too caught up in the inane. I would agree with those who think Charlie Rose might be the best with Bob Schieffer a close second.
I also agree with whoever said they like smart people and that is why I like Chris Hitchens. There are few people in the media who strike me as that smart and some I find downright dumb (Candy Crowley of CNN).
May 9th, 2008 at 11:54 am
Forgot to mention Tony Snow among my favs.
May 9th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Most Favorites: George Will (by a wide margin), Charles Krauthammer, Larry Kudlow, Michael Barone, Newt Gingrich, DeRoy Murdock, David Frum, Nick Gillispe (Reason), Tim Russert.
Least Favorite Non-Liberals: Ann Coulter, Michael Gerson, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Pat Buchanan, Bill O’Riley
May 9th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Oh, I forgot to add one of my most least favorites: Karl Rove
May 9th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Karl Rove is awful. Just as some people have a face for radio Rove belongs behind the scenes.
May 9th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Least: Pat Buchannan, Ann Coulter, Dennis Prager, Rush Limbaugh, David Limbaugh, Andrew Sullivan (he’s a “true” conservative, don’t you know). And this one will definately ruffle some feathers: Michelle Malkin.
Favorite: Tim Blair, Eugene Volkoh, Jim Gerraty, Christopher Hitchens (not a conservative by a long shot, but definately a non-liberal as the term is presently defined), Mickey Kaus (ditto), Charles Krauthammer, Michael Barone, Irving Kristol, DeRoy Murdoch. And I expect great things for a local host on KFI named Brian Suits, who has a really great deadpan
sense of humor.
May 9th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Favorite: Fred Barnes, Bill Kristol, Rush Limbaugh, Michael Barone, George Will, and Karl Rove
Least Favorite: O’Reilly, Hannity, Morris, Scarbourogh, Coulter, and Buchanan
May 9th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Favorites:
Jim Quinn
Michael Barone
James H
Jason Lewis
Micheal Medved
Tim Blair
May 9th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Its so funny how Traditional Conservatism like the bed rock Buchanan supporters have disappeared and the Republican Party is just flooded with Zionist Noecon’s that are truly from the liberal wing of the Democratic Party. Bill Kristol? Fred Barnes? Charles Krauthhammer? These are Neocon’s not Conservatives. Wow! This party has lost its way. This would explain why they nominated John McCain, a Liberal Neocon. My guarantee to all you fake republicans out there, the party will start to diminish and more and more Conservatives will start branching out to the Constitution Party and the Libertarian Party.
May 9th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
#62:
One question and one comment
First, what exactly is Zionism in the la-la land you live in? Is it where the Skull and Bones Society is collaberating with the CIA and Mossad to take over the world?
Secondly: The success of both the Constitution Party and the Libertarian Party are hard to comprehend. After all, in this election they my get half of 1% of the electorate.
May 9th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Favorites:
Laura Ingraham
Michael Barone
Rush Limbaugh
Jay Cost
Dennis Prager
Newt Gingrich
Michael Medved
Sean Hannity
Dislikes:
Bill O’Reilly
Hugh Hewitt (I used to like him until he jumped on the Romney-wagon)
Bill Kristol
Fred Barnes
Chris Matthews
Michelle Malkin
Juan Williams
May 9th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Why do you dislike Dennis Prager? That really surprises me.
The whole “even Muslims should swear in on the Bible because it’s the book of America’s dominant religion” thing outraged me.
Maybe he’s not familiar with the whole “no religious tests” thing.
Just because he endorsed Rudy doesn’t mean that I’m gonna hop on board with him. He’s just obnoxiously religious; a shove-it-down-your-throat kind of guy.
And to whomever mentioned Michael Savage: I’d list him under least favorites, but he’s just too idiotic to be worthy of any mention. He’s a caricature of himself.
May 9th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
First, what exactly is Zionism in the la-la land you live in? Is it where the Skull and Bones Society is collaberating with the CIA and Mossad to take over the world?
Quite literally, a Zionist is someone who believes in a Jewish homeland.
May 9th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Another name most deserving of my respect…the New York Times’ John Burns.
Kavon, Prager has a notorious history of being hostile to secular Jews like myself.
May 9th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
I just can’t stand how sanctimonious Prager gets, while at the same time arguing that he isn’t a religious conservative at all, just an “ethical modernist” (whatever the hell that means). At least Dobson is honest about his intentions (not that he doesn’t belong on the list himself).
May 9th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Johnathan your juicing at the loins for war you Zionist scum. Zionism is the forwarding of the nation of Israel by any means. This means war you fool. Your garbage war has caused this nation a huge price. I don’t agree with the neocons version of Conservatism. Fighting endless wars for Israel at any cost. Go look up Zionism and Neocons. You will find a big fat picture of Richard Pearle, Elliot Abrams, Paul Wolfowitz, Bill Kristol, all architects for the Iraq war and the soon to be Iran war. It will be a true shame if more true Conservatives don’t cross over to the Constitution Party or the Libertarian Party. The Republican party has nominated a liberal who is willing to compromise Conservative values such as judges(Gang of 14) support for gay marriage, support for stem cell research, support for amnesty immigration laws. I live in la la land? Are you blind to these issues or are you just trying to pretend like Mr. McCain does not believe in them anymore. You consider yourself a Conservative? Thats the joke.
May 9th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
69 Jaco
Jonathan’s retort was mild at best, nothing deserving that kind of language. Calm down, big guy.
I’m all for a more humble foreign policy, but WTF?
May 9th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Countdown to Jaco’s banning begins…
…now.
May 9th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
No kidding, Alex.
May 9th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
…and as a proud American and unapologetic member of “Isreal’s Amen Corner” in the US, good riddance.
May 9th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Favorites:
Peggy Noonan
Camille Paglia
Robert Novak
Christopher Hitchens
Pat Buchanan, whom I disagree with on lots of things but who is still one of the best political analysts around
Krauthammer
Derbyshire
Andrew Sullivan remains a guilty pleasure
David Brooks
Bill Kristol
George Will
Bill Maher
Least Favorite Conservatives
Hannity
Coulter
Malkin
Savage
May 9th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
Favorites:
Ann Coulter, Mark Steyn, Hugh Hewitt, David Horowitz, Victor Davis Hanson, Laura Ingraham, Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, Karl Rove, Glenn Beck
Least Favorite:
David Brooks, Tucker Carlson, Deroy Murdoch, Pat Buchanan, Bill Kristol, Fred Barnes, The American Spectator, Michael Medved, Michael Savage (If these were ordered from top-to-bottom odiousness, Savage would have been mentioned first)
May 9th, 2008 at 11:13 pm
Favs
Rush
Krauthammer
Juan Williams
Kristol
Barone
Buchanan
Duds
Noonan
Sullivan
May 10th, 2008 at 7:45 am
Can I just say that Nina is hot!
So is Kirsten Powers.
May 10th, 2008 at 7:50 am
Worst eva Michelle Malkin.
She seriously makes me sick.