Posted on 10/27/2009 12:49:02 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Writing in The American Conservative, Jack Hunter opines:
Warning that popular talk radio and Fox News host Glenn Beck was "Harmful to the Conservative Movement," Peter Wehner wrote on Commentary's "Contentions" blog in September: "he seems to be more of a populist and libertarian than a conservative, more of a Perotista than a Reaganite. His interest in conspiracy theories is disquieting, as is his admiration for Ron Paul and his charges of American 'imperialism.' (He is now talking about pulling troops out of Afghanistan, South Korea, Germany, and elsewhere.)"
Wehner is not alone in his criticism. When Beck told CBS News' Katie Couric, "John McCain would have been worse for the country than Barack Obama," fellow radio talker and New York Times bestselling author Mark Levin fired back: "to say that he would be worse than a president who's a Marxist, who's running around the world apologizing for our nation, who's slashing our defense budget ... to say he would be worse is mindless ... incoherent, as a matter of fact."
Beck has been criticized from both Left and Right for his melodramatic, sometimes conspiracy-minded, intermittently bizarre style. But his conservative critics seem most offended not by Beck's manner but by his deviationism. He won't stick to the ideological script....
During the George W. Bush years, Beck's politics were less differentiated from those of other radio talkers. He deferred to the Bush administration, promoted militarism as patriotism, and called the day's news along partisan lines. When Ron Paul received national attention for questioning America's interventionist foreign policy during a 2007 GOP presidential primary debate, Beck called Paul "crazy" and asked, "how did this guy get on stage?" At the time there were no complaints about Beck from the likes of Wehner and Levin -- because Beck sounded much like them. Hunter has his own problems with Beck, but he commends the Fox host for being "the only A-list conservative pundit willing to capitalize on the sentiments of Republicans disgruntled with their own party, and the only one to address the taboo subject of Bush-era foreign policy." You can debate whether that "only" is accurate, but the underlying point is on target. Love him or hate him, Glenn Beck is far more independent than Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, or even Bill O'Reilly. The popularity of his present incarnation shows there's a substantial audience for such heterodoxy. If we're lucky, it'll be a bellwether for a new trend in the cable news sphere: a greater willingness to stretch beyond the old categories of Red and Blue, into the wider spectrum of opinion that thrives online.
zzzz I would tell them to “get over it”! Glenn Beck is here, he has a national forum, and is a postive if you ask me!
Glenn Beck is a danger to the RINO movement.
The way I look at it is there’s this “playbook” that has been used for years. Republicans and Democrats play the game by the playbook. Rules include never say what you’re really thinking, always demonize the other party even if you’re party is doing the same thing, and never, NEVER, answer a question directly...plus you’ve got to be PC and don’t show too much passion. Well, somebody forgot to give Beck the playbook and he’s making up his own rules which is really disquieting to the “status quo”...be they Democrats or Republicans.
Glenn Beck is a soldier for the truth as he sees it.
Really how bad would it be if America became more isolationaist? Let the rest of the world kill each other while we make a buck on it? It would force Japan and Europe to defend themselves or die a slow death to the coming empires of Islam and China.
The only “conservatives” I’ve heard trashing Beck are George Will and Lindsay Graham. They’re not conservatives, O’reilly is a weathervane who doesn’t understand what Beck is saying, but is jealous of his success, and Levin hates everybody. Will and Graham can console themselves with being on the same side as MSNBC.
I love Glenn Beck and think he is a true patriot. So your post to me is confusing. My post was in repsones to the article.
May I suggest pulling out Hayek’s “Constitution of Liberty” and then re-read the profound essay at the end: “Why I Am Not A Conservative”. There’s a whole spectrum of people wearing the label of conservative, and as we all know... one size does not fit all. Let’s give Mr. Beck some breathing room, and wait and see how this plays out. Throwing-out the Radical Socialists who are now in power will take many successful attacks. Saving our country won’t look pretty... but it MUST be done!!!
Another nitwit who obviously doesn't watch the show or listen to the radio program. Beck says what I think: "Let the military fight the war and fight it to win, or bring them home."
Don't leave our men and women over there without adequate support and don't tie their hands trying to fight a "politically correct" war. The other side fights no-hold-barred, while they try not to offend anybody.
Is it any wonder we're not making much progress? There's not a military power in the world that ours could not crush in short order, if they were unleashed to do it right.
The Oldest Con in the world...is “Good Cop-Bad Cop”....its how the Oligarchy maintains control..
Could you see Glen as Sarahs press. sec LOL
Good post. I’m not into any “cult of personality” and that includes Beck. He is very entertaining and gets his points across in a way that most can understand. I think Levin is the “intellectual” of conservative commentators. Rush is the original deal, and a mix of “entertainment” like Beck. Savage is also intelligent, but I think of him as more of a libertarian than a conservative. They all serve a purpose.
That would be fun!!!!
What I think Beck is saying, in part, is that McCain’s liberal agenda would have split the party and make it harder for other Repubs to oppose McCain. It’s easier to oppose the opposition Rats than fight a RINO in the White House who would promote a liberal agenda.
Other than that Levin is correct.
They’re all afraid of Glenn...that’s cool, that’s cool, that’s cool!!!
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