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Exclusive: Mediaite Interviews Rachel Maddow, Who Is A Big Hit at CPAC

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by Tommy Christopher | 2:30 pm, February 19th, 2010

» 18 comments

As we reported earlier, Rachel Maddow was live on the ground at the Conservative Political Action Conference yesterday, rockin’ the geek glasses and her patented brand of humble charm.

I managed to track her down on the exhibit hall floor and ask her how the folks at CPAC were treating her. While there’s little that’s shocking or surprising about this clip, as the day progressed, I did learn something that probably will surprise you: a lot of these movement conservatives have a considerable soft spot for Rachel Maddow.

Around lunchtime yesterday, CPAC’s “Blogger’s Row” began to buzz with the news that Rachel Maddow was down on the exhibition floor. Although I’ve corresponded with her, I had never actually met her, so I went down to say hi. When I caught up to her, she was holding court with a series of convention-goers, each of whom spoke with her at length, all very friendly. I asked Rachel how the CPAC-pack had been treating her:

That wasn’t it, though. For the rest of the day, people were talking about her appearance, myself included, and with one notable exception, the response was all very positive. While they all disagree with her politics, most said she was very appealing, relatively fair, and an example of what others in her field ought to emulate. One prominent conservative blogger even remarked, “People like Sean Hannity could learn a thing or two from her about manners.”

The one exception was Andrew Breitbart, who stopped by my lunch table and remarked that he’d like to ask Maddow “Why are you so nice? Why are you being nice to a bunch of Nazis?”

I told him he was thinking of the wrong news personality, that Maddow was generally very fair about conservatives.

Really, it isn’t that shocking that conservatives like someone as smart and engaging as Rachel Maddow. The surprising thing was how many were willing to admit it, if only privately.

Andrew Breitbart, CPAC, Rachel Maddow, Tommy Christopher

germ

I like Rachel. Not so much her politics, but she is generally fair.
Moderate

I like how she takes an issue and spins it into Bushes fault, then does a silly grin, as if to ask “does anyone besides me really believe this?”
srmicca

If you’re not nice to Rachel Maddow you will be labeled a homophobe by her mentor “Olby” Olbermann.
Jim R

Good catch, Tommy. Rachel’s a real sweetheart, in addition to being the best interviewer on Tee Vee.

Anyone that wants to attack her with facts instead of ad hominem feel free.
taxed

The more I read about her here and see some of these videos the more I like her. I rarely agree with anything that she says, but she seems pretty nice and doesn’t come off so arrogant like KO.
JimW

Rachael Maddow is a very partisan opinion personality. So is Tommy Christopher. And since they’re both liberals that have a lot of mutual affection for each other. So what? I don’t think either of them are fair or present an opposing point of view in a balanced manner. Truthfully, that seems to be the way it is in all journalism.
The Real Royal King

That’s perplexing Jim W since you invariably deposit several pounds of rightist claptrap and don’t ever seem to be unwelcomed or censored. Try posting a moderate, progressive or liberal items at the Phox Phan Klub or make the slightest criticism of Oliver North or any of the other rightists and see what happens. I think Christopher has been open to you, and I applaud him and Mediaite for that. I enjoy opposing views.
JimW

There she is, The Real Royal Pain in the Ass. Good God, leave me alone.
Puter Boi

Hey TC?

When are you getting a show?..it’s time!
Grammie

Tommy…..”I did learn something that probably will surprise you: a lot of these movement conservatives have a considerable soft spot for Rachel Maddow.”.

Wow, me too. I was sure that at the very least she would be mugged, gagged, cuffed and then perp walked out!

Come on, Tommy, surely you think better of yourself and your your fellow libs than to be surprised that a bunch of conservatives behaved civilly to someone who came to observe in a civil manner.
writer

Wait a minute. Rachel not only made it out alive, but actually had a nice time? I thought all those righties were a bunch of violent neanderthals. And unlike so many on the left, I can begrudgingly give props to members of the ‘other side’. At least Rachel isn’t afraid to go to such gatherings and speak to people, unlike her hateful, hyocritical cohort, KO.
PureFreedom

It seems like Rachel is more civilized then the others on the left or MSNBC personalities.

Also she wants higher ratings and she knows her main audience are in there mom’s basements playing video games or on planes beating up Mitt Romney. so she needs the Right to start tuning in to her.
Moderate

“Also she wants higher ratings and she knows her main audience are in there mom’s basements playing video games or on planes beating up Mitt Romney. so she needs the Right to start tuning in to her.”

LOL
ImNotBlue

The Real Royal King says:
February 19, 2010 at 3:34 pm

Why are you obsessed with that place, Royal? What’s the deal? Yeesh… every other post, you bring them up (and like this time, lie)!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Chuck-Steele/1147844375 Chuck Steele

In all fairness to Olbermann, if I were at CPAC and he were to walk in, I would find it very hard to resist the urge to cap his knees. This is from a man that has not hit another human being in forty years. I can imagine how hard it might be for a man that has a more difficult time controlling the desire to neutralize morons.
I can understand why Keith would choose to stay away from people he has insulted for years.
Some men just believe that one that has bought and paid for a knuckle sandwich should get the full benefit of said meal.
Jim R

I agree, as a former bar bouncer I long ago got past the urge to engage in violence in general, and towards fact-free conservatives in particular.

Of course, I have no experience with the apparent frustration of some who can’t bear to have their empty hollow conservative philosophy exposed as the pernicious influence on America that it has repeatedly proved itself to be.
Cubby

Good for Rachel. I’ve been a fan of hers for a while – especially since she goes out of her way to speak out for our fighting men and women overseas. Unlike Olbermann, she’s not afraid to be confronted by opinions that are not her own and actually relishes a good and respectful debate.

Real Royal King: Is the website you constantly refer to FoxNation.com? Because there is no greater cesspool of ignorance and misinformation than that place. Anyone who speaks about the “hate” that is “spewed” by the left wing websites should spend five minutes perusing their comments.
sueNaustin

Rachel is the best. She doesn’t harangue, she doesn’t lie, she doesn’t beat around the bush, nor does she cry.