Dana Milbank On Glenn Beck Gallup Poll: “I Fear For My Country”

by Joe Coscarelli | 10:26 am, January 3rd, 2010

» 14 comments

In his Sunday Washington Post column, Dana Milbank cites last week’s new Gallup poll about the public figures most admired in America. As we noted Wednesday, President Barack Obama easily won the Most Admired Man title with 30% of the vote, while Glenn Beck came in fourth place, above Pope Benedict XVI and just behind Nelson Mandela. And that makes Milbank scared.

“As Glenn Beck likes to say: I fear for my country,” he writes.

But beyond the catch phrases, Milbank makes some salient points, contending that “All ages have their charlatans. The fact that Beck’s stew of venom and fabrication has been such a triumph probably says less about Beck than about us. He has merely captured the moment.”

The Post column both chips at Beck’s soapbox and concedes his influence in a deft balancing act:

But if Beck isn’t a true believer, he’s a brilliant entertainer, and he has calculated, correctly, that a large number of Americans would turn on cable news for more of the insults and conspiracies they get online.

In terms of the political culture, he’s more parasite than host. Yet, by any measure, he’s had a huge impact on the body politic.

Dare we say Milbank’s column is as full of soundbites as an episode of Glenn Beck’s show? Read it for yourself.

(h/t Pat’s Papers)

Fidoohki

Funny how unless it is Beck thinking Obama is a racist , which is a 50/ 50 argument, or
the facist/communist influences on 30 rock, which I do think he was wrong on, the left doesn’t
challenge hsi words. Just the usual ‘He’s crazy! He’s a hatemonger! He’s a racist!’ crap.
m

Beck is a very sick, sick human being. Reminds me of how Mao Tse Tung, Adolf Hitler and Vladimir Lenin managed to get so many followers.
Moderate

Glenn Beck keeps a phone on the desk so people from the White House can call at any time with corrections. So far no calls.
http://www.facebook.com/people/David-Harper/1523747111 David Harper

Well I can see Beck’s dumb minions have read this post and commented on it…One idiot is arguing that Obama who is HALF WHITE AND HALF BLACK may be RACIST like Beck and the other thinks that the phone on his desk is anything more than a prop… LMAO!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Bill-Adkins/1585417987 Bill Adkins

I challenge Beck’s words — it’s just that Rupert gave Beck the time to spew his bullshit.
Ted

fidhooki – when did it occur to you that Beck calling Obama a racist was a 50/50 argument? And, I hate to ask because this will open a up a big can of stupid, but your reasoning…such as it is?
Pat Doherty

M

You remember Lenin?
Fidoohki

Ted says,

BY ’50/50′ I mean there is an fact supportable argument based on Pres. Obama’s own words
that can be made for him being a racist and an equally fact supportable argument that he
isn’t. It depends alot on what your definition of racism is.

To me Racism is discrimination, for ill OR good, based on skin color. Under that definition,
I can see Obama being considered a racist. Remember how he pushed Sotamayer’s race
in his decision to name her supreme court justice? You may consider my definition as ‘ a
big can of stupid’ but that’s your opinion and you are entitled to it. I however, disagree.
m

>Glenn Beck keeps a phone on the desk so people from the White House can call at any time with corrections. So far no calls.

Here’s how you know Glenn Beck is insane: that phone isn’t connected to any outlet. He’s expecting a call from a phone that doesn’t work.
puck30

Dana Milbank….

Talking points from a guy who wears funny hats on Olbermann.
StewartIII

Dana Milbank, the same guy who had no problem being associated with HATE-FILLED Keith Olbermann. The same Keith Olbermann that called the Bush administration & FOX News every bad name in the book, including racist.

And Glenn’s red phone does work. He’s proven it time and time again, if you’ve every watch his program.
m

“Of course”
ImNotBlue

Wasn’t Milbank on Olbermann’s show a lot… that is, until KO dropped him for saying something critical of Obama. The hypocrisy never ends.

m says:
January 3, 2010 at 2:11 pm

Goodwin’s Law

Bill Adkins says:
January 3, 2010 at 4:10 pm

Calling him names, isn’t a challenge. It’s the best you can do… but not really a challenge. If you need, though… there are plenty of street corners you can shout on… that can be your platform.

m says:
January 3, 2010 at 9:00 pm

Evidence?
magicbeans

If Dana Milbank is fearing for his country then I feel better. Of course, I’m a little scared that the president is more admired than Nelson Mandella… a man with actual accomplishments. But I got over the Nobel Prize he won for “potential” to do something so I’m sure I can get over this too. Its only a gallup poll afterall.