Dave Weigel: For Some Tea Party Leaders, “Fall From Idealism Is Pretty Rapid”

video

by Frances Martel | 4:17 pm, September 4th, 2010

» 41 comments

Keith Olbermann has found some strange rhetoric in the interior memos of the Joe Miller campaign (who defeated Sen. Lisa Murkowski in the Alaska Republican primary. “So far,” the note explained, “the Lord has always provided the money.” Except there is now evidence that Miller’s campaign has ties to K Street, and he’s not the first Tea Party-affiliated candidate to fall in the grasp of the larger GOP.

For some insight on the relationship between the Tea Party and the Republican Party now that the primaries have united them on paper, Olbermann asks Dave Weigel to assess what he implies is hypocrisy on the part of the Tea Party candidates. Instead, Weigel counters that it’s a process of taming, not necessarily one of corrupting. Take, he argued, Sharron Angle in Nevada as an example: “every time she says something she believes she ends up in trouble or on your show,” causing “a struggle between Sharron Angle being Sharron Angle versus Sharron Angle being what the Republicans want her to be.”

And it isn’t only Angle. Olbermann brings up Rand Paul in Kentucky, who ended up accepting help from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell despite having announced he would not do so from Republicans who endorsed TARP. “The fall for idealism is pretty rapid for some of these candidates,” Weigel explained.

Olbermann seems baffled by the entire package: the message, the challenge of compromise within the party, and, yes, the rhetoric. To Weigel, the “God” note in Joe Miller’s campaign message seemed secondary to the greater story: “I want to see how many Republicans end up winning and getting co-opted.”

The segment from last night’s Countdown on MSNBC below:

Alaska, Countdown, Dave Weigel, Joe Miller, K Street, keith olbermann, Lisa Murkowski, msnbc, Rand Paul, Sharron Angle, Slate

TfT

And then there is this:

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2010/09/04/2010-09-04_vanity_fair_reporter_michael_joseph_gross_on_article_about_gop_sarah_palin_i_mad.html

Oooops, Gross lied about Palin.

or this:

Oval Office rug gets history wrong
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/03/AR2010090305100.html

or even this:

The Myth of the Bristol-Levi “Shotgun Wedding”
Posted Wednesday, September 01, 2010 10:42 AM | By David Weigel

Just trying to bring some facts to the mediaite table for ya Frances….you guys seem to be having a hard time doing that lately.
Greg

How about a story on the infighting between the Republicans and Tea Party folk?

http://www.delawaregop.com/NewsBack.aspx?guid=3f74fb09-e8c3-4bd6-90c7-c845f85eab7b

http://thinkprogress.org/2010/06/23/gop-vs-teaparties/

Or a story about FOX not understanding the economy no good?

http://mediamatters.org/blog/201009040004

http://mediamatters.org/blog/201009040001

Or adorable angry otters?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/04/angry-otters-adorable_n_705741.html
jk76

I honestly don’t get it, the people that watch him, they already hate the opposite. I’m guessing it’s trying to tie the Tea Party movement to the Repubs more? Maybe it’s understanding and compromise…you know like all the Dems that are fiscally responsible now, or don’t agree with their masters like they did before they started campaigning? Messages for the primaries usually differ from the general.

When did Rand Paul say what you claim he did? What help is McConnel giving?
Greg

jk76 said:
I honestly don’t get it, the people that watch him, they already hate the opposite. I’m guessing it’s trying to tie the Tea Party movement to the Repubs more? Maybe it’s understanding and compromise…you know like all the Dems that are fiscally responsible now, or don’t agree with their masters like they did before they started campaigning? Messages for the primaries usually differ from the general.

When did Rand Paul say what you claim he did? What help is McConnel giving?

He made the pledge on his website… since scrubbed… noted though by supporters… see below
http://www.freedomsteps.com/blog/1438/rand-pauls-clean-money-campaign/

McConnel’s help came in this form
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0610/38330.html
puck30

Now McConnell ran his man against Rand Paul in the primaries, even Dick Cheney came down to campaign against Paul. And now Paul is accepting gifts from McConnell. Okay?

Greg said:
How about a story on the infighting between the Republicans and Tea Party folk? http://www.delawaregop.com/NewsBack.aspx?guid=3f74fb09-e8c3-4bd6-90c7-c845f85eab7b http://thinkprogress.org/2010/06/23/gop-vs-teaparties/ Or a story about FOX not understanding the economy no good? http://mediamatters.org/blog/201009040004 http://mediamatters.org/blog/201009040001 Or adorable angry otters? http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/04/angry-otters-adorable_n_705741.html

WOW! Where have you been? Tea Party folks are more conservative/libertarian folk who are against the old Neo-Conservative wing of the party. Get your head out of your ass and into the game boy.

Media Matters? I’m supposed to believe a website that makes their living out of getting their panties in a bunch over FNC?

Huffington Post? Nuff said there.

At least TFT linked to REAL newspaper websites (ones that tilt left I might add).

Now let’s get to Mr.Dave Weigel a journalist, currently working for Slate magazine and MSNBC. I think that’s because he doesn’t have a paid job at The Washington Post anymore. YEP! Something about his boss saying….. “the damage was too severe”. After The Washington Post On June 28, Weigel did a segment on Olbermann’s show, which was followed by Olbermann’s announcement that Weigel had joined MSNBC as a news contributor, any surprise here folks?

Seems when you look at this guy’s record he has trouble holding on to a job.
JimBob

Joe Miller is the next US Senator from Alaska!
Rand Paul is the next US Senator from Kentucky!
GET used to it Libs, or as Horses Ass would say, LIBSTERS !
Arkansas Steve

Frances,

Tell us again what this entire subject has to do with Keith Olbermann??
Azarkhan

“For some insight on the relationship between the Tea Party and the Republican Party…Olbermann asks Dave Weigel”

You mean the same Dave Weigel who in personal e-mails wrote how much he hates tea party activists and Republicans? That Dave Weigel? I wonder why someone like Keith Olbermann would ask someone like Dave Weigel for “insight” on the Tea Party and Republicans.

(LOL)
Greg

Puck,

I appreciate your push back but would like a response to the particular facts presented by the articles/ pundits… To attack the source rather than the facts presented by the source satisfies the definition of a logical fallacy… especially when referring to the relative fit of the sources “panties” as a standard for disqualification…

Finally, because I countered the initial request for content with my own, I certainly included topics which I have a longstanding interest in… my head has been in the game for a good clip and recurring pain in my lower back certainly precludes the gymnastics you insinuate even on my best day…

Cheers!
puck30

With a past like Weigel has, he’s open season.

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puck30

The McConnell/Paul fundraiser? Nice try there Greg. What is the NRSC?
murf

Weigel you look like a ” before ” picture for Pro- Active acne cream .
Greg

Thanks for the heads up Puck! Will check it out… commuting across the city by bike with a backpack full of work takes a heavy toll… or perhaps I’m just getting old…
Greg

puck30 said:
NRSC

These fine gents…
http://www.nrsc.org/
Azarkhan

“How about an American born today?”

What kind of dumb ass question is that?? 65 years ago was 1945. Show of hands if you were asked about 2010 in 1945 and got it right?
kairos

puck30 said:
With a past like Weigel has, he’s open season.

A stooge like Weigel doesn’t interest me

Now Fiona…..I love Fiona
puck30

Greg said:
These fine gents…http://www.nrsc.org/

That’s right brother, what does it say at the bottom.

Paid for by the
National Republican Senatorial Committee.
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.

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felixw

MSNBC has run ten thousand smear stories on the tea parties. But guys like Olbermann are afraid to debate anyone on the tea party issues of government accountability, financial prudence and individual freedom. You can’t respect a guy like Olbermann who launches character attacks every night, and avoids the key issues at every turn. He isn’t a journalist. He’s not even a pundit. He’s just what is called a cheap shot artist. And there isn’t even much artistry in the clumsy way he does it. The fact that MSNBC puts people like him on the air tells you what a classless outfit it is.
puck30

Greg says:
September 4, 2010 at 5:04 pm Greg(Quote)

How about a story on the infighting between the Republicans and Tea Party folk?

http://www.delawaregop.com/NewsBack.aspx?guid=3f74fb09-e8c3-4bd6-90c7-c845f85eab7b

Yep, FNC is all over it…..

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/09/03/days-decide-delaware-gop-drops-l-word-tea-party-senate-challenger/
puck30

felixw said:
MSNBC has run ten thousand smear stories on the tea parties. But guys like Olbermann are afraid to debate anyone on the tea party issues of government accountability, financial prudence and individual freedom. You can’t respect a guy like Olbermann who launches character attacks every night, and avoids the key issues at every turn. He isn’t a journalist. He’s not even a pundit. He’s just what is called a cheap shot artist. And there isn’t even much artistry in the clumsy way he does it. The fact that MSNBC puts people like him on the air tells you what a classless outfit it is.

I think Olbermann would be scared to debate a Conservative on the Topic……’Paper or Plastic’?
kairos

felixw said:
MSNBC has run ten thousand smear stories on the tea parties. But guys like Olbermann are afraid to debate anyone on the tea party issues of government accountability, financial prudence and individual freedom. You can’t respect a guy like Olbermann who launches character attacks every night, and avoids the key issues at every turn. He isn’t a journalist. He’s not even a pundit. He’s just what is called a cheap shot artist. And there isn’t even much artistry in the clumsy way he does it. The fact that MSNBC puts people like him on the air tells you what a classless outfit it is.

I don’t think many people take MSNBC seriously.

It’s just a line-up of immature hacks that spend their whole time attacking the right…there isn’t even a pretense of integrity.

I at least give a tiny bit of credit to Rachel….though she’s just as immature as the rest and does nothing but smear….at least she doesn’t come across as a bitter child that just had his favorite toy taken away.
Scott_in_MI

Goebells-Olbermann showed what little balls he has when he was supposed to cover the Republican National Convention in 2008. His utter fear of having to debate someone with an opposing viewpoint sent him into the bathtub rather than jumping on a plane to Minnesota. How gutless.
notsofast

“Fall From Idealism Is Pretty Rapid”

Yeah, so are KO’s ratings!
notsofast

kairos said:
I at least give a tiny bit of credit to Rachel….though she’s just as immature as the rest and does nothing but smear

RM is a good man.
Pablo

Azarkhan said:
“For some insight on the relationship between the Tea Party and the Republican Party…Olbermann asks Dave Weigel”

You mean the same Dave Weigel who in personal e-mails wrote how much he hates tea party activists and Republicans? That Dave Weigel? I wonder why someone like Keith Olbermann would ask someone like Dave Weigel for “insight” on the Tea Party and Republicans.

(LOL)

“For some insight on the relationship between the Amish and the Quakers, Olbermann asks Heidi Fleiss…”
Pablo

kairos said:
It’s just a line-up of immature lily white hacks that spend their whole time attacking the right…there isn’t even a pretense of integrity.

Fixed that for you.
Pablo

Greg said:
He made the pledge on his website… since scrubbed… noted though by supporters… see below
http://www.freedomsteps.com/blog/1438/rand-pauls-clean-money-campaign/

McConnel’s help came in this form
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0610/38330.html

I’m not seeing an issue there. He isn’t taking money from McConnell. He’s benefiting from an NRSC fundraiser. That is not McConnell giving Paul his money, that’s McConnell doing his job as Majority Leader and Senior Senator from Kentucky.
JimBob

Dork and Dorky—-
The faces of MSNBC
An they wonder why their ratings tank!
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The Real Royal King

Why should this surprise anyone? The essence of the Tea Party movement has always been reactionary and not ideological. People fear an America which is changing, largely for non-political, non-ideological reasons, faster than they are. Fear has never been the cohesive force people like Raygun, Meese, Poppy, Attwater, W, O’Rove and the Tea Partiers have long thought it was.
The Real Royal King

JimBob said:
Dork and Dorky—-The faces of MSNBCAn they wonder why their ratings tank!

Actually, in the miniscule world of cable news, MSNBC’s ratings are not that terrible. You always have to remember that very, very, very few people watch anything on cable “news”.
writer

Except for the Royal King. Never misses a show.
chatmandu002

AAhhh, the Uber-meister and his minions.
CAconservative

Yes, Mr. Royal King, the Tea-Party is “reactionary”. They are reacting to the Obimbo-ideology that is leading us down the road of economic, and moral bankruptcy. Fear, Mr.King, is a great motivator. In the case of the Tea-Party, fear is the glue that is the “cohesive force”, that is bringing people from both political parties, and all walks of life together to combat the corrupt ideology of Obimbo and his band of socialist interlopers. Fear, based on irrational thought is what Obimbo is try to use as a tool to fool us but, we are not fooled, Mr.King. Our fear is grounded in fact, and common sense.
RichS

The Real Royal King said:
Res-Q

Believing the Real Racist King’s characterization of the Tea Party movement is like believing Hamas’ version of the history of Arab-Israeli confrontations.
http://gordonbloyershow.com gordonbloyershow

Wow, That Rand Paul is just tooooooooooo extreme to get elected.

Rand Paul, a tea party-backed Republican running for a U.S. Senate seat in Kentucky, is leading his Democratic rival Jack Conway by 15 points, according to a new poll by SurveyUSA.
The poll, conducted for the Louisville Courier-Journal and WHAS-TV, puts Paul ahead of Conway, 55% to 40%. The two are vying to capture the seat being vacated by Republican Sen. Jim Bunning, who is not running for re-election.

I would not have voter for Paul in the primary but I have no problem with him winning in November.
http://gordonbloyershow.com gordonbloyershow

ebay21 get the hell off of this site. You waste space and the time of the people trying to read comments.
DrFunke

Who is surprised by this? Most Tea Party leaders can’t talk to the media because they are afraid of their radical, idiotic past OR because they would be forced to explain their positions

It is a joke
timcajun

The tea baggers avoid interviews. When they are caught on record with the crazy, hate, wacko ideas they change up! That is why the middle right will use them for votes, but for nothing more after they are in office! Some of the cazy tea bagger bull is not even legal. The tea crazies may get in, but will not get any of the goofy programs kicked off.