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Dave Weigel to Keith Olbermann: ‘Sarah Palin Can Wave the Pom-poms’

by Tommy Christopher | 2:01 pm, April 13th, 2010

» 6 comments

On last night’s Countdown, while discussing Sarah Palin‘s future role in Republican politics, freshly-minted Washington Post blogger Dave Weigel told host Keith Olbermann that Palin could “wave the pom-poms,” before catching himself in a “bad metaphor.” Presumably, he thought the remark might have inadvertently sounded sexist, or even worse, been construed as a comparison to George W. Bush.

The “pom-poms” quote is fun, but the real story here is Weigel’s refreshing presence on Countdown, as he provided clear-eyed commentary on GOP politics, and repeatedly resisted righty-bashing bait from Olbermann. Video of the exchange below.

Weigel was probably right to err on the side of caution, but his use of the common phrase “waving the pom-poms” wouldn’t likely have caused much offense, especially when offered in the context of a fair-minded analysis of Palin’s true gifts.

In this clip, Olbermann connects Scott Brown‘s Tea Party cancellation with other recent events, like Ron Paul‘s near-victory in the SRLC straw poll, to paint a picture of a divided GOP. On several key points, however, Weigel doesn’t really go along:

Weigel’s analysis is dead on target, and devoid of the snickering tacit agreement you see from other Countdown contributors. He doesn’t buy into the idea that Brown was snubbing the Tea Party or Palin, and correctly points out the danger of overestimating the effects of “distractions” like the RNC “Voyeur” scandal.

Sure, it’s fun to go around calling Palin “half-governor” and relishing her consistently poor polling as a presidential candidate, but if Democrats only get their information from Keith Olbermann, that “half-governor” will sneak right up and rain campaign cash all over them from the side of a helicopter.

Weigel seems to have become a Countdown regular, and hopefully, he will continue to provide welcome respite from a show that often seems like an hour-long exercise in gleeful, but not always productive, high-fiving.

Dave Weige, George W. Bush, keith olbermann, Ron Paul, Sarah Palin, Scott Brown, Tommy Christopher

Jamestaylor

So sexist. Where is “NOW?”

Oh, that’s right, she is a conservative. If they make fun of her make-up, we will then hear from “NOW.”
Olby Sucks

Stay classy, keefy!
http://www.anonymousfinch.com AnonymousFinch

Nice (and fair) article, Tommy. But there’s something wrong with the frame for the video. It’s cutting off some of the picture and is a little annoying.
The Real Royal King

I’m sure Palin is flattered, so I will add, in clear voice, I find this coarse and crude.

I think the point about Brown is terribly interesting, however, as is the point about Paul.

What do you think Brown not appearing signifies, if anything, AF?
Phocus

God that’s boring. Watching just about anything on MSNBC, including Medialite videos from the channel makes my eyes start blinking slowly and my mind suddenly running through things I need to do. There is a reason why the shows on that channel are bottom dwellers…and what’s with Medialite’s fixation with their ‘stars’ like Maddow and Oberwhatever? Wake me when they’re over……
Munch

And who do the Dems have with pom-poms:

Nancy Pelosi, Hillary Clinton, Maxine Waters, Janet Napolitano and other head-turners.