1. Mediaite
  2. Gossip Cop
  3. Geekosystem
  4. Styleite
  5. SportsGrid
  6. The Mary Sue
  7. The Jane Dough
  8. The Braiser
Advertisement

‘Hostage Taker’ Versus ‘Terrorist’: Fox Panel Debates Hyperbolic Political Attacks

video
» 96 comments

Are we really in a new age of civility? Does one political party use more vicious attacks than the other? Is the term “terrorist” that much worse than the term “hostage taker?” These were some of the questions posed in a Fox News panel on political name calling this afternoon and, while I’m not sure any of them were actually answered, credit should be given to frequent sparring partners Christopher Hahn and Chris Plante who got through a whole round of bickering without calling each other any names themselves.

The segment used the recent spate of Democrats referring to the Tea Party as “terrorists” as a starting point as well as a clip of our very own Tommy Christopher asking Jay Carney what the difference was between those insults and the barrage of remarks referring to the party as “hostage takers.” Hahn had no problem with the hostage comments since, in his opinion, that’s exactly what the party did. He didn’t blame them though because he felt that they just didn’t really know any better.

Meanwhile, Plante was unsurprised by the insults, indignantly claiming that Republicans never make comments of those kind. Unsurprisingly, Hahn had some issues with that theory. In fact, Plante should probably be glad he said that today and not a week earlier since the clip would make a perfect inclusion in this Daily Show bit.

Watch all of this as well as the pair’s thoughts on Sarah Palin and the Arizona shooting in the clip from Fox News below:

Follow us on Twitter.

Sign up for Mediaite's daily newsletter.

Email Twitter Facebook Digg Reddit Stumble Upon Yahoo Buzz LinkedIn Tumblr Delicious
  • KarlSpensen

    GOD BLESS Fox News (The Most Powerful Name in News) – they are OVERLY qualified not only to critique the rest of the MEDIA, but also to point out egregious examples of HYPERBOLE!!!!!!111  They are as qualified to be the standard bearers of FAIR AND BALANCED journalism as Sarah Palin is qualified to be PRESIDENT of our Once Proud Republic!!!!!!!!!!111

  • Anonymous

    I haven’t been this scare since Fox News’ scary black men marathon.

  • http://twitter.com/PoliticalPAW PoliticalPAW

    How does one take themselves ‘hostage’ or ‘terrorize’ (rob) themselves? http://vimeo.com/27226304 People want accountability on how THEIR cash is being spent AND not hosed away!

  • http://twitter.com/PoliticalPAW PoliticalPAW

    How does one take themselves ‘hostage’ or ‘terrorize’ (rob) themselves? http://vimeo.com/27226304 People want accountability on how THEIR cash is being spent AND not hosed away!

  • Anonymous

    “Elections have consequences, and I won.” Remember that quote from our President ? He said it just three days after he took the helm as our President. …

    I guess the Democrats forgot about the 2010 election!

  • Michelle

    Can one of you libs explain to me why the TP are terrorists for opposing the debt deal, but the MANY Dem’s that did also aren’t?

  • Harry Flashman

    A fine example of just how deranged and in denial the left can be. Nobody blamed Sarah Palin for the Giffords shooting?

    Sweet smokin’ Moses, liberalism is indeed a mental disorder.

  • Valkyrie71010

    The tea party folk sought to put the US in default thereby terrorizing countries all over the world who would have suffered, not to mention the American people, if America did not increase its debt ceiling.

  • KarlSpensen

    You SAID IT, buddy!!!!!!!1111 

  • Anonymous

    In the twisted world of the Left, if you support the American Constitution, a balanced budget, and a smaller, more manageable government, you’re a terrorist. But if you shoot 13 Americans dead at Ft. Hood while shouting “Allahu Akbar”, you’re not.

  • Valerie

    That’s hilarious Plante.

    I mean is was just yesterday when Jonah Goldberg was telling everybody to go to hell at NRO

    No our right wing friends are never impolitic in their language.

    After all if poke them they’re quick to start screaming about nazis or the end of times.

  • Anonymous

    like senator obama voted against raising it in 2006…..so he is also a t

  • Anonymous

    The Tea Party is an economic terrorist organization. Who else would want to see an economic collapse because the government was unable to raise the debt ceiling?

  • Michelle

    Yes, but alot of Dem’s voted against it too.  You didn’t explain why they aren’t terrorists also. 

  • Darladoon

    well, we have to keep in mind who is the “victim” of these attacks:

    the koch brothers, the tea party repubs, the large corporations and ultra wealthy
    ARE the bullies here.  they are screwing the american public. 

    the middle class and those struggling to make it (the actual victims) are being
    represented by the liberals and progressives.

    so i think the progressives’ attacks are fair and sensible, not the other way around

  • Michelle

    Oh yeah, that was a GREAT piece by Jonah on the corrupt, liberal media.  I highly recommend it:

    To Hell with You People

    http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/273444/hell-you-people-jonah-goldberg

  • Valerie

    Of course you would Ms. Bachmann!

  • Valerie

    Of course you would Ms. Bachmann!

  • Michelle

    Ms. Jarrett, feel free to point out anything Jonah got wrong. 

  • Michelle

    Was Obama a terrorist when he opposed it under Bush?

  • Valerie

     By your sad  and pathetic logic they are terrorists. There happy now Ms. Bachmann? Will this be a new talking point on the campaign trail?

    Come on give us some of that Ayers-Rezko-Wright?

  • KarlSpensen

    Michelle, your civilized and reasonable comments are always a HIGHLIGHT of this blog and I’m sure you are just as lovely in PERSON as your words are on my SCREEN!!!!!111  If you ever come to NEW JERSEY, let’s grab a bottle of PINOT GRIGIO and watch HANNITY together!!!!!!!!111  <3 <3 <3

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_FSPIVAFYI672OH5NOKVRTEZA4U MadCharles

    . If you think the Tea Party people are hostage/terrorist with this phony skirmish you haven’t seen anything yet. They remember every attack by democrats/republicans, sport pros/espn, msm broadcasters and politicians. Every time the Tea Party Americans were called tea baggers some tea party American wrote it down in a voting booth.

  • Anonymous

    Hey stupid, read what the Messiah said in 2006:

    The fact that we are here today to debate raising America’s debt limit
    is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the U.S. Government
    can’t pay its own bills. It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial
    assistance from foreign countries to finance our Government’s reckless
    fiscal policies. … Increasing America’s debt weakens us domestically and
    internationally. Leadership means that ‘the buck stops here. Instead,
    Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of
    our children and grandchildren. America has a debt problem and a
    failure of leadership. Americans deserve better.

  • Anonymous

    Hey stupid, read what the Messiah said in 2006:

    The fact that we are here today to debate raising America’s debt limit
    is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the U.S. Government
    can’t pay its own bills. It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial
    assistance from foreign countries to finance our Government’s reckless
    fiscal policies. … Increasing America’s debt weakens us domestically and
    internationally. Leadership means that ‘the buck stops here. Instead,
    Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of
    our children and grandchildren. America has a debt problem and a
    failure of leadership. Americans deserve better. 

  • Anonymous

    Nov 2010, when Americans threw out the d-cRAT socialist majority in the US House and helped remove crazy pelosi as The Worst Speaker in American History, was a wake-up call to the “Corrupt B-tards” of the lamestream socialist media. They realized then that the American voters were no longer swallowing their lies, distortions, fact-hiding, half-truths and shameless proselytizing for socialist extremism and of the lunatic-left Messiah.

    Never forget that “You Lie!” hussein is nothing more than an artificial creation of the lunatic-left socialist media with no more substance or depth than a Daffy Duck cartoon. Wherever there are no mirrors, no cameras and especially no teleprompters (heavy drug use significantly impairs short-term memory), hussein vanishes.

    So to make sure that the voters don’t stray off the lunatic plantation in 2012, they will redouble their assault on the truth, the facts and – most of all – reality, to fool the voters back to the brain-washed days of the 2008 campaign when they had them convinced that “hopey-changey” bs would save us all. (Reality: “hope-changey” is actually the lunatic-left “Road-to-Hell”.)

    The lunatic-left socialist media has no choice but to continue to try to prop-up their shallow, profane,  arrogant, platitude-spouting, inexperienced, Marxist, drug-addicted, smug, elitist, narcissistic, pompous, flip-flopping, racist, anti-Semitic gas-bag who is so mentally deficient from extensive drug use he even has to plagiarize his hollow platitudes, who hijacked the nomination with fewer votes than Hillary received, and who stole the election with extensive ACORN fraud.

    They have nothing else to offer.

  • Anonymous

    Hey stupid, read what the Messiah said in 2006:

    The fact that we are here today to debate raising America’s debt limit
    is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the U.S. Government
    can’t pay its own bills. It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial
    assistance from foreign countries to finance our Government’s reckless
    fiscal policies. … Increasing America’s debt weakens us domestically and
    internationally. Leadership means that ‘the buck stops here. Instead,
    Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of
    our children and grandchildren. America has a debt problem and a
    failure of leadership. Americans deserve better. 

  • Michelle

    How is my logic sad and pathetic?  You have 2 people voting the same way and only one is being labeled a terrorist.  Thanks for admitting you’re hypocrites though!

  • Valerie

    Sorry by your sad and pathetic logic both parties are terrorists. And yes Ms. Bachmann you are indeed a huge hypocrite.

    Yes indeed.

  • Valerie

    What would be the point with a shill like you Ms Bachmann? You’ve already made up your tiny little mind.

    Count it!

  • Michelle

    Sorry, I don’t drink or hang with liberal trolls.

  • Anonymous

    at least darla is honest…….vile and hateful naming calling is cool in her book

  • Valerie

    By your sad twisted logic yes he was a terrorist. Happy Ms. Bachmann?

  • Michelle

    No Val.  Unlike you libs, I don’t think that someone is a terrorist for having a different point of view than I do.  Though you do seem really upset that I pointed out your hypocrisy. 

    and, ps, how exactly am I a hypocrite?

  • Valerie

    Corrup-B-tards?

    Is that trig palin’s rock band? What does he play? Finger in the wall socket?

  • Michelle

    No, actually it’s by the standard you guys have set.  You seem really upset that I’m pointing out the hypocrisy of you libs.  Perhaps you should drink the wine Karl set aside for me.  You need chilax a bit.

  • Michelle

    WOW, just WOW.  You’re vile.

  • Valerie

    Because Ms. Bachmann you DO think that people who have different views are terrorists which is what makes you a hypocrite. 

    Hence why you’re rolling out the victim card like you do every day on post after post.

  • Michelle
  • Darladoon

    yeah, it’s ooooooh sooooooo vile to merely point out that billionaires don’t need an additional
    tax cut.  that’s some REALLY hateful language!

  • Valerie

    No, no standard has been set Ms. Bachmann by the “libs” unless you are dumb enough to be controlled by the liburl medya. Are you? If that’s the case you see hypocrisy at every turn while turning a blind eye to your own!!!! 

    A fairly common pathology in conservative thought.

  • Michelle

    Please provide one example of me calling someone a terrorist or admit you are a bald-faced liar.

  • Valerie

    Hey he brought it up. You want civility? Then try not to be an asshole. 

  • Valerie

    Ah links from the breitbart lie factory!

    Perfect Ms. Bachmann!

  • Michelle

    Wow, you’ve gone off the deep end more than usual today.  Perhaps you should take your meds.

  • Anonymous

    terrorist and holding hostage, that hateful language , dumbass

  • Valerie

    “Wow, you’ve gone off the deep end more than usual today.  Perhaps you should take your meds.”

    Yeah and you can’t stand it when your moronic talking points don’t work or impress Ms. Bachmann!

  • Michelle

    You mean those rich folks that are paying an arm and a leg to go to Obama’s birthday bash?  Those rich people?

  • Michelle

    Funny, I didn’t see Trig anywhere in his comment. 

  • KarlSpensen

    You had ALREADY gotten me worked up into a FRENZY with ”d-cRAT socialist”, “lunatic-left socialist media”, “You Lie!” hussein”, “lamestream socialist media”, and of course a CLASSIC teleprompter reference!!!!!!!!111  And the comments about Hussein’s COCAINE USE?!?!111  Talk about a Freedom Chubby!!!!!!!!!!1111

    But I CLIMAXED when you got to “shallow, profane,  arrogant, platitude-spouting, inexperienced, Marxist, drug-addicted, smug, elitist, narcissistic, pompous, flip-flopping, racist, anti-Semitic gas-bag”!!!!!!!!!!1111  SO EPIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111  If you’ll excuse me, I have to get some PAPER TOWELS!!!!!!!!!!111

  • Michelle

    I’m starting to fear for the safety of those around you.  Perhaps you should consider seeking some psychological treatment.

  • Anonymous

    yeah all those liberal child molesters trying to rape americans of their freedoms……dead on again darla

  • Valerie

     If you want to call you opponents retarded then you get a trig comment. See how PC you people are when you busy being hypocrites?

    I knew you would see nothing wrong with his comment.

    COUNT IT!

  • Michelle

    No it seems to me that you lose it when you are called on your vile, hypocritical behavior. 

  • Valerie

    I f you say so Ms. Bachmann!!! You sure take you comments here so
    seriously!!!! I guess that’s why you’re so quick to project all the
    time!  Ah the hubris and arrogance!!!

  • Anonymous

    What about what Michelle posted is a lie Valerie? Do you have anything that proves that what was said is untrue? Did not Chris Matthews and the rest of them say the verbiage that came out of their mouths?
    The few posts of yours that I have read today just seem to mindlessly attack poster Michelle without anything of substance to back your own thoughts (?).
    Babble on Valerie, but don’t expect any respect from those of us with functional brains who enjoy reading political discourse from both sides in an effort to learn.

  • Valerie

    You’d be wrong Ms. Bachmann!!! And you’re no armchair shrink! But you sure are extra manic today!!! Its evident from your incoherent talking points and strawman arguments.

    Duuuhhhh Is Obama a terrorist? Doesn’t get any dumber sweetie!!!! 

  • Anonymous

    OK TPN, I think that you missed the mark on one of your points. Obama has used drugs in the past. That is common knowledge. Some of us even suspect he may have killed a couple of brain cells. He may still use on occasion. I just don’t believe that he is addicted or a practicing addict., at least there is no evidence to support your theory.  We should keep an eye him though.
    But hey, other than that issue, you are right on with the rest of your post.

  • Anonymous

    removed my vile comment myself…….it was uncalled for

  • Anonymous

    Was it a “scare” when YOU blamed the Tea Party and Palin for the Giffords shooting…. tool.

  • KarlSpensen

    If you deny the fact that Hussein Obamessiah is a RAGING COKEHEAD, then you are every bit as much of a fringe left-wing dCRAT socialist as the members of our LAMEstream media!!!!!!111

  • Valkyrie71010

    Beck On Obama’s Policies: “It’s September 11th All Over Again Except We Didn’t Have The Collapsing Buildings.” From the March 25, 2010, edition of Glenn Beck.

  • Anonymous

    I love how the lib on the left is able to lie with such easy by say NO ONE blamed Palin or the Tea Party of the Giffords shooting. What an accomplished liar. 

  • Moderate
  • Moderate
  • BR

    Because liberals are hypocritical by nature.  

  • BR

    Because they can’t.  So they’ll just call you a racist.

  • Anonymous

    You caved too easily, Val.  You could’ve told Michelle that yes, he did oppose it; but opposing it is one thing and blocking it from moving forward is another.  You’ll get ‘em next time.

    And always remember, Val, these are Teanderthals, a mutant hominid subspecies with small, lobeless brains.  Don’t try to engage them, at least in any serious way. 

    I have to admit though, it is fun to provoke them, just to hear them squawk. 

  • Dflojak

    The truufff will set you free

  • Dflojak

    Hey Val, your projectors needs a new lightbulb, dimbulb.

  • Dflojak

    Great job, Az

  • Tedderman

    Do you think they even know what “Vile” even means?  The way they’ve been throwing it around lately, I’m really not sure they do.

  • Dflojak

    Yeah, the left is right again. We just keep screwing up, darn in.
    http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20027918-503544.html

  • Dflojak

    Please, no racist remarks against our terrorists.

  • Tedderman

    Judging by the “crowds” at your tea-party functions recently, I’m guessing they’re all meeting in your basement next to the hampster cage.

  • Dflojak

    I agree with Obama. We should be fiscally responsible and not keep spending money we don’t have. I guess the fact that the hypocrite in chief would want to blow up a republican run government makes it okay, I’mjustthatstoopid?

  • Dflojak

    All logic is twisted if not in agreement with the sad, twisted left. Mrs. Obama. Could you please move your fat ass, i can see the screen.Sorry.

  • Dflojak

    It’s Darlaloon, be careful, she gets rather irritable at this time of the month. you know, the time when dem’s are made to look stoopid. Oh shit, that’s all the time. I thought it was that woman thing.

  • Dflojak

    yeah, vile, it’s what holds their liquid meds, dummy.

  • Dflojak

    How about if i put something in your wall socket douchebag. What an irresponsible and irrreverant statement. I hope you die a slow death from cancer, bitch.

  • Michelle

    Oh they do that anyway.

  • Michelle

    Case in point:

    CNN’s Don Lemon Treated Dem Opponents of Debt Ceiling Bill With Kid Gloves, But Scrutinized Dissenting Republican

    Read more: http://newsbusters.org/blogs/matt-hadro/2011/08/03/cnns-don-lemon-treated-dem-opponents-debt-ceiling-bill-kid-gloves-scruti#ixzz1U14sgeCP

    What liberal media bias?

  • Dflojak

    Yeah, you’re a real mensa candidate, val. You remind me of Monica lewinsky, swallowed any Presidential perfume lately, whore. I’m sure with all the kids Michelle Bachmann’s adopted or brought up, you can find another fine deformed or disabled child you can laugh at. Go for it, we’re all waiting.

  • http://hotair.com/ StewartIII

    CHRISTOPHER HAHN IS EITHER CLUELESS OR A LIAR:
    Paul Krugman Blames Giffords Shooting on Palin, Limbaugh and Beck
    http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2011/01/08/paul-krugman-blames-giffords-shooting-palin-limbaugh-and-beck

  • nancillarypeloslinton

    Hey DemoKKKrats, here’s a funny.

    “Let’s send in the Navy Seals to assassinate Democrats.”

    Laughing now a@@holes?

  • Anonymous

    Who did? Teas said, the left would make the claim and not one show did anything but review all sides.

  • nancillarypeloslinton

    Obama has ‘terrorized the USA by giving all of ‘our stimulus money to his ‘union buddies instead of investing this in infrastructure and shovel-ready jobs that he lied about when he campaigned for President. Looks like Obama chose to terrorize America using your logic.

  • Anonymous

    How many hundreds of times have the left had to listen to the radical right call them unAmerican?  (tea hate  dog whistle for terrorist) How many times have we had to listen to the spew of Obama being a “t”? Teas have no room to feel insulted. (there’s not enough hours for them to get their due)

  • Anonymous

    Harry, your an independent, …liberalism a mental disorder!

  • Anonymous

    So we get to hold every statement made by someone in office years ago, and the economy nor conditions, never change?

  • realheadline

    Yes michelle, what a winner. If you overlook the lack of maturity, the inappropriate repetitive sexual references, a complete lack/sense of humor, the fact that his mother dresses him funny, his marxist drone philosophical views, mammas boy tantrums, pagen earth worshipping alarmisism,  a complete lack of character………..  Wait a minute. He may be the perfect liberal. Congrats!

  • Anonymous

    got it, payback is a bitch……not a tea by the way…….but now i know

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_GWUMDXSUYVXFOVKEDR7OG3SD7A John Doe

    Nice to see a sane comment like yours from the right side of the political spectrum

  • daveinboca

    The Dems wore out the ‘racist’ meme and are now upping the hysteria level to Wasserman-Schlubz levels.  She probably started the terrorist avalanche because her limited vocabulary can’t get past one-word epithets.

  • Tedderman

    No, “vile” is when someone is incapable of making rational arguments so they resort to name calling.  Now, go take your meds.

  • Hard workers of America

    you shouldnt call liberals hypocritical thats not politicley correct they are chalanged

© 2012 Mediaite, LLC | About Us | Advertise | Newsletter | Jobs | Privacy | User Agreement | Disclaimer | Power Grid FAQ | Contact | Archives | RSS RSS
Dan Abrams, Founder | Power Grid by Sound Strategies | Hosting by Datagram