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When TV Pundits Declare TV Pundits Are Unfit for Public Office

Brad Slager
Brad Slager  |  Nov 14, 2024
The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Townhall.com.

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Prose & Contradiction – CNN

  • We enjoy this new standard of the title "TV personality" being a disqualifying factor.

It has been enjoyable to watch the experts in the press losing their composure over the appointments Donald Trump has announced for his Cabinet. One in particular that caught many by surprise was Pete Hegseth nominated to be Secretary of Defense. Quite a few in the media have dismissed him as a Fox News weekend host as if his two-plus decades serving in the military and numerous decorations while serving in two wars are not a consideration.

The best is that we literally have TV personalities declaring Hegseth is unqualified – because he is merely a TV personality.

The irony has been lost on many, and Scott Jennings was there to correct the eggheads on their stunted position.

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Low-Octane Gaslighting – THE NEW YORK TIMES

  • When body art is the disqualifying aspect of leadership.

The New York Times Editorial Board also got in on the critiques of Hegseth. Not only do they try to paint him as a lightweight choice, saying "outside of two tours" he has no experience (two decades in the military gives one very little insight, we presume), but they then go on to describe another challenge Hegseth faces:

It's far from certain Mr. Hegseth could even obtain the security clearances required for the job. He has said he was one of a dozen National Guard members removed from service at President Biden's inauguration in 2021 because of concerns that he was an extremist — possibly because of a tattoo he wears that is popular among white supremacists.

That would be the tattoo he has of the Jerusalem Cross. These folks have lost their moorings.

DNC PR Firm – THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY

  • Is there any reason you were listening to the childish scolds in the first place?

The Democrats and the media are still grappling with what caused Kamala Harris to lose in such a flaming ball of flames. The Financial Times looked into what is considered one of the bigger failings, and that was Harris deciding to avoid going on the "Joe Rogan Experience." The campaign that knew it was struggling with young males was dismissive of Rogan and decided he was not worth her time. That, or she would be exposed as a hollow shell of a candidate.

But as it is explained by insiders, the decision to wave off the appearance was made to appease the sensitivities of millennials on staff:

The talks faltered because of concerns at how the interview would be perceived within the Democratic party, said Jennifer Palmieri, a senior adviser to Harris’s husband, Doug Emhoff. "There was a backlash with some of our progressive staff that didn't want her to be on it, and how there would be a backlash," Palmieri said on Wednesday.

The Harris campaign was run like your average major newsroom these days. The younger crowd has a loud voice and can create systemic problems in the demands that their sensitivities be respected, over things like, you know – success.

Gilded Reframe – ABC NEWS - "THE VIEW"

  • At least one show is looking to repair things after a huge loss.

The cackling hens on "The View" are such a tiresome lot we barely cover them here at RFTH, but this is worthy of coverage. The stilted premise of the show is they try to discuss matters from multiple views, and thus, they have on the panel Alyssa Farah Griffin as their touted "right-of-center" voice. That Griffin is a hard-core anti-Trump krone is a testament to how she landed the gig.

But now the producers looked over how completely wrong the gals have been for…well, ever …and now, want to bring on a decidedly "pro-Trump" opinionated for the broadcast.

Presentation Paradox – MSNBC

  • How many Nazis are you going to invite to your panel…?

The seismic shift on "Morning Joe" with the approach to the upcoming Trump administration continues to be nothing short of amusing. The show that declared daily that Trump is a fascist and will ruin the nation, and had namesake host Scar-Joe declaring that he will be arresting and executing his opponents ("just check the record"), now declares that – CERTAINLY – Trump officials will be welcomed on the program!

Says co-hostess Mike Brzezinski:

We will continue our best efforts to be fair and objective in reporting on the incoming administration. It goes without saying that we invite members of the incoming Trump administration to be on our show. And also, we look forward to discussing this issue, and others, face-to-face with President Trump himself.