NewsMax succeeded against all odds this month in finding a way to actually lower the standard of American politics even further with an invitation to Donald Trump (reality television star and professional uber-egotist) to moderate the next presidential debate. Not surprisingly, only two candidates immediately declined on the grounds that the presidential office demands a modicum of dignity: Ron Paul and Jon Huntsman. These two men continue to try to bring some level of principle to the debate and have been rewarded by being continually marginalized by the media. Newt Gingrich just accepted the invitation.
Paul spokesman left little question about how they view NewsMax’s effort to add a Circus theme to the presidential campaign:
“The selection of a reality television personality to host a presidential debate that voters nationwide will be watching is beneath the office of the Presidency and flies in the face of that office’s history and dignity. Mr. Trump’s participation as moderator will distract from questions and answers concerning important issues such as the national economy, crushing federal government debt, the role of the federal government, foreign policy, and the like. To be sure, Mr. Trump’s participation will contribute to an unwanted circus-like atmosphere.
Mr. Trump’s selection is also wildly inappropriate because of his record of toying with the serious decision of whether to compete for our nation’s highest office, a decision he appeared to make frivolously. The short-lived elevation of Mr. Trump’s stature as a candidate put him on the radar of many organizations and we recall that last spring he was invited to keynote the Republican Party of Iowa’s annual Lincoln Day Dinner, yet at the last minute he left RPI holding the bag by canceling. In turn, RPI canceled its biggest fundraising gala of the year and suffered embarrassment and in addition RPI was required to engage in refunding measures. Our candidate will not even consider participating in the late-December debate until Mr. Trump publicly apologizes to Iowa party leaders and rectifies in full the situation.
Therefore our candidate Ron Paul, the champion of the Constitution, has advised he will not attend.”
NewsMax should be ashamed if there were any room left for shame in its corporate headquarters. Not only did NewsMax select a person widely viewed as a scary clown, but someone who is still suggesting that he might run himself. What is particularly astonishingly is that former CNN figure Eason Jordan has lined up to help produce this sensational event.
Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy has issued a statements predicting “the largest audience of any Republican primary debate to date.” Of course, if you add strippers and a contortionist, ratings might be even higher.
The race to the bottom in national coverage is also reflected in this question from Fox News to Ron Paul:
It is important to note that it is the mainstream media that is accelerating this deep dive in quality and decorum. As with faux court programs, politics is being merged into the entertainment industry. This must be reassuring to the world that reality show stars will now help select the next president.
Source: Politico
FLOG THE BLOG: Have you voted yet for the top legal opinion blog? WE NEED YOUR VOTE! You can vote at HERE by clicking on the “opinion” category.
“We must keep on keeping on … it is our privilege to do so.” -Blouise
…and a duty. Having said this, it needs to be said that some are living in a state-sanctioned “hell”, right here in the good old USA.
(Mike, I love the “it just doesn’t matter” line from”Meatballs…”)
Raff & Gene,
Not as surprised as i was when I checked my E mail thee hours after my comment and found JT saying it. On my phone I just thought I read it wrong and when I went to the blot my worst fears were realized.
AY,
Thank you. I learned many years ago to admit it when you screw up, it’s the right thing to do. If Nixon had known that he might have left a better record for posterity.
Gene,
You are right! I did that a couple of times? I was also surprised that “prof. Turley was joining the 3rd shift.
Mike,
No worries. I suspected it was you by the style, but it’s easy enough to do by accident. Both raff and I have done the very same thing. Welcome to the club. 😀
Mike S.,
I’d said the same thing. I will say that it takes a very principled person to take responsibility… You sit in high esteem in my books….a man of honor…
To error and admit it is fine, to error and deny it is the political way… You sir are not a politician…
Mespo,
Thanks. The problem was I posted this weekend. on my Kindle Fire which retains info unless you specifically delete it. I removed the comment and logged out on the Kindle. I’m not redoing the comment, I’ve caused enough problems for the evening.
Mike S:
Unless you log out, it comments as JT. In all candor the comment didn’t sound like JT to me. You can go in and delete it and restate it as your own.
I don’t know how it happened but I wrote that comment ascribed to JT. I never log into WordPressp except on the weekends and I never check to have the browser rememperfectlyber my password. This is screwy and I’m going to try to change it and not leave JT responsible for my ramblings. My apologies.
We must keep on keeping on … it is our privilege to do so.
Swarthmore,
I saw that article. That is an amazing example of obstructionism by the Republicans.
http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/06/politics/dc-court-nominee-filibuster/index.html Republicans filibustered Obama court appointee today. One of the reasons was that she was for detainee rights.
Swarthmore mom, I should have been clear that you made that statement about someone else… You don’t strike me as someone who lives in a state of denial… 🙂
“All those people you mention are among the best the democratic party has to offer but none are running for president in 2012.” -Swarthmore mom
You’re right, Swarthmore mom… Not yet, anyway… (BTW, I just learned that Romney isn’t going to participate in the debate with “The Donald”… So only Santorum and Newt have confirmed?)
anon nurse, A therapist once told me I was not in denial. lol All those people you mention are among the best the democratic party has to offer but none are running for president in 2012. Rove is fighting for Romney as he realizes Gingrich will lose to Obama.
“It’s a bitch, but I’m afraid for the country if another Republican gets elected. Of course I would be only somewhat less afraid with Obama in there.” -Jonathan Turley
Perfectly put.
(Russell Feingold? Elizabeth Warren? Ron Wyden? Anyone who won’t be led around by the nose by the NSA, CIA, military, corporations, bankers, power elite… Someone with some sort of true, moral compass?)
“…bad, strange things have been happening since 2000” -said by our host, as well
While as AY rightfully says, “the batter may have been mixed a long time ago” (on the heels of OS’s similar refrain), the years since 2000 have taken us down a path of which some are still unaware, because the truth hasn’t yet come to light. Personally, I’ve witnessed things that you wouldn’t believe if I told you… There is a domestic program in play which is nothing short of Orwellian. I sometimes wish that I were blissfully unaware. Swarthmore mom once commented on the power of “denial”… How right she is… It gets me through many a day.
As I once told Blouise, I spend a lot of time going through the motions of “nursing” (a powerful distraction, I’ll admit), while trying to “normalize the abnormal”… My own situation aside, I fear for our children and grandchildren, knowing what’s taking place, but unable to do much about it, as of yet. In my wildest dreams, I never could have imagined it…
All I can do is tell the truth, speak truth to power, etc… If enough others do the same then, in the end, hopefully it “will set us free.” While this is wildly optimistic, to be sure, “hope” is all that remains sometimes…