Tucker Carlson: My Favorite Opposition Research

I'm not afraid to say something unpopular. Neither is now former MSNBC host Tucker Carlson. That is why I will miss him, however happier I may be to see him in his new campaign correspondent role on the same network.

Beyond the obvious disagreements I have with this conservative/libertarian, I find Mr. Carlson to be pretty exhilarating as an interviewer. That can be taken in several ways: I generally found him infuriating and at times destructive, but as Rev. Al Sharpton said tonight on the last episode of "Tucker," he certainly knew how to keep the debate alive. I doubt he played devil's advocate when he would find a deeply sinister point of view and put it on the table for discussion for either partisan or non-partisan panelists to dissect, disprove, approve or embrace. I believe that there was a genuine curiosity on Carlson's part to put something out there that people might have been not that eager to say. I don't believe that Carlson is out to destroy a candidate, nor does he officially endorse one (despite his blatant man-love for Rep. Ron Paul). I do believe that the tripe that comes out of his mouth serves a purpose: opposition research. If Tucker Carlson is thinking it and saying it out loud, chances are that more politically involved conservatives and Republicans are finding ways to spin it into strategy. That means that politically involved liberals, moderates and Democrats should be watching and listening so we can come back with something stronger to counteract it. This is why I think Carlson will be great as a correspondent/commentator -- pitted against an opposite viewpoint, viewers will see the contrasting opinion and use it to see how both sides think, however out of left (maybe right? far right?) field it may come. Someone besides Tucker Carlson is thinking it, and we, as Democrats, need to come back with a knock-out response. Comment your heart out, Tucker. I'll be watching, and then I'll be Googling.

But besides the political commentary, Tucker Carlson has been just plain fun to watch. I may hate some of the things he says and does, but I would totally have a Fresca with this guy. Or at least a dance party. Plus, along with the great Jonathan Alter of Newsweek and MSNBC, Tucker was the only other response to this highly important investigation I conducted for Mediabistro's FishbowlNY while I finished up my third college try. For this, I will always have a special place in my heart for Tucker Carlson. (OMG, Tucker Carlson totally emailed me! So awesome!) Though I really can't complain about future dinner dates with 6:00 PM's new occupant, equally fabulous dancer David Gregory.

So, Tucker, as a liberal, I want to thank you for giving me an inside look into your sick, sick mind and for providing so much insight and proof that there should simply not be another Republican in the White House. Disagreeing with you inspires me to further educate myself on the issues and reinforces my own opinion, as well as taking away any trepidation before expressing an unpopular viewpoint.

Only some of the greatest hits, courtesy of msnbc.com:

Comments

[thatsNotWhatIHeard]

i'm pretty left too and I completely agree with you, his show was entertaining, it was good discussion without the shock-jock. Hell, I'd listen to the podcast right after Olbermann's just to find a common balance. Didn't agree with Tucker much, but nonetheless, its a shame he's out

[NavyMom]

beep-beep-beep-the sound of gaydar-

[realityisbetter]

I've always thought Tucker is the most intensely niave know-it-all I've ever seen on TV. I'm sure most of the right wing nuts are lying on purpose. Tucker seems just too naive to know any better, yet completely sure he's right beyond all doubt. I mean come on...a bow tie??

[frustratedinohio]

I always have enjoyed Tucker. He is the most unbiased pundit on tv. He could talk about politics in an intelligent way, without making it something personal, without being insulting. I wish there were more like him.

[charley0008]

Your not alone, I too don't agree with one thing Tucker says, but I think it was important to the debate to have him say it. He represents a huge slice of American's whether we want to admit it or not, and they have equal right to a voice to offer their view.
Plus he was funny, stimulating and intelligent and always approached his guests with interest and courtesy. What ever his view was, his curiosity shone through and I like that a lot. Although true to his libertarian point of view, he often surprised me with his comments and response to other people's point of view. He is not like Pat Buchanan, the same-old, same-old, dyed in the wool, 'that's politics' which makes me turn the channel. Unlike Dan Abrams, who did nothing when Buchanan told the other guest to shut up and listen over the Geraldine Ferraro matter, Tucker would have stepped in!
I hope we have not seen the last of Tucker, his great sense of humor and his quirky view of the world.
So I am with you on Tucker Carlson.

[realpolitic]

Tucker is a jerk. He is no libertarian. He is simply a Bush apologist, conservative lackey. You have been duped, bamboozled, Ms. Frevele. When you see David Gregory, please tell him not to be afraid to ask Bush a tough question every now and again, between the White House-media dinner parties.

[Myers]

Now, that he has, yet another show cancelled (how many is that?), I guess I'll have to go to my country club, to get the latest white bred, dweeb news. Too bad there aren't any other white, male, reactionaries with programs in the MSM to keep the barbarians at the gate and inspire you " to further educate" yourself on the issues.
Tucker's just another iconic example of the dry rot of nepotism and celebrity, which is destroying every institution that he claims to champion. A flea on an elephant's ass.
It doesn't matter one whit ,who he had on his program if he never let them finish one sentence. I watched his show long enough to see him "interview " one guest and he literally never let the guy finish a single sentence. I'm not going to waste my time but I'll bet that if you did a word count on his programs, the ratio between him and his guests would heavily in his favor.

[changeisontheway]

Good riddance tucker - I definitely won't miss your screeching when you couldn't convince your panel on your viewpoint. My dogs will love you're gone - your shrill voice in arguements really did a number on their ears. Hang tight, don't take that silver spoon from your mouth, Daddy's chronies will help you find another job.

[krocklin]

We liberals should be grateful I guess that we don't get a TOTAL diet of rightwingers like Hannity, Savage, Limbaugh, Beck, Barnes, Hume, O'Reilly etc.
At least the "elite media" throws us a few bones like Pat Buchanon and Tucker; raving lunatics with sick minds still, but at least with some intelligence and some sense of levity a la Buckley.
That's about as well as we can do in the corporate media we have.

[RichardSau]

I agree. Other than Countdown with Keith OlberOther than Countdown with Keith Olbermann; Carlson was the only other commentato­r/intervie­wer I enjoyed on MSNBC.mann­; Carlson was the only other commentater on MSNBC.

[foufou]

Tucker has always been provocative and interestin­g...strong enough to have guests with whom he violently disagrees (i.e., Al Sharpton, Lanny Davis). David Gregory will have a high bar to meet to keep Tucker's audience or develop a new one!

[Halfwit]

I don't think Tucker has done his last show. He'll be covering the campaigns for the rest of the season and who knows where after that. He is supposed to be a regular panelist on David Gregory's show. And I am not watching Chris Matthews right now because his show is only good in the off-political years.

[BlueOnBlue]

Smarmy.

This word was waiting for Tucker Carlson to come along and embody it fully.

"Etymology: smarm to gush, slobber"

" 1 : revealing or marked by a smug, ingratiating, or false earnestness ; 2 : of low sleazy taste or quality "

[bradleyglisson]

I miss Tucker already. There was something lovable about the guy.

[realpolitic]

Yes, he was lovable in his cluelessness and shrillness.

[Stirner]

Why must you put down Tucker for his "man-love" of Ron Paul? Come on, you know the reason that Tucker got dumped. He actually treated Ron Paul with some respect.

[realpolitic]

Did Paul come between Tucker and Willie Geist?