Shaggy Fox Story

You do all kinds of dubious things when you're promoting a book. But when my publisher suggested that I accept an invitation to appear on Fox's "Hannity and Colmes," I was a bit skeptical. I've been on O'Reilly a few times over the years, and have stopped doing it, because these people play with such a stacked deck. They control the format, the timing, they flat-out lie, and they're rude as hell. Even if you win the debate, you're lending credibility to a propaganda act.

But I figured that it might be useful to hone my arguments against the nastiest possible audience, and might sell a book or two in the process.

Things started off well, when Alan Colmes, in his usual role of ineffectual and half-hearted liberal, played it fairly straight. Holmes asked if the election was turning into the Palin-McCain narrative-the soccer mom and war hero--versus the Democrats on the economic issues. I countered that the Democrats couldn't just talk issues; they had to have their own narrative:

If people vote on whether Sarah Palin is better at shooting a moose, the Democrats are toast. And if Obama and Biden can bring the election back to the fact that the Republicans have had their shot at experimenting with letting Wall Street go nuts and it's really harmed ordinary people, then the election turns on the economy and the Democrats win. So this is a fight about whether the election is about culture or about pocketbook issues...a narrative of the ordinary, hard-working family just getting the short end of the stick: everything from subprime to health insurance to your pension blowing up, of your job not being secure. That's a narrative that affects ordinary people. If that narrative is persuasive, the Democrats win.

I added that Obama might be in a little trouble because he was still trying to be high-minded and "post-partisan," at a time when the campaign was turning nasty. At that point, Hannity, sitting on my other side, came unglued.

"Oh, stop it, stop it, "he spat. "This is garbage you're spewing here."

I told him that he would get his turn in a minute, and that I hadn't come on his show to be insulted. "This is a pro-Obama book!" he hissed, as if his producers had tricked him.

Hannity then want on a rant about how wonderfully the economy was performing under the Republicans, and what lies I was telling by terming economic conditions dire.

I countered:

If you can persuade the American people that the average family is doing great, your guy deserves to win the election. But I don't think the American people are that stupid. People's health insurance is going up in smoke, people's pensions are going up in smoke, people's jobs are being exported to China, unemployment is 6.1% and rising, the administration is bailing out Wall Street because of Republican deregulation... If you think the economy is great, you campaign on that.

Hannity then accused Obama, and me, of wanting to increase public spending by over a trillion dollars. I replied that it probably would take more than that to get the economy out of the hole that conservative policies had dug-and that Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson seemed to have no trouble spending a trillion dollars of taxpayer money to rescue Wall Street, but not to help ordinary people.

At that point, Hannity looked into the camera and declared that it was time for the next guest, Jordin Sparks, the American Idol winner! Colmes limply shook my hand. Hannity didn't even give me a parting sneer. I sure hope they don't invite me back, and I think the risk is fairly small. Watch it for yourself.

Conclusion: I think the show was worth doing; it was fun telling Hannity what a fool he is. I'm reasonably articulate at talking about economic issues, and I don't like bullies. However, I'm no politician, and Barack Obama at his best is a terrific one. But if I can credibly push back against the Palin-McCain narrative, deep in hostile territory, by turning the subject back to people's pocketbooks, Obama should be able to eat the right's lunch.

Robert Kuttner, co-editor of The American Prospect and Distinguished Senior Fellow at Demos, has just published Obama's Challenge: America's Economic Crisis and the Power of a Transformative Presidency (Chelsea Green). He is blogging daily about the election and the economic crisis at www.obamaschallenge.com.

Comments

[luvangelHussein330]

Given that sean insanity just signed a multi million dollar contract to continue spewing gop talking points ignorance and hate, of course he would think the economy is going great. much like bill-o the zero they get off on bullying and trying to talk over people to furthur what ever agenda they got going. And why does s. insanity always brings Ayers, Wright and Rezko into every conversation in regards to Obama even when there is no reason like gilian who is noun verb 911, insanity is noun, verb, Ayers, Rezco, Wright. And faux news is paying him miilions for that? I'm in the wrong line of business.

[TCHa]

Roses to you (and other intelligent people) for sucking up and going on these type shows. You reach a whole different demographic so remember to speak slowly and in one and two syllable words.

[JC1c1]

I am an independent, and watching the pundits talking I have seen the same pattern over and over again. If a McCain/Palin supporter starts losing a debate, they shout and talk over the Obama/Biden supporter. The media lets them get away with it. They dont tell them to shut up, they dont tell them that they got their chance to talk, so let the others do so as well. Larry King had 4 women on his show, when Ms Huffington was there as well. He let the two McCains talk, but when the Obama women refuted said point, McCain women started talking over them. Larry Kind did nothing, just like he did nothing when Chuck Norris did this same thing to Huffington. Show after show, same thing happens.

One the O supporters need to call the Mc Supporters out on it, and the host of the show. Two Mc Supporters need to learn, it doesnt make you look good, you didnt win. What it does look like is that you are so afraid of what they have to say, you wont let them speak at all.

[toochie50]

Robert - you were great on Hannity - that guy does not even have a college degree! (same as limpaugh) He is so puffed faced, bold faced liar, crying the same old tunes every single day on his radio show too - i get so disgusted with that guy ! UKKKKK - he's been nothing but extremely mean to Michelle Obama too - and the laughable part is both the Obama's are head and shoulders above this punk! I hope to God this punk is shut down when Obama becomes president - that is what they are all afraid of! And i hope to God that Obama NEVER never does an interview with that bloat headed, racist pig. That is exactly what he is a racist! On his show when he tells his soccer moms (those are the majority calling in - he says "let your heart not be troubled" i am here!) there has GOT to be some dirt to kick up on this axx hole??
I saved your piece with him on my favs at home along with the video on youtube of him being chased by R. Paul supporters now that was a hoot!
Hannity YOU ARE NOT a great American!

[SEQUOIABISON]

Robert you did a commendable job against the attack dog Hannity.

Unfortunately Hannity does not believe in intelligent debate, his methodology is, if you are making a good point with your argument, he immediately interrupts you with incoherent nonsensical shouts of anger.

The man is a space cadet and has zero creditability among intelligent thoughtful people.

Obama/Biden

[DasBoot]

Good job! I admire your composure, because I would have leaped across the table the second Hannity had raised his annoying, high-pitched bully voice.

[radiclib]

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When Sean Hannity shouts in his condescending voice ``Excuse me! Excuse me!'' the proper response is ``No. There is no excuse for you. I will not excuse you.''
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[JohnnyBoyyy]

Mr. Kuttner, you KNEW better than put yourself through the Faux feeding trough. BUT, goood job!

"low information" voters that get most of their "news" from these types of entertainment shows!

Maybe these voters should learn that their computers are good for more than porn and gaming! Imagine how better informed they would be if they read these blogs like yours AND also read the comments to get a well-rounded view of reality this election.

This is OUR Time - This is OUR Moment.

Obama/Biden '08/12!!!

[lovethesinner]

Thanks for ignighting that tantrum from Hannity, Robert. I thought you had great ideas on Obama's challenge, and you did a great job standing up to Sean's lame LIES. (what a scourge on HUMANITY IS HANNITY) Keep up the good fight.

[londongal]

You were magnificent. You had Hannity frothing at the mouth. Good one!

[Proudbutnodem]

Nr Kuttner can you please explain how raising the tax rate on the rich to 47-55% is going to help the economy.(39% income and 8-16% payroll) Even after JFK, Reagan, and Bush proved that by lower tax rates you will actually increase tax revenues. What we need to be doing is controlling spending not increasing it. What have the Dems done in the last 2 years to controll spending? Not much of anything. If you can explain this I might even vote for Obama.

[BetterDays]

Ask Clinton. It seemed to work well for the economy then!

[Skepticat]

The republicans have been cutting taxes to the uber rich for the past 8 years - how much extra revenue did that generate. Nada, zilch, butkis, During this time the national debt climbed from 4+ trillion to around 9 trillion - the debt doubled. Doesn't sound like smart fiscal policy to me.
Unless you're obscenely rich and don't care if the country goes bankrupt please explain how this is a good thing.
The democrats did try - halfheartedly true - but they did try - to set a timetable for getting out of Iraq.
No Iraq occupation would save at least 2-3 billion a week - more for "splurges". I bet at least some democrats could find people who would do army laundry for less than $100 per bag, and find security services that cost less than 9 times a soldier's salary per capita. Bet I could.
Save a few hundred billion here and there - and it adds up real quick.

[IForgotMyName]

All Obama is going to do is raise the taxes for those making over $250,000 to the level they were under the Clinton administration.
And you will have to admit that the economy was in great shape during the Clinton years: low inflation, 27 million new jobs created, low unemployment, deficits from Bush I were turned into record budget surpluses.

Even a Republican conservative like former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan says in his book that the Bush tax cuts were foolish because they were cutting huge holes in the budget.

[AtticusinPa]

Don't blame the dems for failure to control spending. Your president offers the budget and threatens to veto that which he does not like and the dems do not have a veto-proof majority in the Senate. It was your president's decision to keep the cost of the Iraq war off the budget. So his 700 billion dollar shortfall is short. It has not been proven that cutting taxes increases government tax revenue. In most instances in costs revenue. If Paris Hilton saves 100 million on her federal estate tax, will she spend it? No, she will invest it, likely in something tax sheltered, like munies. No tax. None. Zip. Nada. Why shouldnt Paris Hilton pay her share??

[LynnTTT]

Love to see it: I hardly ever see Colmes and he is no help when he does appear. I would have commented on the Fox News site, but it's a waste of time. I posted at least 15 comments in the last week or so and none ever appear. I'll try one telling them how great they are and see if that works.

[PADDYWHACK]

I'm sure your mother told you never ever to hang with people like that,you now have to admit she was right....so there scrape it off your shoes.

[docbungle]

Sir,

I caught that clip yesterday and I must say: you handled yourself admirably. I know how hard it can be not to just up and walk out on someone like that. You actually managed to get good points out on the air while Hannity tried his best to talk over you and make you feel uncomfortable.

The result? He looked like an immature, foolish blowhard, and you came out on top - baffled momentarily by the unexpected idiocy and ignorance you were abruptly assaulted with.

Well done. It's important that people like you brave the waters on these types of shows occasionally, because so many people seem to get their actual 'news' from these ridiculous shows.

[GoCheneyYourself]

Mr. Kuttner, your performance on Hannity and Colmes was commendable. You had that jerk ready to explode. Please get on as many shows as possible between now and election day.