Is Howard Fineman stupid, or just on the White House payroll?

[kcwayne]

Yesterday on AAR, Fineman told Al Franken breathlessly that Bush's inauguration speech was the most radically expansive speech regarding America's commitment to the world ever given by an American president. He was referring of course to Bush's diatribe about bringing liberty to everyone.

Isn't Bush the same president that made a soaring speech about committing America to reaching Mars when the Chinese talked about going back to the moon? And how much have we heard about that since it died in the news cycle?

Or how about the 18 billion in funding for AIDs prevention in Africa?

Or 7 million new jobs?

Or tons of WMD littering the landscape of Iraq, ready to be leveled on the US within 45 minutes?

How can any halfway sentient being that was not born last week listen to Bush and not realize they are in the presence of a buffoon? If you take anything he says seriously, you have lowered yourself to his paltry level of intelligence. The only people Bush fools are those that are dumber than him.

Bush must pay Howard alot of money to get him to keep saying nice things about the presidency. I guess that compensates for having your integrity stripped from you. But that's cool. Integrity doesn't buy condos in tropical locales, does it?

[LostInAnomie]

1. I honestly think he is just an idiot.

He is ceaselessly duped by talking points until the moment has passed and then he grumbles about them until the next talking point to jump on.

[itzamirakul]

2. I often wonder why

with all the rightwing talk shows these pundits have to express their pro-Bush sentiments, why do Al Franken and AAR feel that they have to offer a forum for rightwing supporters also? So many days I simply have to turn Franken off because I just can't take any more of it.

Besides, Franken's interviewing skills truly suck. I like the guy, but just hearing him stumble and try to get his ideas together is often painful and embarrassing.

Want to know one subject that is NEVER discussed on AAR?

The Israel-Palestinian conflict....

When anyone asks Franken a question about it, his answer is either Oy-yoy-yoy or "I don't know enough wbout it to discuss it."

[Inland]

3. I don't think that saying the speech was hugely expansive

is compliment, for the reasons you gave. When speechs clash with actions, it is hypocrisy. When speeches are faked and false, it is a lie. So I would have to hear Fineman in context.

[meegbear]

4. MWO used to refer to him as Whoreward Fineman

'nuff sed.

[ktowntennesseedem]

5. "The only people Bush fools are those that are dumber than him."

That's what's wrong with our country. You're exactly right that it should be easy to recognize Bush for the buffoon that he is. But those who take him seriously aren't lowering themselves to his meager level of intelligence, they are already at that level. And our country is full of buffoons eager to be fooled again and again.

The only exception would be those smart enough to know better, such as our friend Howard here, but choose to sell out for personal gain.

We are surrounded by the foolish and the greedy. I'm not sure which is worse, but I'm sick of both.

[TomClash]

6. meanwhile

the chinese haave launched a second spacecraft.

Fineman needs to be balanced about the WH otherwise he doesn't get any access.