Video of my appearance today on Fox News.

[stevenleser]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-UkcqmQDu4

[Lint Head]

1. EXCELLENT JOB!! Congratulations you are telling the truth and

the liars don't like it.

[pilar007]

13. Great

You were composed, direct and unwavering. Great job. Republicans would make up a straw man of signage. Everyday I am amazed at how pathetic the republcan party has become. Keep up the good work.

[Mika]

2. Are the signs made in China or the US?

Anyone know?

:rofl:


Good job, Steven! :thumbsup:

[lala_rawraw]

3. very nice looking too

congrats

[Skittles]

22. Amen to THAT

yes INDEED

[AlinPA]

4. Nice job, Steven. They were rattled, you were cool and calm and right on.

[elleng]

5. Gave ME an ulcer, Steve!

You REALLY do well, in difficult circumstances!

[firedupdem]

6. Great Job! n/t

[vaberella]

7. Great job Steven. n/t

[eleny]

8. Signs?

:rofl: That's all they've got to get into a lather about? This is hilarious. I applaud your being able to keep a straight face.

[Beaverhausen]

40. I know, right? I kept thinking they'd move on from the signs, but they didn't

[GinaMaria]

57. I noticed the host and the guest were not able

to keep straight faces. Their smirking is all to reminiscent of the last 8 years.

[ljm2002]

9. Good job!

I could not believe how the supposed news guy wanted to make those signs an issue, and wouldn't let go -- in other words, it's all he's got. You did great, I would have been sputtering in outrage at their inanity.

[NYC_SKP]

10. I'd say that making signs is a job. Putting up signs, also a job.

And posting signs where public works are about to begin or are in progress, as old as time.

That's all they got?

Nice job, Steven!

Rec'd.

[Number23]

11. I truly cannot believe this doesn't have more recs

Steven, how do you think it went? It must be hard trying to speak intelligently while being asked the stupidest questions in the world and being cut off constantly as you try to answer them.

[stevenleser]

12. Well, this is my third time on and each time I feel more comfortable...

I was more aggressive this time because I knew it was going to be two on one. Some people thought I was too respectful the first time so the second and third appearances I've had on Fox I was more assertive.

All the feedback I have received has been positive. There are minor things I wish I would not have done (looking down) but other than that I am pretty pleased.

[Number23]

23. Like alot of people, you probably look down to gather your thoughts

Just think, you could have been sitting there with your mouth open and "chewing" like that radio host. NOT a good look. :)

I thought you handled yourself very well and looked good on camera. It's obvious you know your stuff.

[livefreest]

70. i think that any time fox news asks a Democrat or a progressive to comment live

we should always know that it's to attack the Democrat interviewee personally (as an Obama surrogate) and never to honestly discuss policy

[Lisa0825]

14. Excellent job! nt

:yourock:

[Cha]

15. "Dithering"!? Geeze!

Ya got Nerves of Steel to go in the vipers' den of iniquity and spar with the likes of stuart varney and his hi$$$$$$ing.

Course, it's invaluble that you have the facts with you and you know what you're talking about.

[mecherosegarden]

16. K&R Very Good! N/T

[kirby]

17. Up next, Taxing your BBQ! n/t

[Gregorian]

18. Excellent job, all while fending off two of them. They ganged up on you.

Imagine that! Two conservatives talking about how wrong it is to spend a few pennies putting up signs. And to think that they cheered on a two or three trillion dollar invasion. Shame on them. They can't see the forest for the trees.

[newview88]

19. Great job!!!

[girl gone mad]

20. SYou always do well, Steve.

You definitely have the right disposition to debate these clowns.

[Skittles]

21. again, let's talk about how you look, Steven

fucking AWESOME :thumbsup:

[Aloha Spirit]

24. not sure if jackeens is around, so I'm going to have to give you

a little shower :-o !!

[Skittles]

25. I'd shower with Steven, for sure

yes INDEED :hi:

[Aloha Spirit]

26. lol

I meant a COLD shower, that water in the picture is icy cold and it's going UP your nose in the most unpleasant way.
fercrissakes ;-)

[stevenleser]

27. Feels... somehow... hot... in.... here

LOL, thanks Skittles. Be careful, I might take you up on that.

[Skittles]

31. YEE HAW!!!

I AM STOKED!!! :hi:

[hootinholler]

30. There's nothing little about that shower!

I thought I was in the semi wash bay at the local truck stop.

:shrug:

-Hoot

[Aloha Spirit]

28. Most excellent performance,

you got skills!
The fact that agencies receiving stimulus money are required to public report their spending together with the fact that so many people believe the money isn't being spent yet is pretty much a mandate to put up signs everywhere at every opportunity... I'm delighted that that radio host dude wants to keep talking about signs. At least he's transmitting the message that the stimulus money is getting spent on local projects.
Your point about local projects meaning he was getting what he wanted was executed so well, *sigh* wish I had your poise in such situations!

[hootinholler]

29. Give 'em hell Steve!

Where in the constitution does it say anything about spending other than Congress shall direct it?

The signage is a job in itself, and how many people are getting the heads up about jobs coming?

-Hoot

[spanone]

32. great work...

[quidam56]

33. What freakin' America do these jesters live in ???

Hannity's America sure ain't My America. http://www.wisecountyissues.com/?p=138

[phleshdef]

34. Man, I was totally wanting to hear you bust out your military creds when he mentioned memorial day..

but still, awesome job, especially when you are dealing with that den of snakes.

[grantcart]

35. you did great but I believe that the signs are required by law to notify tax payers

that there money is used for the public works.


I had to laugh at the right wing fellow - what do you consider essential, "airports". I don't believe he would feel that they are essential.

[Undercurrent]

36. Kudos!

You did yourself, and our party proud!

[Ilsa]

37. I DVR'ed you today, and so glad I did! You were fn awesome!

:thumbsup: :patriot: :applause: :thumbsup: :patriot: :applause: :thumbsup: :patriot: :applause: :thumbsup: :patriot: :applause: :thumbsup: :patriot: :applause: :thumbsup: :patriot: :applause:

I guess Stuart Varney was expecting to see the workers out with their shovels next to the freakin signs? :dunce:

You are my new democratic cutie pie! :loveya: :bounce:

[PretzelWarrior]

38. Hey, I'm glad you're out there doing this fine work. KUDOS

I really hope to hear more from you as you not only continue editing OpEd News but also defend progressive values in the face of "Say NO to everything" Republican attacks.

[southerncrone]

39. Great job, Steven. They thought you'd be fresh meat, but you

proved them wrong. Three good licks at once, mentioning Perry, succession & redoing the mansion.

Doesn't the manufacturing & installation of these signs not stimulate the economy? How "unbalanced" are these idiots?

And love the tie!
:thumbsup:

[joshcryer]

44. Yeah, that sneering Brit was totally caught off guard. Made me laugh.

I loved that part where he sneered and couldn't bring a comeback.

[southerncrone]

106. The right is so pathetic. There is no substance to them. All they

know how to do is take $#!T & smear it on any thing of value, trying to devalue any viewpoint out there that isn't theirs. Oh...wait....they have no viewpoint -- only "no" to anyone else's ideas. Guess, they got $#!T.

[JeffR]

41. Well done, Steven

Once again.

:fistbump:

[joshcryer]

42. You did great! Once you get better at it you won't let them control the conversation so much.

But don't let that get in the way of your respectfulness, because that's how they lose. The sneering British guy just looked so lame.

[quantass]

43. Great job steve

[Tommy_J]

45. Great points

K&R

[info being]

46. Good job, but this could have been your home run:

"Who do you think creates the signs?" In other words, the signs themselves provide jobs.

[Joe the Liberal]

47. Hahaha great job.......

typical of fox to bring in one of their talking heads and make it a 2 vs 1 scenario, that's "fair and balanced" for ya.

[Seldona]

48. Great job. Glad you can talk to them.

That smarmy, one-line, transparent, shtick, that bingo-caller was using was infuriating.

He couldn't speak outside his prepared talking point AT ALL. They so rarely can.

[Dakota Flint]

80. One question....

How did you get the stench of brimstone out of your clothes after your appearance on Fox Slews?

[Seldona]

89. A reply to the author of the op I presume?

I haven't done any interviews on Fox, though I did get to call most of the employees of my local affiliate evil one day when they were leaving their office for lunch, and I was in the office building on other business. The look on their faces was priceless.

*Edited to add welcome to DU.

[Festivito]

49. Good style. It worked. You're excellent and appreciated.

That was genuinely informed presentation. Thank you for serving the good of the people.

[pleah]

50. K&R Good job!

:thumbsup:

[rosesaylavee]

51. Shovel ready in 90-120 days or the money goes back in the pot, right?

I don't think we have reached those calendar deadlines yet. And if/when we do and the money is not being used, it will not be spent on the originally assigned project but go possibly to another project waiting for funding or just back in the overall Fund.

Good job! You kept your cool and got the information out. Far better than I would have been.

K and R.

[Canuckistanian]

52. "signs are not an essential function of government"

Uhhhh.... yes they are.

Are we supposed to let the "free market" put signs up?

[Adelante]

53. Good job

:toast:

[lumberjack_jeff]

54. That was awesome. Very well done.

The other point about the signs IS one of PR. This was a stimulus bill, right? It seems to me that there's a good argument to be made that one of the main benefits of this stimulus is visibility.

[lame54]

55. "But the signs dammit - the signs"

[Dappleganger]

56. YOU NEED TO YELL MORE!!

just kidding, ha!

Really, you did an upstanding job and came across as well-prepared, intelligent and able to turn the tables on the conservatives.

Keep up the good work, Steve!

[insanity]

58. That other guest, to use a british euphamism, is a twat.

Conservatives in general have no understanding of the Constitution, Federalism, or history. I'm always blown away by people who think the founding fathers created a timeless recipe for government when they themselves did not think that at all. Also, from the day the Constitution was written the view of how it should work has changed depending on the times... even the framers changed the way they read it to answer new problems.

THE CONSTITUTION IS NOT PERFECT- it was the result of a compromise to racism/slavery and to protect the interests of the elite against the commoner. I say that as someone who really does love America, but not blindly because blind love is dangerous. The Constitution is amazing because of its modular nature and solid core.

Finally, when your spending airtime to complain about signage for public works you must know that the substance of your argument is vapid.

[AllyCat]

59. Ready to watch at nap time. Thanks for posting!

[MrMickeysMom]

60. Good on you, stevenleser... Their argument seems to be...

....uuuhhhhhmmmmm.... signs.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, can it be weaker than that?

[dana_b]

61. man, do I give you credit!

I don't know how you can sit and debate these people who are out to attack any point that you make. That host is so biased and hypocritical that it makes my stomach turn. Thanks for doing this as we do need people who can take them on.

[scubadude]

62. Great composure and great job!

I don't think I could have handled myself as well as you did.

I think after the announcer said "he was not a Republican" and then clearly tag teamed against you I would have said: "Gee announcer, you sure seem like a Republican joining this other fellow against me. If you really aren't a Republican, why don't you fire off some commentary arguing against this Republican guy? You two are tag teaming me. Well, can you be antagonistic against a fellow representing the Republicans, or are you just another Fox liar?"

I think Dems need to take it to them on Fox. During every appearance question the channels integrity in some way. If all Dems did this it might change things. They would have to either take the Dems completely off the air, which could be noted on every other channel any time a Dem appears, or they would have to moderate.

Scuba

[AzDar]

63. A fine job!

:applause:

[liberal N proud]

64. K&R

[tledford]

65. Very good job, Steven. eom

[geckosfeet]

66. Brilliant. Thanks for your efforts!

[RoccoR5955]

67. WTG Steven!

Excellent job!

[livefreest]

68. way to stick it to republicans. i love how you kept calling that fixed news anchor a republican.

i love that you never went into defensive mode

[stlsaxman]

69. What a couple of idiots! that's all they got?!?!? signs?? Way to go, Steve!

:yourock:

[yellerpup]

71. You're good!

Amazing how vicious they get especially when they've got nothing! Spending $300 on a sign is "immoral" but an illegal war is OK? Only because the war is not on the budget--they have NOTHING! K&R! :kick:

[ElusiveSigh]

72. Good for you...

for not allowing that @$$-hat to talk over you as much as he would have liked to!

[OHDEM]

73. You. Rock.

:yourock: :headbang: :applause:

Thanks for your calm, smart answers to irrational right-wingers!

I love the dude complaining about the signs. How much did the "Mission Accomplished" sign cost? (Many ways to answer THAT question.)

Keep it up!

[AlbertCat]

74. $8 BILLION simply LOST, as in missing, in Iraq!

But let's get back to the signs.

[Narkos]

75. You kicked ass, good job!

[beac]

76. bookmarking to watch later! n/t

[redqueen]

77. God I can't even watch that.

It's hard to believe they're even serious. Signs? Really?

Idiots. Full credit to you for putting up with it.

OK I did go back and watch it. UGGGGGH.

Nice job mentioning the healthcare jobs that are being stimulated. That sure wiped the smirk off the little winger's face. :)

[jillan]

78. I LOVE how you are able to stay so calm - on the outside anyway!

Great job Steve :toast:

[NewJeffCT]

79. great job on there

sorry you had to be subjected to it.

[PatSeg]

81. That was great

You were very calm and effective.

[NeedleCast]

82. Steven, You're a Brave Man

for even going on Faux where you know you're going to be "challenged" by their talking heads. I understood your point, and it sounded reasonable and well thought out to me. Sounds like Mike Slater is some sort of Consitituion Party guy or big L libertarian.

[The Blue Flower]

83. Having recently worked on a major WSDOT project...

If the issue is why more of those dollars have not yet been spent, infrastructure projects require planning and design. They don't happen in a couple of weeks or even months. The money has been set aside to be spent WELL, not necessarily as quickly as possible. And in Washington State, those signs go up to alert motorists of possible future disruptions in their routes.

[Window]

84. WooHoo! Great job Steve.

:thumbsup:

[JDPriestly]

85. I'd like to see more of you, Mr. Steveleser.

You spoke with confidence and strength, and you told the truth without apology. That's what I want to hear from Democrats. No tricks. Just the truth straight out.

Our local school not only has a sign stating that improvements are being made by local government but crediting the specific council members that sponsored and approved the project. That is absolutely normal.

The Republicans must be really desperate if they are making a fuss over this.

[tosh]

86. Very nicely done!!

[mascarax]

87. Thanks for representing sanity

Steven - awesome job. And good for you for talking over him/them too - they *always* use that same tired tactic, and Dems (& Independents too) generally try to be nice and not interrupt when they're interrupted. Forget that! I'm tired of those smirking bullies.

[jimlup]

88. Nice work Steve!

You're getting that be cool thing down. Man I could never do that - I'd explode at these knee jerk idiots.

You were great! Thanks!

[stevenleser]

90. Thanks so much to everyone for the words of encouragement. It means a lot...

I thought of all the great things you all said after the first time I was on and it really gave me a boost going into these last two appearances. The support really means a lot.

Thanks again!
Steve

[barbtries]

91. you looked and sounded great

i could only take it so long.

[byronius]

92. Great job.

[Mr. Sparkle]

93. I hate to break some news for that right wing bozo but buying that sign creates jobs.

Sign's don't just fall off tree's !! You have to pay someone to buy a sheet of metal, who then cuts it out and paints it. They too also create jobs buy paying their suppliers.

Propaganda TV at its worst !!

sometimes I think it is better if Libs or Democrats don't go on that right wing hate machine and let them argue all by themselves. Than ppl can really see how ridiculous they are.

[Liberal In Texas]

94. Great job...especially when you were double teamed!

But that's how the cable propaganda arm of the Repukes, Fox does it.

[slingsam]

95. Thank you

I congratulate you, sir!

[tblue37]

96. Summary for us deafies? nt

[stevenleser]

97. Sure, sorry about that...

So... the debate was supposed to be about these signs that are being posted wherever infrastructure projects are occurring that are being in part or in whole payed for by stimulus money. The Republicans hate the signs and say they are a waste.

The debate began with Stuart (the host) raising an unrelated issue to what the debate was supposed to be about, namely that he believed the stimulus money wasnt being spent fast enough, they named a figure of about 35 million out of 15 billion spent. I'm sure I am off but the proportion is close enough. He said the politicians are dithering.

I responded by saying what is really going on here is that the Republicans are afraid of these signs because when people see that infrastructure projects are happening in their local communities as a result of the stimulus, it wont be so easy for the Republicans to attack the stimulus after that.

Stuart again tried to raise the issue of the slowness of the money being spent and I told him that the stimulus was helping the economy and that the DOW and unemployment were improving as a result. I then threw a curveball by saying the worst abuse of the stimulus money was occuring in Texas with Republican Governor Rick Perry using $11 million to spruce up the governor's mansion there. Which was funny, I went on, because he at first made a big show of refusing the stimulus money, then he said he wanted to seceede over the stimulus money, then he grabbed it with both hands to essentially fix up his house.

I also mentioned in a back and forth that these signs are nothing new, that in my 40 years, I've seen these signs all over in New York, Colorado, Florida, Texas, etc., saying "Your Tax Dollars at work"

Stuart then brought on Mike (a rw radio talk show host from Tennessee) who attacked the signs as non-essential. I said no one was saying they were essential and I repeated the two points re: the signs not being anything new and that Republicans are afraid of them because it shows people the stimulus is having an effect in their communities.

Then Stuart threw another curveball by mentioning that a lot of money was being spent on medicare and that this was not stimulating the economy or creating jobs and I countered that this was creating jobs in the medical industry and then threw another curveball by saying that a great thing was that we were moving toward Universal Health Care for the first time in this country and that is another thing that scares Republicans.

This threw both Stuart and Mike for a loop and Stuart offered the last word to Mike who started attacking the signs as wasteful and I interrupted to say "$300, Mike, the signs cost $300" and he tried to say that it was still wasteful.

[tblue37]

99. Thanks. It sounds like you smacked them stupid--or should I say stupider?

I am thinking they won't want to have you back since you keep making them look bad. But if they invite you, please keep going, since so many of our Dem "leaders" don't seem to know how to frame the debate or respond effectively to Republican talking points.

[opihimoimoi]

98. Sun Tzu....attack them> Is this your best? Thats all ya all can come up with? $300 Signs?

Are you Pubs nuts? Moot and Minutiae Level...

This is the Nit Level....where one picks at tiny nits....

BTW good job...sending beer and roast duck

[Liberal In Texas]

100. SUDDENLY...FNC is the bastion of looking out for taxpayer money?

(Why we can't have those $300 billboards!)
(Why haven't you blown through all that money we gave you on make work jobs, eh?)

Where were they the last 8 years when Bushco was giving no-bid contracts to their cronies?
Where were they when $8B in cash went missing in Iraq?
Where were they when Bushco increased the debt more than any other administration in history combined and ran the economy off the edge of a cliff?
What a bunch of hypocrites.

[stevenleser]

101. Exactly. That is what I said the first time I was on FNC

I said Republicans have no credibility on fiscal responsibility.

[jonestonesusa]

102. Great job!

Loved your cool, loved your interruptions, loved your perspective.

:toast:

[ItNerd4life]

103. I'm confused. How much stimulus money has been spent?

They claimed it was $53 million, which wouldn't produce many jobs.

However, it showed $13 billion appropriated. Still, that is nothing compared to the $780 billion in the stimulus package.

How many jobs have actually been created?

I give you credit for holding to your opinion, but neither side convinced me whether the stimulus has or has not created jobs.

The signs argument by them was just pathetic and I think you handled that one very well! I love how you pointed out that
it was local governments that put up the signs.

[harun]

104. I give you credit for going on there man. Also I am surprised they asked

you to come back after the last time. So I will actually give Fox News some credit in having you on.

[FrenchieCat]

105. I like you there! You do good! Thank you!

:thumbsup: