Why is Begala a Douche?

[Sterling]

Seriously. He mocks "the left" as he calls it. Why. Isn't hey supposed to be representing "the left"?

He says there was nothing on W's back, do you agree with that as well. Most people I know at least acknowledge something is there even if they can't say exactly what. Why does he go out of his way to paint a bad picture of other Democrats and why does he keep saying Bush is a "wonderful man"?

Can we get him fired? Even John Stewart hates him.

[kerryin2004]

1. Are you delusional???

Are you talking about the Paul Begala??

[i like pizza]

3. dudes........

paul begalla is awesome. His rhetorical skills are amazing. He always stands up for us. What the hell is up with all the Begala hate?

[Media_Lies_Daily]

7. Hey, if Begala is "standing up for us", why have so many of us noticed....

...when he's not?

How often do YOU watch "Crossfire", dude?

[kerryin2004]

15. Pretty often..

I have never seen Begala be partial towards the right. I have always thought he did a fairly good job, aybe ot as confrontational as Carville, but I have never seen him give up on the democrat message..

[Sterling]

18. Is the Democratic message that McKinney is crazy.

Or that Bush is a wondeful man? Or the fraud of a "debate show" crossfire is? Did you see John Stewart on the show today? What did you think of what he said to Tucker and Begala?

[kerryin2004]

21. Sorry, Didn't see Jon Stewart..

BTW there is no H in Jon's name.. I do think that begala does a good job in the 30 minutes he is alloted.. I have seen him many times reference the pResident sitting on his ass on 9-11..He is not as ferocious as Carville, but I think he get his points in..

[Sterling]

23. I suggest if you missed todays show or

were not aware how big it was you don't watch the show enough to really understand what is happening there.

[kerryin2004]

25. I did miss today's show..

I was busy volunteering and making phone calls on behalf of Kerry and watching General Clark speak at an event..Sorry I missed it..

[Sterling]

26. I recomend visiting the media section and listening to the mp3 or watchin

a quick time version of the show. It will really help you see what we are on about if you have not picked up on Begala's douchebaggery yet.

[kerryin2004]

29. I will go straight to it..n/t

[robbedvoter]

50. Here's the transcript for ya - worth a read:

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0410/15/cf.01.html

In many ways, it's funny. And I made a special effort to come on the
show today, because I have privately, amongst my friends and also in
occasional newspapers and television shows, mentioned this show as
being bad.

(LAUGHTER)

BEGALA: We have noticed.

STEWART: And I wanted to -- I felt that that wasn't fair and I should
come here and tell you that I don't -- it's not so much that it's bad,
as it's hurting America.

(LAUGHTER)

CARLSON: But in its defense...

(CROSSTALK)

STEWART: So I wanted to come here today and say...

(CROSSTALK)

STEWART: Here's just what I wanted to tell you guys.

CARLSON: Yes.

STEWART: Stop.

(LAUGHTER)

STEWART: Stop, stop, stop, stop hurting America.

BEGALA: OK. Now

(CROSSTALK)

STEWART: And come work for us, because we, as the people...

CARLSON: How do you pay?

STEWART: The people -- not well.

(LAUGHTER)

BEGALA: Better than CNN, I'm sure.

STEWART: But you can sleep at night.

(LAUGHTER)

much, much more...

[IndianaGreen]

57. Begala does not stand for "us"

particularly if the "us" happens to be a strong woman, and particularly a strong woman of color, as he did to Cynthia McKinney and Winona LaDuke.

Begala is a racist and a misogynist!

[Media_Lies_Daily]

5. No, he's NOT delusional. Are you?

[kerryin2004]

16. I might be..

or maybe I am really unsure of how you can consider Begala partial when there is Leslie Blitzer, Daran whatever, and Candy Crowley reading from the Bush talking points daily..I have to seriously disagree that Begala doesn't do a good job..

[Sterling]

22. I see.

You have yet to escape the paradigm in which what goes on in the corporate media represents the collective conscience of America. Sorry we are living in two different worlds.

Begala is part of the theater that Stewart was talking about. He plays the role of the yin to Tuckers yang. Not really a true counter force just a different shade of the same color or the other arm of the same person.. He is there to make sure when it's "our turn" to speak none of the right questions are asked and nothing is pondered to deeply.

[kerryin2004]

28. I think that is an unfair representation of Begala..

Maybe you can give me some examples of what you are speaking about..I am in agreement that the media is showing that they are partial, but I am not familiar with how Begala has dont this?

[Sterling]

30. You really have to watch the show and take part in threads that pop up

about the show and PB. He is just a hair better than Alan Colmbes.

[kerryin2004]

37. Jon Stewart did nail both of them..

Okay Begala did preach the it is a pucker.. He didn't really even engage in the discussion.. Stewart is right about the level of discourse..

[Sterling]

39. I am just saying we DESERVE someone like Stewart or Bill Mahr

Representing our views. Not some guy who thinks Bush is a great guy.

Lets face it Bush is a terrible guy. The worst kinds of people. Why would you trust anyone who did not realize that?

[kerryin2004]

46. I agree with you..

Although Begala may be attempting to keep some civil discourse..After all he still has to be able to bok guest. I agree, Jon Stewart on daily would really set a much better example..The fact that Jon would't answer the hump and Begala did really shows how far the media has fallen.

[Sterling]

10. Yes, he needs to get out of the way and let a Democrat work crossfire.

Sometimes Carvile as well. John Stewart is the proto type liberal commentator. I think after today that much is obvious. All hail the new king of political media.


I never see Begala or Carville make the arguments we do here that we all know cut right through the BS. The are part of the BS machine Stewart called them on it to their faces on their own show. They have been disgraced and discredited. We need some fresh blood.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

2. It's the vampire in him..... n/t

[billbuckhead]

8. Paul is the Corporate News Network's

Corporate Democrat from Texas. I like the guy but one must admit his nature and take that into account.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

51. Ooooops... I had a brain fart.... thinking of the wrong guy for a sec n/t

[Mabus]

4. just like scheiffer

has a preference for fellow Texans.

I swear he is on Prozac or something. I usually turn down the sound when he's on. I turn it up for Carville.

[MisterP]

6. or that Cynthia McKinney is crazy.

that's what he asked her.

[Minstrel Boy]

24. I will never forgive Begala

for his important assist in her character assassination.

His disrespect for Kucinich was also duly noted.

[Goldmund]

9. Because only a douche can be a mainstream media figure -- get real

But he's a douche on our side.

[Sterling]

12. I don;t agree.

I think he works against our interest by letting the RW off easy and pretending that real Democrats that take on the right wing are crazy.

[AlCzervik]

11. Paul Begala wrote a book in 99 warning us all about Bush

he was spot on and nearly everything he predicted came true. It is "Iz our children learning? the case against GW Bush for Prezident." You should pick it up.

[K-W]

17. So what?

The point here isnt whether or not Begala is articulate and doesnt like Bush.

The point is that he is implicit in and reinforces a system that is biased against the left.

There are plenty of people, including alot of people on DU who could have written a persuasive book about why Bush was aweful. Begala doesnt deserve to be left off the hook just for doing that.

[ElectroPrincess]

13. IMHO he's still civil and "the perfect balance"

Hey, I'm a proud Democrat but NOT far left in any respect. That's the problems with many folks who lean toward the fringes of either the far right or far left = they want pundits to be as "out there" as they seem to be.

Begala IMHO is a perfect balance. He comes a close second to Carville on spunk and fire. He represents the diverse Democratic party in a admirable way.

[Sterling]

34. I want him to be like John Stewart

Who is about as mainstream as it gets.

[Pastiche423]

53. Could you please tell me what you think

"far left" is?

[PA Democrat]

14. IMO, all these guys get too cozy with the very people they are supposed

to be objectively and honestly REPORTING about. They want the access to, and to run in the same social circles as the very politicians and corporate aristocrats whose feet they SHOULD be holding to the fire.

It's journalistic incest, and it does not serve the public good.

[onecitizen]

20. Bingo.......

they have good intentions but get all wrapped up in that world inside the "Beltway". They need to get out of the "Beltway" more so they remember what it's like out of the "Beltway". :-)

[in_cog_ni_to]

19. He's still pissed at Bill Clinton.

I watched The Hunting of the President and Begala said when he found out that Clinton had lied to him and the rest of his staff, he didn't give a rats ass what happened to him at that point, but it was his duty to protect the "office" and that's what he did. I think he's still pissed off about that. Just a hunch though. ;)

[jmm]

27. Crossfire is not the right format for him

I've like all of his writings I've read but he cannot handle confrontation well and puts way too much effort into showing deference to the right. Which is why tonight he went out of his way to say Bush is great and his supporters have great intentions but when the audience guy asked about the thing on Bush's back he said nobody was feeding him lines or else he wouldn't have sounded so stupid.

[Sterling]

32. Yes but he clearly ha something on his back

Yet to be explained that most likely was some kind of electronic device? Why is his head so far up his ass and why did he mock "the left" in the process of that rather mild jab at Bush's well known lack of intellect?

[madfloridian]

31. There is a large population of Deaniacs who will never forget....

The horrible bashing that Carville and Begala did to Howard Dean, deliberately, and repeatedly, will not be forgotten.

[robbedvoter]

48. Same with Clarkies - he and *ucker ganged on our guy together

I forgot who - a congressman from NY. I saw begala interviewing Clark with Hemmer in New Hampshire - and being nastier than Hemmer ("why are you not attacking the other dems?") .

[Sterling]

49. It is their job to tell us what Americans think like Jeff Greenfield and c

It is more important for them to protect the status quo and difine what is allowed in our political discourse.

[DerekG]

33. Actually, I owe Begala a big favor

I used to be a yellow-dog Democrat, but there was one pivotal moment that brought me to the far left--and that was a Crossfire show in Spring of 2002. You see, Cynthia McKinney made a courageous assertion that Bush may have known more about 9/11 than he was letting on. This very issue was brought up on Crossfire, but you know what Begala did?

He hid under the table like a damn coward.

I knew something was amiss. Soonafter, I was led to the works of Zinn, Vidal and Parenti; I never looked back.

Thanks much, Paul...you jellyfish.

[Sterling]

35. Yes I too owe a little pit of my perspective to sellout dems like Begala

Some people can see through the propaganda. It just does not work on a lot of people. I hate it when people still living in the matrix lecture people on what is "mainstream".

John Stewart tore a fat hole in that matrix for a few mins tonight. I hope our fellow dems that are stuck in that faux reality watch the show online so the can witness the man behind the curtian being exposed for a few secs thanks to John Stewart!!!

[Momma Mia]

36. Take a deep breath Sterling ...

Begala IS on our side!

I hate to "hit and run" like this ... (Have grandchildren visiting!)

First chance I've had to get in here and read :( ... but I must agree with what ElectroPrincess wrote:

Hey, I'm a proud Democrat but NOT far left in any respect. That's the problems with many folks who lean toward the fringes of either the far right or far left = they want pundits to be as "out there" as they seem to be.

Begala IMHO is a perfect balance. He comes a close second to Carville on spunk and fire. He represents the diverse Democratic party in a admirable way.

I DO watch Crossfire every day ... and he is great at speaking up for us!

Gotta run! ~ CIAO!

[Sterling]

38. If you are satisfied then fine

I think the rest of us are right on this one. I think John Stewart was right. Did you see the show today. I think you should at least listen to it before you comment on this subject.

[madfloridian]

41. I agree with you on this.

Begala and Carville both had agendas during the primaries. Now they often just sit there and fail to speak up for Kerry as they should. Not always, but often enough. They totally demolished Dean on Crossfire frequently during the primaries.

[Sterling]

42. It's not just sticking up for Kerry.

It's sticking up for truth. That was what Stewart was calling them and the entire media on tonight.

[madfloridian]

43. I know what Stewart meant, but I was making another point.

That they took sides in the primaries big time. I think their loyalties lie too much with one person.

[Sterling]

47. I think their loyalties are with the status quo.

And cushy DC media jobs.

[Sterling]

40. Related thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x2496585

[Logansquare]

44. Begala is "Hacktacular" He's in it for $$$$$ n/t

[robbedvoter]

45. CNN bought his balls & soul? He was brutal during the primaries

Haven't watched him still. His today's "W is a nice man" made me retch more than anything *ucker said. He is in facy MORE hypocritical than *ucker.

[IHateFundies]

52. Just like Stewart said - His arguments are not honest

He may share our beliefs, but he like all of them use dishonest arguments - because they are partisan, corporate hacks.

[dave502d]

54. If it not a radio, it the mark of the beast.

[Skittles]

55. I hate it when Begala says Bush is a "likeable guy"

there is nothing remotely likeable about that evil bastard Bush

[incapsulated]

56. He gave Bush "A's" on his Debate Scorecard

Really, what else needs to be said?

[friesianrider]

58. Do you guys even know anything ABOUT him??

Other than the 25 minutes a week-day he's on TV? Give me a break.

I've met him numerous times and know him relatively well. Paul is a great man and an even better Democrat and doesn't deserve to be called names and shit - especially now. I just don't understand why Democrats of all people feel the need to tear down their own all the time (racist? COME ON)

Shut the hell up already and quit your bitching. We've got bigger things to do right now than worry about what some Democrat said one time that you "never got over". I've got news - GET THE HELL OVER IT ALREADY. We've got a friggin monumental election in two weeks in case you forgot amidst your complaining, so I'd suggest getting off the computer and doing something productive to get John Kerry elected instead of sitting on your laptop bitching and moaning about some Dem you have a bone to pick with. :eyes: Jesus.

[muchacho]

59. he's not a Leftist

But he plays one well enough to meet the tepid definition of one for mainstream media.

[mitchtv]

60. Anyone remember Paul's incessant cheerleading

for Chimpy's excellent foreign adventure(Iraq)? He doesn't speak for me. Although I don't agree with him 100% Bill Maher does a better job on pukes. Paul is a male version of Margaret Carlson.