So, what does it take to get to voice your opinion on national TV?

[Atticus]

Obviously, it doesn't take intelligence. Glen Beck pretty much refutes that all by himself, but O'Reilly and others provide plenty of corroboration.

Integrity certainly isn't required. Dick Cheney could roast and devour human infants on live TV and he could count on Ron Christie and daughter Liz to snottily explain how Democrats were just jealous that they weren't able to stomach "enhanced cuisine" like a true American patriot.

Sanity isn't a prerequisite because---well, that gets us back to Glen Beck again.

Being right can't be very important. Some of the people who absolutely assured us that they knew there were "WMD" in Iraq and that Saddam Hussein was responsible for 9-11 are still being asked for their opinion of world events.

Do you know what I think it takes?

You have to be almost totally shameless and you have to be willing to lie loudly even when you know that everyone in the room knows you are lying. You have to believe that either the money they are paying you or the strange sense of power you get when you ruin lives and slander "powerful people" are adequate compensation for your integrity.

[LonePirate]

1. Being a brain dead, hypocritical, right wing tool certainly helps your chances

I mean, that type of person usually has an endless stream of opportunities to voice their opinion on television. I think the average DU'er is SOL.

[brooklynite]

2. The Networks aren't RED, and they aren't BLUE...They're GREEN

Their fundamental job is to deliver audiences to watch their commercials. Someone reliably controversial (Glenn Beck / Lou Dobbs / Pat Buchanan) will always be good "copy".

[NYC_SKP]

3. You can stick your kid in a balloon and set it off to flying away, then call the media...

That, or have a lot of money.

[Atticus]

4. That would never happen! nt