I don’t want this blog to be about just posting the latest YouTube clip, but take a look at this (you can skip to 2:10 to see the part that everyone will be talking about):
Sometimes one of these clips d’jour highlights a point or two that’s been rattling around in my head. In this case, the clip fascinates on a couple of levels …
1) If I ever were to produce a political television or radio show, I’d really like to try to institute a policy that stated that no one would be booked as a guest whose opinions we already know. No spokespeople, no aides, no Matalin/Carville, no dopey radio hosts. I don’t want to hear from anyone who’s job it is to pre-determine answers to pre-determined questions. I realize that these shows don’t work this way, and screaming heads prevail in the fight for ratings. I get it.
And I know that Matthews is partisan himself, as a former Carter speechwriter, but I really don’t think I could listen to this Kevin James character, no matter what he’s talking about, for more than 10 seconds without jumping out a window.
Maybe I should just tune into NPR and shut up, but jeez, I’d so much rather listen to reasonable people say less exciting but more intelligent things.
2) It is refreshing to hear a moderator basically stop the flow of the show and call someone out. Think about how often some bozo says something stupid and everyone on the panel lets it go, or just doesn’t notice. I don’t watch Matthews very much but this one scores a few points.
