Tony Blankley Excuses NRCC's Sexist Statement About Pelosi: If You're in the Minority, Nobody Pays Attention
By Heather Friday Oct 09, 2009 12:00pm
From The Situation Room Oct. 8, 2009. Tony Blankley tries to rationalize the NRCC's sexist statement about Nancy Pelosi saying 'taxpayers can only hope McChrystal is able to put her in her place'. In Tony Blankley's world, the media doesn't pay any attention to Republicans unless they're behaving badly. Really Tony? You're joking right? Because I sure as hell don't see any shortage of Republicans getting face time in the media no matter how they're behaving. The media has had so many 'exclusive' interviews with John McCain since he lost the presidential election I'd almost swear they didn't realize who won. I can't get the man off of my television screen.
And I think Tony needs to take a look at this from the good folks over at Think Progress with a snapshot of the media coverage of Republicans from back in January-- REPORT: GOP Lawmakers Outnumber Democratic Lawmakers 2 To 1 In Stimulus Debate On Cable News
As Media Matters has documented, during the Bush administration, the media consistently allowed conservatives to dominate their shows, booking them as guests far more often than progressives. The rationale was that Republicans were “in power.”
It appears that old habits die hard. Even though President Obama and his team are in control of the executive branch and Democrats are in the majority in Congress, the cable networks are still turning more often to Republicans and allowing them to set the agenda on major issues, most recently on the debate over the economic recovery package.
On Sunday, conservatives began an all-out assault on President Obama’s economic recovery plan, with House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) and Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) both announcing that they would vote against the plan as it stood. Despite Obama’s efforts at good faith outreach, congressional conservatives have continued to attack the stimulus plan with a series of false and disingenuous arguments.
The media have been aiding their efforts. In a new analysis, ThinkProgress has found that the five cable news networks — CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, Fox Business and CNBC — have hosted more Republican lawmakers to discuss the plan than Democrats by a 2 to 1 ratio this week.
Boy Tony, how can the Republicans ever manage to get their message out without making sexist remarks about Nancy Pelosi when the media ignores them like that?
And David Gergen tries to rewrite history pretending that St. Ronnie would never have behaved so badly. Two words David. Southern Strategy.
Transcript below the fold.
BLITZER: John, let me -- let me play this little clip from the speaker, Nancy Pelosi, because she's been criticized by Republicans who say she needs to be put in her place.
And this is her response.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PELOSI: It's really sad. They really don't understand how inappropriate that is. I'm in my place. I'm speaker of the House -- the first woman speaker of the House. And I'm in my place because the House of Representatives voted me there. But that language is something I haven't even heard in decades.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING: This is a woman who is incredibly proud of the fact that she is the nation's first woman female speaker. And that's why you see her jaw clenching there as she fires back.
But, again, Wolf, we can have this conversation as a bunch of reasonable adults and say, well, is it -- put a woman in her place, that's bad language. But we're in an environment where the Republicans understand how unpopular she is and they are playing to their base. This is all about the midterm elections Gloria talked about. And Nancy Pelosi is now the leading lightning rod for Republicans in the country, much like the old Jesse Helms/Ted Kennedy battles years ago.
And is the language offensive?
The Speaker certainly thinks so.
But are the Republican using her to gin up their base?
You bet.
BORGER: You know, I think -- I -- I think Nancy Pelosi said they didn't understand. I think whoever wrote this did understand exactly what he was doing. Maybe she wrote it. It was very purposeful. It was to draw attention to what they're trying to talk about, which is, you know, her failed economic policies or Afghanistan or whatever it is. And here we are (INAUDIBLE)...
BLANKLEY: On this one it was Afghanistan and it was pointing out that -- that the general had better advice.
No, but you're exactly right. I mean when I was up there -- I mean, if you're in the minority...
BLITZER: When you were up where?
BLANKLEY: Up working for Newt on the Hill -- and you're not -- before he became speaker. When you're in the minority -- and the same thing for the other party when they're in the minority -- nobody pays attention unless you -- and this -- the media only is -- pays attention if you're nasty or rude. And -- because the media is tropic to -- to that kind of personality clash.
So once they've said that nasty thing and used that, you know, nasty language, then you've got national TV covering it and they can raise their point.
HENDERSON: The GOP, though, has a woman problem.
GERGEN: Wait a minute. Hold it.
(CROSSTALK)
HENDERSON: Sixty percent of women...
(CROSSTALK)
HENDERSON: ...actually identify either as Democrats or Democratic lean -- leaning Independents. So this certainly doesn't help their strategy of trying to, you know, broaden their base.
GERGEN: Yes. Tony -- I want to just ask Tony a question, Tony Blankley.
Tony, would you have issued a statement with sexist language in it like that?
BLANKLEY: Well, I wouldn't have used (INAUDIBLE)...
BORGER: Careful.
(CROSSTALK)
BLANKLEY: Yes, I would not have...
(CROSSTALK)
BLANKLEY: I would not have used sex. But let me tell you what we did, because we were holding a press conference. It was like 1992. We had a -- a tax cut that we couldn't get a vote on on the floor. And Newt held a press conference and we got no coverage. We went back a day or two later and Newt said, Tom Foley, comma, "that thug," wouldn't let us have a vote.
Then we got the coverage and -- and the media had to explain why Newt was calling him a "thug" just because we couldn't get our tax cut proposal on the floor. We desperately wanted the public to know we were for tax cuts.
That's the dilemma, because the media...
GERGEN: Well, if (INAUDIBLE)...
BLANKLEY: ...covers that.
GERGEN: If the -- I'm -- I'm sorry. Tony, there was a time when with the Republican Party believed that if you could advance ideas, you could get attention.
BLANKLEY: Well...
GERGEN: And what you're saying is you have to -- you have to really...
(CROSSTALK)
GERGEN: You have to use personal insults.
BLANKLEY: You have to attach the idea...
GERGEN: (INAUDIBLE) I just don't believe that to be true.
BLANKLEY: You just have to -- you have to attach the idea to something the media will cover, because -- because they won't cover -- they didn't cover the Democrats when they were in the minority on their alternative proposals to...
GERGEN: But do you have to use -- do you have to use personal insults?
BLANKLEY: Unfortunately...
(CROSSTALK)
BLANKLEY: ...the media defines what...
GERGEN: ...the way the Republicans (INAUDIBLE)...
BLANKLEY: The media -- yes.
(CROSSTALK)
BLANKLEY: The media defines what it's going to cover and when you're polite, the media doesn't cover it.
BORGER: Well, but the idea...
BLANKLEY: And that's the sad truth.
BORGER: But the idea gets lost here.
BLANKLEY: No, it doesn't.
BORGER: We're not talking about the idea. The -- the clip we showed was of Nancy Pelosi defending herself against those Republicans who wanted to put her in her place.
BLANKLEY: This particular clip. But all over town, they're talking about the reason that they -- they did that, regarding the general and her lack of knowledge about expertise in -- in military matters. So, yes, it works and...
BORGER: Even though she's been a rank -- been a ranking member of the Intelligence Committee, right?
Yes.
BLANKLEY: I'm just saying that, you know...
BLITZER: I think the bottom line, Nia, in what Tony is saying is the Republican statement had used the phrase "she needs to be put in her place, but she needs to be corrected" or something like that, it wouldn't have generated the -- the interest that it obviously has now generated.
HENDERSON: Right. And in some ways, he's right. I mean, if you think about what Joe Wilson did, the "you lie" comment on the floor, I mean, all of a sudden, he got attention for, you know, talking about immigration and the problem with immigration in -- in the health care...
(CROSSTALK)
BLANKLEY: That's the way Washington works.
(CROSSTALK)
HENDERSON: ...worked in that instance.
BLITZER: We'll leave it on that note, guys.
GERGEN: (INAUDIBLE)...
BLITZER: David, hold your thought.
GERGEN: It represents a sad decline...
BLITZER: All right. It represents what, David?
GERGEN: Please.
BLANKLEY: I agree, David.
GERGEN: It represents a sad decline in politics when...
BLANKLEY: I agree.
GERGEN: ...when people don't agree -- I mean Ronald Reagan did not have to use that kind of language to have the power of ideas and power of persuasion. It's a sad decline.
BLANKLEY: Well...
BLITZER: All right...
BORGER: I agree.
BLITZER: On that note, we'll leave it, David Gergen and company.
Guys, thanks very much.
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Why are we not hounding the networks about this disparity, especially when it's so easy to prove???? I mean for God sakes, the Republicans have their very own "news network", and I use the word "news" lightly when referring to Fox. If the situation were reversed, you can bet the Republicans would make an issue of it. I guess the Republicans are such clowns that they're far more entertaining. After all,you never know what kind of insanity will pour forth from their mouths.
Tony Blankley had his tongue so far behind Bush and Cheney if they would every stop Tony would have a mouth full.
Blankley raved about how great Bush/Cheney were for 8 years.. These jerk's comments do not even deserve print...
I agree with you on this one.
Tony Blankely - What expertise or insight does this man bring to anyone? Answer: Nothing.
David Gergen - Same
These so-called "Experts" or "Analysts" are nothing of the sort. It's like calling a bus driver an engineer. The excess of blowhards spouting palaver whenever and wherever a camera and microphone are paid shills. But who pays them, is a the journalistic snoop hunt nobody follows up on.
The question as to why they blather on and on is obvious. It's all about the money. The advertisers who support Fox, the executive and editorial rooms of that snake pit are the source and channel of the greed and corruption that should be investigated.
I watched Moore and Hannity's interview and it is now obvious to me that Hannity doesn't believe the crap he spouts everyday. Not only can you see it in his suppressed smiles and facial expressions, but his logic is too good to dismiss the obvious ramifications of his utterings, nor that his ideology is so rigid or warped to believe the nonsense. However, his financial security is in the yelping and howling at the currently defined enemy, those who apply reason and shine light to corruption.
But Tony Blankly should only be asked on CNN to explain what role the Washington Times has in politics given that it is a wholly owned subsidiary of the church of Rev. Moon. Well, Tony? Do you clear all editorials with the returned messiah?
but I think Tony Bwankwy is right. You have to say outrageous things to get covered. Alan Grayson has figured this out, and you're starting to see him on TV. The networks will always bring conservatives on because they know that they will say things that provoke.
The news commentators (if you wish to call them that) which are telling us what is good and was if bad for us are full of it...
They spend more money on their makeup them most American workers have for food...
Every time I hear or see one telling us how we should receive or act to these corrupted and criminal policies from these corporate elected official ,, I get sick at the stomach... To me they are just getting paid to spread good will and BS for these global empires.. I know what I see and hear and I can tell the effects it will have on me and our country.. So I do not need these overpay jerks to con me..
Who are they ,,,to tell us ,,,the facts on how to act and think about the corporate criminal policies which has transferred all of America's wealth and power to the Global Empires ,, and they just carrying these Global empires water...
As seen in your TV?
So the Re=Thugs do this to gin up their base because they realize how "unpopular" Pelosi is.
So - do they also know how UNPOPULAR they are? Perhaps that is being ignored now - accepted for its reality - and so they work only to rile their base?
Why do they need to "gin" up their base? These brain-dead people aren't going anywhere.
Is this code talk for inciting violence - which they undoubtedly, and routinely do?
*
Like tony blankley's mind. This guy has nothing to offer as most of these corp. media blankheads. Teevee is a grand waste of time.
that Americans spend about half of their free time in front of a TV set. Then they wonder why they are broke when they need the money the most later in life.
Tony Blankely takes Moon money.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJepDh5WxQQ
You mean Obama ain't?
'flying death monkeys' ... LOL! That was great, ysb!
That be a good return whenever we're called moonbats
Also good is brickbats.
Nothing like linkys and numbers and graphs. Oh my...
The MSM, CNN just doesn't know how to re-tool for the new reality! They are stuck!!!
even though that is their job. People hold themselves back.
What happened to the risk taking can do American spirit?
It went down the tubes.
they've been hype-mo-tized.
Did anyone else notice that Fox News-the blatantly conservative network- actually is the closest to having a balance of Democrats and Republican guests of all the networks shown on the graph?
MSNBC- the most Liberal of the networks.... does NOT.
What's up with that??
(We won't even discuss CNN's awful numbers. They are way more conservative than Fox, they just hide it better. Did anyone else here catch them trying to spin Obama's winning of the Nobel Peace Prize as a "gift for the right" this morning? They didn't really go to any shocking contortions to try to explain HOW this is such a great thing for the Right and an awful thing for Obama; they just left it vague. Let the talking point set in and don't worry about actually backing it up. Okay I guess I discussed it a bit after all. ;) )
and consume it because if they didn't this kind of "programming" wouldn't even have a shot a attracting viewers. Or is it just force fed on the public regardless if they want it or not?
that the media monopolies love for Americans to quibble over pointless crap. It would be a disaster if we were discussing something meaningful.
I don't think they care at all over what Americans quibble. They only care that Americans WATCH THEM quibbling over pointless crap.
especially if the discussion was based upon something like we need to build jobs and industries in America the Big Corporations wouldn't be able to deliver since they've move everything offshore because they believe Americans are addicted to cheap junk.
A lot of viewers are 'stuck' watching the MSM because they have an 'air' of catastrophe left over from all the Bush debacles starting with his missing the 'bin laden determined' memos and the inevitable result on 9/11. Ever since 9/11 the MSM has been attempting to match that kind of human drama on a day to day, month to month, and now year to year basis. Ultimately it has been harmful to society. The MSM pseudo drama should end.
- What's with the sherbet-colored satin hankie?
*
I was wondering that too, he looks so relaxed and easy going already. Nothing like a little accessory to humanize the outfit though.
My test for sexism is basically to reverse the statement so that it might apply to me. "I want to put him in his place" is nasty and inflammatory, but not sexist in my book. Even if it was sexist, who really cares? She's all grown up, she can handle it. Wait, am I a sexist now? I meant, "She's a grown-up".
I think we have more important issues than nitpicking the linguistics of politicians and pundits as it relates to traditional sex-based roles.
to be used. The 'linguistics' are sexist, and are such an insidious part of socialization in this country that many can't see the sexism.
See Peggy McIntosh(pdf):
If the problem isn't ackowledged, it can't be solved.
Those who are gender biased never think they are. Just like many racists would never admit to being racist. They are sure they aren't racists - they just think white people are better and less scary in general so they really don't hate any specific person of color.
You go Michelle! I couldn't agree more! I'm a woman's studies student as well. The English language itself is masculine and leaves out the faminine in every sentence.
Most men just dont get it cuz, they assume our experiences as humans are the same as theirs. They assume we get the same special treatment, we get the same pay for the same work, and the list goes on and on.
You know it takes a lot of courage for a man to admit that he has privileges that women don't. It took my husband 16 years of being married to a feminist to finally admit it and admit that he enjoyed those privileges. He is now in recovery from patriarchy, and I'm happy to say, we couldn't be happier.
I am hoping that the old adage, "When people know better, they will do better" holds true. ;o}
male priviledge was showing with that comment. More often than not, I have heard implied violence in the phrase "put her in her place." Not so with men, but just because they never get that doesn't mean isn't happening to us women.
My mother has the misfortune of having a job where she has to tell a lot of macho shitheads what to do, and not long ago, she was telling me a story about how on one occasion when she had to tell some idiot to do something, he asked her if a man had ever hit her to shut her up and put her in her place.
THIS is what is implicit in that phrase. When one considers Glenn Beck's theatrics of poisoning a pretend Pelosi, I don't see any *other* interpretation.
No offense intended to Atomic-Bass Banger, I was just using his comment to make a point.
Since he lost 100 lbs. and his job at the Moonie Paper, he has actually REVERTED to the world of NON-Facts, innuendo and basic lies. He may look better now but replacing him with Monica 'ChooChoo" Crowley on some of his gigs has been brutal...and it shows...
The guy is a hack and everyone knows it....the DNC summed up him and his buds pretty well this morning...
"The 2009 version of the Republican Party has no boundaries, has no shame and has proved that they will put politics above patriotism at every turn. It's no wonder only 20 percent of Americans admit to being Republicans anymore - it's an embarrassing label to claim."
tee.....heee......
I have 3 sons looking for some whores and since you PUKES have no respect for women do you mind donating your DAUGHTERS and WIVIES, I know you WHORE MONGERS do not care, as if I might point out the Heap of the Garbage pile Puke Gingrich remember wife dieing marries his mistress, oh oh Sanford of Virginia screwing his mistress and oh bring the bitch out so she shows support for his whore mongering. Support for your twisted christian family values.
So please drop your wife and daughters off at any street corner and I promise we will pimp the bitches better than you. Shit you don't have to show respect neither do I and my sons. You Scum bags and Low Life's
He is right you know. I'm not listening to anything Blankley says.
Hey Jon King, I ask you, is it offensive to say to a woman "got to put her in her place?" Is it offensive or not? You asked the question. How muted, indisposed, ineffectual and unempathetic an you be. Oh yeah, you are a MSM pundit-anchor, that's your job.
At least Tony Blankley doesn't hide his utter disdain for anything that is not a wealthy white male.
You have to appreciate the irony of Mr. Blankley being interviewed on a national news show complaining that no one is paying attention to him and fellow republicans.
He has chosen to climb into the sewer with rest of his rePUGlican friends.
Blankley was thankfully neutered years ago because of his Reslug stupidity.
He's a lying bastard who's always trying to cover his tracks with ananlogies. He's shameless and I am glad Gergen called him out on this.
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