Video: Radio host Bill Cunningham says Michelle should be on “The View”
posted at 9:10 am on May 24, 2007 by Ian
Ohio radio talk show host Bill Cunningham said “welterweight” Elisabeth Hasselbeck should be replaced with real conservatives such as Michelle Malkin or Ann Coulter to compete with “heavyweight clowns” like Rosie O’Donnell. This isn’t the first time someone has suggested Michelle should be the conservative on the show.
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No Deal. She should hold out for the Malkin Factor.
JayHaw Phrenzie on May 24, 2007 at 9:16 AM
How can Cunningham believe Rosie’s some sort of intellectual “heavyweight”? If anything, Hasselbeck’s too highbrow for her.
Allahpundit on May 24, 2007 at 9:24 AM
I can’t stand people dumping on Elisabeth. She’s genuine, classy, and tougher than she gets credit for–and she has done a terrific job of exposing just how nasty, insecure, and witless Rosie O’Donnell is. Her mere existence on the set makes Ro unhinged.
Michelle on May 24, 2007 at 9:31 AM
Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.
robman27 on May 24, 2007 at 9:31 AM
Wow…two consecutive The View posts this morning.
Trying to make hay before Rosie’s gone?
*sigh* She’ll be missed. Sort of. Well, not really.
flipflop on May 24, 2007 at 9:41 AM
I didn’t hear ‘intellectual’ when he said she was a heavyweight, only that she was a heavyweight. Meaning that she’s outspoken and tenacious. His bringing up Michelle is not saying that they are equals intellectually, but more that Michelle could hold her own in a verbal fight where Elizabeth tends to get beaten up not knowing when to hold her ground. For one Liz hasn’t learned not to concede points for the sake of argument because a lib sees that as a win and will forever use it agaisnt you like you actually agreed with them.
- The Cat
MirCat on May 24, 2007 at 9:45 AM
I can only imagine the level of BDS and “unhinged-ness” that Ro would have if you were on the View. Now that would be worth watching!!
pullingmyhairout on May 24, 2007 at 9:45 AM
Why isn’t the View on prime time now? I mean, with all the free publicity they get, they could do very well. The’ll just hire another crackpot, idiot liberal like Whoopi, so they can live off the contrived “contraversy”.
When did the View become so important? I know there is a struggle to come up with content in a 24 hour a day news world, but damn – if they’d only replace segments on the View or American Idol, with actual news about illegals, Iran, terror, China and such maybe Congress or George W couldn’t pull one over on us so often.
reaganaut on May 24, 2007 at 9:47 AM
The View would never put Michelle Malkin on against Rosie. Michelle is an extremely intelligent woman who deals with facts, expresses herself professionally and wouldn’t back down to Rosie’s tin foil hat mentality based on emotions and hysterical hate of Bush. Elisabeth is nice, did a good job yesterday, but she is not agressive enough on a daily basis to stand up to Rosie nor does she have the wherewithall to fight Rosie’s fiction.
The View has an agenda, and to have a fair and balanced debate is not what they are about. Rosie is an embarrssment to The View and IMO, Barbara Walters has seriously damaged her reputation as a journalist by allowing Rosie to behave as she does.
katieanne on May 24, 2007 at 9:49 AM
I’ve tried to stay out of the Rosie thing because frankly I just don’t care about what she has to say ever since her line about thinking all gun owners should be in jail. But this one…..”heavyweight”? Maybe in terms of raw poundage, but in terms of intelect? The only things she has going for her (and I’m really stretching that term) is that she’s getting her talking points indirectly from one of the worlds richest extreme lefties (Soros) and she’s good at being agressively passive/agressive. Not just the subtle stuff your likely to see in many personal relationships, but real militant passive/agressive. Like drawing an obvious inferance, then when people say “why do you say “, she can present herself as the “victim”. “oh, I didn’t say that….” Sick. Could you imagine having to put up with that kind of provocation in your relationship? I know I couldn’t without running the serious risking of being the defendant in a capital case.
P. James Moriarty on May 24, 2007 at 9:51 AM
Why would she waste her time? “The View” is to serious political thought as WWF is to Olympic wrestling.
I like EH, but she is in the entertainment business. Michelle is in the news business. There’s a difference.
Anton on May 24, 2007 at 9:51 AM
Double entendre.
IrishEi on May 24, 2007 at 9:55 AM
Plus Michelle would be too much of an heavyweight on the show. She would hold her own against Wawa, and that just wouldn’t do.
- The Cat
MirCat on May 24, 2007 at 9:55 AM
Nope, I think “The View” is beneath MM. The point of the show is not to have real debates based in reality, it’s entertainment only. Elizabeth is the token conservative whos only purpose is to stir the pot and get RO going on one of her rampages.
4shoes on May 24, 2007 at 9:57 AM
The View targets brain-dead females and sissy-marys as their core audience. EH is usually run over by that bully and the producers don’t want it any other way because logic is lost on them. They want to feel their way through lifes toughest challenges. I know for a fact that the people who are the Rosie type viewers were totally lost by EH’s explanation of the facts. The only thing they respond to are insults and happy talk that is without substance yet sounds good.
Suggesting that MM should be opposite that disgusting pig rosie is an insult to MM.
csdeven on May 24, 2007 at 9:57 AM
I’m think I’m deaf. Did he have to yell everything he said?
lorien1973 on May 24, 2007 at 9:57 AM
NOT double entendre.
IrishEi on May 24, 2007 at 9:59 AM
AMEN to that JawHaw! Lets keep this idea going.
Michelle is too high class to expose herself to this type of trash TV.
OBX Pete on May 24, 2007 at 10:07 AM
The network and producers are not interested in having actual political debates where the speakers bring real facts to the table. That would be boring. Viewers can watch that on news programs. That is why they will never consider Michelle or Ann as regulars on the Spew. What they want is to provide a platform to a bunch of cackling hens to vent their anti-Bush, anti-war & anti-conservative views. Elizabeth is only there to give the false impression that they are somewhat balanced. That is not Elizabeth’s fault. I thought she kicked a$$ yesterday. Sadly, I think a few more eruptions from her will get her canned from the show. I don’t think they thought she had it in her to stand up for herself and the truth the way she did. I hope Elizabeth keeps things very uncomfortable for the others on the show until they either change their format or cancel the show.
MarkM on May 24, 2007 at 10:09 AM
Well said. As for Bill Cunningham, I do believe that Michelle could handle Rosie even more effectively. She has declawed black panthers; Rosie won’t be a problem. Is it worth it, though?
The Left would surely change the channel upon Michelle’s going onto The View. They fear Michelle and wouldn’t dare expose themselves to her words on the risk that they’d feel threatened. That would leave the View with eight humans and a bunch of crickets watching… not good for ratings.
The left thinks it has Elisabeth’s number, but, actually, I think she has theirs. They think she’s weak, but she proved yesterday just who is weak and who isn’t. As such, there’s always a chance that a few viewers here and there will stop in their tracks after the shows and think, “Hey, wait a minute, that dumb blonde just made some sense!” After all, she is no dummy; she is smart and increasingly articulate. I think she really could reach some people in the next few months, and I bet she reached a few people yesterday.
OK, I’m an optimist. I think it’s possible, though, and it’s a lot more possible given her current image. It gives her an open window into a bunch of minds whose doors are sealed shut. For us, the growth of her skills will be exciting to watch.
Elisabeth, if you’re reading these comments, keep up the good work.
flutejpl on May 24, 2007 at 10:12 AM
I can’t stand people dumping on Elisabeth. She’s genuine, classy, and tougher than she gets credit for–and she has done a terrific job of exposing just how nasty, insecure, and witless Rosie O’Donnell is. Her mere existence on the set makes Ro unhinged.Michelle on May 24, 2007 at 9:31 AM
Glynn on May 24, 2007 at 10:14 AM
The View is not at all the appropriate venue for Michelle. The name describes what it is: Opinion. To specify: Uninformed opinion. Most of the show is lazy New York gossip. Hate to say this, because I think it was meant as a real compliment, but it’s inadvertently a put-down of Michelle’s skills, talents and solid investigative background.
Elizabeth showed up with some more facts and completely owned the show, and she hardly scratched the surface of what’s available. All she has to do is continue with some solid prep and she can handle what they’ve got. They repeat themselves all the time – the Liberal talking points are so easy to find, it’s not big deal to anticipate the usual blah blah.
The producers are more interested in drama than news anyway – so anything that entices people to watch is all they care about, no matter how the drama is ginned up.
My personal preference would be Michelle taking over Katie Couric’s chair at CBS – and lead that pathetic organization into real news and reporting. Then one has the lovely results of proving it’s not “because Americans can’t accept a female” AND getting news the way it was meant to be. (However,the CBS snarling staff and entrenched bureaucracy wouldn’t be anything one would wish on anyone, especially someone like Michelle). On the other hand, it’s delightful to watch Michelle and like-minded conservative commentators hosting at FOX, wiping the floor with CBS,ABC and NBC combined.
naliaka on May 24, 2007 at 10:15 AM
Sorry, there’s that strike thing again. I’ll try it again.
I’m with you.
I don’t for a second think that Cunningham was giving Rosie credit for being intellectual.
Glynn on May 24, 2007 at 10:15 AM
Agreed 150% other than Rosie was unhinged long before Elisabeth got there…
BadBrad on May 24, 2007 at 10:16 AM
For the thousands in attendance… and the millions watching around the world… ladies and gentlemen… (dramatic pause) LLLLLET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE!
soulsirkus on May 24, 2007 at 10:18 AM
Dhimmicrat/leftwing thinking. To say that she only represents “a small minority of radicals” sounds WAY too familiar. Just another point toward the uncomfortably close parallel with the Islamists modus operandi.
P. James Moriarty on May 24, 2007 at 10:19 AM
Ooops, left out a line after spellcheck…
Have to agree with Cunningham though. She does seem to represent the Dhimmicrat/leftwing thinking. To say that she only represents “a small minority of radicals” sounds WAY too familiar. Just another point toward the uncomfortably close parallel with the Islamists modus operandi.
P. James Moriarty on May 24, 2007 at 10:21 AM
Michelle and Ann should guest host. Just one appearance from both would shut up the harpies on the View for at least a month.
PoliticallyIncorrectSandy on May 24, 2007 at 10:22 AM
No daytime TV for Michelle.
Wade on May 24, 2007 at 10:25 AM
Elisabeth’s heart is in the right place and she does a good job of exposing how truly despicable Rosie really is, but sometimes I question if she knows how to fight Rosie. Maybe Michelle could give her some lessons because we all know that Rosie wouldn’t stand a snowball’s chance in hell in that matchup.
thirteen28 on May 24, 2007 at 10:32 AM
Well said, well said.
Spirit of 1776 on May 24, 2007 at 10:36 AM
All MM would need would be one guest appearance. Just one. Game over. Barbara would be picking up pieces for months.
ahem on May 24, 2007 at 10:40 AM
Optimism.
Reaps on May 24, 2007 at 10:45 AM
And I think Michelle is superb, but why do we complement by comparision? Talking one person done to talk another up is juvenille.
Spirit of 1776 on May 24, 2007 at 10:54 AM
The only thin Rosie’s good at, that makes her seem to be a comparative heavyweight, is her ability to form her rhetorical bombs so that they have the “applaud here” vaccum at the end.
If you’ll notice, the couple of times Elizabeth actually managed to use that technique, it worked for the most part. believe it or not, the perceptions here are about keeping applause score, and little else.
-T
The Therapist on May 24, 2007 at 11:00 AM
Heh.
Clearly, dolly gets the nod in yesterday’s bout on each of the judges’ scorecards. Her question on the issue — our terrorist troops — still floats in the air, unanswered. What, indeed, was fat Rosie saying, if not that “we” are the terrorists? No one knows.
I say Lis stays, for both of the obvious reasons, and the floating fourth system is abandoned in favor of Michelle, or Coulter (fun), or better yet, Heather MacDonald, or even Rachel Whatsherface from Toronto.
Jaibones on May 24, 2007 at 11:09 AM
I watched the segment for a few minutes last night. What I found particular is Laura Schwartz’s take on “The View”. Her point was that it’s the hosts’ view and not news and that each host enjoys the same Freedom of Speech that you and I enjoy. The problem comes when one’s “view” is interlaced with hyped up or just plain made up facts. Case in point when the great Rosie references over 650,000 deaths at the hands of the US Military. When one’s point of view is more fiction than facts then someone, perhaps ABC in this case, needs to set the host straight.
I won’t hold my breath waiting for ABC.
SPIFF1669 on May 24, 2007 at 11:21 AM
That is the $64 million question. One minute, my daughter who didn’t have cable and only got one channel, mentioned the program and I was asking “What is The View?” The next thing I knew FOX was carrying the Trump/Rosie thing and I was ready to throw something at the TV. Who is behind this? Who is pushing it? Why?????
Connie on May 24, 2007 at 11:26 AM
Hey! Bush scheduled a hastily arranged press conference and it’s preempting The View! I question the timing!!!
BJ* on May 24, 2007 at 11:30 AM
Rove, you magnificent, evil bastard!
wccawa on May 24, 2007 at 11:49 AM
Right on.
No doubt. That, combined with the personal hatred he was throwing out at Alan Colmes made the guy come off as a little too angry and bitter to be taken very seriously in my book. I’m no fan of Colmes, but Cunningham was a little much last night.
Also, what’s up with the animation in the lower right corner? Shades of Streisand ‘Spooky-Vision’ from the old days of South Park.
Readymade on May 24, 2007 at 11:55 AM
I third the motion.
Spurius Ligustinus on May 24, 2007 at 11:59 AM
“The View” is beneath Michelle.
Maxx on May 24, 2007 at 12:00 PM
I agree with all that, but would you consider it? You wouldn’t have to deal with Ro (with her leaving), but you would still have to deal with Joy (Walters tries to avoid being controversial). They would probably want to bring on another liberal Hollywood type to keep things “balanced.”
Rick on May 24, 2007 at 12:32 PM
“The Great American” Bill Cunningham is right. Michelle should be on The View, but there is only one problem.
The loud, obnoxious nags from The View would never let Michelle be on their show because Michelle would “intellectually” beat Rosie to a pulp on a daily basis (if she could get a word in) and make the rest of them look like morons. Hell, Rosie couldn’t begin to repsond with an ounce of reason to a debate with Michelle. All she would be reduced to is screaming “racist, nazi, neo-con, etc., etc.!!!” to Michelle. The only retort from a weak minded individual like Rosie is namecalling.
Planet Boulder on May 24, 2007 at 1:13 PM
The View is Trash TV.
Barbara Walters was once respected and is now not.
Rosie O’Donnell to Elisabeth H.: “GIT IN MAH BELLY!”
Montana on May 24, 2007 at 1:35 PM
Michelle Malkin or Ann Coulter
What? Sounds to me like this guy just pulled names out of the air. Coulter is not in the same league as Michelle.
Besides, Michelle needs her own show. Far too good for hen party coffee talk.
Krydor on May 24, 2007 at 2:42 PM
Lis is doing just fine. I wouldn’t sentence either MM or AC to have to do anything on “The View.” That would be cruel and unusual punishment.
Tennman on May 24, 2007 at 3:31 PM
—but only because she’s an enigma to Rosie. Rosie looks at her like she’s some elaborate clockwork that Rosie just can’t. quite. figure. out.
Axe on May 24, 2007 at 4:47 PM
Bad idea, Michelle would never be heard over Rosie screaming and the audience joining in to try and drown her out.
Michelle would put the three stooges in their collective place real quick.
Why even give the hear no evil, speak no evil and see no evil monkeys any more space on this page?
Elizabeth is two things that Rosie will never be, a class act and a woman with an IQ above single digits.
jdsmith0021 on May 24, 2007 at 6:45 PM
Bill Cunningham has a point. Double standards apply when the Left has control. Don’t confuse them with the facts, they are not intersted.
omegaram on May 24, 2007 at 7:21 PM
I think the view should combust. I then think Fox should put together it’s own great panel during the day. I seriously would listen to it if it had Malkin, Ingraham…or Coulter on it…along with a few dems that maybe could hold their own.
You see, that is the hard part, finding a dem that isn’t far out there like rosie. I do like that Powers gal but she really looks bad next to Malkin..but atleast I can listen to Powers compared to most dems that I want to scream at..so maybe she would be bearable to have on there.
Highrise on May 25, 2007 at 3:09 AM