Video: Angry guy dressed as Founding Father does tea-party promo for Fox News
posted at 9:45 pm on April 14, 2009 by Allahpundit
Another party appetizer for the HA faithful, since I know a lot of you love this guy. Consider this a microcosm of how the parties have evolved: “Thomas Paine” began last summer as a grassroots phenomenon, with almost three million views on YouTube, and now he’s been gobbled up by FNC, enticed here into plugging Hannity’s appearance at the Atlanta party on Fox’s website. Over in the Greenroom, CK MacLeod says he’s got a bad feeling about this:
[W]hen FNC turns itself into the Tea Party Network tomorrow, having built up to it with a series of completely one-sided promos, it doesn’t just make “fair and balanced” into a joke, but threatens to undermine if not overwhelm a nascent movement of citizens and make it look like what the Obamanauts will dismiss it as being – a manufactured tool of the already committed Right…
I know the “other side” has virtually the entire mainstream media working for it, but will Fox’s approach help shame the MSM, whose reach is by definition much wider than any cable network’s, into covering the Tea Parties and what they represent, or will it instead make reporters, producers, and, most important, viewers feel more comfortable in dismissing them?…
Obama’s personal popularity far exceeds the popularity of his program, which means that polarizing the opposition to it, pouring it into pre-fabricated “right” and “left” partisan positions, is disadvantageous to the movement.
The tea parties may be good for Fox, in other words, but that doesn’t mean Fox is good for the tea parties. It’s a provocative point; I’m curious to see what readers think of it. Vote it out below the clip.
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Word.
For comparison, last week (he’s probably reiterated it since) Rush talked about being invited to speak, but how he didn’t want to detract from the nature of the tea-parties, i.e. that if he were involved it would appear to be about him, etc. I don’t begrudge Fox, necessarily, but it’s certainly impacts the discussion. Of course, so does the esteemed M. Malkin, but I would not want her mute on the issue.
Spirit of 1776 on April 14, 2009 at 9:50 PM
I have to comment quickly so getalife doesn’t hijack this thread, too!
jgapinoy on April 14, 2009 at 9:51 PM
Yep, I really like this guy.
With the speed and severity that our country is being demolished by Pelosi, Reid and Obama, nothing is over the top.
You snooze, you lose.
carbon_footprint on April 14, 2009 at 9:51 PM
Phewww.
jgapinoy on April 14, 2009 at 9:51 PM
I don’t want FOX to be balanced and fair. I want at least one network to push back the other way. At least one. Because with 4 networks pushing left, FOX has a lot of pushing to do to get this country in the center again.
keep the change on April 14, 2009 at 9:51 PM
I like that dude.
Guardian on April 14, 2009 at 9:52 PM
Michelle, come to PHX!
jgapinoy on April 14, 2009 at 9:52 PM
The left is claiming the tea parties are commanded by some kind of bigwigs — not grassroots — anyway. Those who are going to buy that argument will have bought it by now; the same with those who don’t. Might as well get as much attention to it as possible.
amerpundit on April 14, 2009 at 9:52 PM
All you subversives going to the tea parties tomorrow…..
WE UNITE TO FIGHT FOR OUR COUNTRY! See you there.
HornetSting on April 14, 2009 at 9:52 PM
Glen Beck is going to go to the one at the Alamo but he said he isn’t going to do a speech because it isn’t about him.
One of the posters in the Green Room pointed out that CNN had Obama t-shirts and NBC had plates with his picture so I don’t understand the double standard. Well I do, but I am going to keep pointing it out.
Cindy Munford on April 14, 2009 at 9:53 PM
Because we all know how destructive the MSM support has been for the Left…oh, wait a minute…never mind.
TheBigOldDog on April 14, 2009 at 9:54 PM
rah-rah GOP rah!
sorry, i had to. :-)
ernesto on April 14, 2009 at 9:54 PM
Doesn’t exactly gel with the constant lefty talking point about Rush being a narcissist, does it?
Vis a vis Rush, so many people see what they want to see.
Hawkins1701 on April 14, 2009 at 9:54 PM
I think Glenn Beck suggested that this Thomas Paine character would be a part of his comedy show. His book, a rewriting of Common Sense, is supposed to come out at the same time as the Comedy tour.
Complete7 on April 14, 2009 at 9:55 PM
Love this.
blatantblue on April 14, 2009 at 9:55 PM
Get bent. You’re not invited.
HornetSting on April 14, 2009 at 9:56 PM
You nailed that, Hawkins.
I didn’t know that about GB’s appearance, thanks for saying.
Spirit of 1776 on April 14, 2009 at 9:56 PM
How about thousands of people who never protest have decided on their own to do so and therefore it is very newsworthy, it makes sense that FOX News would cover it profusely or they could look for another Octomom if you think that would be better.
bagoh20 on April 14, 2009 at 9:56 PM
I’m really looking forward to this.
Weight of Glory on April 14, 2009 at 9:56 PM
We are doomed to fail until the Right wakes up and stops worrying and trying to manage what the Left thinks or says about the Right. That’s playing the Left’s game by the Left’s rules and it is doomed to failure.
TheBigOldDog on April 14, 2009 at 9:56 PM
Who gives a crap what “the other side” thinks and says? You worry about that, you give them power over you, and then you are playing by their rules.
Stop being a giant pussy and use every tool at your disposal and shove your agenda down their throats for a change. Play to win. Be loud, get in their face, challenge their sneering pseudo-intellectualism, and tear down their ivory towers around their ears. They aren’t going to love you no matter what you do, and the battle lines have already been drawn, you won’t be changing any minds. Might as well let it all hang out and see how they like the taste of them apples
Sugarbuzz on April 14, 2009 at 9:59 PM
Sorry my junk state of Kalifornia gets her, we need her here to battle the jerkinator and his crew!
SoxNation on April 14, 2009 at 10:00 PM
I’ll invite you but it’s a hike from where you are to where I am. Why don’t you go, it might be fun and it has to be interesting?
Cindy Munford on April 14, 2009 at 10:01 PM
I dont care too much for the tea parties one way or the other…but this old goofball pretending to be Thomas Paine is downright scary and plays into every negative stereotype of the right wing. He acts as if he is certiably nuts and I would prefer that Fox distance themselves from this kook.
If the shoe were on the other foot, Rush would have a field day with this clown…so would Levin.
The Wall on April 14, 2009 at 10:02 PM
I just don’t see a problem with this guy or Fox’s coverage. I understand the fear, but it seems like we are tweaking the knobs too finely out of fear that the left will twist this into something it’s not…they will do it anyway with or without the Fox coverage or ‘Tom Paine’.
AUINSC on April 14, 2009 at 10:02 PM
You are too nice. Ernesto, go with Cindy. You might learn something.
HornetSting on April 14, 2009 at 10:02 PM
Same effect you have on us.
AUINSC on April 14, 2009 at 10:03 PM
I don’t think that was what he originally planned but it is what he is saying now. Ted Nuggent is going to be there and play the National Anthem.
Cindy Munford on April 14, 2009 at 10:03 PM
Who gives a crap what “the other side” thinks and says? You worry about that, you give them power over you, and then you are playing by their rules.
How about we stop being a bunch of giant milquetoasts and use every tool at our disposal and shove our agenda down their throats for a change. Play to win. Be loud, get in their face, challenge their sneering pseudo-intellectualism, and tear down their ivory towers around their ears. They aren’t going to love you no matter what you do, and the battle lines have already been drawn, you won’t be changing any minds. Might as well let it all hang out and see how they like the taste of them apples
Sugarbuzz on April 14, 2009 at 10:03 PM
Everybody who cares should show up and do their part. The higher the profile the better. The more articulate the better. Every little bit helps raise awareness and build momentum and that’s what protesting is all about. Anybody who tells you differently probably lacks experience. It’s very easy to ignore common citizens without recognizable faces. It’s easier for the media to portray them in way they choose and thereby dismiss them.
TheBigOldDog on April 14, 2009 at 10:03 PM
It does matter what Democrats think.
This is America we have a right to be heard. And we are not.
Both those “stimulus” bills were passed with no input from the American people! Obama scoffed during the campaign that economics was even an issue worth the time of two Senators running for President. They have spent more money in the history of civilization with no debate! This is taxation without representation!!!! Obama’s budget is suicide! We have to save this country.
petunia on April 14, 2009 at 10:04 PM
Yup. The only way they would take it seriously would be if it were organized by Frum. But then it wouldn’t happen…which is why they’d support it.
Weight of Glory on April 14, 2009 at 10:04 PM
does was meant to be doesn’t
petunia on April 14, 2009 at 10:04 PM
I, personally, respect and actually like ernesto. Out of all the left-winged commenters here, he is the best.
Not a troll.
carbon_footprint on April 14, 2009 at 10:04 PM
He will be in Indianapolis tomorrow night!!!!
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on April 14, 2009 at 10:05 PM
Am I in the twilight zone? Does the coverage on Fox hurt us? Sheesh are we really stretching it now? Where is the line drawn? IF Fox wasn’t helping would it be “Is it wise for blogs to promote this?”
I mean crap, I wanna use bad words now but I can’t. Without Fox helping the narrative would be that the tea parties are full of right wing wackos, at least now the populace can see that it isn’t true and perhaps join in. I don’t see “the middle” getting upset at the cheerleading.
Gosh darnit, screw the middle.
broker1 on April 14, 2009 at 10:05 PM
TheBigOldDog on April 14, 2009 at 9:54 PM
Ding Ding Ding! We have a winner!
Fox doesn’t need to take over the tea parties, but the MSM will ignore them as much as possible. They need to cover them, but may go too far with sponsoring & promoting them.
Gotta watch the line and try not to step over it, but too often the right is so concerned about stepping over the line that we retreat into our own end zone.
cs89 on April 14, 2009 at 10:06 PM
DS would call that man a right wing extremist! Horrors!
clnurnberg on April 14, 2009 at 10:08 PM
oops, DHS
clnurnberg on April 14, 2009 at 10:08 PM
Yep ernesto rocks the HA house.
Ted Torgerson on April 14, 2009 at 10:09 PM
This “rightwing extremist” will be teaching tomorrow during the Indianapolis Tea Party. I’ll be hanging tea bags on my car and wearing tea bags on my labcoat, too.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on April 14, 2009 at 10:09 PM
Hehehe.
Fox should quit it with the whole “Fair and Balanced” deal, unless they mean that their very existence in the mediasphere provides balance and fairness.
These protests should be separate from Fox for the reasons CK MacLeod stated over in the Green Room.
toliver on April 14, 2009 at 10:10 PM
What I question is how FNC has gone about things and where it might lead – the fact that their promos and hype would make me even consider the second option on the poll.
CK MacLeod on April 14, 2009 at 10:10 PM
Agreed, I would be proud to take ernesto to the tea party here with me. Unfortunately I am no where near New York.
Cindy Munford on April 14, 2009 at 10:11 PM
Fox is such an awesome train wreck.
I can’t wait for their coverage of this tea party sh*t show.
Dave Rywall on April 14, 2009 at 10:11 PM
And MSNBC should quit that whole ‘cable news’ deal. They suck at it.
HornetSting on April 14, 2009 at 10:11 PM
So is your country, drywall. Giving the moose a rest tonight, eh?
HornetSting on April 14, 2009 at 10:12 PM
Now the anti Fox News loons will be there acting like jackasses….
therightwinger on April 14, 2009 at 10:13 PM
I guess that’s why they’re the top-rated news network. Because they’re a train wreck. Maybe MSNBC or CNN should try harder at being a “train wreck” and they’ll actually have some viewers.
amerpundit on April 14, 2009 at 10:13 PM
What would you have said to the real Thomas Paine? On the banks of the Delaware just before the boats and makeshift rafts were to set out for crossing-The Crisis was read to all the men. You bear witness to Paines inspiration everyday that this country exists.
canditaylor68 on April 14, 2009 at 10:13 PM
I think this is called a strawman, right? It’s so funny how we twist ourselves into pretzels over things that don’t mean a flying flip and the Left loves to pretend to be shocked.
Cindy Munford on April 14, 2009 at 10:14 PM
“I came to bring the Paine, hardcore from the brain!”
Jim Treacher on April 14, 2009 at 10:14 PM
Is that Glenn Beck?
c.a. Marks on April 14, 2009 at 10:15 PM
It would have been cooler if “Thomas Paine” was a more contemporary, young guy. Thomas Paine was in his 30s when he wrote Common Sense. Hell, Thomas Jefferson was… what?… 33 when he wrote the Declaration of Independence.
We don’t need this movement associated with old dues.
And yes, Fox News kills the movement’s credibility unfortunately.
DaveS on April 14, 2009 at 10:15 PM
Well that’s a shame. I believe there’s one going on in manhattan but im pretty sure its all the way downtown. depends on what time and how long they’re out. But really, if I can’t go with you i doubt i’d enjoy it.
ernesto on April 14, 2009 at 10:17 PM
I haven’t seen any of the Fox coverage of the event but it seems to me that as long as they didn’t actually organize any of the particulars of the events that it probably won’t matter. The founding fathers had/created sympathetic news outlets during the revolution—and left will come up with any number of reasons to dismiss the relevance of the tea parties regardless.
FloatingRock on April 14, 2009 at 10:17 PM
Code pink is showing up to the Santa Monica tea party, so I’m going to the El Segundo one, God forbid I ever run into that group.
SoxNation on April 14, 2009 at 10:17 PM
What parallel in US history could possibly create a left wing version of this? That’s just the point. This is not right wing, this is how America was founded. It is the government policies that has gone astray, not the taxpayers. Today, only the so-called right wing represents the principles upon which America was founded. That is why the Left generally despises America historically and why they have fought so hard for 40 years to fundamentally change it to something unrecognizable. And obama’s theme of CHANGE is all about that. Now the people are pushing back against the combined forces of the LEFT and the politicians to take back the country.
keep the change on April 14, 2009 at 10:17 PM
Right wing extremist.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on April 14, 2009 at 10:18 PM
I wouldn’t dismiss that sentiment quite so easily. There’s a reason why train-wreck reality TV shows do so well… it isn’t because they are a higher quality product. There’s a reason why the first few weeks of American Idol–the audition episodes–are so highly rated, and it isn’t because everyone is tuned in to see mind-boggling talent.
That’s not to say that FNC doesn’t have some other stuff going for them, but train-wreck is absolutely a factor.
DaveS on April 14, 2009 at 10:18 PM
Fox is such an awesome train wreck.
I can’t wait for their coverage of this tea party sh*t show.
Dave Rywall on April 14, 2009 at 10:11 PM
So is your country, drywall. Giving the moose a rest tonight, eh?
HornetSting on April 14, 2009 at 10:12 PM
—-
So awesome.
Dave Rywall on April 14, 2009 at 10:18 PM
Don’t tease, ernesto. Just go. I’ll even apologize for telling you to get bent. If you want to cheer, then dammit, cheer. Seriously, you should go. I think you might actually enjoy protesting the government’s overreach.
HornetSting on April 14, 2009 at 10:18 PM
MSNBC is a major train wreck too, as even Jon Stewart has noted multiple times. Its ratings suck.
amerpundit on April 14, 2009 at 10:19 PM
Thanks for the input liberal plants, but hey we don’t give two craps about your opinions about right wing stereotypes, or about anything for that matter
Reap the whirlwind you’ve created
Sugarbuzz on April 14, 2009 at 10:20 PM
Fox is such an awesome train wreck.
I can’t wait for their coverage of this tea party sh*t show.
Dave Rywall on April 14, 2009 at 10:11 PM
I guess that’s why they’re the top-rated news network. Because they’re a train wreck. Maybe MSNBC or CNN should try harder at being a “train wreck” and they’ll actually have some viewers.
amerpundit on April 14, 2009 at 10:13 PM
———
Something is popular so that makes it good! Ha ha ha ha snort.
Dave Rywall on April 14, 2009 at 10:20 PM
The left could have had an old dude dressed up regurgitating Stuff Jefferson Said™.
DaveS on April 14, 2009 at 10:20 PM
Well I heard Michelle will be in Sacramento tomorrow with Neil Cavuto. What say you AllahPundit? Is she, or aint she?
Exit question: How do you feel about your boss being a Fox News contributer and part of the Nut Jobs supporting the Tea Parties?
R D on April 14, 2009 at 10:20 PM
Even if i were to overlook the fact that Cindy wouldn’t be taking me…it all depends. ive got things ive gotta do tomorrow at work if i cant get lost for 2-3 hours in anti-tax revolution then ill have to pass.
ernesto on April 14, 2009 at 10:21 PM
But its rating have improved since becoming more train wreck-y. And there’s something to be said for being first. :-) More importantly, though, Fox is an ideological train wreck… they get the rubberneckers, but also the built-in right winger audience that is desperate for any media that gives them a fair shake.
DaveS on April 14, 2009 at 10:22 PM
It doesn’t make it a train wreck.
Typical of the left’s justification for why right-wing radio and news is popular. It can’t possibly be that people think it’s good; they must be watching it to see how horrible it. MSNBC sucks too, as even some prominent on the left point out, yet its ratings suck? Uh…look over there!
amerpundit on April 14, 2009 at 10:23 PM
Ha ha ha ha, the snort speaks volumes.
R D on April 14, 2009 at 10:23 PM
I just find it so funny that the left is so darn simple minded that they cannot realize that this is not a conservative or a liberal thing. This is an American thing. Anyone who wants to pay for pork projects or politcal paybacks to special interest groups will look at these gatherings and scoff. They do not understand freedom because they most likely benefit from this government giveaway.
There are a lot of people out there that actually benefit each tax day. They don’t make enough to pay taxes, they have more and more kids for the child tax credit, and they probably use social services like a vending machine. Well, tomorrow, the vending machine is going to speak out. Nobody rides for free.
HornetSting on April 14, 2009 at 10:23 PM
I think you are trying too hard.
AUINSC on April 14, 2009 at 10:24 PM
Gotta agree. I think we can all agree that Fox was going to cover this event, but after listening to Hannity, he really sounds like he’s making this all about him.
All Fox has done with this constant promoting is giving more red meat for the moonbats and the rest of Fox haters out there. This was supposed to be a grassroots movement, not a corporate one, and Fox just screwed it up.
Knucklehead on April 14, 2009 at 10:24 PM
Allah Pundit, I deduct one Man Card from your collection for the “Bring the Paine” pun.
blatantblue on April 14, 2009 at 10:24 PM
Please go, at least you will be dealing with like minded people (i.e. N.Y.) but I would love for you to be here and add Southern to the mix. There is nothing better then crazy fun Southerners!!
Cindy Munford on April 14, 2009 at 10:25 PM
Honestly, ernesto, I believe that Cindy would go with you. The tea party I am going to is 45 miles away and starts at 4pm, so that people that work can sneak away an hour early to attend. I hope that you can go, ernesto. It is going to be a movement, a first step to taking our country back.
HornetSting on April 14, 2009 at 10:25 PM
After you wipe off your nose and mouth, please tell us more about Obama’s personal poll numbers.
Jim Treacher on April 14, 2009 at 10:25 PM
NYC ernesto?
blatantblue on April 14, 2009 at 10:27 PM
One Word:
Chainsaw.
HornetSting on April 14, 2009 at 10:27 PM
All of them will cover it now. Regardless of what you think it’s a business and the others can’t afford to ignore news. It will be interesting to see how they cover it.
Cindy Munford on April 14, 2009 at 10:28 PM
T_T the liberal establishment is keeping me from the Tea Party with classes and work…grumble grumble…sometimes I curse my conservative principles of hard work
angelwing34215 on April 14, 2009 at 10:28 PM
You obviously haven’t noticed the credibility that Ed Schultz has lent the network since his arrival.
toliver on April 14, 2009 at 10:28 PM
I haven’t been following your comments, so I can only pray that that’s sarcasm.
amerpundit on April 14, 2009 at 10:30 PM
And I hear they are up for a Pulitzer for their teabagging coverage.
DaveS on April 14, 2009 at 10:31 PM
Nope, still suck. They are about as credible as the NYT.
HornetSting on April 14, 2009 at 10:32 PM
How they’re going to cover won’t take a genius to figure out and with all the promo’s that Fox has been doing, I’m sure there will be trouble or violence somewhere.
Knucklehead on April 14, 2009 at 10:35 PM
well i’ll be certain to line up some vacation time the next time a nationwide tax revolt comes around so i can trek it out however far south you are!
yeah man
ernesto on April 14, 2009 at 10:35 PM
Fox News is a joke like your tea parties.
getalife on April 14, 2009 at 10:36 PM
So let me get this straight the line of logic is as follows: grassroots rise of anti-big government among populace, MSM won’t cover it, grassroots tax day tea protests form drawing huge numbers even in liberal cities like Chicago, Fox News covers them, hatred of big government is a product of ‘corporations’ and right-wing terrorists? I’m not sure I follow. The left is always going to claim Fox News is a right-wing cabal, so who gives a fig if Fox News decides to cover real news about real people with real problems unlike the other networks that are obsessed with Obama’s new dog.
chicagojedi on April 14, 2009 at 10:36 PM
Unfortunately, a lot of what’s going on in DC under Obama *is* with the blessingand input of a significant percentage of voting Americans.
I hate it, but it’s true.
Midas on April 14, 2009 at 10:37 PM
I will gladly call MSNBC a train wreck as well, but it’s not nearly as much of a train wreck as FOX.
MSNBC is nowhere near as over the top as Fox nor does MSNBC use stupid headlines with question marks at the end of them so they can say any ridiculous thing they want. IS THE LIBERAL MEDIA FUELING TERROR? HAVE THE DEMOCRATS FORGOTTEN THE LESSONS OF 9/11? etc etc into infinity
Dave Rywall on April 14, 2009 at 10:38 PM
Wish I could join. It’s a good 2.5 hr trip for me from LI and I have a frickin paper due.
I’ll have to go local
Man i wish i could go to nyc
blatantblue on April 14, 2009 at 10:38 PM
Talk him into to going.
Cindy Munford on April 14, 2009 at 10:39 PM
I agree. The power of the message is that it’s not about parties. Both are guilty of driving the spending out of control. Moderates, Republicans, and Democrats alike are angry at what is happening in Washington.
MadisonConservative on April 14, 2009 at 10:39 PM
That’s good, but we need more anger. And less punctuation.
Okay, let’s go again. And… Action!
Jim Treacher on April 14, 2009 at 10:39 PM
No way man, Shultz is every bit the journalist as Keith R. Olbermann.
toliver on April 14, 2009 at 10:40 PM
Perfect.
Cindy Munford on April 14, 2009 at 10:40 PM
Ernesto wont go?
blatantblue on April 14, 2009 at 10:41 PM
Not unless im goin with Cindy, i thought we already established this. =P
ernesto on April 14, 2009 at 10:42 PM
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