Audio: John Ziegler grills Politico reporter for calling Palin a “circus act”
posted at 9:11 pm on July 1, 2009 by Allahpundit
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I don’t know what Mike Allen thought he was getting himself into here, but after this he’d be well advised not to go throwing stones at anyone else for coming off badly in interviews. The clip’s long but the first 3:45 is intro and can be safely skipped if you watched the MSNBC vid this morning. Enjoy.
Update (Ed): You can find John at his new gig at KGIL 1260 AM in Los Angeles. He has a cleaner version of the audio here, without the occasional hiccups.
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Some people need to get a life rather than trying to ruin hers
This is Chicago Politics, carried out by flunkies and a few Useful Idiots
Janos Hunyadi on July 1, 2009 at 9:16 PM
Hah! Schooled.
javamartini on July 1, 2009 at 9:16 PM
Of Couse the Left is worried about Circus acts when it has Obozo the Clown in town.
William Amos on July 1, 2009 at 9:17 PM
Who Sarah Palin is a high-wire tightrope walker who is trying her best not to fall into the waiting net in the midst of a three-ring circus of Obama, Romney and McCain’s handlers who are competing for the spoils.
technopeasant on July 1, 2009 at 9:21 PM
Quite the slap down, this is the way to challenge these cowards. They are the western version of those Iraqis who stoned Saroya M.
Mr. Joe on July 1, 2009 at 9:21 PM
And Scarborough, we have your number too you cowardly weasel.
Mr. Joe on July 1, 2009 at 9:22 PM
I do not take Allen and Scarborough as serious people either.
Mr. Joe on July 1, 2009 at 9:23 PM
Gosh Mike Allen seems to have something caught in his throat with every non answer he tries to deliver.
Miss Molly on July 1, 2009 at 9:25 PM
Thomas Sowell on what they thought about Reagan. I can’t wait to listen to the clip. I like the way John handles himself. He’s perfectly able to bring the noise. I wish Palin had more defenders like him.
V15J on July 1, 2009 at 9:26 PM
and she stays in the news and comes out stronger.
rob verdi on July 1, 2009 at 9:26 PM
Sure sounds like another Obamabot…. Next rear-plug please.
just-j on July 1, 2009 at 9:27 PM
Allen apparently doesn’t know how to answer simple questions. Wow. Does Allen happen to have a law degree?
terryannonline on July 1, 2009 at 9:29 PM
I think by “stupid interviews” he meant that the whole format of the interview was stupid, not necessarily Palin’s performance in said interview. Ziegler’s the one who sounds confused…kind of like complaining about someone not placing a proposal on top of an actual, literal table when he or she says they’re going to “table” a proposal.
I didn’t see the MSNBC thing though, so I could be wrong.
Interweb Troll on July 1, 2009 at 9:30 PM
Ziegler is a fearless and an idealist and this guy is a smary, soft lib who is more interested in party invites than truth. Two VERY different kind of journalists here.
RobCon on July 1, 2009 at 9:31 PM
substance behind a allegation, imagine that………..
SHARPTOOTH on July 1, 2009 at 9:32 PM
Mike Allens answers questions as coherently as Ogabe.
RarestRX on July 1, 2009 at 9:32 PM
LOL!
UBERPWN3D!
WisCon on July 1, 2009 at 9:33 PM
Ziegler kicked ass!
Allen was perplexed and aloof. He was answering for other people instead of himself. He was as awkward as Sanford.
jencab on July 1, 2009 at 9:33 PM
the more they bash the stronger she gets..
SHARPTOOTH on July 1, 2009 at 9:33 PM
Allen is a jerk, I also revoke the name “Joe” from Morning Joe. You are exciled along with other Joe losers like Stalin. From now on you we will call you Skidbro or Donkey licker or perhaps we just won’t mention you at all.
Mr. Joe on July 1, 2009 at 9:34 PM
Ziegler was brutal and I loved it.
Trov on July 1, 2009 at 9:34 PM
The left fear Palin because she is becoming in reality everything that Obama was manufactured to be.
A idealist, accomplished, and loved underdog who nobody thought had a chance because of the hate and ignorance of the detractors. Think about it.
RobCon on July 1, 2009 at 9:34 PM
Allen has done much better work before, but I think he succumbed to Stockholm Syndrome when he was MSNBC. He can’t back up his claims and keeps drfiting off on a tangent. As a reporter, you’d think he would desire straight answers. Why can’t he give them?
keioki on July 1, 2009 at 9:34 PM
The fact that she wasn’t covered as a Governor shows that there is an issue with the media, not with the Governor. What is wrong with these people?
jimmy2shoes on July 1, 2009 at 9:35 PM
Theses craven media men on MSNBC must please their left-wing masters. Even Ziegler akknowledged that.
RobCon on July 1, 2009 at 9:36 PM
‘Bermuda Triangle’,piff,its happening now on H/A!!
—————————————————
Jack#ss’s!
Katie Couric,performs a Liberal Party Ambush hit mission
on SarahCuda,
and,now,its a `Series of Stupid Interviews`!!
canopfor on July 1, 2009 at 9:36 PM
this mike allen sounds like a complete dumbass…was he smoking drugs when he was on the phone…he seems like he was completely lost
Palin Steele on July 1, 2009 at 9:38 PM
Wow, I’ve never heard a journalist sound so much… WORSE… than a white house press secretary before. The talking points were annoying, but when he started putting words in Ziegler’s mouth, that was astounding to me.
DaveS on July 1, 2009 at 9:39 PM
That was frigging GREAT! Mike Allen is a clown and I’m being nice.
hmfearny on July 1, 2009 at 9:39 PM
Morning Donkey Licker? I think the ratings would improve.
myrenovations on July 1, 2009 at 9:39 PM
Allen is a weasel. This isn’t the first time I’ve thought so.
John on July 1, 2009 at 9:40 PM
This moron Mike Allen repeated the same exact answer like 12 times for 2 different questions. What a total moron. This clown would not give a single straight answer to anything. The Politico shows its true colors.
TheBigOldDog on July 1, 2009 at 9:41 PM
The media is corrupt. All of it. Corrupt to the core.
TheBigOldDog on July 1, 2009 at 9:41 PM
Three times and still no answer… “Stupid interviews?”. Wait… 4 times. Crap, I lost count.
-
Damn, this guy is an idiot, totally.
-
So 8 minutes into this… it has to be a joke…
-
There is a guy at work, the joke is and I believe it applies here too “does he smoke every day?”
-
Mike Allen needs a short hand phrase for ‘there are a lot of people, who worked on Governor Palin’s campaign staff, and who would want to work with her again… blah, blah…’ 50% of this interview was spent with him repeating this in a goofy duuuh tone… What a dolt.
RalphyBoy on July 1, 2009 at 9:41 PM
Now THAT is a beat down ,,,
dugbru on July 1, 2009 at 9:42 PM
Thanks for posting a link that IS NOT TO MSNBC, I will never ever click them.
kahall on July 1, 2009 at 9:42 PM
All I can recall Mike say is “There’s a lot of people….theres a lot of people…theres a lot of people…theres a lot of people”
CrAzi.
javamartini on July 1, 2009 at 9:42 PM
The campaign to undermine Sarah Palin’s reputation and image has been unprecedented. I raved about her the day she was named as the VP candidate and today, I still find her to be an incredible, intelligent, beautiful, strong woman. I’d vote for her for any position, including POTUS. We need more Palin’s and less Pelosis and Boxers.
Star20 on July 1, 2009 at 9:43 PM
The hits keep on comming………
……… keep bringing it on!
Gov. Palin has got to be loving this………..
:O)
Seven Percent Solution on July 1, 2009 at 9:43 PM
Not a tangent. A rehearsed answer he repeated a dozen times. I’ve never heard a worse interview in my life. It sounded like a police detective grilling a murder suspect got with the gun smoking in his hand.
TheBigOldDog on July 1, 2009 at 9:43 PM
I didn’t know Mike Allen had a hearing problem…when these guys get called on their pseudo intellectual reporting they wet all over themselves. This guy is a mouse. He reminds me of Paul Krugman.
d1carter on July 1, 2009 at 9:44 PM
Good grief, he answered every question as if he was simply reporting what others have said, instead of answering and defending what he stated as his opinion on Joe’s show. He acted as if he never did that interview this morning…
yogi41 on July 1, 2009 at 9:44 PM
It’s fish in a barrel when the subject is totally evasive and just keeps repeating the same answer over and over.
TheBigOldDog on July 1, 2009 at 9:45 PM
Ask Palin detractors for specifics, and they sp-sp-sputter.
Allen blames Palin for media smear campaigns? LOL Mike Allen just gave a stupid interview and dug himself deeper. Kudos to Ziegler. “Palin is a circus act, but not her, just the McCain campaign…it wasn’t her fault, but she can never be taken seriously…” ROFL This was priceless.
ddrintn on July 1, 2009 at 9:45 PM
Was the audio skipping or was Mike Allen really that repetitive?
frankj on July 1, 2009 at 9:45 PM
I don’t think that was Mike Allen. I think it was a parrot trained to say, “There are a lot of people who worked on Governor Palin’s campaign staff and who would like to work with her again.”
Mark1971 on July 1, 2009 at 9:46 PM
Good call. They are all corrupt mice. Which is why the Right not hitting back full force is so infuriating. They accept the corrupt media’s premises and try to be liked by them. Damn cowards.
TheBigOldDog on July 1, 2009 at 9:47 PM
Mike Allen is certainly dim witted in this interview. It’s the first I’ve heard of him. Is he always this stupid or is he on drugs or what?
He never answers a question. He just goes swerving all over the place like a drunk on a unicycle. He twists words and puts words in Ziegler’s mouth. Embarrassed? Shamed? I doubt it. What a twit.
Guardian on July 1, 2009 at 9:47 PM
Turns out that Mike Allen is the circuitous act.
jay12 on July 1, 2009 at 9:48 PM
Sounded like Allen’s “Faux Objectivity 101″ module broke down and he was reduced to robotic auto-response mode: the appearance of interaction yet not quite passing the Turing test.
spmat on July 1, 2009 at 9:49 PM
Actually, it can be boiled down to “I was on MSNBC so I had to engage in a little Palin bashing to get the glad hand…don’t ask me to back up Palin Derangemnet with facts…”
ddrintn on July 1, 2009 at 9:50 PM
“Circus Act” is what Palin and McCain did to her daughter Bristol.
PrezHussein on July 1, 2009 at 9:50 PM
I can’t wait to see the SarahPAC figures! “They” will be shocked.
SouthernGent on July 1, 2009 at 9:50 PM
Wow…what a beatdown.
On another note, can someone please explain to me why MSNBC now looks like a webpage?
Emily M. on July 1, 2009 at 9:50 PM
Ya know, that’s just how my US rep’s assistants sound when I talk to them on the phone. They are very nice mind you, very pleasent people to speak with. They just kinda talk in circles and can’t really come up with answers to my questions.
boomer on July 1, 2009 at 9:51 PM
Allen sounds like a broken record.
nickj116 on July 1, 2009 at 9:51 PM
Can we get Ziegler an interview with Obama. Seriously, we need to get Obama in the same room with him for about 15 minutes, that would pretty much end The Won’s political career. Come on Messiah, give John 15 minutes of your time.
WordsMatter on July 1, 2009 at 9:51 PM
Some people, who have read Mike Allen before and thought they would like to read him again, heard this interview and now realize he’s an idiot.
Seriously, this is the media (and Allahpundit) narrative:
Media has covered Palin in a way that makes her appear unserious. Therefore, she will be seen as unserious if she attempts a run.
See the flaw in that argument?
cs89 on July 1, 2009 at 9:52 PM
He is a guest on the Hugh Hewitt show, usually about once a week or so. He usually sounds slow and embarassed to be talking to a Republican. I think the appearances are a payback for Hugh pumping Politico when it started.
myrenovations on July 1, 2009 at 9:53 PM
I hate George Lucas. B-tard ruined his own movie and violated my childhood.
spmat on July 1, 2009 at 9:54 PM
LOL… “WHAT STUPID INTERVIEWS SPECIFICALLY????” “There are a lot of people who worked on Governor Palin’s campaign…”
ddrintn on July 1, 2009 at 9:54 PM
Is Ziegler the same guy who took Contessa Brewer on MSNBC to school and got his mic cut off?
SouthernGent on July 1, 2009 at 9:54 PM
EPIC PWN
BPD on July 1, 2009 at 9:54 PM
TheBigOldDog on July 1, 2009 at 9:47 PM
Maybe elephants really are afraid of mice.
cs89 on July 1, 2009 at 9:55 PM
See, the Right keeps reaping what it sows. What did Hugh think, they were going to be honest or something? Is he really that foolishly naive?
TheBigOldDog on July 1, 2009 at 9:55 PM
Uh-uh. “Circus act” is what freaks like Kossacks and other assorted moonbats tried to make of a 17-year-old pregnant girl.
ddrintn on July 1, 2009 at 9:55 PM
Yes
Cindy Munford on July 1, 2009 at 9:56 PM
Of course the plain answer is that the media targeted Palin with destruction in way they could not do with McCain.
The media love a scandal and they hate Christian Conservatives and they went to town on Palin.
PERIOD.
RobCon on July 1, 2009 at 9:56 PM
Oh, good one! I need a political cartoon of that. That will stick because it’s so true. Good catch!
TheBigOldDog on July 1, 2009 at 9:56 PM
What? Is this real? It is like he was a broken record! haha
p40tiger on July 1, 2009 at 9:57 PM
When Hugh likes something he goes overboard and then refuses to let it go even if it turns on him.
Tonight he had Mitt on and let Mitt get away with bragging about MA’s RomneyCare. No follow up questions.
Hugh falls in love just like Governor Soulmate.
myrenovations on July 1, 2009 at 9:57 PM
Mike Allen,
You sir, have no integrity. You sir, are a perfect example of how low the journalistic standards have fallen. You sir, are gutter material & nothing more..
What a classless excuse for a man!
Keemo on July 1, 2009 at 9:58 PM
LOL! Gov Soulmate. I love it!
TheBigOldDog on July 1, 2009 at 9:59 PM
Man, Mike Allen sounds as competent and uses as many ducks and weaves as our wonderful propaganda secretary, Gibbs.
Christian Conservative on July 1, 2009 at 10:00 PM
I think Hugh is the nicest person and a great interviewer but every time he is “for” someone it’s like the kiss of death. He wrong a lot. But still the best interviewer.
Cindy Munford on July 1, 2009 at 10:01 PM
This guy Mike Allen is pathetic. Who is he? He has press credentials? snort!
james23 on July 1, 2009 at 10:01 PM
Mike Allen does not answer one direct question with a direct answer. He has no credibility.
onlineanalyst on July 1, 2009 at 10:02 PM
Agreed. I think he is the best pure interviewer in radio. Great questions and he lets people answer them. He also gives great book recommendations.
myrenovations on July 1, 2009 at 10:03 PM
When is John Ziegler going to join Fox News Channel? He’s smart, telegenic and a daring interviewer whose radio shtick includes confronting a variety of celebrities/politicians/athletes and later broadcasting their interviews on the air. He was stuck following idiots John and Ken on SoCal radio powerhouse KFI and left the station quite suddenly due to conflicts there. Rush should use him as a guest host. John’s more libertarian than conservative but campaigned for Teh Fred.
Regarding Mike Allen, I think Politico’s early reputation for fairness and bipartisanship didn’t last long. Rush himself was burned by Politico after offering them exclusives.
Terrie on July 1, 2009 at 10:05 PM
dear michelle,
please change the name of your site to “all palin all the time”
thankyou
greataunty on July 1, 2009 at 10:06 PM
Clean up on aisle 5..
Mike Allen hath beclowned himself.
Lemme guess; he’s one of those professional journalist types.
stevezilla on July 1, 2009 at 10:08 PM
Dear greataunty,
Learn to use them new-fangled computer thingies and navigate away from the site.
Thank you
ddrintn on July 1, 2009 at 10:09 PM
greataunty on July 1, 2009 at 10:06 PM
That comment is on the same level as this Mike Allen gutter chaser.
Keemo on July 1, 2009 at 10:09 PM
Poor choice of phrases on your part ;)
Lanceman on July 1, 2009 at 10:12 PM
Then he should have named one example of a stupid format.
He really doesn’t seem that bright. I get the sense that he didn’t even realize that the audience was going to be forced to think he’s an idiot.
CRASH.AND.BURN.
blink on July 1, 2009 at 10:13 PM
BTW:
Thanks for posting this AP…
Keemo on July 1, 2009 at 10:15 PM
Thank you Ziegler for nailing his a** to the wall.
bazil9 on July 1, 2009 at 10:15 PM
No, Allen said Palin kept giving these stupid interviews in which she dug herself deeper. Now whatever could that mean? Hmmm.
ddrintn on July 1, 2009 at 10:17 PM
OT: Where’s our thread about Waxman fainting?
gatorboy on July 1, 2009 at 10:18 PM
Anyone on this thread one of the three people that bought Scarborough’s book?
bw222 on July 1, 2009 at 10:19 PM
We are with you Star20.
Geochelone on July 1, 2009 at 10:19 PM
ddrintn on July 1, 2009 at 10:17 PM
I think the word he actually used was pathetic rather than stupid.. Am I wrong? Not that it matters, as his words were over the top and out of line.
Keemo on July 1, 2009 at 10:19 PM
Ziggy I salute you, Sir. We need to be more like Ziggy and smackdown these clowns who try to defame Palin and yet they have not accomplished much of anything in their lives.
Lets Fight for Gov Palin. Get in their faces. This is war people. It is no time to be polite.
Geochelone on July 1, 2009 at 10:22 PM
They shouldn’t have mirrors in his office.
SouthernGent on July 1, 2009 at 10:23 PM
Dear greataunty,
Please change your name to greatanus!
Geochelone on July 1, 2009 at 10:24 PM
Moral of the story is don’t screw around with ziegler.
He really should give classes to repubs on how to handle the press.
Mike allen got embarassed
kangjie on July 1, 2009 at 10:24 PM
I saw this morning’s interview w/ Allen and got the impression Joe was not fully listening to Allen.
Regardless, when will his guests learn that BS doesn’t float on Ziegler’s program? I was embarrassed for Allen.
gonnjos on July 1, 2009 at 10:25 PM
Yeah, I was paraphrasing. But it was clear that Allen’s intent was to dismiss every interview Palin has given, without bothering with those pesky specifics. What this episode is is a demonstration of Operation Destroy Sarah in microcosm.
ddrintn on July 1, 2009 at 10:25 PM
Is he being purposely obtuse?
Noelie on July 1, 2009 at 10:26 PM
Perhaps someone with more computer savy than me could send this clip to Gov. Palin so she can be forewarned what a ass clown Allen is!!!
Then a second copy of this clip needs to be forwarded to his bosses. Once they drug test his butt then they can send him to pack up his office while they cut his last check.
Don’t worry, he could fill in for Gibbs when he is busy carrying Zero’s golf clubs. No one in the press room would notice the difference. What a pathetic zot!
JohnD9207 on July 1, 2009 at 10:27 PM
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