Pence: Talk radio represents more people than media does
posted at 1:36 pm on October 22, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
Rep. Mike Pence has defended talk radio from those who wish to reimpose the Fairness Doctrine as a means to silence opposition. Today in the House, Pence scolded the media who deride conservative talk radio’s focus on fiscal discipline with a Congress run amuck, calling their coverage “hogwash”:
“You know, the American people cherish their freedom of speech and a free and independent press. That’s why I found this morning’s headlines so troubling. Goaded on by a White House increasingly intolerant of criticism, lately the national media has taken aim at conservative commentators in radio and television. Suggesting that they only speak for a small group of activists and even suggesting in one report today that Republicans in Washington are ‘worried about their electoral effect.’
“Well, that’s hogwash.
“To suggest that men and women that are taking a stand for fiscal discipline and traditional values in the national debate today only speak for ‘grassroots activists’ is absurd. As evidenced by the hundreds of thousands that filled town hall meetings this summer and the nearly a million Americans who gathered here in Washington in September. Millions of Americans, Republicans, Democrats and Independents are worried about liberal social policies and runaway federal spending, deficit and debt.
“So to my friends in the so-called ‘mainstream media’ I say, ‘conservative talk show hosts may not speak for everybody but they speak for more Americans than you do.’”
Well put, Congressman.
Update: I fixed my headline; Pence was referencing the media, not politicians.
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I love Pence. He really is great!!!!
deidre on October 22, 2009 at 1:38 PM
Bravo Rep. Pence!
cubachi on October 22, 2009 at 1:39 PM
Great point. That explains why talk radio’s political preferences are consistently born out with election results.
crr6 on October 22, 2009 at 1:39 PM
Dittos….
Seven Percent Solution on October 22, 2009 at 1:40 PM
These folks who are attempting to marginalize us will be sorely surprised when the moving truck pulls up.
marklmail on October 22, 2009 at 1:40 PM
Well said. At least somebody gets it.
barrythrowslikeagirl on October 22, 2009 at 1:41 PM
Awesome money quote!
ornery_independent on October 22, 2009 at 1:41 PM
‘hogwash’
lol
Bravo, Sir!
bridgetown on October 22, 2009 at 1:41 PM
Pence isn’t afraid of any of them. He has the balls to stand up to Lefties and the mindless main stream. A great Hoosier!!
rook105 on October 22, 2009 at 1:43 PM
Unlike Obama, ratings don’t lie.
Doughboy on October 22, 2009 at 1:43 PM
Mark this day. Truth has been spoken from the floor of the house.
kingsjester on October 22, 2009 at 1:44 PM
Nothing but net!
elderberry on October 22, 2009 at 1:44 PM
I think that reflects might be a better choice of words.
MB4 on October 22, 2009 at 1:45 PM
Pence is right!
Terrye on October 22, 2009 at 1:45 PM
nearly a million? I thought the total was under 70,000, according to a california ponytailed cyclist?
rightside on October 22, 2009 at 1:45 PM
Pence is awesome. And a true conservative.
If someone in Indiana is planning to run for president I hope it is Pence, and not the Bush-clone Mitch Daniels.
Norwegian on October 22, 2009 at 1:46 PM
He was great at the 9/12 march, although I prefer DeMint …Pence is a more natural speaker.
OT: I heard a poll today that 75% of Americans want enforcement against illegal immigration, highest in years. Of course, as presented by ABC, they said taht support for deportation efforts was highest among “older and rural voters.”
Firefly_76 on October 22, 2009 at 1:46 PM
It’s a lagging indicator.
MB4 on October 22, 2009 at 1:47 PM
Thank you very much Pence. Rush, Glenn, and others thank you along with million upon millions who listen to them to get the truth.
L
letget on October 22, 2009 at 1:47 PM
They how do they keep getting reelected. I like conservative talk show hosts as much as anyone, but it’s the liberals that keep getting voted into office. Radio hosts in Floria have no power to impact my life, politicians in Washington do.
Tommy_G on October 22, 2009 at 1:47 PM
Test.
justincase on October 22, 2009 at 1:47 PM
It also explains why the left is so he1l-bent on reinstituting the FD, as well as having the senate majority leader attack a private citizen in the halls of congress.
Bishop on October 22, 2009 at 1:48 PM
Three words: RINOS, voter fraud.
Firefly_76 on October 22, 2009 at 1:48 PM
I think we need to start breeding uberconservatives. Can we get Pence together with Bachmann somehow? I’ll kick-in for a bottle of wine.
NickelAndDime on October 22, 2009 at 1:49 PM
Yep, Mike Pence gets it and I’m proud to say he’s my congressman.
Oink on October 22, 2009 at 1:49 PM
+++100
lovingmyUSA on October 22, 2009 at 1:49 PM
Cuz the people on the ballot represent the ideas on talk radio. I guess…
lorien1973 on October 22, 2009 at 1:49 PM
I guess being 32 and living in Katy, TX makes me “old and rural”. The wife won’t be happy to hear that.
Doughboy on October 22, 2009 at 1:50 PM
Are links forbidden now?
justincase on October 22, 2009 at 1:51 PM
i I was going to change it to “
threeFour words” ACORN, but then I realized that would be a duplication of words…lovingmyUSA on October 22, 2009 at 1:52 PM
You’ve set the Blogsphere record for number of consecutive at-bats without a hit. Please do continue.
Patrick S on October 22, 2009 at 1:55 PM
Nah, you’re still a ‘young’n’. So many Texas HA folks. Maybe I need to move there . . .
Firefly_76 on October 22, 2009 at 1:56 PM
Was your link a cnn link?
MB4 on October 22, 2009 at 1:56 PM
Pence supported the Iraq war.
That’s the main reason I would not support him for president.
Spathi on October 22, 2009 at 1:56 PM
HotAir has swallowed 2 posts of mine just now. What Obama is doing is just plain dangerous – like Axelrod and Emanuel telling the network heads that they would be annihilated through “diversity” regulations if they reported on Obama’s eligibility. I’ve got several links, but I’m wondering if having too many links is what triggered the censorship here. Here’s the written article:
http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/13373
justincase on October 22, 2009 at 1:57 PM
Everyone is glad it’s about you.
lorien1973 on October 22, 2009 at 1:57 PM
I’m tellin’ ya, between Alexander on the floor and now Pence, I think maybe some cojones are being grown…I’m just hoping.
NJ Red on October 22, 2009 at 1:57 PM
Pence is fine in congress.
But he should never be given control of the military as president. He’s too untrustworthy like Bush was.
Spathi on October 22, 2009 at 1:58 PM
Here is the interview of Doug Hagmann, in 3 segments:
http://www.therothshow.com/demos/recent/hour1Aug0709.mp3
http://www.therothshow.com/demos/recent/hour2Aug0709.mp3
http://www.therothshow.com/demos/recent/hour3Aug0709.mp3
justincase on October 22, 2009 at 1:58 PM
Two links may be the limit. Zero if cnn.
MB4 on October 22, 2009 at 1:58 PM
Said the politician.
Abby Adams on October 22, 2009 at 1:59 PM
Spathi on October 22, 2009 at 1:58 PM
Earth to Spathi: This thread has nothing to do with you, the Iraq War, Ron Paul, or Booosh!
kingsjester on October 22, 2009 at 1:59 PM
Mike Pence says:
And you interpret that as
What?
Proud Rino on October 22, 2009 at 1:59 PM
Pence is fine in congress.
But he should never be given control of the military as president. He’s too untrustworthy like Bush was.
Spathi on October 22, 2009 at 1:58 PM
Cause what we have now is SOOOOO much better.
NJ Red on October 22, 2009 at 2:00 PM
Error:
He didn’t say Talk Radio represented more people than politicians.
He said talk radio represented more people than the main stream media.
Thune on October 22, 2009 at 2:00 PM
He is talking to people in the chamber.
WashJeff on October 22, 2009 at 2:01 PM
Just what I like to see our elected officials do..stand up for our constitution
hawkman on October 22, 2009 at 2:01 PM
I’ve always said everyone’s welcome. Just don’t bring any liberal voting tendencies along with you. And no Utah Jazz fans allowed either!
Doughboy on October 22, 2009 at 2:01 PM
Actually, what he said was pretty meek.
This is it?
We are in deep doo-doo.
faraway on October 22, 2009 at 2:01 PM
And now the MSM will start to dig in and fight against Fox…
*
Freedom of speech is not dead but wounded…and the wounded comrade, on the field of battle is left bleeding from the enemy’s attack. While it’s comrades, the MSM, watch from their dug in positions, afraid to go out and assist a comrade wounded in battle.
In their trenches, the MSM shake with fear, and as their fallen comrade gets up to mount another charge, they decide that it is better to finish him off, then to bring the enemy ever closer.
But the wounded soldier is tougher and braver then they predicted, and mounts a charge after charge…revealing the weakness of the MSM.
So the enemy keeps the wounded pinned down with a barrage, and out flanks him. Coming up to the MSM, they recognize it’s strength, but also it’s lack of courage, and offers a truce. Deny your fallen comrade, and I won’t attack you, I will let you ride into victory with me, marching side by side to rule the land.
The choice is easy for MSM, a bloody battle, or riding into victory, the only sacrifice is a fallen soldier, and an allegiance to an enemy.
For them it is an easy choice, but to the fallen comrade there is no choice…he knows that freedom comes at great cost and sacrifice, and he is willing to carry that fight to the enemy on his own…he may not survive, but the battle will be long and bloody, and the spirit of fighting for freedom will never die…like the tens of thousands before him, on a different battle field, with different weapons, others were willing to sacrifice their life so the wounded soldier could continue his. The soldier honors that memory, while others hide in fear…the the wounded soldier knows; die for freedom or forever be in chains, there is no choice for an American…there is no choice for an American…there is no choice…
right2bright on October 22, 2009 at 2:01 PM
Actually, most people just vote for the incumbent because of name recognition.
But back to his point. His point is that “Millions of Americans, Republicans, Democrats and Independents are worried about liberal social policies and runaway federal spending, deficit and debt.” Talk show hosts ‘get’ that and Congress does not.
That was his point.
Bobbertsan on October 22, 2009 at 2:02 PM
My words exatly
WoosterOh on October 22, 2009 at 2:02 PM
Bizarre. Now I can even post multiple links.
Hagmann says he has legal proof of the threats to media who would report on the eligibility issue. This is potentially criminal activity on the part of Obama’s thugs. They’re risking a LOT for just this one issue.
The Hawaii Dept of Health is also breaking their laws over this issue. I sent a letter to the HI gov, lt gov, and all members of the Hawaii Senate and House, asking them to launch an investigation into 6 specific instances of potential breach of law and/or ethics.
And BTW, the DOH has basically confirmed that Obama’s online COLB is forged – unless they create birth certificates through ESP. See
http://naturalborncitizen.wordpress.com/2009/10/07/uipa-request-5-from-leo-c-donofrio/
justincase on October 22, 2009 at 2:03 PM
No.
Pence:
Proud Rino on October 22, 2009 at 2:03 PM
Given that the media parrots what Obama wants them to say, you can seriously make a distinction?
lorien1973 on October 22, 2009 at 2:03 PM
Also, he’s mixing up his “you”s if. If you read the entire context, clearly he’s referring to politicians.
lorien1973 on October 22, 2009 at 2:05 PM
Pence:
Proud Rino on October 22, 2009 at 2:07 PM
I actually agree with this. Give these NeoCons the Big Boot on out of here, and nominate some masculine men for a change.
The Dean on October 22, 2009 at 2:07 PM
Move on, we resolved that months ago…only 10 percenters believe that now (you know the 10% who thinks Elvis is alive, that we didn’t land on the moon, 9/11 truthers, etc.)
right2bright on October 22, 2009 at 2:08 PM
This has the usual suspects foaming at the mouth and wetting their panties.
Blake on October 22, 2009 at 2:09 PM
Yeah, I don’t blame you…all those free people, all the death squads eliminated, free elections…I can see where that would bother you.
right2bright on October 22, 2009 at 2:09 PM
The media is being threatened by Obama. Illegally threatened by Obama, with the threats coming from the very top of Obama’s administration to the very top of the networks.
Everybody knows that through “regulations” Obama can get rid of anybody he wants to. And with Cass Sunstein as the regulatory head guy, it’ll be a piece of cake.
People poo-poohed this story, if they even heard of it, because it was about “birthers”. But the story of it is that the reason the legitimate conservative media wouldn’t report on the issue is because that is the ONE ISSUE that Obama had his thugs issue direct threats over.
Why did he do it? And why is it no big deal for Obama and his top advisors and lawyer to threaten the top executives at the networks? What is really, really chilling is the fact that he’s gotten away with it. The media folks all know their families and lives are at risk.
justincase on October 22, 2009 at 2:10 PM
Yeah, after reading the whole block quote twice, I would say that last “you” is the MSM. What’s up, though, with the “my friends” stuff? I am sure Pence does not have many “friends” in the MSM.
WashJeff on October 22, 2009 at 2:10 PM
Once again our oafish friend from the left has failed to take into account that for 1/2 of 2007 and all of 2008 the conservative radio and blog outlets ripped on Bush, McCain, and republicans in general regardng many issues.
jaime on October 22, 2009 at 2:11 PM
Rush just had a lady on his show who called an FBI regional office about the Acorn scandal recently, and she said they told her to listen to Rush, Fox News and Glenn Beck if she wanted to know what is going on. They know what is going on and can’t do anything because of the Secret Service or something to that effect. That’s a pretty good endorsement for Fox News, etc.
silvernana on October 22, 2009 at 2:11 PM
I know it’s hard for you to concentrate sometimes. Please, do try, though.
Read like a paragraph up. It’s quite clear who he is referring to. He’s mixing up his you’s.
He’s referring to politicians. You should simply be a they.
That’s all. Spending so much time on the stupid, and ignoring his point. I find that to be quite normal these days.
lorien1973 on October 22, 2009 at 2:12 PM
Pence is great … He needs to get out in public more often.
tarpon on October 22, 2009 at 2:12 PM
right2bright at 2:08
Somebody better tell the Hawaii DOH that it’s already been resolved then, because their required response to a UIPA request was that they had no documents for Obama before Aug 9, 1961. How could Obama’s COLB be “filed by registrar” on Aug 8, 1961 then?
What I am saying is that the State of Hawaii in an official, legal act revealed that Obama’s online COLB is altered.
justincase on October 22, 2009 at 2:12 PM
This was an excellent little speech, finishing with an awesome tag line. Well done, sir, well done! :)
Highlar on October 22, 2009 at 2:14 PM
He was making the pronouncement in the Chamber, not on a radio, or in a hallway…he was driving a point home to his fellow politicians….sheesh, not to good at comprehension, seeing as you stated you had gone to the finest private schools, universities, and graduate school…unbelievable, maybe private schools aren’t much better then public…
right2bright on October 22, 2009 at 2:15 PM
When the Nazis came for the communists,
I remained silent;
I was not a communist.
When they locked up the social democrats,
I remained silent;
I was not a social democrat.
When they came for the trade unionists,
I did not speak out;
I was not a trade unionist.
When they came for the Jews,
I remained silent;
I wasn’t a Jew.
When they came for me,
there was no one left to speak out.”
nelsonknows on October 22, 2009 at 2:16 PM
Ed Morrissey wrote:
Hey, lorien, what does crow taste like? Does it taste like chicken? I bet it tastes like chicken.
Proud Rino on October 22, 2009 at 2:16 PM
Wow, that was deep. Remember, only YOU can prevent forest fires.
simplesimon on October 22, 2009 at 2:17 PM
Ed Morrissey wrote:
Proud Rino on October 22, 2009 at 2:17 PM
In a similar legal act the State of Hawaii also confirmed that Obama’s birth certificate has either been amended or has an amendment in process.
So why did Rahm Emanuel and David Axelrod have Obama’s lawyer threaten all the network heads if they reported on this issue?
If anybody’s interested I can detail the 6 cases of law-breaking by the Hawaii DOH and DHHL.
justincase on October 22, 2009 at 2:17 PM
I wish he would consider a run at President in 2012.
Dire Straits on October 22, 2009 at 2:19 PM
Ed is wrong, IMHO. If you listen and read the entire thing he’s referring to politicians. The “you” is either a mis-speak of “they” or a “you all” referring to both.
But, I’m glad you have come to agree that Ed is the authority on everything ;)
If, you presume, he’s talking about the media, his prior point makes no sense. Why would he talk about the White House coming down on talk radio, then blame the media for it? It’s a non-sequitor.
lorien1973 on October 22, 2009 at 2:19 PM
Your douchebaggedness never ceases to amaze me.
loudmouth883 on October 22, 2009 at 2:21 PM
Yeah, but was anybody else in the room to hear it?
Yephora on October 22, 2009 at 2:22 PM
Just wait until Pence targets a media personality and private citizen by name on the floor of Congress, just like that other guy did..what’s his moniker again? Harry..Harry..Harry Rude? Harry Rand? Ruud? Eh, I can’t remember now, can you?
Bishop on October 22, 2009 at 2:22 PM
No it didn’t, you are misreading the information…I really don’t have time to rehash this…it has been gone over and over.
His COLB has the correct date, the registrar’s copies were given in batches to the hospitals, and they are dated for that day, often the dates of “registration” didn’t match, but the official date is what is on the COLB, not when he was registered as born, some are registered days (or weeks in the outer islands) late and others a day or so early.
Don’t be desperate, it is embarrassing to watch…
right2bright on October 22, 2009 at 2:23 PM
That’s kind of funny since no one here can agree on what he actually said.
Proud Rino on October 22, 2009 at 2:24 PM
Mhmm. So why did Bush win reelection twice and McCain won the 2008 nomination? If talk radio were even remotely “representative” Duncan Hunter or Fred Thompson would be our current POTUS, or at the very least one of them would have won the GOP nomination.
crr6 on October 22, 2009 at 2:24 PM
Nope. O’Reilly said it was 70,000 and we know he’s always fair and balanced.
Daggett on October 22, 2009 at 2:26 PM
Here’s a quote:
That’s why I found this morning’s headlines so troubling. Goaded on by a White House increasingly intolerant of criticism, lately the national media has taken aim at conservative commentators in radio and television . . .
He’s clearly talking about the media. And accusing the White House of goading them on.
Bobbertsan on October 22, 2009 at 2:28 PM
Hey good luck in the NJ governor’s race!
Proud Rino on October 22, 2009 at 2:28 PM
I know who he was referencing…he was talking to the chamber…you don’t think that goes into the congressional record?
That is like saying when McCain was at a rally and he said “my friends”, he was excluding everyone who was not his personal friend. McCain was talking to everyone at the meeting….sheesh…
When you talk about Israel in the Chamber, you are placing yourself on record for the American people, you are referencing Israel, but you are talking officially to the chamber. He was telling his fellow…oh never mind, you won’t care or understand…
right2bright on October 22, 2009 at 2:29 PM
When you are speaking on the floor, you are talking to your fellow congress, and the American people about a specific (in this case) subject. It goes on official public congressional record.
If he was not talking to “America” he would have done it on the steps of the capitol, not in the chamber.
Press conferences are for what you are implying, going on record to your fellow congress and America is what the chamber does.
right2bright on October 22, 2009 at 2:33 PM
Which means that my earlier post is inaccurate.
Bobbertsan on October 22, 2009 at 2:35 PM
He is making a speech to be played on YouTube, and on FoxNews, to make fun of the MSM for their silly talk.
He is NOT talking to the people in the Chamber, he is talking to the Media. He is calling them liars.
Some of you how cant comprehend that need to stay away from the Liberal brainwashing the Public and Secondary Education give you.
WoosterOh on October 22, 2009 at 2:35 PM
Which is doubleplusgoodspeak for “alzheimer patients and racist rednecks” so they don’t count anyway.
Lily on October 22, 2009 at 2:37 PM
I said he was talking about the media. I didn’t say anything about who he was talking to.
Bobbertsan on October 22, 2009 at 2:39 PM
One thing the old media and the left cannot understand is that “talk radio” does not influence me, nor does it speak for me. The left has a need to dismiss my views as the product of listening to Rush, etc. because they do not have any valid arguments for their own points of view. Instead, it’s just another attempt at demonizing the opposition. Sorry, left side, doesn’t work any more.
n0doz on October 22, 2009 at 2:39 PM
Isn’t radio a medium? And we all know what the plural of medium is.
Jens on October 22, 2009 at 2:40 PM
I see that many bridges are missing their trolls today.
nelsonknows on October 22, 2009 at 2:41 PM
Can you find me a single talk show host who wanted the Republicans to nominate John McCain?
MarkTheGreat on October 22, 2009 at 2:42 PM
Wow. Truth spoken in Congress? Is this a first?
petunia on October 22, 2009 at 2:42 PM
Yeah that’s the thing I don’t understand. If no one reads liberal newspapers anymore and no one watches network news or CNN/MSNBC, then isn’t Fox News the MSM?
Proud Rino on October 22, 2009 at 2:44 PM
Wouldn’t that be more evidence that talk show hosts are in fact pretty powerless? Isn’t the point that they represent far more people than the mainstream media does?
Proud Rino on October 22, 2009 at 2:45 PM
Proof of Obama’s point that all Republicans think alike. Not.
petunia on October 22, 2009 at 2:46 PM
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