Glenn Beck: Sorry for wasting your time with Massa, America
posted at 7:42 pm on March 9, 2010 by Allahpundit
A complete debacle, and completely riveting. If you missed it, make time for Mediaite’s two highlight reels below. Glynnis MacNicol is spot on:
I think the short version is that the Massa that showed up at Glenn Beck’s desk is definitely not the Massa that was on the other end of Beck’s telephone yesterday. Something that began to be clear to Beck around the 20 minute mark, after Massa refused to get into specific about the corruption of the Dems generally, and Rahm Emanuel specifically. At about the 25 minute mark Glenn Beck starts getting mad. If you ever wondered what Glenn Beck looks like when he realized he’s been had that’s a good place to start.
Precisely. The big sell in having Massa on was that he was, supposedly, about to roll over on Pelosi, Hoyer, etc, for backroom dealings. Instead, this:
Beck finally says, “I don’t want to be a defender of the White House… is there anything SPECIFIC that you have?” Massa still can’t point to any specific examples of Democratic leadership arm-twisting or bullying. Massa finally tries to blame the House Whip for pressuring him to change his vote and likens it to bribery: “I don’t know how to be specific… Its called Whipping!”
Massa can’t seem to come up with any better examples.
Follow the Mediaite link and watch the “bullcrap” clip embedded there. When pressed on corruption, all he could do was blow smoke about how super-keen he thinks the tea party is, etc. In fact, not only didn’t he dish new dirt, he cleaned up some of the dirt he’d already dished: In the first clip below, he dismisses the suggestion that the Dems had forced him out unfairly for his behavior. “I forced myself out,” he says — i.e., he deserved to go. Good work, Massa.
Don’t miss him showing off his “crossing the line” scrapbook. A golden television moment, my friends. Exit question: What exactly was Massa’s goal here? He evidently BS-ed Beck with tall tales of corruption in order to land on the show … but to what end? So that he could mumble about “tickle fights” and pander transparently to Beck about his pet issues? At the very least, you’d expect him to claim he’s being railroaded and didn’t deserve to be pushed out, but he’s not even saying that. What’s the frequency, Kenneth?
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Waste!
Lisa on March 9, 2010 at 7:44 PM
The guy seemed pretty slippery to me.
Dr. ZhivBlago on March 9, 2010 at 7:44 PM
Don’t look back, Beck. There’s a shark!
SouthernGent on March 9, 2010 at 7:44 PM
Rule #1: Malkin is right.
jhffmn on March 9, 2010 at 7:45 PM
Kim Il Jung “Gren Breck ? I havan lessen to hym sceece he had a masssa on..”
William Amos on March 9, 2010 at 7:45 PM
You know, just by featuring this wack-a-loon on his show has resulted in my respect for Beck dropping some.
pilamaye on March 9, 2010 at 7:46 PM
I think someone came to Massa with threats of more trouble if he didn’t backtrack. But he is still toxic.
I can’t believe how many idiots are running this country. Truly frightening.
sarainitaly on March 9, 2010 at 7:48 PM
I thought it was great TV… ratings close to 5 mil?
mjbrooks3 on March 9, 2010 at 7:48 PM
Well, I guess the republic will have to be saved on another day.
Mark1971 on March 9, 2010 at 7:48 PM
See? Having him on was completely harmless to the conservative cause.
He wasn’t embraced, he’s nobody’s hero, his story is as out as it’s going to be, and we can move on.
There was no reason for people to be afraid of this, or tell Beck not to do it.
MayBee on March 9, 2010 at 7:49 PM
The Blago of the East.
jay12 on March 9, 2010 at 7:49 PM
Massa and Beck – separated at birth, buried and rediscovered by squirrels.
Muse Doctor on March 9, 2010 at 7:49 PM
Michelle you called Massa in spades. Wouldn’t have thought it would have turned out quite like this, but your judge of his character was dead on. Bet Beck is feeling like he got played. You did warn him.
wi farmgirl on March 9, 2010 at 7:49 PM
Massa exposed himself as what we have representing ourselves in this country. That in itself is something take away from this interview.
Electrongod on March 9, 2010 at 7:49 PM
What the heck . . . he acknowledged his error and sent the lunatic on his way. I think we all know a lot more about Messa and none of it’s good.
rplat on March 9, 2010 at 7:49 PM
I wonder if Beck calls up Michelle and says “You were right!”
AUINSC on March 9, 2010 at 7:50 PM
Rule #2 Malkin IS right
angelwing34215 on March 9, 2010 at 7:50 PM
Congrats to Michelle. Beck is good, but Malkin is better. ‘Nuf said.
-
RalphyBoy on March 9, 2010 at 7:51 PM
Uber heart-ache.
Monica on March 9, 2010 at 7:51 PM
Well, it was fun at the HA open thread while it was happening so the hour wasn’t a total waste.
truetexan on March 9, 2010 at 7:51 PM
Glenn Beck always has been, and always will be a fool.
Blarg the Destroyer on March 9, 2010 at 7:51 PM
You think Beck learned never to trust a liberal?
I mean, Massa told Beck he’s a “fiscal conservative.” And with a straight face! The guy is insane.
Listen to Michelle Glenn.
cubachi on March 9, 2010 at 7:51 PM
I don’t doubt that, and agree he is toxic and GB should have probably steered clear. Hindsight and all. You have to admit though, the original story was pretty compelling. Hard to leave that laying on the table.
conservnut on March 9, 2010 at 7:52 PM
So does anyone think he was offered either
a) money or
b) extreme violence
to make sure things didn’t go any more public?
rogerb on March 9, 2010 at 7:52 PM
I don’t always agree with Michelle’s tactical analyses, but it was clear going into this that she was going to be right…
Kudos for Beck for realizing it an apologizing on the spot… Best way to minimize the collateral damage.
phreshone on March 9, 2010 at 7:52 PM
I kept wondering the whole time: “Who the f&@K voted for this whack job?”
bernzright777 on March 9, 2010 at 7:52 PM
Maybe Michelle was right, but Beck is the one with the huge radio and TV ratings, maybe he just might know something about something. Give the guy a break, at least he took a chance. You gotta love arm chair quarterbacks.
gator70 on March 9, 2010 at 7:52 PM
Too funny. I was just thinking that Massa is becoming the third stooge to Blago and Grayson.
sherry on March 9, 2010 at 7:54 PM
I keep trying to tell you…
… Where is Obowma, and what is he doing?!?!
Seven Percent Solution on March 9, 2010 at 7:54 PM
I’ll forgive him if he can go 72 hours without making a complete idiot of himself on a serious radio or TV appearance.
Dark-Star on March 9, 2010 at 7:54 PM
Amen.
And when the real dirt on this POS comes leaking out or we find out that he blatently lied about “nothing sexual happened”, then Glenn will have exposed this creep for what he is.
I’m sure he’s going to have a lot to say about this tomorrow.
Knucklehead on March 9, 2010 at 7:54 PM
How many of these loons do we have in the US Congress?…that is what jumped out to me.
d1carter on March 9, 2010 at 7:54 PM
I’m pretty sure it was harmful to Beck’s career.
chicagojedi on March 9, 2010 at 7:54 PM
Rush nailed it today… he said that anybody who embraces Massa is going to get burned.
mankai on March 9, 2010 at 7:55 PM
Beck was had and it’s his own damn fault cause as every reasoning person knows, you can’t trust a demorat.
docdave on March 9, 2010 at 7:55 PM
It will be interesting to hear what Beck says tomorrow. I got a feeling he will be releasing things that were said in his half hour phone call. I can’t believe he would be that dumb to give a whole hour to someone without any specific dirt he wanted. If he really did that, wow, he won’t make that mistake again.
flash044 on March 9, 2010 at 7:55 PM
pilamaye on March 9, 2010 at 7:46 PM
really? In my mind it just proves that Beck is willing to stand by his word, which is he is willing to give a whistle blower a chance to whistle.
Standing by one’s word use to mean something.
Conservative Voice on March 9, 2010 at 7:56 PM
truetexan on March 9, 2010 at 7:56 PM
Beck exposed another dem. how can that be bad.
Michelle ripped on McLame and helped get O elected…Don’t forget that little morsel…Also Glenn got rid of Van Jones…at least exposed him…Princeton loved the expose’ so much that they will give him a job and lots of money and tender little minds…But, because of Glenn we know just how horrible vanny is.
Someday the msm might delve into this fact…My hope is the National Enquirer will do their part and catch him in a sex scandal on campus…..
nondhimmie on March 9, 2010 at 7:56 PM
I think there’s something to learn from Massa, if you have the right can opener (interviewer) to get inside his mind. The trouble is, Beck is more like a wooden spoon than a can opener.
RBMN on March 9, 2010 at 7:56 PM
Rule #2: When in doubt, trust Rush.
steveegg on March 9, 2010 at 7:57 PM
i think this was too publicized, that Massa was read the real riot act and clammed up–maybe would have been better off as a total surprise.
However, Beck wanted ratings, so there you go
phillypolitics on March 9, 2010 at 7:57 PM
Beck will never take the bait like that again….(?)
tru2tx on March 9, 2010 at 7:57 PM
I think he ranted over the weekend and had no idea what kind of attention was going to be paid to his resignation, got a little intimidated and backed down. The WH probably knew he would hang himself, so why waste the time or money.
sherry on March 9, 2010 at 7:57 PM
My guess is that he was threatened either with him or his family, death threats Mafia-style. That’s either cutting off your tongue and murder for being a rat, or the famous metaphor of “flies flying on your mouth”.
At the end of the game, a Democrat’s always a Democrat. To backpedal faster than Mater in the movie “Cars” in one hour and circle around like a hula-hoop I hope he gets another follow-up call after Larry King Alive (which will lead nowhere either) and be addressed as a dog/// “Goood boooyy!”
ProudPalinFan on March 9, 2010 at 7:57 PM
I’m not sure what all the anti-Beck stuff is all about. A pissed off Dem Congressman acts like he’s got inside dirt to dish out and Beck provides him the means. Had he revealed a story about Pelosi’s sex change procedure or had a video of Obama singing the Kenyan National Anthem, it would have been worth it. Beck made no promises and in fact, said he had no idea what to expect. There’s probably nobody more disappointed than Beck.
Syd B. on March 9, 2010 at 7:58 PM
Rush played the Youtube videos with Massa and Spitzer today…that was enough to realize this guy was playing a game with Beck…but hey, the democrats and Republicans are ALL the same…
StevefromMKE on March 9, 2010 at 7:58 PM
Massa is to Beck as Al Capone’s vault is to Geraldo.
Shadow on March 9, 2010 at 7:59 PM
He’s probably just another elitist Dem who didn’t really realize what he was getting in to. He probably thought he could bloviate in generalities for an hour like you can with 95% of the media. He probably has no idea what Beck’s about and didn’t truly realize that Beck came to play.
If you watched the whole show you’ll see Beck having to repeatedly beg him to be specific throughout the entire show. I think Massa probably didn’t realize this wasn’t like CNN where Democrats can appeal to the stupid masses by speaking the way bumper stickers read and never being challenged.
All of that said, I hoped (like Beck) that he might tell us where the skeletons are buried. He didn’t, but does that mean Beck shouldn’t have tried, especially after the accusations Massa initially made?
RightWinged on March 9, 2010 at 7:59 PM
Mediaite had some notable twitter tweats and many of them were suggesting that Mr. Beck had forgone the “pre interviews”. I bet those pre interviews where actually hair curling but Mr. Massa didn’t have the guts to deliver.
Cindy Munford on March 9, 2010 at 7:59 PM
Glenn Beck rocks.
And Massa is a total fool. What did he think the show was going to do for him? Makes no sense. Pathetic little man that needs some serious attention. Get him some meds.
Thank you for showcasing the idiots to us, Beck! We may not get that few minutes of our life back, but we’re a little bit wiser for it.
bridgetown on March 9, 2010 at 8:00 PM
At least Beck took a shot at getting to the truth about Massa.
When Malkin has the guts to put it on the line that way, do actual investigative work — instead of filling her blog with recycled pap from other pundits — her thoughts on the matter will have some credibility.
As it stands, Beck tried and failed on live TV. Malkin stays safe on the sidelines.
MrScribbler on March 9, 2010 at 8:01 PM
When politics crosses with punditry, sh*t happens.
If it’s true that Becks rating were through the roof, then all is good. Not every interview is gonna be a winner. Just the way it goes.
JetBoy on March 9, 2010 at 8:01 PM
Victimed Liberal Judas has cold feet!!!!
canopfor on March 9, 2010 at 8:01 PM
I seriously doubt this was this harmful to Beck’s career. Beck apologized to his audience right there before Massa’s face. Massa comes off as the utter pustule we all suspected. Massa appeared the total oily weasel. Considering Beck probably got snookered by Massa’s pre-show story tomorrow should be entertaining.
reginaldL on March 9, 2010 at 8:01 PM
Beck got what he deserved. He has a common affliction of “true believers” — the all-consuming agenda makes them over-eager and susceptible to BS that happens to support the agenda.
Splashman on March 9, 2010 at 8:01 PM
The problem was that Massa isnt the story the crappy democratic congress is.
But Beck made Massa the story. Beck needs to refocus the story on that.
Anyone have video of Massa and Obama campaigning ?
Put him and Rangel and that nut from florida out there as poster children for the Pelosi congress.
William Amos on March 9, 2010 at 8:02 PM
The guy is either a sexual perv or a victim of an Obama WH set up….either way it’s a negative for the Democrats, and shows yet again another whack job on the Democrat side.
sarainitaly on March 9, 2010 at 8:03 PM
on an unrelated note, did anyone see this about the unemployment numbers, from the Daily News:
rob verdi on March 9, 2010 at 8:03 PM
To much of the jerk O,Reilly has rubbed off on Beck.He was warned to keep his distant from O,Reilly.Michelle a true friend tried to warn him.Maybe just maybe Beck will now return to the conservative base.Glenn do not let the influence of this guy O,Reilly change you.listen to people like Michelle and other who are your true friends.
thmcbb on March 9, 2010 at 8:03 PM
I was at the gym and missed this before and now you summarized it nicely so I don’t have to waste the time watching it.
A win-win.
JammieWearingFool on March 9, 2010 at 8:03 PM
I’ve dealt with these Masas. They are Obamaish. Able to stream really nice-sounding words that connect smoothly but are not analyzable (?-I don’t know if that’s a word but it is a thought). They are usually from a “nice-clean” person who has attained some status. But for the love of Pete, they they are confusing and disingenuous. It is a tragedy of our system that many voters eat this stuff up.
PaCadle on March 9, 2010 at 8:04 PM
To make people forget the fact that there is string of male staffers (probably not the best choice of words) who have have the same story to tell about Massa. He is trying to distract attention with these bright shiny objects.
Congrats to Michelle Malkin for being the first to call it clearly.
highhopes on March 9, 2010 at 8:04 PM
BREAKING NEWS FROM THE FLY ON THE WALL at the White House!!
Barack: “Brilliant Rahm, did you make that call to Massa?”
Rahm: “I just mentioned it might be in his best interest to choose his words more clearly”.
Barack: “This conversation never happened.”
Naaaaa……that fly buzzing around is wrong that conversation would never have happened this afternoon.
PappyD61 on March 9, 2010 at 8:05 PM
I like Beck. He’s a good history teacher and a rotten interviewer. Someone like Hugh Hewitt would either get to the bottom of Massa’s story, in about two minutes, or mop the floor with Massa in about two minutes. None of that talking past each other for forty minutes and never getting to the point. Beck is just a rotten interviewer, and he proved it again today. Otherwise, I like his show.
RBMN on March 9, 2010 at 8:05 PM
Palin/Beck 2012!
factoid on March 9, 2010 at 8:05 PM
A bull crapper bull crapping another bull crapper. Great television!
terryannonline on March 9, 2010 at 8:05 PM
Just another scumbag politician. Michelle to Beck: I told you so.
Birdseye on March 9, 2010 at 8:05 PM
That was like an Albanian goat grab.
Claypigeon on March 9, 2010 at 8:06 PM
Michelle was right, but not so much for the reasons she gave on Beck’s show. The interview just sucked because it was boring and had no substance.
The whole thing kinda reminded me of the scene from the Godfather where the witness suddenly couldn’t remember anything when testifying at the hearing.
forest on March 9, 2010 at 8:06 PM
The funny thing is that Mr. Massa could have come up with an uncomplimentary(pertaining to ethics) story about a Republican and Mr. Beck would have been just as happy. Not very surprisingly Mr. Massa is a weasel.
Cindy Munford on March 9, 2010 at 8:06 PM
This reeks of a Liberal Operation,triple agent process!!
Me thinks,this might sound crazy,but,is this another Clinton
Style Distraction/and at the same time,a Mission to destroy
Glen Beck!!!!!!
Remember,the Left are P*SSED OFF!!!!
canopfor on March 9, 2010 at 8:06 PM
heh
William Amos on March 9, 2010 at 8:06 PM
I’m pretty sure it was harmful to Beck’s career.
chicagojedi on March 9, 2010 at 7:54 PM
joejm65 on March 9, 2010 at 8:07 PM
“…to what end…?” Because egomaniacs like to ramble on network TV?
After decades as a political spectator I am still amazed at the importance of sheer personality disorder in politics, and clearly at my age I shouldn’t be. Anyway, just think of it as one particularly obvious reason to limit government.
Seth Halpern on March 9, 2010 at 8:07 PM
What a surprise! Who would have thought that there could exist a corrupt, sexual-harrassing Democrat Congressman who would make up a story to cover up his own failings? I never saw that one coming.
Socratease on March 9, 2010 at 8:08 PM
That was like an Albanian goat grab.
Claypigeon on March 9, 2010 at 8:06 PM
Claypigeon:NightMarish!!!haha:)
canopfor on March 9, 2010 at 8:08 PM
It was riveting! I fell asleep . . . running on the treadmill!!! So bad Beck was at a loss for words!!!!!
rebuzz on March 9, 2010 at 8:08 PM
It has been suggested; and I believe it to be totally accurate, that Rahm made ONE call and in less than the time it takes to tell, the man decided he would walk with much less effort and assistance if both of his knees were still on his legs.
GoldenEagle4444 on March 9, 2010 at 8:08 PM
yep.
terryannonline on March 9, 2010 at 8:09 PM
For once we are in agreement.
Beck needs to cut down on all the bloviating and do more interview prep. If you wants names, then book people who will give you names on air. Otherwise don’t make promises like “This interview will change America” or something like that.
sarahpalinfan99 on March 9, 2010 at 8:09 PM
I agree. Massa was spooked and backtracked quite well. Wonder if he had a special delivery of fish today???
As for Beck–it says a lot about someone who can admit his error immediately. He didn’t have a focus group on his wording or whether he should apologize, he just said the appropriate thing. He took a chance and it didn’t go as planned. Oh well. Next.
conservative pilgrim on March 9, 2010 at 8:10 PM
That’s not how he ended up on the show.
Beck expressed interest in having him on the show as soon as he heard Massa on the Radio interview the day before. So everybody who heard that show got BS’d, not just Beck.
katy on March 9, 2010 at 8:11 PM
Glenn Beck is making stepping on your own dick into an art form…
liquidflorian on March 9, 2010 at 8:12 PM
I take just about everything Beck says with a grain of salt.
terryannonline on March 9, 2010 at 8:12 PM
I also think Massa got a few phone calls between yesterday and today and they were either full of goodies of death threats from the powers that be.
That’s why he changed his tune and his tone.
katy on March 9, 2010 at 8:13 PM
Origy Caligula!!
I knew the Democrats were Dabaucherous!!
Caligula (film)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caligula_(film)
canopfor on March 9, 2010 at 8:13 PM
Did anyone else catch Shep Smith’s snarky comment at the end of his Fox evening news show? I could’ve sworn I heard him say, “This has been a real tickle party. Congressional style!” What???
sarahpalinfan99 on March 9, 2010 at 8:13 PM
I think Beck was right in that quote. People will be watching a different show than beck’s after tonight.
William Amos on March 9, 2010 at 8:14 PM
Was naked Rahm also there, pushing his finger in your chest?
:)
honsy on March 9, 2010 at 8:14 PM
El Smear’O Tatics will backfire,just another
grand stage for Americans to see the real true
colours of Liberals on a daily parade!!!!
canopfor on March 9, 2010 at 8:15 PM
Oh nonsense. Stop being an over theatrical nancy.
Glenn had on a lying democrat. And let HIM expose himself even more as just that.
Glenns career wont be altered at all. If anything, It’ll open him up to other opinions as well. Right now, all he’s open to (for other opinions) is O’ Reilly. In whom he likes to go on these little batman and robin tours with.
Hopefully this will strengthen him in the knowledge that..we are all in this together and on the same team.
Handel on March 9, 2010 at 8:15 PM
Well, one possibility is they got to him before he went on and said anything more damaging. See his eyes light up when they mentioned text messages….Reminds me of Frank Paantageli testifying before congress where he’s about to spill the beans about Michael Corleone and sees his brother sitting next to Tom Hagen….
TheBigOldDog on March 9, 2010 at 8:16 PM
Can’t express how disappointed I am with much of the “conservative” blogosphere on this. Beck failed to handle this correctly. It was a missed opportunity IMAO. Instead of a structured interview that used Massa as a springboard to drive home the message of the Obamunist thugs in office, we got that mess.
And now all the crowing from within the supposed Right is disgusting. As was their cowardice before the interview. The folks who thought the effort shouldn’t even have been made are little better than Michael Steele’s milquetoast pronouncement that November was going to be a ‘rebuilding’ cycle. Damn ALL of your narrow blindness re what could have been gained in this effort.
/and I don’t give a damn about the gay-gotcha asspects of it
There’s lots of other things I’d like to say, but they’d slam the door of this liberal-college debating society in my face if I unleashed. Anybody cares to read it they can come find it at GCP.
rayra on March 9, 2010 at 8:16 PM
That’s why he changed his tune and his tone.
katy on March 9, 2010 at 8:13 PM
katy: Yup,Emanuel,is sharpening his steak knifes,extra
sharpe!!:)
canopfor on March 9, 2010 at 8:17 PM
Beck is BOR’s love child . It is all about Beck .
borntoraisehogs on March 9, 2010 at 8:18 PM
Lots of fair weather Beck fans here tonight…
pffftt.
Beck is brilliant as what he does and has been doing. Even the way he handled this was a test of his character.
I think Beck believed Massa was pissed and scared enough to turn inside out. Somebody got to the weasel and he backed off.
Good for Beck. He went for it ann I suspect this interview will have benefits down the road and not up front
katy on March 9, 2010 at 8:20 PM
jackals.
rayra on March 9, 2010 at 8:20 PM
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