Nuclear war: Megyn Kelly vs. Kirsten Powers over Black Panther case
posted at 4:16 pm on July 13, 2010 by Allahpundit
Simply excruciating. If you can’t spare time for the whole thing (the intro from Brad Sherman’s townhall is worth watching), the bombs start falling at 3:45. What makes this more amazing than the average cable-news screamfest, of course, is that Powers has been on-staff at Fox for years and therefore usually enjoys a respectful comfort level with the host. Not here. MK’s at her throat from the word go (“you don’t know what you’re talking about!”) and KP all but accuses her of inciting racial hysteria with her coverage of the Panther case (“scary black man”) before Kelly eventually threatens to cut her mic. The hostility’s genuinely shocking. Ironic that a lefty who’s derided by the nutroots for being some sort of Roger Ailes stooge would be the one to lob a grenade that explosive at the network’s biggest rising star.
Much as it pains me to say it, KP’s also guilty of moving the goalposts. First she questions whether there really was voter intimidation by the Panthers; when Kelly presses her, she backs off and concedes that, okay, maybe there was wrongdoing — before wondering why Kelly didn’t show the same level of outrage when the Bush DOJ started prosecuting fewer voting rights cases. Which is fine, I guess, but it’s awfully late in the game to start noticing that cable news nets cover stories from a partisan viewpoint. Why, just last night our friend Olby selectively omitted facts about this story based on a misleading post on a lefty blog. In fact, maybe that’s what’s really most shocking here — not the hostility but KP’s willingness to express such skepticism about her own network’s integrity.
The punchline? Unless I missed something during vacation last week, we’re still not sure whether Kelly’s right that the Panthers case represents a systematic pattern of refusing to prosecute civil rights cases with minority defendants or whether KP’s right that this is basically an isolated incident. That’s the central issue, but there’s been no formal determination. J. Christian Adams insists that it’s systematic — here’s his piece at Pajamas Media insisting that Julie Fernandes (whom Kelly mentions) explicitly told DOJ lawyers to stay away from, for instance, “motor voter” cases — but the Civil Rights Commission’s investigation is ongoing. Dare we hope for round two between MK and KP when they announce their conclusions?
Blowback
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IMO, she doesn’t come off as an ex-lover and she’s still attractive AND she appears much more credible and rational than the person she’s calling out for saying “Look, a BUSH!”
Actually, she thinking quite rationally while she was taking apart KP’s lazy, unthought responses. I went in trying to give both the benefit of the doubt, but it was quite clear that KP was coming off as the distraught woman (since we want to talk about ex-female-lovers and all).
MeatHeadinCA on July 13, 2010 at 6:46 PM
And the reason for this would be?
thomasaur on July 13, 2010 at 6:47 PM
Same Old Liberals:
“We Want Change”
Your guy’s appointees broke the law
“So What? The last guy’s people did it too!”
So is what they did wrong?
“Yeah, it’s wrong but it’s OK since the last guy did it!”
I thought you wanted change . . .
“Well, we only want to change what will benefit us”
Ok, so the last one was putting words in their mouths, but you get the drift.
PastorJon on July 13, 2010 at 6:47 PM
Can someone please put up a direct link to this. I can’t watch it outside the US.
Crux Australis on July 13, 2010 at 6:48 PM
Kirsten Powers is sooo yesterday.
Dhurka Dhurka on July 13, 2010 at 6:48 PM
http://video.foxnews.com/v/4281169/heated-debate-over-voter-intimidation-case/
Dhurka Dhurka on July 13, 2010 at 6:49 PM
Scares ya’ does she?
thomasaur on July 13, 2010 at 6:49 PM
“completely, like, doing the scary black man thing”
KP went Valley girl for a couple of seconds.
xax on July 13, 2010 at 6:50 PM
Thanks, I found one anyways.
Crux Australis on July 13, 2010 at 6:51 PM
Did your girlfriend dump you recently? Kelly makes very salient points.
xax on July 13, 2010 at 6:52 PM
Do you respect Obama and Holder et al for not reading the Arizona immigration law while stating that it is filled with racial profiling?
I don’t.
Nor do I respect KP. She hasn’t read the Civil Rights Commission testimony but yawns about the event.
What’s the diff?
ladyingray on July 13, 2010 at 6:58 PM
You cannot be talking about this clip.
CWforFreedom on July 13, 2010 at 6:59 PM
Kirsten Powers was completely out to lunch on this one. Not only did she contradict herself halfway through but she went into full on blame Bush mode. She obviously is feeling the liberal betrayal of Obama and is going through some confusion/denial issues on how she voted and why the rainbows and unicorns have not appeared yet.
Koa on July 13, 2010 at 7:03 PM
fer sure, like totally
cmsinaz on July 13, 2010 at 7:03 PM
MK is smart, hot and strong but she needs to stop attacking her guests. Un-watchable.
johnboy on July 13, 2010 at 7:08 PM
This interview needs the body language expert…
Thunderdome on July 13, 2010 at 7:08 PM
KP: It wasn’t intimidation.
KP: I didn’t say it wasn’t intimidation.
Klassic.
CWforFreedom on July 13, 2010 at 7:10 PM
That’s not the Kirsten Powers I used to know. The Kirsten Powers I used to know had integrity.
Roy Rogers on July 13, 2010 at 7:10 PM
Yes, now I understand that there is a Malik Shabazz and a King Shabazz and that they are not the same person. But, (and this is getting really crazy; is anyone else confused over the I.D.’s of these racists?) was it King Shabazz or Malik Shabazz who was at the polling place AND the one screaming about killing crackers at a different time/location?
And where do they get these names, anyway? Are they Nation of Islam?
tigerlily on July 13, 2010 at 7:12 PM
In fairness, she only attacks her liberal guests.
YYZ on July 13, 2010 at 7:13 PM
johnboy on July 13, 2010 at 7:08 PM
Screw that wussy crap; KP is 100% on board with the Obama agenda. The time for nice guy – political correctness is long over. KP is a Progressive Liberal and therefore wears the uniform of the enemy. Attack her comments and make her engage in the truth; if she can’t hang, then be gone with the twit.
Keemo on July 13, 2010 at 7:14 PM
Powers is in denial about racist blacks! Liberals can’t seem to accept the fact of racist blacks at polling stations….
IntheNet on July 13, 2010 at 7:16 PM
.
Spew Alert
mrt721 on July 13, 2010 at 7:17 PM
Your “group” was defined how?
ladyingray on July 13, 2010 at 7:17 PM
Jeez, how would you describe that debate? Two men, or two women going at it.
It would be boring though–cause they’d agree on everything.
Gang-of-One on July 13, 2010 at 7:17 PM
Wimp
ladyingray on July 13, 2010 at 7:18 PM
Hate to break it to you, but neither of them are real blondes.
That was pretty rough. I wonder if they’ll make up off air.
Urban Infidel on July 13, 2010 at 7:19 PM
Let me re-post:
Lots of details here to refute the Holder/Dems talking points: http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=ZTA4M2NmNzY5N2FkZGEyMGI4ODkwNjYyNzgxYTAzMDQ=
This post is worth bookmarking because it is fact-filled and historically accurate
The point about changing the charge from criminal to civil is explained. The nonsense about the Bush admin. Minuteman “intimidation” charge is clarified and refuted. The writer has DoJ experience and praises Megyn Kelly for being well-informed.
onlineanalyst on July 13, 2010 at 7:19 PM
They’re all losing it right now as they watch their ideology fail and rain pain and suffering on the masses. These people are losers and they have nobody to blame for their failed policies but themselves. These folks are starting to act like zombies going through the change. The worst is yet to come.
Keemo on July 13, 2010 at 7:20 PM
Stoner jocks
thomasaur on July 13, 2010 at 7:21 PM
That’s obvious, one of them is intelligent.
thomasaur on July 13, 2010 at 7:23 PM
Normally when Powers is on Fox, I change the channel. For whatever reason, I watched today’s broadcast, laughing and berating Powers, whom I’ve never liked.
She got what she deserved.
madmonkphotog on July 13, 2010 at 7:27 PM
I don’t recall being this disappointed in Ms Powers performance on TV. She “moves the goalposts” (“It didn’t look intimidating” to “I never said it wasn’t intimidation”), “Tu quoque” (Were you this outraged at the Bush DOJ?), “begs the question” (They got an injunction – What more do you want??)
Some can be atributed to emotion, but the “didn’t look intimidating” occured before Megyn hit full pursuit.
dts-01 on July 13, 2010 at 7:27 PM
Megyn Kelly needs to get on Hannity and hand Hannity’s “good friend”, Jabba-the-Liar-Bob-Beckel’s rear end to him.
And someone should make Hannity remove Beckel as a fixture from his show. Beckel is unwatchable. He is one of the most lowdown, lying, insulting, boring, unintelligent, condescending, arrogant…why, he’s just a fat white version of you-know-who. Hannity, you fool.
tigerlily on July 13, 2010 at 7:27 PM
Megyn Kelly is a goddess.
♥♥♥
lansing quaker on July 13, 2010 at 7:28 PM
Them and democrats!
silvernana on July 13, 2010 at 7:29 PM
At one time I kind of enjoyed Kirsten’s screwball point of view, but that has worn thin. Now Fox should send her packing. Same exact sentiment about Juan Williams.
Those people no longer even think for themselves. They just open their mouths and let the White House talking points pour.
joedoe on July 13, 2010 at 7:31 PM
I swear, I was thinking the same thing–KP can’t wait to get back in the comfort zone of Hannity.
Gang-of-One on July 13, 2010 at 7:33 PM
Powers also has the same dead eyes as all those who promote and defend the Left’s agenda, especially item numero uno: Killing of the unborn. I have noticed the lifeless pall in her eyes since I first saw her. It is the same dark nothingness that one can see in the eyes of her Leftist colleagues.
The eyes truly are windows. Hope Kirsten can get her windows clean again.
tigerlily on July 13, 2010 at 7:34 PM
Only one thing could have made this better: if the chick on the left was Mary Katherine Ham.
otcconan on July 13, 2010 at 7:35 PM
LOL! Respect Kirsten Powers? Never. I have no respect for a dumb blonde who has NEVER impressed me as having an iota of smarts. I have often wondered WHY she even has a job at Fox…only because she adds NOTHING to the debate, her personality is of a discarded toilet paper roll, and she’s nothing to look at (and that matters at FOX).
In fact she is just an apologist myna bird for the despicable left. Just like her big, fat Daddy-O pervert Bob Beckel, Leslie Marshall, bird-looking Nancy Skinner (peck, peck, peck!) and the Grand Daddy of all Fox apologists…the sad and pathetic Alan Colmes…who is so undynamic, a phoney like Sean Hannity beat him in the “Hannity & Colmes” showdown.
Kirsten Powers is an unintelligent, leftist, apologist hack. She has NEVER shown lefty cleverness (and there are some whom are quite clever, I must admit). She’s the luckiest girl alive.
Gob on July 13, 2010 at 7:36 PM
What I don’t understand is how willing Kirsten Powers appears to forfeit all future credibility. She used to be someone I respected to express a reasonable and an and all too often too rare rational liberal position.
No more. It’s racism and voter intimidation no matter who does it, and it is so wrong.
No matter who does it.
Roy Rogers on July 13, 2010 at 7:40 PM
Ok….I have to ask…..
What’s up with the “Shabazz” name thing? Were they born with that name of is it something they adopted to make them feel better about themselves? Seriously. King? Zulu? Self-esteem issues anyone?
As for MK vs. KP, MK was right. KP didn’t know what she was talking about. You’re not “informed” if you haven’t read the testimony. Watching this, KP didn’t do herself any favors by going BDS.
Respect KP, AP? Respect is earned.
GT on July 13, 2010 at 7:43 PM
Well put.
AshleyTKing on July 13, 2010 at 7:43 PM
MK was NOT attacking KP. KP was interrupting and spinning at lighting speed. KP was not talking facts, just spinning talking points. When confronted with the facts (only after her spinning was not winning) she claimed she said that all along. Blatant lie. KP did not research her facts before the interview, MK was pointing out the obvious. IMHO, KP was lazy and thought her spinning talking points would be enough. MK would not let her get away with it.I am not being disrespectful by pointing this out.
That clip made my day and was by no means hard to watch.
IowaWoman on July 13, 2010 at 7:49 PM
There have been a few times I though MK was off base. This wasn’t one of them. KP came off like a complete @ss. A total damnrat @ss.
Eren on July 13, 2010 at 7:50 PM
I don’t know if they copy what’s already been said or get some kind of talking points script…every one of the people I’ve heard take the leftard side of this all follow the same points…no big deal, I don’t see where the intimidation is coming from….and finally BOOOOOOSHHHH!!!
BigWyo on July 13, 2010 at 7:52 PM
No disrespect to KP, but she got her own ass fed to her. She had those talking points and that was it.
Denverslim on July 13, 2010 at 7:55 PM
I’m sorry, Allahpundit. I know this is hard for you. But if you follow this road, you follow it alone. Maybe that’s for the best.
Merovign on July 13, 2010 at 7:57 PM
Yeah, nothing quite as scary as some trash talking Stormfront-like brothas.
Gang-of-One on July 13, 2010 at 7:57 PM
Watching it again after a glass of wine really makes it more enjoyable…
Seven Percent Solution on July 13, 2010 at 7:58 PM
Democrats are the new racists AND the old racists, if you’ll recall your history – from before the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement – who voted against the Civl Rights Act and who passed it? MEMORY HOLE!
Merovign on July 13, 2010 at 7:59 PM
Hard to do when KP reminds you of a foxy looking Alan Colmes.
Gang-of-One on July 13, 2010 at 8:04 PM
Honestly, I think this is pretty clearly tongue in cheek on AP’s part. He’s really not an “all caps” type when he’s mad – usually if he’s seriously po’d he’ll be fairly unambiguous and possibly threaten a ban.
I assumed he was just make a mildly self-deprecating reference to his own crush on her.
RINO in Name Only on July 13, 2010 at 8:08 PM
i can’t bear to watch it. 2 of my favorite babes duking it out? watching taliban get blown to bits on weazel zippers is more my style.
sbvft contributor on July 13, 2010 at 8:09 PM
Have their been any lately? How do we check that out?
sarainitaly on July 13, 2010 at 8:11 PM
Oh, and I forgot to mention – if AP ever labels his sarcasm with a \sarc tag, he will instantly lose at least half of his readership, who will conclude that he has permanently jumped the shark.
RINO in Name Only on July 13, 2010 at 8:12 PM
Figgers…
ladyingray on July 13, 2010 at 8:12 PM
Kirsten came to the show absent a few key facts.
Megyn had those facts.
Kirsten’s argument became “Megyn, you’re mean.”
Then it became,
“Well. . . Bush did it.”
I can’t “RESPECT KP” on this one.
Jason Coleman on July 13, 2010 at 8:14 PM
Those sweet days gone by that were filled with KP headlines. AP just knew he was the Beta, quasi-conservative, who could bring her into the fold, but it wasn’t meant to be. It’s a beta’s lot to cry into his pillow during the wee hours of the lonely night.
DFCtomm on July 13, 2010 at 8:14 PM
Comments like that cheapen what has taken place here. That being, a real journalist putting her neck out to investigate true corruption.
JellyToast on July 13, 2010 at 8:18 PM
Empty mind and soul. Must be easy to make a living as a progressive talking points spouter. And does she realize she looks like one of those crackers that guy is ranting his hate speech about?
Kissmygrits on July 13, 2010 at 8:22 PM
Man, try on another pair of beer goggles. Better yet, trade them in for some whiskey goggles. :)
Gang-of-One on July 13, 2010 at 8:22 PM
Was Megan Kelly trained by Michael Vick? KP is going to need stitches. Ouch!
ronsfi on July 13, 2010 at 8:23 PM
This is nothing short of a beatdown. I love it!! Megyn is tough and well informed in this interview. Kirsten plays the ‘victim’ and is just spouting dismissive DNC talking points meant to turn the blame to the whistleblower. Pathetic, but not a shock and could be coming from any democrat mouthpiece. It’s obvious which one of the two is arguing facts and which one is arguing on ideology and emotion. Everyone knows how the left wants every issue based on ‘feelings’. This case is a disgrace and anyone who argues that this type of racism should be tolerated at a polling station is either an idiot, a racist, or both.
Allahpundit defending Kirsten’s pathetic performance and lack of knowledge on the facts of the case is not surprising. I still have a hard time understanding his defense for her position. Are we to dismiss this obvious case of voter intimidation because it’s the first reported case? This makes the voter intimidation okay since it hasn’t happened more often? I would love to see Kirsten and AP’s reaction if this happened in a southern city, with two social conservative Tea Party activist intimidating poor black voters. Would we need multiple incidents before we thought it was a problem? I somehow doubt it. AP would be in blog heaven. Ooops did I say heaven. Sorry about that.
chief on July 13, 2010 at 8:25 PM
I love me some Andrea tantalizing Tantaros, but this match between the beautiful Megyn and the somewhat attractive KP was priceless. Megyn pwned.
Megyn 1
KP 0
jediwebdude on July 13, 2010 at 8:31 PM
Ha, two catty females…both too full of themselves.
Misoverestimation, as GWB would say, is indignant.
Schadenfreude on July 13, 2010 at 8:33 PM
Its the the Barbie wars! Mudfight! Mudfight! Mudfight!
paulsur on July 13, 2010 at 8:49 PM
Megyn is right, but she’s also creepy.
itsnotaboutme on July 13, 2010 at 8:49 PM
How many years you been waiting to use that quote? Rofl!
paulsur on July 13, 2010 at 8:50 PM
Ahh, the good ol’ days!
Gang-of-One on July 13, 2010 at 8:50 PM
Any chance of a Megyn vs. Kirsten mudfight? That would be HBO worthy….
IntheNet on July 13, 2010 at 8:50 PM
And so Hot!
paulsur on July 13, 2010 at 8:51 PM
I’ve lost all respect for KP after watching this.
Wine_N_Dine on July 13, 2010 at 8:51 PM
….though if it turned into a jello wrestling match…..
Wine_N_Dine on July 13, 2010 at 8:52 PM
KP’s credibility was severely damaged? Will she recover? Of course…when libs are wrong, they are rewarded.
jediwebdude on July 13, 2010 at 8:53 PM
I’d engage with you but you’d just wet yourself and run crying to Allahpundit again saying that mean old thomasaur said things to hurt your little feelings. Adieu
thomasaur on July 13, 2010 at 8:58 PM
Megyn actually gave KP’s argument more credence than I did. She is attempting to dismiss the NBP case as a lot of hysteria from the right wing that ignored equivalent incidents during the Bush Administration.
Really? Not to brag, but I’m fairly well informed. I would think if there was an equivalent case in which the Bush DOJ dismissed cases of clear voter intimidation – especially if it involved, say, Whites intimidating minority voters, or Republicans intimidating Democratic voters – I would have heard about it. In fact, I doubt if I could have avoided hearing about it. It is not as if the MSM was so enthralled by Bush that they surpress the story, or no one in Congress would not be screaming about it from the floor.
I don’t think it is a case of 2 wrongs don’t make a right like Megyn said. I think KP was just wrong.
DarkKnight3565 on July 13, 2010 at 8:58 PM
I totally don’t understand people who are scared by Megyn Kelly or think she’s creepy, especially in this clip.
I mean, after all, she was just speaking truth to Powers.
Merovign on July 13, 2010 at 8:59 PM
“Bullseye”
Texyank on July 13, 2010 at 9:00 PM
Kirsten Powers declawed by Mama Grizzly Megyn Kelly
LurkerDood on July 13, 2010 at 9:00 PM
KP is a moron.
Can’t see reality… even when they got it down on tape.
profitsbeard on July 13, 2010 at 9:07 PM
Kelley demolished her, I saw it live. KP was near tears and she did *not* have here facts straight although she has appeared rational at times. Still a lib though.
echosyst on July 13, 2010 at 9:09 PM
I’m up for that beer any time, but Cabrini Green has long since been dismantled. Shithole that it was…
Jaibones on July 13, 2010 at 9:27 PM
Right city, though. Good memory. Let me know!
Jaibones on July 13, 2010 at 9:28 PM
FYI: KP is prolife.
The superstition really was helping your argument, though. You should totally keep that up.
Bee on July 13, 2010 at 9:29 PM
Might want to wash your hands after slapping that turd.
MadisonConservative on July 13, 2010 at 9:32 PM
I think every person in news would kill to have O’Reily’s “pathetic” ratings.
Calling his rating “pathetic” might be the dumbest thing I have read all week.
The Notorious G.O.P on July 13, 2010 at 9:38 PM
jjraines on July 13, 2010 at 9:39 PM
I think MK was *annoyed* that KP wasn’t up on the subject, but she really only got *pissed* when KP accused her of being a racist (the “scary black man” comment).
That’s what *really* lit MK’s fuse, and it was all incoming fire for KP after that.
Merovign on July 13, 2010 at 9:48 PM
Love to watch both of them. Can we get them to do a Crossfire kind of show? But with bikinis and oil?
schmuck281 on July 13, 2010 at 9:55 PM
It had to be done.
I want to see this argument she claims to have pwned you in, too. Her confidence was…impressive. ;)
Bee on July 13, 2010 at 9:56 PM
I’m sure it involved her claiming I’m not a conservative because I’m not Christian, or because I’m for gay marriage, or some other arbitrary reason that was entirely irrelevant to whatever the actual topic was. This is Hot Air, after all. ;)
MadisonConservative on July 13, 2010 at 10:01 PM
Wait. You’re not a Christian?
*backs away slowly/splashes holy water*
Bee on July 13, 2010 at 10:05 PM
I was up there for the first time last year to see our godson graduate from University of Chicago. The wife and I loved the sightseeing and the city.
Next time we go up maybe we can try to meet somewhere for that beer.
Bradky on July 13, 2010 at 10:11 PM
exclusive from http://www.pajamasmedia.com
sh!t, meet fan.
ted c on July 13, 2010 at 10:11 PM
*turns up heathen beams to full strength*
MadisonConservative on July 13, 2010 at 10:18 PM
Couldn’t they have this argument naked in a big bowl of jello
georgealbert on July 13, 2010 at 10:26 PM
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