Mark Steyn notes something we’ve seen here and everywhere – the assertion that, some how, Rush, Beck et al are just doing what they do for a paycheck and can’t really believe their own statements:
Our old friend David Frum has been doing his best for moderate conservatism with a broader appeal – the so-called “big tent”. If the tent seems bigger, that’s because he’s kicking so many people out of it. Each to his own. But his latest offering is unworthy of him – “Do Limbaugh And Beck Believe What They Say?”
Yes of course Limbaugh and Beck express the same views in private as in public. Consistent hypocrisy demands exorbitant levels of imagination, energy, and cynicism. Much less exhausting over time simply to bring your private views into alignment with what you are paid to say in public.
“What you are paid to say in public”? By whom? Rush and Glenn are both self-owned brands who license themselves to multiple clients in radio, TV, publishing, etc.
The assumption of bad faith is the first refuge of the lazy leftist: “Why, my position is so obviously the only rational one that yours can only be an act! You cannot possibly believe what you say about climate change/health care/Islamic terrorism! Clearly it can only be explained by the check from your puppetmaster!” Sad to see David Frum buying into this:
Suppose an agent arrived in the offices of Limbaugh/Beck/Hannity/O’Reilly etc. with an offer. “I can guarantee you a deal that will pay you twice as much – bring you twice as much fame – and extend your career twice as long – if you’d say the exact opposite of what you are saying now.” Which of them would sign?
My nominations: O’Reilly accepts for sure. Beck likewise almost certainly says yes…
Most of the big-time talkers have been entirely consistent in their political views since their first gig babbling away for 200 bucks a week on WZZZ-AM at two in the morning. By contrast, there would seem to be more discernible evolution in political outlook among, say, certain long-time writers for the conservative press who then find themselves offered a weekly column in The New York Times.
If Matt and I wanted to make a quick buck, all we’d have to do is – over a few month period – slowly shift our blogging to support for Obama and the left. All of a sudden we wouldn’t be hate-mongers shilling for Corporate America…we’d be wise, genuine conservatives whom the rest of the GOP should emulate. All we’d have to do to get this is lie – just pretend we’re coming ’round, and the left would start writing us checks out of one of Soros’ many accounts. But, we don’t – because we believe what we write. And Rush, etc believe what they say.
We don’t do this for money – we do it because we love it; we love America – we love defending America, and we love defending conservative ideals because they are the foundation stones of the America we love. Rush and Beck have found a way to do what they love and get paid a lot of money at the same time – I’d love to do that, too. But if I never make a dime at it, I’ll still keep plugging away, defending my views until the day I die. There isn’t enough money in the world to get me to alter my views for pay – because it profits a man nothing to gain the whole world, and yet lose his soul.
So, liberals, no: we’re not kidding. This is what we really believe. We believe in God, faith, family, country – we’re fighting for what we believe in and this means that we believe you are wrong. That with your whole force of MSM, entertainment, government and leftist pressure groups, you still haven’t convinced us. We believe you are pinheads who couldn’t find the balls on bull if given three chances at it. So, no, don’t expect us to ever stop – we’re going to keep coming right at you, until we’ve vanquished you for good.
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