Are conservatives simply too polite to whack the softballs out of the park or is it something else?
That's definitely part of the problem. But there are ways to hit a home run and still come across as a nice guy (see Reagan). For example, "Let me make sure I understand you correctly, Juan, in your opinion the sheer number of executive orders is more important than the contents of the executive orders."
And Juan Williams would respond with something such as, "No, no, that is not what I meant at all". To which I would say, "Now I'm really confused. And we have a few million viewers out there that I'm sure could use an explanation as well because I know what you just said."
Personally, I'm horrible at such things because I'm way too blunt. But being crafty is not my job, though I've been known to play dumb a time or two when it suited the purpose. The point being most people will talk on and on forever when given the opportunity, and when it comes to Liberals they have a knack for tying themselves into knots. Lacking any underlying principles they have no place to go but to talk themselves into a corner. You just have to sit back and give them the space to do so.
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Which brings me to Charles Krauthammer. Now I know for a fact that when it comes to knives in the drawer he is one of the sharpest. But he sits there night after night and quietly holds his tongue as Liberal babblers spew out nonsense. Yes, he will shift in his wheelchair when it all becomes too painful and he often frowns in disgust, but it's hard to tell when he's frowning unless you pay close attention. And without a doubt he occasionally pokes at the Liberals with something along the lines, "I disagree. You stated . . . " Then at the end he gives them the raised eyebrow - you don't want the raised eyebrow from the professor.
But that is his job. He gets paid good money by Fox to sit there and quietly wait his turn to provide his opinion. That is the format chosen by Fox. If he became more combative, even in a pleasant and eloquent way, it would disrupt the Fox template. In my opinion that is a Fox problem, not a Krauthammer problem.
When he comes on the O'Reilly show Krauthammer is allowed more freedom to operate outside of that standard template. And when given the chance to make his case he does so very well, taking advantage of the opportunity. But he rarely is given that chance because O'Reilly is such a bully and a boor. Again, that is a Fox problem, not a Krauthammer problem.
So again, it seems to me Conservatives take the long way around and it is completely unnecessary. In the case of Fox News their format is to be the
People magazine of conservative news. Hit the highlights, describe the latest fashions, who's designer dress is this star wearing, and wrap it all up in a nice neat bow. It is hardly the free exchange of ideas.
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Now there are exceptions of course. And if you will notice the pattern it is usually the women on Fox News who are asking all the right questions, not the men.
