I got compared to Alan Grayson on MSNBC!

by: AdamGreen

Thu Oct 01, 2009 at 18:30

Today, I was invited on MSNBC to discuss the distraction-topic of Rep. Michele Bachmann inserting "sex clinics" into the health care debate. Via her local paper:

Rep. Michele Bachmann continues to surprise us, despite us believing she couldn't ever surprise us again with her over-the-top and flat-out false fear mongering.

This is a good one though. Bachmann has decided that part of the health care bill that discusses school-based clinics (she calls them sex clinics) would lead to students being whisked away during school hours for abortions without parent consent. OMG. Totally plausible.

I decided there were 3 things that could salvage this otherwise-pointless discussion. 1) Pivot somewhere to the public option, 2) Mention Bachmann's Democratic opponent, state Sen. Tarryl Clark, and 3) Call Bachmann "crazy."

My calling Bachmann "crazy" twice irked right-wing blogger Matt Lewis, causing me to do it a 3rd time. It also seemed to turn off Alex Witt. But best of all -- hopefully out of respect -- David Schuster compared my "crazy" remark to Alan Grayson calling Republicans in Congress "neaderthals."

Let's go to the video tape:

My favorite part:

Matt Lewis: Let me just say this politically. Putting aside the issue, whether it's right or wrong, true or false, politically speaking...
Davic Schuster: It's false. Let's be clear about that.

ha. Good for David Schuster.

If you want to support the guy who called Republicans "neaderthals" a few bucks to Alan Grayson would continue to go a long way.

And if you have your favorite Michele Bachmann crazy moment, share it below!

AdamGreen :: I got compared to Alan Grayson on MSNBC!

Tags: MSNBC, adam green, david schuster, Alan Grayson, matt lewis, Michele Bachmann, crazy, (All Tags)

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I got compared to Alan Grayson on MSNBC! | 8 comments

Calling Michele Bachman "Crazy" Is Unfair (4.00 / 4)

to crazy people as a class.

Only a very small percentage of people with mental disorders are actually dangerous.

Perhaps you should apologize, at your earliest convenience!

"You know what they say -- those of us who fail history... doomed to repeat it in summer school." -- Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Season 6, Episode 3

by: Paul Rosenberg @ Thu Oct 01, 2009 at 22:41:47 PM UTC

You should demand an apology from Rep. Bachmann (0.00 / 0)

On TV during prime time in person face to face.

She craves the camera and controversy, she might just take you up on the challenge.

"It sounds wrong...
...but its right."

by: SpitBall @ Fri Oct 02, 2009 at 00:26:08 AM UTC

getting under their skin (4.00 / 1)

is so important when you're debating someone.

I don't have the youtube, but one of my all-time favorite tv talking head moments came during the 2006 campaign, when Cliff Schecter threw his Republican opponent off her game by suggesting that maybe Don Sherwood got to her, because she sounded a little confused. It was a quick reference that went over the heads of 99 percent of the viewing audience (Sherwood was the Republican member of Congress from PA who allegedly choked his girlfriend), but he really got under the skin of this Republican on the air. She was very flustered and couldn't stick to her talking points.

On this subject, chumley's DKos diary on how to debate on tv is a good read.

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by: desmoinesdem @ Fri Oct 02, 2009 at 01:59:24 AM UTC

Yes, Bachman is "Crazy" But... (0.00 / 0)

Of course you're right, but by using name calling as the debate strategy instead of just reciting the facts, which blessedly the tv mouth piece was able to at least insert into the debate, you come off as less credible IMHO. And take a cue from David Sirota, dress down for tv (no tie, open collar) and look more relaxed. But overall, good job representing the saner view of the debate. We're glad you're there!

Save Our Schools! March & National Call to Action, July 28-31, 2011 in Washington, DC: http://www.saveourschoolsmarch...

by: jeffbinnc @ Fri Oct 02, 2009 at 03:56:34 AM UTC

Adam, you to got him. (4.00 / 1)

Matt wasn't just irked. He was coming out of his skin a couple of times. His eyes were flashing good old fashioned GOP hate.

Good on you.

by: tjfxh @ Fri Oct 02, 2009 at 04:01:07 AM UTC

Hey - I actually saw this today (4.00 / 1)

One thing that irked me was that it didn't seem to occur to MSNBC to have at least ONE woman in a discussion of FEMALE health issues. HELL-O!!??

Damn, I keep forgetting that women aren't really people, but the property of men. And men making all the decisions for us is for our own good.

Despite that quibble, nice job, Adam.

by: Oaktown Girl @ Fri Oct 02, 2009 at 06:23:24 AM UTC

Good job, Adam! (0.00 / 0)

oh, and that reminds me...
Michelle Bachmann is crazy.

by: lewisclark @ Fri Oct 02, 2009 at 06:47:30 AM UTC

Solid Work Adam (0.00 / 0)

Nice job Adam, you stayed on message and you got your points across.

I am just an average joe with no PR expertise, but here's my critique:

The big problem I see with the crazy remark is that the discussion got bogged down in whether or not its appropriate to call somebody crazy. Another problem is that your opponent got to do more talking than you.

I think this could have been avoided if you struck harder before you tried to pivot the discussion. I recognize that you don't want to dwell on Bachman, but it would have been useful to add a little bit more detail beyond just calling her crazy, for example "Michellle Bachman is crazy; She routinely fabricates these sorts of conspiracy theories. She accuses her opponents of plotting death panels and concentration camps. She's nuts." When you go into a few details like these its much harder for your opponents to cry 'civility foul' on the word 'crazy' because it forces them into the uncomfortable position of suggesting that Bachman's batshit remarks are sane, which nobody wants to do. Your opponent, probably wanting to steer the discussion away from how nutz this lady is, might even let you steer the discussion towards the public option.

by: Greg Comlish @ Fri Oct 02, 2009 at 14:44:59 PM UTC