Unveiling President-elect Barack Obama as her “Most Fascinating Person of 2008,” Barbara Walters wrapped up her Thursday night prime time special by championing how Obama “has redeemed the American promise that an individual can make his own destiny and create a new world.” (Obama hasn't even taken office, yet he's already managed to “create a new world”?) She then presumptuously gushed: “We are all members of that new world now, and that for us makes him the Most Fascinating Person of 2008. Good luck, Mr. President.”
The other nine honorees in her special, Barbara Walters Presents: The 10 Most Fascinating People of 2008, were revealed in advance: Rush Limbaugh, Sarah Palin, Tom Cruise, Tina Fey, Will Smith, Frank Langella, Miley Cyrus, Thomas Beatie and Michael Phelps.
My December 13, 2006 NewsBusters item, “Walters Honors Pelosi as 'Most Fascinating' Person of 2006,” recounted:
Barbara Walters ended her Tuesday night ABC News countdown special, "The 10 Most Fascinating People of 2006," by touting, near the end of the 10pm EST/9pm CST hour, incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi as the "most fascinating person of 2006." The Web page promoting the special listed the first nine profiled, but not Pelosi, as its text ended with a plug: "Who is the Most Fascinating Person of 2006? Tune in Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET to find out."
Walters celebrated Pelosi's victory: "We picked our most fascinating person on election day this past November. Next month, Congress will get a Speaker of the House unlike any before. Our most fascinating person of 2006: Mother of five and Speaker-elect Nancy Pelosi. In January, Nancy Pelosi will become the most powerful woman in America. She will assume office as the first-ever female Speaker of the House, two heartbeats from the presidency." Walters soon pleaded to Pelosi: "You've talked about sometimes using your mother-of-five voice. Now I sit here, and you're very gentle. Talk to me in the mother-of-five voice." She also asked Pelosi to confirm that she thinks President Bush is "incompetent and irresponsible and not a leader?"
In her 1994 special, however, Walters did not make the then-incoming House Speaker after a party change, Newt Gingrich, her "most fascinating person of 1994." That honor went to Nelson Mandela on the December 13, 1994 show and Gingrich was not one of the other nine, a list which included Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, Rupert Murdoch (for getting NFL games on Fox), Barbra Streisand and Jimmy Carter ("In his post-White House years, he seems to have left the mark that alluded his presidency and brought the role of ex-President to a new state of grace").
From the end of the Thursday night (December 4) at 10 PM EST Barbara Walters Presents: The 10 Most Fascinating People of 2008:
BARBARA WALTERS: His belief that there is a place in America for someone who transcends the usual labels has brought us all to this place:BARACK OBAMA ON ELECTION NIGHT: Out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism and doubts, and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can. (Cheering)
WALTERS: In becoming President, he has redeemed the American promise that an individual can make his own destiny and create a new world. We are all members of that new world now, and that for us makes him the Most Fascinating Person of 2008. Good luck, Mr. President.
—Brent Baker is Vice President for Research and Publications at the Media Research Center





Walters celebrated Pelosi's victory: "We picked our most fascinating person on election day this past November. Next month, Congress will get a Speaker of the House unlike any before. Our most fascinating person of 2006: Mother of five and Speaker-elect Nancy Pelosi. In January, Nancy Pelosi will become the most powerful woman in America. She will assume office as the first-ever female Speaker of the House, two heartbeats from the presidency." Walters soon pleaded to Pelosi: "You've talked about sometimes using your mother-of-five voice. Now I sit here, and you're very gentle. Talk to me in the mother-of-five voice." She also asked Pelosi to confirm that she thinks President Bush is "incompetent and irresponsible and not a leader?"













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Where's Timmy Tebow?
December 5, 2008 - 00:23 ET by BlondeBaba Wawa is an idiot.
You can't even believe what my 86 year old mum said about her today!
Timmy Tebow is far more fascinating than Tina Fey, or Obama Sama, for that matter.
It's about time Baba got the pink slip.
I would guess it was
December 5, 2008 - 09:00 ET by PeskyDaneI would guess it was something about her sleeping her way to the top. My mom mentioned that to me once. It seemed to be pretty common knowledge during the Carter years, but people are a little more reluctant to mention that elephant in the room now that Baba is in her 70's.
Ah Pesky
December 5, 2008 - 10:15 ET by BlondeOur mums are on the same wavelength.
But no need for people like us to discuss it....Baba herself has written a tell-all (and apparently it tells all!).
I was loathe to mention it earlier, but my mom saw Baba on Oprah (okay, she's an adult and I can't put a v-chip in her remote) describing in detail her various affairs (mostly with married men). The fact that Baba is almost 80 was what had my mom in such high dander. It's disgusting behaviour to begin with, but to talk about it...it's just not done!
On BOR Tonight
December 5, 2008 - 00:42 ET by BW222Barbara Walters was on BOR tonight to discuss the list and the selection they discussed the most was Sarah Palin, both agreeing she was a logical choice. We should thank God this woman is on our side because she is a true conservative with real star power.
When was the last time the VP on the losing ticket was the second most written about person in the country a month after the election? Never, almost always they immediately fade into obscurity. Oprah was complaining tonight that Palin was shunning her while going on Greta, Today and Larry King.
When was the last time a defeated VP candidate was brought in as the closer in such an important election as the Georgia run off? Never.
Fortunately Sarah Palin doesn't seem to want to "fade away." She's smart, ambituous, principled, hard working, charismatic, conservative and yes she's smoking hot. If she were a pro-abortion liberal she would be the toast of MSM rather than the scourge of MSM. No one can revive the GOP and the conservative movement like Sarah Palin.
BW222
Good points, all.
December 5, 2008 - 00:57 ET by BlondeGovernor Palin certainly has a whole lot more cachet than, oh...say...John Edwards, LOL. (Better hair, too, but I digress).
Baba, however....I wish someone would put her in the closet with Helen Thomas and leave the old media hags & bags where they deserve to be....out of sight, and out of mind.
Enough already!
Blonde
December 5, 2008 - 01:18 ET by Rush FanExcellent idea! Hope there is room in the closet for Joy Behar.
------------------------------------------------
Why the two Americas, the Left and the Right, can never reconcile - An excellent article by Dennis Prager
Closet Expansion
December 5, 2008 - 01:23 ET by BlondeI hope is seriously under construction.
We'll toss in a couple more old biddies....Rosie, Whoopie, Arianna the Huff.....Hillary, Madame Not-so-Bright, Nanny.
Your turn.
Keep going Blonde
December 5, 2008 - 01:58 ET by cocodrieYou stopped too soon. At least include the biggest biddie of all - Chrissie M.
Signage
December 5, 2008 - 00:49 ET by NortoSee?
BW=WC
December 5, 2008 - 01:45 ET by donsalimanHow can you redeem something,that has always been there?
What makes the liberals,think that their dream is the only and right dream?
I hope Ms Walters stopped
December 5, 2008 - 06:38 ET by ArchConservativeI hope Ms Walters stopped by the store to buy some dignity on the way back from sleeping with Hussein. Can you be a bigger democrat whore Ms Walters? No, you can't.
You support the troops by supporting the mission! If you don't support the mission, have the guts to say you don't support the troops.
Obama: Not my President. Ever.
I just wish I had picked up
December 5, 2008 - 06:57 ET by USA4freedomI just wish I had picked up some Kool-Aid stock before Obama ran. Wow it must be going through the roof by now!
Ronald Reagan, 1962: I did not leave the Democratic party, the party left me.
Insert: your name, 2008, and the Republican party.
I wonder did she find the
December 5, 2008 - 07:32 ET by USA4freedomI wonder did she find the other Black man, Married (with kids) Edward Brooke fascinating?
Bar Bra, you are such a slut and no one ever calls you out on it.
The dirty part is she obviously proud of the fact that she sleeps with married men that she puts it in her book.
At least Edward Brooke acted with some class, when they asked him about it he told them: I don’t talk about others peoples personal business.
Ronald Reagan, 1962: I did not leave the Democratic party, the party left me.
Insert: your name, 2008, and the Republican party.
Nope
December 5, 2008 - 08:07 ET by 10ksnookerWhat Obama proves is people are still suckers for the shuck and jive act.
I propose the BeeGees song "jive talking" as Obama's song. A little mood music to set up his speeches -- That way you won't forget what is going on when he speaks. Give a listen here http://www.youtube.c... ... see if you don't think it fits.
“We are all members of that new world now."
December 5, 2008 - 08:11 ET by ConservativeFLLeave me out of the New World Order, i.e. Socialism, Barbara. Does anyone really watch this rediculious liberal love fest?
Anyone know what the ratings were for the show? I'm sure the Obama robots watched it with great facination, but who else?
"Republicans believe every day is the Fourth of July, but the democrats believe every day is April 15." Ronald Reagan
old expression
December 5, 2008 - 08:29 ET by MidAmericaWe are all members of that new world now, .....
Stop the world I want to get off!
Walters
December 5, 2008 - 08:47 ET by Seashell...he has redeemed the American promise that an individual can make his own destiny and create a new world.
All of our "destinies" will be much more limited when BHO takes office. Higher taxes will set our goals back initially then further delay them because of the damage done to the economy (especially in an already trying time). The new world under BHO Baba speaks of does not look so good to me.
Btw-Individualism does not equal socialism Baba, and socialism is what BHO wants.
GAGA OVER OBAMA
December 5, 2008 - 09:20 ET by WorriedYour messiah is not fascinating and he scares me to death. You and the other libs out there fawning over this empty suit is just plain sickening. Just what has he done other than pull the biggest con over a bunch of uneducated, brainwashed, angry, racist morons. I'm sure he and his commie wife must high five each other every night thinking the same thing. Even he must say to himself, "The masses really are asses." What are we in for in the future? I'm afraid BW's idea of a New World Order and those of her mindset is what's on tap.
God bless the USA!
Babba Wah-Wah fowah pwesident ewect Obama.
December 5, 2008 - 09:41 ET by CrashBarbara, "Just when I think you couldn't be any dumber ... you go and do something like this, and totally redeem yourself." At least she can pronounce Obama without a lisp.
Hey you've gotta hand it to Obama for pumping up the MSM into a Sanataria bloody chicken dance!
"A man with an experience is never at the mercy of a man with an argument." Hilmar von Campe
My wife had that show on
December 5, 2008 - 10:01 ET by TexasteacherMy wife had that show on last night. Did it seem unfair that she had an interview with barack for his spot, but didn't give Palin one? And how disrespectful was tina fey??
And I thought I heard her also say that barack was elected by a "lanslide"?? Since when is 52% a landslide?? 80% is a landslide. 52% is within the margin of error (the error being ACORN).
I am not a part of any "new world order". I will not recognize "barack obama day". I will not pledge allegiance to him as president. And I will not take the "mark".
Wow, Obama was her most
December 5, 2008 - 10:34 ET by ckc1227Wow, Obama was her most fascinating person, lol? What a shocker. I called it last night when she was talking about the show on O'reilly. Hell, Stevie Wonder could see that one coming.
"Libs never let you down. You don't have to talk to one very long before the stupid comes out."
What new world?
December 5, 2008 - 10:46 ET by SentryDanAnd just what new world is Walters talking about? I haven't seen it. I guess Walters hasn't figured out yet that the only thing that the president-elect Obama can create is "Hot Air".
We still don't know what the man(and I use the term very loosely) has accomplished. We do know that he was born, but we don't really know where exactly he was born, although we do know it probably wasn't Hawaii.
Remember folks, Freedom isn't Free. It was bought with the blood and sacrifice of the men and women who are serving and who have served in the U.S. Armed Services.
For those who fought for it, Freedom has a flavor that the protected will never know.
I am not surprised...
December 5, 2008 - 12:13 ET by talkradio55...that the Anointed One was the Most Fascinating Person to Baba Wawa. Sarah Palin is far more fascinating than this communist, America-hating, goon. His race propelled him into the White House. As a Black man, I am disgusted by his candidacy and his victory. The media is fawning over him and they are going to be complicit in Obama running this great nation into the ground.
Before the media anointed him...
December 5, 2008 - 13:47 ET by Mary Louise TurnerBefore the media went gaga over Mr. Obama, he was just another fringe Democratic candidate, far behind Mrs. Clinton in the polls. Then the nauseating fawning began, and Mrs. Clinton and Mr. McCain were toast.
Ms. Walters' slobbering over The One and naming him "Most Fascinating Personality" just makes me sick. And she called her nutwork "the most balanced?" Ha, ha, ha!
WALTERS: In becoming President, he has redeemed the
December 6, 2008 - 01:30 ET by TeddyAmerican promise that I can make you throw up in your mouth a little bit.
Thanks a million Babs.
Nice hatchet job on Rush and Sarah too.
Hag.
Frank Langella? FRANK LANGELLA?!
December 6, 2008 - 14:43 ET by L.N. SmitheeIt was nice to see Rush get his MSM due for once, although Baba Wawa spent most of her time interviewing him sounding like Bill O'Reilly. But I still can't get over the choice of Frank Langella as one of the 10 Most Fascinating.
Frank Langella.
Seriously, folks -- it's December. Forget being "fascinated" by Frank Langella -- in the past eleven months, before you saw him on this list, did you even THINK about him? How about in the past five years? The past ten?
The last time I thought about him was to marvel at the fact that like another handsome actor -- Ted Danson -- he was once romantically linked with ... Whoopi Goldberg. No, I'm not making that up. Makes you wonder what's under the hood there, but that's a job for Mr. Goodwrench, not moi.
So how did he get there? I dunno, but I wonder if Bawa wasn't desperately trying to find a tenth for her list, and reached out to Whoopi for help, who said, "Frank's got a movie coming out. Why not him?"
"Well, I've got nothing against the press...they wouldn't print it if it wasn't true..." -- Joe Jackson, "Sunday Papers"
The only reason Langella
December 6, 2008 - 15:02 ET by Jack BauerThe only reason Langella got on this absurd list is this: he's playing Nixon in a movie out this week.
And he's the world's worst Nixon. Ever. See Futurama for the definitive Nixon.
Talking heads, off the top of mine, I can think of three more fascinating people of 2008 than Langella.
1. General David Petraeus -- but what has he ever done to fascinate?
2. Michael Yon -- incredible war blogger who just RULES frontline Iraq war reporting, on his own dime. And has done for THREE years minimum.
3. Britney Spears. I ain't joking, she is 100 times more "fascinating" than Frank Langella.
Maybe Walters has money in the Nixon project.