CNN’s Roland Martin picked up where Anderson Cooper left off on Monday’s AC360, claiming that there’s “the beginnings of a civil war” in the GOP and that Tea Party protesters “want to radicalize the right” in the party. Martin also claimed that the Democrats are more of a “big tent” than Republicans: “You have a Democratic Party that has no problem having liberal...moderate...and conservative Democrats.”
The liberal political contributor appeared with Tea Party Express’s Mark Williams for two segments starting three minutes into the 10 pm Eastern hour. Cooper first sought Martin’s take on the New York 23rd congressional district race. Unsurprisingly, he forwarded the Chris Matthews/mainstream media spin on the contest: “There is no doubt you are seeing the beginnings of a civil war play out, in terms of folks who are saying that we do not want moderates, in terms of being involved in this party.”
Later in the segment, after Williams highlighted how Republican candidate Dede Scozzafava endorsed Democrat Bill Owens after she withdrew from the New York 23 race, Martin struck back with his “big tent” claim about the Democrats: “You talk about endorsing a Democrat. I’m sure Mark has no problem with former Democrat Joe Lieberman saying he’s going to campaign for Republican candidates....You have a Democratic Party that has no problem having liberal Democrats, moderate Democrats, and conservative Democrats. What Republicans are saying is, we don’t want any liberal or moderate Republicans. We only want conservative Republicans, and you cannot expand a party nationally only having just conservative Republicans. You’re not going to win long-term.”
When Williams countered that the Democrats were the liberal party and the Republicans were the “constitutional values” party, the CNN contributor stuck with his talking point: “Zell Miller, a former governor of Georgia, he was a conservative Democrat....You have people like Heath Shuler of North Carolina. He is considered to be a conservative Democrat. The point is, there are individuals who do not simply toe the line in terms of just being one ideology. There are people who do believe in Republican principles, but disagree on some issues.”
Martin went on to claim during the second segment that the Tea Party movement and their fellow travelers sought to make the GOP “fringe” right. Williams immediately replied to the charge: “Roland, since when is believing in the Constitution a fringe?” The two engaged in a back-and-forth for most of the second segment.
MARTIN: We’re seeing right now moderate and conservative Democrats playing a huge role in the changing of the health care bill in Congress. The point there is this here. You have folks like Mark who also- talk about the left being radicalized- you have people who want to radicalize the right. The point is this here. You can’t have people who are not from the fringes of both parties represent a party. So, conservative and moderate Democrats play a crucial role.WILLIAMS: Roland, since when is believing in the Constitution a fringe?
MARTIN: Mark, Mark, Mark- you are not going to have a strong Republican Party nationally-
WILLIAMS: How does that make me a fringe? I believe in the Constitution. I don’t believe in socialism.
MARTIN: Mark, Mark, Mark- let me finish.
WILLIAMS: That makes me a fringe?
MARTIN: Mark, let me finish-
WILLIAMS: I’ll wear that label proudly.
MARTIN: Mark, let me finish. I believe in the Constitution as well. But the point is this here. You cannot have a truly national party if you are pushing people out that you simply disagree with.
COOPER: Mark, what about that idea of the big tent for the Republican Party? I mean, years ago, there used to be a lot of talk about wanting the Republican Party to be a big tent. Does that- from your vantage point, is that a negative thing, because it- you believes it waters down-
WILLIAMS: No, not at all, not at all. America is a huge tent. But this vile ideology of collectivism, the ideology of Marx and Lenin over that of Thomas Jefferson-
MARTIN: Oh, come on.
WILLIAMS: And Madison, that’s what we’re up against-
COOPER: But Mark, wait, wait, wait- before Roland jumps in-before Roland jumps in.-
WILLIAMS: As far as the way- as far as representing the people of the 23rd District of New York, I’ve got far more roots there than any of these people who sat behind closed doors in a smoke- filled room and imposed this socialist fake Republican of the 23rd District.
—Matthew Balan is a news analyst at the Media Research Center.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
→ Roland is conditioned
November 3, 2009 - 16:42 ET by Cool ArrowRoland knows about "tents".
He's one of those ushers who guards the exit to make sure nobody leaves the temple.
If anybody should leave the temple, he sends out fliers looking for a "lost uncle".
ACORN - creating or saving votes since 1970
The Joe Lieberman Big Tent
November 3, 2009 - 16:51 ET by allanfYes we will call the Democrat big tent the "Joe Lieberman" big tent. Say hi to Zell Miller in the tent.
Not to mention Juan Williams
November 3, 2009 - 16:58 ET by CarlosSThe "big tent" has a porch on it
→ Thanks, Carlos
November 3, 2009 - 17:02 ET by Cool ArrowThat insult had slipped my mind.
Juan may be a liberal, but he's certainly got my respect.
ACORN - creating or saving votes since 1970
allanf... Lol...the Zell
November 3, 2009 - 17:08 ET by bigtimerallanf...
Lol...the Zell Miller mention was priceless.
Funny...I was mentioning him as well yesterday here ....somewhere.
'Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea'~Breitbart
RINO's should join the democrat party...
November 3, 2009 - 18:13 ET by Mitch NJand give Nancy Pelosi angina.
"When the democrats are done
we'll all be living in tents."
Propaganda. Propaganda. Propaganda.
November 3, 2009 - 16:44 ET by stage9“If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State.” --Joseph Goebbels
"You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free."
--Jesus Christ
Do you want lies or the truth?
"If God is dead, somebody is going to have to take his place. It will
be megalomania or erotomania, the drive for power or the drive for
pleasure, the clenched fist or the phallus, Hitler or Hugh Hefner."
— Malcolm Muggeridge
Mr. Martin is a very big
November 3, 2009 - 16:49 ET by John53Mr. Martin is a very big tent by himself. CNN hasn't gotten a real story right in a long time, just the usual distraction and propaganda profiles. The viewership continues to run away from them and they continue to be confused by the cause. Liberal masterminds that they think they are.
"We the people ..... Silent no longer"
Sorry dude
November 3, 2009 - 16:51 ET by Joe CamelSorry man, but when I have a black man, whom 98% or so think alike, well, probably not going to listen to what you have to say. Now Alan Keyes talks to me, well, he has my ear. The rest of you, all I hear is na, na, na....
An Uncomfortable Tent
November 3, 2009 - 16:55 ET by Avitarwho would want to climb into a tent with Democrats? They do not know how to run an economy and are closer to Adolph Hitler than George Washington.
Yep. Rahm and Axelrod handed out the talking points today
November 3, 2009 - 16:55 ET by Lord Erond1) "Make as many references to the GOP being 'fringe' as you can"
2) "Make sure no one actually questions WHY people are supporting a TRUE conservative"
3) "Above all, don't be afraid to lie. You will not lose your job like Jayson Blair."
"Timothy, guard what God has entrusted to you. Avoid godless, foolish discussions with those who oppose you with their so-called knowledge."
Timothy 6:20
And
November 3, 2009 - 17:20 ET by Chaitealover4) refer to far left liberals as "moderates"
Chai
“The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed, and hence clamorous to be led to safety, by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.” —H.L. Mencken
The CNN Hack/Not A Hack Roll Call
November 3, 2009 - 17:25 ET by MrShyCompiled from a quick visit to the complete listing at CNN's site:
Christiane Amanpour -- HACK
Reggie Aqui
Carl Azuz
Paul Begala -- *** HACK ***
William Bennett
Wolf Blitzer -- HACK
Gloria Borger
Campbell Brown -- HACK
Jack Cafferty -- *** HACK ***
James Carville -- just a Dem party shill more than an all-out hack
Kiran Chetry -- HACK
Heidi Collins -- HACK
Anderson Cooper -- HACK
Naamua Delaney
Lou Dobbs
Sanjay Gupta -- HACK
Tony Harris
Erica Hill
T.J. Holmes
John King -- HACK
Larry King -- not part of the News division, so...
Howard Kurtz
Nicole Lapin
Don Lemon
Melissa Long
Roland S. Martin -- HACK
Jeanne Moos -- HACK (and not funny)
Octavia E. Nasr
Betty Nguyen -- cute, but don't know much about her
Soledad O'Brien -- HACK
Kyra Phillips -- really cute, bit of a hack
John Roberts -- HACK
Christine Romans
Rick Sanchez -- *** HACK ***
William Schneider
Jeffrey Toobin -- HACK
Ali Velshi -- HACK
Fredricka Whitfield
Gerri Willis
Fareed Zakaria -- HACK
Now, I'm being kind totaling just three special 3-star hacks (a few are borderline, like this dope, Martin) and, alas, we all know Rick "The Cuban" Sanchez probably just needs his own category.
We all know that probably 100% on this list are registered Democrats, but by "hack" I just mean those that are really p*ss-poor and sloppy at their jobs and/or are given their own programs when they have no business having them.
You can all chime in, as I'm not privy to several on this list. I'll try to do MSDNC next.
FINAL TOTALS:
Hacks = 18
Not/Not Really Hacks = 22
Special Hacks = 3
:)
Rick Sanchez is big in three Teddy categroies
November 3, 2009 - 17:26 ET by CO2MakerDWI, leaving the scene, and homicide
CO2
November 3, 2009 - 17:35 ET by MrShyYeah, he needs several categories all his own...
Btw, in fairness (to be Fair & Balanced, in other words :)) I'll do Fox, too.
Don't be shy, Mr.
November 3, 2009 - 17:44 ET by CO2MakerDo all those Foxy reporters.
MrS... You are so right
November 3, 2009 - 17:36 ET by bigtimerMrS...
You are so right as far as I am concerned about Moos...not funny...and definately a hack.
I'm throwing in Schneider BIG TIME....he is one as well, you just didn't name him as a hack...plus Lemon, no doubt about it.
...anyway....that is a great list.
Glad Bernard Shaw isn't there anymore or we could add him as well, there are a few others who have left too that I consider hacks...just can't think of them off hand...Franken is one of them, Woodruff another and her hubby when he was on.
'Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea'~Breitbart
BT
November 3, 2009 - 17:43 ET by MrShyThanks! Another blast from the hack-past.....
Aaron Brown
And that big-as-a-horse woman who was back-to-back with him, she was a complete phony.
But wow, Bill Scheider.... ARG... totally didn't see his name, as they use "William". YES, a total hack, especially with all of his meaningless polls.
I considered Lemon, too... was on the fence, but he's had a couple of shining moments.
MrS... I'll also throw in
November 3, 2009 - 19:12 ET by bigtimerMrS...
I'll also throw in Carol Costello and Soledad O'Brien as HACKS as well.
'Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea'~Breitbart
Carville is just a Dem party shill more than an all-out hack"?
November 3, 2009 - 17:46 ET by CO2Maker"Serpenthead"?
CO2... 'Serpenthead' and
November 3, 2009 - 19:14 ET by bigtimerCO2...
'Serpenthead' and his partner in crime 'The Forehead' Begala.
'Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea'~Breitbart
The nice thing about "Serpenthead"
November 3, 2009 - 19:20 ET by CO2Makeris that his wife, Mary, calls him that. Lovingly.
What does Begala's wife call him? Forearm? Foreplay? Foreskin? Forechrissakes, stop that?
..or foregetaboutit. Just
November 3, 2009 - 19:23 ET by bigtimer..or foregetaboutit.
Just thought I'd throw that in there for the heck of it since your post has me still laughing.
'Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea'~Breitbart
Damn
November 3, 2009 - 19:45 ET by CO2MakerI forgot about that!
Skelletor
November 3, 2009 - 19:19 ET by Dan The Man 2Skelletor
→ Not Skeletor
November 3, 2009 - 19:21 ET by Cool ArrowSkeletor is married to Arnold Schwarzeneggar.
ACORN - creating or saving votes since 1970
Big Tent Democrats
November 3, 2009 - 17:24 ET by CO2MakerIs that the tent with Democrats who oppose abortion?
CO2
November 3, 2009 - 17:28 ET by MrShyHow about Democrats who are steadfast in their belief of a right to bear arms?
Democrats who are behind the global War on Terror, perhaps?
... and many more....
And clinging to their religion
November 3, 2009 - 18:32 ET by CO2MakerO'Bama's indiscreet remark in SF about those Pennsylvania rubes referred to a different kind of Democrat. I know, they're my mother's family--Johnstown, PA, famous for three floods and Jack Murtha. What a legacy for a good, hard-working town. It brimmed with union-supporting fervor, no tolerance for hippies, and strong patriotic militarism disappointed in the 60s and 70as by the debacle in Vietnam and probably thinking the same thing now about Iraq and Afghanistan (I'm guessing, because I haven't visited up there in years).
In politics, theoretical purity is like war preparations: they can't stand up to the impact with real people.
Two different definitions of "Tent"
November 3, 2009 - 18:21 ET by Kingfish17The Dems build their "big tent" by pandering to different interest groups and providing to the needs of those seperate groups through governement power and money. That's why we see the NEA budget increased by over 30% when Obama wins. The same for money and power being doled out to ACORN and the Unions. If you get enough seperate special interest groups together, you'll get the Dem definition of a "Big Tent".
The Republicans get their Big Tent when they move away from special interest groups. This is what Reagan did in the late 70s and 80s. The conservative Big Tent relys on giving economic freedom and personal freedom, (and the subsequent personal responsibility that comes with freedom), to all those who desire to come into the tent. Conservatives cannot outbuild the special interest/disparage group "Big Tent" that liberals win with. Conservatives need to build their tent on ideas and principals that allow anyone to participate.
Regardless of the definition
November 4, 2009 - 03:59 ET by DoktorFrankenRegardless of the definition of what a ''tent'' is or ''who'' should, or should not, be in it, I am tired of hearing the Left trying to define anything that pertains to Conservatives - and that includes who we, and our candidates, are - or should be. I say keep the Leftists the hell out of any tent. Let them congregate in the porto-potties.
JMHO, you understand.
If Saul Alinsky owned a news channel it would be MSNBC. ---- Me
That's the whole point
November 4, 2009 - 09:52 ET by Kingfish17A leftist will never be included in the conservative Big Tent because he does not believe in freedom, personal responsibility, and limited government. He would have to change his political beliefs to enter the Big Tent, so he would no longer be a leftist.
The Dem Big Tent does not care about beliefs. They will allow anyone in as long as they exchange their votes, (political power), for a promise of a hand out from government.
Someone needs to get the
November 3, 2009 - 18:33 ET by ConservativeRexSomeone needs to get the word out to these democrat mouthpieces: You can not dicate who and who will not be a Conservative! The days of you picking the Republican candidate are over--are you listening John McCain?
As my beloved meemaw used to say "you democrats need to tend to your own knitting"! From this point forward we'll be picking who we want to run against your sorry butts. If CNN really mattered to anyone they ought to take note of this.
Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum
CRex... Ditto
November 3, 2009 - 18:40 ET by bigtimerCRex...
Ditto that!
'Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea'~Breitbart
Obviously he doesn't know
November 3, 2009 - 18:35 ET by 10ksnookerOf the purge of Democrats who won't tow the party line of Socialism ... Ask Kos nutroots and moveon.org are waging. And why is that not a 'civil war'? And who is reporting on this purge?
Ahh yes, I see the problem.
10ksnooker
November 3, 2009 - 18:38 ET by MrShyYes, I love how they report on ObamaCare STILL having a hard time passing with majorities in both houses... they just point to the lock-step of Republicans, but don't show us the reality... that there's a purge/war going on over this on the Dem side.
"What Republicans are
November 3, 2009 - 18:45 ET by ckc1227"What Republicans are saying is, we don’t want any liberal or moderate Republicans. We only want conservative Republicans, and you cannot expand a party
nationally only having just conservative Republicans. You’re not going
to win long-term.”
Then what are you whining about, rollie pollie? If what you say is true, you should be jumping for joy, right?
If I want pizza, I go to a pizza restaurant. I don't go to McDonald's and demand they serve me pizza. There's already a party for liberals, rollie pollie, and that includes liberal "republicans", whatever the hell that is.
ckc1227
November 3, 2009 - 18:50 ET by ahusserYou are right what are they whining about. You are very right they should be overjoyed with the prospect of a marginalised party (in their eyes). Very good points. They must be terrified of something because they don't up the scathing, vitriolic rhetoric and ad hominem attacks without fear of something.
"Somehow, I told you so, just doesn't quite say it." Will Smith in 'I, Robot.'
CKC
November 3, 2009 - 18:54 ET by Jamson64Ckc said: "Then what are you whining about, rollie pollie? If what you say is true, you should be jumping for joy, right?"
As you realize he is trying to lie and spin about reality . He has a mission and it is not the truth.
Dems are Big Tent
November 3, 2009 - 18:48 ET by acumenCouldn't agree more.
The Dems have morphed into the biggest freak show since Ringling Brothers - Barnum & Bailey Circus first pitched their big tent.
→ Roland Martin
November 3, 2009 - 18:54 ET by Cool ArrowI don't care about the real definition. Roland Martin looks like a titular head.
ACORN - creating or saving votes since 1970
The dems are a traveling
November 3, 2009 - 19:30 ET by celatorThe dems are a traveling freak show, as we all know. Not sure how big their tent is.
No citizen's right to life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, or property is safe as long as Obama is President of the United States.
Big Tent
November 3, 2009 - 19:39 ET by wingnut55When I was growing up the only "Big Tent" was the three ring circus. It is still true. The three rings are Obama, Pelosi, and Reed.
I e-mailed Roland Martin
November 3, 2009 - 19:40 ET by ArminiusAnd asked him if the Democrat Party has such a big tent, why aren't pro-life speakers allowed to speak at the Democrat National Convention. He responded by saying Sen. Bob Casey was allowed to speak, and asked how many pro-choice Republicans are allowed to speak at the Republican National Convention.
Of course, Casey is the exception that proves the rule. He was allowed to speak because the Democrats received a little (very little from the media) flak for failing to allow Casey's father to speak in 1992.
I answered Martin's question regarding pro-choice Republicans by noting that Giuliani, Tom Ridge, Michael Steele (who now chairs the RNC--would a pro-life Democrat ever chair the "big tent" party?), Joe Lieberman, Schwarzenegger, and Charlie Crist were amongst the pro-choice speakers at last year's RNC convention.
I thought perhaps Martin would concede my point, but, instead he called me an "idiot."
They have some real class acts working there at CNN. I can't understand why they are in last place.
I'm surprised he answered you.
November 3, 2009 - 19:50 ET by CO2MakerEven though you are an idiot! <g> Or so I've heard.
Are you saying . . .
November 4, 2009 - 04:04 ET by DoktorFranken. . . . that CNN is not a classy, trustworthy news source???
I --- am --- shocked.
JMHO, you understand.
If Saul Alinsky owned a news channel it would be MSNBC. ---- Me
A big tent where only
November 3, 2009 - 19:50 ET by mattmA big tent where only America-Hating, goose-stepping, kooky national-socialists are allowed.
X
November 3, 2009 - 19:55 ET by serfer62Yeah. The GOP should have a Big Tent like the Congressional Black Caucus...
Tents are for circus
November 3, 2009 - 21:10 ET by RogerCfromSDTents are for circus freaks.
A nation cannot be free without a free, unbiased media. We are not free.
My Choice
November 3, 2009 - 21:43 ET by justbob223I'll take the GOP "fringe" over the Democrats' "big tent" any day. Conservatives embrace the principles of liberty and God-given natural rights which the Founding Fathers enshrined in the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. We believe these principles are universal and timeless, applying to all -- men and women; rich and poor; black, white, yellow, red, or brown; whether natural born or naturalized; creating that unique nationality known as "American." The Democrats on the other hand emphasize a hyphenated Americanism and "living constitution" that divide us by race, class, gender, ethnicity, etc., balkanizing the citizenry into groups which they then pit against one another and pander to for the sake of political power and control.
Not a big tent
November 3, 2009 - 21:57 ET by octaviojWell,
the Dems are a big tent only if you consider that it is not bad that you get a MoveOn bashing for not getting into the liberal line. If you do not believe in race baiting will get you Rev. Al Sharpton and Rev. Jesse Jackson on your case. That not accepting illegal immigration and asking for national identity will get you in trouble with La Raza. That asking to protect US citizens using all tools available will get you on the bad side of the ACLU. Other than that they are a big tent.
The dems can have their tent
November 4, 2009 - 10:44 ET by holeinthehullHoleinthehull
The Democrat "big tent" should be changed to the "Freaks of American Politic" tent. The dems could also call it the "disorders and dysfunctional" tent. The "3 Ring circus tent" starring Pelosi, Reid and Barney as the greatest clowns living with Obama as the Circus Master
We could go on and on