On Monday night’s edition of The Colbert Report on Comedy Central, radical MSNBC/Air America talk show host Rachel Maddow rehashed the antiquated argument that since conservatives do not believe in the existence of government, they should not be allowed to run the government: "I like vegans, but it’s like letting a vegan be your butcher. If you have somebody that is really against the idea of providing you the service that you have hired them for, they are going to be bad at providing that service." (Vegans are the most ardent vegetarians, the ones that don't even consume animal products like milk or eggs.)
Typically letting his conservative disguise slip, Colbert joked that Hurricane Katrina was a Bush success, since they wanted to show "the government was able to do nothing."
Wearing the kind of thick nerdy glasses that advertise her self-described reputation as a "policy dork," Maddow was half-joking that she believes in government, that "we only have one and we should try to make it a good government," sparking this exchange:
COLBERT: Wait a second, we only have one government, sounds like the loyalists during the Revolutionary War. That’s Benedict Arnold talk.
MADDOW: I don't want there to be any Confederate states. I want the government to work well. And I think that when conservatives crusade against government while they are trying to be appointed to head the government, I think that’s weird. Why would you hire somebody who wants to abolish something, to run that thing? It's like, I mean --
COLBERT: But who better to destroy something than the guy at the wheel. Just drive --
MADDOW: That's true.
COLBERT: Drive the bus off the cliff. (Cheers and applause) I mean everybody thinks that Katrina was a massive failure. I think that was a success for the Bush administration. What they wanted was for the government to be able to do nothing in moments like that.
MADDOW: They wanted people to believe that the government can't help you even at a time of disaster.
COLBERT: Exactly. And they proved it.
MADDOW: Yeah, I think the Bush administration is essentially been like, I mean, I like vegans but it’s like hiring a vegan to be your butcher. If you have somebody that is really against the idea of providing you the service that you have hired them for, they are going to be bad at providing that service.
For this goofy analogy to work beyond the comedic realm, you would have to assume that every conservative is an anarchist who doesn’t even want a national defense. No conservative would campaign for federal office saying he wants to insure government incompetence. They might suggest there is government spending or even government agencies they would like to cut, but what about where leftists want government cut? By Maddow’s own analogy, you would never put President Obama in charge of winning the Iraq war, since he clearly doesn’t believe in it. But that’s what she’s campaigned for on MSNBC.
Colbert did keep his pseudo-conservative schtick as he asked Maddow about Keith Olbermann: "He’s crazy, right? He’s like, honestly, like dangerous, worried about him, insane? He thinks he’s a chicken." She said "I think Keith is having the time of his life." Colbert replied, "He doesn’t think he’s a chicken. He doesn’t eat bits of gravel to help him digest food, or anything like that?" She said no, "He’s kind of the king of cable right now, of cable news." Colbert replied: "I beg your pardon, madam." The crowd booed at this diss at Colbert. Maddow put on a goofy voice: "Maybe a do-over is in order." He thanked her for appearing.
(Hat tip: Melissa Lopez)
—Tim Graham is Director of Media Analysis at the Media Research Center.




















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SCREENCAP
November 11, 2008 - 18:03 ET by the strugglerC'mon now.Is that a joke? Did somebody at NB's draw those glasses on this dude?
Is that Richard Wolffe?
Can you identify liberals by
November 11, 2008 - 20:31 ET by d1carterCan you identify liberals by the glasses they wear?
If there's one thing Maddow
November 11, 2008 - 18:07 ET by SickofLibsIf there's one thing Maddow is an expert on, it's "odd."
Rachel Maddow is a knucklehead
November 11, 2008 - 18:07 ET by bertkillian...she knows it, she flaunts it and she is proud of it. Go on now hotshot; keep bad-mouthing the President; real original way to let us all know you are a close-minded liberal, who hates to hear any view; any, that is in contradiction to your own mis-guided self-imposed genius. Please Rachel, be original and do your homework before you open your big mouth and remove all doubt you are truly a moron.
Um...
November 11, 2008 - 20:23 ET by guttermouthYou're calling HER close-minded? How are you open-minded? Which liberal views do you want to hear, that is in contradiction to your own misguided self-imposed genius? Go on hotshot. Please, bert, be original and do your homework before you open your big mouth and accuse others of what you, yourself are guilty of, ya close-minded conservative.
gutter..If you had a
November 11, 2008 - 20:31 ET by bigtimergutter..
If you had a brain that worked you only need to listen to her show one time to know bert's summation is correct...but heck, that would leave you out.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
we get bombarded with
November 12, 2008 - 19:50 ET by TruthMongerwe get bombarded with liberal views wherever we go - even elevator music now!
She is
November 11, 2008 - 21:24 ET by bertkillianGutter:
Yep; she is. No doubt you have watched her show and, if you listen carefully, you will hear a VERY LONG DIATRIBE on how much EVERYTHING is the President's fault, 8 years of failed Bush policies, conversatism is for old, white religious zealots,etc. I have done my homework; as much as it hurts to do so; watching her "show" that is.
Aw, you got me!
November 12, 2008 - 12:26 ET by guttermouthExcept you didn't answer my question.
what bert is saying,
November 12, 2008 - 15:10 ET by crsheddwhat bert is saying, guttermouth, is that he and other conservatives are not going to spend the next 4-8 years blaming everything on obama.
oh, wait. obama hasn't even taken office and they are bad mouthing him. sorry, my bad.
crshedd
November 12, 2008 - 16:48 ET by bertkillianUh, not bad mouthing Obama here; just stating fact on Rachel Maddow's ongoing vitriol against all things Bush; need to clarify that.
That is precisely what I understood too, cr
November 12, 2008 - 19:34 ET by guttermouthSomething about the pot calling the kettle black comes to mind. I'm just pointing out the hypocrisy of blaming Maddow for being one sided, while being a one sided (albeit the opposing side) individual yourself, mr bert. And you still didn't answer me. Explain your open mindedness to all of us. Or are you just reading from the conservative v. liberal handbook?
Gutter
November 12, 2008 - 20:19 ET by bertkillianStick it in your ear. I didn't think ANYONE had to be of such purity as to question the almighty Rachel Maddow. nuf said. If you like her so much, you can have her. Pissing contest? you win.
Thanks
November 13, 2008 - 19:08 ET by guttermouthI'm an excellent pisser.
Then go piss all over
November 30, 2008 - 17:36 ET by bretzysdudeThen go piss all over yourself.
Uh crash... You may want
November 12, 2008 - 19:43 ET by bigtimerUh crash...
You may want to try and refresh your memory...O has acted as if not only is he president from way back when, he has acted as if he is the world leader.
You and gutter look through your rose-colored leftist glasses all you want, it isn't going to change the facts...and hell yes I will criticize the sock-puppet leftist...to put it mildly.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Hey bigtime
November 12, 2008 - 19:48 ET by guttermouthWhat's it like to be a know-it-all? I mean, you seem to know everything about everyone, just from what you read in a blog. Did you train yourself for this gift? Can I read a book on it? Are you like Rainman?
gutter... ...worry not my
November 12, 2008 - 20:00 ET by bigtimergutter...
...worry not my little one....just read it and weep.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Huh?
November 12, 2008 - 20:04 ET by guttermouthYour little what? Conscience? Nemesis? Thorn in your side?
gutter... ;-) "Ame
November 12, 2008 - 20:12 ET by bigtimergutter...
;-)
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Aaaaaahhhhh
November 12, 2008 - 20:19 ET by guttermouthA Rush quote! How original! Sorry, I don't subscribe to his BS.
I see you're a free thinker too.
So "Gutter"...
November 12, 2008 - 20:28 ET by MightyMouthYou seem to think America is the problem? What problem would that be? And why is America "BS" in your opinion?
P.S. dumbass, I know you didn't say "America" is BS, you just said the concept that America is the solution is BS, and Rush just happend to express it (and BT by her sig).
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
Evening Mighty...and a
November 12, 2008 - 20:34 ET by bigtimerEvening Mighty...and a big thanks.
...by the way, I think gutter should know Coulter is one of my favorite people in the world too...lol!
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Howdy BT!
November 12, 2008 - 20:48 ET by MightyMouthWhat dimwits like gutter seem to miss is that a quotation stands on it's own. Regardless the speaker (see my sig for an example). Now if Obama had said that, well you know we would not be having this discussion. But of course the ONLY way Obama will use that quote is north of Jan, 20th 2009.
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
Dimwit here, speaking to Jackass
November 13, 2008 - 19:06 ET by guttermouthMaybe I wasn't clear enough. I don't subscribe to Rush's BS. He is a moron and a hypocrite and he speaks to the unintelligent, mindless, numb, blind, sheep chanting Go USA Go USA Go USA!!! That's just the dumbest quote I've ever heard. Maybe an Ann Coulter quote would be...mmm...nah, she's about the same. And did you call me gutter-pooh? I had no idea I was talking to a 6 year old.
I didn't call you "gutter pooh"
November 13, 2008 - 19:21 ET by MightyMouthI called you a "dumbass", and I stand behind that statement 100%!
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
"...and those who quote morons..."
November 13, 2008 - 19:41 ET by guttermouthSorry, I was writing to both of you. Bigtime was the one who called me gutter-pooh. But since I see we've moved on to the name calling portion of the argument, shall we just move on to the next topic?
No, I actually like the
November 30, 2008 - 17:38 ET by bretzysdudeNo, I actually like the name-calling, you dumb b!tch.
gm, here is a video that you need to watch..
November 13, 2008 - 19:22 ET by upcountrywaterHow modern liberals think
or a book
38% feel ok
First Mutt's Viet Nam 2
IranianUranium
gutter pooh... Anyone who
November 13, 2008 - 19:48 ET by bigtimergutter pooh...
Anyone who thinks saying Go USA Go USA is the dumbest thing he has ever heard...says a lot about the pathetic, ungrateful critter.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
No
November 13, 2008 - 20:22 ET by guttermouthQuoting Rush is the dumbest thing I ever heard. He is pathetic. And a junkie hypocrite.
gutter... I had enough
November 13, 2008 - 20:35 ET by bigtimergutter...
I had enough fun playing around with you... now go buzz off little boy...you bother me...bug somebody else little troll.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Oh sweetie!
November 14, 2008 - 13:03 ET by guttermouthPlease don't call me boy. The fun's just starting.
-the Troll
How quaint
November 14, 2008 - 13:21 ET by RESTLESS 1Funny that you call Rush a junkie, yet ignore "that one's" own admitted drug use. There is no bigger hypocrite than "that one", but you run a mighty close second.
"This liberal would be all about socialize -- uh, uh, would be about basically taking over and the government running all of your companies."-Maxine Waters 2008
Not ignored
November 14, 2008 - 13:32 ET by guttermouthI fully support drug use. I even support Rush's decision to abuse prescription drugs. I'm simply pointing out that he's a hypocrite for preaching against drug use while secretly using.
Any proof?
November 14, 2008 - 13:37 ET by RESTLESS 1Any proof that Rush is still using illegally? Any proof "that one" isn't. C'mon, you started this bullshit, provide some backup.
"This liberal would be all about socialize -- uh, uh, would be about basically taking over and the government running all of your companies."-Maxine Waters 2008
Yes, I have proof
November 14, 2008 - 13:52 ET by guttermouthLast weekend I was blazing with Obama while Rush sat in the corner popping Vicodin. It was fun. Obama and I laughed and laughed as we got the munchies, while watching Rush pass out drooling on the chaise lounge. Like I said, it was a good time.
I knew
November 14, 2008 - 13:58 ET by RESTLESS 1You are full of shit and nothing else.
C-YA.
"This liberal would be all about socialize -- uh, uh, would be about basically taking over and the government running all of your companies."-Maxine Waters 2008
Full of...
November 14, 2008 - 14:04 ET by guttermouthWisdom maybe.
No, no, you're just full of
November 30, 2008 - 17:40 ET by bretzysdudeNo, no, you're just full of shit, and it keeps piling up.
gutter pooh... Sending
November 12, 2008 - 20:29 ET by bigtimergutter pooh...
Sending you a little pat on head..you got something right...a free thinker I am. ;-)
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Dear Free Thinker
November 13, 2008 - 19:42 ET by guttermouthList 3 of your views which don't align with the conservative values handbook.
there's a conservative values handbook?
November 13, 2008 - 19:46 ET by katainkentapparently the Underground didnt pass me my copy!
member of the Conservative Independant Witness Protection Program since Nov. 5, 2008
nice try
November 12, 2008 - 16:52 ET by bertkillianI did. Diversion from the point? Not talking about me; talking about Rachel Maddow and her very one-sided viewpoint.
Maddow - Olbermann Love Child?...
November 11, 2008 - 18:15 ET by CapeCodScottSomebody please give us a Photoshop image of the Spawn of this Moonbat Union... a contest perhaps?
www.ScottOnCapeCod.com
"Most men lead lives of quiet desperation"... until they get fed-up enough to finally say something about it!
It shouldn't disturb me that
November 11, 2008 - 18:20 ET by Ryan Mc.It shouldn't disturb me that she is this ignorant but the fact that she attacks people she doesn't even understand is remarkable. Conservatives don't believe in anarchy, we believe in limited government. The Constitution provides for the common defense and a few other limited functions. It doesn't say anything about Welfare, Healthcare, or Education. There is a distinction between an anarchist and a conservative which this woMAN doesn't understand.
i like rachel's logic - but
November 11, 2008 - 21:43 ET by TruthMongeri like rachel's logic - but Conservatives do want government - just a very small government...
if you believe in socialism or communism you should not be allowed to run our government - as we are a capitalist society - which would not work with socialistic or communistic govs - for which we have daily proof
Looking at that photo
November 11, 2008 - 18:22 ET by stratmanLooking at that photo -
Umm... eww!
Oh, stratman....with surgery
November 11, 2008 - 23:26 ET by Scout FinchEveryone has décolletage! Even men!
One Word - ManBra AKA the "Bro"
November 12, 2008 - 00:35 ET by stratmanTouche, Scout.
The trick is to either not show it in an offensive manner or to not show it at all.
Man-bear-cow failed on both counts.
(Man-bear-cow = Man-bear-pig's soulmate)
Typical hypocrite
November 11, 2008 - 18:23 ET by kg"we only have one and we should try to make it a good government,"
Now this is very hypocritical from even for a liberal hypocrite. She has done all she could to make sure that the current government appeared to fail. Next she will be telling us she is going straight. The closest she has been to that is the fawning she did over Obama.
"Forget change, I want improvement!"
Good observation, kg
November 11, 2008 - 23:07 ET by Jack ColemanWhat Maddow is really saying, now that Obama is heading for the White House, is that "we only have one and we should try to make it a good government" .... now.
The dorky glasses, much like her "Ask Dr. Maddow" shtick on Air America, are needed to remind people how bright she is, lest they come to the opposite conclusion after Maddow opens her mouth.
I wish...
November 11, 2008 - 18:29 ET by Elian Gonzalez...that Mr. Maddow would go back to teaching gym.
MR...oops, RM
November 11, 2008 - 18:31 ET by sawing battaLooks more like elvis costello meets clark kent....(but still dreams of Lois Lane)
confused
November 11, 2008 - 18:38 ET by RiharWait, I thought this was Doogie Howser's goofy sidekick.
When a liberal speaks, the truth is busy elsewhere.
Um
November 11, 2008 - 18:51 ET by RukusUm, what's that big red thing coming out the back of his head??
"Nuke 'em 'til they... oh hell, just shoot 'em!"
"...since conservatives do
November 11, 2008 - 19:34 ET by Chris Norman"...since conservatives do not believe in the existence of government, they should not be allowed to run the government..."
Since liberals do not believe in the existence of foreign threats or the seriousness of terrorism, they should not be allowed to run our national defense.
350lb. Pastry Cheff
November 11, 2008 - 19:46 ET by azholmesDidn't we just hire a 350 lb. pastry chef to be our nutritionist?
I can't get past the phony
November 11, 2008 - 20:01 ET by bigtimerI can't get past the phony glasses on this phony person.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
bt, I think ugly
November 11, 2008 - 20:09 ET by Chris Normanbt,
I think ugly phony glasses are supposed to be the non-verbal symbol for "I are intellectual".
They're like Katie Couric's
November 11, 2008 - 20:31 ET by motherbeltThey're like Katie Couric's "smart glasses."
The glasses also intended to convey ...
November 12, 2008 - 08:23 ET by Jack Coleman... I are intellectual while you is not.
Reminds me of another dorky liberal I once worked with who walked around the newsroom with a volume of Kierkegaard tucked under his arm. The other dorky liberals thought he was weally smart.
So, let me get this
November 11, 2008 - 20:09 ET by msh1973So, let me get this straight....Obama wins and it is still the job of the msm to bash Bush and Republicans? Is that like beating a dead horse? I can't take it anymore.
msh... You aren't
November 11, 2008 - 20:11 ET by bigtimermsh...
You aren't alone.
I can't either.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Oh I remember those
November 11, 2008 - 20:22 ET by USA4freedomOh I remember those test..
Vegetarian is to Butcher.. as Maddow is to attractive.
Ronald Reagan, 1962: I did not leave the Democratic party, the party left me.
Insert: your name, 2008, and the Republican party.
"The Beatings
November 11, 2008 - 20:27 ET by ahusserwill continue until morale improves". Kidding aside. IMO the marginalisation and ultimately the destruction of conservativism and the Republican Party is the true goal. The attacks will continue. They will be unceasing. Normal old line democrats do not control the party anymore. As Rush said today there is no stopping the dems, we don't have the numbers in congress to stop anything and it will take a generation to undo (even if we can) what will be done in this regime (no more administration for me). That is why the MN senate race is so important (and I am sure they will steal it, truly the ends justify the means). A couple more senators and filibusters can be overridden easily the last defense against dem legislation.
"...no civilization, no matter how rich, no matter how refined, can long survive once it loses the power to meet force with equal or superior force." - Bernard Knox
Fake glasses
November 11, 2008 - 20:29 ET by jm1656A mustache and a cigar, .....Groucho Marx
jm... LOL...now,
November 11, 2008 - 20:36 ET by bigtimerjm...
LOL...now, now...Groucho deserves better than that.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Maddow makes for a handsome
November 11, 2008 - 20:44 ET by Clear thinkerMaddow makes for a handsome young man, I mean... never mind!
Soldiers Dissed By Obama Liberals
Making Fun of AGW http://giovanniworld.wordpress.com/
Unless
November 11, 2008 - 21:13 ET by The DistributistIf you don't stop putting this pitiable critter's photo on the page, I'll have to hire someone to screen my visits.
Will she be a guest on the opener of Rosie's new show?
The lunatics have taken over the asylum.
"Modern man is staggering and losing his balance because he is being pelted with little pieces of alleged fact which are native to the newspapers; and, if they turn out not to be facts, that is still more native to newspapers." -GKC
the Inmates run the prison
November 11, 2008 - 21:53 ET by Chattychitothat right get ready for more of the same lunacy. we will see the old ones coming in as cabinate members but remember this is New Change Obama here. not old world politics. hee hee hee!
tin soldiers and Obama's coming, we're finanly on our own. this summer I here the drummin freedoms dead in OHIO.
just wait and see the sixties radicals have made it to office now what?
The king of cable news?
November 11, 2008 - 22:37 ET by dduckw0rthThe king of cable news? Haha. Funny.
///The people have spoken!/// INDEED. Slightly over half don't have a CLUE what they spoke for. Enjoy the process as these people slowly get CLUES over a 4yr period. Painful, but enjoyable.
I was just getting ready.....
November 12, 2008 - 05:40 ET by old croto reply to that comment until yours appeared. It gave me a good chuckle also. I wonder when her face will appear at all the prop 8 terrorist gatherings?
Didn't Boy George use this
November 12, 2008 - 07:52 ET by ScarletDidn't Boy George use this line a few years ago? MSNBC's pundits are taking cues from washed up British pop singers?
Air America Talk Show Hosts
November 12, 2008 - 10:17 ET by GoodieWhy are they all BUTT UGLY?
Obama's Last Day 1-20-2013
He's not a bad lookin
November 12, 2008 - 10:44 ET by SemperrightHe's not a bad lookin dude.
Kinda manly for lib but he pulls it off.
Semper Fi
"The hottest places in Hell are reserved for those who, in time
of moral crisis, maintain their neutrality.
Madcow
November 12, 2008 - 10:38 ET by SemperrightI don't mind the fake glasses it's the fake Mr. Potato head/Groucho nose that's ridiculous.
Semper Fi
"The hottest places in Hell are reserved for those who, in time
of moral crisis, maintain their neutrality.
Maddow...
November 12, 2008 - 10:39 ET by BiasedGirlShe is the epitome of a liberal. Psuedo-Intellectual glasses and all....
http://www.withbias.net
Odd?...
November 12, 2008 - 20:03 ET by jawebster1This is the last lady (?) that should be talking about odd. Jim Webster