I don't think I've done this one for a while: which conservative columnists, bloggers, radio hosts and TV pundits are overrated and overexposed? Which ones should get more attention?
I know I'm not a conservative, but... Any of the Sunday show guys? Honestly, it's like they're clones of each other trading around weeks to chat with McCain. They're always against whatever Democratic initiative is up, but their ideas aren't ever taken up by Republicans, so they aren't ever really useful to listen to.
If I'm going to listen to a conservative, oughtn't they be nearer what the majority of Republican pols will choose to do? Or is it there a fine tight space where the pols themselves are discussing things, and it just happens their discussions have little to do with actual possible legislation?
NAC but to answer the second question Ive found most of the writers at The American Conservative to be at the very least interesting and often quite sensible. And of course Id love for them to get more attention but I don't think there is much of an ideological space for them in today's GOP.
On the first question obviously Jen Rubin. And Im also going to go with Erick Erickson. Despite having considerable influence in dragging the party to the right through primary threats and grassroots mobilization, I find much of his rhetoric intellectually simplistic. I also think his lack of understanding of political science fundamentals hamstrings a lot of material (of course most maintsream pundits from both parties suffer from this, but I think it's especially problematic for someone who endeavors to get in the weeds as much as EE does).
Agreed on American Conservative... except for Patrick Buchanan. Every now and then I don't check the byline and accidentally click on one of his articles, and a few paragraphs in, the difference is jarring.
Overrated and overexposured: William Kristol of the Weekly Standard and Fox News, who is an articulate but entirely predictable expounder of standard neo-conservative talking points, with nary a fresh insight or surprising take on an issue.
Deserving of more attention: Steve Sailer of isteve.blogspot.com, a data-driven and research-driven writer of unconventional right-of-center views, who is the leading thinker on the immigration restrictionist right. Because his views do not coincide with those of the Wall Street Journal's editorial page or that of Fox News, he gets relatively little media exposure, despite his prolific writing. He also is the movie reviewer for The American Conservative.
But I at least find Ramesh Ponnuru worth reading, and I can't say that for many conservatives.
And I would very much like to hear less from Robert Samuelson (AKA Jonathan Bernstein) and David Brooks. Although, in their defense, it is fun to read Dean Baker when he goes after them.
I know I'm not a conservative, but... Any of the Sunday show guys? Honestly, it's like they're clones of each other trading around weeks to chat with McCain. They're always against whatever Democratic initiative is up, but their ideas aren't ever taken up by Republicans, so they aren't ever really useful to listen to.
ReplyDeleteIf I'm going to listen to a conservative, oughtn't they be nearer what the majority of Republican pols will choose to do? Or is it there a fine tight space where the pols themselves are discussing things, and it just happens their discussions have little to do with actual possible legislation?
NAC but to answer the second question Ive found most of the writers at The American Conservative to be at the very least interesting and often quite sensible. And of course Id love for them to get more attention but I don't think there is much of an ideological space for them in today's GOP.
ReplyDeleteOn the first question obviously Jen Rubin. And Im also going to go with Erick Erickson. Despite having considerable influence in dragging the party to the right through primary threats and grassroots mobilization, I find much of his rhetoric intellectually simplistic. I also think his lack of understanding of political science fundamentals hamstrings a lot of material (of course most maintsream pundits from both parties suffer from this, but I think it's especially problematic for someone who endeavors to get in the weeds as much as EE does).
Agreed on American Conservative... except for Patrick Buchanan. Every now and then I don't check the byline and accidentally click on one of his articles, and a few paragraphs in, the difference is jarring.
DeleteOverrated and overexposured: William Kristol of the Weekly Standard and Fox News, who is an articulate but entirely predictable expounder of standard neo-conservative talking points, with nary a fresh insight or surprising take on an issue.
ReplyDeleteDeserving of more attention: Steve Sailer of isteve.blogspot.com, a data-driven and research-driven writer of unconventional right-of-center views, who is the leading thinker on the immigration restrictionist right. Because his views do not coincide with those of the Wall Street Journal's editorial page or that of Fox News, he gets relatively little media exposure, despite his prolific writing. He also is the movie reviewer for The American Conservative.
His comment section is like going back to the 18th century, as far as racial attitudes go.
DeleteIf Steve Sailer is the leading thinker on the restrictionist right, I'd say the restrictionist right needs an awful lot more thinkers.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAnother vote for Sailer and the other American Conservative writers.
ReplyDeleteWhy anyone still listens to Kristol mystifies me. Ditto for Hannity and Morris. The most overrated of all would be the two authors of Dow 36,000.
IANAC, but deserving more attention: Jim Manzi.
ReplyDeleteYeah, yea, I'm not a conservative either...
ReplyDeleteBut I at least find Ramesh Ponnuru worth reading, and I can't say that for many conservatives.
And I would very much like to hear less from Robert Samuelson (AKA Jonathan Bernstein) and David Brooks. Although, in their defense, it is fun to read Dean Baker when he goes after them.
Also: Avik Roy is Trying to Kill Me!