This is hilarious. The UK Telegraph attempts to pinpoint the USA's 10 most influential political pundits. Their first choice is accurate--Karl Rove; however, the 2nd--Chris Matthews is ridiculous. They must've used some affirmative action for liberals by placing Matthews so high. Do you agree with this list?:
>10. MARK HALPERIN
Everything in Halperin’s career has been a success, from founding ABC’s Note – the must read of the 2004 campaign - to his current “the Page” on Time.com, via the widely read The Way to Win: Taking the White House in 2008 with John Harris.
What distinguishes his reported blog and his commentary is the access to highly placed sources and the leaks they provide him. As a ubiquitous TV analyst his views will be carefully listened to during the rest of the campaign. His on-line network news summaries, campaign events lists and his pithy, sometimes unvarnished (he apologised this year for revealing that John Edwards thought that Barack Obama was “kind of a pussy”) analysis make him a first stop for political reporters and campaign junkies.
9. DAVID BROOKS
The moderate conservative New York Times columnist’s changing reactions to Barack Obama have been one step ahead of the pack during the extended primary season. A regular on the highbrow The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer on PBS. He initially overcame doubts to swoon over the Illinois senator, in part because of a shared admiration for the philosopher Reinhold Niebuhr.
By 2008, he was the first commentator to declare his discomfort with at the cult-like atmosphere at Obama rallies, a view that then became an everyday part of the media discussion. A long-time admirer of John McCain who still holds affection for Obama, he could be a political weathervane in the general election.
8. JON STEWART
The liberal host of the Daily Show on Comedy Central mixes comedy and political satire, but it is his serious moments that have carried him into the realm of punditry. A frequent of critic of George W Bush, he also embarrassed his friend John McCain for speaking at Jerry Falwell’s Liberty University, having previously denounced the preacher and his ilk as “agents of intolerance”. McCain was forced to concede that he was descending into the “crazy base world” of politics.
His show gets more serious as it endures, with guests such as Howard Dean and Harry Reid in the space of a week. A relentless critic of combative pundits, he is widely judged to have humiliated Tucker Carlson, formerly of CNN and MSNBC, and Chris Matthews during on-air jousts.
7. TIM RUSSERT
Mario Cuomo, writing in Time when it placed Russert 72nd among the 100 most influential people in the world, called him “among the most astute, discerning and relentless pursuers of truth in the nation”. His probing questions have the ability to alter the course of a campaign.
This was best demonstrated when he picked up Hillary Clinton’s hesitation over driving licences for illegal immigrants at a debate in October 2007 and didn’t relent until she was thoroughly embarrassed. It was the first chink in her armour of “inevitability”. With four million viewers every Sunday morning, Meet the Press is required viewing and a must-do appearance for aspiring presidents. Russert took Al Gore apart in 2000. On Sunday, Barack Obama goes into the lion’s den with Russert – potentially a make or break hour for the candidate.
6. MATT DRUDGE
To place one of the most reclusive figures in modern journalism in the top tier of 50 egotistical and omnipresent pundits might seem perverse. But Drudge’s influence is so pervasive that his www.drudgereport.com website is more capable than any other media outlet of changing the course of the 2008 election.
His detractors claim that all he does is link to other people’s stories. But that selection shapes the election narrative and his periodic exclusives – dramatically signalled by a siren and underlined red lettering – can be explosive. Hillary Clinton has tried to woo him. If John McCain or Barack Obama can win him over between now and November it could be worth several percentage points in the polls.
5. JOHN HARRIS AND JIM VANDEHEI
Founders of Politico.com, the website that has revolutionised US election coverage. Formerly political editor and political correspondent of the Washington Post, the pair have overseen a stunningly successful and ground-breaking multi-media venture, nurturing established talents such as columnist Roger Simon and correspondents Mike Allen and Jeanne Cummings as well as new ones like bloggers Ben Smith and Jonathan Martin and video prodigy James Kotecki.
Both assured television performers, Harris and VandeHei’s joint pieces helping establish major changes in the campaign narrative have earned them the soubriquet VandeHarris. Harris co-authored the highly influential “The Way to Win: Taking the White House in 2008”. Post-election, look for Politico to do with reporting the White House what they have with campaign coverage.
4. RUSH LIMBAUGH
The undisputed king of talk radio, Limbaugh invigorates and enrages in equal measure. A standard bearer of the conservative movement, he was bitterly disappointed with the choice of John McCain as Republican nominee, and declared he might withdraw support from his party, saying “I would just as soon the Democrats take the hit”.
Since then, he has concentrated on his “Operation Chaos” – urging Republicans voters to support Hillary Clinton so the Democratic nomination race will be prolonged and Barack Obama discredited. John McCain has declared: “I don’t listen to him.” But thousands of the voters he needs in November do.
3. SEAN HANNITY
Fast-talking, opinionated and unrelenting in his pursuit of targets, Hannity’s performances on Fox News Channel’s Hannity & Colmes, as well as his radio show, the second highest rated in the country, have made him one of the most significant voices in America today. Not forgetting the Sunday night show Hannity’s America, he is probably on air more than any other of his ilk.
Fortune magazine said in 2005, “If you agree with his conservative worldview, you're deemed a ‘great American’ If you don't, you're a pusillanimous blame-America-firster, who might as well pledge allegiance to France.” Single-handedly brought the issue of Barack Obama’s association with unrepentant former domestic terrorist Bill Ayers to national attention, if the Illinois senator fails to win the White House, Hannity could well be one of the principal reasons.
2. CHRIS MATTHEWS
Motor-mouth MSNBC presenter of “Hardball” show, Matthews is a former Jimmy Carter speechwriter and aide to Tip O’Neill when he was Speaker of the House. He is believed to be contemplating running as a Democrat for the Senate in his native Pennsylvania. His ratings are not the highest but Matthews punches above his weight – and shouts above the hubbub.
With his infectious enthusiasm for politics, Matthews has pushed back hard against what he sees as the cynicism of Hillary Clinton’s campaign. Mocked for saying that Barack Obama sent a “thrill up my leg” and accused by Clinton aides of being a misogynist, Matthews has bounced back. Always part of the conversation, his return to full-time politics would be journalism’s loss.
1. KARL ROVE
Dubbed the “architect” and “Bush’s brain”, Rove plotted to rise of George W Bush and departed the White House after the disastrous 2006 mid-term elections. Successful punditry is a combination of real political experience, intellectual nimbleness, a provocative turn of phrase and a coherent point of view. Rove, a Fox News commentator and contributor to Newsweek and the Wall Street Journal, has all these qualities.
Democrats may protest that they would rather see him in jail than on their television screens but they can’t help noting what he says. Whether outlining what the Democrats should do or outlining John McCain’s rocky path to victory (and McCain has followed his advice almost to the letter), Rove’s take is important and often surprising. Expect the name Rove to come up frequently on the campaign trail – and in coverage of it.
READER COMMENTS -
1. Posted by Richard Maddock on May 02, 2008 02:53 PM
To have influence requires being heard. Chris Matthews isn't. MSNBC has no audience, and Rush Limbaugh has more reach than anyone you listed in the top ten.
How can this list be so wrong?
Well,King George didn't understand why the colonists wanted independence either. It has gone on from there.
Report this comment
2. Posted by Nick Washburn on May 02, 2008 02:53 PM
The most influential political pundit in the UK
- Ozzy Osbourne - Get it? See how much I know about the UK? Lay off the bong hits guys.
Report this comment
3. Posted by MinniePearlJam on May 02, 2008 02:52 PM
This is from the UK, people! This is the country that used to have Jaguar, David Beckham and the London Bridge before we bought them all. These are the people who call inbreeding cousins "Royals". Who cares what a bunch of people in some has-been long ago empire think?
Report this comment
4. Posted by Susan Clearfield on May 02, 2008 02:35 PM
Chris Matthews at 2? You've GOT to be kidding! He MIGHT be top ten if he's LUCKY! One and two should be Rush and Drudge, no doubt. And Olbermann was WAY too high, as were Colbert and Stewart.
Report this comment
5. Posted by Nature Boy on May 02, 2008 02:34 PM
Chris Matthews ahead of Rush Limbaugh?!?!? What in the world are you drinking over there in the U.K. Ha!
Report this comment
6. Posted by Paige on May 02, 2008 02:34 PM
About 80% of the people on this list are trying to tear the country apart into this imaginary liberal vs. conservative divide, just so they can (1) feel superior to other people and (2) get power, get their friends elected, etc. And as the old saying goes, "United We Stand, Divided We Fall." And since they've been pursuing this evil tactic of dividing a nation so they can have personal wealth and power, the dollar has fallen, the subprime housing collapse, etc. Yep, divided we fall. Hah, OBL was junior league compared to these people sowing hatred and divisiveness among their own people.
Report this comment
7. Posted by Exnjcop on May 02, 2008 02:31 PM
Reading your rankings is like watching a surgeon work with heavy gloves on. You know who the players are but but you have no "feel" for their relative value.
Report this comment
8. Posted by Rich on May 02, 2008 02:31 PM
Steve,
It is IMPOSSIBLE to be a "libertarian" and an Obama supporter... You are very confused my friend.
Liberals want to turn The U.S. into Europe whereas Conservatives want to get back to the Founding principles. Less government, low taxation, strong defense and making people be responsible for thier lives and their families. That isn't governments responsibility.
Steve, I wish you luck finding who you are. If you support Obama, you are a 100% Liberal because Obama is a hardcore Marxist just like Hillary.
Report this comment
9. Posted by Mike on May 02, 2008 02:30 PM
At some point, the ability to reach people is the ultimate arbiter of clout. Limbaugh and Hanity have radio shows that attract tens of millions of listeners each week. Mathews? His show pulls in about 200,000 viewers a night. If a tree falls in a forest....
Report this comment
10. Posted by JustFacts on May 02, 2008 02:30 PM
Chris Matthews might warrant being so high on this list if anyone listened to him.
Report this comment
11. Posted by Susan Clearfield on May 02, 2008 02:30 PM
Chris Matthews at 2? You've GOT to be kidding! He MIGHT be top ten if he's LUCKY! One and two should be Rush and Drudge, no doubt. And Olbermann was WAY too high, as were Colbert and Stewart.
Report this comment
12. Posted by ynot4tony2 on May 02, 2008 02:28 PM
Chris Matthews received #2 for his pathetically rated show?!?
Hell, this single comment should get me ranked at least #16, applying THAT moronic standard.
O'Reilly, Hannity, Hume, Shep Smith...THEY ALL DESTROY MATTHEWS IN THE RATINGS WAR! Even Keith Overbite beats Mr. Oddball...
Report this comment
13. Posted by dan on May 02, 2008 02:25 PM
Krauthammer not even on the list???? Ohhhhh I get it....we've all been had. LOL. This has all been a joke. A political gag of sorts. Jon Stewart...HA! You guys almost had me there. Hey, I have an idea-why don't you compile a serious list of the top political thinkers.....I think people would be interested.
Report this comment
14. Posted by Erik on May 02, 2008 02:25 PM
Chris Mathews at #2? Wow, I didn't know so many people actually watched his show or paid attention to anything he said.
Limbaugh, Hannity and Drudge should be the top 3 - and that comes from someone who doesn't like two of them.
Report this comment
15. Posted by JMS on May 02, 2008 02:23 PM
Chris Matthews is irrelevant-NOBODY watches PMSNBC. Gosh, get a clue!! Liberalism is a mental disorder!!
Report this comment
16. Posted by pete on May 02, 2008 02:21 PM
I thought Jon Stewart was going to be number 1, since this list is such a joke!
Report this comment
17. Posted by Rob on May 02, 2008 02:12 PM
Rush doesn't have THOUSANDS of listeners that McCain will need in November. He has MILLIONS. |
