FOX Continues to Back Phil Gramm’s Statement: Hannity Proclaims “Maybe We are a Bunch of Whiners”

July 13, 2008

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It looks as though the good people over at FOX News have been assigned their talking points regarding how they cover former Senator Phil Gramm’s controversial remarks claiming that the recession “was purely mental”, and that American’s have become a “bunch of whiners”. Fred Barnes kicked off the cheer leading for FOX while appearing on Brit Hume’s program two days ago, and last night FOX’s leading ignoramus Sean Hannity joined on the “support Gramm, bash American’s” bandwagon.

While talking to FOX News contributor Newt Gingrinch, Hannity implied that “maybe American’s have turned into a bunch of whiners”, continuing to argue that we don’t appreciate the freedom we enjoy, etc, etc, etc. Surprisingly Gingrich not only disagreed with him, but took him to task over his remarks - throwing out arguably the worst insult a neo con could dish out to a fellow neo con (video beneath transcript):

Hannity: But in all seriously here, we haven’t had a recession there is an economic slow down. I share your concern. Everybody I talk to is furious at 4.50 a gallon for gasoline, especially when they know we have more resources than the middle east, but I want to know. I want to ask you this. I’ve met people that grew up in tyranny. I knew people that grew up in the former Soviet Union for fear of speaking out against their government. Never had an opportunity to pursue their dreams,In this country, maybe we do, is there some truth to the fact, maybe we do whine too much. Maybe we don’t to appreciate this gift we have of freedom. Maybe we don’t take advantage of, maybe too many of us look to the government to solve every problem we have, Health care etc,

Gingrich: Sean, I have the deepest affection for you..that is the least Ronald Reagan like quote I’ve heard from you in your entire career.

Here is video of the exchange, one which for the first time in memory had me grinning in agreement with Newt Gingrich, who really lays into Hannity:

How nice is it too see Hannity be called out for his baseless pandering by another conservative right winger. Gingrich (and I can’t believe I am saying this) is completely correct in his analysis, and shunning of Hannity. John Amato points out that not everyone is lucky enough to be making $5 million plus dollars a year like Hannity:

“Hannity, who Talkers magazine puts close to Rush Limbaugh as the country’s most popular talk host, has a contract window that lets him leave ABC within a year of the company’s sale.

That date is Thursday, and Hannity is talking with the new owners, Citadel, about reupping - presumably at a higher number with a healthy signing bonus. He reportedly makes $5 million a year from radio”

Real people, normal folks, are hurting economically at record levels - and their complaints and worries are not “whining”, it is their agony which is felt by a large portion of the rest of the country.

The ignorant stance Gramm, Hannity, Barnes and for the most part John McCain have taken regarding our financial woes, that are by every measure as sever as they have been in recent history, continue to highlight the pure disconnect between the GOP and the average American. Hopefully enough people will realize this, which I think they will, and make the right decision come November.