In Defense of Glenn Beck

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By Jonah Goldberg (Archive) · Saturday, October 10, 2009

For a self-described rodeo clown who frequently admits he isn't that bright, Glenn Beck must be doing something right. A de facto leader of the populist backlash against President Obama, he made the cover of Time magazine, with his tongue sticking out no less. His books are immediate best-sellers. His radio and TV shows have stratospheric ratings. His one-man comedy performances draw packed audiences, and the proceeds from his numerous ventures have him making north of $20 million a year.

But perhaps his most impressive feat is his ability to unite a broad coalition of liberals, media scolds and conservatives under the single banner of Beck-hatred.

Now, before I proceed, I should disclose the fact that I like Beck personally and that his support for my book "Liberal Fascism" was a huge boon, helping to push it to No. 1 on The New York Times best-seller list. As a Fox News contributor, I have appeared regularly on his show. Whether that gives me more, or less, credibility when I say I cannot defend some of the things he says is for others to decide.

Still, much of the anti-Beck backlash (He's an extremist! He's paranoid! He's hate-filled!) from the left is hard to take seriously. First, this is a crowd that lets Michael Moore and Janeane Garofalo speak for them, and that celebrated the election of unfunny man Al Franken to the Senate. If you think it's racist to oppose Obama's health care reform efforts, it goes without saying that you'll think Beck is an extremist. This is what liberals always say about popular right-wingers, including Barry Goldwater, Ronald Reagan and William F. Buckley. For over 20 years liberals, including Presidents Clinton and Obama, have insisted that Rush Limbaugh is everything from an unpatriotic hatemonger to an enabler of domestic terrorism. It makes sense that they'd give Beck the same business.

THE DARLING OF THE LEFT

Or consider Jon Stewart, the legitimately funny host of "The Daily Show." Stewart is reminiscent of Will Rogers -- a humorist who was nonetheless anointed by the National Press Club as the "ambassador at large of the United States." The liberal establishment swoons over him. The Television Critics Association bequeathed its award for outstanding achievement in news and information to a show that isn't even a news show. Times columnist Frank Rich seems to have a man-crush on the Peabody comedian, while Bill Moyers of PBS insists that "you simply can't understand American politics in the new millennium without 'The Daily Show.'" The hosts of NPR's in-house press watchdog show, "On the Media," claim Stewart as their role model!

Stewart's M.O. is to launch lightning attacks as a left-wing pundit and then quickly retreat to his haven across the border in Comedystan, but Beck must be pelted from the public stage for blurring the line between theater and punditry? Really?

Over at MSNBC, which until recently floated no end of paranoid theories about neoconservative plots, Beck is boogeyman for his sometimes bombastic rhetoric about fascism and whatnot. Some complaints have merit, but this is the same network whose favorite conservative pundit is the populist Pat Buchanan, not even a Republican, who has written a book explaining why World War II was a mistake and how Hitler craved peace. Meanwhile, Keith Olbermann's shtick is far more dishonest: He pretends he's Edward R. Murrow reincarnated when he's really Al Franken with more important hair.

The conservative criticism has more bite. Many conservatives believe Beck is undermining conservatism with his often goofy style and his sometimes outlandish and paranoia-tinged diatribes. In an ode to conservatives such as William F. Buckley, my friend Charles Murray writes, "Don't tell me that we have to put up with the Glenn Becks of the world to be successful. Within living memory, the right was successful. The right changed the country for the better -- through good arguments made by fine men." Murray is nostalgic for conservative leaders who were, like Murray himself, soft-spoken intellectuals.

There are problems with such nostalgia. First, there has always been a populist front on the right, even during the "glory days" when Buckley was saying he'd rather be governed by the first 2,000 names in the Boston phonebook than the faculty at Harvard. Moreover, whatever Beck or Limbaugh's faults, they are more cheerful -- and more responsible -- warriors than the populist right-wingers of yesteryear. The Tea Partiers may be rowdy and ideologically diffuse, but their goals -- like Beck's -- are indisputably libertarian. And from a conservative perspective, popular libertarian uprisings should be preferable to the sort of statist populism so often celebrated on the left.

A MORE ACCESSIBLE MOVEMENT

Most important, popularity is what the intellectuals were fighting for: to create a conservative culture (Americans describe themselves as conservative over liberal 2-1 ). By definition, making conservatism popular means making it less stuffy and intellectual and more accessible. Not only is Beck good at that, he actually gets people to read serious books in ways Buckley never could. Why defenestrate him from the house of conservatism merely to preserve the rarefied air?

Besides, why should conservatives support an unfair double standard? Liberals never see the antics of their more flamboyant celebrities as an indictment of liberalism itself. Perhaps it's time conservatives adopted a more liberal standard.

Third-party content does not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Patriot Post.

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wwworkingguy

Beck's rise in popularity has surprised me. When he 1st came to Fox I knew him from his wacky radio show. At that time he was just a bit nerdy, in my opinion. He has definitely blossomed into a full blown wacked out Patriot. I applaud him though I must admit his dramatic style is a bit too rich for my stomach to consume on a regular basis. He's definitely giving Sean Hannity a ride for his money!

Posted October 10, 2009 at 9:40:47 AM

Bob Moeller

Glenn Beck, could be the new leader of the converative movement, if he would not act so simple minded or as a goof ball ? He should try being more like Rush Limbaugh a true conservative, Rush isn't getting any younger, one day he will want to retire to the good life he has made for himself. Glenn Beck could follow in Rush's foot step's, if he would quit being a clown and get more seriouse. I know that Rush is a tough act to follow, but Glenn would due it if he try's

Posted October 10, 2009 at 10:32:09 AM

MichaelSSEC

One of my Conservative-blogger friends recently ripped Glenn Beck for his frog stunt. "We don't need circus clowns," she lamented.

I couldn't disagree more. What I'm seeing among regular Americans is that Glenn Beck is reaching blue-collar Joes in a way no other pundit today can do. People are reading about the Constitution, about history, about liberty, because Glenn Beck has INSPIRED them to do so. I'll tell you, I first heard of "Liberal Fascism" on Glenn's program (terrific book, btw). Same with Chuck Norris' surprisingly excellent "Black Belt Patriotism."

The best compliment to Glenn Beck is the fact that the Left lose their minds over him. "You must be over the target if you're catching flack." They hate him for the same reason they hate Sarah Palin: they're both inspiring ordinary people to get involved, learn the truth, have values, defend America. What's Glenn's motto? "Speak the truth without fear." Hoo RAH!

Posted October 10, 2009 at 10:51:30 AM

g.w.wegmann

The fact that Beck causes the leftist writers and commentators to go nuts is good enough for me to like him. After all is said and done he reveals a lot of things about the Obama administartion that we would never learn if we relied on them to tell us.

Posted October 10, 2009 at 4:58:54 PM

Frank E. Waterstraat

10/10/09

The first time I saw Glenn Beck,I really didn't

care for his clown act.But,I listened to his words.

I read his common sense book.I look forward to his

blackboard diagrams of Demo-ratics manufacturing

schemes to get into the PUBLIC TROUGH.Thats why

OBAMA created ROGUES GALLERY to stop conservative

RADIO & TV VOICES!

Posted October 10, 2009 at 8:51:26 PM

Ileana

I love Glenn Beck for inspiring millions of people to re-read the Constitution, to stand up for their rights, and for having the courage to tell the truth when truth is a rare commodity in these strange progressive (read communist) times. We owe the 9/12 movement, the impetus for the Tea Parties to him and the awakening of the American spirit and patriotism. Yes, he can be a clown sometimes and hard to stomach, but he is a simple man and he relates to so many of us. A recovering alcoholic, he does not take himself too seriously, is very self-deprecating, and acknowledges the limits to his knowledge. But he is brilliant because he relies on very educated and well informed professionals. Last, but not least, Glenn does his homework, sometimes in very unorthodox ways that are entertaining and appealing at the same time.

Posted October 11, 2009 at 1:31:33 AM

RightWingRocker

Glenn Beck should consider a run for the White House. The whole Constitutionalist thing is going to appeal to a lot of voters, and possibly enough to win.

And it would be nice to have a like-minded Congress to be sure.

RWR

Posted October 11, 2009 at 4:46:06 AM

Steve

I listen to Glenn Beck prettty regularly (And Rush too). Im not sure I would like for him to be president but I know he is one of the best "watchdogs" out there. No matter what his antics, he speaks many truths and should be praised for his work. The fact that libs nationwide throw sticks and stones at Mr Beck only proves that they have something to hide.

Posted October 11, 2009 at 8:27:46 AM

El Gordo

"Liberals never see the antics of their more flamboyant celebrities as an indictment of liberalism itself."

Exactly. Goldberg is right. I am not a fan of Glenn Beck. I cannot stand his style and his take on conservatism is different from mine. I also think there is something fake and contrived about him.

But I cannot deny that he is doing his part. I do not think conservatives should go out of their way to tactically distance themselves from Beck, as some do. That is selfdefeating. Two years ago it was Ann Coulter, now it's Beck - I am not playing that game.

Posted October 11, 2009 at 5:40:27 PM

Owl Creek Observer

I like to watch Glen Beck, but I can't take him for more than about once every week or so. I think he may have taken elocution lessons from William Shatner. And the time he stood on his desk to reveal he was wearing lederhosen was one of those "Huh?" moments.

But the information he presents is very well researched. His diagramming of ACORN's ties to other activist/socialist organizations and individuals was masterful.

Posted October 11, 2009 at 9:47:29 PM

Jimmy

I agree wholeheartedly with the comments that have been given so far - except for maybe the one about him running for president. He's too tainted to mount an effective campaign. As we all know, politics is a dirty business.

Anyways, Glenn could easily be criticized for his flamboyant antics, but nobody who seriously watches him would ever deny that the guy is sincere and he knows his facts.

One of the greatest things to his credit is that he doesn't unreasonably defend Republicans (in general) and more specifically Bush. His only ideological allegiance is to constitutional originalism, which in theory should be shared by all Americans but sadly isn't.

Posted October 11, 2009 at 10:42:33 PM

TexasVet

Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, Laura Ingraham, Ann Coulter, plus more, all are saying important things about what is happening to America right now.

But Glenn is the one putting everything together in an easily understood way that shows well on TV. He wouldn't have the audience he does if it was done in a professor like manner, dry and in monologue. His humor makes it easier to watch and not go into stroke mode from your blood pressure as you understand how the Constitution is being continuously circumvented. And it makes it easier for me to believe what he says because I think he is the real deal, showing how he really feels about things.

I agree with a previous post that his research is well reasearched and that his diagrams are masterful. And my hat is off to him and the tremendous support staff he has that makes it possible for him to do 3 hours on the radio and 1 hour on TV every week day.

My only wish is that he was on TV a few hours later so it was easier to catch his show every day.

Posted October 12, 2009 at 1:05:01 PM

Darrel McRoberts

I enjoy his radio and TV program. I no longer listen to radio because he now competes with Rush in our area. So Rush in the morning & Glenn in the afternoon. These two guys are doing more for America today than any other two persons. Both go from the heart staight to yours and you know they mean every word they speak. God bless both of them.

Posted October 12, 2009 at 3:43:32 PM

Charlie

I am curious as to why the writer would describe the

tea-partiers as "Rowdy".. That tells me more about Mr. Goldberg than the entire rest of the article.

Posted October 12, 2009 at 8:32:05 PM

GrumypT

Yes, we are "rowdy"!, BUT RESPECTFUL. As the sleeping giants, we will not be ignored any longer. Those of us that consider ourselves "fiscally consiverative but socially liberal", those who make up the VAST majority of US citizens like Beck because he does not take himself too seriously (Rule 62) but loves his country and his fellow man. He has cause me to read more non-fiction books than anyone in the last 25 years. He single handedly (with staff, I guess) has started a grassroots movement that is going to prove that Americans want Liberty more than anything. He has brought Moms out of the house and into the streets by the thousands. He has caused women to rethink the old "Security over Freedom" axiom.

God Bless Glenn Beck. We the People now say with one voice, "Turn this thing around! I will not go quietly! I will not lie down, I will not go quietly!"

Posted October 13, 2009 at 4:10:58 PM

CarMan

Those of us who are fans of Glenn know that the theme of his radio show has been "The Fusion of Entertainment and Enlightenment" and he even calls his magazine "Fusion". He has blended these two brilliantly! For those who have suggested he run for office, he is much more effective where he is! For all of the White House attacks they continue to avoid addressing the real question Beck is asking!

Posted October 13, 2009 at 4:37:34 PM

GrumypT

God Bless Glenn Beck. We the People now say with one voice, "Turn this thing around! I will not go quietly! I will not lie down, I will not go quietly!"

Posted October 14, 2009 at 10:02:32 AM

Rita

I love this guy! I've done more political research since watching his show than ever before. It's like studying the bible as opposed to just listening to the sermon. Big difference. Yes, he's over the top sometimes, but he isn't there alone. He brings the rest of us up there with him so that we can see the bigger picture. Thanks Glenn and keep up the good work. You've helped to awaken the American people, and we are here to stay.

Posted October 14, 2009 at 10:52:44 AM

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