January 16, 2009
SANCHEZ 1, WURZELBACHER 0.... Earlier this week, Samuel "Joe the Plumber" Wurzelbacher, "reporting" from Israel, insisted that journalists shouldn't be allowed to cover a war, in part because reporters "make a big deal" over events on the ground. Wurzelbacher added, "I think media should be abolished from, uh, you know, reporting."
On Wednesday, CNN's Rick Sanchez decided to respond directly to Wurzelbacher on the air.
Now, I should note that Sanchez is not exactly my cup of tea. I kind of grew up watching him -- he was dominant figure in Miami media when I was in high school -- and he's just not my style.
But his takedown of Wurzelbacher was pretty compelling. If you can't watch clips online, CNN has the transcript. In addition to Sanchez comparing Wurzelbacher to Fidel Castro, I found these comments especially helpful: "You know that guy who lives down the street -- the guy who shows up at the backyard barbecue when there's free food? You know that guy? He knows everything about everything, but really knows nothing, hates everything and everybody. He can't understand why anybody would find any fault with him. You know, the obnoxious guy -- there's always one at every party or every gathering on every block. You know that guy. We all know that guy. Well, that guy wasn't made famous by John McCain and Sarah Palin. You were, Sam. So we're stuck with you. But it doesn't mean that we can't call you out."
—Steve Benen 4:00 PM
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While experts said it is difficult to determine how many people belong to hate groups, they do agree with an SPLC estimate that claims there are about 900 operating now, a 40 percent increase from 2000. The vast majority of these groups promote white supremacist beliefs, and range from skinheads living in urban areas to the KKK ,which is based largely in rural settings.
Joe the Jewish Skinhead.
Posted by: Fuck Him on January 16, 2009 at 4:01 PM | PERMALINK
You gonna take that, Joe? C'mon, are ya? Y'oughta challenge Sanchez to a taser fight. Right now!! I'm talkin' pay-per-view and an arena in beautiful Hawaii. Winner gets another fifteen minutes of fame. Whatcha waitin' for, Joe?
Posted by: Danp on January 16, 2009 at 4:02 PM | PERMALINK
I've never seen Sanchez before, but one question pops out: Does he normally sound so much like Keith Olbermann, or was he just doing that as part of a Worst Person riff on Joe?
Posted by: Doctor Biobrain on January 16, 2009 at 4:04 PM | PERMALINK
The best thing Sanchez ever did was get tased on CNN. I can watch that all day and never get tired of it. Stewart even used it as a moment of zen one night it was so good.
Posted by: Incertus (Brian) on January 16, 2009 at 4:07 PM | PERMALINK
Pwned! Although, the run-up to the Iraq war was all but catered by the media (though, not necessarily by "war correspondents") and A-holes like our commentator here, Joe the “Big A-hole” is not even equipped for that kind of travesty! He is a soggy matchbook reject from the most ridiculous quasi-conservative repugnicant campaign ever staged (enhanced by yet again, another compliant and repugni-cuddly media). Media would have to have a conscience to consider being abolished. There’s no way that is ever going to happen “Joe”. Go back to Parma, OH or wherever you’ve been missing from.
Posted by: The Galloping Trollop on January 16, 2009 at 4:10 PM | PERMALINK
Joe is Jewish? You sure about that? Because I think you made it up.
Posted by: Ethan on January 16, 2009 at 4:19 PM | PERMALINK
Is this what they mean by "dirty Sanchez?"
Posted by: CT on January 16, 2009 at 4:31 PM | PERMALINK
LOL yer killin me CT!
Posted by: markg8 on January 16, 2009 at 4:43 PM | PERMALINK
Steve's Entry Headline: "SANCHEZ 1, WURZELBACHER 0"
Which should have been prefaced, "And in a battle between two perpetual cellar-dwellers, ..."
Posted by: Donald from Hawaii on January 16, 2009 at 4:56 PM | PERMALINK
Ethan -
I'm guessing that the first commenter is not familiar enough with German names to tell the difference or the overlap of those names with Yiddish ones.
Posted by: freelunch on January 16, 2009 at 4:56 PM | PERMALINK
Let's face it.
Sam "Joe the Plumber" Wurzelbacher is basically Cliff Clavin from Cheers, except more annoying.
Posted by: Kelly on January 16, 2009 at 5:05 PM | PERMALINK
God, this Sanchez person is annoying. But the neighborhood asshole riff is preciously dead on.
Posted by: shortstop on January 16, 2009 at 5:28 PM | PERMALINK
Anyone this blatantly annoying and off the mark will catch the eye of even the most mediocre of journalists like Sanchez.
Posted by: Joe the Plumber is so obviously an Ass on January 16, 2009 at 6:07 PM | PERMALINK
Doctor Biobrain:
Yes, Olbermann's (that's German BTW) shtick does appear to be rubbing off on the rest of the media.
Of course Keith borrowed it to some extent from O'Reilly, who also likes to spout off at invisible enemies.
However, Sir, it's more powerful when it's done with fake civility, Sir.
Posted by: theo on January 16, 2009 at 9:05 PM | PERMALINK
Well, Sanchez is certainly an expert on felony drunk driving. I guess that lets him criticize the guy who asked Obama a question.
Following a Miami Dolphins football game, on December 10, 1990, just past midnight, on a residential street just outside of Joe Robbie Stadium, an intoxicated Rick Sanchez, driving his Volvo, struck an intoxicated pedestrian, Jeffrey Smuzinick, who had just run into the street and into the direct path of Sanchez's car. Sanchez initially stopped his car but then left the scene. Sanchez said he left the scene to go home to retrieve his driver's license and insurance card.
Are you sure this is the guy you want leading your parade ?
Posted by: mike K on January 16, 2009 at 11:45 PM | PERMALINK
Mike K, your logic is that of a third grader, nay, a first grader.
So, Sanchez got busted with a drunk hit and run years ago, therefore that disqualifies him to comment on the tool known as joe da plunger?
Why is this remotely relevant to what Sanchez said about him? Attack the messenger...you're such a moron, Mikey. Fail. Are you a parody troll, or just really dim?
Leading the parade? What parade? Wurzeldouchebager has already made himself out to be a complete fraud and a clown who just loves to see his mug in the news. Is he really the only dipshit pajamasbananas media could find? I guess no country album is on the horizon from Cracker Joe McWurzel and his Toolbox?
What dashing insight he brings to the discussion of current events.
What a telling sign of the sorry ass state of the GOP, that they champion this complete idiot as some kind of totem. The dumber you are, the less you know, the more they like you. Bush, Palin, Plunger. Flush now.
Posted by: Brother of Mercy on January 17, 2009 at 12:08 AM | PERMALINK
Yawn...
Congratulations, Sanchez. You managed to hit the broadside of a barn.
Posted by: Kedzie on January 17, 2009 at 11:14 AM | PERMALINK
"Well, Sanchez is certainly an expert on felony drunk driving. I guess that lets him criticize the guy who asked Obama a question."
Yeah, it's a shame. What IS this country coming to?
Next thing you know, we'll have alcoholic cokeheads with DWIs trying to run for president.
Or drunk VPs blasting guys in the face with 12-gauges.
Posted by: 2Manchu on January 17, 2009 at 2:53 PM | PERMALINK