No matter what your opinion of Glenn Beck, it’s likely you know who he is. But take a moment and ask yourself, “Why do I know who he is?” Many of you probably never heard of Glenn Beck before a few months ago. Though he found success on CNN, his move to Fox News was what really pushed him onto the scene. His interesting blend of O’Reilly and Matthews (with an extra dash of crazy) reporting style gives him an edge that keeps his viewers engaged.
However, it is the last few weeks that have turned Glenn Beck into an icon of the conservative movement.
Most recently, videos first posted on BigGovernment.com, and heavily promoted by Fox News, have shown ACORN employees advising what they thought were a prostitute and a pimp on how to ensure the government wouldn’t be looking into their illicit activities. Glenn Beck has been at the forefront of disseminating these videos. This morning on his radio program, these videos were the topic of much discussion. In these videos, an unknown number of which haven’t been released, the ACORN employees don’t seem to have the type of values we would want in any organization, much less one that receives millions of federal dollars.
In addition to ACORN, earlier in the month Glenn Beck was hailed by conservative commentators as the momentum behind the resignation of Van Jones, President Obama’s Special Advisor on Green Jobs. His resignation came after critics and prominent Republicans attacked his questionable support of death row inmate Mumia Abu Jamal – a convicted cop killer, his declaration in support of communism, and his signature on a “9/11 truth” petition.
Clearly, Beck is no longer someone to just throw to the curb. He may be extreme for some, and downright crazy to others, but his impact on the political scene is undeniable.
However, it seems mainstream media outlets are still trying their hardest to ignore the issues he has raised. Where were the networks when these videos appeared? ACORN is an incredibly significant organization that some people say helped Barack Obama get elected; possibly illegally. Doesn’t it deserve some play in the mainstream outlets? What does it say about our major networks when ABC’s Charlie Gibson claims that he didn’t even know these videos existed?
Many so called “mainstream” commentators like to think of Glenn Beck as nothing more than a talking head on cable news. But, it is clear to many Americans that he is more than that. The mainstream media doesn’t want to give Beck legitimacy, but by ignoring the issues he addresses, consumers have no choice but to turn to Beck when other channels and newspapers won’t cover the subject matters. Beck is no longer only a commentator, he is driving the news cycle, and that is a different animal entirely.
Conservatives realize that Glenn Beck is not the best person to represent them. However, when the Senate acts to prohibit HUD funding to ACORN because of the videos he features on his radio and television show and when he forces one of Obama’s advisers to resign, how can we deny his legitimacy?
Now the mainstream media has no choice but to cover these issues and everyone will know it was Glenn Beck who beat them at their own game.
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September 16th, 2009 at 9:56 am
I think Beck’s unique personality is probably just a brilliant marketing tactic. Like him or not, he gets attention which raises awareness of the issues he promotes. I may not always agree with Beck’s views, but it’s great that we’re getting what I feel is important information. The public needs to be made aware of the possibility of illegal activity, especially when it’s funded by our tax dollars. We need to have the opportunity to voice disapproval when appropriate and influence change for good.
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September 16th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
Do you really think there will be any thing done about Acorn? They own to of the members of congress. Bought and paid for with our tax dollars. Like we used to say in Texas,we have the money can buy but got where even oil didnt have enough to buy them. If you look at the different ways they have of raising money you can tell the U.S. Goverment is for sale to highest bidder.
Bobby Morgan
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