Krauthammer‘s Stinging Reply to a Post That Attacks Him as a ’Smug’ & ‘Reflexive’ Hack
- Posted on June 14, 2012 at 5:00pm by
Becket Adams
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When asked about Joe Klein’s post savaging him as a “smug” and “reflexive” hack, conservative columnist Charles Krauthammer had a simple but stinging reply: “Joe who?”
“Charles Krauthammer … has now completely abandoned any intellectual integrity he may have had and joined the cult of Reagan mythmaking,” Klein writes on TIME magazine’s Swampland blog.
Klein has a “beef,” as the Daily Caller’s Jeff Poor puts it, with Krauthammer’s decision to challenge Gov. Jeb Bush’s claim that even Ronald Reagan would have a hard time finding common ground with the Tea Party.
“Reagan was a movement conservative, a leader of the movement. You would call him rigid. He was called worse than that in those eight years. Rigidity is a virtue. Today we use the word ideology as a pejorative. I think it needs to be resurrected. An ideology means a coherent set of ideas and policies, and Reagan had them, and he pursued them,” Krauthammer said during an interview on Fox’s “The O’Reilly Factor.”
“And I think he would be very comfortable today with the Tea Party and the Republican party,” he added.
“I’ve always respected Jeb Bush,” Klein writes.
“He thinks hard about policy issues and has reached across the aisle to create charter schools that service poor areas. His recent comments represent a fierce dose of sanity into our national political discussion,” he adds.
Klein argues that, yeah, Reagan was a conservative, but “more in rhetoric than reality.”
“Reagan did some fine things as president, like challenging and then negotiating with the ‘Evil Empire,’” Klein writes. “But he did not govern as a ‘movement’ conservative.”
Of course, as the entire purpose of his post was to disparage Krauthammer for challenging Gov. Bush’s “even Reagen would be uncomfortable with the Tea Party” speech, Klein ends on this vitriolic note: “Krauthammer used to be an independent thinker, too. Tis a pity he’s a hack, and a smug, reflexive one at that.”
Writers at the Daily Caller contacted the conservative author for comment. His reply, as mentioned in the above, was simple: “Joe who?”
Whether Krauthammer’s two-word response was meant to be an honest question or stinging retort is debatable. What is not debatable, however, is that if he meant it as an insult, it’s pretty funny.
This story has been updated.
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Comments (102)
ewoodard
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 6:14pmThere are only 3 commentators whose thoughts deserve paying attention to. Karl Rove, Dick Morris, and Krauthammer.
Report Post »TEXASGRANNY73
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 6:31pmDick Morris, Carl Rove, Krauthammer and I would also add Britt Hume and the numbers guy Barone. There are a few more but without exception my opinion these are the best.
Report Post »TruthPolice60
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 7:10pmSubstitute Rush Limbaugh for Rove and the list is complete. Rush is THE premier political commentator in the country.
Report Post »GumRock
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 7:21pmChuck’s Da~Man !
Report Post »disenlightened
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 10:14pmKarl Rove, Dick Morris, Krauthammer and Rush.
Report Post »teebubba
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 10:48pm@Ewoodard….You were doing real well until you decided to confer “conservative saint status” to Dick Morris. First he’s not a conservative. He is a godless political technician who polls and counts votes for a living. Just because he has a consulting pundit contract with Fox doesn’t make him a conservative.
Report Post »One of the scandals of the Clinton administration was that our government was reimbursing him for paying a prostitute $ 200 an hour while staying at the Hay Adams Hotel to suck her toes.
loriann12
Posted on June 15, 2012 at 6:20amCarl Rove is an establishment politician. He is for the preservation of the PARY, not the nation. And Jeb Bush is a RINO just like his brother, or however he’s related to George W. George H. W. was a bit more conservative.
Report Post »bandi9
Posted on June 15, 2012 at 7:41amand Rove is getting to be “on the bubble”. too establishment
Report Post »Cavy from VA
Posted on June 15, 2012 at 7:58amDa Hammer has it right … Joe Who???
Report Post »wakewiseone
Posted on June 15, 2012 at 9:16amhey……..dennis miller is spot on too. catch on bill oreilly’s program. hes a hoot!!!
Report Post »aaronkcmo
Posted on June 15, 2012 at 9:37amDon’t forget the Weekly Standard guys – Bill Kristol and Fred Barns.
Report Post »jas0707
Posted on June 15, 2012 at 9:57amSteve Hayes
Report Post »majasdad
Posted on June 15, 2012 at 5:03pm@DISENLIGHTENED
Report Post »“Karl Rove, Dick Morris, Krauthammer and Rush.”
Ok. Besides the fact that they’re jerk-offs, what’s your point?
Paul_Vincent_Zecchino
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 6:07pmThe Reagan ‘mythmaking’, sez this smug leftist goofball?
Here’s the juice:
During the Reagan Golden Age, the soviet were kicked to the gutter where they belonged and the rest of the communist rats were nervous.
Americans, any and every American, could start with nothing and make a going business out of it. The goodwill among citizens was at an all time high.
The only ones who disliked this were the always-miserable damp-pants leftist rats.
Let‘s hope the leftist rats keep up their sour ’narrative’. They’re doing a wonderful job of exposing themselves.
Paul Vincent Zecchino
Report Post »Manasota Key, Florida
14 June, 2014
barber2
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 6:19pmAgree. And showing how stupid they really are by continuing to “buy” into the Lefty Obama’s Budget Busting Deficit Give-aways instead of looking at Europe and intelligently learning from the error of their economic mistakes . But, heck, guess the Lefties in Europe kept spending too. Why can’t Lefties figure out that there is no money tree. Government spending is TAXATION.
Report Post »Micmac
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 7:01pmReagan had 4 objectives and accomplished 3 out of the 4. Couldn’t lower the debt because that had to suffer to collapse the Soviet Union. The thing I didn’t like about him was his 1985 Tax Law which stopped a tremendous amount of investments with his removal of the interest rate deduction. Many businesses went out of business, which happened to be my clients at the time and, therefore, had a substantial cut into my business. Also, when he was running for gov of CA he was telling college students he wouldn’t raise tuition in the UC system. He raised them the 1st week in office. Politicians will do and say what they need to fulfill their objectives. But with a Reagan he wasn’t a moving target like our mysterious current president.
NoBama 2012
Report Post »SUNBURST
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 6:00pmMr K is the smartest pundit on TV.
Report Post »He has my UTMOST respect and ALWAYS will have this ear.
LetUsReason
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 6:47pmI agree. I love listening to Mr. K’s analysis. Usually spot on. He reminds me of an eagle, too…not sure why….I think maybe it’s his mouth…like a beak. Anyway, I have much respect for the man.
Report Post »Bonnie
Posted on June 15, 2012 at 10:50amI read his column, watch him on Fox 5 news. He always leaves me wanting more. It always seems as if he knows so much more than he is giving us. He had Obama pegged from the start but has given him ample opportunity to prove him wrong. I would love to have a conversation with him sometime. He has a great sense of humor and I am sure he could make me feel that, while we have corruption in government, a bad economy, war, etc., somehow we will succeed. He may look like an eagle (I always liked eagles) he is wise as an owl (I like owls too).
Report Post »thetreyman
Posted on June 15, 2012 at 4:36pm@LetUsReason
perhaps it is sam the eagle you are thinking of. here is a pick of them side by side.
http://cheezburger.com/2682597888
Report Post »65Mustang
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 5:58pmI’ve always enjoyed Mr. Krauthammer’s comments and admire his intellect.
Report Post »Agnes
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 7:10pmI share the same opinion/feelings as such. Mr. K. is an amazing person!
Report Post »Stone Cold Truth
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 5:57pmPffff! Joe Klein thinks Reagan was rhino. You wish, buddy. All these libs and “centrists’, which are libs in denial, who evoke Reagan probably didn’t even vote for him much less understand him. Jeb Bush is nice, but he would turn us all over to a world government in a heart beat.
Report Post »RebelPatriot
Posted on June 15, 2012 at 2:27amThey attempt to call Reagan a Rhino because he raised taxes. He was basically forced to do so, and when he did the economy began to slow just as he feared. But this is what happens when you compromise with the left. More taxes and no cuts in spending.
It’s time to do to the Federal government what Wisconsin did to their state government. It’s time to trim the fat from the meat and make it as lean as possible. I suggest cutting operating budgets by 10 percent. We all know that government offices have to spend everthing in the budget in order to ask for more operating expenses the next year.
This is why we are seeing so many expensive parties in Hawaii, they have to empty their budgets before the fiscal year ends.
I just wonder if all of those jobs are so damn important how can they spend a week in Hawaii together. Whose running the office for a week while they are gone?
Report Post »salvawhoray
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 5:45pmThats one guy who knows his $h!t.
Report Post »belief101
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 5:40pmDemocrats love Republicans “that reach across the isle”. I never hear it the other way around! And at least conservatives who are “smug” as Klein puts it, do not look down on people. Nor do I think Mr. Krauthammer believes he is smarter than the folks watching him, although he is an extremely intelligent man. This is what we call ‘reflection’ on the part of Klein. I have never seen a liberal anywhere that isn’t “smug” or think they are the smartest people in the room. Frankly from Ed Shultz to Maddow thats the reason I cannot stomach watching them. From the President down, liberals like Klein are convinced they know whats good for you. Perhaps, so does Krauthammer..? The only difference is – Krauthammer or any other conservative wouldn’t try and force you into doing things our way, like Obama, Klein or a Mayor Bloomberg.
Report Post »Gary S
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 8:39pmThe only reason I would reach across the aisle is to get the range.
Report Post »LadyLibertykicksASS
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 5:37pmI LOVE CHARLES !!!!!! Mr. Klein is just envious of his Intellect and his wit. . . . !!!!!! “Rock on Charles, Rock on !!!”
Report Post »One1
Posted on June 15, 2012 at 3:00amMr. Klein is envious of his influence.
Report Post »2SENSEWORTH
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 5:32pmYou can’t help respecting Charles no matter what side of the table you sit on – he’s got a fantastic and insightful mind.
Report Post »drbage
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 5:31pmI think Joe had borrowed one of Obama’s many mirrors and was staring at his own reflection when he wrote the piece.
Report Post »heavyduty
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 5:30pmA lot of the Republican Party today has a problem with the Tea Party because the TP wants them to get out of their comfort zone and be true Conservatives. Charles is not afraid of telling them that either. So they as the Democrats are going to have to learn that the Tea Party is here to stay and will win.
Report Post »unwine99
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 5:28pmI wish all conservatives had the intellect and class of Charles Krauthammer — instead we have the racist, bible thumping science deniers that plague the movement.
Report Post »Madmilo
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 5:46pmProve it or shut up, Troll…
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 5:56pmRacist…Bible thumping….science deniers…You forgot to add homophobic, women haters, starvers of old people and pedophiles to the list…Call US ALL THE NAMES!!!
Next time bring an argument! You are a turd without a brain floating in the punch bowl of koolaid. We too can call names. Ours are more accurate!
Report Post »Stone Cold Truth
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 6:07pmI wish all liberals weren’t dirty, hippie, slackers or uninformed, trend chasing celebrities who think everything should be free and the word government means charity with unlimited funds. Talk about science deniers, how about the science of sustainable budgeting?
Report Post »GclefGinger
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 6:08pmHow quick you are Mr/Ms Unwine 99 to be exclusionary and bigoted in your endeavor to define members of a conservative movement. Mr. Krauthammer is classic, intelligent. You are stereotypical, the way automatons function–a linear formula that spits out a conclusion without considering the variables. However, many of us love intellect, spirituality, and the beauties of scientific pursuits. We are a dynamic group and not the haters you are quick to condemn. As I have often found true of Charles K; he has been gracious to many but he would not trifle with your antics. .
Report Post »barber2
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 6:13pmThanks DOGGY. That was good ! ( Our arrogant Lefties. So smart. So smug. So unprepared . From mom’s basement to under the bridge ! )
Report Post »Baerlin
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 7:14pmThankfully there are those like you to put us in our place. Your intellect is so superior that I’m blinded and dumbfounded……….
Report Post »RightThinking1
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 9:34pmLOL…., I know of no larger ‘science denier’ than O. He is led around by nose by such as Stephen Chu. O is the guy that told us to inflate our tires, and oh, yes…., “buy a thingamajig”.
Report Post »I wonder if O. actually studied anything that has to do with reality, aside from politics.
beckwill
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 5:25pmCharles is wicked smart! I love it when he calmly and coolly smokes Juan Williams on the Special Report panel. He makes him look like an imbecile without batting an eye.
Report Post »Bonnie
Posted on June 15, 2012 at 10:58amYou are spot on. I love it when the give us a glance of Charles while the other pundits on the panel are speaking. They are his warm up act and he comes up with comments that are so much more articulate and insightful. Every woman I know is in love with him, including me.
Report Post »aztireman
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 5:23pmTalk about the pot calling the kettle black. Klien is the hack who is just upset, well about mostly everything because liberalism is a total failure, but also because Charles K. is usually the smartest man in the room.
Report Post »whatsitallabout
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 5:23pmCharles is our hero…his insights, often delivered with dry humor, seldom err.
Report Post »searching for the Truth
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 5:22pmI just think he is just well educated proper, and I enjoy hearing him speak.
Report Post »burnteye86
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 5:21pmWhen has he ever praised Democrats for reaching across the isle? Sorry. Trick question. Democraps don’t reach across the isle.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 5:16pmReal classy mocking a man’s looks when he is in a wheel chair and has health problems. Your Democrat mother must be proud of you.
Report Post »Lloyd Drako
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 5:44pmWhere does Klein say anything about Krauthammer’s looks, or his disability? He is attacking the man’s opinions and what he calls his “smug, reflexive” attitude, not his appearance.
Report Post »skimmer57
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 6:29pmHe hurt himself in a diving accident at an Ivy league school. He used to be a DEMOCRAT and now is just a bitter intellectual.
Report Post »majasdad
Posted on June 15, 2012 at 7:19pmHaha, that’s rich. Gonzo telling someone to stay classy is like John Wayne Gacy telling people to be nice to children.
Report Post »icarenough
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 5:15pmhad to look up who the heck this Joe Klein is. Found out he’s just a little bug that Krauthammer can quickly squish!
Report Post »contkmi
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 5:14pmThe ‘hammer rocks it again.
Report Post »MEANS2RESIST
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 6:48pmMr Hammer is agood man, I’d like to see soon to be President Romney bring him into his cabinet.
Report Post »redgypsy
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 5:14pmYou do realize he’s paralyzed?
Report Post »BJAlexandria
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 5:52pmWhat difference does THAT make? His mind out works you and many others.
Report Post »Agnes
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 7:13pmWhat is your point? Does it make any difference?
Report Post »Cabo King
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 5:14pmsame question JOE WHO ?
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 5:12pm“But he did not govern as a ‘movement’ conservative.” That would have been impossible to do with a Democrat House and Senate.
Report Post »jakartaman
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 5:11pmJoe who?
Report Post »When you dish it out expect to get some on you!!!
D-Fence
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 5:10pmI believe I read somewhere that Krauthammer’s chosen profession was Psychiatry. He’s super smart, well read, well versed in politics, and a conservative. He comes off as smug sometimes because he’s usually correct in what he states. Joe Klein is no match for Mr K.
Report Post »disenlightened
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 10:27pmCorrect. He’s an MD and Psychiatrist. He was in a accident his freshman year at Harvard Medical School that left him paralyzed from the waist down, and he spent a year in the hospital. But, he still managed to graduate from medical school, spend several more years in school for psychiatry, then serve as a chief resident psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital. Joe Klein spends his weekends shopping for scented candles and bath soaps. Those who see Krauthammer as smug might want to spend a little time in his shoes…..errrr…..wheel chair.
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