Joe Cunningham is my friend and this is a wonderful way to get started.
“Remember: Depending on the size of the turkey, you’re supposed to take them out 4-5 days before Thanksgiving. Which would explain why Jonah and Stephen announced their departure yesterday.”
As my other colleague Bonchie reported, Jonah Goldberg and Stephen Hayes have their panties in a wad because Fox News chose to air Tucker Carlson’s documentary Patriot PurgeAbout the Jan 6 dispute The “principled” pair told The New York Times (hmmm) that Fox News choosing to tell a different side of the story was “outrageous” and would lead to “violence.”
Jonah Goldberg and Stephen Hayes, stars of a brand of conservatism that has fallen out of fashion, decide they’ve had enough.
The trailer for Tucker Carlson’s special about the Jan. 6 mob at the Capitol landed online on Oct. 27, and that night Jonah Goldberg sent a text to his business partner, Stephen Hayes: “I’m tempted just to quit Fox over this.”
“I’m game,” Mr. Hayes replied. “Totally outrageous. That will result in violence. Not sure how we can stay.”
The full special, “Patriot Purge,” appeared on Fox’s online subscription streaming service days later. The two Fox News contributors who were paid by Fox, resigned last week.
<Big Yawns Here>
Boo. Frickin’. Hoo.
Stephen Hayes, Jonah Goldberg, and Stephen Hayes were the conservative gold standards. They were contributors and editors. National ReviewThe flagship magazine of conservative thought,. Now it’s less a flagship and more a flagpole, since it has given room to gasbag David French to talk down to grassroots conservatives and evangelical Christians. Victor Davis Hanson, the historian, left. That should be enough to tell you everything you need.
Goldberg and Hayes opted to turn their passion into a publication. The Dogpat– — This is what I am referring to —The Dispatch. Just like their fellow traveler Bill Kristol’s Bulwark, it’s a rag that barely anyone reads.
Conservatism was not their ideology, but their main food ticket. Goldberg and Hayes parlayed their “higher knowledge” and conservative insight into book deals, cruise ship engagements (Ahoy!) and toney “analyst” slots at places like Fox News.
The following paragraph was taken from The NY Times piece is quite telling:
Jonah Goldberg and Stephen Hayes were the stars of an outmoded brand of conservatism.….
But I disagree. The problem is not about being trendy, but rather failing to comprehend the situation. It’s also about representing conservatism versus representing Conservative, Inc. Goldberg and Hayes were a part of that think tank crowd that love to talk about conservative ideals and how they could change the nation and the world if only people would adopt them. Without actually taking action or encouraging others to do so, it’s a great example of how not to implement the same ideals.
The two of them made it a profession out of insulting conservative grassroots activists. They also threw down anyone who spoke up for conservative principles and found success in doing so. Success is when elected officials uphold these principles, not just add them to their speeches in order to win votes. I mean supporting causes and organizations that sought to maintain and further conservative action—think any pro-life organization or youth and campus agendas. Goldberg, Hayes and their beards. HarumphWe believe that the politician, official or other organization in question is. Not what conservatism really is all aboutAnd they spout nonsense that has nothing to do conservatism in practice.
They were the conservatives that followed the rules (not only talking the talk), and had had enough. It was evident by the fact that they rarely appeared on Fox News panels. Special Report Bret Baier. Liberal Chris Wallace was the one who gave them most oxygen. Fox News SundayBut it was obvious that the Wonder Twins had been out of favour for a while. Just five years earlier, Donald J. Trump appeared on the scene.
Candidate Trump was a lot of talk for sure, but once elected President Trump, the actual action on certain conservative issues and policies was quite impressive—especially on the social ones. Non-conservatives found themselves suddenly infatuated with conservative ideals, and they were thrilled to see these ideas implemented. Finally, the grassroots felt that a Republican president actually supported and mirrors what was important to them.
However, Hayes or Goldberg would not approve of all this. Staunch Never Trumpers To The Death, even as conservative ideals soar and take flight under Trump. So, the Wonder Twins dismissed peace in the Middle East, the nomination and approval of two Constitutionally-focused Supreme Court justices, plus 230 judges nominated and appointed to the federal bench, and tax and business policies that honored individuals rather than the government. They vilified Trump and denigrated the people who voted him in. HarumphedThey stroked their beards while they commentated on the national news. As conservative authors, all they could see was the horizon. Fox News Contributor Mollie Hemmingway so aptly coined: “Orange Man Bad!”
In January 2021, Radio Host Dan O’Donnell wrote for the MacIver Institute a sober analysis about the tangible effects of a Trump presidency on conservatism and conservative policy goals.
The Donald Trump presidency had one theme. It was that both Trump supporters and his critics tended to focus on Trump’s character and behaviour rather than the impact and substance of his policies. Trump’s era ended without the kind of serious analysis that is often associated with the end of presidencies. It’s a shame, because Donald Trump was perhaps most influential conservative in recent history.
The most ardent of Trump’s detractors—both on the left and in the Republican Party—are simply too blinded by unhinged hatred for the man that they are largely unable to see the lengths to which his policies both advanced the traditional conservative movement and moved it into a new phase that has the potential to open it to millions of new adherents.
Simply put, Trump’s presidency proved that tried-and-true conservative principles of tax cuts and deregulation can dramatically improve the nation’s economy, while his more judicious approach to foreign engagement combined with the aggressive pursuit of more America-centric trade exposed the flaws of Bush-era neo-conservatism.
Both Goldberg and Hayes were squarely among the ranks of “Bush-era neo-conservatism.” Acela-Beltway Boys until the very end, like their pal David Brooks. Trump broke the rules, as did so many others.
Calvin Freiburger said, “Yes, it is truly inspirational to watch 2 grown men isolate people they have never met, by playing to their sensibilities. They live, dine and work with, read to, and chat with every day. For generations, the bards will be singing about their bravery and heroism.
— Kevin Shaw (@CenTexKev) November 22, 2021
It’s nice to see their end in the media that actual conservatives consume. Most of us felt queasy when they appeared, and we hit the Mute button in our remotes. Now we’d have to actually make the effort to book a cruise with them to see them stroke their beards and pontificate—Ahoy!
Goldberg, Hayes and their friend Bill Kristol will be joining them at MessNBC.
New MSNBC TV show featuring Steve Hayes (Jonah Goldberg), David French (David French) and Russell Moore. They each congratulate one another on their bravery for 30 minutes.
— Evangelicals for Liberty (@e4liberty) November 22, 2021
Bye, Felicia! Don’t let the doorknob hit you on the way out.
About Post Author
