Tamara Holder was a textbook case for how liberals should behave on Fox, especially on Hannity. During a debate about Fast and Furious and the House Republicans who voted earlier to hold Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress, she demanded equal time, refused to be over-talked or insulted and, best of all, refused to allow her opponent to play the patriotism card against her. The fact that Holder’s opponent was Michelle Malkin made it all that much sweeter.
Poor Michelle Malkin. First, she was called on her incivility by Sally Kohn early this month. Then her widdle feewings were hurt last week when Juan Williams said, “I’m a real reporter, I’m not a blogger.” Now came Holder on last night’s Hannity.
Holder’s essential point was that the House Committee Republicans who had voted to cite Holder had acted precipitously, instead of letting the investigation play out, whereas Malkin alleged that Holder was obstructing justice.
When Sean Hannity began interrupting Holder’s first statement, she said, “Give me the same amount of time that you give all of your Republican friends.”
And Hannity backed off. Twice.
In her most sanctimonious, condescending tone, Malkin addressed what she called the “tiresome blame-Bush card because I don’t think that Tamara knows what she’s talking about when we talk about the differences between Fast and Furious and Operation Wide Receiver and Project Gunrunner.”
Holder smartly interrupted to take exception to the accusation that she doesn’t know what she’s talking about. Hannity had to step in and let Malkin finish her point.
Which – Surprise! Surprise! – was full of more sneers and jeers. “For some of us, the core issues of national security, Second Amendment rights, integrity in government actually matters. It is not just some sort of TV game debate for us.” She concluded with, “The blood is on your people’s hands, Tamara.”
Holder snapped back, “No, actually, we’re all Americans and it’s on all of our hands.” As Holder continued to try to talk, Malkin interrupted again. So Holder said, “Can I finish?”
Malkin erupted in wide-eyed fury, saying, “I’m not gonna let you get away with that lie!” But Holder placed her elbows on the table, paused dramatically – and Malkin shut up.
Beautifully done.
You can Tweet your appreciation to Holder @TamaraHolder