On Tuesday afternoon, as public interest in the story grew, CBS issued a written statement insisting that Colbert was not prohibited from airing the Talarico interview. Rather, the network said the CBS lawyers “provided legal guidance,” which included “options for how the equal time for other candidates could be fulfilled.”
Soon after, while the host filmed Tuesday night’s show, Colbert referred to CBS’ statement as “crap” and picked up a copy of the statement in a dog waste bag. “I’m just so surprised that this giant global corporation would not stand up to these bullies,” he added.
The state legislator, who accused the FCC of “colluding” with CBS, told supporters at a rally in Austin, Texas, on Tuesday, “I think it’s safe to say that their plan backfired. These are the same people who ran against cancel culture, and now they’re trying to control what we watch, what we say, what we read. And this is the most dangerous kind of cancel culture, the kind that comes from the top.”
Interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiTJ7Pz_59A
I see what you’re talking about and I think that is because he’s a veteran politician and knows the kinds of questions that will be asked so of course his answers are polished.
I also think a bit of that is because he’s a ‘real’ christian, as in he practices the teachings of Jesus, goes to church, etc. There’s a certain cadence and style of speaking amongst seminarians that fits well into a church setting and politics (preaching to an audience that agrees with you).
He’s a bit more off the cuff in other interviews that I’ve seen (including on some YT show where he’s talking with a bunch of undecided voters).
I think we’re just too used to politicians who speak like they’re reading off of teleprompters and less used to people who can improvise effective speech without speechwriters and consultants.
It’s not like he has a hard job he’s spreading the populist message that was so effective with MAGA under Trump: “The world is fucked up, the rich elites are at fault due to owning the government and only using it to enrich themselves” It’s a safe message that resonates, he fits the profile of a stereotypical rural Texan and doesn’t accept large donors (a fact that will separate him from Jasmine Crockett).
I get what you mean about preachers. I’ve heard Raphael Warnock in person in both political and religious contexts and that man can hold an audience.
I think the Church is one of the few institutions that culturally values good rhetorical techniques.
They’re all reading the same book, so the people that stand out are the ones who are expert public speakers and understand how to invoke feelings instead of just delivering a written message.
His style of speech screams ‘pastor’ to people who grew up in churches and for a lot of Texans that’s very compelling.
I never thought about it that was; that’s a great point about the mechanism for differentiation.
I hadn’t heard of him until today, but his messaging is on point and he isn’t shying away from the populist messaging.
Having someone who has the ability to inspire is a pretty powerful skill. Obama is another good example, his experience as a professor provides similar rhetorical skills.
I mean, there’s also some dangerous examples of charismatic populists in history… but I don’t read this guy as being cynically manipulative (though, I can be fooled like anyone else).
TIL a 36 year old who’s spent 7 years in the Texas House of Representatives is a veteran politician
I am deeply sorry sir, I didn’t know that you were here and made the mistake of using the term ‘veteran politician’ without consulting The Gatekeeper.
Oh wise gatekeeper of the term ‘veteran politician’, tell me the number of terms of service a politician is required to serve in order to be considered a veteran.
Maybe next we can mock the Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who only served 4 years.
I apologize for my mistake and hope that you don’t report me to the Internet Police.
Someone who has served even a month on active duty is by definition a “veteran” as far as the military is concerned, but that has nothing to do with this. Clearly my argument is that James Talarico is actually a pretty new politician, but I seem to have touched a nerve…
Yeah, my feeling are super hurt thanks for apologizing.