Don’t Believe the Hype

By Ed Hoffman

In 1988, militant rap group Public Enemy released a song with this title – and over the next 27 years, “don’t believe the hype” would join the ranks of other phrases that transcend pop culture to be applicable in all kinds of discussions. Why would I bother explaining this? Because I believe it’s time for both political parties to stop believing the hype on a number of matters.

For Republicans (and tea partiers who consider themselves too “principled” to call themselves Republican), I’ll start with former Florida Governor Jeb Bush. On my show last week, I played audio from Bush’s remarks at CPAC wherein he dismantled the myth that he’s “not a true conservative.” He did this by explaining his true stance on immigration and his current feelings on Common Core. If you listen to his remarks and you still believe Jeb Bush is a so-called “RINO,” you have chosen to believe the hype – and, probably to your peril.

Of course, Democrats can also benefit from ceasing to believe the hype. Case in point, the response to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech before Congress last week. “Bibi” addressed the threat of Iran in an honest, direct way that should be refreshing to thinking Americans; he stated, “If Iran wants to be treated like a real country, it needs to start acting like a real country.”

Can you imagine if our own President were to talk that way? People would be astonished and delighted, including Republicans. Maybe that’s why there was a Saturday Night Live joke this weekend that Netanyahu’s speech could have doubled as an announcement of his candidacy for the Republican nomination in 2016. It seems that everyone understands this was so much more than just a great speech; it was a much-needed breath of fresh air on the world stage. But what does it have to do with not believing the hype?

As you may know, 56 Democrats decided to buy into the idea that Netanyahu speaking without the direct invitation of Barack Obama was a horrifying diplomatic offense worthy of boycott. These members include Senator Al Franken (whose own history with Saturday Night Live is perhaps the least embarrassing part of his career), and Senator Elizabeth Warren (who conservatives should pray to God runs for the Democratic nomination, because she will undoubtedly go off the rails in the first five minutes of her candidacy). Because these people are loud and have friends in the media, they almost succeeded in convincing the public to believe their hype. Fortunately, Netanyahu’s powerful speech drowned out their idiocy. In the end, the majority of the House chamber gave the Prime Minster the outstanding reception he deserved, and it was heard all over the world.

Finally, people from both parties can choose to not believe the hype about Dr. Ben Carson’s views on homosexuality. Those on the left who immediately started salivating because Carson’s comments on CNN gave them a “legitimate” reason to lambast him should look to his clarification of the remarks. Carson’s response (which has already been edited down to a mere snipped or two in most media outlets) included this clarification: “In a recent interview on CNN, I realized that my choice of language does not reflect fully my heart on gay issues. I do not pretend to know how every individual came to their sexual orientation. I regret that my words to express that concept were hurtful and divisive. For that I apologize unreservedly to all that were offended…And I know that we are all made in God’s image, which means we are all deserving of respect and dignity. I support human rights and Constitutional protections for gay people, and I have done so for many years.” Yes, he “walked back” his original comments – something he did not necessarily need to do. People on the left should commend him, but instead they continue to come at him with flaming pitchforks. It’s deplorable. As for those on the right, they can decide to reject the notion that Carson’s comments have killed his chances of a successful run at President. This is what Democrats want you to think – but you can choose to not believe the hype.

Ed Hoffman is the host of the Main Event on AM590, which airs Saturday 9:30AM- 10:30AM and Sunday 4:00PM- 5:00PM. Follow him on Twitter @EdHoffman, and like him on Facebook by searching The Main Event AM590.