'The View': Does Elisabeth Hasselbeck need a lifeline?

Just two days after the Chicago Sun-Times reported that Elisabeth Hasselbeck “was really upset” with her liberal co-hosts, who’ve deliberately been on the political attack during this election year, Hasselbeck this morning received another verbal beat down from her co-hosts after she tried to defend Gov. Sarah Palin.

(During Tuesday's episode of "The View," Hasselbeck sat through Bill Maher's take on the Alaska governor: "I’ve seen her twice try to speak. The sentence to nowhere is what comes out of her mouth," Maher said. "If Joe Biden had made some of the comments she made to Katie Couric, we would think he had brain damage.")

Today's battle started when co-host Joy Behar called Palin out for her crack about opponent Sen. Joe Biden's age. "I’d been hearing about his Senate speeches since I was in like second grade," Palin said during a campaign stop. Palin later said in an interview with Couric that the comment was a joke.

"To be so disingenuous as to say you didn’t want to get a laugh and that you didn’t mean it ... it’s just baloney," Behar said.

Hasselbeck initially tried to keep her cool. "I love how shook up in your boots you get over Sarah Palin," she told Behar. Barbara Walters said she didn't like reading about all the study and prep-work Palin is having to do as a vice presidential candidate, in place of having actual experience, equating it to cramming for a test in school.

"It bothers me that one has to be prepped so much for a debate and crammed full of material. I’m not sure -- and I’m talking about everybody -- that prepping so that you just pass a debate and don’t make a huge mistake is necessarily what makes a great president," Walters said.

"To say that, to reduce [Palin] to that level of mind, I think is unfair," Hasselbeck replied.

But it was only when Walters asked Hasselbeck to defend Palin and point to her presidential qualifications in specific terms that Hasselbeck turned testy:

Walters: Every day, let me say this, I’m so glad you’re on the program. We love you on the program.
Hasselbeck: Thanks, Barbara.
Walters: You are the counterpoint. But every single day, you never ever say, maybe there’s another point. So this is your chance. ...Tell us now, why you think Sarah Palin would make a very good president.
Hasselbeck: Well, since I’ve been studying for this pop quiz forever, tell me why Barack Obama is qualified to be president. ... Give me three tangible things he has done to prove that he can be president of the United States.
Walters: We’re not talking about Obama. We’re talking about Sarah Palin.
Hasselbeck: She has been running the state of Alaska.
Walters: OK.
Hasselbeck: She is an expert in terms of energy. She has been in charge of a National Guard in time of war.
(Walters makes a "so-so" hand gesture.)
Hasselbeck: She has been. She’s actually governed.

Before things got too heated, they cut to commercial and the issue was dropped. Hasselbeck even got a hug from Walters after the break.

But perhaps the damage is already done? Hasselbeck is rumored to be thisclose to taking her political perspective elsewhere -- her own show on FoxNews, perhaps?

-- Denise Martin and Maria Elena Fernandez

Comments

[Roger]

Two points. First, Hasselbeck shouldn't have that much difficulty in trying to make a simple argument from definition here, i.e., to be a good leader, to be a good President, one must have the following X qualifications; here's Palin's qualifications, therefore, here's why she would make a good leader (and, if need be, a good President). Hasselbeck doesn't do this in the least, which suggests that she doesn't know very much about Palin. Second point. I continue to be at a loss as to why people think Hasselbeck's opinions about matters political in fact matter very much. Surely one should be more than a representative of the "conservative" side. There are many people out there who are thoughtful and well-informed and "conservative," people who have these qualities to a much much greater extent than Hasselbeck.

[jnik]

Imagine how bad it would have been if they had played clips from Couric's interview?

[Cathy O'Dell]

Enough of this dumb broad! Having a point of view is fine; you need to know how to defend your point of view, which obviously this Hasselbeck broad does not know how to do. She responded to Barbara Walter's questions in a very lame and immature manner. She is quite immature and dumb for her age. Hasselbeck needs to go to school and learn how to present her points of view in a substantive manner. I do not look at The View because of her. Every time she opens her mouth, it makes me ill that Barbara Walters has her on the show. Can't Barbara get an intelligent and mature 30-something person on there? Joy and Whoopi are very politically astute women who can swoop down and wipe the floor with Hasselbeck. Get a smart person to replace this Hasselbeck broad, Barbara!!

[Taylor]

While I'm OK with Elizabeth having her views, the problem I have is that is seems like she just delivering the talking points she heard from Fox News. Sarah Palin is a nice person and could be a good choice for VP or President for the Republican Party, but just not now. She is like a rookie quarter thrown into the game to early. She needed to get a few years of seasoning and media vetting before running. I think that depending how she does in the debate; she could ruin any national political aspirations she may have for the future.

[Rosee]

I watched that show this morning and when Elizabeth was asked to tell us why she thought Palin was qualified she answered the question with a question.

When she feels "attacked" she gets loud and comes across out of control. If she is so convinced and educated on her choice..then she should be ready to hold a calm, educated, thought out discussion.

To me she comes off as a rabid Republican. She needs to open her ears and eyes and consider the other side.

I would miss her antics if she left....it makes for an interesting show at points.

She may be looking at FOX for a position to view her point of view...but quite frankly..I think Mrs. Hasselbeck is looking towards a political positon herself!!

[Shelley]

I like Elizabeth Hasselbeck and feel the View is a better show because of who she is and what she believes in politically. She is basically sitting with a group of women who oppose everything she says politically. I admire her for her convictions and courage in staying in a job that is rarely warm and fuzzy for her , if ever. The View needs Elizabeth Hasselbeck for her opinions and it would be a loss if she were to exit THE VIEW.

[Chicago48]

Hasselback comes off as a Naivete, esp up against the more mature ladies. I think it's time for her to go, they should bring in another conservative. Maybe Coulter or Ingram. Hasselback just comes off like a little girl.

[Sandy]

I hope that she does take her views somwhere else! Barbara askeed her a direct question and she answered the question with a question. Barack Obama has been on the show himself and answeredthree resons why he is qualified and they have offered Sarah Palin the same opporunity but she is busy craming for the debate. Elizabeth needs to do her homework and realize that she is sitting next to some great women who know their stuff and if she can't take it then she needs to go. by the way who is going to watch a show with just her hosting it lol?

[Gillian]

I am not on the liberal bandwagon but please .... Hasselbeck can't make an argument for Palin because there is none. A journalism major who cannot name a major publication that she reads as govenor of a state??? Are you kidding me? Maybe she relies on other people feeding her the information. Maybe those people should be running for VP....

[sarrae]

There is only room for one political opinion as far as the media is concerned. There is shocking intolerance for any opinion other than left. This is nothing new and it is disgusting. The producers/writers of the View only have Hasselbeck on to belittle her political opinions and make her look stupid in a way that says, "Look how ridiculous McCain/Palin/Republican supporters are." I just wish they would drop the pretense of having all points of view represented.

Ms. Hasselbeck, find another job and do not continue supporting their agenda.

[Kevin]

Anything Bill Maher (whose recent "Religulous" is an entire movie devoted to mocking religion) says against Sarah Palin will actually help her among the people she is intended to reach. People who agree with Bill Maher are going to vote for Obama anyway. Among potential Palin supporters, having Bill Maher's support is like having Syria's support, which Obama, in fact, has.

[Peter Brannan]

I think Joy's insulting and disparaging remarks about Gov. Palin and John Macain are just too partisan. You may think whatever you wish, but you need not polute the airways with your cheap digs. I feel very sorry for Elizabeth. She's trying so hard to keep the show together.

[teesa]

See ya Hasselback, U weigh the show down. I have never liked her. SHE IS A COMMY! Republicans are communists in thier thinking. All about controling we AMERICANS! U are out numbered commy's and OMG quit defending this Palin chick. I raised my 4 kids by myself without child support from thier father and I have MS. I have went got my kids in sports and they have all graduated from high school. I'll have u know that I had to seriously struggle once them damn commy republicans got back in.So to you hasselback, until you have to struggle don't speak for me.Sarah Palin is nothing special and I was going to cross lines until Mccain brought her in! I loved Hillary and I will except Obama know that Mccain apparently is proving he as the onset of demencia. Thank you for letting me voice MY opinion!

[Leroy]

How come no one wants to answer the simple question that Elisabeth posed about Barrack Obama??? Because I have seen this posed on numerous occasions to the heavy handed politicians that support him, and they look like complete idiots...because they cannot even name one thing he has done. I have actually heard a commentator say "he has been thinking really hard about being president". That is a qualification???

[Marianne]

The best thing EH can do is leave the View and go to Fox where she will be appreciated. I cannot figure out how she can take the beatings everyday. I wish they would have Ann Coulter on and see how far those other 4 loud mouths get!

[Aimee]

No one would be happier if she made an exit - she is the reason I usually change the channel and wonder why I watch that obnoxious show. If I never again had to listen to her blather on about issues she knows nothing about, I would be one happy woman. The only thing that would be better than her quitting is Barbara giving her the BOOT!

[BLW]

Elisabeth Hasselbeck is a moron. With McCain being out of touch and Palin having no idea of how being a Vice President, I don't think Republicans need Hasselbeck to add fuel to the fire that McCain/Palin doesn't know what to do. She (Hasselbeck) is so pro-GOP, that another view-not of the GOP- suffocates her. She should keep her mouth shut when it comes to politics.

[Danielle]

Elizabeth is just as entitled to her "VIEW" as any of the other ladies sitting next to her. There are so many conservatives in this world. There needs to be another conservative sitting at that table to keep things balanced.

[Felisa]

I couldn't agree more with the fact the Elisabeth is really immature. Fair and balanced is really good for discussion, but Elisabeth almost appears uninformed. To the educated mind, hearing her speak is like nails on the chalkboard. She hasn't left The View on her on free will because she gets PAID to sit there and act like a baby. I would suggest that instead of watching American Idol, Dancing with the Stars and other mindless TV shows, she needs to watch CNN, MSNBC and FOXnews.

It is really frustrating to educated, informed individuals to listen to her rant about foolishness, it is starting not to make sense...really!

[Nic]

I can see the SNL skit this week . . . Palin (Fey) on McCain's lap as a dummy/ventriloquist duo as per their interview with Curic . . . "Isn't she cute?" Aren't I cute?" . . .and McCain screwing it up by saying them both "ass backwards."

Someone please tell me why it tool Palin FIVE colleges in SIX years to get her BA? She's scared to death that the whole world will find out how clueless she is . . . hello?