'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

[Rocco]

Either Obama or McCain will do better than what we've had to endure for 8 years. Biden would also step in and be functional, if necessary. But Palin, give me a bloody break!. A month ago no one had ever heard of her, and now we're going to put her next to the Presidency? That has got to be one of the stupidest ideas ever. But I'm not complaining, because it will NEVER happen.

[Catherine]

None of the ladies on The View have much insight. As my husband put it, "are any of them considered intellectuals?" Enough said.

To the comments about Elizabeth becoming "loud"...no one on that show has a bigger mouth than Joy...which is why she's kept that job this long. Joy covers her meannes with that comedian angle. Let's just admit this show is really another liberal media outlet and just enjoy it for the comedic relief it sometimes provides. Anyday I watch I am assured a laugh over what comes out of someone's mouth...often demonstrating what idiots some people can be.

Where the show gets in trouble is when the ladies take themselves too seriously. I mean what can one expect from a show that has comedians as three of five hosts. It really lives up to that...it's just a joke, folks, and entertainment. Why the media treats these women like they have something important to say is beyond me but I do get some good laughs when I tune in.

[Citizen]

How sick am I to hear about the poor GOP and that mean liberal media monster. Hey, I'm a total left leaner and I make no apologies for it. I hate Fox News, which isn't real news, so you know what I do? I CHANGE THE EFFING CHANNEL! If I hear one more righty moan and groan about the liberal media bias I'm going to hurl. Watch Fox News (operated by G-Dub's cousin) and shut the eff up.

[Robert M]

You say that the "liberal co-hosts" on the View have been "deliberately been on the political attack." This carefully worded statement makes it sound like a bunch of liberals have been going after McCain or Hasselbeck. This is extremely misleading, to say the least. First, I wasn't aware that Barbara Walters, to name one, is "liberal." She is part of the D.C. cocktail party circuit. Questioning Sarah Palin's qualifications is something anyone, liberal, conservative, fascist, would be reasonable in doing. Second, the Times article you link to to support your claims about "political attack" discusses efforts by the View to get involved in politics, not to attack anyone in particular. Pretty shoddy "journalism," Martin and Fernandez.

[callie]

Hasselbeck doesn't have a brain in her head and is lucky to have the charity of ABC who will put her on the air, without an original thought.

[Roger]

I am a Republican and I do like Hasselback. But, the real issue is Palin. She is simply unqualified to be Vice President or President and barely qualified to be governor of Alaska. My other Republican friends seem to think she's bright. She's not. She is like some dingy candidate for a city council seat in a small town (oh, wait, she was--not that long ago.) I want somebody with much more substance to represent my views. She's not it--period. Unfortunately, I will not vote in the presidential race. John McCain made a huge mistake with this one --I dont care how she does in the debate.

[Lynn]

Ms. Hassleback's adnauseum five minutes of fame should be over. She needs to go home and stay there. Then she can rant and rave at the PTA meetings.

[Tim Bruce]

I'd like to see the ladies on the view add Ann Coulter to their group. She would redefine beat down. Obviously, it takes several blithering liberal ninnies to beat down one conservative with half a brain anyhow. Coulter would dominate them with facts and wit, both of which most of the view ladies lack.

[Mike Clearsight]

Well, sounds to me like Hasselbach gave everyone a great qualification that Sarah Palin has, she's actually governed something. Can anyone tell me what Obama has done since his qualifications don't seem to be as fun to discuss.

[Liz]

Consistently, without fail, Elizabeth defends every Republican gaff, big or small. It's gotten worse with the Palin thing - makes me wonder if she's being secretly paid by the Republican party. I mean it's one thing to stand by your party, but the extent she goes to do try to excuse stuff - you don't even see opinionated Joy going to those lengths to defend Democrats. It makes you wonder if Elizabeth doesn't have any sense.

Does she even really believe some of what she says? Like today - does she really believe the horror, squirminess and distaste expressed by Democrats with reaction to Palin are because we are "afraid" of her because she's good? Yeah we're afraid of her. We're afraid of her because she is an arrogant, ignorant, black and white thinker - and if elected, a heartbeat away from a big red button that could blow up the planet. We're afraid because half of America was stupid enough to reelect Bush and they're just stupid enough to pick "The Mavericks" out of some cowboy fantasy.

And Elizabeth has defended her party for years. I remember when the Iraq war was "newish" her saying that as citizens it's our job to just hush up and trust the president because he's the president and he knows what he's doing. I guess that pretty much sums up how her mind works.

I was cheering today when Joy said Palin was a dummy and Whoopie said she didn't know anything. Finally somebody mainstream said it!!! Barbara was *nearly* there - in the fray she asked Elizabeth why she always feels the need to be so defensive - but then she toned it down. Oh well, it's good TV that's for sure!

[forreal?]

Are all these liberal comments for real? It's not that Hasselbeck doesn't know how to defend Palin, it's that you guys don't listen to her defend her. I count 4 reasons Hasselbeck stated for why Palin is qualified. Barbara Walters asked for 3. Answering a question with a question is only a way to get you guys thinking--if you're complaining about Palin's experience, how come you're not complaining about Obama's experience? Last time I checked, experience governing as a governor is qualifying experience for a governing position of (Vice) President. The last 2 presidents we've elected have been governors. Maybe if you listen to and engage with all of us who are trying to make the same point you could explain why her experience doesn't qualify her yet Obama's does. Answer that.

[Jared]

Give me a break. Lets compare credentials. Ok? Palin vs. Obama? Are you kidding me?

It is also about how one handles themselves in front of the world AND who represents the USA best in negotiations (presenting things in front of Congress that they must approve AND talking with other nations). Who is better spoken?

Moreover, NO ONE BUT PALIN has crumbled in front of someone like Kate Couric.... Ok? The only way PALIN could EARN anyone's respect is to TELL THE TRUTH! Instead, she is always flustered with answering questions because she is TRYING to REMEMBER what Mc BushCain's advisors told her to say AND what she really wants to say. Debate? C'mon. Even Republican's aren't convinced Palin is up to the job. Need I say more?

[cecilia beltran]

I think that the view should have the same amount of liberals and conservatives people discussing theirs view. This show is a DEMOCRATIC show and poor Elizabeth is just out of the picture. Anything she says, is wrong to the other liberals women. ABC should have 3 democrats and 3 republicans, not 1 republican and 5 democrats.

[t kolodziej]

I think Elizabeth is a great person. I wish their were more like her on television. It is admirable that she continues to go to her job, when she is so often insulted for her moral beleifs. I hope that she knows that many people do support her, and disagree with her co-anchors.

[Jared]

PLUS... Obama talks about HOW to solve things instead of bland VAGUE answers. GIVE ME LEADERSHIP or give me talk!!!!!!!! Leadership please. Sorry Palin couldn't get into Harvard AND I HIGHLY doubt she would of went back to Chicago to help the underpriveleged EVEN IF she did!

GIVE ME A BREAK!

[Mike Clearsight]

Those ladies calling Palin stupid are about as retarded themselves as the blind mice who got their tails cut off by a carving knife! Do research and get some real facts rather than just dumb media based opinions!

[Shannon W]

Elisabeth has held her own with class, yet again. I applaud her intelligence and resistance to want to give in to "settle the dust". Rosie left because of this "dumb 30 year old". I LOVE IT! It's disgusting to me the way Democrats ATTACK Republicans simply for disagreeing with their own opinions. I'm sick of it. Republicans at least listen to what Democrats have to say without smirkingly asking questions. I like Obama as a human being, I just am not voting for him because I think McCain's policies are better for America in this time of crisis. Palin- our VP- has more experience than the Democratic Presidential nominee- why, why are we still talking about Palin?! Because she's pretty, smart and a REAL threat. FIGHT ON ELISABETH- You have many fans. So does Sarah Palin. The beauty of this country is the people speak, period. Bush won twice. Think about that. I cannot wait until November 4th when Americans speak again. If Obama wins- Republican call fair game. McCain wins, riots break out, HBO makes an unfair movie...COME ON PEOPLE!
Republican journalists don't purposely NOT LOOK DEMOCRATS in the eye when they interview them. The irony is the older women on The VIEW are the ones who need to grow up- The View has 1 Republican woman, age 30, with the rest ALL Democrat....and still they eat her alive? Sounds again like being pretty, smart and having your own opinion must be a Republican thing?)

[MaryAnne]

The View is nothing but a henfest! How ridiculous is it that they only have one member representing the conservative side? It just goes to show how weak the others on the show are in that it takes the four of them to take on the one conservative member. Joy, Whoopi and Sheri are nothing but comedians and actors. Who really cares what their opinions are? I laugh at the thought of anyone giving any credence in what they have to say. I hate to see Hasselbach jump ship because someone has to stand up to those windbags, but it's a losing battle since they will always outnumber her and pull the plug on her by going to commercial.

[Sharon Burrus]

While I do not ever agree with Elisabeth, I admire that she stands for what she believes in. The problem is.....when others are voicing their opinions, Elisabeth doesn't listen to understand, she listens to counter. That is why she can't ever say " hmmn, thats a thought " or " that's a good point ." She doesn't really " hear " the other person except to oppose. I also don't agree that she is up against 4 other liberals. I can't always tell who Whoopi and Barbara are for and I have heard both of them say some anti-liberal comments which shows them to be fair minded. They can give credit that is due to politicians on both sides and can laugh at and point out mistakes made by their parties, but Elisabeth's comments about Democrats are always.negative. As long as Whoopi and Barbara stay somewhat neutral I hope Elisabeth stays and I hope they keep going at it.
Elisabeth please, please, please open your mind and admit Republicans aren't alway right. No one is!

[CarolHussein]

I have watched the View since Whoopi joined. I didn't know who Elizabeth was. She is a reality show personality. Not a weighty background.

I don't like her because she doesn't listen, she takes a l-o-n-g time to make her point and must repeat her point for every "counter" point and that's boring. I find her boring.

Conversations can be linear, not always a battle. I prefer them; they produce more depth. I think the show would be better without her.