There are reports that the Tea Party Convention organizers are planning a press conference today to denounce Birtherism, after Joseph Farahs speech last night.
It seems a little late to start worrying about it, the day after the keynote speaker unleashed a full-on paranoid Birther rant to a cheering audience and a standing ovation.
And its not as if anyone can claim they didnt know what Farah was going to talk about World Net Daily is wingnut kook central, with a permanent section of the front page devoted to the latest crackpot Birther fantasies.
But some people want us to think they didnt see it coming; for example, Andrew Breitbart.
I [Dave Weigel] spotted Farah and asked him if his speech had been approved by Tea Party Nation.
They asked me to speak, said Farah. They didnt ask me, What do you want to speak about? No, this operates like a free and open society, not like the kind of Marxist society you would apparently like to be a journalist for.
I told Farah that his speech was getting negative attention already, and that Breitbart, whod taken the stage after him, had criticized the birther parts of the speech. Farah shook his head and walked over to Breitbart in what seemed like an attempt to debunk my question.
Andrew is my friend, said Farah. He has the right to disagree, and he has the right to say anything to a socialist newspaper that he wants. And if he wants to criticize his friend to you, and hes dumb enough to do that
Breitbart raised his eyebrows. Im dumb to do what?
Criticize your friend to this socialist newspaper.
I was talking to her, said Breitbart, pointing to Schilling. I was talking to you. And I was saying that I disagreed on the birther stuff.
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I should prove, what, a birth certificate that may or may not exist? Farah had gotten irritated. Thats ridiculous. You dont even understand the fundamental tenets of what journalism is about, Andrew. Its not about proving things. Its about asking questions and seeking truth.
Breitbart tensed up after that insult. Right.
I know youre not a journalist, so thats fine. But dont diminish people whove been doing this for 35 years.
So youre going to go on record saying that Im not a journalist?
Are you? Ive never heard you claim to be. Are you?
Ill let it be answered by you.
Well, I knew Drudge didnt consider himself a journalist, so I assumed that you were.
I dont know, Im not trying to insult you.
You did.