8 responses so far ↓

• 1 Gil // Oct 11, 2007 at 5:17 pm

  I’m sure it would.

  But, you have to admit that your summary did omit the fact that behind the hyperbole, she did make a few valid points.

  And, to me, Ezra’s hyperbole was at least as annoying.

• 2 Julian Sanchez // Oct 11, 2007 at 6:22 pm

  Oh, I don’t mean this as an unqualified endorsement of Ezra; my substantive views are probably closer to Malkin’s than his here. I was just amused by the rambling, desperately affected condescension.

• 3 Gil // Oct 11, 2007 at 8:19 pm

  Oh, I agree about the style (on both sides).

  And, now that you’re blogging again, I don’t want to be responsible for discouraging you from dashing off quick, funny, posts.

  But, I’m not so sure that Malkin’s primary issue is fear of losing a debate.

  I haven’t seen either formally debate, but I’ve seen them both on video, and have read their blog posts, and I get the sense that she’s just as poised and articulate and clever (and often dangerously wrong-headedly foolish) as he is.

  It’s true that there’s a danger of being bested by a young whipper-snapper, and I think Mickey Kaus exhibited a fear of that on BloggingHeads TV.

  But, in this case, I think the primary reason for her attitude and disinclination to debate Ezra, is that she doesn’t respect him.

• 4 shecky // Oct 11, 2007 at 11:50 pm

  It seems lack of respect could conveniently allow her to disqualify herself from any debate, as lack of respect seems normal mode she puts on anyone who disagrees with her.

  Even so, it still doesn’t make much sense, considering how much glee she seems to have belittling others. Despite her long winded explanation why she won’t debate, the most obvious reason seems that she’s chicken.

• 5 Jon H // Oct 13, 2007 at 12:16 am

  Nah, 23 is too *old*. Michelle would rather take on a preteen with a brain injury.

• 6 AemJeff // Oct 13, 2007 at 4:31 pm

  But, in this case, I think the primary reason for her attitude and disinclination to debate Ezra, is that she doesn’t respect him.

  I think you being kind to Malkin. In my experience she has exactly the same inclination toward reasoned debate, staged in fora where she or an ally don’t have control, as Rush Limbaugh – which is to say none. Her sneering lack of “respect” is evidence of what, exactly? (Besides an unwillingness to engage – a flaw that I don’t think you’ll find in Ezra.)

• 7 slag // Oct 16, 2007 at 12:31 am

  Does Malkin even have any substantive views? I was under the impression that she was just a trash collector.

• 8 Adam Herman // Oct 21, 2007 at 5:39 pm

  I agree with you 100% about Malkin. I can’t help but to like her for some reason, but I don’t take her seriously as a political commentator, which is sad, because she’s obviously smart.

  But Julian, why don’t you debate Ezra on S-CHIP? That would be a fair fight. Heck, I just have a rarely updated small blog, and I’d be willing to take Ezra on. I know I’d do better than Michelle.