What's Behind the 'Mad as Hell' Movement?

Jeff Greenfield Examines Conservatives' Discordant Discourse, Fueled by Righteous Anger, Bald-Faced Lies and Pundits' Fear

(CBS)  What to make of all the thunder on the right of late, on the streets, the airwaves and even in the halls of Congress? Our Senior Political Correspondent Jeff Greenfield has filed this Sunday Journal:

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From the "tea parties" on tax day last April . . .

"Where are the people protecting us in government?"

. . . to the rancorous town halls on health care in August, to the gathering last weekend at the Capitol, discontent is in the air.

You can see it in the signs they carry; hear it on the most prominent voices on talk radio (all from the right), from Rush Limbaugh . . .

"Barack Obama is destroying the United States' economy!"

. . . and most notably from Glenn Beck, whose radio program and Fox News telecast draw millions with his apocalyptic vision of where the President is going:

"Does sacred honor even exist in Washington any more?"

You even heard it from the floor of the House, in an unprecedented outburst from Congressman Joe Wilson of South Carolina . . .

"YOU LIE!"

. . . that made him an instant hero to some.

What's brought these folks to the nation's capitol? What's put them into the streets of dozens of American cities? What is swelling the ratings of conservative media?

And maybe more significant, does this militancy pose an opportunity for the Republican Party . . . or create a dilemma?

Some of it seems very traditional: an outcry against a government that critics say has grown too big. When a protester from Memphis, Tennessee declared "We don't trust you," that's what she means.

"I think the extreme liberals have taken over," she said.

Some of the sentiments expressed is aimed - specifically, and virulently - at Mr. Obama . . . at his background, at his race, at his agenda (fascist, communist or both).

Those present and former politicians who spoke to last Weekend's rally (all Republican) assert that this is an insignificant fringe.

"Well, this is not really political, and it's certainly not a Republican rally," said Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C. "This is mainstream, the heart of America right now that is standing up and speaking out about some things they're very concerned about."

Greenfield asked protester Carol Fessler from Memphis to explain a sign at the rally that showed pictures of Hitler, Stalin . . . and Obama.

"That comes from a fear, and I appreciate that," said Fessler (left). "And fear engenders anger. But the fear is, you know, if the media is not doing its job, if the government is taking over every single thing it can and we now have an unfettered liberal - the radical left has got control of the process. That's the fear."

That fear has been fed not by politicians but by Fox News pundits, like Glenn Beck:

"I used to call it the mainstream media," Beck said on his program. "I've been thinking for the last few days it can't be called that anymore because it's not. That's why I believe we now have to start calling it the 'fringe media,' because that's exactly what it is. It is on the fringe. They're in bed with those in Washington and the special interests and they're lunatics. Some of them are absolute lunatics!"

At the rally one protester said, "Glenn Beck is the one that we want to thank for a lot of this. I listen to Fox News, which gives you both sides, and I think if you turn on some of the other stations, you only get a slanted side, which is the liberal side."

Indeed, Fox News claimed in full-page ads this week that the other networks did not cover the protests. (In fact, all of them did.)

"The interesting thing about the political culture right now is that while people have access to more and more information, they also can isolate themselves more and more and get only information that they want to see and that they want to hear, that reinforces the opinions that they already have," said political strategist Joe Gaylord. "And that's an ample opportunity that they have right now, which I think is causing part of the stir."

Gaylord has been Newt Gingrich's key political strategist since Gingrich's days in the House, and he remembers how populist anger in 1994 helped turn the Congress over to the Republicans.

Right now, he says, this anger is not strictly a partisan party matter.

"I wouldn’t confuse the conservative movement and the Republican Party, 'cause they're two different things," Gaylord said. "The Republican Party is sometimes a vehicle for the conservative movement.

"But I think what you saw actually on the mall and what you saw at the town hall meetings is a genuine conservative uprising, sometimes involving Republicans, sometimes not."

Congressman Barney Frank has spent nearly 30 years in the House as a stalwart liberal. He sees real danger for his opponents in the rise of the "mad as hell" sentiment.

"I think the extreme nature of this, the virulence, makes it less politically effective," Frank said. "It is much less pleasant, less healthy to society. The '93-'94 [movement] was more on the issues. The very anger of it, the racist elements, the irrational elements, the embrace of fictions, the threats, I think it makes it less politically useful."

"I also think they are alienating moderates and sensible people," Frank added. "People do not like to get associated with people throwing Hitler around and screaming and being abusive, and deciding that they [can] carry a gun to a rally or to a meeting with the president."

For some Republicans, like 15-year veteran Walter Jones of North Carolina, the intensity on the right poses a dilemma: he recognizes that the frustration over big government is the kind of issue that can win over independents. But he also worries about it - indeed, he was one of only seven Republicans in the House to vote to admonish Joe Wilson (whom some of the right label a hero) for his outburst.

"I don't like what I'm seeing in many circles," said Jones. "I do not like this resentment. I mean, the way I look at this, Mr. Obama is our president and I want him to do well. I'm an American citizen first."

"If some of your constituents, good solid conservatives call you up and say, 'Rush Limbaugh says you're wimping out on the party,' or on the cause …" asked Greenfield.

"Well, I serve God, not Rush Limbaugh," Jones replied.

With mid-term elections more than a year away, it's highly possible that the passions of this summer will have been overtaken by more fundamental factors - the strength or weakness of the economy, the war in Afghanistan.

But intensity can itself be a powerful force in politics . . . and the intensity right now seems to be on the right.

[gboyd41]

My suggestion-do not watch 60 Minutes or Katie. Let them fade away.

[gboyd41]

healthcareauditor, I totally agree with your statement. Plus, if any of you disagree with the numerous statements of Stuart and skyk, comment; they blog at a volume that is outstanding. Tell them what you think!

[jan133]

i just want to post comment that i am mad as hell over the way the govt, mainly the bureau of land management is treating our wild horses - for more go to www.thecloudfoundation.org and see the real truth behind the roundups and selling of our wild horses for slaughter - thank God horse people in usa are standing up and screaming "Enough is enough!" stop killing our horses on our public lands.

[gboyd41]

Stuart-call Katie to tell you what an anarchist is. Sorry, I forgot, no help there.

[gboyd41]

Stuart-you voted for Obama, that's hard to believe.

[gboyd41]

Stuart-have you looked up yet what an anarchist is? Just my suggestion. Might give more credibility to your NUMEROUS posts. BTW, do you have a job or do you do this 24/7 as a hobby?

[flashbackinseaside]

watched the story and commentary about the fight for health coverage in this country. It is really too bad that those people who are protesting and the commentator don?t look at the big picture or rather even care what the real problem is in this country.. They all have jobs and health coverage or they would not be out there in the streets saying all those things. This is about the people without jobs, without coverage, and without hope.

It isn?t like their coverage is going to be changed or managed any differently than before, they have been told that over and over. This is about changing the overcharging being done by both the insurance companies and the medical profession. My husband is being treated for cancer and thankfully we have coverage. We are self-employed, with a $7,500 deductible and $10,000 stop-loss, so it isn?t the best but at least it is coverage. I see the insurance explanation of benefits after each treatment and it is really remarkable what happens with the charges. One example was for an injection treatment, $2,451., of which $1,115. was disallowed for ?exceeds the allowable amount?. Now if we didn?t have insurance, we would have had to pay the full $2,451. That was just one appointment and we have been fighting this cancer off and on for 10 years. The surgery for the tumors last March was over $250,000. OF which that amount was reduced in half by the insurance company. You do the math. We would be destitute.

We have four sons, two work for the government and have great coverage. The other two are self-employed and have no coverage. One is young and healthy but the other is in poor health and unable to get insurance because of pre-existing conditions. One night in the hospital emergency cost over $10,000 for a bleeding ulcer. This led to bankruptcy after job loss. These are the people they are trying to help. This isn?t charity; it is needed to stop the financial problems that develop when these people have to file bankruptcy after being unable to pay their hospital bills. Many end up destitute?.

Wake up America. We need something done, and done now.

Marjorie, Seaside,

[SouthIndie]

and before you go on abotu low eduction as evidenced by my spelling...Im dyslexic...and work very hard to get it right...but sometimes I miss

[SouthIndie]

To sky-2009 and othe rliek thsi person...you are wrong..you are seeign thie region the way you want to see it. I was born and raised and in the South; got a master's degree in the southa andhave to say ..whiel I see some racists..I see just as many people who are not worried about the color of a person's skin, but what their credentials are and hwo well they can use those same skills. And btw...I am an independent, but I voted for Obama.

[Coltonmw]

1 - We are nowhere near communism! We're a democracy still.
2 - Sometimes the voters move the country in a direction the rest of us don't agree with. We need to ride the wave in both directions.
3 - We actually did lose freedom under the Bush administration (wire taps, violation of the Geneva Conventions, suspension of Habeas Corpus, etc...)
4 - If we lose our civility then we start to resemble the Taliban and al-Qaeda. Extremism is the real enemy, hopefully we can all agree on that. So keep it civil! Let's agree to disagree.
I, for one, disagree with Glenn Beck and his antics. I also disagree with how Fox portrays him as a credible news source (and frankly all of the Fox news content). AND I disagree with the soft-ball questions that Katie Couric lobbed at him last night. The only reason that interview aired is CBS owns Simon & Schuster - and S&S is publishing Beck's book. The fact is, he is a polarizing figure and if we keep driving wedges between ourselves, we're headed toward another civil war. The more we see differences in each other and refuse to see ourselves in each other - the closer we are to extremism.

[n0rway]

I haven't read all the comments, so perhaps someone else mentioned this; but Jeff got one thing very wrong: Joe Wilson is not "Louisiana Representative Joe Wilson"! South Carolina, Jeff! Really, is that so hard? I love CBS Sunday morning, but that's pretty bad.

[kaybeeglide]

These people who call us racists just because we are a certain color will be surprised when they are slaves again.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

annnort, r u serious? Listen to your your statement "surprised when they are slaves again"????? SLAVERY ISN'T "RIGHT". Just by your statement, you lend credibility to everyone that feels Republicans are racist. You are supporting human bondage, servitude, disenfranchisement, economic disparity, and basic civil and humane rights for an individual.
I must ask you, should women be allowed to vote? Should we hunt animals until extinction? Should we pollute the world in which we live?
You probably gave the correct answer to those questions but the one question that you answered incorrectly is this :

"that all men are created equal....."

[Ferrell-2]

One answer to the question of WHAT'S BEHIND THIS MOVEMENT is that people don't want 30% of our population paying 70% of the total medical bills. It's unconstutional and if an amendment is required, it won't pass. Indigent citizens already have free medical care at others expense so why try to include those who refuse to pay for insurance even though they can afford it!
This is grossly unfair.

[olliecoco]

Alinsky, Ayers/Dohrn, Soros, ACORN, Rashid Khalidi, Tony Rezko, Rev Wright, Apollo Group, Tides Foundation, the Woods Fund, the Pritzker Family, Valerie Jarrett......

'Judge me by the people with whom I surround myself.'
-- Barack Hussein Obama, 2008 election campaign.

OK, we will.

[noloyalisti]

Where was all these "patiotic" wackos when the Bush Crime Family was driving the US into oblivion?

[lisaob1]

Maybe you should look into the Democratic party with regards to the poor. They claim to be there to help the poor when actually they like it that way. As stated by an ex-liberal David Horowitz:Everything that?s wrong in the inner cities that policy can affect, Democrats and progressives are responsible for. They have their boot heels on the necks of poor, black and Hispanic children everywhere in America, and the Republican Party lets them get away with it, never says a word about this.If conservatives will start ? will show these people ? now, they?re attacking old people. They want old people to die sooner. They don?t want to give them the care that will keep them alive.?I keep asking myself why more politicians refuse to talk like this. If the Republicans ever want to get power back and keep it, they need to listen to Horowitz, who is not afraid to call it like he sees it.Even Horowitz initially gave Obama the benefit of the doubt. Now, especially with the issues surrounding Van Jones, Horowitz has been speaking out about how dangerously far left the Democrats in power are.It is another thing when talking heads and political pundits throw accusations around and quite another when it comes from a man like Horowitz. He knows left wing radicalism better than any of us, take note of his commentary next time you walk into the voting booth.

[johndevinejr]

Hmm.....Every republican administration since Eisenhower has caused a recession. I guess that is how republicans help the poor.

The single most important thing that liberals should do is to make sure that incompetent buffoons like George Bush don't get into power.
We are currently working our way out of the disasterous results of republican philosophy which has been a failure on every level.

Why would anyone listen to republicans? Spewing lies like Death Panels, Euthanasia, some other nonsense about Nazism. Not even a four year old would believe this drivel. These people are so far from reality it is not even funny.
lisaob1 is just another loon, escaped from loony bin.

[mad-as-hell-in-md]

What gets me is that you people conveniently forget that Obama is half white as well as black. Can't I disagree with his white half? Actually, it has nothing to do with his race, it's his policies. I'm tired of the Government, both spineless Republicans and liberal Democrats, stealing our hard earned money. If you need help, get a job! Oh, wait, unemployment is at it's highest level in decades because of (wait for it) Obama's policies!! Wake up, America, before it's too late and we all become wards of the state.

[bellaanna-2009]

Well sure Nancy Pelosi should be ashamed of the way that she has shamed HER party. Calling the CIA liars, and calling the American people all of those names. I should think she would go to one of those T.V. shows with Obama and apologize for it. It has really hurt her party and I think we will see it when voting time comes around. Frank should be concerned. Those Dem. have really hurt America. I know a lot of them are remembering the way they acted when Bush was in office, it was shameful, both Pelosi and Frank called Bush nasty things and now they are doing the American people the same way because they DO NOT want Obama's HEALTH CARE PLAN. I read Charles Krautnammer last week "watch what Obama does, not what he says'"

[PostalOneToo]

Ultra conservatives foaming at the mouth.

[elmocat46]

One point that struck me as I watched "Mad as Hell" was there were no arrests being made, no tear gas, no overt attempts to break up the protest. These protesters were allowed to demostrate their disagreements seemingly without fear of reprisal. How is that possible if we're on the verge of communistic take over?