Arianna Huffington on Why the Right is Wrong

Description: Arianna Huffington on Criminal Charges for Bush

Should criminal charges be brought against members of the Bush Administration?

Arianna Huffington: Yes. I think that there’s an enormous amount that this administration has done that has violated our Constitution, that has made us less safe, and- although, I think right now our highest priority is to prevent a third George Bush term by making sure that John McCain doesn’t get elected, I think holding the culprits accountable is incredibly important.

Recorded on: March 9 2008 

Description: Arianna Huffington on Obama

You’ve backed Obama…

Arianna Huffington: Not in terms of an endorsement. The Huffington Post has not endorsed anyone. In terms of my own writing, it is clear that I favored Obama, yes.

What are your worries for an Obama presidency?

Arianna Huffington: Well, he’s going to have numerous challenges. I would say Iraq, the housing crisis, healthcare are first three that come to mind, but I’m very optimistic about the fundamental change that he would bring to this country. You know- but the fact that he would be able to really close the tragic chapter of the Bush years, and open a whole new chapter, which will also have the incredible effect of changing the perception of America around the world.

Recorded March 9 2008

Description: Arianna Huffington talks about the prospects of having both a Democratic Executive and Congress for the first time since 1994.

What’s changed since 1994, can the democrats pass a comprehensive health care plan?

Arianna Huffington: Well, actually, in ’94 remember, Newt Gingrich took over, and so we had divided, you know, had the White House in the hands of Bill Clinton and then Congress in the hands of Newt Gingrich. But, yes, I certainly think that all the trends at the moment are for a Democratic sweep in November, although I don’t think we should take anything for granted because John McCain is still a very, very much seen in the media as the John McCain of 2000, and not the John McCain of 2008. But nevertheless, that is definitely very likely, and therefore, if real leadership is exercised there is a very good chance that we could end up with finally having some form of universal healthcare insurance, which is desperately needed in this country-- 47 million people are uninsured. And also that we would be able to move closer to energy independence, and bring the troops home from Iraq. That, I think, has to be our number one action.

Recorded on: March 9 2008 

Description: Arianna Huffington on the Punditocracy and the Next President

The pundit-ocracy labeled Bush a dolt and Clinton morally bankrupt, what will the next President be?

Arianna Huffington: Well, I think the main issue is going to be how is this Democrat going to govern? You know, there are many multiple crises the country’s facing, both domestic and foreign, and being able to extricate the country from Iraq, deal with the real threats of terrorism, while at the same time turning the economy around, is going to be some of the primary challenges that the Democratic President, I hope, will be facing. And I think what we need to do, those of us in the new media, is make sure that we hold the traditional media accountable, and hold their feet to the fire in making sure that whatever they’re saying, that it reflects reality. I mean, that is really our greatest battle is to tell the truth to the American people, and insist that the mainstream media tell the truth, as well. Because in the end, what the Right has done, is not so much to be at war with Progressives and Democrats, but to be at war with facts, with reality, with truth. And if we can keep exposing that, and- that’s all we need to do.

Recorded on: May 9 2008 

Description: Who Gets to Decide "Balanced Opinion"?

Who gets to judge what merits a ‘balanced opinion’?

Arianna Huffington: Well, there are two separate things here. One is that- I argue in the book that the Right versus Left way of looking at American politics is very obsolete, that in fact there are many positions which used to be called or considered Left Wing, which in fact are now in the Center of American politics, and very mainstream- like bring the troops home from Iraq, and universal healthcare, and doing something about corporate responsibility, global warming- all these issues are now mainstream with 60 to 70 percent approval ratings. So, the media have continued to deposit this false dichotomy of Right versus Left on practically every political issue. And the other problem is that when you look at the facts, and the evidence, it is not so difficult to realize where the truth lies. Then we can have a vigorous discussion about how to approach the problem, or what to do, but whether there is global warming, whether evolution is the fact, whether Iraq is a catastrophe- these are pretty clear answers.

Recorded on: March 9 2008