MSNBC's David Shuster Rips Sarah Palin for 'Dem Hit List,' Brings on Liberal Radio Hater to Trash Governor

HUGH HEWITT: I love the fact that on MSNBC she's scorned. Because, the fact that elites who watch this or pseudo-sophisticates who watch this are sitting there and saying "Sarah Palin, she's not much." They couldn't get three people into a room, David. Sarah Palin generates that because she resonate with middle America, people who go to work every day and stand for a lot of basic American values.

DAVID SHUSTER: This is day three of tour for the so-called Tea Party Express. 44 rallies are scheduled for 23 states between now and tax day. Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin helped kick off the conservative confab this weekend in Searchlight, Nevada. An estimated 9,000 activists flocked to the dusty, desert town for what organizers said would be the conservative Woodstock.

SARAH PALIN: In these upcoming elections, we're saying that big government, big debt, Obama/Pelosi/Reid spending spree is over! You're fired! Don't ever let anybody tell you to sit down and shut up, Americans. You stand up and you stand tall. Let's become the party of not just no but hell no!

MSNBC GRAPHIC: Sarah Palin's Dem Hit List [Picture of targeted races from Palin's website onscreen.]

SHUSTER: Palin also took aim at Democrats in the media after she was criticized for posting a map of targeted House Democrats with using rifle cross-hairs.

PALIN: We talk about fighting for our country, we're talking about our vote. Our vote is our arms. This B.S. from the lame stream media lately about us inciting violence. Don't let- Don't let the conversation be diverted. Don't let a distraction like that get you off track.

SHUSTER: So, how strong is Sarah Palin and does she help or hurt the GOP? Let's ask conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt and liberal host Mike Malloy. And, Hugh, there's really so much to work with in what Sarah said just there. But, I'll start with the general question. Does Sarah Palin really help the Republican Party?

HUGH HEWITT: Of course. Any time you can get 9,000 people to come out to Searchlight, Nevada, to campaign against Harry Reid, it's a very good thing. I don't think you'd see John McCain campaigning in Arizona, but for the fact Sarah Palin is an enormous draw, tremendous charisma and has a great deal of energy to give to other candidates who campaign with her.

SHUSTER: Mike Malloy, then how come I see so many Democrats saying they want Sarah Palin to suck as much oxygen out of the room on the Conservative, Republican side?

MIKE MALLOY: Oh, man. Listen, that would be great. Good morning, David. I think it's interesting you had 9,000 Republicans lost in the middle of the desert. I think there's something in the Bible about that and 40 years. Sarah Palin is a gift from the sky gods to the Democrats. Every time Sarah Palin opens her mouth, more and more people switch to the Democratic Party. By the way, that hopey-changey thing, how is that death panel-y, they-are-going-to-kill-your grandmother-y thing going, huh, Sarah?

SHUSTER: Hugh, how about it? I mean, to the extent people think Sarah Palin was speaking the truth. If people find that there are no death panels, isn't there the possibility of Republicans, conservatives being somewhat disillusioned with her in particular?

HEWITT: 9,000 Facts on the ground, David, is that there is no one comparable to her in America except President Obama, the kind of crowds she draws, the energy she generates. And she will continue to do for people like Jim Renacci in Ohio 16^th, who is running against back-flip Boccieri, the guy who changed his mind. She's going to these congressional districts coming up to November and she's going to defeat a lot of Democrats. And she has an enormous, asset on the road. And all you have to compare, for example, to take Barbara Boxer, a big, leading liberal elitistist of the left coast. Barbara Boxer's in trouble. Whether it's Carly Fiorina or Chuck DeVore or whoever gets the Republican nomination on the Republican side out here, Tom Campbell, when Sarah Palin comes to California between now and November, she will raise an enormous amount of money and generate an enormous, a great contrast with Barbara Boxer, both in terms of intelligence, in terms of charisma, in terms of purposefulness. So, I think Mike can keep talking about, you know, Sarah Palin sucking the air out of the room and Sarah Palin is going to keep showing up with people like John McCain and Jim Renacci and Carly Fiorini and all the other candidates who want her very much to appear on the campaign trail with her.

SHUSTER: Hugh, did you just say she'll make the contrast in terms of intelligence with Barbara Boxer?

HEWITT: Oh, yes. Oh, you bet. I'd love to see a Jeopardy game between Sarah Palin and Barbara Boxer. Barbara Boxer wouldn't get $10 bucks.

SHUSTER: Really? All right. Mike. Your take.

MALLOY: A Jeopardy game? Well, a Jeopardy game, that's kind of weird. Like I said, I hope Sarah Palin continues to show up wherever they want her to show up. Because, every time Sarah Palin does show up, all kinds of weird things happening. The only reason she draws these large crowds of white, middle aged Republican men is because she reminds them of that third grade teacher that they had that they thought was so cool, back when they were all nine years old. So, she will continue to draw those crowds. But, as far as an contest, an intellectual contest between Barbara Boxer and Sarah Palin, well, I would say to most generic conservatives, you have got to be kidding.

SHUSTER: Hugh, are you kidding?

HEWITT: Of course not. Anyone who has watched Barbara Boxer as I have through her three six-year terms realizes there's not much there. In fact, there's nothing there. And what Sarah Palin threatens pseudo-sophisticated liberal elites with is the fact that she's the real deal. She stands for freedom. She political ideology. Whereas Barbara Boxer stands up and upbraids generals of the United States Army. "Don't call me ma'am." You remember that sort of thing?

SHUSTER: Well, that's fine. But you think Sarah Palin has informed judgments?

HEWITT: Oh, absolutely. I think Sarah Palin has a great, great sense of who she is, what she stands for. That's why 9,000 people- I love the fact that on MSNBC she's scorned. Because, the fact that elites who watch this or pseudo-sophisticates who watch this are sitting there and saying "Sarah Palin, she's not much." They couldn't get three people into a room, David. Sarah Palin generates that because she resonate with middle America, people who go to work every day and stand for a lot of basic American values.

MALLOY: Could I ask a question?

SHUSTER: Mike, we'll give you the last word.

MALLOY: Just a question to Mr. Generic Conservative, what is a pseudo-sophisticate?

SHUSTER: Well, you know, we're going to have that debate another day. Hugh Hewitt, I love your show. I'm not sure Sarah Palin's intellectual prowess is the reason 9,000 people showed up in the desert. But, we'll have that discussion another time. Mike Malloy, pleasure having you on as well. Thank you both.

HEWITT: Hey, David. Do you think Barbara Boxer is a brilliant person?

SHUSTER: Thank you both for coming on.