Conservative intellectual Dinesh D'Souza came on the Thom Hartmann program to attack Michelle Obama's patriotism today. Hartmann mopped the floor with him. D'Souza ended up a sopping rag sliding around in his own sleaze.

As his final punch, Hartmann brought up Cindy McCain's felony crime of stealing drugs from her charity, and firing its director to cover it up (plus John McCain's felony cover-up as well).

Hartmann made it clear he has purposefully avoided bringing this material up because he thinks the candidate's wives should be off-limits. He also said he has great personal empathy for Cindy McCain's problems. But if the Republicans are going to go there, the Democrats should fight back.

It was puzzling to me why somebody as obviously intelligent as D'Souza would set himself up to get so thoroughly demolished. And why over such an obviously sleaze-ball, fear-mongering issue as Michelle Obama's patriotism?

His masters wouldn't pay him THAT much to appear on Thom Hartmann's program. Whatever the pay, it wouldn't be worth the cost to his reputation as intelligent, and as interested in intellectual issues.

On the other hand, perhaps his reputation might have suffered MORE had he refused to appear. The Republicans have a thick history of covering up gay sexual activity by their members, including their LEADERS. But maybe that cover-up only continues as long as the members play ball. That would explain why a SUPPOSEDLY "family values", "anti-gay" party would be so chock-full of gays.

So if you are a talented young Republican, and you're looking at fast-track success, with private parties and free, secret sex included, you might stop and wonder if that foundation position, or congressional seat, or court appointment, will be worth selling your soul.

Next stop for D'Souza - Bill O'Reilly's show so he and Bill can complain that Thom Hartmann smeared Cindy McCain.

"John McCain's felony cover-up as well"

You'd think that would have made the papers.

Some news coverage: <link>

Thanks-- that was funny.

I find it puzzling that you consider D'Souza intelligent.

He's literate. But intelligent? He's never impressed me very much. He's just a cheerleader... Ann Coulter with a tan.

There's no need to smear Michelle Obama. Just give her space and she will smear herself...

With cocoa butter?

OK that? That was just wrong.