Oliver Willis

“Hewitt”: (verb) To spin furiously to the right contrary to objective facts and data to the point of absurdity

Example: George Bush hewitted all over his presidency when he declared “mission accomplished” in Iraq.

I understand on occasion the need to lie to yourself. For instance, in theory, yes, if the Redskins run the table they may squeak into the playoffs at 9-7. But an objective assessment of the team’s play in the season to date makes that a far off possibility unlikely to happen.

And yet, here is Hugh Hewitt, someone the media takes seriously as someone to predict and analyze information even after his disastrous assessment of the 2006 election, on Rudy Giuliani:

Rudy Giuliani went toe-to-toe with Tim Russert this morning and emerged not only unscathed but the stronger for again demonstrating that in a general election showdown with either Senator Clinton or Obama, the mayor would be up to the 24/7 MSM’s slash-and-burn attacks.

He goes on to bitch about Russert being a Democratic aide sometime back in the prehistoric era and conveniently ignores Tim Russert’s regular use of Republican talking points. Then he posts whats something like the fifth post in a row attacking Mike Huckabee who is currently beating the crap out of Hewitt’s #1 candidate Mitt Romney. But that’s besides the point. By any objective measure, Giuliani’s appearance was a mess. Ideally you wouldn’t have to defend using the NYPD as a limo service for your mistress (even Bill Clinton has to think that just isn’t a smooth move) but if you do, it’s probably not a good idea to stutter and stammer your way though it as this clip (captured by Promethus6) clearly illustrates.

Hugh Hewitt apparently watched that very same clip, and hewitted that review of the appearance and transmitted it across the entire Internet without a hint of shame.