The McLaughlin Group

I enjoy watching this show very much and have for years. McLaughlin and the four panelists are very well-read on current events (they would have to be, all being journalists) and they do show all sides of an issue (when you can make out what they are saying).

I tend to be liberal in my views but it's important to hear other peoples' opinions and I am gratified that such a forum exists. Who knew there could be five sides to a story?

I suspect, however, that unless the people who run for office watch the show too, that all of the energy, opinions and knowledge displayed really won't change anything. It's Monday-morning quarterbacking at its finest.

I use to like the show but I agree with the guy who says there is too much screaming and cutting off. Some emotion is what made me use to like the show, but the emotion gets across as silly. One knows the answers of the show's guests on each issues before they talk, according to their political belief. Their beliefs scare me personally for sometimes there is an apparent hole in their argument or an issue that needs to be addressed. I wonder if the media actually addresses the truth or just gives opinions. Pat is the only one that seems to give a personal opinion outside of the partyline. I disagree with Pat on some issues, but I agree with him on the workers getting cheated by special interest groups, and people who exploit the fruit growers and construction industry which was so radical at the time. Pat was a voice in the wilderness, and now the arguments have become so mainstream. (ie Lou Dobbs) Democrats or Republicans can do no wrong even if they do the same things, is what turned myself off politics. I remember how Savings and Loans where a evil rich Republican ploy, but when other Democrats where involved the issue became a non topic, and the working man's investments got hurt. Shame on both sides. One side wants no one to have a bigger piece of the pie no matter how hard one works out of resentment, while the other wants a bigger piece of the pie out of your share out of greed.

This is a great show. McLaughlin is an intelligent host and very good at stirring debate. The guests are well known and have very insightful regarding whatever questions John McLaughlin asks them. We get a fair representation of the issue and a fairly deep understanding of it. I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in news.

I used to like watching The McLaughlin Group and have seen a progression of panelists evolve throughout the years; however, I must say that I have watched it less and less since Monica Crowley joined the show. Her disdain for Eleanor Clift is palpable and her need to dominate the discussion is enabled by John McLaughlin, who is clearly besotted with her. There is a mean-spiritedness about Ms. Crowley that transcends simple participation and anyone who has heard her radio show knows that her radio persona is harshly ideological and vitriolic.

While I agree that this show is loud, opinionated and sometimes raucous, it is also clear that most of the "old guard" is fond of one another; Ms. Crowley is another matter. I do believe that she sees herself as a contender for John McLaughlin's seat if and when he retires and is tireless in her efforts to position herself at the forefront of discussion. Again, her constant interruptions of Eleanor Clift, as well as her general demeanor toward Ms. Clift are shameful, as is Mr. McLaughlin's indulgence of this.

As for Mort Zuckerman: I'm not quite sure of the reasoning behind putting him on the same side of the "table" as Eleanor Clift. While clearly very bright and obviously very successful, he tends to lean more toward the views of Pat Buchanan and John McLaughlin. He's certainly not the reason, however, that I have taken this show off my DVR. To Ms. Crowley goes that honor.

This is the best political show on television. It is the only political show on PBS.

Without this show PBS would likely forced to be reborn since it generally has such a powerfully left-wing bias.

The narrator, John McLaughlin is a roughly non-partisan figure who really hosts the show. He does it in a novel manner that makes the show more interesting. He may be a Libertarian... as he falls into left and right camps with a tendency to visit the right.

Typical hosts include Pat Buchanan and others. Mr. Buchanan is obviously conservative. He has a chick counterpart who covers the left territory in an equally abrasive manner. The two co-hosts complement John McLaughlin who then puts them in their place by reminding them that they live in America, not Liberica or Conservica! It is quite interesting to watch- especially occasionally and over a period of years, even decades as I have.

Issues commonly discussed include American foreign policy and domestic security issues. It's often suggested that the U.S. get out of everywhere and focus the heck on it's own problems. This is an attitude that non-baby boomers (younger set) may find very appealing.

Speaking of that generational issues have over the years been brought up in the show. The guests tend to have very optimistic views of the future and their own take on how that future will be brighter than before.

There is a general feeling from within the show that the left is viewed as being on it's way to obsolescence with the right redefining a new left and right based on rational thought and modern life.

However it should be said that this show definitely represents all views. It is one of the only TV shows aired anywhere that really discusses all sides of the political equation.