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| − | [[Image:SHannity.jpg|right|190px]] | + | #REDIRECT [[Terry Hurlbut's masturbation fantasy]] |
| − | '''Sean Hannity''' (born December 30, 1961) is a talk show host and [[television]] host of [[Fox News]]'s show [[Hannity (tv show)|Hannity]], as well as host of the former [[Hannity's America]]. He generally takes strong conservative stances, with a notable exception being the controversy regarding [[Todd Akin]] (see below). Liberals strongly oppose him<ref>Ernst, Douglas (May 24, 2017). [http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/may/24/sean-hannity-warns-fans-of-organized-left-wing-eff/ Sean Hannity warns fans of organized, left-wing effort to ‘silence’ him]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved May 24, 2017.</ref> because he contradicts their favored narratives.<ref name="MonopolizeMedia"/>
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| − | == Media bullying of Todd Akin ==
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| − | Congressman [[Todd Akin]] is the [[Republican Party]] nominee for one of the most-watched races for the [[U.S. Senate]] in 2012. He has represented a portion of the greater [[St. Louis]], [[Missouri]] area in the [[House of Representatives]] since 2000 (Missouri's 2nd congressional district).
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| − | On August 19, 2012, in a local television interview with KTVI, Akin rejected a suggestion that there should be a broad [[rape]] exception to limits on [[abortion]]. He distinguished between an actual rape and a false allegation of rape by referring to the former as a "legitimate rape," terminology that the [[liberal media]] then unfairly took out of context to engage in demagoguery against him.
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| − | Hannity claimed that Akin should consider withdrawing from the Senate race: "I think there is one political reality that I think has to be faced by you and your campaign ... Democrats now have a ton of ammunition and they are now going to try to use these remarks to hurt everybody they can. And if I was put in that position, I would at least be thinking about what is in the best interest of the party."<ref>[http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2012/08/20/hannity_urges_akin_to_consider_dropping_out_in_interview_with_him.html]</ref>
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| − | True conservatives stood with principle and defended Akin's remarks, and his right to remain in the race.<ref>http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=004DDFAC-6907-452E-93F5-62D3793BBABE</ref><ref>http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/election-2012/wp/2012/08/21/tony-perkins-gop-treatment-of-akin-suspect/</ref><ref>http://www.rollcall.com/news/missouri_delegates_still_support_todd_akin_despite_controversy-217050-1.html</ref><ref>http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57497428-503544/rep-steve-king-backs-up-todd-akin-weighs-in-on-rape-and-abortion/</ref><ref>[http://mycn2.com/politics/rand-paul-reticent-to-weigh-in-on-akin-s-future-but-says-akin-s-comment-was-incorrect Rand Paul reticent to weigh in on Akin's future but says Akin's comment was incorrect] by Ryan Alessi, mycn2.com, August 22, 2012, retrieved August 24, 2012</ref><ref>http://akin.org/huckabee-chip-in</ref><ref>http://hinterlandgazette.com/2012/08/social-conservatives-including-frc-head-tony-perkins-defending-rep-todd-akins-legitimate-rape-comment.html</ref><ref>http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0812/80049.html</ref><ref>http://buchanan.org/blog/a-grand-old-party-in-panic-2-5223</ref>
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| − | Hannity showed himself to be a [[RINO Backers|RINO backer]] through his actions.
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| − | ==Early career==
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| − | The youngest of four children, Hannity was born in [[New York City]] to Irish immigrants. He dropped out of college to embark on a [[radio]] career, and in 1988 was at a small-town station of WVNN in [[Huntsville, Alabama]]. He later broke into a Top 10 market in Atlanta at 640 AM WGST. His national recognition came as an occasional substitute host on the top rated ''The [[Rush Limbaugh]] Show''. Allegedly on his first guest show, he dropped the golden [[Excellence In Broadcasting|EIB]] microphone because of a case of high nerves. The attention gained from substitute-hosting the show paved his way to national syndication.
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| − | ==Television==
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| − | Sean Hannity was asked to join the newly formed Fox News Channel (FNC) in September 1996.<ref name="foxnews.com">http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,1242,00.html</ref>
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| − | He accepted the offer and became co-host with liberal [[Alan Colmes]] of ''Hannity and Colmes'', a prime time one-hour debate-driven talk show focusing on the controversial issues and newsmakers of the day.<ref name="foxnews.com"/> January 9, 2009 was the final show of Hannity & Colmes, replaced the following week with Hannity's solo, self-titled show [[Hannity (tv show)|Hannity]]. ''Hannity and Colmes'' ranked among the leading cable TV news shows (just behind CNN's ''Larry King Live'' and FOX's ''O'Reilly Factor''). Hannity also has a weekend show on Fox News, [[Hannity's America]].
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| − | In September 2017, Hannity's show was moved to the 9 pm EDT time slot, putting him in direct competition with left-wing MSNBC host [[Rachel Maddow]]. In his first week in competition with her, Hannity received much higher ratings than her, despite her rise in ratings prior to that in 2017.<ref>Schwartz, Jason (September 29, 2017). [http://www.politico.com/story/2017/09/29/sean-hannity-rachel-maddow-ratings-243307 Hannity beats Maddow in first week of 9 p.m. showdown]. ''Politico''. Retrieved September 30, 2017.</ref><ref>Enloe, Chris (September 30, 2017). [http://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/09/30/sean-hannity-is-now-in-head-to-head-competition-with-rachel-maddow-and-the-ratings-just-came-in/ Sean Hannity is now in head-to-head competition with Rachel Maddow — and the ratings just came in]. ''The Blaze''. Retrieved September 30, 2017.</ref><ref>Beck, Conor (September 29, 2017). [http://freebeacon.com/culture/hannity-beats-maddow-first-week/ Hannity Beats Maddow in First Week at 9 P.M. Hour]. ''The Washington Free Beacon''. Retrieved September 30, 2017.</ref>
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| − | ==Controversy==
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| − | Hannity angered some traditional [[Catholics]] with his antagonistic treatment of Father Thomas Euteneuer on August 2006, during which Hannity criticized Fr. Euteneuer for prominent sex scandals in the Catholic Church.<ref>http://thebadguy.wordpress.com/2007/03/15/video-of-the-hannity-euteneuer-squabble</ref> After heated remarks by Hannity during the interview, he finally asked the priest, "Wait, would you deny me Communion?" To which Fr. Euteneuer responded, "I would."<ref>http://www.renewamerica.us/columns/abbott/070320</ref>
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| − | Hannity has also received criticism for his involvement with the Freedom Alliance charity and the associated Freedom Concerts that he has hosted for the [[charity]] since 2003. The concerts are held to raise money to give to severely injured [[United States Armed Forces|U.S. soldiers]] or as scholarships for the children of slain or injured soldiers. Through 2008, less than 20% of revenues raised by the Freedom Alliance have actually gone to these causes (and as low as 3.7% in 2006), according to IRS Form 990 tax data.<ref>Economic Research Institute. Nonprofit Organization Information - Freedom Alliance. http://www.eri-nonprofit-salaries.com/index.cfm?FuseAction=NPO.Form990&EIN=541411430&Year=2009</ref> This was widely reported by [[Debbie Schlussel]], a conservative commentator and [[blog]]ger, and Schlussel has also made corroborated accusations that hundreds of thousands of dollars were spent by the Freedom Alliance for each concert to accommodate Hannity and his friends and family.<ref>Schlussel, Debbie. "Sean Hannity’s Freedom CONcert Scam: Almost None of Charity’s $ Went to Injured Troops, Kids of Fallen Troops; G5s for Vannity?" March 18, 2010. http://www.debbieschlussel.com/6938/sean-hannitys-freedom-concert-scam-only-7-of-charitys-money-went-to-injured-troops-kids-of-fallen-troops-g5s-g6s-for-vannity/</ref> Hannity has been accused of taking advantage of the charitable nature of conservative, patriotic Americans.
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| − | In May 2017, Fox News published and then retracted a story about the [[murder of Seth Rich]]. Hannity did not retract anything he stated, noting the fact that liberals and Democrats themselves widely accepted and circulated [[Conspiracy theory|conspiracy theories]], most notably those regarding alleged Russian interference in the [[United States presidential election, 2016|2016 presidential election]].<ref>Concha, Joe (May 23, 2017). [http://thehill.com/homenews/media/334825-hannity-on-seth-rich-coverage-i-retracted-nothing Hannity on Seth Rich coverage: ‘I retracted nothing’]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved May 23, 2017.</ref> Because of Hannity's decision, liberal advertisers chose to pressure and bully him by pulling out their ads from his show.<ref>Kew, Ben (May 24, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-journalism/2017/05/24/advertisers-bow-to-activist-left-begin-pulling-ads-from-hannity/ Advertisers Bow to Activist Left, Begin Pulling Ads from Hannity]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 24, 2017.</ref> Many of these attacks were attempts on the part of left-wingers to destroy a non-left-wing voice in the media.<ref name="MonopolizeMedia">Kew, Ben (May 25, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-journalism/2017/05/25/brent-bozell-attack-on-hannity-part-of-liberal-strategy-to-monopolize-the-media/ Brent Bozell: Attack on Hannity Part of ‘Liberal Strategy to Monopolize the Media’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 26, 2017.</ref>
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| − | ==Books==
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| − | Hannity's books use patriotic rhetoric as a main theme. His first book, in 2002, was entitled ''Let Freedom Ring: Winning the War of Liberty over Liberalism''. The book remained on the ''New York Times'' bestseller list for 17 weeks.<ref>http://www.harpercollins.com/authors/24930/Sean_Hannity/index.aspx</ref>
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| − | In 2004 he published ''Deliver Us from Evil: Defeating Terrorism, Despotism, and Liberalism'' in which he "reveals how the disgraceful history of appeasement has reached forward from the days of [[Neville Chamberlain]] and [[Jimmy Carter]] to corrupt the unrepentant leftists of the modern [[Democratic Party]] from [[Howard Dean]] and [[John Kerry]] to [[Bill Clinton|Bill]] and [[Hillary Clinton]]."
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| − | ==Radio==
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| − | Hannity reaches approximately 12.5 million radio listeners each day, second only to Rush Limbaugh.<ref>''Newsweek'', April 27, 2007, p. 29</ref>
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| − | == References ==
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| − | {{reflist|2}}
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| − | == See also ==
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| − | *[[Conservative Links]]
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| − | ==External links==
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| − | *[http://www.hannity.com/ Sean Hannity's Official Website]
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| − | *[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,1242,00.html Biography] at Fox News
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| − | {{DEFAULTSORT:Hannity, Sean}}
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| − | [[Category:Broadcasters]]
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| − | [[Category:Television Personalities]]
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| − | [[Category:The 100 Americans The Left Hates Most]]
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| − | [[Category:Rino Backers]]
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| − | [[Category:Conservative Commentators]]
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| − | [[Category:Irish-Americans]]
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