Bob Beckel
Encyclopedia
Robert Beckel is an American political commentator and an analyst on the Fox News Channel
. He is also a columnist for USA Today
where he writes "point-counterpoint" style articles with friend and political opposite Cal Thomas
. He is the brother of actor Graham Beckel
.
. While in college, he worked for Robert F. Kennedy
's presidential campaign in 1968. Early in his career, he joined the U.S. Department of State and became the youngest Deputy Assistant Secretary of State
for the Carter administration. Beckel was the campaign manager for Walter Mondale
's 1984 presidential campaign
. He became known as the man who wrapped the Wendy's slogan "Where's the Beef?
" around Mondale's opponent Gary Hart
effectively.
Beckel managed Alan Blinken
's 2002 Senate campaign until he was dismissed after being targeted for extortion by a prostitute.
He was co-host of Crossfire Sunday
on CNN
alongside Tony Snow
and later Lynne Cheney
, and went on to Fox News Channel as a political analyst and commentator, regularly appearing on such shows as Hannity & Colmes
(later Hannity
), America's Newsroom
and Red Eye with Greg Gutfeld. Beckel is a co-host of Fox News' The Five
, a political talk show that replaced Glenn Beck
in the 5 p.m. Eastern time slot in July 2011.
Beckel is a graduate school professor of politics at the George Washington University
.
In 2007, Beckel was involved in an altercation in a Bethesda, Maryland grocery store parking lot with a man who took issue with his anti–George W. Bush bumper stickers. In October 2011, Beckel says he nearly choked to death at a Fox News reception, but was saved by Fox News chief Roger Ailes
and The Five co-host Eric Bolling
.
. He agreed with The Five co-host Greg Gutfeld
when Gutfeld said he felt awkward making negative comments about Palin, because "it's like (badmouthing) a coworker." "I know exactly what you mean," Beckel added. "I'll be honest, I've pulled my punches." Both Gutfeld and Beckel later said they were joking, however.
In December 2010, with reference to Julian Assange
, Beckel said, "This guy's a traitor, he's treasonous, and he has broken every law of the United States. And I'm not for the death penalty, so [...] there's only one way to do it: illegally shoot the son of a bitch."
He has referred to Italian -American as 'Greasebals" and Guidos" plus a few other derogatory comments. He has refused to apologize desptie frequent requests. He also once responded to comment that all Italians are not in Mafia by saying "Yes they are"
Fox News Channel
Fox News Channel , often called Fox News, is a cable and satellite television news channel owned by the Fox Entertainment Group, a subsidiary of News Corporation...
. He is also a columnist for USA Today
USA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
where he writes "point-counterpoint" style articles with friend and political opposite Cal Thomas
Cal Thomas
John Calvin "Cal" Thomas is an American conservative syndicated columnist, pundit, author and radio commentator.-Life and career:...
. He is the brother of actor Graham Beckel
Graham Beckel
Graham S. Beckel is an American character actor. He is known for his prolific guest appearances on television but has had prominent roles in several major films as well. Most recently he played Jack Fisk on Battlestar Galactica and Hal Sanders on Heroes...
.
Career
Beckel holds a B.A. from Wagner CollegeWagner College
Wagner College is a private, co-educational, national liberal arts college with an enrollment of approximately 2,400 total students located atop Grymes Hill in New York City's borough of Staten Island...
. While in college, he worked for Robert F. Kennedy
Robert F. Kennedy
Robert Francis "Bobby" Kennedy , also referred to by his initials RFK, was an American politician, a Democratic senator from New York, and a noted civil rights activist. An icon of modern American liberalism and member of the Kennedy family, he was a younger brother of President John F...
's presidential campaign in 1968. Early in his career, he joined the U.S. Department of State and became the youngest Deputy Assistant Secretary of State
United States Secretary of State
The United States Secretary of State is the head of the United States Department of State, concerned with foreign affairs. The Secretary is a member of the Cabinet and the highest-ranking cabinet secretary both in line of succession and order of precedence...
for the Carter administration. Beckel was the campaign manager for Walter Mondale
Walter Mondale
Walter Frederick "Fritz" Mondale is an American Democratic Party politician, who served as the 42nd Vice President of the United States , under President Jimmy Carter, and as a United States Senator for Minnesota...
's 1984 presidential campaign
United States presidential election, 1984
The United States presidential election of 1984 was a contest between the incumbent President Ronald Reagan, the Republican candidate, and former Vice President Walter Mondale, the Democratic candidate. Reagan was helped by a strong economic recovery from the deep recession of 1981–1982...
. He became known as the man who wrapped the Wendy's slogan "Where's the Beef?
Where's the beef?
"Where's the beef?" is a catchphrase in the United States and Canada. Since it was first used as an advertising slogan, it has become an all-purpose phrase questioning the substance of an idea, event, or product.-History:...
" around Mondale's opponent Gary Hart
Gary Hart
Gary Hart is an American politician, lawyer, author, professor and commentator. He served as a Democratic Senator representing Colorado , and ran in the U.S...
effectively.
Beckel managed Alan Blinken
Alan Blinken
Alan John Blinken was the 2002 Democratic nominee for United States Senate in Idaho. He was defeated by the Republican incumbent, Larry Craig. Previously, as a resident of New York City in 1990, Blinken ran for the New York State Assembly in Manhattan, but lost to Republican John Ravitz.Blinken...
's 2002 Senate campaign until he was dismissed after being targeted for extortion by a prostitute.
He was co-host of Crossfire Sunday
Crossfire (TV series)
Crossfire was a current events debate television program that aired from 1982 to 2005 on CNN. Its format was designed to present and challenge the opinions of a politically liberal pundit and a conservative pundit.-Format:...
on CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
alongside Tony Snow
Tony Snow
Robert Anthony "Tony" Snow was an American journalist, political commentator, television news anchor, syndicated columnist, radio host, musician, and the third White House Press Secretary under President George W. Bush. Snow also worked for President George H. W. Bush as chief speechwriter and...
and later Lynne Cheney
Lynne Cheney
Lynne Ann Cheney is the wife of former United States Vice President Dick Cheney and served as the Second Lady of the United States from 2001 to 2009...
, and went on to Fox News Channel as a political analyst and commentator, regularly appearing on such shows as Hannity & Colmes
Hannity & Colmes
Hannity & Colmes was a live television show on Fox News Channel in the United States, hosted by Sean Hannity and Alan Colmes, who respectively presented a conservative and liberal perspective. The series premiered on October 6, 1996, and the final episode aired on January 9, 2009. It was the...
(later Hannity
Hannity
Hannity is a television show on the Fox News network, a replacement to the long-running show Hannity & Colmes. It is hosted by conservative political pundit Sean Hannity....
), America's Newsroom
America's Newsroom
America's Newsroom, written on-air as "America's Newsroom with Bill Hemmer and Martha MacCallum" is an American news/talk program on Fox News Channel, first airing on February 12, 2007.-Synopsis:...
and Red Eye with Greg Gutfeld. Beckel is a co-host of Fox News' The Five
The Five (TV program)
The Five is an American talk show on the Fox News Channel featuring a rotating panel of contributors who discuss current political issues. The show premiered in July 2011, replacing the Glenn Beck program, and airs on weekdays at 5:00 PM ET....
, a political talk show that replaced Glenn Beck
Glenn Beck (TV program)
Glenn Beck is a United States cable news show hosted by Glenn Beck that aired weekdays on Fox News Channel. The program, originally on CNN Headline News , premiered on FNC on January 19, 2009 and aired weekdays at 5:00 PM EST...
in the 5 p.m. Eastern time slot in July 2011.
Beckel is a graduate school professor of politics at the George Washington University
George Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
.
Personal struggles
Beckel, a recovering alcoholic, has spoken openly about his past addictions to drugs and alcohol, admitting in July 2011 on The Five: "I'm a recovering addict and cocaine was my drug of choice."In 2007, Beckel was involved in an altercation in a Bethesda, Maryland grocery store parking lot with a man who took issue with his anti–George W. Bush bumper stickers. In October 2011, Beckel says he nearly choked to death at a Fox News reception, but was saved by Fox News chief Roger Ailes
Roger Ailes
Roger Eugene Ailes is president of Fox News Channel, chairman of the Fox Television Stations Group. Ailes was a media consultant for Republican presidents Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, and George H. W...
and The Five co-host Eric Bolling
Eric Bolling
Eric Bolling is an American television personality who specializes in financial news and political commentary. He has occupied numerous roles as a commentator on financial issues for television. Bolling was involved in developing CNBC's Fast Money...
.
Controversial comments
Beckel initially evoked controversy in August 2011 when he implied on air that he had held back from criticizing his Fox News colleague Sarah PalinSarah Palin
Sarah Louise Palin is an American politician, commentator and author. As the Republican Party nominee for Vice President in the 2008 presidential election, she was the first Alaskan on the national ticket of a major party and first Republican woman nominated for the vice-presidency.She was...
. He agreed with The Five co-host Greg Gutfeld
Greg Gutfeld
Greg Gutfeld is an American television personality, political satirist, humorist, magazine editor and blogger. Gutfeld is the host of Red Eye w/ Greg Gutfeld on the Fox News Channel. He is also one of five co-hosts/panelists on Fox News political talk-show The Five, which debuted on July 11, 2011....
when Gutfeld said he felt awkward making negative comments about Palin, because "it's like (badmouthing) a coworker." "I know exactly what you mean," Beckel added. "I'll be honest, I've pulled my punches." Both Gutfeld and Beckel later said they were joking, however.
In December 2010, with reference to Julian Assange
Julian Assange
Julian Paul Assange is an Australian publisher, journalist, writer, computer programmer and Internet activist. He is the editor in chief of WikiLeaks, a whistleblower website and conduit for worldwide news leaks with the stated purpose of creating open governments.WikiLeaks has published material...
, Beckel said, "This guy's a traitor, he's treasonous, and he has broken every law of the United States. And I'm not for the death penalty, so [...] there's only one way to do it: illegally shoot the son of a bitch."
He has referred to Italian -American as 'Greasebals" and Guidos" plus a few other derogatory comments. He has refused to apologize desptie frequent requests. He also once responded to comment that all Italians are not in Mafia by saying "Yes they are"