Mark Halperin Is More Famous Than Ever, With or Without Imus's Help
During an interview that tested Mark Halperin's patience, Imus marveled at his guest's rising star, dug for more dirt on the "characters" in Halperin's book "Game Change," and delved into personal issues that are, frankly, none of his beeswax.
"Game Change," which Halperin wrote with John Heilemann, is still the number one non-fiction book on the New York Times Bestseller list, a feat surprising to no less than the authors themselves.
"It's been bigger than we thought, but you knew all along," said Halperin, appropriately stroking the I-Man's ego. He chalked the book's success up to two elements (besides, of course, Imus's humping of it).
"One was the incredible plot twists," he said. "And the other, even more important thing, was the incredible characters-to have the Clintons, the Obamas, the McCains, the Palins, the Bidens, and the Edwardses all in one story-these are not Dick Lugar and John Kerry. These are people who are fascinating by any standard."
When he's not penning salacious political tell-alls, Halperin is an editor-at-large for TIME Magazine, which, unlike its competitor Newsweek, is managing to stay afloat despite difficult times in the "old media" business. Also a senior political analyst at TIME, Halperin explained to Imus just what Republican Senator Jim Bunning from Kentucky was doing these last few days.
"He didn't want more spending on government programs without finding a way to pay for them," said Halperin of Bunning's decision to filibuster a $10 billion spending bill. He has since acquiesced, which Halperin owed to pressure from within his own Party.
"Republicans have to be a little bit careful now," said Halperin. "They don't want to be known as the Party that's only obstructing, particularly on issues where jobs are involved, and part of what Bunning was obstructing was spending on transportation projects around the country that mean jobs in the short term."
Imus lends more credence to Halperin's observations than he did before "Game Change" was published, and congratulated his heretofore profile-challenged guest on "blowing the doors off" his celebrity status.
He then unfortunately wondered if Halperin's resounding success had led him to reconsider marrying the woman with whom he lives, which Halperin dismissed by saying little more than, "She's a great, independent person."
So, does Imus's inquisitive yet rude nature bother Halperin to the point of never wanting to come on this program again?
"Nothing you do irritates me," said Halperin. "Because I consider A, the source, and B, your long history in broadcasting."
Smart guy.
-Julie Kanfer
Mark Halperin 
Reader Comments (2)
In keeping with Big Media trying to save a buck....I say lets Fire Imus AGAIN and let Julie and Daisy May Dagen have a shot at this time slot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey Dagen....we got lots of Beavers crossing the roads up here....and I mean our National symbol....The Beaver.
Doug from Canada
Just one Please....how in the USA can Imus and Charlie's call each other bastards live.....but you can't play the full Willie Nelson song???????
because of a word like ship
This makes about as much sense as Iran's foriegn policy