In this historical year of politics that introduced America to two first, an African American and a woman vying for the office of POTUS, I have learned a thing or two about my own political palate.

Political pundits give me heartburn. Just like pizza, I keep coming back for more.

               

What exactly is a pundit? According to Merriam-Webster a pundit is a person who gives opinions in an authoritative manner usually through the mass media. Other sources add the quality of expert or learned person who speaks authoritatively on a subject.

Political pundits are personalities that drive ratings. Diminished are the qualities of expert or learned. I cringe when watching cable news shows and the pundit de jour begins pontificating with the words ‘I think’ or ‘I believe’ in response to a question that requires some objective assessment and a bit o’ expert knowledge.

There are ‘pundits’ whom I love; Harold Ford Jr., Michael Eric Dyson, Rachel Maddow, and Donna Brazille. There are some I do not love; Pat Buchanan, Lou Dobbs, and Tucker Carlson.

Ah, Tucker Carlson. The pundit who was publicly humiliated by Jon Stewart. The pundit who realized his worst nightmare – that someone with an intelligence quotient in the triple digits would expose their ‘unlearnedness’ (my word) to the world.

Classic.

Stewart to Carlson: How old are you?

Carlson: 35.

Stewart: And you wear a bow tie.

Ha. Not long after this fiasco Tucker’s show was canceled. So to O’Reilly and Sean Hannity and Co., I recommend the Stewart treatment.