The AP's David Bauder writes a great profile of the awesome (and, that's right, Alec Baldwin, former construction worker) Sean Hannity:
Sean Hannity will not abandon ship. President Bush's approval ratings have sunk into the 30s, but Fox News Channel's tenacious conservative isn't wavering in his support, even while parting ways with the president over immigration and the Dubai ports deal.
"Let me be straight with you: I like George Bush," Hannity said. "I think he's a man of principle, a man of faith. I think he's got a backbone of steel and he's a real, genuine, big-time leader ... He's a consequential figure for his time. We don't see it right now."
History will vindicate Bush as a strong leader the same way it did Harry Truman, another unpopular president of his time, Hannity said.
Even surf-by viewers of "Hannity & Colmes" will recognize those opinions. The popularity of the weeknight talk show and his syndicated talk-radio show has enabled the 44-year-old Long Island native to become a business unto himself _ hawking books, recommending CDs and arranging dates for like-minded singles.
Hannity packed a Broadway theater full of fans one night last month for an evening that mixed putative standup comedy and exhortations to the faithful.
Also, few talk-show hosts are as adept at inspiring sputtering rage among unlike-minded people. Actor Alec Baldwin, for instance, called Hannity a "no-talent, former-construction-worker hack" during a recent radio confrontation.
"I think the guy's political views are off-the-wall, but he is an undeniably brilliant television talent," said Ellis Henican, a Newsday columnist and frequent on-air foil. "He exudes authenticity. You can disagree with him, as I do, about almost every thought he has but recognize that Sean is truly somebody who believes in something."
