Five Good Things I Can Say About Glenn Beck

Every conservative radio host claims that his critics are only reacting to sound bites that have been taken out of context. Just really listen to my show, they implore, and it will all make sense. It never makes sense.  Not one of those cats burning up 560 WVOC ever engage in a real discussion of issues or meaningful debate (except the unlistenable local guy Kevin Cohen, who is still the unlistenable local guy). There's nothing to do here but confirm and entrench opinions you already have, either in opposition or support of the host. You. Will. Learn. Nothing.
So of course I have actually listened to Glenn Beck, at work in the truck in the late mornings. I am not exactly proud of this, but sometimes you just get bored with people on NPR soberly discussing the issues of the day and you want a big ol' plate o' crazy. Eh?
Anyway, uh, what was the title of this post again? Okay, then, the list:

1. Glenn Beck has comic timing. He can actually tell a real joke. Not some evil-sounding guffawing thing that eats your soul, like Limbaugh does. His jokes are not actually funny, but they sound like something approaching actual humor. Clearly an evolutionary step forward for conservatives.
2. I think Glenn Beck is basically sincere. Again in comparison to Limbaugh, who comes across as a calculating pragmatist who doesn't really care about the truth, Beck seems to believe in what he is saying. The famous crying, while making him seem unhinged, never comes off as contrived.
3. Glenn Beck, and the Tea Party people he champions, are serious about really being conservative. I mean, really doing it. Not cutting taxes a little and ramping up spending irresponsibly like elected Republicans have actually done for the last thirty years. On the other hand, if they get elected, I doubt any of them could really cut anything that would make a real difference. But I understand the appeal of that basic idea.
4. Glenn Beck -- the new Oprah. As in, he gets people to read. Actual books. It's a start.
5. He does the morning "gang" thing really well, chatting with his producers and seeming all affable and stuff. Which makes those angry, screamy moments all the more punchy.

Let's hear it for faint praise!