I couldn’t help but laugh when I saw the first thing on Ed Morrissey’s Wikipedia page: “For the convict, see Edward Morrissey.”
For the conservative blogger and radio host, read on.
Morrissey began as a citizen journalist for his own Captain's Quarters blog in 2003. In 2007 he left his job as a call-center manager to blog full-time and host the "Ed Morrissey Show" each day on Ustream and BlogTalkRadio. In 2008, he "drydocked" Captain's Quarters and started blogging full-time for HotAir.com.
This year I was pleased to present the CPAC Blogger of the Year Award to Morrissey. Of course, I had a surprise up my sleeve when it came time to do the introduction. As “My City Was Lost” by the Pretenders filled the ballroom, Rush Limbaugh came on the big screens. Amid wild applause, Limbaugh said, “I’m pleased to announce that Ed Morrissey of HotAir.com is this year’s Blogger of the Year. When I’m putting together my stack of stuff, Ed’s posts are always at the top. His thoughtful analysis on the news of the day proves that citizen journalism can be far superior to that of the drive-by media.”
Morrissey is well-respected by conservative organizations and bloggers. He will be speaking at the upcoming blogger conference hosted by FreedomWorks in Washington, D.C.
"Ed Morrissey is one of the hardest working, most genuine bloggers out there. I’ve never heard anyone say a negative word about him—and that’s saying something in this business. I have the utmost respect for his work and for him as a person,” said Tabitha Hale, conference organizer and interactive media coordinator for FreedomWorks.
In his last post on Captain's Quarters, Morrissey wrote, "Finally, and crucially, one person remains to thank. If it weren't for the support and love of my wife Marcia, the First Mate, I never would have been able to do this. She has been nothing but supportive and encouraging, even when the blogging became a much larger effort than either of us ever dreamed."
As a devoted husband, father and grandfather, conservatives are lucky that Ed Morrissey gives so much of his time to the conservative cause. I thank his wife and family, as well.
1. If there were a television channel that only showed one movie over and over, what movie should it be?
MORRISSEY: I’m tempted to answer Battlefield Earth, the greatest unintentional comedy of our generation, but I’ll give you a more serious answer. If I had to choose just one film, it would be Casablanca, a cynical movie that serves the cause of patriotism and courage. It’s the greatest film of all time, in my opinion, and I could watch it all day long. At Christmas, though, it would be A Christmas Story, and the channel would be TBS.
2. What’s one of your favorite movie quotes?
MORRISSEY: Oh, I love all sorts of movie quotes for different occasions. I’d say my favorite one to use in conversation comes from Real Genius: “Self-realization: I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, who said … I drank what?”
3. In A Clockwork Orange, Malcolm McDowell is strapped in with his eyes propped open and forced to watch images until he was "cured." If you could give President Obama, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Leader Harry Reid the "Clockwork Orange treatment," what movie would you make them watch?
MORRISSEY: Maybe I’d use Battlefield Earth for this answer … Hmmm. Is there a good film version of Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged? If not that, then perhaps I’d choose Animal Farm. And then if they behaved, Animal House for a reward.
4. What pop culture souvenir do you own that people would be surprised to learn that you cherish?
MORRISSEY: I don’t know if it counts, but I have almost 800 45s, which I used to collect almost 30 years ago. I don’t think I have many pop-culture souvenirs. I do have a Star Trek Enterprise model, but I doubt that will surprise anyone at all.
5. What's your current “guilty pleasure” non-news television show?
MORRISSEY: The “guilty pleasure” TV show I used to have was “The Tudors” on Showtime. It’s mainly a bodice-ripper, but it’s also pretty good with its history (although not entirely). That concluded earlier this year. “South Park” is a must-watch for me, and “Penn & Teller’s BS” as well, but those are known to be good shows. Otherwise, I don’t watch much current episodic TV.
6. Which movie, television or rock star would cause you to lose your ability to speak if you ever met?
MORRISSEY: Rock star would be Eric Clapton, hands down. TV or movie star, probably none. At least I hope none; after having met so many fascinating figures in politics, I’d like to think I could at least politely express my appreciation for their work before becoming a stammering fool. I hope.
7. What was the first rock concert you ever attended and where did you sit and who went with you?
MORRISSEY: The first rock concert I ever attended was a reunion tour of Eric Burdon and the Animals, in 1983, with my then-girlfriend. My second was the very next night at Dodger Stadium to see Simon & Garfunkel, again with my then-girlfriend.
8. What books were on your summer reading list?
MORRISSEY: Since taking up blogging, book reading has become nearly impossible for me. I don’t really have a summer reading list any more.
9. What are your two favorite non-news websites?
MORRISSEY: My favorite non-news website has to be IMDB. I’m addicted to the trivia and goofs pages for films. I have written about 100 film reviews on the site, almost all of them before I began blogging. After that, I guess I’d say South Park Studios.
10. What’s the coolest thing you’ve been able to do because of your role in the political arena?
MORRISSEY: The coolest thing was getting introduced by Rush Limbaugh at CPAC this year. Besides that, though, there’s plenty of competition. I’d say that the most unusual cool thing was getting a guided tour of the Pentagon on July 4, 2005, by a reader who wanted to show his appreciation—a high honor, and one I will always cherish. Becoming friends with Michelle Malkin and many other people rank pretty highly, too.
11. What question do you wish reporters would ask you? What’s your answer to that question?
MORRISSEY: I don’t really have a question in mind. I’m always a little surprised when reporters want to ask me anything. Ask me about my granddaughters, and you’ll never get rid of me.
12. Tell me about the moment you decided to enter the political arena.
MORRISSEY: My entry into politics has been a gradual, lifelong thing. I had written occasional reader-contribution essays in local newspapers for years, since I liked to write and liked to argue on policy. I first started blogging in October 2003, mainly as a means to get more disciplined about writing, but also to get into the arena for politics. My wife was in the hospital for a few days, and that seemed like a good time to start, while I had time on my hands. By the time she came home, I was hooked. I should also mention that my wife has been incredibly supportive of my efforts. I tell people that she’s at least half responsible for everything I do, but I’m not sure they believe it; they should. She had plenty of opportunity to demand that I take my previous career more seriously, or to object to the time this took away from family life when I did it as a sideline. Instead, she prayed that I would find a way to succeed and encouraged me to work hard to create opportunities in this field. I never would have succeeded in the way I have without her.
