There are two separate things I’m going to address concerning the “Common Controversy”. The response by Fox News to this “controversy” was absolutely ridiculous. Different commentators made absurd claims all day long, but the outrage expressed by Karl Rove and Sean Hannity grabbed my attention the most. Rove calling Common a “thug” shows significant ignorance to today’s culture. I know you’re a busy man Mr. Rove, but if you would take an hour to hear one Common album you would learn he is the antithesis of a “gangster rapper”.

In fact, he is probably the most well-known “conscious rapper” in the industry. He has produced quality music for two decades, and provided social commentary with his intelligent lyrics and smooth delivery. I’m sure Karl didn’t actually take the time to learn about someone before he defamed his character. I would imagine Karl’s and Sean’s underlings found out a rapper was invited to the White House, looked up his most controversial lyrics, and the two conservative heavyweights used these as fuel for a red herring attack on Obama.

It’s a shame these Republican commentators are so shallow in their attacks on this “invitation”, not only because it will definitely hurt the Republican Party’s image with young, urban, and black voters, but because they missed the real opportunity to criticize this event. Hannity and Rove cast themselves as patriots and supporters of freedom; however, their reactions to this invitation contradict their images. Their dedicated fan base won’t be dissuaded of the two’s commitment to freedom, but more independent thinkers will take notice of the hypocrisy.

Today Keith Olbermann returns from the pointless suspension doled out by his employer, MSNBC. Olbermann had admitted in an interview that he contributed to Democratic candidates, an act deemed a violation of employee conduct. The suspension was riveting because Olbermann is MSNBC’s cash cow, raking in more than 1 million viewers per night. Which would lead one to think that MSNBC was making a principled stand, no?

Well, no. If you were deaf, dumb, and blind you still would have known that Olbermann was a Democrat who was supportive of their candidates (donations or no donations). The riddle here is why MSNBC actually believes they have gained a modicum of respect for the impartiality such a suspension would seem to suggest.

How can I put this elegantly: Um, no.

Angela McGlowan today held a news conference in Oxford, Miss. to formally announce that she’s seeking the Republican nomination for Congress. The GOP is hoping to unseat Rep. Travis Childers (D-Miss.), who has held Mississippi’s 1st Congressional District seat since mid-2008.

In calling out Fox News, the president exposes some of rather bitter irony given his history of relations with the press. During his 2008 presidential campaign, then-candidate Obama was frequently lauded as one of the most (if not THE most) media-savvy candidate in the history of American politics. It also didn’t hurt that more often than not, he was the beneficiary of flattering coverage and a press corps eager to curry favor with a fresh and exciting candidate.

By leaving off the White House’s pet peeve – Fox News – the president’s camp again loses some credibility for the long haul whenever the issue of fairness and openness come up.

Brandon Brice an active contributor to HipHopRepublicans.com will featured on FOX News “Hannity” Tuesday at 9pm est!Brandon Brice has worked as a policy intern for the former House Speaker Honorable J. Dennis Hastert and has served as a fellow at the United Nations. He has been featured on C-SPAN’s Road to the White House, BET’s What’s At Stake and Hot97 with Lisa Evers.