I got a tip from my friend Phil that Sean Hannity — yes, that Sean Hannity — criticized Bush for sitting and reading “My Pet Goat” for seven minutes after being told that the country is under attack. As hard as it was to believe Hannity would do such a thing, I checked the transcript. It’s true.
Bill Maher was on the show last night and he brought up the now-infamous seven-minute delay. Challenging Hannity to admit the obvious, Maher asked the ultra-conservative — whose reputation as a partisan hack is well deserved — to comment. Here’s the exchange:
MAHER: Well, I couldn’t ask Sean Hannity what he thinks about this. Does he defend President Bush sitting there for seven minutes?
HANNITY: I’ll answer the question.
MAHER: I want to know…
HANNITY: You want me — can I — it’s Alan’s time.
MAHER: Please.
HANNITY: I think you’re right. I think he should have reacted sooner. I think he should have got up out of the chair.
MAHER: Thank you.
HANNITY: And he should have — he should have handled it.
I’m at a rare loss for words. I guess even a broken clock is right twice a day.