18 righties you should follow on twitter
TRANSCRIPT
18 Righties You Should Followon Twitter
This is by no means the first website to produce a list ofmust-follow conservatives on Twitter. A handful of right-wingsites have done so over the years, and even left-leaningpublications like Paste Magazine and Salon have lately joinedin the fun (mostly focusing on conservative Trump skeptics).
But since the political twitterverse is a vast place, wherethere are indeed a good number of insightful and entertainingrighties worth checking in on daily, I figured that anothersuch list isn’t going to hurt anyone.
To make this one a bit different, however, I’m going to leaveout some of the conservative social-media juggernauts like BenShapiro and Jonah Goldberg, who everyone already follows andknows are great. In fact, I’m not going to include anyone whohas more than 150k followers. Instead, along with somefamiliar figures in the media, I’m going to includeindividuals whose names you may not have heard of until now.
Here we go (in no particular order):
1. Guy Benson
A Fox News contributor and political editor at Townhall,Benson has long been known for his thoughtful andintellectually-consistent commentary. His Twitter feed is anextension of that insight:
PSA: Someone is not a “snowflake” because they don’t shareyour views. *You* are a snowflake if you cannot handle viewsyou don’t share.
— Guy Benson (@guypbenson) August 15, 2017
Benson is a principled voice and strong critic of uninformedand reckless political activism, as exhibited recently byJimmy Kimmel:
“I am to be taken seriously until I say so.”https://t.co/OCT7pvXVKx
— Guy Benson (@guypbenson) October 14, 2017
2. Michael Freeman
Freeman is a conservative speechwriter, so you’d think he’dhave some trouble fitting clever insight into 140 charactersor less. Fortunately, that hasn’t been the case. His sharp witgenerates a chuckle from me at least a couple times a day.
I’ll combine it with my $2,500 Obamacare savings and buy aunicorn with my 6,500 mythical dollars.https://t.co/MoWuAetKoq
— Michael Freeman (@michaelpfreeman) October 24, 2017
There’s a better chance of him bringing that groundhog back
to life. https://t.co/GaSlEGiZrq
— Michael Freeman (@michaelpfreeman) October 20, 2017
3. Terry Schappert
Schappert is a Fox News regular, the host of the reality showHollywood Weapons, and one heck of a nice guy. A U.S. ArmySpecial Forces veteran, Schappert is a warrior and a diplomatwho has been known to use his Twitter feed to try and bridgethe gap between the conservative movement and the Trump base.Additionally, he often provides a unique perspective onbattles fought in the culture war:
My anger and hurt feelings when you burn the flag we’vefought ( and died) for matter less than your freedom to doit. But you still suck.
— terry schappert (@terryschappert) December 2, 2016
4. Jon Gabriel
Gabriel, Ricochet.com’s Editor-in-chief, is kind of a Twitterlegend, so there’s a pretty good chance you’re alreadyfollowing him. But in case you’re not, here are some samplesof the brilliance:
Wanted more hits on my latest article. Should have headlinedit KNEELING NFL TRAITORS IN DRAG MOCK DEAD VETERAN HEROES
— jon gabriel (@exjon) October 20, 2017
Lou Dobbs has uttered what may be the most preposterousstatement in modern American history. https://t.co/wygwvh3y1h
— jon gabriel (@exjon) October 14, 2017
Sharpton’s boycotting ESPN for suspending Jemele Hill who isboycotting ESPN ads because Jerry Jones is boycotting playerswho are boycotting the national anthem.https://t.co/87kkQgNMhx
— jon gabriel (@exjon) October 9, 2017
Warning: Gabriel regularly shares his taste in music with hisfollowers…and that taste is kind of weird.
5. Bethany S. Mandel
I’m embarrassed to say that I wasn’t familiar with BethanyMandel until she generated (not by design) a fair amount ofsocial-media attention by giving birth to her third child in acar on her way to the hospital .
When I say @SethAMandel delivered our baby, I’m being totallyserious. He did the whole thing blind, while givingcoordinates to nervous 911
— Bethany S. Mandel (@bethanyshondark) April 28, 2017
Married to Seth Mandel of the New York Post, Bethany is aprincipled and provocative writer who isn’t afraid to tackleculturally-complicated topics.
She’s also kind of hilarious on social media:
How many months does Trump have to be in office before theRNC stops sending me emails about Hillary Clinton?
— Bethany S. Mandel (@bethanyshondark) October 17, 2017
Older two kids got three shots between them and now we’retalking about how our chinchilla and my mom died because they
got sick pic.twitter.com/1TKHXbVVyx
— Bethany S. Mandel (@bethanyshondark) October 17, 2017
Watching Manhunt and considering buying a cabin on Amazonbecause I can’t even go off the grid without the web.https://t.co/4TuXtliuru
— Bethany S. Mandel (@bethanyshondark) October 16, 2017
6. Angela Nelson
Nelson occasionally composes diary-style columns for RedState,and is very active on Twitter, where she not only producesconscientious commentary, but also retweets some of the moreinteresting social-media content from the political Right.
We are a nation of spoiled children who have NO IDEA whatactual hardship is. But with this attitude on the rise, I’mafraid we will learn. https://t.co/mieyt89obJ
— Angela (one of many) (@angelaisms) October 19, 2017
7. T. Becket Adams
A commentator for the Washington Examiner, Adams is a must-follow on Twitter for his sharp, timely takes on the news ofthe day. He calls out political tribalism and double-standardswhenever he sees them, and he does so with style.
Ppl flaming Kelly for going to bat for Trump are guilty ofwhat they criticized Trump for doing to Khan, who was also apolitical operative. pic.twitter.com/X792vLzZgA
— T. Becket Adams (@BecketAdams) October 19, 2017
is there a reason why these NRA ads sound like excerpts fromsarah connor’s diary?
— T. Becket Adams (@BecketAdams) October 20, 2017
8. Kimberly Corban
Corban is a rape survivor and Second Amendment advocate whouses her horrific experience to educate audiences across thecountry on sexual assault, the lasting impact it has onsurvivors, and self-protection. As an advocate and mentor foryoung women, Corban’s insight on Twitter has been particularlyprudent to recent high-profile news stories involving sexualharassment and assault in the workplace.
#MeToo isn’t just about rape. It’s all kinds of abuse,including harassment. One experience does not negate another.They’re all important.
— Kimberly Corban (@Kimberly_Corban) October 16, 2017
She also happens to be uproariously funny:
“Dear Customer Service,First of all, you should know I’m typing this with my middlefinger.”
— Kimberly Corban (@Kimberly_Corban) January 26, 2017
Kimberly hates three things:1) When people talk about themselves in the third person2) Contradictions3) Lists
— Kimberly Corban (@Kimberly_Corban) September 25, 2017
Beyond all that, she’s a tremendous free-throw shooter.
9. Jay Caruso
Caruso writes for the Dallas Morning News and RedState, amongother publications. He also co-hosts the entertaining FifthEstate podcast with Neal Dewing.
A conservative and staunch Trump critic, Caruso has littlepatience for media-sycophants who’ve traded in theirideological principles and sense of decency for ratings andwebsite-clicks.
Re-upping. The right wanted a version of Jon Stewart & TheDaily Show. They got it w Tucker. Not a good thing.https://t.co/z4kxIcsntQ
— Jay Caruso (@JayCaruso) October 15, 2017
Whatever Trump is paying John Kelly he should get a waiver totriple his salary.
— Jay Caruso (@JayCaruso) October 19, 2017
10. Christian Toto
For those worn out on the exhaustively-preached left-wingorthodoxy of the entertainment industry, Christian Toto hearsyou. He’s a Denver-based entertainment reporter andcommentator who examines the industry from a unique right-of-center perspective via his website, Hollywood in Toto. Thecontent is always interesting, as are his Twitter takes.
Folks behind #onlythebrave movie should have reached out toconservative media for an extra push — heartland values frontand center pic.twitter.com/18gAJg5v4y
— Christian Toto (@HollywoodInToto) October 22, 2017
Outlets reporting Chelsea Handler’s show ending as ‘herdecision’ w/o skepticism is why we don’t trust Hollywoodreporters, either pic.twitter.com/FheLN4QpuX
— Christian Toto (@HollywoodInToto) October 19, 2017
11. Allen Ginzburg
Ginzburg has written for multiple conservative websites, butmost of his commentary these days can be found on Twitter.He’s a sane voice in insane times, who calls out both sides ofthe political aisle.
Where are all the liberals who were outraged by Trump’sattacks on Khan to call out people like @JoyAnnReid for theirugly attacks on Kelly?
— (((AG))) (@AG_Conservative) October 20, 2017
GWB was one of the most decent men to serve as POTUS. Iobjected to left smearing him 4 years. Certainly won’t letTrump cultists do it now.
— (((AG))) (@AG_Conservative) October 20, 2017
12. J.R. Salzman
A veteran and wounded warrior of the Iraq war, Salzman isinsightful and strongly spoken on issues relating to themilitary, foreign policy, and Veterans Affairs.
This shrapnel is from my amputated arm & came from theIranian IED that almost killed me. Should I mail it back now?pic.twitter.com/tT80mdd8HI
— J.R. Salzman (@jrsalzman) July 15, 2015
Plus, he’s always posting awesome stuff like this (which aloneis worth a follow):
I have a prosthetic arm chainsaw debarker attachment. Why?Because I’m a badass, that’s why.… https://t.co/Z4RYsG3Npn
— J.R. Salzman (@jrsalzman) October 19, 2017
And this:
I just pushed a sawmill for 8 hours. Your uppity post yogaprancing around Trader Joe’s doesn’t impress me.
— J.R. Salzman (@jrsalzman) October 20, 2017
Make sure you check out Salzman’s word-work creations too.They’re fantastic.
13. Liam Donovan
Donovan, a contributor to National Review, works in WashingtonDC and has a sharp and wonky political mind. His thoughts arealways worth paying attention to.
Cochran’s return is as big a relief for budget vote as hisabsence was a nuisance, but health Q injects real uncertaintymoving forward.
— Liam Donovan (@LPDonovan) October 17, 2017
The irony here is that Bannon is essentially doing leadblocking for red state Dems. Laying the groundwork forprecisely this message.
— Liam Donovan (@LPDonovan) October 18, 2017
14. Darrick Johnson
Johnson is a regular guy whose Twitter-follow caught my eyewhen I realized that he lives in the town next to mine. ThoughI’ve never met him, I thoroughly enjoy his smart and funnytweets, and I can’t for the life of me figure out why fewerthan 300 people follow him. Perhaps we can change that.
Raise your hand if you would like the President and his Cheifof staff to switch jobs. (And then have the President get anew CoS) �♂️
— Darrick Johnson (@darrickjohnson) October 19, 2017
The world is safer when America sucks at soccer. Gives theworld a needed outlet, without challenging American dominancein other areas.
— Darrick Johnson (@darrickjohnson) October 11, 2017
Columbus, the first Dem:He left, not knowing where he was going, returned, notknowing where he had been, and did it all on government �
— Darrick Johnson (@darrickjohnson) October 9, 2017
15. Ben Howe
Howe is a popular political writer (for RedState), filmmaker,and straight-shooter who has an uncanny gift for nailingprofound, air-tight points in just a few words.
I can’t stress how easy it is to not sexually harass anyone.
— Ben (@BenHowe) October 12, 2017
Doing the right thing has nothing to do with winning. If youwin, great. If you don’t, do it anyway.https://t.co/cXUfHRWirY
— Ben (@BenHowe) October 23, 2017
Doing the right thing has nothing to do with winning. If youwin, great. If you don’t, do it anyway.https://t.co/cXUfHRWirY
— Ben (@BenHowe) October 23, 2017
16. Tom Nichols
A number of people on Twitter have remarked on how much Iremind them of Nichols (who’s a fellow author and politicalwriter), and that they pay close attention to both of us. Ihave no reason not to believe this, other than the fact thathe has a hundred-thousand more followers than I do (maybe I’mjust a late bloomer). Anyway, his popularity is well-deserved:
Me: We shouldn’t have so many generals in appointedpositions,it’s bad for civ-mil relations
MAGA Twitter: So you hate George Washington
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) October 23, 2017
If you’re going into teaching to demonstrate your pet socialtheories or showcase what sort of person you are, you’re inthe wrong job. /4
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) October 22, 2017
Old and busted: Trump doesn’t care about traditions, so suck
it, libtardNew hotness: Wasn’t Kelly great about sacred Americaninstitutions?
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) October 20, 2017
17. Salena Zito
CNN’s Salena Zito is a very thoughtful journalist who has madeit her job to examine the political tides in our countrythrough the eyes of regular people. She recognized the powerof Donald Trump’s appeal to working-class voters during the2016 campaign, and has written several respectful pieces onthese folks. That respectfulness has carried across to herTwitter feed where she is always a measured, informativepurveyor of news.
Every Tweet has my Mom and Dad on one shoulder & my kids andgranddaughter on the other.Have to be responsible for my words.Thank you! https://t.co/72b0QF5ooe
— SalenaZito (@SalenaZito) May 8, 2017
18. Haley Byrd
Byrd is a congressional reporter for the Independent JournalReview, and doesn’t throw out a ton of a personal commentaryon Twitter. However, her light-hearted approach to politicalreporting is always appreciated:
James Comey is so tall pic.twitter.com/SUHvSELVvj
— Haley Byrd (@byrdinator) October 23, 2017
“when are you going to start breaking news?” is a fun
question to be asked at a social event
— Haley Byrd (@byrdinator) October 22, 2017
why isn’t Ted Cruz doing a Sanders impression right now. whyisn’t Bernie doing a Ted Cruz impression. this would fix thenational discourse
— Haley Byrd (@byrdinator) October 19, 2017
Well, I hope you all found the list useful, and if you’relooking for one more conservative worth a follow, I hear thisguy has a way with words:
If you believe that Bush stabbed you in the back bydenouncing racism and conspiracy theories, it might be timeto do some self-reflection.
— John A. Daly (@JohnDalyBooks) October 19, 2017
Because there’s a difference between exposing legitimatemedia bias and declaring any negative coverage of Trump to be“fake news.” https://t.co/pKuEtwAufD
— John A. Daly (@JohnDalyBooks) October 22, 2017
Working on a list of must-follow conservatives on Twitter(because totally no one has done one of those this year).
— John A. Daly (@JohnDalyBooks) October 23, 2017
Happy tweeting.
