"You know people say that Washington politics is a freak show," said CNN political analyst David Gergen last night. "Eric Massa is writing a whole new chapter." Massa's ultra-confusing circus act, in fact, may be one of the few things in the world that can unite conservative Glenn Beck and liberal Huffington Post head Arianna Huffington.

Beck, who had clearly hoped to get Massa to elaborate on his allegations of corruption and pressure from Democratic leadership in an interview last night, found himself frustrated at every turn. "I mean," he said, delicately at one point, "I don't want to be a defender of the White House, here, but I have to be ... Is there anything specific that you have?" Massa's spluttering response didn't clarify the matter. "My arm has been twisted seventeen times to Sunday!" he exclaimed. "By whom?" pleaded Beck. He was promptly treated to an explanation of the "institutional process" of "whipping." After interminable attempts to drive Massa to coherence, Beck finally looked into the camera, smiled, and shook his head: "America, I've got to shoot straight with you. I think I've wasted your time."

Huffington gave Beck credit for clearly acknowledging Massa had no real information to share. "You know," continued Huffington, I never thought anything would make me feel sympathetic towards Glenn Beck but having to interview Eric Massa for an entire hour made me really feel for him and it was clear that not only he didn't deliver but his story is becoming more and more preposterous."

Want to add to this story? Let us know in comments or send an email to the author at hhorn at theatlantic dot com. You can share ideas for stories on the Open Wire.
Heather Horn