Zach Lahn: The making of a right-wing folk hero

At this moment in our country's history, celebrity can land on people like a terrible, swift sword -- or the satisfying embrace of a loving reach-around. University of Colorado at Boulder student Zach Lahn is experiencing the latter, figuratively speaking, with the conservative media giving him a lingering hand for...

By Michael Roberts

August 18, 2009

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At this moment in our country's history, celebrity can land on people like a terrible, swift sword -- or the satisfying embrace of a loving reach-around. University of Colorado at Boulder student Zach Lahn is experiencing the latter, figuratively speaking, with the conservative media giving him a lingering hand for challenging President Barack Obama during a healthcare town hall in Grand Junction on Saturday. For every negative blog mention of Lahn's performance, there have been multiple positive ones, ranging from the wet Fox News kiss above and a BrainShavings.com post that declares, "Bravo to Zach Lahn, for having bigger balls than 99% of the media! I hope this young man's ready for the Joe The Plumber treatment, courtesy of ACORN and SEIU." As for Lahn's own media contributions, he's got a Twitter feed, and although it's protected, requiring his approval for access (I've asked), his bio reads, "Determined Christian Conservative in CO, home state of IA not stopping until everyone agrees w/me. Pro-Life, Pro-Guns, Pro-Reagan, Anti-Big Gov." Bonus: He lists his website as that of the ultra-right Heritage Foundation. Expect him to be hanging out with Newt Gingrich and Charles Krauthammer before the week is through.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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