Hannity’s cable TV spat with Minn. congressman quickly becomes money-raising opportunity

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Sean Hannity’s cable television showdown this week with a Democratic congressman has become more than a verbal schoolyard brawl. It’s a fundraising opportunity.

Democratic and Republican advocates are using Tuesday’s Fox News Channel appearance by Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison to raise money. They’re sending out solicitations referring to the TV confrontation and asking for donations to Ellison’s campaign or to the Minnesota GOP.

Ellison opened his appearance Tuesday by calling Hannity the worst excuse for a journalist he’d ever seen.

Hannity says he has the ability to fight back and will. He has referred to Ellison as an “incoherent congressman” who had an “epic meltdown.” He says he plans to continue a discussion of Ellison’s career on his Fox show Friday.