Carlson writes on his entry into cable news and his various opinions regarding several prominent politicians of the time, such as George W. Bush, Jesse Jackson, Ralph Nader, and John McCain, among others.

Regarding his transition from print journalism to television punditry, Carlson opines how fluid an environment it is in comparison to other trade professions, and how he stumbled into it easily and without much effort.

"[2] At the beginning of Politicians, Partisans, and Parasites, Carlson opens with a quote Larry King had once remarked to him at the 2000 Democratic National Convention, "The trick is to care, but not too much.

"[3][4] From there, Carlson recounts his stumbling into the business of television punditry, starting from his kneejerk acceptance of an invitation to go on 48 Hours to cover the O. J. Simpson murder case following a late vacancy, despite his acknowledgement of knowing "just about nothing" of it.

[4] Commenting on some of his early political beliefs, Carlson fondly remarks on John McCain during his time covering the 2000 Republican Party presidential primaries from his point of view.