Posted on 03/27/2008 7:17:00 AM PDT by Daniel T. Zanoza
RFFM.org Commentary by Daniel T. Zanoza, executive director
I was sitting there, eating popcorn and watching one of the Republican presidential debates. Sounds like real entertainment, but that should tell you something about my life these days. Don't ask me which debate it was because they all seemed to run together like those old Bowery Boys episodes we were forced to watch before cable gave us 98 channels of infomercials. But next up for questioning was former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and the moderator was asking him something about the economy. Suddenly, I heard a voice, very low, but very clearly say "low taxes." I thought I was losing my mind or let's say more of it. I quickly headed to the medicine cabinet for one of my anxiety pills before settling back down to watch the rest of the event.
However, my mind just couldn't get off of it. What was that voice, I said to myself. Did anyone else hear it? Did someone slip me a hallucinogenic they had saved from the 60's? No, that was out of the question. My wife was always a tea-totaler and no one else was in the house. But someone was messing with my mind, yet I just had to let it go, as one of those "Believe It Or Not" episodes.
A few days later, one of the cable networks ran a story on the ethereal, bodiless voice that had an unusual interest in taxation. Ah ha, I said to myself. I didn't need that pill after all. Someone else heard it, too and I cancelled the emergency appointment I had made with my psychiatrist and moved it back to its regular time.
"Just feedback," said the news report and nothing more was said about it in the mainstream media. "Feedback," I said to myself, "feedback giving a political candidate a tip on how to answer a question during a political debate?" Something didn't smell right here and it wasn't me because I had just taken my weekly shower. Now the networks were in on it and where there's smoke, there's usually fire.
You see, the easiest way to tell there's validity to a conspiracy theory is to watch how the dominant media acts. Do they give the subject short shrift? Do they give the subject proper consideration? Or do they totally ignore the issue, acting as though nothing happened?
I've seen it a number of times during my life. The press gave little credence to the possibility John F. Kennedy's assassination was the result of a conspiracy. There was practically no attention from the dominant media regarding the possibility Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols were not the only ones responsible for the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. And don't forget Flight 800. Even though National Guard pilots gave sworn testimony the airliner was shot down by a ground to air missile, the dominant press begrudgingly gave the theory consideration and only because they were forced to.
Folks, when in doubt, watch the media. Their action or inaction will reveal the truth about a subject every time.
Of course, finding out about a hidden microphone in a political candidate's ear isn't a world shaking revelation. But when Matt Drudge reported on the subject, the issue received more attention. I was thankful. Believe it or not, I actually thought--for a brief moment--that all five Republican candidates had midgets hidden underneath their podiums, feeding them the answers to the tough questions. Excuse me, they wouldn't have been midgets, they would have been vertically challenged individuals, each with an extraordinary grasp of the political world. But all the candidates would have had to agree to the help they would have received concerning short answers. No, I finally came to my senses and said that couldn't be it. It would have been too warm for anyone to be under that podium for nearly two hours, especially with all the hot air emanating from the close proximity of all those politicians.
It seems someone close to Gov. Romney has admitted to the fact Romney indeed was using an earpiece in that January debate. Well, the former Romney aide hasn't signed an affidavit attesting to the fact his former boss needed to be told when an answer to a question had something to do with lower taxes. However, it sounds like something Romney would do.
The former Massachusetts Governor seems to be a man who would want all the bases covered. He is a hard, shrewd businessman who believes his type of management skills has translated well into the realm of politics. That's how Romney could be pro-abortion and in favor of special rights for homosexuals while he was the Governor of Massachusetts. Then, when he decided to run for president, he made a 180 degree turn regarding these social issues. It's called market flexibility. Well, since I found out the truth about that little voice I heard one winter's evening, I'm sure feeling better about myself. No, my candidate didn't win the presidential nomination of the Republican Party. And, no, I didn't win the Lottery either (that would be impossible because I never play it, but stranger things have happened).
At least I know I have peace of mind, instead of thinking my mind was going to pieces. Oh, as far as Romney being a leading Vice-presidential contender. Should character matter when a presidential nominee chooses his running mate? I'll leave that up to John McCain and others who are way smarter than me...or is it I?
Yeah, the media gave short shrift to the theory that Santa and Rudolph have conspired to cause global warming, too—so I guess there must be something to it. You know, where there’s no smoke, there’s fire.
First of all, you have no proof and accuse him based on pure speculation and what is clearly anti-Romney bias on your part.
This was debunked at the time...see post #16 on this thread.
Excerpt:
During the GOP Presidential Debate on MSNBC, a very curious thing happened during a Tim Russert question to Mitt Romney. You can hear what seemed like an on air-whispered answer directed at Romney in some fashion that I cant determineto a Reagan question about Social Security. Its not clear one way or the other. It might not have been anything at allYou can hear it plainly - "raised taxes." What it was, was Brian Williams or someone off-air coaching Tim Russert, as he asked a question that without the raising taxes component made no sense at all. It appears Romney didn't need the coaching during the debate. But media all-star Tim Russert certainly did..
They've even got video to prove it. Finally, you really should retract your blatently false statements as they will be seen as sour grapes from a Huckabee supporter, further damaging his credibility, if that is possible. Your guy lost and was such a poor sport about it that he pissed off most conservatives, get over it already.
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/01/25/609835.aspx
After reviewing the tapes, NBC determined that an open mic picked up a whisper from the audience. It is unclear who it is that says it, but it was not said by any of the candidates, was not heard in the hall and, more importantly, not heard by the candidates.
Gee, I thought Romney dropped out.
Maybe you could do a follow-up about Bush’s next term.
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