Swift Boats and Double Standards /Why aren't the media scrutinizing lawyers and advisers to Kerry?

WP ^ | September 1, 2004; Page A19 | Benjamin L. Ginsberg

[Former Military Chick]

Think you're getting unbiased, balanced coverage of politics? Or is there a double standard in the way the media treat Republicans and Democrats, liberals and conservatives? My recent visit to the center of a media storm suggests there is. Consider this:

A $500,000 ad buy made by Swift Boat Veterans for Truth brings searing media scrutiny and "proof" of illegal coordination based on a lawyer (me) representing both the Bush-Cheney campaign and the Swift Boat Veterans; on an accountant working for Tom DeLay's political action committee; and on a $200,000 contributor to the group who is not a major donor to Bush-Cheney 2004 but who does know Karl Rove.

Meanwhile, the media give practically no scrutiny to a $63 million, five-month, negative-ad buy done by Democratic "527" groups (the Media Fund, MoveOn.org and others) with a revolving door of connections to the Kerry campaign. Consider:

• Kerry campaign lawyer Bob Bauer and Democratic National Committee counsel Joe Sandler also represent 527s -- not illegal, but doesn't it deserve a little scrutiny?

• Jim Jordan, John Kerry's campaign manager until last November, works for three of the 527s.

• Harold Ickes, an executive committee member of the Democratic National Committee, heads the Media Fund.

• Bill Richardson simultaneously chaired the Democrats' national convention and a 527.

• Michael Meehan became Kerry's spokesman after running NARAL Pro-Choice America's "soft money" programs.

• Zack Exley went from being a MoveOn.org executive to the Kerry campaign.

The coordination law prohibits individuals from "using or conveying" information on the private "plans, needs or projects" of a campaign to a 527 or vice versa. If the media can scrutinize my legal work, which doesn't even fall under the anti-coordination rules, why can't they scrutinize these Democrats with equal diligence?

[CJ Wolf]

bmp

[avant_garde]

It's not the money spent, but the message that makes conservative 527s effective. Shine the light of truth and the cockroaches scatter and hide. Our 527s are taking on the responsibilities of todays journalist who have sold their souls.

[Jumper]

Fox outdraws with a cable channel that most people don't get unless they have a premimun package.... FOX is a reason some folks upgrade their cable packages. This is all the more reason Fox has something lacking the liberal media.... Of course, when the entire media is saturated with liberal bias, it is easy for conservatives to view the few channels who sway to the middle~!~:)

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!

[G.Mason]

"Think you're getting unbiased, balanced coverage of politics? Or is there a double standard in the way the media treat Republicans and Democrats, liberals and conservatives?"

Well, golly gee whiz ... that there is two tuff fer mee two anser.

[MeekOneGOP]

John Kerry hypocrisy bump!

[Chieftain]

Thanks for the encouragement!

See Jim, people really do appreciate you for your hard work. Thanks!

[MeekOneGOP]

LOL!

[Bonaparte]

"Jane Fonda had the decency to apologize about 17 years ago for what she said about the Vietnam Vets."

All her half-hearted apologies are meaningless to me. Always will be. And of all the adjectives I could apply to her, "decent" would not be on the list. That is all.

[stockpirate]

Socialists protecting Socialists. Why are people here acting suprised still that this is what they do?

[The Wizard]

because the media works for the DNC

[AndyJackson]

construction worker</I.

There is a slight difference between a developer and a construction worker.

[AndyJackson]

George Soros can contribute mega millions to moveon.org etc and a [Houston developer] (believe this is what he did) from texas gives swift vets [$200,000] to run a few commericfals and democrats go nuts.

The difference is that the democratic party has no message, and so it all comes across as noise and maniacal ravings. I cannot believe that Soros fell for this. He is a smart man, and did not earn his billions not having a strategy. Well what is his strategy now? To throw millions on a party and candidate that have no strategy other than elect me because Bush is a liar and besides he went after terrorists and there was a better way which I will tell you about after the election, and besides I was in Viet Nam? In order to send a message you have to have a message to send and the dems have none.

[PhilipFreneau]

On Nightline, in August, Ben Ginsberg directly accused Chris Bury of applying a double standard to the 527 debate. See:

http://www.mediaresearch.org/cyberalerts/2004/cyb20040827.asp#4

[meyer]

"If the media can scrutinize my legal work, which doesn't even fall under the anti-coordination rules, why can't they scrutinize these Democrats with equal diligence?"

Because the main-stream media is in bed with the liberals. They are a 'de-facto' 527, and they are collaborating with the Kerry camp. How many times have the daily DNC talking points found their way into the media, seemingly unscathed?

[Smartass]

The Democrats see two Americas, while America sees two Kerry's

Want to join in the fun? Click the logo to donate to Swift Boat Veterans for Truth!

[Grampa Dave]

Great post. To all of the vile lunatic lefty lawyers running the multi million dollar 527's which lie about GW 24/7\: "Put some ice on your whines it will get tougher! More of this to come:"

[blackie]

The media can't cover for lurch, forever ~ Bump!

[Bernard Marx]

Thanks for the great link. I can't bring myself to watch Nightline any more. I'll be emailing Ginsberg's comments to people who refuse to see the difference between Democrat and Republican 527s.

[Blood of Tyrants]

At least she made some sort of effort. Even if it was only to salve her own conscience. Kerry has no conscience.