Posted on 10/08/2004 10:15:39 PM PDT by A2J
ABCNEWS POLITICAL DIRECTOR MEMO SPARKS CONTROVERSY: BOTH SIDES NOT 'EQUALLY ACCOUNTABLE'
**Exclusive**
An internal memo written by ABCNEWS Political Director Mark Halperin admonishes ABC staff: During coverage of Democrat Kerry and Republican Bush not to "reflexively and artificially hold both sides 'equally' accountable."
The controversial internal memo obtained by DRUDGE, captures Halperin stating how "Kerry distorts, takes out of context, and mistakes all the time, but these are not central to his efforts to win."
But Halperin claims that Bush is hoping to "win the election by destroying Senator Kerry at least partly through distortions."
"The current Bush attacks on Kerry involve distortions and taking things out of context in a way that goes beyond what Kerry has done," Halperin writes.
Halperin's claim that ABCNEWS will not "reflexively and artificially hold both sides 'equally' accountable" set off sparks in St. Louis where media players gathered to cover the second presidential debate.
Halperin states the responsibilities of the ABCNEWS staff have "become quite grave."
In August, Halperin declared online: "This is now John Kerry's contest to lose."
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Halperin Memo Dated Friday October 8, 2004
It goes without saying that the stakes are getting very high for the country and the campaigns - and our responsibilities become quite grave
I do not want to set off (sp?) and endless colloquy that none of us have time for today - nor do I want to stifle one. Please respond if you feel you can advance the discussion.
The New York Times (Nagourney/Stevenson) and Howard Fineman on the web both make the same point today: the current Bush attacks on Kerry involve distortions and taking things out of context in a way that goes beyond what Kerry has done.
Kerry distorts, takes out of context, and mistakes all the time, but these are not central to his efforts to win.
We have a responsibility to hold both sides accountable to the public interest, but that doesn't mean we reflexively and artificially hold both sides "equally" accountable when the facts don't warrant that.
I'm sure many of you have this week felt the stepped up Bush efforts to complain about our coverage. This is all part of their efforts to get away with as much as possible with the stepped up, renewed efforts to win the election by destroying Senator Kerry at least partly through distortions.
It's up to Kerry to defend himself, of course. But as one of the few news organizations with the skill and strength to help voters evaluate what the candidates are saying to serve the public interest. Now is the time for all of us to step up and do that right.
This is how liberals always expect to be treated ... like children, someone else is always responsible/accountable.
Brit said he worked with Mark and that he's a "good guy". I don't remember hearing him say he wouldn't do anything like this.
Nobody from ABC has questioned the memo's authenticity yet.
Next w'll find out that The Halperin Memo can be traced back to The Kerry campaign working out of an Abilene Kinkos.
Just like El Rushbo has said, the major media are merely transcription services for the Kerry campaign. This is compelling evidence that it is true.
OMG
Even if Bush was telling lies about SKerry it would be up to the SKerry campaign to get the truth out there not the MFSM.
Click on picture
Brit Hume briefly mentioned it just before they went to their pre-debate coverage. It needs more press though with a strong general theme: First CBS forges documents, now ABC slants its news. All we need now is for NBC to do something.
probably not officially, but I wonder if there was "buzz" in the room.
ping
"Brit Hume briefly mentioned it just before they went to their pre-debate coverage. It needs more press though with a strong general theme: First CBS forges documents, now ABC slants its news. All we need now is for NBC to do something."
no, now we need to find our what NBC is doing.
probably not officially, but I wonder if there was "buzz" in the room."
I have watched the debate now 2 1/2 times. I am looking for weird stuff.
Other than the "way too healthy" chic behind Bush in most shots making all the distracting body language motions. I don't see anything.
Not only that, but Kerry also left out the Khobar Towers attack, the East African embassy bombings, and the U.S.S. Cole attack. These should have been seared, seared, into his memory, as well.
Oh no, it wouldn't be a liberal media outlet or anything, simply because they tell their reporters to manipulate the election.
Let's see, CBS news is dead, ABC news is dead, what? NBC and CNN to go?
ABC and CBS must be driven out of business for their recent failures. They have made it extremely clear that they are not news agencies but are providing pure propaganda masquerading as news.
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