'SLANTED' ABC TAKES THE HEAT (ABC News tells its reporters to go after Bush)

NY Post ^ | 10/9/04 | Deborah Orin

[Cableguy]

ABC News was under fire last night after an internal memo surfaced suggesting President Bush should be held more accountable for his statements than John Kerry.

The memo to staffers from the network's powerful political director, Marc Halperin, noted that while both campaigns are distorting the truth, Kerry's bending of the facts shouldn't be hit as hard.

"Kerry distorts, takes out of context, and mistakes all the time, but these are not central to his efforts to win," Halperin wrote.

But "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 added.

Halperin further advised the ABC staff to keep that in mind when reporting.

"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," the memo continued.

"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."

A spokesman for ABC news insisted "we are not interested in taking sides, we are only interested in getting at the truth."

Halperin plays a mostly behind-the-scenes role at ABC, and is known as the father of "The Note," a daily political memo that is read by thousands of D.C. insiders, political players and journalists.

[Leonora]

Thanks for providing the email address. I've just emailed a complaint.

[Robert_Paulson2]

I wonder if the mainstream media has it figured out yet.

they have been thoroughly penetrated at the highest levels, with the cooperation of some of the highest corporat officers of the communications industry known to man.

soros wanted to play "I got big balls" with the democrats.

so do some other folks.
and the moles are everywhere.
they can't pass an office memo on their system without some PERSON passing that data on.

It will be their undoing.
rolling on the floor laughing my ASSSS off...
because only now, YEARS TOO LATE, are they figuring out what has happened. Like deer caught in the headlights.

absolutely priceless.

[maine-iac7]

went through high school, seeing how every subject and interest under the sun was filtered through a leftist lens. In college, I finally accepted that the whole world has been complicit with the advance of Marxist/communism/atheism, at all levels, everywhere. The leftist bias of the MSM is something I've watched since the days of Commie Cronkite..."
/////////
....................... I'm old enough to remember Nikita Kruschev bang his shoe on the UN podium and scream, addressing America: "We will BURY you within 50 years! And we will not have to fire a shot.!"
That was the 12th of Oct 1960 - do the math.
Their method, deciphered on a "list" some time later, was to infiltrate our schools - particularly colleges - to indoctrinate students; to corrupt art & music (thereby helping to erode society), to infiltrate the film industry (Reagan did a lot in his years as Pres. of the Film Industry, to curtail this - but it has certainly raised it's ugly head again,); to infiltrate and influence the media...well, need I go on. They have been frightenly successful. They lost momentum when Ted Kennedy lost the presidential primary bid back in the 70's - they had figured on being strong enough, with hims as pres. to come out openly as the socialists they are.
When that didn't happen, they regrouped (The D.S.O.C. = Democratic Socialist Organizing Comm. [there's an oxymoron for you!] and laid plans to infiltrate and take over the Democratic party. Again, it looks like they've been successful.
They have been at this for almost 50 years. If they loose this election, they may not get strong enough to hold the momentum for another push 4 years from now, because people, including young people are becoming more aware, not so easily swayed, and we have the Internet, some radio and TV that tells the other side. Four years from now will be to late for them.
We MUST beat them back...or we become puppets of the UN, we will have gun control, etc.... It's up to us.
If I hear of ONE of you that don't vote, I'm coming after ya! : )

[jrewingjr]

Halperin drinks the Dan Rather Kool-Aid and joins the rest of the herd.

The aftermath of Campaign Finance Reform rears its ugly liberal head.

[GeronL]

biased? we are so shocked its not even funny. We are SOOOOOOO surprised. We never knew!! /sarcasm

[tazannie]

"Bush while no the best communicator is dealing with the same underhanded media hatred, but he also has talk radio and the internet to help."

right, but they are preaching to the choir. the "undecideds" and "soft-Kerry's" don't listen to talk radio or visit FreeRepublic. they get their news from MSM and late night shows like Leno.

[xJones]

The American sheep are no different than any sheep, they NEED to follow. The media is well aware of the number of sheep that they can herd.

Louie, I have no idea of what you are talking about.:)

[cynicom]

Ha

[rennatdm]

Could it be that Fox is playing up Kerry so that Bush supporters don't become complacent and stay home on Nov. 2?

[GOPJ]

By keeping us on the straight and narrow, the press made conservatives honest and strong. As angry as that might make the media, what's worse is "help" given dems has made them weak and vulnerable. Teacher's pet, spoiled child, etc, etc...

The effect of this is that it has become easy for liars to take over and control the Democratic Party. It is or has begun to destroy the party from the inside.

[GOPJ]

bump

[Redbob]

Soros wouldn't need to buy off an entire network, just a few key individuals like Halperin, Rather, Jennings and Brokaw.

Wonder if Halperin has an off-shore account into which he's made some big payments lately?

[Redbob]

"It wasn't until NOW made excuses for Clinton that I seriously doubted the wisdom of my membership in the Dem Party..."

That's an amazing admission!

The inability of Dims to commprehend economic cause-and-effect, the shameless demagoguing of the productive class, the constant class-warefare rhetoric - none of that had any effect on you?

[Calico Cat]

Let's just say, RedBob, that I was so busy being a politically-correct self-styled 'intellectual' that I never actually gave much THOUGHT to any of my opinions. I was surrounded by friends who 'felt' the same way I did, by professors who reaffirmed what my parents had 'taught' me and lived in a city where feeling is valued over thought (guess where!) It's difficult to smell the coffee when you don't WANT to wake up and smell the coffee. Eventually, I did. I couldn't lie to myself anymore, or live an unhappy existence because I was defying the values that are real, and are true. There are more very personal reasons that I finally saw the light, which I won't discuss here.

[HamiltonHall]

Why did FOX News bring up Halperin's ABC internal memo in a list of stories they planned to cover this morning but FOX then did not mention another word about this memo. Was the story suddenly pulled before it could be covered. Has FOX News decided to start sweeping network bias under-the-rug? I certainly hope not but I am concerned. It is now 9:34 pm PST and I have yet to hear a word from FOX.

[delacoert]

You are correct. Stooping to the same level, when that level is corrupt and immoral is not the answer. However, when the gloves need to come off, take them off.

[Always Independent]

Thats GREAT! I'm for a boycott! I'll save almost a thousand dollars not taking my kids to disneyland!

[Always Independent]

Maybe we should boycott Mark and Brian too! There cool, but they belong to the rat!

[1john2 3and4]

If so, what kept you from seeing it then?

I DIDN'T HAVE FREE REPUBLIC, then! :)

Honestly though, I'd like to ask;
How does one properly answer the canard that the MSM is conservative since it's owned by eeeeevil corporations, who we all know are only interested in profits.....
seriesly, it's an honest question, from me to all here, that I often hear from libs. Pointing out examples of leftist bias just seems to make them stop listening, and describing the MSM's shrinking share doesn't do it either. If I were an owner, seeing the shrinking $$'s, I'd definitely get a new crew. Why don't they do that, since it would advantage their pocketbook to become fair?