TO THINK I ONCE RESPECTED THE NOTE - ABC are every bit the partisan hacks that the CBS folks are

The Kerry Spot on National Review Online ^ | 10/15 /04

[Former Military Chick]

We all know about the Mark Halperin memo.

To refresh, a little while ago, Halperin, ABC News' political director, wrote:

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.

But I was willing to conclude this was something Halperin wrote after a bad day. The Note seemed to be pretty balanced, and ABC had gone after Dan Rather on the fake memo pretty darn persistently. There's no way ABC would follow in the footsteps of CBS, right?

I was wrong. The folks at ABC are every bit the partisan hacks that the CBS folks are. Check out Winds of Change blog:

SCHWARZENEGGER SAYS BOTH BUSH AND KERRY EVASIVE IN DEBATES: "Both of them did not answer some of the questions, which I think is upsetting to me. I think it is much better to be straightforward with the people.... You know like Kerry did. Bush did the same thing in some instances, not really get into it and answer it." So I click along to the linked Reuters story and get this (the deleted words are in bold):

"Both of them did not answer some of the questions, which I think is upsetting to me," Schwarzenegger told KGO radio in San Francisco. "I think it is much better to be straightforward with the people." "I mean if you get a question about Iran and about the nuclear power and what you are going to do in the future with this nuclear power, and you don't even answer that question, I think it's a mistake, You know like Kerry did," he continued. "Bush did the same thing in some instances, not really get into it and answer it."

That is a ridiculous editing of Arnie's remarks, a deliberate ommission designed to make his comments appear to be praise of Kerry when he specifically cited Kerry as not answering the question. There is no excuse for that kind of "editing."

I had been so pleased when "The Note" called the Kerry Spot "excellent." I know, through friends of friends, people who work at ABC and had heard only good things about them. But now we see what this memo meant: Spin. Lie. Reword.

For shame, ABC. You made those who were inclined to give you the benefit of the doubt, like me, look like fools, and now you're acting like just another branch of the Kerry campaign.

[Posted 10/15 12:21 PM]

[Former Military Chick]

Shame on ABC, but, they wont get it.

[MamaLucci]

The ends justify the means to rabid leftists.

[onyx eyes]

ABC owns CNN -- or vice a versa. All liberal, and we know CBS & company are Libs. NBC is treading a fine line but not too fine, that I cant see their lib bias at times. We are lost in a sea of commie-freak goons.

[Mount Athos]

I was pretty shocked by the Halperin thing, because I had become a fan of "The Note", with several breakthroughs on the Dan Rather story. The Halperin note is really enraging though.

[F16Fighter]

Like the Dixie Chicks, Springsteen, and the other meglo-maniacal libs who think they're bullet-proof, ABC, CBS, ABC, and CNN are totally ignored by half their potential audience.

If they can live with half the revenue -- while being held in the utmost contempt -- then it's their problem.

[MamaLucci]

The Halperin note is really enraging though.

It's unbelievable.....the guy was basically saying some Presidential candidates are more equal than others. Downright Orwellian. Then to find out that his father is a longtime anti-war activist, so radical he couldn't even get approval for a position in the Clinton administration...........it's mind boggling.

[BillF]

ABC owns CNN -- or vice a versa.

Although both are biased in favor of Dems and liberals, they have no corporate affiliations.

CNN is owned by Slime Warner, ABC is owned by Disney.

[onyx eyes]

Oh. Okay. Dont know about you and the other freepers, but I want to take our airwaves back somehow. At least see them eat crow.

[Terp]

They heard the same on ABC News Radio yesterday. I knew Arnold's statements were taken out of context when I heard the report. Thanks for the confirmation.

[Professional]

If they can live with half the revenue -- while being held in the utmost contempt -- then it's their problem.

Now, you get their point. They DO NOT care about the lost revenue, the idea is to starve our side of a voice. If you do that, you can control. Money doesn't mean anything, power does. Besides, even if they do lose tons of money, they still get paid. Running a company into the ground can be very profitable for those in control of the money, while it's still there.

[Mike Bates]

More People Get Their (Biased) News From ABC

[RJL]

TO THINK I ONCE RESPECTED THE NOTE - ABC are every bit the partisan hacks that the CBS folks are

If you haven’t read this, it gets even worse: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1246609/posts

While ABC’s Halperin covered the Clinton White House, his dad and brother worked for Clinton.

[RJL]

TO THINK I ONCE RESPECTED THE NOTE - ABC are every bit the partisan hacks that the CBS folks are

If you haven’t read this, it gets even worse: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1246609/posts

While ABC’s Halperin covered the Clinton White House, his dad and brother worked for Clinton.

I don't know why the above link doesn't work, but it is the correct URL. You'll have to copy and paste.

[F16Fighter]

You're correct...it IS about power. But they are losing their grip.

To what extent can the liberal MSM continue to take a financial beating?

I believe the seeds have already been sown for more truthful, conservative media and entertainment outlets to fill the void besides the FOXes and Mel Gibsons of the world.

[nathanbedford]

I have selectively edited the Halperin instructions to his news staff to expose its true intent. You decide if I have been fair in what I have cut (AND INSERTED):

Bush attacks on Kerry involve distortions and taking things out of context ...

we ...(SHOULD NOT) hold both sides "equally" accountable

... you have ...felt the ... Bush ... complain(S) 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.

Now is the time for all of us to step up and... (DEFEND KERRY)

My version, free of the underbrush, exposes red diaper baby, Halperin, for a committed partisan eager to exploit the assets owned by stockholders other than himself and trusted by millions, even to the extent of "unequal" news treatment, to advance his political agenda. I wonder if the directors of this media conglomerate who are charged with the oversight of Mr. Halperin on behalf of the widows and orphans who have invested their pensions and college educations in this enterprise have read this edited version. I wonder if they will be animated to fufill their solemn fidiciary duties to these widows and orphans and protect ABC from Mr. Halperin. I am not holding my breath.

[ArmyBratproud]

THEY ARE OUT THERE DOING THEIR JOB. NOW GET OUT THERE AND DO YOURS. Help Get Out the Vote! Oct. 16 (Sat) and 17 (Sun) is Walk The Vote Day for Bush/Cheney and the GOP! Info here- http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1246830/posts?page=1 ------------------------------------------ Go to GeorgeWBush.com. (While there, sign up as an on-line volunteer) They have flyers you can print out as well. Sign up to Organize a Walk the Vote https://www.georgewbush.com/Secure/SignUpBP.aspx?t=w Host a Party for the President https://www.georgewbush.com/Secure/SignUpBP.aspx Brochure that you can print out! http://www.georgewbush.com/Party/Agenda_Flyer.pdf

[Former Military Chick]

Excellent post, I will pass along the info!

[devolve]

Kerry's 1984 Senate documents on defense votes:

page 1

page 2

[PhilDragoo]

[MeekOneGOP]

ABCNNBC BS/PMSNBC BS/P BS et al are the Media Wing of the Democratic Party .....