Posted on 03/23/2005 5:25:25 PM PST by Stellar Dendrite
ABC News, the original source of the story on the alleged "GOP talking points" memo now appears to be backing off the story. Blogger Josh Clayborn has been talking to ABC representatives, both on and off the record, and they are now telling him that they never meant to imply that the "talking points" memo originated with the Republicans--only that it was given to some Republican Senators. See his most recent posts at In the Agora.
ABC's current position, as reported by Josh, makes little sense, as their coverage certainly did say that this was a Republican memo. (ABC's website described the memo as containing "GOP talking points.") But the fact that they are now backing off suggests that in reality, they have no idea where the memo came from.
Doubts are starting to appear in other quarters, as well. Just a little while ago, the memo's authenticity was discussed on MSNBC; the fact that bloggers have questioned the memo's provenance was discussed, and at least one guest expressed the opinion that the memo is a Democratic dirty trick.
Finally, we got this email from a staffer for a conservative Republican Senator:
Regarding this phantom “strategy memo” about Terri Schiavo, I can say with almost complete certainty that this memo did not get passed out by Republicans. For starters, nobody up here who knows anything about the Senate refers to last week’s activities as “the Budget Act” (bullet point #2). We didn’t work on the Budget Act last week; we worked on the budget resolution. It may sound like a silly, semantic point to make, but that statement in particular jumped out at me.
Next, there was absolutely no need to take action “before the Budget Act” was pending business. Action could be taken at any time to vote on the Schiavo resolution. In fact, Senators Reid and Frist tried to do exactly that, but were blocked in their request for unanimous consent by Sen. Wyden. On this same note, the budget resolution was “pending business” all week! Debate and votes on the budget resolution began Monday, March 14. Why would we pass out a memo instructing Senators to do something BEFORE the budget resolution was being debated in the middle of debate over the budget resolution? That would be like passing out a memo during the 7th inning of a baseball game instructing us to take batting practice or stretch before the game started. It makes no sense.
I was on and off the Senate floor all throughout the week, including during the Thursday night vote-a-rama. The only piece of literature that I saw being distributed was a simple list of amendments that were being voted on, and it had the Majority Whip’s name on it. No talking points, no summaries – just a simple card with a list of stacked amendments. My boss never received this alleged Schiavo memo. And trust me, given the ideological leaning of my boss, if anybody were to see this memo, it would be him.
I have not talked to any GOP staffers up here who have seen this phantom memo. Nobody I know received any e-mails containing anything even remotely close to this memo. Granted, nothing I have offered is conclusive, but this whole issue really stinks of fraud.
Thanks for the ping, SD. Interesting.
Amen.
"Which font was used? Was it proportional?
I AM BUCKHEAD!"
Thank you for that post. It is the only laugh I've been able to muster today.
Good Job Powerline .. nail their butts to the wall!
BTTT!! This story has legs, we just need some key players to run with it........
So ABC is working undercover as CBS. Does CBS know this? Hasn't CBS secured the rights to cover the news this way? Is CBS readying litigation at this very moment?
If I were ABC, I'd be worried about this. Look out Peta, I understand Dan's looking for a good gig.
You gotta know that ABC is sweating it right about now .. *L*
Duplicate thought and similar "reply"! I could NOT, for the life of me wonder why Martinez ( who has been Shark's prey for years!) did not ask Chris if he could "see" the memo, or request a "source". I repeated that ad nauseum to any and all
that would listen!
If We can figure this stuff out as mere Freepers, then why is it so hard for the "enlightened" to actually "see"?
I thought we were the Pajamahadeen???!!
actually, he's already on it.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1368638/posts
"Good thing the MSM is like an octopus otherwise it would run out of feet to shoot."
Make that a CENTIPEDE!
Maybe MD4Bush could shed some light on this.
BTTT
Hope filled PING....is it possible for you guys to talk about this on your shows?? PLEASE!!!???
Barking Moonbat Series Media (MSM) offers up yet another succulent slice of red meat.
ATTN. MARXIST RED MSM: I RESENT your "RED STATE" switcheroo using our ELECTORAL MAP as PROPAGANDA!
:)
Linda "me and my husband are best friends with Webster Hubbel and his wife" Douglass, hm?
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