ABC: Thompson's Debate 'Tantrum' -- There's Fair and Balanced Reporting!

Newsbusters.org ^ | 12/13/07 | Warner Todd Huston

[Mobile Vulgus]

ABC proved once again that they will use language to flavor reporting to promulgate their ideological position instead of just reporting the facts. After Wednesday's GOP debate in Iowa, ABC news posted a Political Radar blog entry calling attention to Fred Thompson's efforts to improve the depth of debate held that day. Calling Thompson's efforts a "Tantrum," ABC seeks to cast Thompson's sensible and adult desire to engage in real debate as a child's temper tantrum. Does ABC want real debate or do they want dumbed down, name calling or simple minded sound byte replies? I think you can easily decide which!

If you didn't see the debate and missed what it is that Thompson did, there is a video available ton YouTube.com so you can see for yourself. But, in essence, Thompson refused to do a "show of hands" answer to the question of whether or not the candidates agree with the theory of man-made global warming. He felt that this important issue needed an actual reply. The gall of him, eh?

So, since Thompson felt that important issues need in depth discussion and not silly, childish "show of hands" answers and because he refused to participate, ABC terms his serious concern a "tantrum."

But, once you find out what Thompson really said about his actions on the debate stage, there is a great ring of truth and seriousness about it.

"I just decided that I wasn't going to engage in any of this monkey business that they like to engage us on sometimes -- making us look like trained monkeys reaching for peanut or something ... 30 seconds is brief enough and when they try to reduce your answer to just a hand raise -- I 'aint going to play that game," the former Tennessee senator said.

During this afternoon's debate, the GOP candidates were asked to raise their hands if they thought climate change was a serious threat caused by human activity. Thompson spoke up saying he didn't want to answer without time explain himself.

Thompson says he's gearing up for the next two weeks leading up to January 3rd. When asked by reporters about his chances in the Iowa caucus, Thompson said he believes voters are "beginning to pay attention" now to the elections and feels he will be in "good shape."

"The real campaign is just beginning," Thomspon said.

These are substantive and serious points made by candidate Thompson and his principled refusal to play the moderator's empty headed game deserves applause in stead of derision. Yet, ABC dismisses this serious position as a "tantrum"?

So much for the seriousness of one of our largest media organizations and how they treat the news. So much for giving the voters as much information on a candidate's views as possible.

I say it's about time we got some candidates that don't want to speak in sound bytes but want serious discussion of the issues. If that is throwing a "tantrum" then we need more of it.

[Mobile Vulgus]

Thompson was a TIGER on that stage!!

[PGalt]

Propagandists at work. Hooray Fred!

[1rudeboy]

Thompson threw a “tantrum” because he was told to behave like a child? Some irony, there.

[truthluva]

I loved it when Fred did that. It was a stupid way to ask a question. These are grown men not kindergarten kids.

[facedown]

Just following in Peter Jennings’ footsteps.

[tobyhill]

All the Republicans should have been doing what Thompson did a long time ago.

[traditional1]

ROFL!

I remember ZERO derogatory slam of the Hildabeast Cackle when she almost dropped her teeth when asked a question she had no answer for!

[Ghengis]

And about 50% of the candidates on the stage acted as a meek child in response tot he question. Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney raised their hands and then yanked them back down in response to Fred Thompson’s response. Mike Huckabee literally looked like a 5th grader.

[Vigilanteman]

Fred is one of only four remaining contenders for whom I could enthusiastically vote. Now, if he could only kick the collective arses of some faux newsperson/DNC operative posing as a journalist, he could leave the Huckster in the dust.

[weegee]

“Sit down and shut up and let me talk” Haven’t both Clintons used something akin to this phrase in public forums???

[LRS]

"I just decided that I wasn't going to engage in any of this monkey business that they like to engage us on sometimes -- making us look like trained monkeys reaching for peanut or something ... 30 seconds is brief enough and when they try to reduce your answer to just a hand raise -- I 'aint going to play that game,"

Give 'em hell, Fred!

[Ann Archy]

FINALLY A Pubbie stood up to these Nanny Ninnys in the media!

[weegee]

The hostess was looking for a photo op moment that could be used to spin the politics of the candidates.

The only winning move is not to play the DNC operatives’ game.

[SolidRedState]

Could I get a show of hands from who thinks it is seriously strange to have liberal operatives running Republican primary debates?

[CharlesWayneCT]

Alan Keyes went after the moderator even more, mostly complaining he wasn’t getting a chance to answer questions.

[Psycho_Bunny]

Why did the Republicans agree to have a 3rd - grader moderate their debate?

[seekthetruth]

“And about 50% of the candidates on the stage acted as a meek child in response tot he question. Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney raised their hands and then yanked them back down in response to Fred Thompson’s response. Mike Huckabee literally looked like a 5th grader.”

I also saw that. Fred requested a minute to reply to the question, but was denied. It is just too bad, as Fred could have given a great answer. The following is what Fred said about this subject back when he was sitting in for Paul Harvey. Would have been a great one minute answer! :)

Plutonic Warming
By Fred Thompson

Some people think that our planet is suffering from a fever. Now scientists are telling us that Mars is experiencing its own planetary warming: Martian warming. It seems scientists have noticed recently that quite a few planets in our solar system seem to be heating up a bit, including Pluto.

NASA says the Martian South Pole’s “ice cap” has been shrinking for three summers in a row. Maybe Mars got its fever from earth. If so, I guess Jupiter’s caught the same cold, because it’s warming up too, like Pluto.

This has led some people, not necessarily scientists, to wonder if Mars and Jupiter, non signatories to the Kyoto Treaty, are actually inhabited by alien SUV-driving industrialists who run their air-conditioning at 60 degrees and refuse to recycle.

Silly, I know, but I wonder what all those planets, dwarf planets and moons in our SOLAR system have in common. Hmmmm. SOLAR system. Hmmmm. Solar? I wonder. Nah, I guess we shouldn’t even be talking about this. The science is absolutely decided. There’s a consensus.

Ask Galileo.

[Rummyfan]

"I just decided that I wasn't going to engage in any of this monkey business that they like to engage us on sometimes -- making us look like trained monkeys reaching for peanut or something ... 30 seconds is brief enough and when they try to reduce your answer to just a hand raise -- I 'aint going to play that game," the former Tennessee senator said.

Bravo FDT! I'm liking him more and more!

[Dahoser]

Keyes was an embarrassment.

[CharlesWayneCT]

Even Michelle Malkin, who analyzed the tape frame by frame, wasn’t willing to claim Mitt raised his hand. She said he “waffled” on it.

Fred’s position on the issue is similar to Romney’s position. They don’t know if man is contributing, but think it’s smart to reduce C02 emissions and support alternative energy, while drilling for more domestic supplies as well.

I’m glad Fred slapped her down on the “hands” part. I will note that at at least one previous debate, several candidates who answered with a hand then insisted on being given time to explain the reality of their position. I think Duncan Hunter did it once, but I’m not certain. Might have been an evolution question.