Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Let's Kill Cain's Campaign
Townhall.com ^ | November 30, 2011 | Brent Bozell

Posted on 11/30/2011 5:07:35 AM PST by Kaslin

From the breaking news, one might think that with a woman who claims she had a 13-year affair with presidential candidate Herman Cain, someone is being seriously exposed as a hypocrite. That would be the press. The media can't deny they continue to display a lousy double standard. For Republican candidates, scandalous news is instant. For Democrats, it's eventual, if at all!

Ginger White's charges sound a lot like Gennifer Flowers in 1992, when she said she had a 12-year affair with Bill Clinton. So many in the press pounce on Flowers as unequivocal evidence of the media's sense of balance. After all, they will remind us, just look how we covered that scandal!

Yes, look. It's a wonderful exercise in media disinformation. Political junkies will recall that Flowers held a press conference carried live on CNN on Thursday afternoon, Jan. 23, 1992. It had all the elements for snappy news. She played audiotapes of phone conversations with Clinton. Despite all this, the first network mention was a short story by NBCs Lisa Myers, more than 24 hours later. Other than that, the three broadcast network morning and evening newscasts waited to breathe the name "Flowers" for four days.

nd then they dismissed the scandal as a non-scandal. On ABC, anchorman Peter Jennings (who was married four times) set the tone: "At several stops today, talking about Gennifer Flowers, Gov. Clinton denounced what he called 'trash for cash'. And there appear to be quite a few people who agree." Jennings declared a quick ABC poll found only 26 percent wouldn't vote for an adulterous candidate. "But our polling unit points out that at least half of those people who said no are Republicans and unlikely to vote for Gov. Clinton anyway."

The networks rewarded Clinton with all this tolerance because, as liberal journalist Hendrik Hertzberg explained, at the time, reporters loved Clinton's potential: "(T) hey think he would make a very good, perhaps a great, president. Several told me they were convinced that Clinton is the most talented presidential candidate they have ever encountered, JFK included."

Herman Cain is the polar opposite of Bill Clinton to these people. Political reporters consider him an under-educated buffoon and, as a black conservative, possibly self-loathing to boot. So there are no reasons to delay adultery charges. In fact, they should be rushed on the air, followed by sneering political death notices.

"NBC Nightly News" anchor Brian Williams was the first network anchor on the scene. This is the same anchorman that just expressed great joy and delight that NBC will be blessed by a woman with zero journalistic experience named Chelsea Clinton. Williams oozed on CNN that Chelsea was "super smart and worldly and curious," an "impressive, impressive woman" with a "very, very unique viewpoint." Grovel, grovel, grovel.

But here's what's sick. Ginger White makes an adultery charge against Cain and she's on NBC within hours. But when Juanita Broaddick accused Chelsea's father of raping her in a 1999 Dateline NBC interview, then-anchor Tom Brokaw never allowed one second of her voice to break into the NBC Nightly News.

By morning, Cain was dismissed as a political corpse, or a ghost. On ABC, anchor Robin Roberts suggestively asked, "Do (White's) shocking revelations spell doom for his troubled campaign?" On CBS, political analyst John Dickerson proclaimed, "It's hard to see how he comes back from this...At the worst, it's a death blow to the campaign."

But NBCs Chuck Todd was the most colorful, citing movies: "Now we're in sort of 'The Sixth Sense' mode. Everybody knows this candidacy is basically dead except the campaign." Todd then suggested he wasn't so much a ghost as an object: "I think that Cain is not necessarily hurting the field anymore. He's become a sideshow. It's almost a shiny, metal object at this point."

These death notices may be entirely accurate, but that's not the point. What is salient here is that Cain's scandals have been covered aggressively from day one by the same media that summarily refused -- and to this day refuse -- to cover allegations against Bill Clinton that are a hundred-fold more serious.

To my knowledge, the only TV reporter to ask Clinton directly about the rape charge (twice) was Sam Donaldson. Did it not send red flags skyward when both times instead of denying the charge, Clinton referred the matter to his attorney?

Night after night and morning after morning, the broadcast TV "news" makers demonstrate their "journalism" is carefully managed and manipulated into tidy packages designed to provide the maximum political benefit to liberals and the maximum political damage to conservatives.

Why am I not the slightest bit surprised that a Washington Post employee is tweeting over the Internet: "Hey Tweeps: Looking for outlandish/incorrect predictions and quotes from Newt Gingrich's past. Any ideas for me?"

Gingrich, it's your turn.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 2012; 2012gopprimary; billclinton; bozell; cain; cain2012; doublestandard; hermancain; lamestreammedia; msnbc
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 61-8081-100101-120 ... 141 next last
To: cripplecreek

Read my tagline. It is coming. Just watch. Even Fox will have a hand in it if they can. I have seen this in too many election cycles, particularly vis a vis Duncan Hunter four years ago, when he was even ahead of either McCain or Huckabee or Giuliani in accumulated convention delegates (from Wyoming as I recall) and they skilfully found a way to shut him out of the debates. They shut out Alan Keyes and he got arrested over it. Cain might be polling lets say, third in some state, and they will try to keep him out of further debates. Where they could not have it as a Romney-Perry dual which was their narrative (because Perry stepped in it one too many times), they would convert it to Romney-Gingrich dynamic, and start excluding the others. It is coming for SURE. They have already printed up the “disinvite” letters for sure, just have not dated them yet. Corrupt system. Blackouts. Fox News is a part of it too. Screw them.


81 posted on 11/30/2011 7:04:47 AM PST by AmericanInTokyo (RINO Establishment's next move: State GOP parties boot conservative candidates from future debates)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: Mister Da

I see. So you are “concerned”. Right?


82 posted on 11/30/2011 7:12:35 AM PST by AmericanInTokyo (RINO Establishment's next move: State GOP parties boot conservative candidates from future debates)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 53 | View Replies]

To: eeevil conservative

Thanks. Your post has boosted my failing hopes.

We are in such dire circumstances and the establishment hacks want to keep going down the same road. I think Herman Cain is one who can get us back on the right track. I’m afraid he will be destroyed, and with him, one of our last chances to fix this country.


83 posted on 11/30/2011 7:14:05 AM PST by iceskater (I am a Carnivore Conservative - No peas for me. (h/t N.Theknow))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 70 | View Replies]

To: bgill

See Post#42


84 posted on 11/30/2011 7:15:44 AM PST by Kaslin (Acronym for OBAMA: One Big Ass Mistake America)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 54 | View Replies]

To: AmericanInTokyo
Duncan Hunter four years ago, when he was even ahead of either McCain or Huckabee or Giuliani in accumulated convention delegates (from Wyoming as I recall) and they skilfully found a way to shut him out of the debates.

They set rules that only candidates with delegates would participate in their debate. Then they proceeded to exclude Hunter despite his delegates and included media favorites like McCain despite his lack of delegates.

The problem is that few "conservatives" have the moral fiber to stand up for what's right if what's right might cause problems with their chosen candidate.
85 posted on 11/30/2011 7:16:36 AM PST by cripplecreek (Stand with courage or shut up and do as you're told.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 81 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

It’s all over the news about the book signing. Anyway, his response was that he was trying to help her “financially” and that she was a “friend”. His ability to judge character of those he surrounds himself with is undeniably questionable using his own words. Just my opinion as I am sorely disappointed in his ability to judge character.


86 posted on 11/30/2011 7:19:53 AM PST by commonguymd (Freedom is a myth anymore it seems)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: Graewoulf; surfer
Only the gullible fans of Cain believe that he is guilty

Post#60 is an example

87 posted on 11/30/2011 7:20:30 AM PST by Kaslin (Acronym for OBAMA: One Big Ass Mistake America)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 58 | View Replies]

To: eeevil conservative
Essentially, what you are saying is trust the guy - Cain.

Sorry, but I gave up that naivete with Jimmy Carter.

If he does not clearly refute the White allegations, I have to assume they are true, & therefore Cain is an adulterer, a public liar (a poor one at that), & a hypocrite - not fit to be President.

If he wants my vote, he's got some explaining to do, & all this about staying above it all is pure weasel BS, to me.

I am not impressed, & his recent drop in the polls suggest many others are not impressed, either.

88 posted on 11/30/2011 7:21:57 AM PST by Mister Da (The mark of a wise man is not what he knows, but what he knows he doesn't know!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 70 | View Replies]

To: cableguymn

Does it matter? The book signing gives pause in addition to the messages. I suspect there is much more. Nevertheless, his ability to determine character of those he surrounds himself with is disconcerting in my humble opinion. His response was that she was a friend, and that he was trying to help her financially. Why would someone put themselves in a position with someone of such low moral fiber?


89 posted on 11/30/2011 7:22:14 AM PST by commonguymd (Freedom is a myth anymore it seems)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 47 | View Replies]

To: Bigg Red

The day Fox News hired Whoraldo was the day I quit taking them seriously.


90 posted on 11/30/2011 7:23:14 AM PST by Thermalseeker (Wanna keep livin' with your momma? Vote for Obama. Tired of the pain? Vote CAIN!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 77 | View Replies]

To: miss marmelstein
Someone is coordinating these attacks. Probably the White House.

Smells like the Chicago smear machine à la Axelrod and Rahm Ballerina Emmanuel

91 posted on 11/30/2011 7:26:20 AM PST by Kaslin (Acronym for OBAMA: One Big Ass Mistake America)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 59 | View Replies]

To: AmericanInTokyo

Yes.


92 posted on 11/30/2011 7:27:58 AM PST by Mister Da (The mark of a wise man is not what he knows, but what he knows he doesn't know!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 82 | View Replies]

To: MNJohnnie
I guess the message we are being sent by this Political/Media Establishment lynching of Cain is "No decent, honorable outsiders need apply"

That is the way it looks like and it's a shame

93 posted on 11/30/2011 7:29:53 AM PST by Kaslin (Acronym for OBAMA: One Big Ass Mistake America)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 65 | View Replies]

To: LoveUSA
I'm even starting to change my opinion.

Sorry for being so blunt, but all that proves is that you are weak.

This is leftist EVIL, and it shouldn't affect your opinion.

(btw, Cain had no knowledge of one of the 'floozies,' and this last one was someone he and his wife were helping out financially. Not exactly indictments of his character, wouldn't you agree??)

Discernment, LoveUSA. Discernment.

94 posted on 11/30/2011 7:30:45 AM PST by ohioWfan (Proud Mom of a Bronze Star winner!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: LoveUSA
I got an e-mail from Cain last night, and he most certainly is not quitting.

However, he IS asking for prayer.

95 posted on 11/30/2011 7:33:12 AM PST by ohioWfan (Proud Mom of a Bronze Star winner!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

I find it very odd and suspicious that after 40+ years of marriage, business and public spotlight that every single accuser is from a short period of time that Cain worked with the restaurant association. Nobody else from any time in his long career.


96 posted on 11/30/2011 7:34:21 AM PST by manic4organic (We won. Get over it.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: usmcobra
If that isn’t a clue to you that this is nothing but a smear campaign there is no hope for you and you might as well vote for Obama, at least you know he isn’t sleeping with women....


97 posted on 11/30/2011 7:37:43 AM PST by Kaslin (Acronym for OBAMA: One Big Ass Mistake America)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 74 | View Replies]

To: eeevil conservative

THANK-YOU, THANK-YOU, THANK-YOU, great post and so very,
correct!!!! We all need to stand firm this IS the fight of our lives, please
everyone NO WOBBLY KNEES!!!!!!


98 posted on 11/30/2011 7:48:25 AM PST by Kit cat (OBummer must go)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 70 | View Replies]

To: MNJohnnie

If you think the elected US officials are totally amoral opportunist scumbags...think about how much worse all the foreign officials REALLY ARE.

Point is...if Cain can’t handle the heat in this kitchen - he stands absolutely NO CHANCE in the world.

I agree we need honorable people with integrity and principles to step up to lead. The current crop of options just isn’t worthy of our vote.

BTW...there was an investigator that reviewed Cain’s responses and used software to analyze his statements and everything indicated Cain was being honest - we need that software to analyze every politician’s statements and put the analysis on the web so we can all decide who we want to trust.


99 posted on 11/30/2011 7:51:38 AM PST by surfer (To err is human, to really foul things up takes a Democrat, don't expect the GOP to have the answer!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 67 | View Replies]

To: Mister Da

SO YOU ARE LETTING THE THE MSN LEAD YOU IN YOUR THOUGHTS???? Have you not learned who these people are????
It will be due to folks like yourself that we will NEVER have the country
our founders intended, folks that do not see or stand up to PURE EVIL!!!!


100 posted on 11/30/2011 7:55:50 AM PST by Kit cat (OBummer must go)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 88 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 61-8081-100101-120 ... 141 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson