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Gore’s TV War: He Lobs Salvo At Fox News
New York Observer ^ | Josh Benson

Posted on 11/26/2002 11:02:56 PM PST by BADROTOFINGER

Gore’s TV War: He Lobs Salvo At Fox News by Josh Benson

Among the many problems facing the Democratic Party, according to former Vice President Al Gore, is the state of the American media.

"The media is kind of weird these days on politics, and there are some major institutional voices that are, truthfully speaking, part and parcel of the Republican Party," said Mr. Gore in an interview with The Observer. "Fox News Network, The Washington Times, Rush Limbaugh—there’s a bunch of them, and some of them are financed by wealthy ultra-conservative billionaires who make political deals with Republican administrations and the rest of the media …. Most of the media [has] been slow to recognize the pervasive impact of this fifth column in their ranks—that is, day after day, injecting the daily Republican talking points into the definition of what’s objective as stated by the news media as a whole."

Mr. Gore has been airing his views during a nationwide promotional book tour that marks his re-emergence in public life after a self-imposed exile following his loss in the 2000 Presidential election. Now, as Mr. Gore considers another Presidential campaign, he’s determined to confound his ponderous image by unveiling a new Al Gore—one who doesn’t hesitate, as he puts it, to "let ’er rip."

Hence his controversial criticisms of President Bush’s foreign policy, and his surprise announcement in favor of a government-run universal health-care system. And hence, in a phone interview with The Observer, his extensive criticism of the media, which is hardly a conventional way of launching a national political campaign.

Actually, Mr. Gore may have little reason to hide his views about the media, for his re-emergence, while generating a massive amount of attention, has also inspired ridicule from commentators of all ideological persuasions. Conservatives seemed delighted by his return, remembering his awkward candidacy in 2000, and many liberals have been quite frank in wishing that he would simply disappear.

But Mr. Gore has a bone to pick with his critics: namely, he says, that a systematically orchestrated bias in the media makes it impossible for him and his fellow Democrats to get a fair shake. "Something will start at the Republican National Committee, inside the building, and it will explode the next day on the right-wing talk-show network and on Fox News and in the newspapers that play this game, The Washington Times and the others. And then they’ll create a little echo chamber, and pretty soon they’ll start baiting the mainstream media for allegedly ignoring the story they’ve pushed into the zeitgeist. And then pretty soon the mainstream media goes out and disingenuously takes a so-called objective sampling, and lo and behold, these R.N.C. talking points are woven into the fabric of the zeitgeist."

And during a lengthy discourse on the history of political journalism in America, Mr. Gore said he believed that evolving technologies and market forces have combined to lower the media’s standards of objectivity. "The introduction of cable-television news and Internet news made news a commodity, available from an unlimited number of sellers at a steadily decreasing cost, so the established news organizations became the high-cost producers of a low-cost commodity," said Mr. Gore. "They’re selling a hybrid product now that’s news plus news-helper; whether it’s entertainment or attitude or news that’s marbled with opinion, it’s different. Now, especially in the cable-TV market, it has become good economics once again to go back to a party-oriented approach to attract a hard-core following that appreciates the predictability of a right-wing point of view, but then to make aggressive and constant efforts to deny that’s what they’re doing in order to avoid offending the broader audience that mass advertisers want. Thus the Fox slogan ‘We Report, You Decide,’ or whatever the current version of their ritual denial is."

"We understand that Gore is frustrated," said R.N.C. spokesman Kevin Sheridan. "He’s the leader of a party without a message. But if he thinks that the Republican National Committee can control the American media, then perhaps he needs a break from the book tour."

Fox spokesman Rob Zimmerman said, "We won’t dignify this with a response."

A spokesman for The Washington Times didn’t return calls for comment. Rush Limbaugh was traveling and not available for comment.

A Left Hook

Of course, some of the harshest criticisms of Mr. Gore have come from distinctly non-conservative quarters. Mr. Gore seemed particularly stung, for example, by an op-ed written by Frank Rich of The New York Times, suggesting that his new spontaneity was a charade. "When people write a line like one that I read this morning—quote, ‘People do not change,’ period, end quote—well, there’s a difference between learning from experience and self-reinvention," Mr. Gore said. "People do change, particularly in America. If you don’t learn from the experiences you have in life, then you’re not trying very hard, and if you don’t make mistakes, you’re not human …. If people who make their living criticizing anybody and everybody want to add me to their list, that’s all right. Hell, they’ve got to make a living."

Democrats sympathetic to Mr. Gore frequently maintain that "political insiders"—the media, big donors, professional politicians—paint an overly pessimistic picture of his viability as a candidate and suggest that his position has been strengthened by the party’s poor showing in the midterm elections several weeks ago. "There are all these people in the party who have been adamant that we need a fresh face," said Joe Andrew, who headed the Democratic National Committee during the Clinton administration. "I think a lot of those people are taking another look at Al Gore now, saying that, ‘Well, at least there’s someone out there with big ideas, who looks good on TV, who looks more comfortable with himself.’ I think it’s simply a fundamental reaction to the sense that he is a serious candidate with serious ideas."

But while Mr. Gore has a solid core of support, many Democrats do want a fresh face to take on George W. Bush in 2004. The same formal and informal polls that show Mr. Gore with substantially larger backing than any other Democratic hopeful also show that a great many donors, opinion makers and party leaders are uncommitted—and leaning toward Anyone But Gore.

It’s possible that no amount of criticism will keep Mr. Gore out of the race, but there’s little question that "Gore fatigue" already has become a rallying point for his potential opponents. "At this point, people are uniformly looking for a different face and a different agenda, an agenda that requires a backbone," Vermont Governor Howard Dean, a potential Democratic contender, told The Observer.

Asked about Mr. Gore’s efforts to make a fresh start as a straight-talking, independent-minded Democrat, Mr. Dean said, "I think it will be kind of a tough job for someone who was a sitting Vice President to call himself an outsider."

Mr. Gore acknowledged his image problem among powerful Democrats, and that the onus will be upon him to recapture the loyalties of those who supported him in 2000. "Maybe I bear the blame for some of it," he said. "I haven’t been very good about calling all of the insiders over the last two years, and maybe some of them have a beef with me because of that. I know they have been courted assiduously by some of the others who are considering a run for the White House, and it may be that some of them have already signed up with other people. If I do decide to run again, I think there’s a lot of support, but I’d also have to work really hard to get a bunch of them committed back to me."

Mr. Gore also reckoned that he would have to prove himself all over again to key political and media players. "I’m well aware that the political insiders and political-journalism community have a considerable amount of influence, and even though I’m stronger at the grassroots level, I think that if I did run again, I would have to convince those two groups that I’ve learned enough in the last couple of years to run a better campaign than I did last time. I don’t think that there’s a thing that I could say and no words I could choose that could accomplish that—the way to convince them would be in actually doing it."

For now, Mr. Gore can only attempt to explain what motivates the ceaseless lampooning he continues to face from America’s columnists and commentators. "That’s postmodernism," he offered. "It’s the combination of narcissism and nihilism that really defines postmodernism, and that’s another interview for another time, if you’re interested in it.

You may reach Josh Benson via email at: jbenson@observer.com.

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TOPICS: Breaking News; Government
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To: TheConservator
Algorebatross was mentally deranged LONG before his Loss to Dubya.
81 posted on 11/27/2002 5:00:29 AM PST by GailA
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To: BADROTOFINGER
Most of the media [has] been slow to recognize the pervasive impact of this fifth column in their ranks

LOL!

My favorite Algore was version 4.1 where he acted like a fire and brimstone preacher. Anyone else remember that version? It only lasted for a few days but it was funny as hell.

82 posted on 11/27/2002 5:02:51 AM PST by Aquinasfan
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To: Aquinasfan
I had to go look up that high faulting word 'zeitgeist' Algorebatross used as I'd never heard it before. Here is what I found at Dictionary.com.

6 entries found for zeitgeist. zeitgeist

Zeitgeist was Word of the Day on July 22, 1999. Source: Dictionary.com Word of the Day

zeitgeist zeitgeist was Word of the Day on May 24, 2002. Source: Dictionary.com Word of the Day

zeitgeist zeitgeist was Word of the Day on May 24, 2002. Source: Dictionary.com Word of the Day

Zeit·geist ( P ) Pronunciation Key (tstgst, zt-) n. The spirit of the time; the taste and outlook characteristic of a period or generation: “It's easy to see how a student... in the 1940's could imbibe such notions. The Zeitgeist encouraged Philosopher-Kings” (James Atlas).

[German : Zeit, time (from Middle High German zt, from Old High German. See d- in Indo-European Roots) + Geist, spirit; see poltergeist.]

Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. ..................... I watch a lot of History Channel, why is it that when I see Algorebatross I'm reminded of Hitler?

83 posted on 11/27/2002 5:09:50 AM PST by GailA
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To: PJ-Comix
His book crashed and now he is in a spin he can't pull out of.

Hey Al, how about another “lock-box” lie? That fooled some of the suckers.

The jerk is gonna have his n_ts handed to him on the 2004 primaries.

84 posted on 11/27/2002 5:11:30 AM PST by johnny7
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To: GailA
The Zeitgeist encouraged Philosopher-Kings

Algore 9.1: Philosopher-King

85 posted on 11/27/2002 5:14:49 AM PST by Aquinasfan
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To: johnny7
Crazy people are FUN to watch!
86 posted on 11/27/2002 5:16:26 AM PST by PJ-Comix
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To: BADROTOFINGER
Meanwhile, Dan Rather comfortably snuggling in Gore's hip pocket continued to say nothing about his attempts to assist Gore in stealing the 2000 presidential election.
87 posted on 11/27/2002 5:21:41 AM PST by bert
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To: BADROTOFINGER
Zeitgeist - I had to look it up.

What a goldmine of new material for the talk shows, SLN et al.

The scary thing is what if we had this (mentally)sick guy in the White House. How close we came. Someone must be watching over us.
88 posted on 11/27/2002 5:25:01 AM PST by moe
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To: BurkeCalhounDabney
Al, you've got to stop hanging around Sidney Blumenthal!

Now, that's a name I haven't heard in a while. Where is that guy?

89 posted on 11/27/2002 5:28:29 AM PST by aristeides
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To: PJ-Comix
Crazy people are FUN to watch!

Yes... they are. When he kissed Tipper, it reminded me of Herman Munster attempting to kiss Lily.

It's a miracle that they ever had children.

90 posted on 11/27/2002 5:29:56 AM PST by johnny7
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To: BADROTOFINGER

IT IS A VAST RIGHT WING CONSPIRACY!

OMG!!!!!!!!!! This lie did not work when Hitlery said it on national TV!!!

I wonder what the dems would do if we repliedto the tired mantra of BS and said...

IT IS A VAST RIGHT WING CONSPIRACY!

"IT" depends on what the definition of "IT," "IS."

IT IS A VAST RIGHT WING CONSPIRACY!

"IT" depends on what the definition of "IT," "IS."

IT IS A VAST RIGHT WING CONSPIRACY!

"IT" depends on what the definition of "IT," "IS."

IT IS A VAST RIGHT WING CONSPIRACY!

"IT" depends on what the definition of "IT," "IS."

91 posted on 11/27/2002 5:35:38 AM PST by TaRaRaBoomDeAyGoreLostToday!
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To: Skooz
I find this very amusing. The Washington Times has a rather small circulation in comparasion to the Post. Also, FNC is, still, just a cable channel with a limited audience, and Rush has what--30 million listeners tops? Mostly of the already converted?

This coordinated attack is curious.
92 posted on 11/27/2002 5:44:23 AM PST by lavrenti
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To: BADROTOFINGER
Comedy Central missed a bet by unsuccessfully trying the show That's My Bush.

They should've done That's My Gore and made it a reality show. This moron is a one-man comedy cavalcade.

93 posted on 11/27/2002 5:46:07 AM PST by PBRSTREETGANG
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To: BADROTOFINGER

Profile of a Sociopath

A number of cult leaders may exhibit many of the behavioral characteristics of a sociopath--an outstanding ability to charm and seduce followers. Since they appear apparently normal, they are not easily recognizable as deviant or disturbed. Although only a trained professional can make a diagnosis, it is important to be able to recognize the personality type in order to avoid further abuse. These traits also apply to a one-on-one cultic relationship.

 

Glibness/Superficial Charm
Language can be used without effort by them to confuse and convince their audience. Captivating storytellers that exude self-confidence, they can spin a web that intrigues others. Since they are persuasive, they have the capacity to destroy their critics verbally or emotionally.

</td msimagelist>

Manipulative and Conning
They never recognize the rights of others and see their self-serving behaviors permissible. They appear to be charming, yet are covertly hostile and domineering, seeing their victim as merely an instrument to be used. He dominates and humiliates his victims.

</td msimagelist>

Grandiose Sense of Self
Feels entitled to certain things as "his right." Craves adulation and attendance. Must be the center of attention with his own fantasies as the "spokesman for God," "enlightened,"  "leader of humankind," etc. Creates an us-versus-them mentality

</td msimagelist>

Pathological Lying
Has no problem lying coolly and easily and it is almost impossible for them to be truthful on a consistent basis. Can create, and get caught up in, a complex belief about their own powers and abilities. Extremely convincing and able to pass lie detector tests.

</td msimagelist>

Lack of Remorse, Shame or Guilt
A deep seated rage, which is split off and repressed, is at his core. Does not see others around him as people, but only as targets and opportunities. Instead of friends, they have victims and accomplices who end up as victims. The end always justifies the means and they let nothing stand in their way.

</td msimagelist>

Shallow Emotions
When they show what seems to be warmth, joy, love and compassion it is more feigned than experienced and serves an ulterior motive. Outraged by insignificant matters, yet remaining unmoved and cold by what would upset a normal person. Since he is not genuine, neither are his promises.

</td msimagelist>

Incapacity for Love
While He talks about "God's love" he is unable to give or receive it. Since he does not believe in the geniuses of his followers' love, he is very harsh in testing it from his devotees and expects them to feel guilt for their failings. Expects unconditional surrender. 

</td msimagelist>

Need for Stimulation
Living on the edge, yet testing the beliefs of their followers with bizarre rules, punishments and behaviors. Verbal outbursts and physical punishments are normal.

</td msimagelist>

Callousness/Lack of Empathy
Unable to emphasize with the pain of their victims, having only contempt for others' feelings of distress and readily taking advantage of them. Their skills are used to exploit, abuse and exert power. Since the follower cannot believe their leader would callously hurt them, they rationalize his behavior as necessary for their ( or the group's) own "good" and deny the abuse. When devotees become aware of the exploitation it feels like a "spiritual rape" to them.

</td msimagelist>

Poor Behavioral Controls/Impulsive Nature
Rage and abuse, alternating with small expressions of love and approval produce an addictive cycle for abuser and abused, as well as creating hopelessness in the victim. Believes he is all-powerful, all-knowing, entitled to every wish, no sense of personal boundaries, no concern for his impact on others. His followers only see him as near perfect.

</td msimagelist>

Early Behavior Problems/Juvenile Delinquency
Usually has a history of behavioral and academic difficulties, yet "gets by" by conning others. Problems in making and keeping friends; aberrant behaviors such as cruelty to people or animals, stealing, etc.

</td msimagelist>

Irresponsibility/Unreliability
Not concerning about wrecking others' lives and dreams. Oblivious or indifferent to the devastation they cause. Does not accept blame themselves, but blame their followers or others outside their group. Blame reinforces passivity and obedience and produces guilt, shame, terror and conformity in the followers.

</td msimagelist>

Promiscuous Sexual Behavior/Infidelity
Totalist leaders frequently practice promiscuity, child sexual abuse, rape and sexual acting out of all sorts. This is usually kept hidden from all but the inner circle. Stringent sexual control of their followers, such as forced breakups and divorces, removal of children from parents, rules for dating, etc. 

</td msimagelist>

Lack of Realistic Life Plan/Parasitic Lifestyle
Tends to move around a lot or makes all encompassing promises for the future. Many groups claim as their goal world-domination or other utopian promises. Great contrast between the leader's opulent lifestyle and the followers' impoverishment. Support by gifts and donations from his followers who are pressured to give through fear and guilt. Highly sensitive to their own pain and health.

</td msimagelist>

Criminal or Entrepreneurial Versatility
Changes their image and that of the group as needed to avoid prosecution and to increase income and to recruit a range of members. Is able to adapt or relocate as needed to preserve the group. Can resurface later with a new name, a new front group and a new twist on the scam.



Other Related Qualities:
</td msimagelist> </table msimagelist>

  1. Contemptuous of those who seek to understand him

  2. Does not perceive that anything is wrong with him

  3. Authoritarian

  4. Secretive

  5. Paranoid

  6. Only rarely in difficulty with the law, but seeks out situations where his tyrannical behavior will be tolerated, condoned, or admired

  7. Conventional appearance

  8. Goal of enslavement of his victim(s)

  9. Exercises despotic control over every aspect of his victim's life

  10. Has an emotional need to justify his crimes and therefore needs his victim's affirmation (respect, gratitude and love)

  11. Ultimate goal is the creation of a willing victim

  12. Incapable of real human attachment to another

  13. Unable to feel remorse or guilt

  14. Extreme narcissism and grandiose

  15. May state readily that their goal is to rule the world


94 posted on 11/27/2002 5:51:16 AM PST by BuddhaBoy
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To: BADROTOFINGER
From Amazon.com web site this morning(partially explains The Goron's latest paranoid hissy fit):

"Joined at the Heart" by Al and Tipper Gore Product Details

Hardcover: 432 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 1.42 x 9.04 x 7.00

Publisher: Henry Holt & Company, Inc.; ISBN: 0805068937; (November 12, 2002)

In-Print Editions: Audio Cassette (Abridged) | Audio CD (Abridged) | All Editions

Average Customer Review: Based on 34 reviews. Write a review.

Amazon.com Sales Rank: 1,255

95 posted on 11/27/2002 5:57:40 AM PST by RooRoobird14
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To: PBRSTREETGANG
Al Gore reminds me of this autistic kid in my old Scout troop who didn't know how to react in any social situation. He had zero ability to read other people and adjust his behavior appropriately. You could tell him his puppy died and he would laugh, but if you offered him a candy bar he'd burst into tears. It was sad then and its sadder now.
96 posted on 11/27/2002 6:00:33 AM PST by Callahan
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To: luvtheconstitution
He is an impotent little worm

I knew he was a Clinton appendage, but I never thought of him as that appendage....

97 posted on 11/27/2002 6:02:19 AM PST by steve-b
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To: Aquinasfan
I've always been partial to Algore 14.3 - I guess it just appeals to my feminine nature.

Photo courtesy of AP. Vice President Al
Gore prepares to enter second debate
with Republican candidate George W. Bush.
Makeup services by Chris Lehane/Revlon.

98 posted on 11/27/2002 6:02:43 AM PST by Quilla
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To: PJ-Comix
"The media is kind of weird these days on politics, and there are some major institutional voices that are truthfully speaking part and parcel of the Republican Party," said Mr. Gore in an interview with The Observer. "Fox News Network, The Washington Times, Rush Limbaugh—there’s a bunch of them...

There. That's better. :-)

99 posted on 11/27/2002 6:03:45 AM PST by alnick
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To: Hugin
"Something will start at the Republican National Committee, inside the building, and it will explode the next day on the right-wing talk-show network and on Fox News and in the newspapers that play this game, The Washington Times and the others. And then they’ll create a little echo chamber, and pretty soon they’ll start baiting the mainstream media for allegedly ignoring the story they’ve pushed into the zeitgeist. And then pretty soon the mainstream media goes out and disingenuously takes a so-called objective sampling, and lo and behold, these R.N.C. talking points are woven into the fabric of the zeitgeist."

Me thinks that he has has just revealed the standard operating procedure for the DNC, the major networks, and CNN. Being the consummate idiot that he is, Gore merely applied the model that he knows (and probably thinks he invented) to today's reality where Democrats occasionally have to face up to some criticism. (As opposed to the past where 99% of all media was their bought and paid-for cheering section.)

100 posted on 11/27/2002 6:05:43 AM PST by PBRSTREETGANG
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