[John Jorsett]

At this point, I don't believe anything anyone says about this issue. There's too much about it that makes it impossible for anyone other than the participants to know exactly what was said. The only thing that would put it to rest would be if Arnold had the Pumping Iron outtakes where it was discussed. Short of that, given Schwarzenegger's past record, I'd say it's safe to assume that he's not an admirer of Hitler, and the NYT has shredded whatever remained of its credibility.

[ArneFufkin]

The execution of the smear was a portent of what we can expect going forward into Campaign 2004.

After the initial expose by the Times had a full day to be magnified, pundit mauled, bellowed by Jennings and the other once-weres, given full time to be presented on the Left Coast ... let's drop the ARNOLD IS HEIMLICH HIMMLER'S ARYAN CLONE smear.

ABC broke the news ... ah, but not really. They didn't break into "Celebrity Proctologist" to trumpet their scoop, they didn't have the ballsack and integrity. Nah, they sent it to DNC cabana boy Drudge, Drudge put it on the "Fly My Pretty's" Siren Alert, and then Keith Olberman is handed a note and he reports what Drude reported that ABC reported that Arnold's biographer reported. FOX and CNN followed.

That's all it takes for a smear these days. ABC doesn't even have to break their breaking news, they tell Drudge and Drudge tells Hysterical Olberman producer who gives it to sleazy Keith who announces it without hesitation or doubt. CNN picks it up, then FOX breaks in. ABC might have mentioned it during their 4:35 am news break.

ABC gets credit for the original report, but they didn't actually jump on it just in case it falls apart. That's the job of the mindless cable outlets. "MSNBC has just learned that Bravo Channel considers Ru Paul "one helluva woman".