Posted on 08/07/2002 9:16:58 PM PDT by StopDemocratsDotCom
Hardly a radio or television news broadcast transpired on Wednesday without prominent mention of the handful of hecklers who attempted to disrupt Vice President Dick Cheney's speech to the Commonwealth Club of California with shouts of "Cheney is a corporate crook."
The media's near blanket coverage of the anti-Cheney chanters comes despite the lack of a single witness alleging any corporate crookery whatsoever against the VP. The stunt alone, it seems, was newsworthy enough for most editors.
The Clinton administration, of course, never had to worry about scandal driven heckling.
It's not that protesters didn't show up regularly throughout the ex-president's two terms. It's just that when they did, the press helpfully declined to cover the confrontations.
Throughout 1999 and 2000, for instance, hecklers routinely dogged both Bill and Hillary Clinton over the claims of Juanita Broaddrick, the Arkansas businesswoman who maintains she was raped by Mr. Clinton 24 years ago.
Nearly every weekend during that two year period, a hearty band of demonstrators from the Web site FreeRepublic.com staked out their appearances in Washington and New York; colorful signs, costumes and catchy chants at the ready.
Mainstream media interest in covering the anti-Clinton demonstrations was nearly nonexistent. Even when two of them were beaten up at one Philadelphia protest by goons wearing T-shirts reading "Teamsters for Clinton," the press by and large looked the other way.
The media's breathtaking double standard has finally begun to take its toll on the Bush administration, with Mr. Cheney now effectively sidelined in order to dodge an all but certain media mauling the next time he pops his head into the sunshine.
This would be the same bunch of dogged investigative journalists who asked Mr. Clinton one time and one time only about the rape allegations pending against him. Then, when his lawyer told reporters to move on, they obediently did so.
For the sake of their own political survival, not to mention the interests of the people who voted them into office, the Bush political team needs to force the issue.
Reporters should to be told in no uncertain terms: The White House will entertain no further questions on the accounting practices at Halliburton and Harken Energy - until Mr. Clinton and his wife are pressed for answers about the most heinous crime ever alleged against a President of the United States.
When reporters finally browbeat the truth out of the former first couple, then and only then should they get their Cheney press conference.
The latest earnings report would at least seem to be the start of a death rattle. We just need to keep on boycotting them!
After, not before.
bump for Time/CNN/CBS Rather not news
Maybe I'm being a little too sensitive, but my first thought was this was some reporter's subtle way to help the Democrats tie the GOP to the corporate scandals.
"A seemingly relaxed president rested comfortably on the lectern, delivering the type of homespun oratory near and dear to Mississippians security on the home front, economic growth using fewer tax dollars, and locking up corporate fat cats who mislead investors.
"But the issue that drew the most applause and the greatest number of comments following his speech was the president's call for federal tort reform."
"Bush's policy speech wasn't the only topic that created a buzz. Many who listened to him were equally struck by the president's personality." (Jackson Clarion Ledger, 8/8/02)
From another article:
"President Bush hammered home his message of fighting terrorism, punishing corporate wrongdoers and advocating changes to states' civil justice systems to a standing-room-only crowd Wednesday at Madison Central High.
"The president said Mississippi, like many other states, must address the hot legal climate condemned by doctors and business owners who have clamored for civil justice reforms.
"'In this state, the lawsuit industry is devastating the practice of medicine. Too many frivolous lawsuits in this state have been filed against doctors. That's a fact. And too many jury awards are out of control,' said Bush to thunderous applause from about 2,300 people packed into Madison Central's gymnasium and the overflow room in the cafeteria." (Jackson Clarion Ledger, 8/8/02)
Nah -- let's just highlight a few radical losers shouting insults. That's what gets Jerry Springer ratings, right? Odd that didn't occur to them while Clintoon was in office.
I don't know about being planted, but some media surely had advance notice of their presence. I watched the speech on Fox and heard indistinct shouts from podium microphones. Later, I saw a rerun on MSNBC. They had microphones near the hecklers which caught a much longer duration and clarity of heckling.
How did the hecklers get their tickets?
What embarrassment?? You mean that since they don't toe the leftist line they are an embarrassment??
I guess you consider FOX News "Leftist"???
Kook.
'Why yes.......thank you.....I...would......like..a....knuckle..sandwich!'
Unless this is tackled urgently, regardless of popularity polls, the Bush administration will be in deep trouble in 2004. America cannot sustain another demonRat president!
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