The Verdict: Teflon John
By Nicole Belle Tuesday Apr 01, 2008 3:10pm
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Get the feeling that Dan Abrams reads the blogs? On Tuesday's Verdict, Abrams introduced a new recurring segment: Teflon John, documenting all the ways that Republican presidential candidate John McCain gets a free ride from the mainstream media. First example: McCain's infamous "100 years in Iraq" statement. While Washington Times' Tony Blankley tries to muddy the water, Abrams, with Gen. Wesley Clark and Joan Walsh, point out rightfully that neither of the Democratic candidates would have been able to get away with such a statement.
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McCain in a pan...love the pic haha
Your Grandchildren in Iraq!
McCain '08!
What does John McCain really stand for? The only thing he has a definite position on is staying in Iraq for the next 100 years.
Everything else McCain is a flip-flopper.
if you're a presidential candidate and you love war and will give tax cuts to people in the upper tax brackets, the media will suck your stinking ass.
You can sure see the BIAS in the media - This asshat BUSHITE manages to get in the news every day even when there is no news...
Any one else notice this Mcain gets in the news EVERY DAM DAY often for nothing.
Who cares?
He has about as much chance as Achmed Chalabi had in Iraq.
The repups get more ink HERE than they desearve.
While I am indeed delighted that it seems the media is starting to be a little less neo-con friendly, and are attempting to hold certain peoples feet to fire as it were...I think it's too little too late...where were they four damn years ago? 8 years ago?
Any one have a plan?
Making jokes about the republicans may not get US on the right track...
Abrams is the only one left on MSNBC I can watch anymore. Although, the Lichtenstein graphics were cool at first, they can be annoying after awhile.
Whats this.... senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) plans “to close the Senate down"
The article reports, “he's concluded that this is the only way to prod
Democrats to vote on, or even hold confirmation hearings on
--> Bush's appeals-court nominees.
http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_rob_kall_080402_specter_plans_to...
Stand strong against these facists...
A president that just on March 14, 2008 issued an Executive Order
to Gut the Espionage Oversight Board - ie. Treason
SHOULD NOT BE nominating ANY Justices.
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2008/03/14/preside...
BRING BACK THE NAVY SEALS MARINES GUARD AND PREPARE FOR COURT MARSHALL
liberalHUSSEINmoderation @ 6:
Making money as cheerleaders for thier corperate masters??
Tonly Blankely is so irrelevant it's painful. I listen to him talk and it just strikes me that even he doesn't believe the bullshit he spews.
Thank god somebody in the media is calling out that disgusting, corrupt, senile, warmongering geezer.
Julie @ 12:
Leave Dick Cheney outta dis.
Why is it terrifying that MSNBC is the only station to have not one, but 2 shows with people that are calling for truth and justice and the ancient american way? CNN doesn't. Jack Cafferty is a minor player in a slot to make wolf look good when he usually looks wacked on thorazine, and there is no other network that. shit, forgot alan colmes.
Liberal AND Proud @ 11:
That's what people said about MONTEL WILLIAMS 2 days ago.
Then he became a war hero here...
If not for the irrelivant - What would this all be based on?
I only heard about half this story today, but it seems McCain was speaking somewhere today and the speech teleprompter went out. I think they said the wind blew his paper copy off the podium too. If you have watched McCain speaking via a teleprompter you know it will put you to sleep faster than any drug. He isn't a good free wheeling speaker either. So his speech today must have been interesting to watch and hear.
Now Dobson is complaining that McCain may not be conservative enough for him and his crowd. They want to hear more about banning abortion and preventing gay marriages.
Good for Dan for pointing the spotlight on the reality of the situation and calling the media out on their coverage.
Shhhhhhhhhh. Let crazy grandpa continue talking. He's digging his own grave with all the flip-flops.
As much as anything else, presidential campaigns are won and lost by the media narratives that rightly or wrongly come to define a candidate. In the case of Repubican nominee John McCain, the seemingly unshakable narrative of the political "maverick" could not be further off the mark. At almost every turn, McCain in his eternal quest for the White House has reversed long-held positions, compromised core principles and swallowed his pride in order to curry favor with both the leading lights of the conservative movement and right-wing Republican primary voters. The untold story of campaign 2008 is simply that of John McCain's transformation from maverick to prostitute.
For the details, see:
"From Maverick to Prostitute: The Untold Story of John McCain."
Actually, I've long thought that Crooks and Liars had direct contacts with Keith Olbermann because frequently you'd post a news story about something that wasn't getting much attention and Keith would cover it that night.
Barack is having fun with McCains screw ups but doing it with class and humor.
If you can stomach Chris Matthews, don't forget the Obama will be his guest tonight for the whole hour.
Left&Left @ 17:
Another example of the REPUBLICANS talking points becoming DEMOCRATIC talking points...
We will tar them as the REAL FLIPFLOPPERS...
Then to combat the republican's the DEMS will outspend the republicans in military expenditures just to show them they are NOT WEAK ON DEFENSE!!
Is there a DEM idea not attached to a republican agenda out there???
Any where?
Oops Not "the Obama" but, that Obama will be his guest tonight for the whole hour.
Annie @ 10:
You are correct!!!
Hey maybe this election the Democrates will succeed in becoming more Republican than the Republicans!
I give Dan cred for doing this segment but he could site all day long
examples of Russert/Matthews/McCain man Love.
NBC hearts McCain.
Liberal AND Proud @ 11:
I feel the same way and think that TB does NOT believe his own bull but has to collect that paycheck - kind of like a tired old basset hound fetching a tennis ball out of loyalty more than desire.
Annie @ 21:
As Mark Shields has astutely pointed out, it is only outside the beltway that there appears to be the Democratic versus Republican parties, to whatever extent that they manage to maintain any distinction.
Inside the beltway, as everyone knows, there is only the appropriations party.
Borrow and spend.
Left&Left @ 17:
That's gotta be tough. If I had to dig my own grave with footwear I think I'd pick wooden shoes.
RBK @ 19:
Yeah, you would think FOX, CNN, MSNBC would pay for the site because so much of what they cover here at Crooks and Liars is FOX, MSNBC, or CNN stories...
It is like a mini shadow of the BIGMEDIA. What they cover C&L covers - It is just a coincidence, not a PENTAGON PLOT.
Last night on Hardball, after shining a bright warm light on the Obama campaign for half the program... and REPEATING the Bosnia footage of Hillary for about the THOUSANTH TIME... Tweety FINALLY admitted that Hillary got a good crowd response from her comments regarding Oil Company Profits... but of course he never showed any of that footage. (Wouldn't be caught dead showing Hillary in a GOOD LIGHT over ANY subject.)
This morning that Republican WEASEL, Joe The Scar, ran a recent "Great Presidential Speeches" from Letterman... then ended the segment by actually saying (about Bush...) "...he's my Man. I LOVE THAT GUY... AND I'M GOING TO MISS HIM!"
Dan Abrams and Keith O. are just about the only ones left in the national media who are making any kind of effort to be fair and balanced in their coverage of these campaigns.
What about the way McCain WENT SHOPPING IN BAGHDAD LAST YEAR... SURROUNDED BY AMERICAN MILITARY... and then tried to suggest that it was safe and quite in that neighborhood market??? THAT WAS A BOLD-FACED LIE committed for political purposes. He is NOTHING.
***CLARKIE ALERT***
Glad to see the general throwing it out there. A couple of years in the trenches at Faux have made him a good one to counter the likes of Blakely.
Wes supports Hillary and I'm for Obama. But I still respect the guys cred.
***END OF CLARKIE ALERT***
Annie @ 21:
Relax ok? We should use any form of ammunition against the Republicans and McCain that's available....including their hypocrisy. If the Repubs contradict their "talking points" we should call them out.
Hannah Hussein @ 27:
Bullshit! Just say SUPREME COURT to yourself.
Joe's show also tried to make something out of the fact that Hillary told a joke that Reagan had told about a zillion years ago. To which most people would say, So fu*king what?
I think they were trying to light a fire under plagiarism or something. That whole idea hit the ground with a thud.
Joe Scarborough is just about impossible to watch.
Soon (I hope) folks will wake up to the reality that our 'system' is outmoded.
The problems we face
TRULEY FACE
Like global warming
Food security
Reigning in Global capitolism
Water
And many other really BIG important issues have no way of being medeated by our bankrupt 'quaint' little Nation.
Nation States will fall by the wayside much as City States did in the past...
Forces more powerful and more agile than our silly goverment and ignorant population can deal with.
The game is becoming increasing rigged against anything that could be called 'US'...
We need some new thinking to deal with our new future. I am not sure making jokes about Bush or Mcain will get the job done...
We will ultamatly 'get' a command economy - That it is needed is clear. They know it and are moving in that direction on a global scale - And what is our response??
MORE NASCAR!!
Less steroids in Baseball!!
Cowboy Bob in Austin @ 30:
Poor Hillary. Snipe here; snipe there; snipe everywhere. How does she hold up under all this fire?
Left&Left @ 33:
Bullshit - Just say RULE OF FUCKING LAW sucker.
Got any??
Why would the thug controlled media give Bush a free ride and not McCain?
They'd have done the same for Romney. And even Huckleberry would have become someone else through their coverage.
Hey I hear you!!
I am sorry, you are right.
Abortion and Gay rights far outstripe the horrors of this war and the distruction of the ecosystem for profit.
Yeah - On the truley important issues the DEMS are way better.
And they want to increase the monies for the military!!!
So yes, they are much, much better.
They have been so effective during the last 8 years...
Just think where we might be now if not for their BOLD LEADERSHIP.
pissed off patricia @ 20:
Oh Please! Watching Tweety blow Obama for a full hour is waaay more than I can take.
Bluesage @ 40:
I haven't heard that "blowing" is on the agenda.
Bluesage @ 40:
Hey, there's always Bill O'Reilly, FUX News, Dancing with the Stars or 4-8 years of John McBush in the oval office. Can you 'take' those?
McCain's biggest strength is supposed to be his foreign policy credentials. But he doesn't know what the f**k is going on in Iraq. And this is the best the GOP can come up with!
Leslie @ 43:
Yeah - He is a war hero in another BULLSHIT war filled with atrocities...
Great credentials.
Annie @ 44:
If I get shot down while bombing civilian targets and get taken prisoner can I be a war hero too?
Abrams didn't start this segment on Tuesday, he's been going after McCain for a few weeks now.
SNL returns live this weekend (I think). Is there ANY chance that they will parody the way the media kowtows to McCain? It seemed to affect the way the media treated Obama after they gave a similar treatment to him.
pissed off patricia @ 41:
Then you haven't been watching much MSNBC lately. The bias there is obvious to anyone who can see thru the Obama haze. The truth is that when and if Obama becomes the nominee the MSM will go back to their true love, John McCain and Obama will find himself out in the cold. Corporations and war profiteers own our media and they like the status-quo. Then again, maybe Obama is the status-quo - how would anyone know since he's pretty much been given a free ride. Now many will say - but,but, but they played Rev. Wright over and over. Yes, they did and always with a "it's no big deal" and apologetic slant.
Dan Abrams tries to be fair and balanced which is more than I can say for any other head case over at MSNBC. He is the only one I turn in to watch since Olbermann became the head cheer leader for Obama and his "special comments" regarding Hillary and Ferraro turned me off completely. As for the McCain lovefest, the media will see to it that his coverage will always be favorable since he is in bed with Corporate America and the GOP is going to go after Obama's "lack of patriotism" should he secure the nomination. We will be subjected to hour upon hour of Rev. Wright and Michele's comments while McCain will be touted as the "war hero" he may or may not be. His flip flops will be explained away as just "McCain being McCain" and Matthews will be wetting pants in excitement.
As for Obama appearing on Hardball with Tweetie tonight, I hope he wear a raincoat since the spitting and drooling will be in full swing. I hate Tweetie.
Annie @ 37:
Note to self:
Supreme Court, Supreme Court, Supreme Court.
Vote for the borrow and spend Demopublicans, they will do better for the Supreme Court. Probably.
Say Clarence Thomas to yourself.
That segment was a microcosm of the MSM in general. Did anybody notice how the pundit fat boy over talks a 4 star General on military matters and utters the kindergarten "what about this or that" argument a dozen times? "What about Obma's adviser so and so"..and no points out that 2 wrongs fail to make a right. The entire segment, sans Clark's an attempt to get a word in edge was an exercise in dodging and projection. What do you mean you cannot leave a pie in the oven for 10 hours...you do it with a turkey..........
goat hussein sage @ 42:
So in your world if I don't bow before the Sainted Obama I must love O'Liely and watch Faux News and stupid reality shows - is that about right? That is just so wrong and so stupid on so many levels. I'm becoming more convinced every day that Obama supporters were not even Democrats before this election cycle because the only place I've ever heard this kind of rhetoric is from right-wing nutcases. If this is the Hope & Change you all want so badly then count me out because it scares the crap outta me.
we should spend more time attacking john mccain then we spend whining about how the media doesn't attack him. We can change the media, we have done it before. We just need to be ready and vigilant.
"Teflon John". I like that. Score one for Abrams.
Bluesage @ 52:
Interesting interpretation of my post. No one is asking you to bow before anyone you have obviously taken a great dislike to. The question is whether you would rather see John McBush in the oval office than Obama 'cause it sure sounds like that is where you are leaning. Talk about scaring the crap out of someone.
As for right-wing nutcase? Easy there. I'm a registered Independent who voted for Bill Clinton, twice and will support the Democrat in the general election, no matter who is nominated. Can you say the same?
Lest we forget, McCain is still trying to push an image of being squeaky clean, trying to bleach out the stains from the dirty business that he got caught at in 1989 when he, along with Alan Cranston, Dennis DeConcini, John Glenn, and Don Riegle, was one of the Keating Five. McCain started as a sleazebag and hasn't stopped. Think of shoe polish on a turd.
good to see abrams not lose sight of what the issue is...johnny boy getting a free ride. wake up people! our elections aren't free any more and too many people in the this country allow the media to do their thinking for them. that's why this country is a mess.
Robert @ 53:
The only way this media is going to be changed is if we have overwhelming Democratic majorities in the house and senate in Nov. Then, we the people, will have to insist that regulation and fairness be restored. It will not be an easy or quick task but if we are vigilant it can be achieved. That is absolutely necessary if we are to maintain a democracy in this country.
goat hussein @ 55
I don't know what other interpretation would be appropriate for your post. If I don't want to watch Tweety and Obama for an hour then I must want to spend the hour with Dancing with the Stars, Bill O'Liely and Faux news and want McCrazy to win the presidency.
I'm glad that more independents are voting Democratic and FYI, I have been a Democrat my entire adult life casting my first vote in 1968. Hell of a year for my first vote.
Thread about Abrams and McCain becomes about Sen Obama. Yet again. What a surprise.
As far as Chrissy and his man love for Obama, perhaps Olbermann can show up for a m'enage a' trois.
I was a devoted Keith watcher for almost five years. He lost me with his bias.
Bluesage @ 59:
So, will you being voting for the Democrat this year or not?
(btw, I can't stand watching Tweety and his man-crushes any more than the next "right wing nutcase")
There is NEVER enough time allowed for these discussions to play out!
Always rushing to meet an Ad or some goddam thing!
So much for US journalism!
DC @ 3:
McCain like Bush stands for one thing and that is non-stop war. War no matter if we can afford it financially, physically with our troops, or morally; war and more war is what make their world spin.
Pretty sad isn't it?
I just love that Tony Blankly's comment, "But General McPeak said the same thing 3 years ago". Well before you spout that let's ask the man now and see what he says. He may be saying the same thing now but if he is then say that and not dredge up an obscure quote from 3 years ago. These pundits are absolute idiots if they believe they can continue to try and snow the public like this. I think the country is finally waking up and they need to realize this. I guess in the long run though they don't mind looking stupid as long as the money keeps rolling in.
Easy: If you like the state of the union under W Bush
you will get more of the same with McCain only more.
Case closed.
Yeah, I get the feeling Dan Abrams reads the blogs. Like a scavenger. What was it, 10 months that bloggers were screaming about the Siegelman story, which the mainstream decided to ignore... then finally it boils up to the point that MSNBC decided it was safe to cover, I guess... or that it had gotten enough attention it might be unsafe NOT to cover it, then Dan Abrams covers it, and acts like some kind of hero, as if HE broke the story.
When someone is considered Teflon isn't that when nothing thrown will stick and not that nothing gets thrown?
Like most Teflon products, this one has gone flaky on us and has become a danger to our health.
Yeah, the corporate press is already "On Bended Knee" before McCain the way they were for Reagan. They would have crowned him king already if they could have. And the US public is so stupid they'll probably fall right into line: "You can't criticize him! He's a veteran! It's the essence of patriotism to slaughter hundreds of thousands of people! The Democrats won't be as willing to do that as McCain!"
well, for most of those 100 years John McCain wont exist anymore, so really what does he care. clearly not at all. he can afford to make such a statement and get away with it, since he wont be around anyway. he'll be deceased.
Any truth to the rumor that John McCain plans on having Tim Russert as a guest on his Sunday news show, "Meet the McCain"?
Who the fuck is Tony Blankley to mock a retired general and try to belittle what he said by saying "Well, you two retired generals can disagree" - Hey Tony FUCK YOU!
GOT TO GIVE CREDIT TO JOHN "THE REPUBLICAN" MCCAIN....
.... TO SOME PEOPLE 100 YEARS IS JUST THEIR CHILDHOOD
pissed off patricia @ 20:
Will Obama get a word in or will kris just interrupt him as usual.
Duct tape matthew's mouth shut and I would like to hear Obama speak. Fat chance though.
Beyond a doubt the most amazing endorsement of McCain's grasp of foreign policy came from sHillary herself - saying that of the 3 remaining candidates only she & McCain passed the "Commander-In-Chief Threshold".
This is one of the better debunks I've seen. Clark was a good guest, and Abrams was very on point. At best, McCain gave an answer that didn't answer the question of withdrawal and ignored the realities of Iraq, which are nothing like those of Japan and South Korea, not even after those wars. It's pretty funny and ironic to see so many right-wingers complain about a conservative being taken out of context.
Go Dan!! I'm waiting for the truth to come out about McCain.
Good for Abrams. He does two things in this segment that are terribly lacking in most of these discussions: 1) He frames the issue narrowly and accurately; 2) He doesn't let loudmouths like Tony (I work for a Moonie corporation) Blankley talk over everyone else and spin the discussion in a different direction. Good on him.
My overall impression is I see a decorated career general who knows what he's talking about trying to reason with a bloated chickenhawk who has never been in the military and only knows what little he does by engaging in right wing circle jerks.
Annie @ 7:
Please elaborate. Don't see any jokes so far.[
Annie @ 21:
Right here. GAY RIGHTS!! As opposed to denying same.
Canuknotusa @ 62:
A perceptive and valid criticism.
Space Coyote @ 66:
So he should not read the blogs and remain ignorant like the rest of the talking heads? Who cares what his motivation or modus operandi is, at least he's covering important stories that others ignore.
Mark Cartwright @ 71:
Nice one.
McCain's middle name is Sidney. Kindly call him Sidney. Sidney is a name that connotes just how much integrity and strength of character he has nowadays. And "Love, Sidney" starring Tony Randall was such wonderful show about an in-the-closet gay man helping a single mother raise her daughter.
Let's just call McCain Sidney. It's a fine name that lets us all know his game.
Dan Abrams is really impressing me. He is a man of integrity. Sometimes incorrect, but honestly incorrect.
Otay @ 85:
don't get me wrong,I like what he's become lately.
But he wasn't always this way.
He changed his tune when KO's ratings went up.
I have an email friend who is a major reporter for a very large news outlet. I asked him about McCain's 'kid's gloves treatment by the media. He tersely stated "He was curious too and would get back to me. he contacted me yesterday. He had asked a reporter, who was covering the campaign, to contact me. He also said there is a strong consensus that McCain is going to start getting grilled after the Obama-Clinton show ends. He said, right now that is the 'hot ticket'.
So, there you go. I will post further enlightenment as it becomes available. The problem is often, a thread will die before you can add information.
Goodthing he's a teflon john, it'll keep the egg from sticking to his face.
Just as long as the right wingers don't think this is a complement, more power to Dan Abrams on marginalizing John McInsane to nothing this fall.
Teflon John was on Morning Joe this a.m. and, of course, said his 100 years in Iraq statement was taken out of context.
You can see Abram's show will rise above the Hannity and Colmes or Factor Fiction.
Abrams in his Teflon John segment here does this without truely going negative or personnally attacking McCain. Calls him out on the carpet and points the media are letting him slide where the standards for others are not the same.
Coming from not seeing this show before that is................................
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