ABC World News covers their awful debate: Misleading description on their web story
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You would think ABC would cover the bad publicity they received from their Democratic presidential primary debate---take their lumps---hopefully learn from it and then move on. (The real MoveOn has a petittion and action alert against the network.)
However, if you read their story about it online---ABC tries to make it seem like they really got a mixed reaction to their silliness:
Blogosphere Buzzes With Both Criticism and Praise for Line of Questions
ABC News has heard from thousands of angry viewers. At least some of the negative reaction came from Obama supporters, among them the liberal group MoveOn, which has mounted an action campaign to send a message to the network. One viewer wrote, "This so-called 'debate' will be shown to my communications students as an example of what shoddy journalism looks like."
"Shame on you, Charlie and George," wrote another viewer. "We deserve better." But some were more positive.
Was that really the case? I don't think so.
ABC never even gave an instance where the blogosphere praised the debate in their piece. They inserted a few positive comments to try and balance it out and make it seem like the blogoshere was split over their coverage. For shame. The debate Wednesday was so horrendous that it caused a ton of criticism from members of the MSM. Stephanopoulos defended his work as a conscious choice to focus on "issues" that had come up since the last debate, deflecting whether those were the issues that mattered.
"People also take into account...how candidates handle controversy," he said. "That's what campaigns are about, as well."
Steve Benen wrote this for C&L yesterday:
E&P’s Greg Mitchell called it “perhaps the most embarrassing performance by the media in a major presidential debate in years.” The Washington Post’s Tom Shales called it “step downward for network news,” and noted that the moderators delivered “shoddy, despicable performances.” Will Bunch noted, “Quickly, a word to any and all of my fellow journalists who happen to read this open letter. This. Must . Stop.”
Who screwed up the debate..."Not ME".
The media has turned into a Family Circus cartoon.
Gibbie and Stepphie are nothing more than partisan hacks and shills. They're a disgrace to journalism.
Mixed reaction: bad and worse.
ABC continues to forge ahead in its determined quest to find new ways to suck.
Liberal AND Proud @ 1:
GAH! I really, really, really HATE Family Circus!
Look - do you really expect these people to shamefully lower their heads, and apologize to us, the viewing (American) public?
NEWSFLASH.
The TV is not made FOR us - it is made BY corporations, which have AGENDAS to push to the public.
Think of TV "news" as basically a corporate PUBLIC RELATIONS, and there you have it.
They can't even tell the truth when cover the reaction to the debate.
Watch their ratings and you will get the real answer.
My prediction. Olbermann ratings go up bringing up MSNBC overall. ABC down, CBS down, NBC (network) down...guilty by association. Blow back will be newspapers down slightly (cause there ain't much to give up, no one reads anymore).
Hopefully this raises the temperature in the pot and the ingredients will start to bubble over. Then the chef masterminds of this clusterfuck will be in deep doo doo trying to put out the fire that they started in the kitchen.
The debate was very instructive. The issues they want shelved is the economy, the war in Iraq, and health care. So..oo, it seems clear what the Democratic strategy should be.
In 2004, the GOP managed to shift the focus from Iraq to Vietnam and Kerry. A similiar ploy can be expected this time around.
So we can point out:
(1.) Economy, in the toilet caused by borrow and spend, causing a devaluation of the dollar. High gas prices are caused in part by devalued dollar due to GOP abandonment of fiscal responsibility. McCain wants to drive deficits higher. Stagflation is emerging as well as the tax of inflation.
(2.) The war in Iraq. Voters need to decide, knowing what we know now, would you repeat another Iraq. I believe McCain has said he would. Voters need to decide if there is a judgement issue here, and whether or not the focus on the war on terror should have remained Afghanistan, where Bin Laden was located.
(3.) Health care. While the US spends half the worlds expenditures on military appropriations, millions of Americans are uninsured. For the rest of us, medical costs are rising faster than inflation. The rest of the so called "1st world" nations provide national health care. What candidate best represents voter's interests?
The list can, of course, go on and on, but these items can fit within the average American's short attention span, and fit within the sound byte. Corporate media, representing corporate America and not Americans, hardly care about the average American person, especially as our corporations become foreign owned. But, as ABC helped point out, those items being trivialized are exactly the issues that the spotlight needs to be continually shined on. So, between now and November, we need to focus on these issues.
Technically true but misleading. "Some" was Bobo Brooks, David Broder, and some (yes, there's that word again) Hillary cultists. Since "some" is defined as "at least one", of course it's true. It's just incredibly stoopid.
Ha! They make is sound like there was a balance of positive and negative comments about the debate on the abc message board. If anyone was paying attention, and apparently, people are paying attention, easily MOST of the comments were directed at the shameful tone and questions of the debate.
Right at the end of the debate on ABC's site before they scrubbed it, one paragraph started, "The debate quickly turned to Sen. Obama's 'bitter' comment..." See how they made it seem like it just happened on its own and they had nothing to do with it?
So when NBC/MSNBC do it, it's fine. But when ABC do it, it's not.
Got it.
How about do the fair thing and call out EVERYBODY for it?
Olbermann has morphed into Obamamann, Rachel Maddow & MSNBC pundit crew Obama-phites, and the debates moderated in the past by CNN & MSNBC were much worse than this.
So when every network accepts to stop backbiting and allowing thier "unbias" to erode, then fine. Other than that, it's open game.
Liberal AND Proud @ 1:
Wow, that's a really great way to put it!
Self criticism? Won't happen. The real elitists are these beltway hacks who smugly sip cocktails with their peers and collect their huge paychecks from Bristol-meyers, Frito-Lay, Disney, Exxon, Phizer and Eli Lilly.
The bubble they live in is just as impenetrable as Little Bushs'.
God that's so Bush.
Everybody's pissed and you somehow turn it into a positive.
Fuck the media.
Obama should wear a flag lapel pin that's about 2 feet tall just to shut them up.
He might sound for a while like James Carville eating a bowlful of nutria because the pin will be in front of his mouth, but there you go.
at times like this it is always fun to look at a story from the past.
[background for the unaware: disney owns and dominates abc and abcnews]
ABC Shelves Report on Parent Disney
"ABC News has rejected a report by its leading investigative correspondent raising questions about hiring and safety policies at Disney World, the Florida theme parkowned by ABC's corporate parent, the Walt Disney Company."
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F03E2DE133AF936A25753C1A...
this is the norm for the msm, not the exception.
sorry for the O/T...
This is why the Thugs and the Dems need to get out of the 'Debate' business. And the MSM. It's a load of self serving bullshit. Talk about distractions.
GIVE THE CANDIDATE IDEA EXCHANGE FORUM (these aren't debates) BACK TO THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS.
Dr. Squid @ 18:
Thanks Doc...for that gawd awful mental picture....I will blame my nightmares on you, from this day forth! LOL!
mike @ 4:
True that.
When you read the comments on Politico.com the righties there are defending the debate and actually implying that Obama is weak because "he couldn't answer the tough questions" (seriously!) And on Tweety's show they were talking about how Obama just didn't seem with it and was bored and then they added that he needs to buck up for the tough debates ahead with McCain (yeah, right!). I was screaming at the tv! I cannot believe that those clowns believe the crap they spew. Obama wasn't bored, he was pissed and annoyed at the idiotic questions (flames) that were being asked much like most of us tortured people who had to watch it. I had to change the channel.
Anyone with any brains knows that Obama will totally dominate McSame in any debate, hands down. Hopefully, though, by then they will have reputable commentators who ask legitimate questions that will answer voter's questions.
Under the guise that all publicity, bad or good, is still publicity, you may safely bet that ABC and Disney execs are laughing hard. They put forth their right wing political agenda, and now they're not only basking in the volume of publicity they're receiving, but their agenda is being repeated by every blog and "news outlet." They've achieved, and continue to achieve more than they ever dreamed.
When Disney/ABC decided to air the controversial movie about the war on Iraq, in which Clinton, not Bush, was to blame, it should have raised a big red flag. It didn't. We shouldn't have forgotten, but we did. All this debate proves is that the ABC news department is nothing more than a shill and voice for a profit-driven corporate America, regardless of the cost to the American public.
SM @ 14:
What? Are you from our planet earth?
americangoy @ 6:
And then they blame us saying that is what the American people want. It's all BULLSHIT, it's pretty sad when the hard hitting news is coming from three Comedy Central shows, The Daily Show, The Colbert Report and South Park.
Of course they're defending their drivel. If they admit that they are useless, then people will tune them out. Of course, we can see for ourselves that they're useless.
Yeah geo's question about whether rev wright loved america as much as sen obama does...was totaly relevant and addressed some many issues for me. And charlie's crazy fantasy crap about making the loser the vp choice was riveting...This kind of crap has to be stopped.
When the MSM gets overwhelming criticism for promoting their agenda, it's spun as "both criticism and praise".
But when the public overwhelming supports a candidate's comments that the MSM had decided to condemn from their ivory tower (such as Obama's comments during "bittergate"), it's spun as "The public is overwhelmingly insulted", or "people are very upset" over that candidate's comments.
Disgusting. I've made up my mind - no more ABC for me. And I will start boycotting other networks that pull this crap.
The press can't lose for winning. "Gee? Were we bad? Let's do a show on that and sell ads"- MSM.
We are permitting these businesses to use OUR broadcast channels. And we provide shelters and subsidies. I suggest that they have to get our support- voter style- to continue the privilege.
I so loooove Bill ... if Hillary had ONLY brushed off her shoulders when she got picked on the way Barack did, instead of whine.
justabill @ 7:
The article is simply a reaffirmation of what I have been saying for two years.
Middle class voters will hide their racism behind any excuse they can find or be given. This country will NOT put a black man in the White House, nor will they elect a woman. All you Hillaryites out there, enjoy the free ride you've gotten. You complain of mysogyny NOW. Should your candidate win the nomination (and I believe she has damaged herself too badly with all her negativity to win it), you will see her accosted EVERY DAY with implied and direct sexism on tv, radio, newspapers, the corner water cooler...EVERYWHERE. It will be masked under concerns about "the Clintons", but the real concern will be clear.
Barack was exactly right when he spoke of race and gender in this nation. He was exactly right when he spoke of working class bitterness. Unfortunately, we remain too immature as a nation to see beyond our physical differences to understand that the majority in this country, of all colors, religions and both genders, are fighting an economic war against the elitists class in this country and that they will use our predjudices against us, our own PUBLICLY OWNED assets, the airwaves, and if push comes to shove our own military against us.
"I know he spent all day yesterday complaining about the hard questions he was asked. Being asked tough questions in a debate is nothing like the pressures you face inside the White House. In fact, when the going gets tough, you just can't walk away because we're going to have some very tough decisions that we have to make," remarked hillary.
When pressed, Clinton continued the criticism, adding, "When the going gets tough you can't run away. And it's going to be tough going to deal with these hard problems; getting out of Iraq in the right way, turning the economy around, getting universal health care, ending our dependence on foreign oil. The special interests are going to be a lot tougher than 90 minutes of questions from two journalists and we need a president who is going to be up there fighting everyday for the American people and not complain about how much pressure there is, and how hard the questions are."
hillary clinton ladies and germs.
every week i find myself disliking hillary more and more.
if those are "tough" questions that a prez candidate should have to answer, then she should have to answer questions about monica lewinsky, paula jones, and all the other clinton-bimbos. fair is fair, even for the clintons.
Breaking News! New Gallup Poll: Obama 47%, Clinton 44%.
Dr. Squid @ 18:
I suggest a tattoo...shows more dedication.
Corporatism = Fascism.
We are in a fascist state.
The Corporate media has everything to protect, everything to sell, BUT nothing to tell.
Even the AP reported that negative comments outnumbered any positives by 8-1. 8-1. Some praise.
This is typical of the corporate media, what they did on the reaction of the debate is what they do with all issues. What I like to call the "earth is flat controversy" 98% of the people know the earth is not flat but 2% think the earth is flat. To make a viable controversy they will talk to both sides and give each equal weight. 90% of viewers thought the debate was awful but you frame the issue like it was 50/50 by searching hi and low for a positive comment and give it equal weight. The same way they give Republican lies the same weight as the truth.
SM @ 14:
these are commentary shows, they're allowed to have opinions. (bill o'reilly and the cats at fox also "pretend" to be objective but everyone sees through it. they're conservative, and they too are allowed to be, just as olbermann, maddow, et al. are allowed to support Obama, in my opinion.
but a debate is supposed to be objective and impartial. that's the difference.
...But some were more positive. Like... err.... mmmmMister Flopsie, the talking sock! You liked the debate, didn't you Mister Flopsie.
"Yes! I thought it really grought khorward the issues that Angericans care ngost agout! Garrack Oganga needs to address the issues ogh his gitterness! Negher ngind the enghironngent or the econongy."
More from our political analyst Mister Flopsie, the talking sock, after these messages from our masters.
RayC @ 39:
Sounds like the global warming "debate".
Ron @ 35:
If he wins PA, what will the media excuse be?
Ron @ 35:
but then there's...
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN1818813120080418
"Obama has expanded his national lead in several polls. A Reuters/Zogby poll released earlier this week put it at 13 points, and a daily Gallup tracking poll had it at 7 points, down from his high of 11 earlier in the week."
hillary really needs to hurry up and drop out already. she's totally scratching mccain's back.
SM @ 14:
I call bullshit!The media is slanted and you can't tell which way..period..thats why you can't tell your girl has destroyed herself
and the media has treated her like a baby ever since the infamous crying act.Bill,Hillary and EVERYONE in MSM agreed if she lost Texas she was through......
Face it...she lost Texas and the MSM called it in her favor LONG(almost 3 weeks) in advance of the results and to this day continues to say she stopped his momentum,only she can win big states,battleground states,and continue to rais electability problems when her negatives are nearly double his.
goat hussein sage @ 42:
Global warming.
The Constitution
Executive Power
Executive Privilege
The role of the Congress
The role of the Courts
Patriotism
Homosexuality
Religion
Race
Gender
should I go on?
Bill Clinton knows a thing or two about keeping his uniform off.
Ok
War
War Powers
Diplomacy
Democracy
Separation of Powers
Separation of Church and State
States Rights
Obama's lead nationally cut to 3 points since debate.
Gallup
"Gulp"?
more...
Public Education
Social Programs
Choice
Healthcare
Private Property
Bankruptcy
“People also take into account…how candidates handle controversy.”
When may we expect tough questions for McFlipFlop who is a walking controversy then? Or is that completely different?
And there are things on that list that ARE relevant to this election, of concern to the general public and were overlooked...and those that weren't overlooked were paid lip service and demagogued.
Samson- @ 34:
OMG!!!! Hillary is going to implement Dennis' health care plan?! Sorry, I was watching last night's frontline episode where at the end they showed clips of Hillay, Barack, and McSame and they stated no one was really talking about health reform.
But yeah, ++ on your comments, totally agree.
Roket @ 51:
So, Senator McLame, tell us how much you love your beautiful wife...
goat hussein sage @ 42:
or the intelligent design debate, or the public or private health care debate, or the abortion debate, it doesn't make much difference about the truth or the evidence you can find 20% of Americans that believe the lies and if you frame the debate you can make it seem like there is wide spread disagreement when there is not. It is not the object of the right to win debates they wish to muddy the waters enough to make their points seem viable.
I doubt the criticism that the msm are receiving will change their mind. Their job is to keep the American public uninformed. They've already been bought. It's going to take a lot more criticism from us to make them tell us the news we need to know. Their job is to not tell us the important news. The msm are in cahoots with the republican neocons that put us in the mess we're in. If Hillary and Obama agree to another debate, it'll be more of the same.
Roket @ 51:
I doubt Mr.MaGoo will ever answer for anything if the MSM has its way.
He is same old same old job security for them.
ABC is online
Would praising themselves count?
This debacle of a debate was as helpful in bringing useful info to the public as the Iraq war is in bringing democracy and peace to the Middle East.
Shame on ABC and both moderators. Despicable to say the least.
i had an interesting conspiracy theory occur to me last night. what if back in 2004 ABC deliberately outed that Bush national guard memo knowing full well it was a fake and would be almost immediately revealed as such? they did that damn "path to 911" documentary and now with this fake debate they've pretty much revealed themselves to be republican fetch-it boys and when you think about it, that fake memo insulated bush from all controversy about his avoiding going to vietnam.
dennis @ 49:
Monica,
Izzat you?
D.G. Bowman @ 2:
They're yellow journalists, much like the rest of their ilk.
mike @ 44:
Well you saw what she did to Bill's face...
clytemnestra @ 32:
Hillary's less than Obama, because she doesn't have dandruff?
ysbaddaden @ 63:
good one!
i have to admit my own quote there is putting an image in my head i'd rather not have.
'If he can't stand up to this, how can he stand up to McCain in the Fall?'...
Why no treat McCain similarly then? Why not explore his so-called "gaffes" for weeks on end? They'd seem more relevant, as they exposed his lack of knowledge on basic national security issues. Or his blatant politics/money corruption? Or his marital infidelity?
Why not help poor John, too?
mike @ 60:
I think people should start giving MSM so many bogus news tips they wont know what hit 'em.
I know....we could call it a campaign of disinformation...unless that name is already taken...which I doubt....huh?......oh...
dennis @ 49:
Dennis, it's very late in the fourth quarter, Obama has the lead and is coasting. This primary is over Dennis...be like Joe Scarborough and pull out any poll that justifies your stance. Hillary has two choices....the right thing by stopping this party destruction by giving up and supporting the winner, or continuing this scorched earth crap and helping McWar. Accept your defeat or destroy the party. PERIOD.
Here is a poll of what people really think of the ABC he-said-she-said "debate"
Site:http://bp1.blogger.com/_MnYI3_FRbbQ/SAjIDQP-TyI/AAAAAAAAAqU/p9YURPLTEcA/s1600-h/poll.png
And these beltway media stars say Obama is "elitist" and "not connected to ordinary American's concerns"? Project much?
Left&Left @ 68:
Then there's the 'Hail Mary' pass...
I see the trolls are here to attack Hillary again. Please delete their comments. One cannot discern between trolls and Hillary-hating obamans so one must assume they are all trolls, eager to promote division and hatred.
I'm still waiting to decide whether I will prefer HRC or Obama. At this stage I hope Obama will begin separate himself from Hillary in some way. Unfortunately he is not doing so, instead he is generating noise as a way to mask Hillary's advantages.
Note to Howard Dean. If Michigan and Florida are not brought into the national picture I will not vote for president in November. If and only if Michigan and Florida are included will I vote for the Democratic nominee, whomever it is. You have generated this unfortunate situation for your own agenda. Suck it up, fix it, or you stand to wear the mantle of having destroyed the Democratic effort to save this country from tyranny. Scream about that.
dennis @ 49:
Geez, if Shillary somehow gets the nomination which Republican will people vote for?
I don’t know what all the fuss is about, but then I didn’t bother watching the ‘debate’ because they have long been worthless for judging anything important. But to be fair and balanced I believe the following ‘character questions’ should be asked of mcSwain.
1. Did you call your present wife a trollop and c*nt?
2. Did you have an adulterous affair at any time in your first or second marriage?
3. Did you physically assault a congressional colleague?
4. Have you attended church every Sunday for the past 8 years?
5. Do you denounce, renounce, abjure, and condemn Pastor Hagee’s damnation of Catholics and all other works of the devil?
6. Why were you the only pow to betray your country while at the Hanoi Hilton?
7. How many millions does it take to be an elitist?
8. Did you marry for money?
9. Why wouldn’t your wife lend you enough money early in the primary so you wouldn’t have to go begging for public financing? Doesn’t she believe you will win?
10. Who handles the finances in your family and how often do you visit all of your 8 homes?
11. How do you tell the difference between a Sunni and a Shia ?(this is a trick question, not really a way to judge an old man’s eyesight)
12. Does Lindsay Graham have sleepovers at your house and if so, how many doors down the hall?
13. If Sen. Lieberman’s wattles have pups, will you give them a good home?
14. Do you have nicknames for all your friends, enemies and body parts like the current prez and did you call your wife a c*nt? Oops, did we already ask that? Well, didja?
Cat Atomic @ 66:
But the media is treating McCain the same. Recently AP reporters asked McCain the exact same questions as a the ones Obama got in the debate.
"You made a vague reference in your speech to senator Obamas comments recently about working class voters. Do you think the senator is an elitist?"
"If those comments are elitist, which you say they are does that make him an elitist?"
"You’ve worked with him for a couple of years, you ever see uh.. elitist behavior?"
Your out of touch. I'm out of time.
galmud @ 73:
Why, Senator, do you think Obama does not wear a flag pin?"
jimbo @ 71:
Good post, Jimbo.
jimbo @ 71:
this just in! if you support obama, you are not entitled to an opinion. :D
's alright, jimbo, I'll vote for ya'.
Otay @ 69:
You need to separate the web address from other type inorder to make it a blue clickable link http://bp1.blogger.com/_MnYI3_FRbbQ/SAjIDQP-TyI/AAAAAAAAAqU/p9YURPLTEcA/...
RayC @ 79:
OOoooooh...I love when the linkys are clickable. Click my linky, baby.
Why stop with ABC? The whole 24-7 media industry has been harping about Kosovo, Wright, "bitter", etc. for weeks! Is it fair to single out ABC for asking questions in a debate which gave Clinton and Obama a chance to reframe the debate, to refute critics, or to rephrase previous statements? Neither Clinton nor Obama shone in this forum, but that's not the responsibility of ABC.
jimbo @ 71:
let me assure you that even though i vastly prefer obama, if hillary clinton wins the nomination i'll vote for her. i've been reading that a lot of hillary supporters say they won't vote or will vote for mccain in november if obama wins the primary, and that's just sad.
michigan and florida broke the rules. they got punished. fair's fair.
RayC @ 79:
Sometimes my blue links don't work, so I embedded it in a sentence. Good to see this blue link does work.
mike @ 82:
I am of the same mind. I pledge right here to support the Democrat in November whoever it ends up being.
Anyone else care to sign on?
rightsmart @ 81:
I find your lack of intellectual honesty disturbing.
jimbo @ 71:
I'm going to cry over your "single" lost vote. Aaahahahahahahaha!!!
goat hussein sage @ 75:
No they didnt ask that one. But they did give him his favorite doughnuts
I wish I was kidding..
Left&Left @ 86:
I thinkyou meant..."MUUWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
What astounds me is the ones complaining about the criticism, mainly the Clintons, forget that many of us were complaining about the media coverage about trivial issues when they were aimed at Hillary and Edwards, when Obama was looked at as somewhat of an also ran. It's not about a candidate, it's about the process. We need to get the real issued talked about, not this trivial BS meant as a distraction. It's expected from the candidates themselves. It shouldn't be tolerated from the media.
Huh... must've missed that praise part... So far I haven't seen it anywhere....
Maybe Faux is handling it for ABC... I never checked there but I understand they like puff-piece bullshit too......JD
rightsmart @ 81:
You don't understand public perception very well then. Let's say the Clinton campaign started a rumor that McCain is a pedophile. Would it help John McCain to spend the first hour of a debate explaining exactly why he's not a pedophile?
Well, in his case it might, since it would allow him to avoid talking about the economy, Iraq, healthcare, etc... but you know what I mean.
Sorry, but harping on these ridiculous smears only helps the GOP. Corporate media owners know that very well.
goat hussein sage @ 84:
Absolutely.
goat hussein sage @ 84:
I've said it before, and I'll say it again...no matter who the dem nominee is...they're gettin my vote.
Liberal AND Proud @ 88:
Hey...don't put words in Lib and Prouds mouth! He (assuming he's not a she) OBVIOUSLY meant..BUUUWAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAA!
Liberal AND Proud @ 85:
How so? Why only now this surge of indignation toward the media? The gaffes-replay machine has been snowballing for weeks and neither campaign nor the DNC has been tough enough to stand up to it.
In spite of bad news on the economy and other fronts, the perception on the Right is that McCain is coasting to the convention and will mop up whomever the Democrats' nominee is. If there's going to be any change in November, every Democrat in this Republic needs to go full-court press on Bush/McCain, and put them back on defense with regard to the issues.
mike @ 82:
You may think "fair is fair", but I assure you Michigan and Florida Democratic voters don't. They won't support the Democratic nominee, losing both states to McInane. You think "fair is fair" because you have the idea that displacing Michigan and Florida somehow aids Obama. Nothing is further from the truth, you are promoting a situation in which neither Obama or HRC can win. Prompting the question: Are you a troll?
jimbo @ 71:
Funny how the "hold your nose and vote for us" DLC crowd never seems willing to hold *their* noses and vote.
Cat Atomic @ 91:
A false analogy here, as the gaffes or mangled statements are not fabricated "rumors". Both candidates are human (*gasp*) and should be given an opportunity to clarify or correct their statements, if desired. The debate was an opportunity to do just that before an audience of 10 million people. Regrettably and surprisingly, neither candidate did much to put these gaffes to rest.
Dr. Acula @ 92:
Of course I would vote for the Democratic Primary winner. But I'm not going to apologize that the man I believe is the best candidate is on the verge of winning the primary.
98 -rightsmart Says:
Dude, your handle is an oxymoron.
liberalHUSSEINmoderation @ 94:
For the record...I'm a he. Divorced, single...available. Oh sorry...I thought this was a personals blog. My bad. Carry on.
I am sorry to say this, but all of the debates have been horrible. Why the outrage only now?
Oh I see, cuz the Obama supporters tasted what we Hillary supporters have been tasting for, what . . . 15 years now?
Look, Obama supporters. You need to get real with this. I just heard one of your supporters tell Alex Bennett that Lynn Samuels is a racist. If you don't know who she is, then you are not worth your salt in the left political world, and should get "educated."
This caller said that the reason she is a racist is that Obama supporters have been "drinking the Kool-aid." He went on to say that drinking the kool-aid is right up there with eating watermelon and black-eyed peas.
OMG!!!! Alex tried to reassure him that "drinking the kool-aid" is a VERY COMMON AND ACCEPTED PHRASE for blindly supporting someone and that the comment came from the Jim Jones cyanide laced kool-aid that he fed his believers in Guyana in 1978 or so.
Wow. If this is news to some of you Obama supporters, please don't call people racists who use that very very common phrase.
We Dems and progressives have been divided enough from you.
justabill @ 27:
BINGO!
goat hussein sage @ 70:
They will call it "The Hill erry Pass"
MoveOn should send these petitions to ABCs top advertisers. They're never going to change their programming without economic pressure. Especially since this debate had more advertising than anyone before it. Those corporations that advertise with ABC and especially those that advertised on the debate itself should feel even more pressure than ABC News itself. Hell, criticize me as much as you want as long as the check clears the bank -- it's the American way. We really need to speak loudly in the only language they understand $$$$$$
jimbo @ 96:
in response to your question: yes, i have stopped beating my wife.
so do michigan and florida democrats (who evidently all think with one mind) think their state governments should get a free pass on breaking party rules? do you think there should be any penalty at all? i don't mind the idea of having michigan and florida vote but they DID break the rules and the party leadership made a decision on that, and if they don't like it they should suggest some other form of punitive action but i reject the idea that they should be absolved for what they did. i live near Washington D.C. where folks are very bitter about not having the rights of statehood so it rankles us around here when other states use underhanded methods to get advantages over other states when it comes to voting.
anyway, if michigan and florida dems try to "show" the rest of us by staying home because they're annoyed they didn't get away with gaming the primary process, they're gonna have to live in the same bankrupt nation the rest of us will. talk about shooting off your nose to spite your face.
They did Fox work without Fox pay. Shameless and disgraceful.
Phlipper @ 102:
i use "drinking the kool-aid" all the time and this "obama supporter" is being pedantic and joyless but surely you'd admit the etymology of the phrase is more than a little distasteful: making light of mass murder/suicide! we just have sort-of agreed not to refer to where the expression came from.
Left&Left @ 68:
Late in the fourth quarter, huh, Left and Left? Coasting? Why does the liberal blogosphere feel the need to work the refs then all of a sudden for Obama? You do that in the first half- not when you're coasting.
Why isn't Obama in a nice. comfortable prevent defense- a token three-man rush and give Hillary the 5 and 10 yard flare-outs? Instead he's scrambling like he's Tom Brady on the last drive of the Super Bowl.
ABC/Disney/Re-PIG-lics are pros at spinning disasters. Remember Katrina?
*
I think it accurately portrayed the American Mass Media to a T.
goat hussein sage @ 100:
No that's what we say in Texas when we stumble, that and
!@#$%^&*())*&U%$^&**
mike @ 77:
this just in! if you support hillary, but you live in Michigan or Florida, you are not entitled to an opinion.
Phlipper @ 102:
When Charlie Gibson said they appreciate all the comments sent in "from ALL points of view," he sounded just like Bill O'Reilly sounds when he tells that lie. I wonder what that means.
Tell the media they suck!
-slag
My text didn't make through on the quote to Phlipper: I agree with what you said. C&L's misleading headline aside, I have found several sites that had considerable praise for ABC finally asking questions that should have been asked months ago. C&L is finally showing its biases clearly.
Expressing disapproval in an erudite manner is not whining. These days, it seems any and all disagreement is dismissed as whining. Have some Koolaid: become a sheep.
ysbaddaden @ 113:
Bullshit. Ysbaddaden, Obama's votes didn't count either. That's a Bill Clinton/Sean Hannity/Joe Scarborough talking point.
mike @ 82:
The disenfranchised voters of those states who had nothing to do with setting primary dates are unlikely to agree with you. I think people who casually dismiss other peoples rights whenever convenient have a nice fascist streak in them. I'm quite sure that the Republicans are going to have an easy time convincing those voters to swing their way. As you say fair is fair.
Wonder if journalism is another form of politics? ABC's Dems Debate or Reps Ruse?
ABC News: The New Fox News
The whole flag pin controversy reminds me of the Vietnam War when everyone who did not have a flag decal slapped on the windshield of their car was considered unpatriotic. John Prine wrote a great song about it and it is still relevant today.
Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven Anymore
© John Prine
While digesting Reader's Digest
In the back of a dirty book store,
A plastic flag, with gum on the back,
Fell out on the floor.
Well, I picked it up and I ran outside
Slapped it on my window shield,
And if I could see old Betsy Ross
I'd tell her how good I feel.
Chorus:
But your flag decal won't get you
Into Heaven any more.
They're already overcrowded
From your dirty little war.
Now Jesus don't like killin'
No matter what the reason's for,
And your flag decal won't get you
Into Heaven any more.
Well, I went to the bank this morning
And the cashier he said to me,
"If you join the Christmas club
We'll give you ten of them flags for free."
Well, I didn't mess around a bit
I took him up on what he said.
And I stuck them stickers all over my car
And one on my wife's forehead.
Repeat Chorus:
Well, I got my window shield so filled
With flags I couldn't see.
So, I ran the car upside a curb
And right into a tree.
By the time they got a doctor down
I was already dead.
And I'll never understand why the man
Standing in the Pearly Gates said...
"But your flag decal won't get you
Into Heaven any more.
We're already overcrowded
From your dirty little war.
Now Jesus don't like killin'
No matter what the reason's for,
And your flag decal won't get you
Into Heaven any more."
________________________________________________________
Here are some links to some YouTube videos of the song and some relevant modifications made by some creative people.:
Flag Decal - John Prine
Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven Anymore
Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven Anymore
Barack Obama Flag Pin Won't Get You Into Heaven Any More
John Prine Flag Decal
Left&Left @ 100:
If the super delegates decide that Hillary is the better candidate and make her the nominee you'll honor that pledge?
GMom @ 31:
If you recall, that used to be the case, until the Telecommunications Act of 1996 was signed into law by Bill Clinton. That removed the requirement that media outlets had to undergo periodic, public review before their license could be renewed. It also opened the floodgates for people such as Rupert Murdoch to corner entire markets and turn the press in this country into the obscene joke that it has become.
Note the date of the Act. 1996. Recall that the Republicans took over congressional leadership under the 'Contract on America' in 1994.
What was he thinking????
Peter G @ 124:
Do you really think that is going to happen?
What would be your solution? Vote for Nader or McBush (the same vote) just because you don't like Hillary?
The right wing-nut owned media, along with Fattity, O'Lielly etc. are to blame for the terrible, brainless and ignorant questions in the debate.
Stop trying to pretend like the Blogosphere is the end-all judge and jury for journalism. The Wall Street Journal and Investors Business Daily both gave the thumbs up to the debate since it didn't baby the candidates. I'm not trying to pretend like their commentary pages are politically neutral, but neither are yours. This ridiculous, arrogant slant of yours is a far better example of "Bad Journalism" than that which you're criticizing.
T.V. holds such potential for good that it's almost unthinkable to give up on it but I think that's what we all should do- ! give up on the networks altogether excepting the education channel and just stick with cable programs and our computers- the networks deserve to wilt and die now.
To all the radlib numnuts on this board. It's not the interviewers who are to blame. It was tough and to the point. It's the interviewees lack of clarity, specificity, and simple minded evasions that are the problem. Bravo to ABC.
Time to beg the league of women voters to take over the rest of the debates
When the criticism of this debate first started, I was all for it. I'm sick of how debate moderators spend time covering personal interest stories. All we *should* care about is policy questions. More than that, they always lead with the personal interest stuff, and everyone knows the lead of anything is the most important part. Lots of people stop watching after awhile, so they never even see policy questions answered.
However, Obama supporters are fairly out of their minds. The only reason this seemed like an attack is because of the incredible kid glove treatment he's received in the press so far. This debate format and question emphasis is routinely applied against Republican candidates in general election debates. The reaction of the MSM in publicly criticizing this debate, in step with the feelings of folks like those who read this site, is pretty damning: The MSM is extremely leftists, Obama's the furthest left candidate to have a real shot at the presidency ever, and they're freaking swooning. It's pretty disgusting really.
So... where are these "praises" they speak of? I don't get it.
Kid glove treatment for Obama? Oh come on!
Just go to Media Matters website and click on Obama's name. Then see how many distortions, lies, and racist smears are against him.
If anything, the media is against him, not for him.
ABC lost my viewership too; I think I'll stick with Fox News and The Onion for my in-depth reporting!
>>I see the trolls are here to attack Hillary again...
Dude.. The Fork is already in Hillary.. all that needs to be done is to take her off the grille.
ABC lost my viewership..
[REPEAT POST] I think the American public have had enough debates between Democrats and are waiting for a resolution as to who the Democratic candidate will be, so that the Democrat vs. Republican debates can begin ... and I have to tell you, that debate was the worst I've seen this whole year -- makes me wonder if ABC is now a media extension of FOX news ... [ADDENDUM] I'm glad to see that this story has spread throughout the internet ... here's to hoping for the restoration of reputable journalism ...
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