The Villagers Rally for McCain & Attack Wesley Clark. Andrea Mitchell Leads The Way
By John Amato Tuesday Jul 01, 2008 7:00pm
Watching the media react to Gen. Wesley Clark was a sight to be seen. The McCain camp basically just had to sit there and laugh at what was happening. Why bother issuing statements and whatnot when major news analysts like Andrea Mitchell can do their work for them? And this blog post about McCain being a Manchurian Candidate by who else--The Politico---didn't help either.
Andrea furiously threw it in Clark's face as if he wrote it himself. She also accused Clark of being part of a coordinated effort to attack McCain's military record.
Andrea: Well, let me point out that some of the critics from the republican side have pointed out that there seems to be an organized campaign and whether or not you played into this that also on Sunday a liberal blogger...on Americablog wrote...
First of all there's a factual issue because no one has proved that to my satisfaction that John McCain ever did any propaganda for the enemy...
He was an extraordinary man...
Download | play 
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Then she dishonestly brings up the MoveOn ad to link it to McCain's military service. That's just a flat out lie. Shame on you, Andrea. Clark rightfully shot back at Mitchell:
Mitchell: Now, I know that John McCain...
Clark: Andrea, that doesn't say anything about his military career. That asks about John McCain's judgment and I think that's a very legitimate issue...
Andrea, Wesley Clark deserves a little respect, don't you think? You can be sure John never asked Obama's campaign if he should write that post. And Obama's people never asked Webb, MoveOn, Clark or any of us to write or say anything either. The message has been sent, people. Do not mess with McCain. I'm sure John McCain thanks you very much, Andrea. A job well done. McCain's Media strikes again. Here's more on them and Clark....Let's see her or the Villagers step up to defend Obama on anything. Won't happen. Remember how they defended his 100 year in Iraq comment?
Josh Marshall put together a nice compilation on the talking head "Hyperventorama" and outrage against Clark for your enjoyment.
<!--hitembed id="hitembed_1" width="250" height="202" align="none"--> As Digby explains:
Paul Waldman discusses the fact that McCain has successfully exploited his POW status for years with the willing help of his fans in the media. They go so far as to pretend he "never mentions" it, even though it pretty much defines the man...
Here's a perfect example of the phenomenon:
Brian Williams: You know what I thought was unsaid ---they took their position Chris, we're seeing the replay --- they end up in this spot and the sun is coming is just from the side and there in the shadow is John McCain's buckled, concave shoulder. It's a part of his body the suit doesn't fill out because of his war injuries. Again you wouldn't spot it unless you knew to look for it. He doesn't give the same full chested profile as the president standing next to him. Talk about a warrior.
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First, let me say that I am not surprised.
PUKE - GAG - BARF.
I'm old enough to remember a time when news outlets tried to ensure there was no confusion between news reporting and their editorial / opinion pieces.
My. What a quaint idea.
And how quaint it is that just four short years ago the Purple Heart and a Silver Star awards were reduced to a band-aid at a political convention and used to deride one candidate in favor of an AWOL pretender..............
Can you guys please lead the way in calling her Andrea Mitchell Greenspan. I think it would do a lot of good for the public to know that she is Alan Greenspans husband.....
General Clark is right. Being shot down by enemy fire does not qualify one for the Office of the President. F.D.R. was an invalid, and he led us out of the depression and through WWII. Woodrow Wilson led us through WWI. Was he a war hero? No. What about Lincoln. Was he? No.
Talking shit is all they know.
the have mores know how to take the have nots to the cleaners ie trickle down theory
they are desperate now
dont count them out the only people smarter than the have mores in america are the zionists in israel
she spoke on behalf of the public that don't get it. clark did not attack mccain's military service. mccain did not hold and/or make executive decisions in navy....this is not a free pass to the presidency. trying to compare with obama is not the argument. if you ask certain demographics/many americans questions about mccain...why they want to vote for him many will start with his prior military service and that may be all they say. this was a good strategy in my opinion and i totally respect mccain's prior service from 40 yrs. ago.
obama knew how this would play out that's why he obliquely denounced anyone who would question patriotism....yeah but obama doesn't have any executive experience well then they're even..maybe.
we all about his military service can be left one time during an introduction or talking about issues.
this is mccain's #1 strength this was a strategy
i believe webb and clark are correct....i think obama agrees with them but he can't say it the public can't handle it
yes this is pretty sickening to watch the Swiftboat MSM doing this to General Clark. they are such sycophants for McCain he might as well pay them. anyway its always going to be like this. but hopefully Obama can get past this. the GOP doesnt deserve to keep the WH.
Mrs. Greenspan is a joke. Oh, wait! Didn't she write a book "Speaking Truth To Power"? That PROVES she's a journalist!
Via Firedoglake:
... Bush surrogates (several later involved in the Kerry swiftboating effort) skillfully turned McCain's service record against him (thereby deflecting questions about Bush's own service record.) They planted stories that the torture McCain suffered as a POW had brought about mental instability, including rumors that he had been programmed as a "Manchurian candidate" who "collaborated with the enemy." No longer could McCain use the fact that he had endured torture as evidence of dedication to serving his country.
...In the 2000 South Carolina Presidential primary Bush surrogates circulated stories that McCain's five years as a POW had made him "mentally unstable," gave him a "loose screw," that he "committed treason while a POW" and "came home and forgot us."
IOKIYAR!
http://firedoglake.com/2008/06/30/wingnuts-only-bush-and-rove-are-allowed-to-question-mccains-military-record/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dave-johnson/john-mccain-2000-the-swi_b_30654.html
So a pilot that gets shot down is always more qualified than a pilot that doesn't get shot down? Is this another one of those Lewis Carroll things?
i think someone like FRONTLINE should do a story on the
bush/mccain campaign of 2000
there are some gems....in their attacks
Remember when Government teat sucker McCain was on free medical for his entire life, only when questioned about it, he pulls out the POW card?
Another example
The sad thing is, I read articles like this and think "Well, duh." There's no outrage at all. I just expect the media to shill for him. And kudos for Wes Clark to sticking to his guns in all this.
Isn't she married to Alan Greenspan? Enough said.
No. It would do the public no good to learn that she has male genitalia.
Mr. McCain certainly has some strong advocates in the corporate media.
donviti @ 4:
First thing to cross my mind while reading this.
yeah Karl Rover and his ilk attacked repeatedly McCain in 2000, and he was a REPUBLICAN. and the MSM, if they did their jobs, could find all this out and not make such a silly show of themselves by attacking Gen Clark. they are failing at their jobs. maybe they arent doing them.
Sure would like to know where all these "liberal" media types were when John Kerry got shredded by the GOP attack dogs. By the end, you would have thought Kerry was some drunken draft dodger who never went to Vietnam in the first place.
It's all so unreal.
Bottom line: This country is beyond hope. I give up.
I don't get the ruckus - Clark didn't talk badly about McCain serving, he just said sitting in a box isn't necessarily qualification for the top job in Washington. Doesn't anyone understand English in this country?
holy moly. what a joke.
Support the troops! Don't attack McCain's service to his country! Oh, but fuck GENERAL Clark. His service isn't the kind of service we approve of, not mention the fact that the treasonous sonavabitch doesn't toe OUR company line.
Lurv,
FoxNoise
Yer Friendly Neighborhood Propaganda Machine
no the country isnt beyond hope but the press might be. the country is great. the press can shove it.
Does John McCain's ex-wife think he is a hero? She stayed married to him throughout his ordeal only for him to divorce her for a rich(always been patriotic) one. Why doesn't someone get an interview from her?
Andrea is a tool, much like Faux News, but more subtle. Her and her rich friends have never understood the middle class. But the public is wiseing up, These people(like Andrea) are discovering they are like bugs under glass.
I thought Andrea Mitchell was a bleeding heart liberal? She seems quite determined to twist what was said Sunday to Bob Sheiffer into something totally different than what was said. I watched the interview and what he said was that flying a fighter jet and getting shot down did not necessarily give the victim the judgement necessary to be president. It did not denegrate the heorism of the victim. The media is useless and they must be on the payroll of the RNC.
Imichael @ 24:
paid off..........silence is golden
Hmm,...
Obama, votes FOR the "updated" FISA bill, Grampy McBush is rubbing shoulders in Columbia promoting CAFTA as a plus for him, Columbian FARC "trick" the release of Ingrid Bettancourt.
And the villagers (Andrea Mitchell with the brightest torch and sharpest pitchfork) attack Wesley Clark for calling bullshit about McBush?
Still think your vote will make a difference in November?
Screw McCain and screw all his sycophant buddies in the spokes assholes in the main stream media. I am going to love to watch them unravel!
They are all 20th century dinosaurs on the way out...for good!!!!!!!!!!!!
when obama wins the election in nov
let's hope the democrats wring all these
ass-wipe
journalistsreichwing-punditsnecks. the bush/cheney govt and these
fucking bastards are just what fascism is
in Amerika.
Was Mitchell this bent out of shape over the swiftboating of John Kerry? The corporate media LOVE John McSame. They really do.
Seems a lot like a tempest in a teapot. One hugh pile of steaming republican crap.
republican = insanity!
We all know that this sort of thing is going to happen- it happens every national election.
I just want to say that I really feel something different this time. I really believe that the existence of websites like this one is making it much harder for the "villagers" to spin their lies and to create the kind of negative narratives that have sunk Democratic candidates time and time again.
Is it enough? Time will tell, but we should all be thankful for the effort that you guys, and people like Atrios, Kos and so many others are doing.
This twisted non-sense cooked up by the MSM is an example of why I do not subscribe to the LAT any longer, (they fired the liberal columnists years ago), and the reason I believe that Keith Olbermann is the only one worth watching. I do watch PBS and Bill Moyer as well. The rest of them are reichwing pundits and they could all qualify to work on FAUX.
i wonder what Karl rove has said about this situation. considering what he did to McCain in 2000. id be curious to hear his comments, if any. and laugh at their hypocrisy.
Just another corporate social climbing cocksucker who simply laid down with her legs opened wide, enabling our Homicidal Maniac in Chief and his crime partners to murder and pillage in the middle east. Now after all this death, treasure loss and destruction, this disingenuous ugly bitch wants to ask the fucking "tough questions". Andrea...you failed horribly at your job during the most time....too late to clean up your shit.
Ruthless People @ 31:
I'd like to know if she was bent out of shape when Bush swiftboated McCain!
andrea mitchell is a harpy, 'nuff said.
Gen. Clark nailed this. Took her out at the knees 3 times. Good job.
This is exactly why I have not had a television in my home since 1992. I will not allow people whose salaries are paid by oil companies, military contractors, and medical companies, control what I feed my brain.
Sorry...#36 I meant to say "most important time".
dada @ 37:
Of course not. The corporate media shills are scared to death we are going to take out country back.
I can't believe it. We elected a draft dodger, when a qualified veteran was running but I would just like to say this - There are a lot of military pilots in prison now for various offences, are they qualified to be POTUS? There are veterans who are murderers - are they qualified to be POTUS? I saw McSame on the news a few minutes ago and he was acting shocked about Clark's comments, but every other word out of his mouth is POW or navy pilot. I knew a former fighter pilot from the Korean War who was an agricultural pilot and he spent one year out of every three in prison for tax evasion, so sorry military service does not qualify anyone for anything but the GI Bill.
Come on Andrea, are you really this dumb? You can ask about the comment but try to be a professional and not add your spin, its not your job.
I am more and more convinced that a 'big theme' of this election is the passing from the TV Era to the Web Era and the imbecilic lopsided sleaze we see is the desperate thrashing of a dying thing tottering. And they are in a rage with the subtext being 'we're still significant... dammit.'
The inhabitants of TV audience land are shrinking in tandem with an astonishing expansion of the population of Web World. C&L has become a village voice archetype while FDL is a valid replacement for the Times and WAPO. MyDD is a master at real statistical data from polling and other spheres to give high resolution to all the state contests.
There is practically no reason to pay ANY attention to these grotesquely overpaid courtier loons as more useful, signal rich information can be had from Reuters, the BBC,various institutes such Center for American Progress and so on.
Useful energy data is at the Oil Drum and Juan Cole keeps us informed about the Middle East. Digby and Thers tower over the superannuated opinion peddlers enroute to rest homes such as Broder.
Why would anyone really need to listen to these lapdogs yip?
This is why I am increasingly convinced that the huge threat facing the GOP bullhorn is that it may already have been bypassed and mortally compromised by a medium it doesn't get.
By the way, I see Obama is cleverly using Google Analytics to have his campaign link ad consistantly show up in say, a Yahoo/AP news feed story on McCain, but the reverse doesn't happen and this suggests low levels of web savviness among the shills.
The vast underground of unreachable polling constituents due to land line decline also skews everything and leaves campaign planners for the GOP flying blind to a constituency that mainly loathes it.
Nobody's proven it to Andrea's satisfaction, eh? Maybe she should have actually read McCain's book 'Faith of My Fathers', wherein he admits to having made the tape, in print:
"In the anguished days right after my confession,” McCain said in his autobiography Faith of My Fathers, “I had dreaded just such a discovery by my father.”
“I only recently learned that the tape I dreamed I heard playing over the loudspeaker in my cell had been real; it had been broadcast outside the prison and had come to the attention of my father,” McCain said. “If I had known at the time my father had heard about my confession, I would have been distressed beyond imagination, and might not have recovered from the experience as quickly as I did.”
Now, to be fair, he was definitely being tortured. That certainly doesn't excuse a partisan hack like Mitchell from spending 3 minutes of Google searching......I would imagine she could have found the same thing in a Lexis/Nexis search, or in a dozen other ways.
Obama will not win in Nov. if the newspeople have anything to do with it. Rachel Maddow is subbing for Olbermann tonight and doing a good job of trying to set the record straight on a few things about McCain and Obama. I really hate to say this but I am seriously wondering about the POW years. I think he and others doth protest too too much, and all the records of that period of time are sealed Forever.
SassySandy @ 47:
Don't be afraid to say it. They certainly weren't afraid when they smeared a Democratic war hero.
I agree: Dre's full name should be printed under her pic on the tube (Andrea Mitchell Greenspan). She is about as spot-on as he is. Bravo Wes. What exactly didn't people listen to in his statement re McCain's plane crash?
Andrea Greenspan not-withstanding....
Can you see the tire marks from the "Hope and Change" bus on Wes Clark's back?
Cah-thump cah-thump!!
Ruthless People @ 48:
...they being Bush, Rove and Cheney and their entire corporate media, talk radio and front group propaganda apparatus.
the RNC is pissed that obama didn't make this attack himself.......clark(very smart) explained himself very well for those who actually want to listen to the messenger vs. the spin doctors......yeah but but but obama doesn't have that exeperience either.......your right they're at a level playing field......i'm tired of the pow preface for every topic
Somewhere along the way I must have been snoozing. Could someone explain to me what "Villagers" means in this context and also PUMA while we're at it? Thanks.
Once again, indignation and a few straw men thrown at General Clark by his critics, but not a single coherent argument to refute his actual point.
Oh well, enough of these asshats. What piqued my interest is the John Marshall video that ended with a comment about "an outrageous display of San Francisco values." Wtf is that? Whatever it is, it sounds like it could be fun!
I think having to see old Alan naked(not to mention having to do him) and change his bed pan regularly has really caused injury to this poor woman's mental health.
She is married to Alan Greenspan.
i would like to see rove vs. clark debate just this issue
clark would destroy the turdblossom.........
Kicked
her
ass...
She really ought to give up her day job and sign on as McCain's VP - she was horrible 4 years ago and she still wears like nails on a chalkboard.
One thing I don't think anyone has mentioned is that Wes Clark is a real hero also. I believe he was carried out Viet Nam with 4 bullet wounds. But then of course, he is not a hero. He is a Democrat.
Why is every blogger that isn't a Republican a "liberal" blogger? Can't they be a Democratic blogger? Or a blogger on the left?
The Republicans have successfully turned "liberal" into a dirty word and now everyone who doesn't support the corporate candidate is a "liberal", a la Rush Limbo.
Sickening how American has sunk to such a low level. Illegal wars, constitution shredded, Fascist, corporate propaganda arms of the ruling class war merchants and oil companies..
I continue to struggle against these things only because I believe in truthfulness and social justice. But not because I have hope. I lost all hope for America when Bush was re-elected to a second term. I wasn't suprised when the Democrats rolled over for Bush after the 2006 elections. This isn't about Republicans or Democrats. It's about wealth and power. Control the money, control the weapons, control the message, control the nation.
Bob Barr @ 57:
She's a tool, especially sleeping with a guy who f'd up this economy.
Where the hell were all of these people in 2000 when McCain was running against Bush in the Republican primary. Are they trying to make amends now for being so nasty towards him then?
Will the surviving real journalists please stand up and hold these corporate pawns accountable?
I think General Clark is going to be Obama's choice for Vice President. The GOP is planning on running on McCain's war time experience. If you listened closely to what Clark said; he was talking about a difference between being a soldier and being the commander. Obama could then say I don't have experience; but, I got this guy on my team who has successfully commanded soldiers during Kosovo and Bosnia. The experience I lack; Clark makes up for. It would really trump the GOP on national security.
naschkatze Hussein @ 53:
Don't know about the Villagers( but Frankenstein comes to mind), as for PUMA( party unity my ass).
Bob Barr @ 57:
Is she? Well that explains a lot doesn't it.
SteamRanger @ 63:
Bush was more of a corporate puppet than McCain. That's why the corporate media let Bush swiftboat him in South Carolina with no faux outrage whatsoever.
Bob Barr @ 57:
AMERICA’s elder statesman of finance, Alan Greenspan, has shaken the White House by declaring that the prime motive for the war in Iraq was oil.
yes she is and her husband said the war is about oil
In his long-awaited memoir, to be published tomorrow, Greenspan, a Republican whose 18-year tenure as head of the US Federal Reserve was widely admired, will also deliver a stinging critique of President George W Bush’s economic policies.
However, it is his view on the motive for the 2003 Iraq invasion that is likely to provoke the most controversy. “I am saddened that it is politically inconvenient to acknowledge what everyone knows: the Iraq war is largely about oil,” he says.
They Don't Report News; They Create It
This is day 5 with this issue. Why is it getting this much press? It is obvious; the people at MSNBC are doing what they do all the time: Lying.
Yesterday, it was Dave Abrams. Over and over, he kept emphasizing the real "hurtful" comments was when Wesley Clark said “John McCain's war experience does not qualify him to be president." After 4 news cycles, this is still being put before would be voters. There are two very important dynamics being played here:
1. At this point, this is being advanced by MSNBC; it is not reporting news. It is clearly an attempt to create negative talking points to hurt Barack Obama.
2. And this is the most important point of the two. Recall Hillary Clinton ran into funding problems. In actuality, she raised record amounts of funding; still, she came up short. The reason Clinton ran short of money is because she could not out spend the endless amount of money the right-wing media has. When Obama has to spend money and time countering issues being advanced by the media, he too will come up short -- just like Clinton.
My second point brings home a much unseen unfair dynamic. The media is actively trying to force one candidate to spend money to counter their claims. It is their goal to get Obama to spend more money then he has risen. How far should the media be allowed to go?
The issue and point the right is trying to make has poor logic. It is obvious to me someone saying a war experience does not qualify you for president is not an attack. MSNBC knows this.
At this point, the media must be confronted by this dynamic and asked if their involvement have true "reporting" intentions. They must be asked why is this an issue and why are they making it one.
Joseph
Andrea Mitchell is but one. Did you watch Josh Marshall's video? It's amazing (albeit quite a lot of fun) to watch the right go apoplectic. Nosireeeee...you do not dis the corporate media darling. McRibs has bought and paid for all this back covering.
What kills me out of all this is that no one has specifically stated that Clark did nothing more than repeat what the guy had just said. No slam. NONE.
It's disgusting. Thankfully, print news is dying and the networks and cable news are not far behind.
Maybe if they weren't all totally full of shit (see Fox distorting the pics of the NYT journalists as but one example). They did it to themselves and to that I say GOOD RIDDANCE!
Anyone still convinced that "Obama threw Clark under the bus" MUST see this:
Obama Comments on the Media's Treatment of General Clark
http://www.vetvoice.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1525
Right or wrong this proves one thing...Clark belongs neither on the short list nor on the long list for Obama's V.P. choice. The guy is politically tone-deaf, and certainly tends to hurt more than he helps. The fact that we've been talking about this for so long is a bad omen.
Decidedly off-topic (well ..maybe not!)
Rush Limbaugh signs huge new radio deal
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25501917
MountainMan23 @ 71:
many on this blog were saying that yesterday....i didn't see that at all......it was a great move by obama i think you would agree....the (RNC) wanted so bad for barack to comment on mccain's experience..that can't say
do-do about clark he is a stud and they know it
MountainMan23 @ 71:
That was a great link! Too many think that Obama threw Clark under the bus. Even when I first heard it, I didn't take it as such, but this was good to see. Thank you.
As Clark said, McCain is no more qualified to be president for his time at the Hanoi Hilton as he is qualified to be chairman of the fed for his connection to the Keating Five.
Rico @ 72:
Politically tone deaf? For what, what he said about McCain?
#74: "can’t say do-do about clark he is a stud and they know it"
There are some of us out here who believe that if Obama associates himself very close to Clark (especially if he chooses him as a running mate), it's Hillary's best chance for a fresh run in 2012. IMNSHO, Clark is a Trojan Horse for the Clintons.
Ruthless People @ 42:
... and of course that's what this is all about. Keith Olberman needs to do a segment on Bush swiftboating Kerry and McCain and how no one seemed to be outraged by it. Certainly if you're a republican voter you can see the double standard, the hypocrisy and the outrageousness of this whole thing. It's shit like this that makes me believe that republicans don't have one active brain cell in their heads. Conservatives are the party of Big Business, damn it! Get a fucking clue!
Rico @ 77:
Rico, explain to me the difference between the two now.
Could you use a different codec or something to
create the wmv file.
Using Microsoft's Windows Media Player 11, there
is to sound for this file.
#76: "Politically tone deaf? For what, what he said about McCain?"
Yes, for not understanding the political impact that what he says might have on the candidate he supposedly supports. It may not be fair, but it's reality.
I think the best qualification for US President is someone who fought in a war, was shot, tortured, water boarded, photographed nude in a pyramid, led by a leash, denied legal council for 7 years while in solitary confinement, and killed.
How could you beat that for Presidential toughness?
MsJoanne @ 76:
that's what i like about clark i'm convinced he is not a good politician......i believe his comments about mccain have a connection to charlie black's comments which i believe could fall under the politically tone deaf category and charlie black is more into politics than clark.........black tried to use the fear formula to pump up mccain's one perceived strength by the public foreign affairs/national security
#79 Mudshark: "Rico, explain to me the difference between the two now."
You got me there. I'm humbled and embarrassed, and am tempted to write the Obama campaign asking for a refund of all my contributions. The more I see the likes of Albright and Clark flanking Obama, the more I get the feeling that I may have actually been had.
Rico @ 81:
Did you catch the exchange??
Do tell what's tone deaf about this?
Rico @ 84:
Thanks for being civil Rico. You know how it gets sometimes. I said I'd support the Dem Nominee, no matter who it was. I have to say that all this doesn't really surprise me much. What does surprise me is, all these folks with their outrage. Either they didn't look close enough at him or their under some kind of illusion that he was the see all know all cure to what ails America. As for the Clintons, BC is still lightyears ahead of the preznit. Not one of these people will make everyone of us 100% happy. Obama will do a helluva lot better than McCain.(end of story) Thanks again Rico.
#85: "Do tell what’s tone deaf about this?"
Obviously something is because we're still talking about it almost five days later. The Obama line is not to comment on the war-hero aspect of McCain unless it's in a positive nature and is expressing gratitude. There is so much else to nail McCain on...we don't need to dwell in trivia like this because the media sucks it up and runs with it. True, I'm sure it's tough answering these kinds of questions on the spot, but a real political pro would have handled it better. Clark's instinct was to reply at a 6th grade level. A better response might have been: "Everyone admires and respects John McCain's military service. That's not the point here Bob." Then go on to express the point the candidate needs made.
where do these boobs come from? Can they not read? General Clark did not diss the war or military record of McCain. He said that what he did or went though didn't prepare him to be president. Where were these incredulous talking heads when everyone was actually showing disrespect for the war record of Kerry? By now everyone, except the die-hard republicans, should realize these people do and say what they are told. It is such a sad commentary on the journalistic integrity of real reporters.
They are not 'journalists', they are millionaire corporate executives and they do not give a shit about you, your family or your future.
A poster on another web site made the succinct comment that the media is actually swift-boating Wesley Clark here. They know that with his military experience, if he were picked as a VP candidate, it would be a blow to McCain. So given the slightest opportunity to destroy Clark, they would take it.
Bob Schieffer serves the poisonous wine.
Clark drinks from the glass.
Corporate media henchmen stab Wesley Clark to death with their steely knifes.
Thomas Stone @ 90:
I have to disagree with you on this.
Clark took the wine and threw it back in his face.
This will backfire on the MEDIA!
This will show them for what they really are, partisan hacks.
Will it make a difference? One hopes so.
87 Rico Says: #85: “Do tell what’s tone deaf about this?”
Obviously something is because we’re still talking about it almost five days later. The Obama line is not to comment on the war-hero aspect of McCain unless it’s in a positive nature and is expressing gratitude. There is so much else to nail McCain on…we don’t need to dwell in trivia like this because the media sucks it up and runs with it. True, I’m sure it’s tough answering these kinds of questions on the spot, but a real political pro would have handled it better. Clark’s instinct was to reply at a 6th grade level. A better response might have been: “Everyone admires and respects John McCain’s military service. That’s not the point here Bob.” Then go on to express the point the candidate needs made.
I you saw the whole clip, I think he did what you suggest.
#86: "Thanks for being civil Rico. You know how it gets sometimes. I said I’d support the Dem Nominee, no matter who it was. I have to say that all this doesn’t really surprise me much. What does surprise me is, all these folks with their outrage. Either they didn’t look close enough at him or their under some kind of illusion that he was the see all know all cure to what ails America. As for the Clintons, BC is still lightyears ahead of the preznit. Not one of these people will make everyone of us 100% happy. Obama will do a helluva lot better than McCain.(end of story) Thanks again Rico."
My only hope is that Obama is cozying up to the Clinton cronies to lock in Hillary's supporters for the general election, and that doesn't really mean it. But then if that's the case, that's not good either because the man has lost his bearings. I truly expected a break from the past, even the Clinton past, as good as it was, because the times are different. Hauling out Clark and Albright as fixtures in an Obama administration certainly doesn't give me hope that change is in the air.
i can't remember where i heard it, but one of mcSAME's people made a disparaging remark about CLARK's service in response to this mountain-out-of-a-molehill...
i listen to XM 167, so that's ed schultz and then randi rhodes, everyday...
speaking of randi - i've never heard her so wrong as yesterday, trying to convince herself - 'cause her callers weren't going there - that what clark said WAS an attack on mcSAME's service...
she just wouldn't back down or give an inch, even after reading the transcript between schieffer and clark... and HER verbal interpretation was way different than the actual conversation...
she didn't even touch on it today...
Rico @ 87:
This is because the Goopers have nothing to stand on. They parse everything said by everyone and manufacture outrage. It doesn't matter what is said. If there is anything negative said against McCain, this is what is going to happen. Mark my words that this is going to happen whenever anyone says anything negative about McCain - and especially his service because that is the only thing he is running on.
clark did fine for all we know this was a strategy
like i said earlier it followed c. blacks ridiculous comment.......clark may already know he isn't the v.p.
and he may have told obama he was coming with this comment.........i'm probably off on this....but i believe people have been wanting to say this about mccain.
to me the reason it's risky is because of the possible spin or the inability to understand clark. the public identifies mccain as a hero maybe their only reason to vote for him. obama already knew what the reaction to clarks comments would be.
mission accomplished gen. clark
MsJoanne @ 95:
BINGO
thomas - clark has said that himself, the next day he stated that it was fabricated outrage and that HE was being swiftboated...
What I do not understand is WHY these media people continue to suck up to McCain and Bush & Co when Bush is at 23% and CLEARLY loathed by the whole world. Can someone please explain this to me.
I love Wes Clark by the way
Ron @ 92:
Ron, agreed. If you watch Josh Marshall's video, he played the whole thing and Clark was all over how wonderful McCain's service was maybe a minute before The Exchange That Changed The World.
Kim @ 99:
Why? One word: MONEY.
I wish the "quote" feature were working but since it isn't let me just state that even though I agree that Clark is getting a bum rap, I'm absolutely no fan of his, nor am I a fan of Albright. Seeing these two so linked to Obama this early in the campaign terribly saddens me.
99 Kim Says: What I do not understand is WHY these media people continue to suck up to McCain and Bush & Co when Bush is at 23% and CLEARLY loathed by the whole world. Can someone please explain this to me.
I love Wes Clark by the way
==========================================
It is corporate media run by far right wingers and neocons that benefit from the condition our country is in.
We have found a man braver by far than John McCain, and we have found our first African American President: Wesley Autrey! Autrey, a brave and quick-thinking commuter, saved a teenager who suffered a seizure and fell onto subway tracks in Upper Manhattan in January '07. Autrey jumped onto the tracks himself and pushed them both between the rails, beneath the fast oncoming train!! Hypothetical question to the Villagers: If bravery such as riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down qualifies a man or woman to become President, then surely we have found our next President, who is even braver and therefore more qualified than McCain. Brave and heroic and selfless enough to jump onto railroad tracks to save his fellow man by being run over by a train! Hail to the Chief, President Wesley Autrey!
Rico @ 102:
Heh! :)
General Clark held his own quite well in this fairly hostile interview. Wish he was the nominee!
Kim @ 99:
look a little closer to who advertisies with the media
that's not the only reason but a good start. the military industrial complex and big oil are very much behind mccain.....k-street/wall street,shareholders they will back both candidates but they would prefer mccain
broadsword @ 46:
Is there a link anywhere on this?
Andrea Mitchell is just awful at what she does. Her pace as an interviewer is dreadful. Her delivery is choppy at best. She's obviously swallowed one too many of Alan Greenspan's loads.
It's all over folks. Just today one of the female idiot talking heads on MSNBC said Clark killed his chance to be the VP on Obama's ticket. So guess that is the final word. Done. Kaput. Clark might as well go home. Now we should all bow down and kiss McShame's feet! Hail the mighty hero! Barf......
He kept his word, and you Andrea are still a shameless press whore.
How long are we going stand by and allow the media to protect John McCain, their fabricated war hero and diminished the reputation General Wesley Clark?
Is it just me or are things suddenly starting to change for the worst at MSNBC ever since Tim Russert died.
I am so seriously ready to protest against this station. They need to see a movement like no another.... When Andrea Mitchell and Mika Brzezinski become the news story because of their idiotic reporting, then maybe other news station would start to actually focus on real issues to afford the same faith. These types of reporters need to be called to task and forced to expalin their protecting of John McCain.
How much longer are we going to allowed people like Andrea Mitchell to create their version of the news? She protects John McCain without disclosing that her husband Alan Greenspan has endorsed him. And at least Joe Scarborough talking point doll, Mika Brzezinski disclosures that her brother works on John McCain’s Campaign
Why does MSNBC has so very few good reporters….
These two ladies are a few of their best:
Norah O'Donnell
Chris Jansing
But then they seem to load their programming with people like Alex Witt, she ranks right up in there with Andrea Mitchell and Mika I have no opinion of my own Brzezinski and that’s not a compliment.
And they seem to have a history of this...review the link that clearly needs to be updated.
http://mediamatters.org/items/200803200011
Medical Diagnosis by Video @ 111:
I think you've hit on the truth of the matter Med.
The media can't attack Clark. His military record bars the media from swiftboating him.( that doesn't mean that their not stupid enough to try). Graduating with top honors makes this guy intimidating to interview. I have to agree with karl on this. This was all thought out and planned to deal with accordingly. The media just walked right into it. Proving how partisan they really are. As for Andrea Mitchell.eh, she never was any good at her job.
Should you decide to contact these “news” outlets (not sure how valid these are but FYI), tell them how you feel. We're tired of their bullshit. Stop watching. Stop reading. Stop going to their websites.
Money is the only thing they understand. Period.
CNN
Phone: 404-827-1500
Fax: 404-827-1906
E-mail: http://www.cnn.com/feedback/cnntv/
MSNBC
Phone: 212-664-4444
Email: world@msnbc.com
Fixed Noise Channel
Phone: (212) 301-3000
Fax: (212) 301-4229
Email: comments@foxnews.com
Fax: 212-664-4426
Rico @ 102:
i don't believe it's necessarily terrible that obama may be consulting with clark and albright doesn't mean he accepts anything they say......
It is absolutely INSANE that people like Andrea Mitchell and Morning Joe are doing to Clark what they claim Clark shouldn't do to McCain. Is Clark not a war hero himself? Why doesn't he have the authority to question McCain's service record? Who in the hell is Andrea Mitchell and Morning Joe to question Wesley Clark?
Mister Anderson @ 116:
exactly.......she was so transparent...over the top and went for the but but but obama doesn't have executive experience that wasn't the argument.....i think tweety would have done a better job......clark didn't apologize for what....for your bias spin....andrea showed her true colors there
Andrea Mitchell has solidified her bonafides as the heir apparent to Tim Russert. Her tough interview of Wesley Clark puts to rest the notion that NBC is in the tank for liberal Democrats. However, it is a bit disturbing that Andrea and Randi Rhodes are in agreement that Gen Clark was wrong to attack McCain on the issue of military service and might actually be hurtful to Obama's campaign.
Meta-side-issue. I'm with naschkatze Hussein. WHAT are the "villagers?" Is it just the MSM, and if so, why not just say MSM? is there some kind of useful mythology that is being conjured?
It might be less irritating if it were defined, somewhere, by someone. naschkatze and I were asleep when it was coined, but we are awake now. What is it, and why?
it was clear to me clark has made executive decisions in an executive position........he has the credentials to comment on mccain's credentials as far as how they relate to a possible executive position........the media knows the public is vulnerable to not understanding and this is an easy spin......i'm no genius i got right away
this is the base of the mccain campaign
say what you want clark decorated army general i believe
a rhodes scholar oxford grad====stud
orcas @ 118:
they don't get it or maybe don't want to get it clark is smarter than both of them put together....talking heads get some attention....russert who have comprehended better andrea did't care what he said she had an agenda...script
Andrea?
McCain was an extraordinary man? Maybe, but he isn't anymore
He is very ordinary and not fit to be President!
orcas @ 118:
That wasn't a Tim Russert interview. That was a shameless hit job on one war hero in the defense of another. Russert would have tried to use Clark's own words against him, and then he would've backed off and let Clark make his point and then just move on to another hit job. No way would he got out of his way to attack Clark beyond trying to make his original point if Clark has facts on his side to support his argument.
Wesley Clark, top 5% of his class, valedictorian, vietnam veteran, wounded, silver & bronze stars, purple heart, Legion of Merit Medal, Nato Supreme Allied Commander, retired 4 star General.
John McCain, Naval career flunkee, father (the Admiral) got him into flight program. Crashed 5 aircraft (characterized as reckless). Fairy tale about him being up for Admiral has been debunked for at least 3 decades now...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeffrey-klein/mccains-secret-questionab_b_...
http://www.vietnamveteransagainstjohnmccain.com/index.htm
Andrea Mitchell - Alan Greenspan's 'tropy wife' (umm...thought those were supposed to be drop dead gorgeous women minus functional brains - well, one out of 2 ain't bad Andrea). She mindlessly perpetuates the right wingnut talking points, while attempting to pass herself off as a 'moderate'....gee, as a life long republican...that's kind of hard to believe, eh?
My father was wounded in Vietnam, saw his friends heads blown off, etc, etc. I remember when I was young, I used to point at the piece of shrapnel and he would tell me it was an accident (boo-boo). He's not qualified to be president and would gladly tell any other vet, the same thing Clark said about McCain, also...my father is a lifelong Democrat.
My wife's stepfather shot down in Vietnam twice. Two Helicopter crashes, which ask any one who has flown jets & helicopters which one they'd rather be shot down in... He's not qualified to be president and would gladly tell anyone the same about McCain. He's a lifelong Democrat.
My grandfather wounded in Pacific Campaign, marine in WWII. He'd gladly tell you the same thing Clark did. Again, lifelong Democrat.
Bottom Line, Clark is in a position to say whatever he wants about McCain, he outranked him, he out performed him, he served in combat (there's a big difference between dropping bombs/strafing runs and looking at the eyes of who you're shooting at). I'm not denigrating McCain's POW experience, can't imagine what it was like, but read up on it...including his capitulation before you buy the whole hook, line, & sinker McCain is trying to pawn off on the American voters...
orwell mixed with carroll.
If McCain uses his war experience as one of his top credentials to win the White House, then checking such experiece becomes a fair game,specially by a military general who fought in Viet Nam himself and was wounded 4 times.
General Clark ,regradless of the media spin,lies and big noise that was made over this issue , did not question patriotism or military service of McCain...what General Clark said is that such experience of a military pilot is not a qualification to win a candidate the Presidency.
When I say Clark was wounded...it was being shot 4 times by an AK-47 and still being able to relay orders to the men under his command and those orders leading them to breaking the ambush and saving their lives...
I wonder if Andrea would be so taken with McCain if she asked him an uncomfortable question and he responded to her that way he known to speak when he is angered. (The way he talks to his wife and his fellow Senators)
one of the many charmingly ironic angles is the fact that they're denigrating clark's military credentials at the same time they're screeching that it's "unfair" to attack mccain's.
the transformation of andrea mitchell over the past 15 years has been like watching a slow-motion train wreck -- the entire media, really. they out-do themselves at an ever more rapid pace. forget mccain imploding, it's the media implosion i'm pulling up a front-row chair for. was it hannity, last week who started out with his chest all puffed about how great bush was for his agreement with north korea until bolton pulled up a chair and said how horrible it was and hannity spun on his heel so fast his head could snapped into place just in time to proceed full bore on the subject of what a disaster it is.
i think we're going to be seeing more and more of that kind of thing.
Time for a March on the Media! Force them to cover a protest march on their own unfair coverage.
Time for a return to straight news. Having newsreaders constantly inject their own opinions or trying to slant news in a certain direction needs to be protested. They will deny that they are a part of mind control but that's what it is.
Protest march on the media!!!!
Wesley smokes her. She's a twit. End of Line.
Talk about a warrior. Were these beta-twats spaffing over Dole's gimpy hand before he got electorally crushed? No - they were giving Dole shit about how he was fellating Big Tobacco. Can't these shitbags even reclaim the pathetic journalistic standards of nineteen fucking ninety-six for christ's cocksucking sake?
http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Clark_Outrage_over_my_comments_manufacture...
General Clark on The Ed Schultz Show, broadcast on July 1, 2008.
I too think Randi was out to lunch yesterday. When it comes to the military, she is usually operating from her lasting military brain washing. They are never able to think outside of the box when the military is the topic. Otherwise she is great. As my mother told me early in life, as I thought about the military as a carrer.Her comments were, look around you, how many rich parent's kids are in the military? According to her, if it was such a noble profession we poor kids would't get to go
After the Republicans saw how effective their lies against Kerry were (Another way to put it is; After they saw how gullible millions or Americans were), they are now quick to pull the trigger if there is any mention of McCain's military experience. It really doesn't matter if somebody like Clarke says something that can should never be interpreted as a slight on McCain's experience as a POW; they will claim how wronged McCain was by even mentioning his military career. They have mastered self righteous indignation to an art form.
Andrea Mitchell tries to act like she's non-partisan and neutral, but she is totally right wing and a Washington insider. What would you expect from someone married to Greenspan. I believe the woman has lost all objectivity. All this bantering about Clark is much ado about nothing. Republicans are such whiney babies. It's truly pathetic.
And the point of focusing on this Ms. Mitchell is what exactly?? The media has in fact created a ruckus, despite Ms. Mitchell trying to deny that fact.
Republicans think they own the military brand wrong.
webb and clark put that to rest.
this was a good move by clark i know many don't agree
after charlie blacks assanine comments..this was perfect and obama played it well the RNC is pissed
And why wasn't the media defending John Kerry so vociferously when Kerry was being so viciously attacked on his military experience in Vietnam???? I'm wondering who's pushing the media on this. This is SO ridiculous. Andrea Mitchell GREENSPAN is another corporate lapdog Republican shill. She always has been, but boy is it ever becoming more obvious.
I find it funny that Michelle Obama has been labeled fair game for the corporate media and the right wing hit men yet the man who is actually running for Presidient of the United States is off limits concerning his military record, age, health etc. St. Mccain just proves over and over again that he will be business as usual as his biggest backer is the corrupt mainstream media.
the media wants a close race... the media does NOT want a landslide.
but, it HAS to be a landslide - it cannot be even a little close...
OVERWHELMING DEMOCRATIC VOTER TURNOUT.
THEY CAN'T STEAL IT IF IT'S NOT CLOSE.
McClain’s strongest voting block is the Washington media elite, He has his base locked up. Andrea only speaks for her fellow cocktail party media pukes that forgot what it is like to report, research and dig up a news story. Instead they choose to create (non) controversies. She never once addresses the validity of the statement. It’s like talking about the sizzle but never the steak. General Clark’s comments did not ignite a firestorm or create a ruckus the media did. Andrea is a wretch
A good military career is always a political asset.
If McCain is comfortable enough to use it to promote his candidacy he should be man enough to have it viewed critically. All campaigns now use any phrase they can glean form their opposition to cry with fake outrage. You can spot the partisans in the press by how they handle it.
Hey Andrea, here's an idea - Lets see those actual records and We the People will decide! You ignorant neo-con toady!
The freaking corporate media is attacking the messenger, Wes Clark. The message is solid, McLame's no war hero to most Americans. This will ultimately prove to help Obama win in November as voters won't be fooled by the bullshit of the corp media and rethugs to frame the issue. No wonder they're scared. Serves those assholes right!
Being a veteran and having good friends whom are also veterans, I am disgusted with this fixation that every politician that served in the military is a "hero". If that logic is true, then most Conservatives would not be heros, but rather, they would be enablers of the enemy for not serving...essentially running for deferment. McCain, like many others before and after him, served his time proudly, but so have countless thousands which have been wounded and died for this country. What did they get when they returned home, countless hours of medical treatment, a nice warm street curb to sleep on, and maybe a little disability check...thanks for looking out for the rest of the "heros".
Gen. Clark (yes, McCain, he had stars), is in a position to voice a political fact...the media is fixated on McCain, but refuses to play ball when the tough questions need to be asked. Instead, they take their cue from the likes of FOX News, Rush Limbaugh, and others whom criticize Obama for not being "vetted" by the MSM. Apparently, the MSM has forgot to vet McCain also...cherry picking and not questioning or calling him out on simple economic statements shows the American citizen is blind and willing to be sheep to the shepard.
The average american which will vote for McCain would probably view the story regarding his wifes fortune with skepticism. But for them to state the "average american" cannot afford (doesn't have the cash) they have should be played over and over. It simply makes the statement that they have and the average american has not, but don't worry, the McCains did increase "helplers" around the house last year, so put in your application.
Back to the hero issue, McCain I challenge you to drive your straight talk express down to Fort Sam Houston, pull up at the Wounded Warriors Home, and start talking about something that is meaningful. Don't show up thinking we want to hear about your last 45 years...we have seen what that has done to our military and the average american life (thanks for the tax breaks, wish I made $250K).
Because you served, were a POW and never talk about it (only everyday), does not mean you are entitled to a monopoly of military votes...you must earn them. You are being out maneuvered in the policy arena by a politician who believes in change and what the average american can do with their collective voice.
To the media, drop the mics and pick up a weapon, we are all sick and tired of the sound bites you seem to like. FOX et el, its time to do your homework, the public seems to not mind double checking your "facts" by searching the net. And lastly, since McCain and the Conservatives seem to own the rights to "hero", it has officially been changed to "Warrior", because that is what each and every service member has earned the right to be called...they earned it. Stop dishonoring us and those of the past by attacking a retired General, in the military we call that a mutiny and don't mind quashing them.
Dear Andrea,
Organized campaign against McCain's qualifications,
I hope so!
It's beating the repubs at their own game!
I support Obama ... have since day one!
Anyone capable of thinking should have known that if you give the republipukes any repeat ANY chance to go balistic they will go push the button and declare WWIII. So Clark (also one of my hero's) made the stupidist mistake I have seen to date in this campaign and I hope to God it didn't doom us to failure in this election too. Someone needs to shut Clark up permanently and keep him off the air for the remainder of the campaign because every time he appears on the tube the issue will be regurgitated and the puke will begin to flow all over Obama's chances to be elected. I simply can't believe that General Clark made this statement and gave the a$$wipes the opportunity to do this to Obama's image.
The mainstream media's attack is despicable in this affair. It reminds me of the Colbert Report "Better Know a District" in which Steven Colbert gets Rep. Wexler to repeat idiotic inflammatory statements about cocaine made first by Colbert. Except in this case the media acts as if Clark's comments that have been repeatedly aired
were not first put into Clark's mouth by CBS host Bob Scheiffer in the form of a question. If anyone denigrated McCain's service it was Bob Schieffer, who summarized his tour in Vietnam as "riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down."
However, if Wesley Clark had answered "True Bob, but are those things you mention qualifications to be President?" he would have made his point and the media would have no edited clip to run over and over. Clark is someone who, having run for President, should know better than to fall for the trap. Those who are applauding him for "continuing to stand up" for the foot he got tricked into putting into his mouth are beyond naive.
As for the other sins committed by Andrea Mitchell in her report, those in the blogosphere should know by now that their words can and will be distorted in the mainstream media and tied back to the candidates in a forum that reaches far more voters than the blogs ever will. If you want to curse the "Village," that is fine, but don't so easily perform the role as the "idiots" for the Villagers to use in their freak show. Nobody who reads liberal blogs needs to be fed a diet of McCain as Manchurian candidate by those who write the blogs in order to further persuade the already persuaded. If you know these people love to fling shit, why put your crap in a bucket and hand it to them? Either you think yours doesn't stink or you have not been smart enough to pay attention.
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