ABC News Director To O’Reilly: Media Has Liberal Bias And ‘We’ve Got To Fix That’
ABC News Director To O’Reilly: Media Has Liberal Bias And ‘We’ve Got To Fix That’
Yesterday, Mark Halperin, ABC Political Director and co-author of the new book The Way To Win, went on The O’Reilly Factor and agreed with Bill O’Reilly that members of the “old media” are too liberal and should “prove to conservatives that we understand their grievances.”
When O’Reilly pointedly asked him if he believed major news organizations — including ABC — had a liberal bias, Halperin repeated the right-wing talking point that the media is trying to suppress Republican turnout. He told O’Reilly, “If I were a conservative, I understand why I would feel suspicious that I was not going to get a fair break at the end of an election. We’ve got to make sure we do better, so conservatives don’t have to be concerned about that.” Watch it:
Halperin’s comments to O’Reilly followed his 10/23 column in The Note, where he outlined 12 ways the media is being too liberal in its coverage of the midterm elections. Media Matters debunked some of his points.
(Big Tent Democrat has more.)
Full transcript below:
O’REILLY: “Factor follow-up” segment tonight, a somewhat surprising ABC News Internet posting. It’s entitled “How the Liberal Old Media Plans to Cover the Last Two Weeks of the Election.”
The article was written by Mark Halperin, the political director of ABC News, and also the co-author of a brand new book called “The Way to Win: Taking the White House in 2008.” Mr. Halperin joins us from New York.
This is a very tough piece of analysis that you wrote. I’m surprised. I’m not stunned, because you are a gutsy guy. You have done this before. But let’s walk through it. Who is the liberal old media?
MARK HALPERIN, POLITICAL DIRECTOR, ABC NEWS: Well, Bill, as you know in this country, we’ve got these old news organizations. The major networks, ABC, where you used to work, The New York Times, The Washington Post.
These organizations have been around a long time. And for 40 years, conservatives have looked with suspicion at them. I think we’ve got a chance in these last two weeks to prove to conservatives that we understand their grievances. We’re going to try to do better, but these organizations still have incredible sway. And conservatives are certain that we’re going to be out to get them. We’ve got to fix that.
O’REILLY: All right, so you’re actually admitting, you the political director of ABC News, that CBS News, maybe your own network tilts left?
HALPERIN: We write in the way to win (INAUDIBLE) that over the years, there a lot of examples. What CBS News did in the 2004 election with the president’s National Guard record. Lots of examples.
If I were a conservative, I understand why I would feel suspicious that I was not going to get a fair break at the end of an election. We’ve got to make sure we do better, so conservatives don’t have to be concerned about that. It’s just – it’s not fair.
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Oh the irony. A Far-right lie machine network has on it’s fake news program a man that says the media has a left-slant to it.
October 25th, 2006 at 12:27 pmReality has a well known liberal bias.
October 25th, 2006 at 12:28 pm“Reality has a Liberal Bias.” -Colbert
Goper’s Lament
October 25th, 2006 at 12:29 pmI just read this poll, and it would appear that not all media is liberally biased…these jerks are biased and sick.
Republicans Lead in the Honest-to-God Poll.
We really have to win…sheesh.
October 25th, 2006 at 12:29 pmNothing like watching an MSM douchebag denounce ‘liberal bias’ by displaying, seemingly without any senese of irony, conservative bias. Gutsy guy (schmuck).
October 25th, 2006 at 12:30 pm“Don’t believe the right-wing ideologues when they tell you the left still controls the media agenda. It does not any longer. It’s a fact.”
- Bill O’Reilly 7/26/05
October 25th, 2006 at 12:32 pmWell now we know that they’re planning on blaming the media when they lose the elections!
Heaven forbid they actually try to figure out why the voters are turning off and do anything constructive about it.
October 25th, 2006 at 12:32 pm“Don’t believe the right-wing ideologues when they tell you the left still controls the media agenda. It does not any longer. It’s a fact.”
- Bill O’Reilly 7/26/05
October 25th, 2006 at 12:32 pm“Don’t believe the right-wing ideologues when they tell you the left still controls the media agenda. It does not any longer. It’s a fact.”
Bill O’Reilly 7/26/05
October 25th, 2006 at 12:33 pm“Don’t believe the right-wing ideologues when they tell you the left still controls the media agenda. It does not any longer. It’s a fact.”
- Bill O’Reilly 7/26/05
October 25th, 2006 at 12:34 pmFacts are conspiring to depress Republican voter turnout. If only the media would stop reporting them. Honestly, what arrogance. Most of the reporting I’ve seen in the MSM has gone out of its way to mitigate the scandal in the news. The exception is the Foley debacle which has inspired a frenzy not seen since Clinton/Lewinsky. Gee, do those things have something in common. People’s prurient interest is what drives these sorts of stories. The Abramoff scandals hardly get a mention when they are IMO the most horrendous corruptions I’ve ever seen. Incumbents, and mostly Republican incumbents are reaping the whirlwind.
October 25th, 2006 at 12:36 pmHendon, you do know Americans for Conservative Values is a satirical blog don’t you?
October 25th, 2006 at 12:37 pmEarth to Halperin, there are scientific ways to measure bias. Your opinion doesn’t count as being scientific.
Perhaps Halperin thinks there has not been enough coverage defending Foley’s actions. What else can we make of his comments?
October 25th, 2006 at 12:38 pmI haven’t watched ABC since the “Path to 9/11″ anyway…
October 25th, 2006 at 12:38 pm“KILL YOUR TELEVISION”.
May be the best bumpersticker slogan ever printed.
October 25th, 2006 at 12:39 pmNot O’Reilly saying something stupid again? LOL he and Rush Limbaugh should get hitched!
October 25th, 2006 at 12:41 pmHow does it feel to live in a country like this?
October 25th, 2006 at 12:43 pmWe surely are, on a list, that is seen as cancerous.
See ya’ll in gitmo.
It was almost comical a few days ago to hear Rove’s “I, only I, have access to local race polling, republicans will keep control of both the house and senate. Democrats might as well not vote. I have plenty of tricks up my sleeve. Resistance is futile. You’re getting sleepy. Turn around, I’m right behind you. Boo.” Please. People as pissed off as most of us are, will not be daunted by such playground attempts to psyche us out. We are coming to the polls and bringing a can of whoop-ass. I can’t wait to get to the polls!
October 25th, 2006 at 12:48 pmThat is the right’s excuse for everything that goes wrong with them. It must be that damn liberal media!
Fox News, on the other hand, is the beginnings of state-run television.
October 25th, 2006 at 12:48 pmMickey Kaus has been lapping up Halperin’s shite, which in turn puts Glenn Reynolds into ecstasy.
October 25th, 2006 at 12:49 pmAny doubts yet that ABC/Disney has become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Far Right Repugs. Yup.. they’ve gone over to the dark side of the Force. The Borg as assimilated them.
October 25th, 2006 at 12:50 pmBoo frickin’ hoo. They’ve got the White House, the Senate, the House of Representatives, seven of nine members of the Supreme Court, the majority of governors, the majority of state legislatures, their own TV propaganda network, all of talk radio, the majority of newspapers, corporate media, and an almost 2-to-1 money advantage– but the poor beleagured Republicans can’t get a break from the bad ol’ liberals!!!
October 25th, 2006 at 12:50 pm#21 you just put me off my chow.
October 25th, 2006 at 12:51 pmHitler & co. spent a lot of time and effort convincing Germans that the newspapers and radio stations of the time were actually their “enemy”, trying to impede their progress with critical reporting and slanted viewpoints. It’s no wonder that the neo-fascist regime running the US is doing exactly the same thing. To me, it’s always pathetic to see the strong and powerful feign weakness and victimhood to curry some more favor from the naive and impressionable – it sure as hell isn’t the way any American heroes went about their business.
October 25th, 2006 at 12:54 pm“No one could have anticipated the wave of anti-republican sentiment that over-topped the goverment’s levees on Nov 7th.”
October 25th, 2006 at 12:57 pmand who owns this person? it is clearly a slave, for you can tell how it speaks in deference to it’s master
October 25th, 2006 at 1:00 pmWarning! You are about to see over the next 2 weeks (and probably afterwards) a very scrambly Republican push to seem like the victims of voter supression because they know they’re going to lose by a long-shot. They’re revving up the “voter suppression” talking points early! Can’t they just stop taking it personally and just admit that hey, the people in office right now just aren’t what the majority of voters want?
October 25th, 2006 at 1:01 pm#23, I couldn’t agree more. These Republicans sure are whiny for the Party that controls all three branches of government! They want all of the media as well? For the big, macho party of personal responsibility, this sure sounds like whining.
October 25th, 2006 at 1:05 pmYah, i think thats a major part of the problem today some really bad business ethics have crept into government, they now see Americans as nothing more than employees of the state. And the corporation is headed by people like Delay and his Mariannas friends. For such compassonite folks these people have very long mean streaks.
October 25th, 2006 at 1:05 pmDisgruntled shame will keep many a right leaning voter home. Outrage will drive the left to the polls as never before. “Happy days are here again.”
October 25th, 2006 at 1:06 pmDid anyone see the re-run of the Frontline on the secret history of credit cards last night? When I think about the latest bankruptcy law and the lack of protection for working americans it makes my blood boil.
October 25th, 2006 at 1:09 pmIs anyone else curios why Bill O’Reilly, the prime time news anchor for Fox, devoted a segment of his show to promoting the conservative balance of rival network, ABC? This could only lead to ABC siphoning off some of Fox’s viewers. – I am inclined to fear the worst, that some deal between Murdock Inc. and Disney is taking place behind closed doors. Where these discussions are going is anybody’s guess.
October 25th, 2006 at 1:12 pmOnly the staunchest sadochistic fascists would think the conservatively owned television media is liberal.
It doesn’t make them credible by saying that something that is clearly conservative is liberal…
Though, I am occasionally impressed with Wolf Blitzer asking some tougher than normal questions of his politial guests. Hanging around Jack Cafferty must be having a positive influence on him.
October 25th, 2006 at 1:16 pmTheir grievances are based on goofy opinions.They wish to prosyletize their religion/belief system thru laws. If we allow the extremist fundie Christians to start writing laws then we should allow the Satanists to write laws, the Rastafarians,the Hare Krishnas, not to mention moonbats, hell we will just take every minority religion and create a theocratic Islamic state, we can have the David Koresh’s occupy Waco, the Mcveigh Elohims would get Oklahoma, and the MUFONS would get Roswell. Hey we need a law fo those rattlesnake kissing christians so we can prove their ‘belief’ system and ‘prove’ their opinionated grievances
October 25th, 2006 at 1:17 pmAnyone read the front page Wall Street Journal story today about Big Pharmas donating huge chunks of money to key races – all but two on the list are Republican, of course. Santorum alone got the largest piece. His “honorarium” is a total of $454,500. Lieberman got $240,740.
Also, stay tuned around 3 pm EST today for the Big Reveal. The New Jersey Supreme Court will announce their decision re: gay marriage. If they say it is legal in NJ, watch the rising of the right. I’m concerned that a positive move forward for our gay and lesbian friends will mean a backlash at the poles.
Damn it. Why can’t anything be easy?
October 25th, 2006 at 1:19 pmTwo neocon LIERS agreeing to tell more and bigger lies…..the ‘911 story’….what a sick joke these two are….is fox liberal bias too?…..get real.
October 25th, 2006 at 1:24 pmi’m really curious what is meant by that particular, undying charge. does it mean that mark halperin and john harwood are opposed to women and minorities having access to the vote; are they opposed to food and safety regulations imposed by federal and state agencies; are they angry that christian churches aren’t able to force all citizens to worship at their altar. seriously, what does it mean that the media is ‘liberal’.
October 25th, 2006 at 1:30 pmThis, combined with Mehlman & Bush’s recent victory predictions, really lays the groundwork for the election fraud we’ll be seeing in the midterms. Wake up people. All this crap about the surprising GOP get out the vote effort in the last 72 hours of the race – it’s all preparation for FRAUD. They did it in 2000, 2002, and 2004, why do you think they won’t this time? What will the excuse be this time for the incorrect exit polls – oh yeah, this time they’re not releasing the polls until they’re “adjusted” the match the result, making them useless. But what excuse will they give for victory – “security” moms, surprising fundamentalist turnout? ALL LIES!
October 25th, 2006 at 1:32 pm[...] yells at us the loudest is right, and we’re really sorry for whatever you say we did. Permalink| [...]
October 25th, 2006 at 1:34 pmwhat does it mean that the media is ‘liberal’.
Comment by linda
My take is, that anytime a Right wing lie is refuted, or reality is introduced, they cry “Liberal Media”.
October 25th, 2006 at 1:35 pm[...] I was going to write a pithy little post today about Bob Somerby’s great recent series about Mark Halperin and John Harris’ The Way to Win, tying together his work with a post that’s up now on Think Progress. [...]
October 25th, 2006 at 1:38 pmIsn’t it obvious the Right have no connection to reality? They just believe what they want to believe. Everything they have ever done has failed, but they haven’t noticed.
October 25th, 2006 at 1:41 pmMind-boggling. If this were just a right-wing radio talk show host, it’d be one thing. But the political director of ABC News?
What…WHAT…WHAT liberal media?
October 25th, 2006 at 1:43 pmWow, #2 and #3 are reading from the same left wing playbook. Look who has the talking points.
#7 When you lose are you going to claim they were stolen again?
#20 Yes, welcome to 1982. Get real. This country has been heading down the left wing – politically correct toilet for so many year it is ridiculous. Tell me, how many conspiracy theories do you think are real?
#23 and #29 What? You think SCOTUS is conservative? You think Ruth is moderate or something? Your nuts. I’ll give you Kennedy as a moderate but tell me what two from Stevens, Souter, Ginsburg and Breyer are the conservatives? Democrats had control of the house and senate for more than 50 years and you people call Republicans whiners?
#28 Many may not be happy with everything going on with the Republicans. But the majority of the people do not want the Democrats in office. Especially when they learn what will happen. Charlie Rangle want to get rid of the tax cuts. Nancy Pelosi wants any bipartisanship to stop and gun control. If you people are scared of the government then you would not want to take away people weapons. The second amendment was put there for people to protect themselves. Personally and from the government trying to take over. You people call Republican fascists. You love to use that word (#34). But the first think a fascist government does when it takes over is to disarm its people.
October 25th, 2006 at 1:44 pmDisney needs to get out of the news business. Peter Jennings (whom I greatly respected as one of the few true unbiased reporters) is rolling over in his grave right now.
October 25th, 2006 at 1:46 pm#45 – Don’t worry, sweetie. Speaker Pelosi will make it all better.
October 25th, 2006 at 1:54 pmElections are getting dangerously close and Happy Guy is having a maalox moment.
October 25th, 2006 at 1:58 pmBut the first think a fascist government does when it takes over is to disarm its people.
Comment by Happy+Guy — October 25, 2006 @ 1:44 pm
October 25th, 2006 at 1:59 pmKinda like an administration that takes liberties (illegal) for domestic spying
Kinda like an administration that tortures
Kinda like an administration that can hold “suspected” terrorists indefinetly, and secretly, without a trial
If that’s what you mean by “disarm”, I truly understand
If they think the mass media is liberal, they should root out all those liberal corporate board members who are skewing things to the left. Board members of large corporate boards are notoriously liberal.
October 25th, 2006 at 2:00 pmThe message for today . . . . .
Newk Fox Newz Now
October 25th, 2006 at 2:01 pmUmm, halfway thru the fall season, and there’s STILL no reason to watch ABC.
October 25th, 2006 at 2:03 pm45
That “happy juice” really works, doesn’t it?!
October 25th, 2006 at 2:03 pmHappy Guy, if you told me the sky was blue I’d be forced to look up. Poll after poll shows that the majority of people in the nation would prefer to see Democratic control of congress. If you’re going to pontificate you should get yourself a pointy hat, oh yes and a clue would be benefit you as well.
October 25th, 2006 at 2:05 pmThings are not looking very good for the Rs these days. They should all stay home on election day.
As for me, I will be at the polls when they open with bells on my feet. I may even break into song while in the voting booth.
Go ID-1; Go Larry Grant; Go Democrats. And go away Republicans.
October 25th, 2006 at 2:07 pmThat’s the style Carollt! Me too!
October 25th, 2006 at 2:09 pmLet me just toss out a few topics the (republican owned) “liberal media” under-reported or never reported that have a HUGE effect on our lives and liberties. In no partcular order.
1) Downing Street Memos
2) Media Ownership (deregulation)
3) Disappearance of Habeas Corpus
4) Fairness Doctrine no longer enforced
5) Freedom of Information Act ratcheted up
6) Bush family close relationship with Bin Ladins
7) Bush family close relationship with the recently departed (yeah right) Ken Lay (Enron)
8) The strategic importance of running that oil pipieline thru Afghanistan
9) Congress working to draft legislation to strangle internet (net neutrality)
10) Military Bases in Iraq
11) All the old Iran-Contra players currently working for Bushco
12) The scummy manner which the medicare prescription bill was passed that has allowed drug companies to make off like bandits
13) Journalists targeted in Iraq
14) The danger posed by a 6 trillion dollar national debt
15) The danger posed by unregulated hedge funds
16) Why labor gets almost no TV time and management dominates the airwaves
17) Oil executives secretly meeting to write our energy policy (fascism)
18) Bankers allowed to write bankruptcy bill (fascism)
If I went thru my notes I could’ve easily found 100 more stories of great importance the “liberal” media hasn’t touched.
October 25th, 2006 at 2:09 pmOne can fairly assert that neither ABC nor Mr. Halperin ever have been cheerleaders for the Bush administration. One also can fairly assume, I think, that Mr. Halperin has been privy to conversations among his colleagues that would, if known, lend support to his comments. One can also be fairly skeptical of any critique by Media Matters or Big Tent Democrat, since neither of them has Mr. Halperin’s access to the inner workings of the mainstream media, and since both of them have a vested interest in advancing Democratic criticisms of the Bush administration.
Mr. Halperin’s comments do not add to or subtract from any legitimate criticisms of the Bush administration. But anyone on the left who believes that all criticisms of Bush are legitimate should take this opportunity to pause and admit that the liberal bias of the mainstream media is an important part of the Democratic Party infrastructure in America. Without it, the Democrats might not even survive as a party, let alone challenge the GOP for power.
October 25th, 2006 at 2:10 pmEven if Dems/Progressives win big in November, it won’t shut ReichWingNuts up. Nope. Not at all.
I expect a Progressive win in November will only heighten their paranoid mouth frothing brain cell popping screaming.
October 25th, 2006 at 2:18 pm#58
So Citizen Dad, who defended Foley for being a predator of children piles on another bunch of drivel.
When you defended a pedophile, you lost me accepting anything you say as fact and yes, I will remind you of this every time I see you post, Pedophile supporter.
October 25th, 2006 at 2:19 pmWhen did telling the trurh become a liberal position? Disgusting.
October 25th, 2006 at 2:20 pmEven more important, Pelosi just isn’t anywhere near as far to the left as Gingrich was and is to the right. She is not an extremist. He is.
October 25th, 2006 at 2:34 pmThis guy Mr. Mark Halpren should be fired immediately from ABC News as Poltical Director. He attempted to curry favor by admitting that ABC News is biased toward a liberal view point. What Halpren doesn’t understand it that the media shouldn’t be liberal or conservative, they should just report the facts as they are. When the media becomes a mouth piece for one political party or the other like Fox News, then we the publics lose apart of what makes this a democracy.
For anyone who’s old enough to remember the TASS New Agency in the former Soviet Union reported exactly what the communist party wanted them to report and our media outlets critcized them. In the former Nazi Germany, there was no free press, the media reported only what Hilter wanted reported. Any so called reporter worth his salt should realize that the media cannot become spokeman for the government or any entity because all journalistic creditabilty is lost when you do so. I see the Republican party trying to turn this Country into a one party state like the former Soviet Union, China, Cuba, all of the very countries they have shouted so loud against over the past 60 years.
We as a people will lose our very essence if we become divided over party idealogy and start to hate each other over politics. No my friends we cannot let the media drag us down that dangerous road to one party rule. The very act of Mr. Halpren admitting his own News agency is biased and then attempt to curry favor with O’Reily and so called conseratives should be setting off alarm bells for us all. What Halpren doesn’t understand is that so called conservatives have been playing the biased liberal media card since the 1960s. They intend to control not only what people see on TV News but to control what they think as well.
If they are ever able to get fools like Halpren to sell their jounalistic creditability for 20 pieces of silver then we headed for a uncertain future. Think about this, if the media starts dividing us among idealogical lines like Sunnis, Kurds, and Shites, then will we become another Iraq. We will stop voting and start fighting because we are liberals or conservatives rather than Americans. That my friend is exactly what people like O’Reily, Rush (Limp)baugh, Sean Hannity and the other fear mongers want. They are very hateful people who act more like the brownshirted hynchmen who went around pre-WWII Germany spreading hate.
Some of you may think my words are harsh, but if you think about what I’m saying, you’ll conclude what I’ve know for years. The right is trying to divide our Country, white against black, liberal against conservative, American citizen against immigrants. If you are an American who loves his Country is much as I do, then join my in contacting ABC News in an attempt to have Mr. Halpren fired immediately. The Republican party already his Fox News are a propaganda machine, do you want all of them to report only one side of the story or do you demand truth and fairness in national news? Again, please contact ABC News and demand that Halpren be fired.
October 25th, 2006 at 2:40 pmLou, Ah yes, well liberals are by definition liars right? Conversely conservatives are sagacious truth tellers. Liberals eat puppy soup, while conservatives reluctantly kill Old Yeller because someone has to be the grownup. I’m a non-theist so I don’t have a choice, I have to be liberal, burn flags and have anal sex. Pity me sir.
You know David Brooks already has this gig.
October 25th, 2006 at 2:41 pm57, How could I forget to add….
20) Voting Integrity (a few stories hitting airwaves now weeks before election..too late)
21) Purging of voter rolls..see GregPalast.com for info that’ll make u sick!
22) Depleted Uranium from the hundreds of thousands of shell casings in Iraq
23) Delay and Abramoff running sweat shops/prison camps in Marinas Islands and forcing young Chinese girls into prostitution then abortions
24) Fake, gay (not a fake gay but a fake reporter) reporter Jeff Gannon sleeping over at White House multiple times.
25) Sibel Edmonds being silenced and what she knows about 9/11, Denny Hastert and illegal arms sales.
26) Bill Frist sneaking legislation into a Defense bill to protect big Pharma from lawsuits.
27) Choicepoint collecting data on you perhaps even your DNA.
as I said I could go on and on and on and on. But you don’t need to worry your pretty little head about these stories. That damn liberal media bias! lol… After all, Tom Cruise is getting married next month!
October 25th, 2006 at 2:42 pmNo one speak to the racist lunatic please. He is spoiling for attention. Don’t give it.
October 25th, 2006 at 2:43 pmCitizenDad: “One can fairly assert that neither ABC nor Mr. Halperin ever have been cheerleaders for the Bush administration.”
And Dad expresses this feeling less than one month after ABC aired “Path to 9-11.” And, Dad, if you have any skepticism about anything Media Matters says, go to the site and check their sources. The sources are there, sometimes in video, for all to see and consider.
And, just what is this “liberal infrastructure” you’re talking about? We just finished the 90’s. Are you going to sit there and say that our mainstream media was easy on Clinton, but is now hard on Bush. That’s just insane.
October 25th, 2006 at 2:43 pm#66
October 25th, 2006 at 2:47 pmTOM CRUISE IS GETTING MARRIED!!?
Holy $hit! Stop the damn liberal presses!!!
In reply to #63. First of all my misguided anti American friend let me explain something to you. You sit there and insult fellow Americans as if they are the enemy. The terrorist didn’t stop on 9-11 to see if anyone was liberal or conservative. They just wanted to kill Americans, not liberals. Second you call us commies, but what you fail to understand is that you are a commie because you only follow one set of rules and have only a narrow minded view of things.
People who think like you are the ones who love communism because it doesn’t allow descent of disagreement. Isn’t that you are are saying, that anyone who disagrees with you and Bush are wrong and can’t be tolerated. Well in China, Russia and Cuba they say the same things you are saying. People who disagree are wrong and not welcome in their country. Now if you are intelligent at all you will see what you have written is more like Castro that an American who loves freedom.
You are a narrow minded fool who should move to one of the countries you mentioned and work for the government because you have the government talking point thing down. Since you enjoy a one party Country America isn’t the right place for you so move, please!
October 25th, 2006 at 2:54 pmReally sad that things are swinging far right in this country. I really worry that we’ll never be able to get our country back.
As all of our media moves to the talking points of the conservative religious right, will anyone cover reality? I feel that this country is neutered. Politicians won’t speak up against dictator Bush, neither will the media. Soon they’ll all be government sanctioned state run news. Are we really any different than the middle eastern countries Bush pretends to convert to a democratic, free and open society?
October 25th, 2006 at 2:58 pmContrary to popular belief – I enjoy the liberal media. They are truly entertaining with their projected self-importance. and their implication they would LOVE to pay more in taxes. My personal favourites are Helen Thomas, David Gregory, Terence Hunt and a few others from the WH Press Corps. I think repeated tough questions are great. This allows GWB to show how patient and compassionate he is with really S-L-O-W people….
Have a great afternoon…
October 25th, 2006 at 2:58 pm#71 I believe we are different. That certainly doesn’t mean we should roll over just because some of our bretheren say we should. Don’t be despondent. Vote! and if you aren’t on the winning side talk to people and see how many you can sway. Then vote again (not the same election please).
October 25th, 2006 at 3:02 pmPOS.
October 25th, 2006 at 3:07 pmCitizen Dad and all trolls (and forgive me if anyone’s already said this), if the media were really liberal then WHY THE HELL IS BUSH PRESIDENT? Yeah, the all-powerful liberal media just controlls everything, that’s why you see all those Democratics in the majority in both the House and Senate, that’s why the Supremes are all pro-abortion, of course!
Jebus, you’re idiots!
October 25th, 2006 at 3:15 pmhe talks to everybody. so shutup.
October 25th, 2006 at 3:15 pm#25, Hitler also wanted to take away everyone’s guns, something he also accomplished.
October 25th, 2006 at 3:16 pmTo the trolls. Please try to make a point when you come on here. Shouting “leftard,” “moonbat,” or “defeatocrat” does nothing for you except to indicate to others that they should just skip that post, as it was written by one with no ideas, only labels. Also, mighty, glad to hear you like the media personalities that identify with the left.
October 25th, 2006 at 3:16 pmI almost choked because I was laughing so hard at this. Don’t these idiots know that extreme lefties are communists, not fascists. Geezo, get your smears right retard.
October 25th, 2006 at 3:21 pmGWB is patient with slow people. Savoring that one.
October 25th, 2006 at 3:21 pmTritone, that’s like saying a tortoise is patient when stuck behind a turtle.
October 25th, 2006 at 3:26 pmWhy is everyone surprised that a Disney Employee is a conservative, that makes false claims? This is the same network that played that propaganda 9/ll movie.
October 25th, 2006 at 3:30 pmThat seems a fair analogy Ox, may I call you Ox?
October 25th, 2006 at 3:34 pmTritone, you may. I assume Tritone is alright with you?
October 25th, 2006 at 3:43 pmMA, seriously, do you acknowledge the shift in the tax burden from capital to labor. My personal feeling about taxes are that taxes facilitate society’s commitments to itself, our commitment to each other. Certainly there is fraud and waste and abuse and cheating but the fundamental idea of taxation is not evil. Sure it’s irritating and inconvenient and damned expensive some times but the costs of our shared enjoyment of the fruits of civilization demand it. Our economic activity is all connected just as on some level we are all bound up in each others lives. Businessmen may claim that a company’s profits are theirs alone but they are fools if they can’t see how their interests are bound up with their customers. Likewise our interests are served when we seek to help our less fortunate and yes sometimes wretched bretheren. Now I’m done pontificating. I don’t mind the laughing but stop pointing at my hat.
October 25th, 2006 at 3:46 pmOx, but of course!
October 25th, 2006 at 3:46 pmpeter jennings must be spinning in his grave. for many years i trusted peter and abc. elisabeth vargas was a joke. katie couric is a joke. network news is a total joke. thank whatever dieties you believe in for the internet. on november eighth we won’t have an internet any longer. enjoy it now while you still can.
October 25th, 2006 at 3:50 pmWhy are the Republicans throwing the word “tax” around like it is a bad thing? If a household takes in 100 dollars and spends 120 dollars every month, how is that sustainable? Is it possible that tax cuts may need to be rolled back? Yes and spending needs to be decreased too. Why do Republicans think that Mr. and Mrs. Main Street will be appalled by these ideas? The just lob the word tax into a discussion like a grenade and plug their ears. Guess what, it’s a dud. I have not talked to one person during this election season who has said, “Yeah, Iraq is a bad situation and all, but if those tax cuts get repealed, I’ll be out on the street!”
October 25th, 2006 at 3:55 pmHalperin is nothing but a right wing shill and corporate hack. Every time he appears he regurgitates Republican talking points as if they were fact. You have to wonder when corporate media hacks appear on TV to tell you how “Liberal” the media is, just how “Liberal” they really are. They will never admit to Conservative bias, even though it’s well documented, but they leap at any chance to tell you how their “Liberal” bias is a problem. Just what would be the financial imperative that would cause a corporation to be Liberal, how would it help their bottom line? Are corporations pro-union? Are they against unregulated capitalism? Is GE anti-war? The media is only as Liberal as those who own it.
October 25th, 2006 at 3:55 pmA circle jerk for two…how nice for BO and Halperin
October 25th, 2006 at 3:59 pmThe Media is too Liberal…
Being out of the country for a week, has afforded me the opportunity to not have to witness the stupids that exist in our media elite. More importantly, the network latency between Australia and the US is such, that I haven’t read too many blogs …….
October 25th, 2006 at 4:02 pmTritoneSubstitution — October 25, 2006 @ 3:46 pm
You said
“My personal feeling about taxes are that taxes facilitate society’s commitments to itself, our commitment to each other”
2 questions then:
1. Why do we have to be “coerced” under threat of violence and imprisonment to pay taxes?
2. Why doesn’t everyone pay taxes?
In a free society, shouldn’t it be up to the individual to decide where his money goes. We can agree that we should all pony up for the basics but we’ve gone well beyond the basics to the ridiculous. Taxes are taken at the point of a gun. To argue that point is to live in fantasy – which most of the sheeple do.
It also been my contention that their can be no priviledge in a society without responsibility. Our so-called ‘progressive’, complex to absurdity, tax system is designed to take from the more productive and give to less productive members of society. The majority of Americans now pay NO Income tax yet expect entitlements galore. The majority is now sucking off the minority.
This will lead to our ruination as a nation. There’s no turning back: the public only votes for those most like themselves – spenders who love debt like no tomorrow. Democrate/Republican – it makes no difference.
October 25th, 2006 at 4:08 pmFollow the money.
Look at who is paying Mark Halperin’s salary. ABC/Disney, a corporation in the tank with the GOP.
Corporate media has a pro GOP bias. It has everything to do with their corporate interests. GOP gives them regulatory favors, tax breaks and huge tax cuts for their fat cat CEOs.
Halperin is just shilling for his paymasters.
October 25th, 2006 at 4:11 pmThe “(INAUDIBLE)” is: “John Harris and I.”
October 25th, 2006 at 4:20 pm[...] They have an excellent chance to redeem themselves by firing the jerk who said that the mainstream media is too liberal and it’s his job to slant news coverage to the right “so conservatives don’t have to be concerned.” That jerk is Mark Halperin, ABC’s political director. (ABC is owned by Disney.) Mark Halperin must go. With that one gesture I would be willing to let bygones be bygones. [...]
October 25th, 2006 at 4:20 pmLet me understand this – over 90% of the reporters and newscasters in the country are unabashedly liberal democrates. Also, a reporter’s or newcaster’s personal political leaning never ‘taints’ their reportage.
Hmmm. Interesting but absurd.
Like saying the nation’s university professor, also, overwhelmingly liberal – admittedly liberal – don’t let their personal feeling color their teachings.
October 25th, 2006 at 4:25 pmThe “Truth” is always too liberal for pathological liars!
October 25th, 2006 at 4:25 pmSome very good comments here (57 and 61 in particular). The big irony as I see it is: The GOP uses the media to bash the media and to get the media clients (the public) on its side.
October 25th, 2006 at 4:34 pmBJ Shellac:
By many of the comments here it would seem that the liberals (at least here) are bashing what they perceive as the ‘conservative media’. And, as far as the GOP using the media to get the public on its side – the democrates don’t try to do the same? It’s all so ironic isn’t it?
Color me confused by your comments.
October 25th, 2006 at 4:40 pm#86 – “My personal feeling about taxes are that taxes facilitate society’s commitments to itself, our commitment to each other. Certainly there is fraud and waste and abuse and cheating but the fundamental idea of taxation is not evil.” – Comment by TS
*******My personal feeling is that taxes are necessary to pay for defense and infrastructure. Local taxes (i.e. property, sales, etc.) are good for schools, parks, community improvements, police and fire, etc. I have never said taxes are evil – they are a necessary expenditure to support our government. I am for helping those who are unable to help themselves, the disabled, the childless elderly, abused children. I don’t believe it is your responsibility to pay for my prescriptions if I am old, poor and have able-bodied children. I believe in short term entitlement programs to help people get on their feet. I am against the perpetual cycle of entitlement generations who have been condemned to a pathetic monotonous existence.
Instead of the 186 government programs to help “wayward youth” (with 186 separate administrations to fund) I recommend local programs that fit communities better. Instead of paying farmers NOT to grow crops, lets let the free market decide how and what they plant. Should a disaster strike the farm – I’m all for helping after insurance companies claims have been paid.
I am a huge proponent of charitable giving – both time and money. If you want your money to go to Planned Parenthood – go for it. I might think it’s worthwhile to volunteer my time and money at the Boys and Girls Club.
In short I believe in a social safety – I am against a social hammock.
‘Til later….
October 25th, 2006 at 4:41 pmPeople -
PLEASE STOP FEEDING THE TROLLS
Some minds are too closed even for the “jaws of life” and acknowledging their delusions and wrong-headed thinking does nothing but devolves the discourse. Think about it, what purpose does posting on a site they hate serve? Answer – an opportunity to piss off others. They certainly don’t think by coming here to be insulting and hateful is going to compel anyone to come over to the dark side with them. (If that’s their plan, their recruitment technique STINKS.)
So again,
PLEASE DON’T FEED THE TROLLS
and maybe they’ll go ‘way.
October 25th, 2006 at 4:42 pmI find most liberals very close minded and of course the closed minded think they are anything but.
Liberals are closed to opposing views to the point where I’ve been shut out of liberal sites for having differing viewpoint. This site is actually an exception in that it allows conversation from both sides.
This is not to say some conservatives are extreamly narrow in their views.
It’s just that liberals by and large really do think with their hearts so logic is often sacraficed.
October 25th, 2006 at 4:51 pmHalperin is auditoning for a position at Fox news.
October 25th, 2006 at 4:53 pmHappy Guy, you’re still here carrying the flag for the conservatives huh? How’s that working out for ya? Um, this administration is disarming Americans already, it’s called getting rid of Habeas Corpus. If the media is biased why is it all owned by staunch conservatives that pour millions into the Republican cofers?
October 25th, 2006 at 4:58 pmcitizen – dad, #58
What the hell are you TALKING about? “Democratic Party Infrastructure??”
After 6 years of the greatest abuses in American history, it’s obvious that the great majority of wealth and power is behind GOP, not the Democratic Party. The media’s the only thing we have, WE who are not filthy rich! Are you hoping for a fullblown plutocracy??
Something tells me you’re just another working class/middle class sucker supporting the party that’s laughing at you.
October 25th, 2006 at 5:00 pmI think it’s ok that most all of the media is liberal. Fox is conservative
October 25th, 2006 at 5:07 pmso it’s balanced out. Why is the notion “free speech” only applies to the
liberal press? It should also apply to the one conservative news station
also, don’t you think? At times in the past, people used to discuss ideas
and try to find the ones that work and are good. They did this in a friendly
way without calling people names or taking cheap shots.
What’s happened here? We can all work together for the good of our
country. In the end, that’s what really matters. When were all gone, our
children will be left with what? Put aside all the petty nonsense and think
of them. Please
I understand this … even if others dont. They are telling the truth … from their perspective.
You must understand that they are fascists … to the EXTREME right. From that vantage, literally everything looks left. Its not the press, its the perspective. This point needs to be made.
October 25th, 2006 at 5:08 pmUnrelated:
I’m still concerned about the voting process and the ass-wipe media. This today from the Washington Post:
Computer Glitch Affects Voters in 3 Jurisdictions; Error Cannot Be Fixed by Nov. 7
By Leef Smith / Washington Post
U.S. Senate candidate James Webb’s last name has been cut off on part of the electronic ballot used by voters in Alexandria, Falls Church and Charlottesville because of a computer glitch that also affects other candidates with long names, city officials said yesterday.
Umm… candidates with long names? WTF!?
The man’s name is Webb.
Are they trying to tell us that the electronic ballot could only fit the five letters in “James” but not the additional 4 in “Webb”.
Let’s see… then that means that the electronic ballot should also just say “Georg”. Oh, it doesn’t?
Right.
October 25th, 2006 at 5:09 pm[...] Mark Halparin, ABC Political Director, once again shows that he is not an unbiased source. As I’ve previously discussed, Halparin often uses The Note to spread right wing talking points while pretending they are a nonbiased interpretation of the day’s political news. Halparin has appreared on The O’Reilly Factor showing where he actually stands: If I were a conservative, I understand why I would feel suspicious that I was not going to get a fair break at the end of an election. We’ve got to make sure we do better, so conservatives don’t have to be concerned about that. It’s just – it’s not fair. [...]
October 25th, 2006 at 5:31 pmHalperin is a right wing shitbag. Not exactly news but worth repeating.
October 25th, 2006 at 5:34 pmI mean let’s face facts. The truth DOES eventually emerge, Remember the old science of CAUSE AND EFFECT
October 25th, 2006 at 5:38 pmWow. What a world. And you’d think that that wasn’t a set-up piece of schlock B.S. Well at least we already know that the GOP talking points are hard-wired into their brains. Just look at it as a little refresher for the pinheads. Or maybe a little freshnin’ up of the old kool-aid. But I can’t really add anything that hasn’t been said already. I can’t say that I’m not anxious about election day though.
October 25th, 2006 at 6:20 pmABC news needs to FIRE this right wing clot now.
October 25th, 2006 at 6:29 pm#98: 90%? And where did you come up with that figure? I just hope you washed your hands afterwards.
October 25th, 2006 at 6:32 pm>> U.S. Senate candidate James Webb’s last name has been cut off on part of
>> the electronic ballot used by voters in Alexandria, Falls Church and Charlottesville
>> because of
(bathed breath!!)
>> a computer glitch
That means some gasbag hoovered up a lot of money for a government contract but spat out some crap software that can *glitch*. How sad. Quality control? Product Assurance? We have heard of it. Oh it’s just them voting machines… never mind.
As for that liberal bias… it’s like saying that General Pinochet’s radio announcements were a bit on the ’soft’ side.
October 25th, 2006 at 6:33 pmSounds like the guy is setting up his next job…at FOX.
October 25th, 2006 at 6:40 pmIf the mainstream media is so “fair and balanced” then Halperin’s comments shouldn’t bother anyone. Instead, the entire leftblogosphere is freaking out.
Kos: “ABC has effectively crossed into Fox News territory.”
Bowers: “ABC’s political director has made a decision that ABC News has to pander to conservatives during the final two weeks of the election.”
And of course, there are all the warm and fuzzy comments by the TP nutroots. My favorite so far is Wayne’s campaign to attack me personally whenever I post. I guess that’s supposed to be a warning to stay out of Wayne’s World.
Shakespeare was right: who protests too much has much to conceal. In this case, it is the desperation of lefties who know that it all comes down to votes on election day. Between now and then I’m working for the GOP GOTV to elect GOP legislators and GOP statehouse officials. See you at the finish line!
October 25th, 2006 at 6:44 pm#119: The mainstream media is not fair and balanced, nor is it liberal. I actually think that, rather than being outright conservative, the MSM is ignoring its mandate to provide factual information to the public. By definition, then, the MSM is NOT currently liberal.
I think that Wayne attacks you whenever you post simply because you’re a jerk. Yeah, I’ve tangled with you before. Go tell your lies for the GOP somewhere else.
October 25th, 2006 at 6:52 pm#119, I almost forgot: See you in hell!
October 25th, 2006 at 6:53 pmIf the MSM is SO liberal, then why were the reporters for the NYTimes, Washington Post and AP so much harder on Gore, a man of intelligence and decency, in 2000 than their colleagues were on fun-loving, have-a-beer-with-me, IQ-of-a-fruit-fly, greedy and crass G.W. Bush? And we are all paying through the nose for their inability to treat the candidates with the same degree of scrutiny because billions of our tax dollars are flying out of this country to Iraq — where none of the 19 9/11 terrorists was from — on a regular basis.
October 25th, 2006 at 7:13 pmSomeone (I forget who) recently said, “We have set aside the truth to be balanced and that is where we go wrong.” No one in the MSM, save Olbermann, Bill Maher, Colbert and Stewart are questioning the government or speaking truth to power. The MSM are more concerned with balancing left talking points with right than with questioning the lies and smears of the neocons, who are turning out to be no family-values folks after all.
I think that Wayne attacks you whenever you post simply because you’re a jerk. Yeah, I’ve tangled with you before . . . I almost forgot: See you in hell!
What exactly makes me a jerk? Did I misquote Kos? Did I misquote Bowers? Did I misquote Shakespeare, or even Wayne? I don’t think so. I made a fair point in a civil way, and I emphasized my active support for the GOP. Surely that won’t consign me to eternal damnation? (I know, I know, don’t call you Shirley . . .)
BTW, if we have “tangled” before I don’t recall it. Who won?
October 25th, 2006 at 7:16 pmCitizen Dad: “Between now and then I’m working for the GOP GOTV to elect GOP legislators and GOP statehouse officials.”
Why, because they’ve done such a great job and they’re so honest?
October 25th, 2006 at 7:20 pmCitizen Dad: “Shakespeare was right: who protests too much has much to conceal.”
Right. Kind of like how homophobes are often self-loathing closeted gays. Or like Duke Cunningham standing on the floor of congress calling Kerry a traitor while all along taking bribes for defense contracts. I hear you.
October 25th, 2006 at 7:23 pmThere must be a top-level job open at Fox News.
October 25th, 2006 at 7:35 pmRush is right about one thing: Liberals seem to have no sense of humor whatsoever!
October 25th, 2006 at 7:36 pmDad: “Rush is right about one thing: Liberals seem to have no sense of humor whatsoever!”
Right, Dad. The funniest people are all conservatives. You know, Drew Carey, Dennis Miller, soooooo funny.
October 25th, 2006 at 7:49 pmDad, FBI and Secret Service records show that on a number of occasions, a male prostitute using an assumed name visited the Whitehouse at night when there were no press meetings and had no record of checking out.
Can you explain why a “liberal media” wouldn’t be interested in this given the fact that they gave front-page attention while Republicraps impeached Clinton for lying about a blow job?
October 25th, 2006 at 8:08 pmonce again, surprise, surprise, a republican hack works for a major media consortium. Wow, like we haven’t been seeing that one coming. Family and friends from overseas tell me how they can’t watch American news because it’s so dumbed down and propagandized to suppress the truth. We talk about how much of the world communitty and half of this country can’t stand what is happening here. I say to them pray for us, we are being run by crazies with no regard for life or fairness. They agree. Dem’s need to go after the media elites and restore the fairness doctrine. The conglamoration that to media must be splintered. Remember why freedom of the press is so important? It’s our defense against a corrupt and malicious government. Without it we all lose!
October 25th, 2006 at 8:28 pmDad, FBI and Secret Service records show that on a number of occasions, a male prostitute using an assumed name visited the Whitehouse at night when there were no press meetings and had no record of checking out.
Can you explain why a “liberal media†wouldn’t be interested in this given the fact that they gave front-page attention while Republicraps impeached Clinton for lying about a blow job?
Here’s another fine example of the Wayne’s World mindset. Totally off-topic, and totally unhinged. Oh well, sticks and stones . . .
October 25th, 2006 at 8:41 pm“After 6 years of the greatest abuses in American history, it’s obvious that the great majority of wealth and power is behind GOP, not the Democratic Party. The media’s the only thing we have, WE who are not filthy rich! Are you hoping for a fullblown plutocracy??”
Yeah because we all know that the Clintons, Howard Dean, John Kerry, John Edwards, George Soros and the rest of the far lefties are all poor right?
Please…
October 25th, 2006 at 8:42 pm1) halperin and most other media critics greatly undervalue talk radio. it has been rove’s main tool. it creates the flavor of American politics. by the end of the day the TV talking heads can depend on a carpet of lies and distortions and excuses laid down in tens of millions of ears across the country. many of those ears have little choice for current events while driving and working. call and thank your local radio station for the bush war lies. or take a sign there.
October 25th, 2006 at 9:05 pm2) most journalists would vote dem because by definition, to be any good, they have to be be curious, imaginative, and maybe even empathethic- qualities antithetical to the authoritarian sex-on-the-wrong-brainers. conservative journalists are better for writing for the business section and repeating propaganda.
3) by nature republicans can’t handle criticism so they are much more sensitive to it and cant take it constructively. no wonder the notion of a liberal media was so easy to sell- on talk radio.
Go ID-1; Go Larry Grant; Go Democrats. And go away Republicans.
Comment by carollt
Please make it so, please….Sali is such an embarrassment…
October 25th, 2006 at 10:13 pmWe have to destroy the value of their brands. Fox was never a trustworthy news source and ABC no longer is. We need to ridicule them until they are laughingstocks and force them to do their job correctly or lose their revenue base.
October 25th, 2006 at 10:26 pmOh puleez….. send them both here:
October 25th, 2006 at 11:02 pm
It’s like two fascists wanking each other off under the table.
October 25th, 2006 at 11:04 pm#45 blah blah blah
October 25th, 2006 at 11:25 pmJane — walk into any newsroom and poll. You’ll find the number of liberals overwhelm any conservatives that are there. Fact: many reporters will not disclose their affiliation — they know how skewed it is in favor of liberalism in the newsroom.
October 25th, 2006 at 11:29 pmjane – simple question to ask reporter, ‘who’d you vote for in last presidential election. Now, how do you think newspeople will answer.
be honest
October 25th, 2006 at 11:32 pmIt’s true, the truth has a liberal bias.
October 26th, 2006 at 12:04 amThat’s it. Never gonna watch ABC-123 news anymore.
Hey right-wingers, I dare you to look up the meaning of word LIBERAL in the dictionary, then go plop your butt down on the sofa and watch a few hours of mainstream media. What you will find is our mainstream media is NO WHERE NEAR being liberal. The wingers slam the LIBERAL label because the TRUTH has a liberal bias and Republicans can’t handle the truth.
October 26th, 2006 at 12:35 am“Really, so the HOUSING DEDUCTION doesn’t reflect the COST OF THE HOUSE?”
HILARIOUS!!
*******What about the middle class folks who don’t own a home. (90% of the people here in San Diego couldn’t afford to buy their homes today) Renters in the middle will just get squeezed MORE by the likes of the phony Land Baron Harry Reid….typical……..
October 26th, 2006 at 1:03 amABC became “Dead to me” when they tried to pass off the 911 film as fact. This is what I would expect from them.
“Dead to me” – Colbert
October 26th, 2006 at 1:04 amI don’t WANT anyone oppressed – unlike YOU. You HATE and envy those who have more. You are convinced that NO one is wealthy without taking advantage of someone else….you’re toooo pathetic…..
October 26th, 2006 at 1:20 amFinally I have been able to read more than one sentence of your nonsensical tripe – and had a great time exposing the hypocrite which lurks behind your screen. So I’ll bid you a not so fond adieu…..
October 26th, 2006 at 1:22 amjane – simple question to ask reporter, ‘who’d you vote for in last presidential election. Now, how do you think newspeople will answer.
be honest
Comment by Jkelly
The executive editors and publishers are mostly conservative – y’know, the ones who actually decide which stories get covered? Try again, but this time, a little harder.
October 26th, 2006 at 1:27 amYou are convinced that NO one is wealthy without taking advantage of someone else….you’re toooo pathetic…..
Comment by mighty+aphrodite
MA evidently doesn’t know that San Diego’s nickname is “Scam Diego” for the large number of fraud operations operating out of the city. La Jolla, Rancho Santa Fe, Ranch Bernardo, Poway, all are teeming with those who are wealthy from “taking advantage of someone else.” The federal fraud task force is always breaking up local stock-trading scams.
October 26th, 2006 at 1:58 amIF ASC is left, FOX is centr, Then Bush must be Fascist
If only Bill had to play debate in the real world. maybe try some of us working class. Just undertand Bill, the harm you do for money will not buy you extra life, respect, dignity, friends, and so for. But, it will pay for those sexual harrassment settlements to keep you out of jail. As long as the money lasts………………………………………………….
October 26th, 2006 at 2:10 amBeing educated is not having a liberal bias.
I’ll agree, however, that this media is utterly broken and does more harm then good. It’s outrageous statements like the kind this ABC exec just made which proves to be the QED.
Tear it all down, build it again. The media is broke.
October 26th, 2006 at 3:44 amI’m in the old media and I’m not liberal.
We in old media are just getting stuck in that darn “reality-based world” that according to Ron Suskind’s NYT mag article, “Without a Doubt,” a very senior White House adviser says is not the way America works anymore. (Was that source Rove, the one with THE polls showing GOP wins all again Nov. 7?)
Old media actually has been doing pretty well trying to keep up like Winston Smith with the new media that changes reality when the unitary executive says so (”We’ve never been ’stay the course,’ George), and I’ll bet we even roll over and admit our exit polls were wrong, again, for no apparent reason in old reality, on Nov. 8.
October 26th, 2006 at 7:05 amAnd, barfly, I voted for Bush in ‘00 and Kerry in ‘04. What’s your point?
Are you trying to prove that you articulate a position made from your derriere, with no basis of fact?
My newsroom is about half and half, GOP/Dem, I’d guess by what I hear them say. I’m really there to have an idea of old reality.
Your moniker “barfly” offers insight into where you get your information, from drunkards like George W. Bush, the bastions of new-media sourcing. Jeff Gannon, male hooker and new-media reporter must be so proud of you…or maybe IS you.
October 26th, 2006 at 7:15 amI subscribe to the David Letterman school of thought about Mr. O’Reilly – that most of what he says is crap.
October 26th, 2006 at 7:32 amWhy is freedom of speech always labelled “bias.”
October 26th, 2006 at 8:29 amIf the media is so biased, why in the hell have the republicans controlled congress for the past 12 years, and the White House for the past 6 years?
This argument as used by the right wing is a joke.
October 26th, 2006 at 8:32 am“Fair and balanced” was a false paradigm Fux News made up, remember.
In real journalism, fair, accurate and truthful is the standard. “Balanced” NEVER was.
It’s a myth that even the left seems to believe “has always been,” but truthful, fair and accurate reporting never has been necessarily balanced reporting — and often isn’t.
Example, John Wayne Gacy trial: Did we omit facts about his atrocities because they were out of balance with the fans of his clown paintings? Fair, accurate, truthful — but not balanced.
Halperin should know this, but conveniently made his way to fame in Disney without a clue as to the standards of professional journalism. But, he gets paid much better than do I, so I guess he must be right (wink).
October 26th, 2006 at 9:19 amJKelly, have YOU personally walked into every newsroom and asked each journalist? I asked where you got YOUR numbers, not HOW someone gets the numbers.
When I get the time (I’m at work), I will research recent surveys which actually stated that very few journalists consider themselves liberal. In fact, I’m pretty sure that there’s a link to/thread about the surveys somewhere here on TP. Unless someone else wants to help with this?
See you later.
October 26th, 2006 at 9:57 amWhy doesn’t ABC just give itself as an early Xmas (oh, sorry, O’Lielly, Christmas) gift to Fox News? I mean, just bundle itself up, call up Fox News while it has its dildo working away in the capable hands of Halperin hisself, and say “We’re here to help. We’re done with Walt and all yours now.” Then they can just ask what Fox is wearing.
October 26th, 2006 at 10:13 amVoting for republicans requires:
- suspension of disbelief (you buy right into the WH b.s. like “we never said it was ’stay the course’”)
- a twisted sense of morals (e.g. you must protect embryos, but its ok to drop bombs on children who are already born and living)
- a belief that you need to protected and told what’s right and wrong by a ‘higher’ power (be it Bush, or your twisted version of God)
- a hatred for people that are different than how you want to be (I’d say ‘hatred for people that are different from you’, but we all know that a lot of conservatives are closeted, self-loathing gays anyway)
- a need for made-up boogeymen to rally your fellow bedwetter republicans in unified hatred and fear (the “liberal media”, the “homosexual agenda”, “terrorists are EVERYWHERE!!! get out the duct tape!!”)
-
October 26th, 2006 at 10:22 amIf anyone is blocking the “true” conservative message from getting out there, it’s Bush, with his war propaganda. Most conservatives don’t support this administrations policies, the ones with souls anyway
October 26th, 2006 at 10:44 am#49 DRxJ What a truly delusional person you are. They do that to their own citizens. Stop trying to give the rights that an American citizen has to terrorists and illegal aliens. These people came to our country illegally!!
That means the first thing they did in our country is break the law. But you want to give them rights and take away mine. I have the right to own arms to protect myself from the people you protect.
October 26th, 2006 at 11:19 amto #176:
Talk about delusional! As if the immigrants aer lining up at your door waiting to rape and pillage!
Wet the bed much?
October 26th, 2006 at 11:26 amOK… Jane
Try this: Name the prominent Newspapers with some national following with editorial boards that tilt right?
Outside of the Wall Street Jounal, which definately leans right, there isn’t one!
The left bias is so pervasive in traditional news that its invisible to those within it. Like fish trying to understand what water is.
Fortunately, there are finally alternatives to the traditional media. New voices can be heard.
What about Air America? I guess a better question would be why does liberal views fail so spectacularly in radio. I have listened to Air America and it came across as shrill and boring.
October 26th, 2006 at 11:27 amWhy is Halperin still writing The Note for ABC.com?
Now that he is out promoting his book, which clearly is targeted at and will sell best with a biased right-wing demographic, he indisputably has a conflict of interest that is incompatible with his role as a journalist with ABC. After all, his sole purpose for being on was to build visibility to help him sell his book with that crowd.
Contact ABC and tell them it’s time to dismiss Halperin on the unarguable grounds he has a conflict of interest that is fundamentally incompatible with his role with ABC: He has chosen being an author with a self-serving interest in selling a book that is all about pushing a personal opinion with regard to the subject matter he covers as a journalist. Make it clear to them that if the press does not defend the journalistic principles for which the press needs and deserve First Amendment protection, the people will not be there when the press faces First Amendment challenges.
In this case, that means giving Halperin the time to do what he really wants to do – sell his book – on his own, rather than allowing him to use his status as a journalist to sell his book to the detriment of journalistic business of reporting the facts and ABC’s credibility.
October 26th, 2006 at 11:30 am#174 Wow, you are so much better then the majority of the country. Look at the map from the last election county by county. It is mostley red with blue in the scum cities. You are a minority. So you can say stupid stuff like “fellow bedwetter republicans in unified hatred ” but it just makes you look stupid and hate filled.
October 26th, 2006 at 11:32 amJane:
here you go – good reseach on liberal bia as it pertains to journalists
Of course, true liberals never let facts get in the way. It’s all about feeling isn’t it?
October 26th, 2006 at 11:36 amhttp://www.mediaresearch.org/SpecialReports/2004/report063004_p4.asp
October 26th, 2006 at 11:38 am#180:
In typical, idea-less, morally-bankrupt republican fashion, you completely failed to address or provide a counterpoint to any of the republican voter traits I pointed out.
In tactics more becoming of a 3rd grader on the school playground, your rebuttal basically boils down to “well, we won the last election, so nyeah nyeah”. Grow up, it might help with that whole bedwetting problem you have.
As for those “scum filled” urban areas, you are really showing your true bigotted stripes there. Not a surprise, but what may come as a surprise to you is that the tax revenue from those people you consider “scum” in the urban areas subsidizes all the rural areas, particularly in the south, that do not contibute to the GNP in any meaningful way.
In other words, without the “scum”, the rural South would basically be a third-world country. But at least you wouldn’t have to take any of that crap about tolerance and hope from those uppity urban scumbags, right?!?
When people like you decide to grow up and realize that the world does not revolve around you, and you realize that it is in the interest of your children to embrace liberal policies that look to make the world a cleaner, less fear-filled and bigotted place, then perhaps we can all make this country a better place together.
In the meantime, keep on pandering to the lowest common denominator in your party who are receptive to messages of fear and intolerance. Maybe someday you’ll wake up.
October 26th, 2006 at 11:57 amTwo right wing operatives grin-humping each other about the “liberal media” — and doing so on the very media the hold in such contempt. If you have such a hard time with it there, fella, let’s agree to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine.
Oh, no, can’t have that. It’s a “marketplace of ideas.” As long as those ideas argee with yours, I suppose.
This liberal media garbage is getting old, don’t'cha think? Not even conservatives believe it. They just play the refs to try to elbow for preferential treatment, and it works because corporate sponsorship likes it tilted conservative: it covers up all but the most egregious misdeeds.
October 26th, 2006 at 1:02 pmNote: Regardless of your political preference, posting comments that are misspelled really hurts your argument… and I’m not talking about occasional typos.
If you can’t spell, at least you can fake it by using spellcheck!
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Now on the topic at hand, this latest news out of ABC (for me) is just one more reason to *continue* boycotting ABC/Disney.
If this clown wants to perpetuate the “liberal media” myth fine, but not without paying the consequences such as boycotts of their businesses *and* being publicly exposed as a tool of the conservative liars party.
These clowns (including Rush, Savage, Hannity, Bill’O, and the rest) have more in common with bullies in a school lunch room than mature adults.
The immature, malevolent, and always innacurate rantings of the Bush apologists are obvious for those with a brain, a heart, and knowledge of current events.
Now regarding the bleating sack of ______ (you can fill in your favorite term of endearment) Rush Limbaugh….
After hearing about, then seeing his unforgiveable attack on Michael J. Fox, my first reaction was “oh how I’d like to have 2 minutes alone with this bastard” (I’m sure that I’m not the only one, eh?).
Well it’s now a day later, and after his defiant ‘non-apology’ I must say that the feeling has only gotten stronger.
Of course that’s not an option (for me), although if I *heard* about someone assaulting him I’d have to say that [head]Rush probably got what he deserved.
Of course, violence is not the way to solve problems, but I do have to admit that there is a part of me that would enjoy seeing him have his jaw broken (then permanently wired shut).
I have to assume that he’s beefed-up his personal security since then (maybe he’s using Bill O’Really’s [imaginary] Fox security team?) but I’d bet that he’s looking over his shoulder even more than usual after this latest a$$burst.
Even for an assclown like Limbaugh, this is a *new* low for the reich-wingers…
What’s next Rush, making fun of people with deformities, the blind/deaf?
Has anyone from the ‘right’ come out and publicly called Limbaugh on this?
..and *why* isn’t the “liberal media” all over this, eh?
Are these adults or overgrown schoolchildren?
That little sh!t Tucker Carlson and his producer/sidekick were making fun of someone the other day and I thought to myself, is what they have to offer, and what *kind* of human being listens to this (and continues to tune in)?
Juvenile put-downs and making fun of others is much of what many of the conservative blowhards have to offer (oh, and helping to push the conservative agenda [of lies and half-truths] by being Bush apologists and repeating the WH’s talking points).
Too bad Tucker isn’t more like Margaret Carlson (no relation). She seems so thoughtful and good. Tucker Carlson, not so much. He’s just another willing tool for the evil known as the Republican party (as we currently know it).
This latest example of sub-human thinking from Rush Limbaugh is the most disgusting example of conservative BS since the GOP’s ’swiftboating’ of war veterans (who actually had the guts to put their LIVES on the line for their country) like Max Cleland, John McCain (yes, they’ll eat their own in pursuit of power), John Kerry, etc..
Is there a depth that the GOP can sink to below this latest example by Limbaugh?
Well, there’s close to two weeks left, and what I’m seeing is desperation (with a capital “D”) on the GOP’s part.
Nothing it seems is too distasteful or beneath them [to try] at this point.
Their plan for victory seems to consist of lies about their opposition and general FUD*.
They’re trying to run on the economy (’Greed is GOOD’, and ‘Don’t pay any attention to the trillion dollar deficit behind the curtain’), but that’s not gaining any ‘traction’ compared to the war, all the Republican scandals, and idiots like Limbaugh making fun of one of America’s beloved actors (and a genuinely good man) Michael J. Fox.
That’s ALL the GOP has to offer America, scandals, lies and FUD!
*Fear, Uncertaintity, and Doubt.
October 26th, 2006 at 8:00 pmLabeling political viewpoints “conservative” or “liberal” is subjective and relativistic, not absolute or impartial in any way. We all tend to view our own political view as more the “norm” and everything else relative to our own views, whatever or wherever they are. Besides, at this time when a gang of thugs and criminals has hijacked our government, the whole argument is no longer about “liberal” or “conservative” ideology. It is all about restoring democratic processes and rule of law, transparency of government and accountability of elected officials and their appointees. There has been a radical and fundamental breakdown of our political order and government due process perpetrated by fascists named George W. Bush, Richard Bruce Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, Paul “Comblicker” Wolfowitz, et al, and numerous corporate executives and major shareholders of the military industrial complex.
October 27th, 2006 at 6:21 amFrom the writing style, it seems to me barfly changed monikers to JKelly. I’d want to change, too, if I were a troll trying to get credibility at a blog I clearly despise.
I’m sure it goes without saying to genuine readers of the blog that your “source” of proof of media bias is a GOP-funded tool pretending to be a research center. They call these quasi-PACS (masquerading as nonprofits) “opposition research” centers, meaning they put out research showing only what they are paid to show — and in recent years what I’ve seen when I’ve checked into the GOP funded ones, the sources are either fictional, paid for their positions or duped into saying what they said and are livid, without access to clear their record. As the real sources who are burned dwindle, these “research” arms of the GOP have used more and more fictional stuff.
Which leads me back to your “proof,” JKelly/barfly, that the media is liberal. The “article” in your link offers no verifiable fact, which any Journalism 301 student knows makes it unnewsworthy and irrelevant.
I’m real. I’m a newsroom journalist and have been for decades. I’m not liberal (and Jason is on target to say conservatives denounce this WH. I, too, hear the conservatives saying that nothing about its Middle East policy is conservative).
My major urban paper endorses mostly Republicans, including Bush. My newsroom includes a mix of liberal, conservative and apolitical types that seems to reflect national polls. I cast my personal votes for Republicans as often as Democrats, just not George Bush since his disasterous incompetence demonstrated on 9/11.
So, on the one hand, you have one real example, me, to contrast with … nothing!
Your goal, JKelly/barfly, along with Halperin’s, is to purge newsrooms of any view except that of the Unitary Executive’s Supreme Authority. You know it. Everyone knows what your goal is.
What is sickening is you anti-Americans who’ll actually spend so much time and energy trying to destroy the essence and concept of the First Amendment. Viva la Pravda, right JK?
October 27th, 2006 at 7:45 am[...] Earlier this week, ABC Political Director Mark Halperin told Bill O’Reilly that members of the “old media” are too liberal and that “we’ve got to fix that” by “prov[ing] to conservatives that we understand their grievances.” Previously, Halperin has called right-wing muckraker Matt Drudge “the Walter Cronkite of his era” and said he “rules our world.” [...]
October 27th, 2006 at 2:19 pmThere’s a difference between having a grievance and a cause for a grievance.
Man, Halperin was a major suck-up here.
October 29th, 2006 at 5:57 pmCheck out this post regarding the CMPA study on media bias… and the FACT that the Big Three treat Democrats with kid gloves while slinging mud at Republicans. Liberal media bias? You betcha!
http://sopebocks.blogspot.com/2006/11/topic-liberal-bias-in-media-proven-im.html
November 2nd, 2006 at 1:13 pm