ABC pulls reporters & DNC says nothing?

[PissedOffPollyana]

One must wonder why the DNC is silent on ABC News pulling reporters from 3 of their candidates' campaigns. I was just all over their site & not a mention anywhere.

Is anybody else steamed about this... what are they there for if THEY don't stand up to the media when they purposefully subvert the nomination process?!? I am more disappointed than I have ever been in the party leadership, and that's saying a LOT. If there is any proof needed that they are moving away from serving the people they are supposed to represent and toward the mega-corps that run America this is pretty damned close to it.

Where is the outrage?!!

I understand that they don't want to repeat the bad coverage & lying they got with Gore, but that's inevitable anyway. They should at least try to look like they are on the side of their candidates.

[tom_paine]

1. My guess: becuase they don't want to be punished further

The DNC and especially the DLC keep appeasing Totalitarianism in all it's forms, continuign what has become something of a Democratic tradition (not a good one) of screaming "Don't hurt me!" when a Bushevik or a member of Corporate TV Pravda shakes afist at them.

But as anyone who has dealt with bullies knows, appeasement only makes it worse.

The original Tom Paine had something to say about it, too:

""It is the madness of folly, to expect mercy from those who have refused to do justice; and even mercy, where conquest is the object..."
--Tom Paine

[Loonman]

2. Terrie McAwful already got his payoff

In the parking lot.

[SEAburb]

3. Well Gore told everyone to shut up and fall in line behind Dean

and that's what the media and DNC are doing.

[w4rma]

18. You are either exagerating, lying or ill informed, SEAburb.

…
So I’m very proud and honored to endorse Howard Dean to be the next President of the United States of America.

Democracy is a team sport. And I want to do everything I to convince anybody that is interested in my judgment about who among these candidates has the best chance to win and the best chance to lead our country in the right direction. I want to do everything I can to convince you to get behind Howard Dean and let’s make this a successful campaign as a group. It is about all of us. And all of us need to get behind the strongest candidate.

Now, I respect the prerogative of the voters in the caucuses and in the primaries and I’m just one person. But I’m offering my judgment …
http://www.algoredemocrats.com/news/gnn/EpZpAlpAAphPLBoMgx.shtml

[PissedOffPollyana]

27. That's exactly why the WHOLE PARTY should be on this!

We are only strong when all of our voices are represented. ABC has effectively silenced a significant part of the party; where is the "rally behind the party" spirit here? I know that you are responding to the statement about Al Gore, but there is a connection to it all that cannot be denied if the DNC and the rest if the party leadership do not support the right of their candidates, ALL their candidates, to be heard.

When I hear Al Gore take ABC to task, I will acknowledge that we are indeed a team (albeit with more than one player). Until then, I will respectfully disagree and see the whole thing as a 'purge the progressives' cage match.

Is that unreasonable? If so, color me "fringe"!

[cosmicdot]

4. I just asked about this on another thread

Now is the time to stand the line against the retribution/retaliation.

If the Party leadership organization doesn't stand its ground ... it won't get better once the standard bearer is nominated.

Now is the time.

[PissedOffPollyana]

12. If they do, they stand a chance...

... with the millions of progressive voters who just want the public to get a chance to see what populist policy actually looks like.

There is a HUGE community of 3rd party and progressive Democrats that could rally behind Kucinich and energize the whole party. It only shows the one-profitable-track mind of the leadership and does not bode well for the election if they don't wake up and smell the revolt.

The revolution is on and is NOT being televised, just ask Dennis Kucinich!

[MrSoundAndVision]

5. The Outrage

This is what the DNC wants, plain and simple. They are afraid that Kucinich is suddenly going to become immensly popular and win this thing. Kucinich is the single biggest threat to the Democratic establishment, as well as the Republican establishment. The Gore endorsement of Dean was a tactical move made from within the establishment to cement the influence of the establishment in the coming 4 years. The censoring of Kucinich, Braun, and Sharpton are also tactical moves to do this.

An interesting read on the Gore endorsement and the establishment posted today at: http://www.wsws.org

I'm not outraged, nor surprised. The people of the media have convinced the people of this country to abandon international law, to give up safeguards of our constitution, and accept the overthrow of our democratically elected president in 2000. No outrage here, I've known their character for some time.

The revolution will not be televised! http://www.kucinich.us

[Terwilliger]

6. You think the DNC gives two shits about Kooch, Sharpton, or CMB?

I mean...really?

[Rainbowreflect]

8. Who the heck is Kooch?

[Catherine Vincent]

LOL! Don't be so sensitive.

You know the poster is talking about Kucinich.:)

[Rainbowreflect]

10. Sorry if I'm being overly sensitive,

but I think it is disrespectful to not use someone correct name.

[DemBones DemBones]

16. It IS disrespectful not to use a person's name properly, and

even more so when it is an ethnic name like Kucinich.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

20. Terwilliger is a Kucinich fan

And "Kooch" is an endearing nickname. I don't think there was the slightest amount of disrespect behind it.

[Terwilliger]

22. he said his actual name is KOOCH-in-itch

which is why he got the nickname

[Terwilliger]

21. you don't know either?

people call him "Kooch" he has no problem with it

[truthspeaker]

25. it's a nickname

I promise I won't object if you call Dean "Howie".

Lighten up.

[Terwilliger]

19. Kooch is what his friends call him

don't you follow him much?

[DemBones DemBones]

26. If he likes it, I'm cool with it -- so many people insult DK

here, I misunderstood your intent. I AM picky about names, though. I've seen too many people refuse to try to pronounce an unusual name. and just say "I'll call you _____." Sometimes it works the other way "Oh, you can just call me ________."

[Terwilliger]

29. your name is easy

your nick anyway ;-)

Dennis' name is the most challenging among the nine candidates.

[goodhue]

38. nicknames

The Kooch is a known nick name and is used by his supporters so I doubt he has a problem with it. What I find annoying is Kucinich bashers who use his first name when making fun of him but consistently mispell it as "Denis", I mean what's up with that?

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

46. all of us Kooch fans get oversensitive

More superficial crap is thrown at DK than any other candidate - because they have next to NOTHING of substance to criticize him about.

[Rainbowreflect]

43. Sorry, I have not seen or heard that name used.

I am use to alot of attacks and belittling of Kucinich and if I jumped to the wrong conclusion I apologize.
:pals: Forgive?

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

7. DNC doesn't care, is probably glad.

The corporate media is a problem only when it attacks YOUR candidate, evidentally.

[SEAburb]

9. That isn't fair, I care and I don't support DK as a candidate

Isn't DK going to be on Crossfire?

[Jim Sagle]

14. Fucking outrageous!!!! And I'm no fan of Kucinich OR Sharpton.

I am a fan of CMB, however. :9

But please don't blame Al Gore for this.

[PissedOffPollyana]

15. Yes he is!

I am looking forward to seeing him intellectually pummel Tucker Carlson.

[DemBones DemBones]

17. Yes, DK on Crossfire today at 4:30. eom

[DinkyDem]

11. ABC probably pulled the reporters

at the request of McAuliffe and the DNC (not to mention the DLC).
The less coverage of the REAL Democrats in the race, the less the public will notice they're pulling a bait and switch again.

They are especially scared of Sharpton now that he has surpased Edwards and is currently tied with Kerry.
Oh, and lets not forget that Sharpton is in second place in South Carolina. So much for being a "vanity" candidate, eh?

I think they did it precisely because the weasle Republicrat sellouts at the DNC and the Big Money Corporate Whores in the media are afraid of Reverend Sharpton. They aren't going to stand for a black man being taken seriously as a national politician.

[DemBones DemBones]

31. Is that NH where Sharpton is tied with Kerry? What poll?

Man, wouldn't it be great if masses turned out for Kucinich and Sharpton and Braun in the primaries, really upset the apple cart. . .

Inside Politics coming up in three minutes on CNN -- DNC to tell if Dean can beat Bush. Gee, wonder what they'll say? OK, I know they'll say yes and would have to say yes for Kucinich or Sharpton, too. But they're out there saying this on the day Charlie Rangel endorses Clark. . . Will they say that other Dems can also beat Bush? Like ANY other Dem?

[DinkyDem]

35. no, its in the latest national survey

conducted by Quinnipiac University.
Al Sharpton and John Kerry are tied with 8%.

It is South Carolina where Sharpton is tied for second place.
I say we get behind a true progressive, a minority person, the Reverend Sharpton.
Isn't it time?

[theboss]

13. Gore said to fall in line; they are

Edwards and Gephardt will be next.

[DemBones DemBones]

23. Connect the Dots. . .

Gore endorses Dean, says everyone should get behind him. . . Kucinich speaks up at debate about Koppel and the media in general focusing on endorsements, polls, money raised, the process of campaigns instead of the issues which people want to hear addressed. . . ABC's Koppel gets back at Kucinich by suggesting Kucinich, Braun, and Sharpton should drop out of the race because they have little money -- and Edwards should drop out because he's not polling well enough. . . Next day, ABC pulls reporters off of the campaigns of Kucinich, Braun, and Sharpton.


STOP THINKING!!! WE AT DNC HAVE DECIDED WHO THE NOMINEE SHOULD BE AND YOUR VOTES DON'T MATTER! THIS IS THE NEW DEMOCRACY, NO NEED FOR VOTER PARTICIPATION. MOVE ALONG NOW, WATCH ABC TONIGHT.

(I sent ABC a polite but scathing e-mail saying I would boycott ABC until the reporters were returned to the campaigns and Ted Koppel makes a sincere apology. . . Guess I'll never watch ABC again, huh?)

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

24. you are 100% right

I bet that's exactly what happened.

[DemBones DemBones]

28. We are so screwed. BFEE vs. DNC, neither one for US! eom

[ThirdWheelLegend]

47. "BFEE vs. DNC, neither one for US! "

Nailed it!

Exactly why we must keep it up and hope for a candidate that truly represents US. There hasn't even been a primary vote. We will not settle for BFEE vs. DNC.


GO DENNIS


TWL

[creativelcro]

30. It's because ABC can cover whomever they please, no ?

if they think that these 3 candidates are toast, as it seems, it is up to them to decide to reallocate resources...

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

32. ABC was chartered by our government - let's revoke their charter

If they won't cover candidates, I say we suspen their broadcast license and revoke their charter. No more handouts and subsidies for ABC! We can reallocate our spectrum to a broadcaster that has the resources to cover our candidates.

[DinkyDem]

33. ummm...

Al Sharpton is currently tied with John Kerry.

If the media was going to cut out everyone in their range and below, the ones ones left would be Dean and this Undecided guy we hear so much about...

This whole thing smacks of racism and bigotry.
First the block Lieberman the jewish candidate from a debate and now they're silencing the 2 black candidates and the Small Person.

[PissedOffPollyana]

36. ... to where?

Oh, I'm sure it will be something truly important, like the Michael Jackson case.

This is indicative of the mentality that is killing the party and turning more & more people Green. Progressives exist in the Dem party and consistute a Hell of a constituency that will not react kindly to being sold out this obviously. Good luck with that rolling over thing!

Unity my ass.

[redqueen]

37. BINGO!

They can't drag us any further to the right.

They're about to learn the hard way, methinks.

[salin]

40. The best revenge... would be for a huge surge in one of the three

first primaries.... and the newsfolks stand looking foolish... flat-footed... and unable to effectively carry the HGUE story.

[redqueen]

34. Complicity?

Naaaah...
:eyes:

[Cocoa]

39. Don't go turning this against the dems!

I saw that debate, I'm with Dennis on this as much as anyone.

But after Dennis finished off Koppel, leaving Ted in a fetal position, I saw Joe Lieberman step over and shake Dennis's hand, and then saw Wesley Clark do ths same.

Joe and the General are not exactly Kucinich apologists, this was a unifying moment for the dems, don't you dare try making it into something divisive. That's what Limbaugh was doing with his column on the matter.

[PissedOffPollyana]

41. If they don't get behind their candidates?

I respect the other candidates for their respect for the process, don't get me wrong.

My problem is with the deafening silence from the leadership. You are right, this has been MOSTLY a unifying moment but this must be backed up by more than symbolic support. Isn't a slight to its candidates a slight to the party? Why aren't they all over this in force? Why isn't every campaign making it about the media and its blatant revenge & bias, just for a few days? Why aren't party heavies out in force, speaking out about this?

Let's put this into perspective. Before a single vote has been cast, ABC is denying the public access to 1/3 of the Democratic candidates and their ideas. The party should have something to say about it. This will not be the last atrocity against democracy by our media, especially if they roll over.

It's only divisive if they don't stand up for their own, isn't it?

[Cocoa]

42. they DID very much get behind Kucinich

like I said, with Lieberman and Clark.

Let me add, after Sharpton got his last shot at Koppel, Gephardt embraced him.

Let me further add that Kerry echoed Kucinich's words, more pointedly, and Dean tried to echo them too, but got a little confused about it. :-)

[redqueen]

44. You didn't mention the DNC

What about the 'leadership'?

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

49. the DNC should make a statement

McAuliffe can rescue his reputation before he retires.

[goodhue]

45. Please sign the petition . . .

Tell ABC what you think of their decision to pull the campaign embeds for Kucinich, Mosely-Braun and Sharpton. Tell them we DEMAND fair and balanced coverage of our candidates, and will not allow them to be stifled for not being "acceptable" to the media bigwigs.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/455575483

[Tinoire]

56. Thank you! Just signed & kick! n/t

[goodhue]

48. contact ABC

http://kucinich.us/abcnews.php

To express concerns to ABC, contact the following:

ABC Audience Response line at 818-460-7477. Press 4 to leave a message.
ABC News Washington DC Bureau at 202-222-7777, fax [phone]
ABC News Political Director Mark Halperin at 212-456-4545, fax [phone], email [e-mail]
ABC News President David Westin at 212-456-6200, fax [phone]
ABC President Alex Wallau at 818-460-5500, fax [phone], email [e-mail]

You can write letters to:

ABC News
47 W 66th St
New York, NY 10023-6290

[dpbrown]

50. They've decided it's going to be between "centrists" and "insiders"

The DNC is not rocking the boat.

[MoonRiver]

51. It's disgusting, and the reason why an "outsider", whether Clark or Dean

will be nominated. WAKE UP DEMOCRATIC PARTY!

[ErasureAcer]

52. The DNC are really centerists who don't care about progressive ideas

that Sharpton, Braun and Kucinich bring.

They're happy they will receive less coverage than the little they were already getting...now it is the next logical step for them to be cut from debates...the DNC will say.

Really now. I wasn't planning on voting for the current dem leaders in the general election just because I hate their platform...but now I really won't vote for them...for it would only be supporting the DNC and its agenda to keep a progressive vision for this country on the back burner.

The DNC is playing politics...and I won't stand for it...they deserve to lose for alientating 1/3 of their candidate base.

Run Ralph Run!

[Samantha]

53. This is an element of the Stop Dean movement

Don't blame Gore or Dean. Blame the New Dems who are dedicated to stopping Dean. See my thread on the draftHillary movement and look for the link to the Washington Post article. It's there in black and White. Withdrawing support from these three candidates improves the odds for the stop-Dean element. Simple as that. It's a consequence of Gore endorsing Dean and furthering his chances. The New Dems are evening up the odds for the Bush-lite and right-leaning types, the DLC'ers.

[PissedOffPollyana]

54. Where are statements?

Dean needs to win over 'left' voters to show that he is a valid choice for the nomination. It's a whole lot harder when the progressives are being drummed out of the race; that proves very little. The eventual winner will be the one who best frames this issue, not just this one instance but the entire range of corporate abuse of the electoral process. Hell, in my opinion, any candidate that does not grow a set and publicly acknowledge that this is wrong does not deserve unified support. I would hope that they would show the class and spirit to stand up for the principle of democracy, if nothing else.

Side-note: Has anyone seen the commercials on MSNBC promoting the Hell out of their _9_ embedded reporters? Keith Olberman (sp?) was razzing ABC about perhaps needing them as ushers for their dopey on-air wedding. Good form, I thought.

[sandnsea]

55. NRA TV anyone????

Yesterday I posted a thread about NRA TV and I was told it was a free country.

Today an uproar because ABC runs its company the way it sees fit, it's a free country.

This is hysterical.