Would someone please tell Karen Tumulty it's $720 BILLION, not MILLION!

[flpoljunkie]

This is the second time this week I have heard TIME's Karen Tumulty refer to the cost of the new figures for Dubya's Medicare prescription drug program in Millions, not Billions! How incredibly clueless! A billion is a thousand million, Karen--a whole hell of a lot more money!

She was just on with Bob Schiefer on CBS's FACE THE NATION. Obviously, Ric "Man on Dog" Santorum was not going to correct her, and neither did Schiefer. Senator Durbin was great on Social Security privatization, but was not given a chance to respond to this incredibly stupid mistake.

Instead, he was asked to discuss Howard Dean's chairmanship of the DNC in thirty seconds. He did a great job. I love Dick Durbin.

[rodeodance]

1. everyone send an email to Face the Nation NOW! blast em!!

[LostInAnomie]

3. And what?...

... Ask the gilded demi-gods to come down from Mt. Olympus and admit a mistake... Surely you must have heard wrong. The divine do not make errors.

[blondeatlast]

12. Yeah, I'm afraid we really need to pick our battles right now.

Better to write your congress crittersa about the bill itself.

[flpoljunkie]

14. Actually, I was hoping that Schiefer or Durbin or someone would enlighten

Tumulty off camera, so she doesn't keep embarrassing herself while grossly underestimating the cost of the prescription drug bill to Dubya's advantage.

It was not the first time this week she has used millions instead of billions in her cable appearances to discuss the program!

[rodeodance]

2. so Bobby S. did not correct her!! neither did Santorium--thanks for the

heads up!!

[Straight Shooter]

4. We might as well call Bob Schiefer by his initials. BS. It suits him.

BS and Doggie Boy aren't going to point out inconsistencies which weaken their position.

[utahgirl]

5. CBS feedback form doesn't work n/t

utahgirl

[Sporadicus]

6. We Need to Tell Her Bosses!

Just to let them know that we're not the ignorant sheep they assume us to be.

[nodictators]

7. The Associated Press also has picked up the misstatement habit

A recent AP article on the huge increase to $720 billion in the Medicare prescription drug 10-year cost-estimate was spun away in an AP article. The AP "stenographer" falsely claimed it was due in part to an increase in the number of years.

Just like the election fiascos where all "errors" benefit Bush, all "journalist" misstatements also benefit Bush.

Edit: last paragraph added

[flpoljunkie]

9. Republican shell game!

Republican talking point is that original cost-estiimate began with 2004. How disingenuous is this when the prescription drug program was not due to start until 2006!

I don't remember their pointing out when they sold this pharmaceutical/HMO/corporate giveaway to Congress.

[blondeatlast]

13. It's not a mistake, it's the same crap the pulled in the SocSec primer for

RW congress people.

Paraphrasing: "They won't know the difference between a billion and a trillion." I kid you not; it said that.

[Sparkly]

8. Reminds me of this cartoon

[blondeatlast]

10. did you read that RW primer on Social Security? The one where they

assumed their constituents wouldn't know the difference between a billion and a trillion?

I hope it's an accident, but I strongly suspect otherwise, in this case.

[blondeatlast]

11. More on the bill here, in the new DU Legislative forum

(Pardon me for plugging my baby here!)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=308x112