General Clark and the Media Whores

[Jack_Dawson]

It's been bad before, but what is the DEAL?! Even taking into account a right-wing bias, don't these "journalists" have to at least PRETEND to be neutral? Why is a revered anchor like Brokaw suddenly a political pundit showing up on MTP slamming Clark? Why is Peter Jennings, a normally pretty neutral anchor - even left-leaning at times - showing up on Faux and pummelling Clark about G-Dub's AWOL status? What did Clark ever do to Jeff Greenfield, Too-much-Candy Crowley, Woodruff, Matthews, Klein, Hume...the list is endless and so are their attacks.

I mean, since when do journalists defend presidents? Especially presidents who were AWOL?! Why is that "off-limits"? It's very troubling.

Clark was dead and buried yesterday, a sure 4th or 5th place finisher. When that DIDN'T happen, did anyone retract anything? Say a nice thing about Clark's 3rd place finish in his first-ever election? Talk about Clark's chances next week? Nope. Kerry, Dean and Edwards. Clark's news today? Miscommunication with his chartered plane's pilots. "Let's hope his campaign goes better than his plane ride last night" snarks Woodruff.

Not to be a :tinfoilhat: but I've literally never seen a piling-on (esp. someone running 3rd or 4th) as I've seen this past week. These whores go out of their WAY to blast The General. Why do Kerry and Edwards go unscathed? Somebody help me get it, cause I don't.

[TexasPatriot]

1. i actually saw a story

on Edwards 3rd place finish and how he's trying to use it to springboard into SC.

it's really wild - they REALLY hate him.

[girl gone mad]

10. Didn't Clark..

finish 3rd?

Maybe that was your point.. hope I'm not being too ignorant.

[Jack_Dawson]

12. Clark DID finish 3rd

Yet "John Edwards has momentum" going into SC. If CLARK had finished 4th, he'd be dead in the water. Mind-boggling.

[krkaufman]

37. Exactly... Edwards went from 2nd to 3rd.. he's got JOEmentum!

Yeah, Edwards somehow drops from a very strong 2nd place finish in Iowa, only a few points behind the winner, to 4th place in New Hampshire, but he has *momentum*!

Yet Clark is "dead in the water", after a good showing in, as you stated, his FIRST election since grade school!

J-H-C!

We're beating a dead horse here. Clark is opposed by the establishment -- Democratic *and* Republican *and* the media. And now that we're into the frenzy states, he's gonna have an even harder time trying to get any positive coverage.

[Bread and Circus]

15. Exactly, Clark got 3rd place and they are still acting like it was a

coup for Edwards.

If Clark had got 4th then we would never hear the end of it.

Actually, Lieb getting 5th is getting him better media attn
than Clark.

It is so fucking weird, I have never seen anything quite like it.

[TexasPatriot]

27. that was exactly my point

The difference between Clark and Edwards was greater than Bush and Gore... but no one was running around talking about how Gore won.

I've never seen this sort of thing before - it's really disturbing. I mean - this is beyond manufactured consent... it's more like Gilliam's Brazil...

[krkaufman]

38. Terry Gilliam's "Brazil"

I'd go one step further and say we're living Orwell's '1984.'

"Clear Skies" increases pollution.
"Healthy Forests" promotes clear-cutting.
"Electability" means annoint whomever the media selects.

[laruemtt]

2. their johns have told them

what they want, and, well, they're media"whores"

[JasonDeter]

3. Republicans are afraid of Clark therefore the media are afraid of Clark.

wolfboy even had the gall to say Clark and Edwards were in a statistical tie! after the NH primary vote! I'm surprised none of the pundits are saying Edwards was with the margin of error! We live if freaky times.

[Justice]

4. Agree Completely: They Are Blasting The General

Lieberman was treated like royalty this week by the media - lots of air time, lots of - he is a good man. They did react a bit last night to the "three way tie" comment - but not in a snarky way - rather in a -- well, okay then way.

They just couldn't figure out last night how to spin Edwards' finish into a success - he is on his way to SC but say Clark was dead. Really really incredible.

[henslee]

43. Double agree completely.... eom

[MoonRiver]

5. I totally agree, and I heard that not so subtle snipe by Woodruff.

She seems to be the leader of the pack, btw. They must have marching orders from their corporate pimps to take the General out. So far, it seems to be backfiring. I do believe that alert Dems, i.e. the ones most likely to vote in primaries, are on to these bottom feeders.

[madmax]

6. If they're not bashing him

they just ignore him. They fear Clark.

[cally]

7. Clark called them on their bias

in many interviews. He scares them. I also think it's the Clinton thing. They despise Clinton and any one who uses their intelligence and drive to get ahead. They will go after Edwards just as much if he starts surging.

[MoonRiver]

16. Another Arkansas Rhodes Scholar up against a *

They just CAN'T let THAT happen.

[Jack_Dawson]

22. But they're the MEDIA

I know a lot of print journalists, and they don't seem the type to be "told" what to write. Most are very independent thinkers. I can't imagine every single anchor at every single network being "on board" with such a conspiracy.

[Qutzupalotl]

8. We're almost there, then.

First they ignore you,
then they laugh at you,
then they fight you,
then you win.
--Ghandi

Seems like we're in step 3 right now.

[kentuck]

9. I just heard someone on CNN call him a "lieutenant" again....

There is no doubt that they are trying to destroy the General. Why? Do they know something they can't tell us" I doubt it. Since they didn't hesitate to tell us about all the intimate details of the "blue dress". I think when you are a billion dollar company, a 5% increase in your taxes is about $50 million dollars? They are not going to sit by and let somebody do that to THEM. If the General becomes a viable candidate, I would fear for his life. I really would.

[jogi1969]

11. i got a few

ideas;
i think the media whores dont want to be reminded of the
feckless job they did in 2K.
and Clark brings such a contrast to *.
that every time Clark's name comes up they have to maintain
the veil, for surely the sham will be all for naught
even these whores know that once their "street cred"
is flushed, so ends their cushy multi-million $$ gig.

that is why i think they must pound on the General;
his resume, his cirrculicum vite, defines
all of the things he is that * can never be.

once that truth is out,
the question of why these whores did not show this
m*th*rf*c*in POS pretender for what he is will
ring loud

ask not for whom the bell tolls
it tolls for thee -- MEDIA WHORES!!!!

[kentuck]

23. And since they promoted Bush's little war.....

they now hesitate to report anythin that might expose their own whoring ways...

[xray s]

13. He Knows Too Much

He has seen the world of the media pundits from the inside. Thy fear him because he knows them.

I think Clark has gotten some real bad advice from his campaign managers. He appears to be over handled.

He needs to just wind up and give the media hell, and take his message direct to the voters, maybe with 30 minute blocks of tv time, like Perot did. He has nothing to lose at this point.

[KittyWampus]

21. Agreed, Playing On Their Terms Is A Sure Loser... Like Gore

either Clark and his team figure a strategy to blow apart the media garbage or he can't compete.

[xray s]

25. Wasn't Lehane with Kerry initally?

That should tell you something. Frickin' moles are everywhere this year.

[kentuck]

26. That's the key.. no doubt about it.

And they will continue to pummel him because they think he cannot fight back. You can't fight people that buy their ink by the barrel, they think.

[krkaufman]

40. Remember all the splooge that Edwards got for positive campaigning?

Hey, do you remember all the positive press that Edwards (and, undeservedly, Kerry) got for their "positive campaigning" in Iowa?

Where's the laurels for the General's extremely positive campaigning? He's been positive from day one, even in the face of slander from his chief opponent (Kerry) and relentlessly biased bashing from the media.

[liberalcanuck]

14. I agree. It's really frustrating the lack of coverage Clark's getting

I don't know what the hell is going on. I watched the N.H. primary last night and was so elated by Clark's finish but shortly after completely flabbergasted by the b.s. the media were spewing. They're trying to mute our candidate's message. Not one kind word of acknowledgment from any of the pundits.

[Jack_Dawson]

17. Jubug Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[liberalcanuck]

24. Thanks Jack_Dawson!

Thanks for the welcome. I've been reading the posts from Plaid Adder et al for some time here on DU. I really hadn't explored the site until recently. The forums have become my main source for news since I can't trust what I'm seeing on t.v.!

[Donna Zen]

18. We all know why.

Take a look at the electoral map. With Clark vs bush the equation changes from "how do we beat bush" to "how can bush win."

This isn't just a matter of repub vs Dem; this is a matter of the MIC. Clark knows where the bodies are buried and it scares the shit out of them. Think of it as General Smith goes to Washington...all of the tin foil hatters refuse to understand who this man is.

The republicans are chosing our candidate, and appartently a majority of Dems either don't see it, or don't care. I have a very bad feeling about November if Dems continue on their current path. There will be no do-overs folks...there is a reason the whores are on a seek and destroy mission. Let's put it in the General's words: There are "might work" plans and "will work" plans. I chose the "will work" plan...what about you?

[kentuck]

29. "...General Smith goes to Washington.."

I like that Donna :)

[krkaufman]

41. "might work" vs "will work

> There are "might work" plans and "will work"
> plans. I chose the "will work" plan...
> what about you?

Egg

Friggin

Zactly


Why go into the Super Bowl with your backup quarterback?

Why play for a tie (and send it to the Supreme Court for the tiebreaker!), when you can play for the win?

[tishaLA]

19. I adore Clark and/but

I want to recognize some of the criticism as truthful.

Last night's speech timing was terrible. How they didn't communicate with the Kerry campaign is beyond me. I understand that Kerry wanted to get out there and make another preemptive attack--this time Clark, Dean, and Edwards instead fof Hussein--so Clark's campaign, when it could have gotten national coverage should have held him back until it was certain he had no competition. If that means rescheduling flight times, so be it. Free coverage on all networks, no matter how inconvenient, is invaluable.

We also need to admit that Clark HAS made mistakes and he has suffered from not taking part in more debates. The media is OK in pointing those things out, but not in some of the insulting things they have asked him (i.e., the Moore stuff, for example), but his campaign needs to have a rapid response team to shut down some of that QUICKLY. James Rubin (Ruben?) has been good at this, but I have the sense that there are some amateurs around him--and Clark is not a professional politician himself, so those around him NEED to be pros.

That said, much of the coverage has been about looking for the stormclouds instead of the silver linings. And they have badgered him about absolute bullshit. Given choices, though, I'd rather they talk about his mistakes than not talk about him....

I think he is alive and well; he has a vital campaign and an inspiring message. I want it to be strong, accurate, and precise. I am confident Clark can do that. And that we can help him every step of the way.

[kentuck]

31. have you thought ?

it may have been manipulated by the networks...or a network.?

[tishaLA]

34. what is the "it"?

and yes....I know about manipulation. But I also think it is fair to critique the candidate I support.

[kentuck]

51. "It" was just a coincidence that the General and Kerry ...

had their speeches at the same moment and they had to cut away from the General to show Kerry because he was the front runner. C-SPAN later showed it and perhaps others but....I just questioned what was going on.. :)

[krkaufman]

42. it may have been manipulated by the networks...or a network.?

> have you thought it may have been manipulated
> by the networks...or a network.?

That's one possibility.

I saw another post with a better theory... Kerry's campaign had a mole at Clark's site, who was there to make *sure* that Kerry's speech would interupt the General's by alerting them (Kerry) when Clark was about to speak.

[ewagner]

36. He's been a politician for only four months

He's got a lot to learn very quickly about handling the media.

His staff has to be TOTALLY professional in dealing with the media.

Having said that, I have no doubt that the major media types are getting "Clark gaff memos" via e-mail from every conservative "think tank" in the nation every 15 minutes.(Howard Fineman said last night that he was already getting stuff e-mailed, phoned in, etc about Kerry)

I think the right wing genuinely fears Clark and will do their media blitzs to try to kill him off.

[lovedems]

20. I just got done watching the News Hour and they didn't even mention Clark

It was Brooks, Sheilds and Lehrer. They acted as if it was a 3 way race between Kerry, Dean and Edwards. Not one mention of Clark except to say it was a tie for 3rd. with Clark ahead by several hundred votes.

My husband and I just sat there with our jaws on the floor. It was very disheartening.

[kaitykaity]

39. Same thing on Charlie Rose last night as well.

Only negatives about the General, but oh boy, John
Edwards sure knows how to work a crowd, doesn't he?

I guess we know who the media wants to coronate for
us. :puke::grr::mad::grr::puke:

[windansea]

28. having a media whore barbeque this weekend

walk on to their sets

Hey...you wanna meet my little fren????

[BootinUp]

35. A scarface quote, I luv it

you crack me up :)

Much needed in this thread I might mention.

[Tatiana]

30. It really is astounding if you consider what Clark has accomplished.

In only four months he has:

Established a very solid fundraising base.

Finished higher than two U.S. Senators (including one vice-presidential nominee) and one U.S. Representative in the NH primary.

Proposed one of the most common-sense and acceptable tax plans in decades.

In only FOUR MONTHS! Yet he's a "loser?"

[BootinUp]

32. The only way to stop the mauling

is a very strong debate performance tomorrow. Otherwise look forward to more.

[in_cog_ni_to]

33. All of the media whores

received an email from me today and they will continue to receive an email from me until they change their ways. Ever since Roger Ailes said they weren't in the business of "truth telling" all the whores have followed suit. G-D I hate them. Republican whores...every one of them. :grr:

Go Wes!

[Torgo4]

44. Brit Hume--He's an Illegal Alien

My 3 year old son pointed it out!
He's Martian Manhunter from Cartoon Justice League.
Rover got a pic:

[Strelnikov_]

45. The Only Campaign I Will Be Contributing To Is Clarks

I just sent to the Clark campaign the balance of the funds that I was holding back for the GE. I had decided I would be contributing at least $1,000 during this election, half to my primary candidate, the other half during the GE. To hell with it. The way the press, and the Democratic party, are treating someone who has put it on the line for this country for 30+ years, the least I can do is give it up for what this honorable American is having to put up with.

Way I'm feeling now, I may just say bye to the rest of my tax refund and max out my 2k on the General, viable or not.


Transaction amount: $500.00
Transaction id: 184301

[Jack_Dawson]

48. Nice work, Loindelrio!

:yourock:

And welcome to DU!!!

:hi:

[robbedvoter]

46. Here's a visual:

[Jack_Dawson]

49. Great cartoon!

Is that from Minneapolis?

[kentuck]

52. That's great !

As he's fighting off the Repub attacks, some Democrats are questioning his Democratic credentials.... a picture is worth a thousand words.

[Crewleader]

47. The Media is so obvious with the lack of attention

or the downing of the General. DOA (dead on arrival) before one vote was cast. I'm not happy with the push by Carville about Kerry or any defense when Tucker or Novak say Clark doesn't have a chance.

I heard Clark's speech last night, for only four months and no money and campaign to start off in Sept. and come in third in his first primary says alot.

Edwards, Lieberman and Kerry were campaigning when I was a delegate in 2002 and spoke at the Florida Democratic Convention. Clark being so late in this campaign and coming in 3rd is a amazing and he has a good idea now who he has to fight against.

He remembers Steven his school mate who both ran for the 4th grade school union president and found out what politics was like when he cast his vote for his friend. He will fight for himself and come out of this last primary ready to win, and he has an army of supporters that know he's the best man for the job as commander and chief!

Go Clark! :dem:

[krkaufman]

53. Florida 2002 deja vu

As a Clark supporter, I'm feeling very similar to how I felt in December 2000, when Gore needed the support of his party but he was being told to pack it in.

(Not saying it's the same situation; just the same "media and expected non-enemies are against us" feeling.)

[NV1962]

50. There's media bias, and there's Ann Coulter

Check out the filth that my local newspaper printed yesterday, apparently to "sound out" how she'd be received as a REGULAR columnist:
http://www.rgj.com/news/printstory.php?id=62606

I already sounded off to them, but if you're in the mood to rip 'em a new one... Their email addie is (sorry, lightly retouched to avoid spambots) letters AT rgj DOT com

Grrrrrr...

[Carolina]

54. I had to turn

the frigging TV off for that very reason. In fact, for political coverage, I'm sticking with C-SPAN where I can hear the candidates directly without some smug mediawhore's voice over. Fucking bastards... my loathing of them is limitless.

They want the General gone, buried and forgotten like the 500+ American Iraq casualties. It's truly galling. Gosh I hope we prevail and they somehow, someway get their just due.