This article by Glenn Greenwald about Politico ought to be in a sticky atop every page on DU

[Stinky The Clown]

I have been railing against Politico as a stealthy subversive "news" organization pretty much ever since they were formed.

Please read this article by Glenn Greenwald:

Who funds and runs the Politico?



Actually, if you don't have time, just skim it and see what names jump off the page at you.

In fact, even if you **intend** to read it, just skim it first. I found it totally and completely amazing at how certain names literally jumped off the page and grabbed me by the throat.

And keep this in mind:

POLITICO IS A STEALTH RIGHT WING SUBVERSIVE ORGANIZATION FAR WORSE THAN FOX NEWS

"Far worse than Fox News? ...... Stinky .... put the bong down.



No.

I won't.

Fox News is a cartoon and everyone knows it. Even its most stalwart viewers know it.

Politico comes off as honest, and fair, and reasoned, and professional, and neutral, and non-partisan, and intelligent, and exceedingly non-hyperbolic.

Politico comes across as the news organization you've always hoped for. They even report pro liberal stories in a pro liberal way.

Except for the really important shit.

Then they lie.

But in a way to which you may never catch wise.

This is intentional. Their purpose, pure and simple, is to lie, cheat and deceive.

And they do it very well.











Si, Generalissimo Pinochet. Si!

[ensho]

1. kick

nt

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

2. The first thing I noticed about Politico is that about one day after they were formed

their talking heads were already all over the media. So, I kind of knew right away that the fix was in for Politico. They were designed to be the answer to the liberal blogging community.

If you think about it, the liberal blogging community is HUGE with many bases and generally well-reasoned and informed. Nothing like that really sprang up on the right for somewhat obvious reasons.

[Marr]

21. Exactly. I noticed the same thing.

Bloggers rarely get to appear on television as pundits, and when they do, it's generally because they've got a relatively long track record and high, sustained traffic.

Politico's *debut* was covered as a news event in the corporate media. That immediately made me very suspicious of them, and I'm sorry to say they've lived down to my expectations. They're one of corporate America's attempts at co-opting the blog format.

[Blue_Tires]

23. same way with Politifacts, to a lesser extent

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8153079#8153272

i was in a hospital wait room on that day, and CNN whored that story out for an entire hour (with a looped interview with some politifacts guy)

the media is even outsourcing their research now...

[dmr]

27. Yes, their dubiously & rapid appearance rang huge alarms with me

I refuse to visit their site, and am suspect when I see them quoted. Although the Politico guy who appears on Countdown doesn't always seem too bad.

Murdock paid through the nose to get FOX on the various cable providers, almost assuring their success. I figured Politico had the connections and did the same or similar to get themselves quoted so quickly and widely amongst the major news shows.

I wish I had the money to do the same, except I'd be honest and just tell the truth - and investigate it when it was elusive.

[Tatiana]

36. Same here. It took kos forever to get on teevee, yet their "pundits" were on the shows

darn near as soon as they started.

[Uncle Joe]

37. My thoughts as well Phoebe, but I didn't know to the extent they were owned

and or financed by the radical right.

No wonder the corporate media was so eager to embrace Politico as being representative of the Internet, only as a cynical means to continue their brain washing of the American People by using a stealth Doppelganger of themselves.

[Moochy]

42. Yes

Politico has always been a sham.

[Neecy]

53. it truly was suspicious

I first saw one of Politico's lackeys on Hardball - Matthews announced a 'partnership' with this site that up to that point I'd never heard of. Usually it takes years to build up the kind of credibility one needs to get that kind of face time, but this insta-site was everywhere from day one.

I just wonder why MSNBC was so eager to give them so much status so quickly.

[Taverner]

3. Yes I have noticed their style is a little bait and switch

Which is what Fox News did when it first started

When Fox News first went on the air, it was a respectable news station staffed by real journalists. Then, every day it creeped further to the right, occasionally firing a journalist for not being Conservative enough until we have the Fox we know and hate today

[seemslikeadream]

4. Stinky .... put the bong down.

No just pass it PLEASE!

[Night_Nurse]

5. Wow.. that makes sense

there have been a few instances where I perused Politico, only to run across a story that made me say "Huh??" Now I get it.

[seemslikeadream]

6. RIGGS BANK !!

Bank with close ties to Bush administration engulfed in scandal
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=775366

NEW details of Thatcher coup plot: London Evening Standard
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=777970

SEC probes Marathon Oil payments in Equitorial Guinea (and HQ burns down)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=728495

Du Toit admits meeting Thatcher
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=775274

Terrorist Stocks?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=775943

'Petroleum lures dogs of war to Africa'
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=775315

BBC News: Thatcher charged
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=775499

Margaret Thatcher's Son Released on Coup Plot Charges (Update2
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=775803

Exiled leader in Spain denies any link to coup attempt
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=780228

Scorpions say have more info on Equatorial Guinea coup
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=781763

Financiers conspired to overthrow oil-flush African government
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=771532

Mark Thatcher: The money trail
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=780222

Thatcher case twist as list of alleged coup backers vanishes
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=779708

Thatcher: Spain 'secretly backed coup by sending warships'
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=780346

WaPo: Allbritton Loses Riggs Bank (front page, day 3)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=691609

E Guinea 'coup plot' verdict due + update/result
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1023049

I feel like a corpse in a river, says Mark Thatcher as he faces court...
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1020857

Thatcher to face coup questions
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1018687

Phone links Thatcher to alleged plot

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1008002
There was no coup plot, says Du Toit
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=997545

Thatcher to ask Britain to help halt extradition
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1005084

Thatcher charged over coup plot
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1001670

Thatcher to be tried in absentia
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=994305

Britain knew in advance of Equatorial Guinea coup plot: report
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=987556

Tories Demand Answers on 'Coup Plot'
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=991361

Mandelson faces questioning over 'link' to coup plot
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=975777

Legal Woes Cut Into Bottom Line at Riggs
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=974861

Mugabe flies to Equatorial Guinea (coup plot latest)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=964525

Despots, Deposits & Directors - Riggs Bank
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=924033

SABC asks to broadcast Thatcher court case
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=926588

Spain calls on EU to warn Equatorial Guinea - Riggs Bank
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=916444

Raids 'break up' £20m theft gang
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=906579

Thatcher coup plot: Mandelson, CIA & State Department named
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=900168

Archer 'link to coup plot'
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=899574

Britain accused of failing to investigate Africa coup
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=901850

Pentagon link to Guinea coup plot
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=867591

[wroberts189]

15. Jeebus that a lot of links ..thanks

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

7. I live and work in D.C. and the Politico is FREE. So many people here

are misled and truly believe that the Politico is un-biased and objective. For years I have tried to disabuse people--both liberal and conservative--of this notion.

You can pick up a Politico newspaper anywhere in the city and in MD and VA.

[Stinky The Clown]

9. Yup ...... just like that Express ..... and now, the DC edition of The Onion

[Ichingcarpenter]

8. Dick Cheney's new office is in the same building as Politico

if that says anything.

[Stinky The Clown]

10. Now **that** I did *not* know!

Things that make you go both "Hmmmmmm" and "Wow!"

[arcadian]

16. I don't think so.

Cheney's office is in McLean. Politico is in Arlington on Wilson Blvd.

[spotbird]

32. It says a lot!

Do you have a link?

[seemslikeadream]

11. Riggs's internal investigators have discovered that Pinochet's relationship to Riggs was both deeper

Riggs's internal investigators have discovered that Pinochet's relationship to Riggs was both deeper and longer than previously known,

[wroberts189]

12. They are sure a mystery eh? I still don't know what to think ..knr

American propaganda is the best and devilishly clever.. even the Russians say so.

[arcadian]

13. Are there any other locations they distribute Politico for free?

It's free in D.C. area in the little metal boxes.

[spanone]

14. politico 'pundits' always seem to be bolstering the thug line....

[navarth]

17. Thank goodness for Glenn Greenwald

This news has to be spread.

[sutz12]

18. I thought so from the start...

I think they want to be the Huffington Post of the Right, or something.

Never really trusted them.

[Avalux]

19. Thanks for posting this. I've been suspicious of Politico since they appeared out of nowhere.

Glenn Greenwald rocks. :hi:

[Metta]

20. Hard hitting, detailed and insightful, as usual. K & R.

thanks for posting.

[Vinnie From Indy]

22. WIthin 24 hrs of going live Smirky the Chimp Mentioned the Web Site from the Pres. podium

Is there any doubt that Politico is a GOP stealth operation after GW Bush made sure to mention the site at a news conference the day after they went live? I watched that news conference and when Smirky mentioned Politico I remember thinking how odd it was. He seemed to come to a complete stop in the press conference and began repeating what appeared to be a carefully worded commercial for Politico. God knows how long it took Rove to get the trained chimp to learn those lines. Or, they just had him wired and told him to repeat exactly what they said in his earpiece.

[struggle4progress]

24. knr

[emulatorloo]

25. Confirms much I have said and observed, Thanks for the article n/t

[barbtries]

26. i've never read it

but it seems i often see it cited as a news source. it's good to know who's catapulting the propaganda.

[unapatriciated]

28. just another....

[malaise]

29. Great read

Those Politico hacks never fooled me for a second.

[veganlush]

30. wow. this is very informative..

...especially when considering the fact, as noted in the article, that the other sides leaders (hannity, limpy) are always refering derisively to the "george saros" connection, when as the piece notes, those people receiving funding from saros don't try to pass themselves off as unbiased while the politico does...

[Stinky The Clown]

46. It has long been a tactic of the right to accuse loudly the opposition for doing what they .........

...... themselves do under the cover of darkness.

The classic example is Newt Gingrich being outraged at the Clinton Blowjob© while in the middle of an affair behind the back of his cancer-ridden second (or was it third?) wife.

[mogster]

31. Thanks for the info

I did assume, due to the bias and which media over here using Politico as source, that it was in the dubious category ;-)

[spotbird]

33. Cheney gave his recent terra interview

to the Politico.

[jkilvik]

35. Politico is for those too embarrassed to admit reading Drudge.. n/t

[creeksneakers2]

34. During the 2008 primaries

They were the source of little daily tidbits that were designed to put Hillary and Obama followers at each others throats.

[scarletwoman]

38. Thanks for posting this -- a true public service. I've always known this about Politico, that it was

funded by well-placed right wingers, partly because I read that Greenwald piece in your OP back in May 2007 when he originally wrote it.

The questions about who was behind Politico were also being raised by a number of other lib bloggers back when Politico first appeared; because it was obvious to anyone who could put two and two together that a "blog" that suddenly springs fully-formed out of nowhere, gets plugged by bush*, and whose writers get instantly invited to participate on the corpo-media's pundit shows, was NOT the work of some passionate amatuers dedicated to the pursuit of truth and political enlightenment.

Just like "astroturf" masquerading as grassroots, Politico is the same principle applied to the blogosphere.

I used to raise objections anytime I saw a DUer use a link from Politico, but most people chose to ignore my cautions that it was a right-wing propaganda outfit: "Oh, come on, they're not so bad." Yeah, go ahead and keep giving them traffic.

Anyway, I hope your excellent OP opens some more eyes. Thanks for all the good work that you do.

sw

[Earth Bound Misfit]

40. Guilty as charged.

I have used links/stories from Politico. After reading this, I will no longer do so.

Fool me once, shame on................shame on you. Fool me — you can't get fooled again.

[scarletwoman]

45. You're not "guilty", you just didn't know. That's why I'm so glad Stinky posted this.

Knowledge is power. The right wing uses stealth and propaganda to DISempower us, when we're armed with knowledge we can fight back.

Welcome to the light! :D

sw

[Earth Bound Misfit]

54. How true. It's what encouraged me to stay.

So many brilliant people here on DU.

I found DU while researching a labor related issue and came across an "Omaha Steve" (THANK YOU, STEVE) post, and IMMEDIATELY recognized that this site was for me.

"when we're armed with knowledge we can fight back":fistbump:

Thanks

EBM:hi:

[Stinky The Clown]

47. I still post in threads citing Politico and warn against using them as a source .......

Don't stop doing that. Soon enough we can at **least** make everyone on DU aware of them.

[scarletwoman]

55. Okay, I won't give up spreading the word. I admit I did get discouraged when it seemed

like I was the only one raising the alarm about Politico when just about everyone else seemed content with accepting them at face value.

I don't post much anymore, but I've bookmarked your excellent OP so that I'll have some decent ammunition next time I see a Politico citation that needs to be shot down.

Thank you again,

:yourock:
sw

[riona]

39. Thanks for the post.

I dislike their site. Now I know why.

[ooglymoogly]

41. Just a glimpse at how the "vast right wing" criminal conspiracy operates

Hillary figured it out a long time ago.

[Kolesar]

43. I am alarmed to see Time-Warner is the "news portal" for millions of American cable subscribers..eom

[Kolesar]

44. Frederick J. Ryan Jr., chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library

Frederick J. Ryan Jr., chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Foundation, and president and CEO of The Politico.

---
The Politico's primary (perhaps sole) funding source is the Allbritton Company, of which Frederick Ryan is an employee. The Allbritton family's leader, Joe, was CEO of Riggs Bank when Riggs pleaded guilty to a series of illegal financial transactions with right-wing Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet and his brutal military that took place throughout the 1990s and into 2001.
---
http://www.allbritton.com/

[hiphopnation]

48. god love glenn greenwald

you don't even have to read politico content -- just look at the headlines they skewer as "news". they tell you everything about that organization. RW info machine...

[ginnyinWI]

50. did you see his appearance on Bill Moyers?

If not, go to their site and watch. It was a week ago Friday's. All about the media--along with Jay Rosen--very interesting.

[ooglymoogly]

56. Here is the clip; It is in three parts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZaCANaS6j0

[ginnyinWI]

49. First time I heard about Politico was from Chimpy--

He called on a guy who identified himself as being from Politico. Bush acted like he'd never heard of it (huh!) and gave the guy a little time to promote it. Just an innocent event? I think not!

[ooglymoogly]

51. get a load of this video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgmJW5gwn7k also note the kicker that David Gregory works or worked for Polit!co

[ginnyinWI]

52. exactly what I was saying! Thanks for posting. nt

[underpants]

Not noted in the "deep pockets" link is that Mike Allen started at the Richmond Times-Dispatch

in a real world that would automatically disqualify any chance of a career in real journalism

Greenwald rocks. Politico is simply a conduit (excuse) to the MSM for Drudge/the GOP

[varelse]

57. Thank you for posting this information

I'll be sharing it :)

[Horse with no Name]

58. Perfectly succinct. n/t