OpEdNews » McCain Slanders Obama, Scarborough Slanders Olbermann

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July 23, 2008 at 10:21:04

Promoted to column top on 7/23/08:
McCain Slanders Obama, Scarborough Slanders Olbermann

by Brent Budowsky Page 1 of 2 page(s)

www.opednews.com

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John McCain, presumably advised by Karl Rove and definitely imitating the politics of George Bush, is now saying that Barack Obama would rather lose a war than lose an election.

This is a defamation; this is a slander; this is a lie. McCain should apologize to Obama. This is the latest in a long list of cheap-shot, low-blow politics. McCain has learned nothing about why the American people are rejecting the Republicans and why the Republican brand has been compared to the appeal of defective dog food.

This morning, right-wing former congressman Joe Scarborough essentially said that Keith Olbermann is "too stupid to be on television."

Here is the story, which is much more important than the rantings of former right-wing politicians who become cable television politicians.

The soon-to-be-fired, low-ratings CBS anchor Katie Couric did interviews last night with both McCain and Obama. In her McCain interview, the candidate who makes a growing list of factual errors wrongly said that the Sunni Awakening was a result of the surge. He referred to a conversation between Sunnis and then-Col. (now Gen.) McFarlane that he falsely claimed resulted from the surge.

Problem is, the conversation McCain quoted happened long before the surge. The Sunni Awakening happened many months before the surge. In fact Sunni leaders approached the U.S. military more than a year before the surge, but were rebuffed.

In short, the Sunni Awakening happened well before the surge, had zero to do with the surge, and McCain had his facts (again) completely wrong.

Enter Ms. Couric, who used the interview on air, but edited out the McCain misstatement. Enter Olbermann, who did what is far too rare in cable political news: real reporting. He pointed out and documented the latest McCain mistake.

Of course, this was too much for Scarborough, who foamed at the mouth, did not intelligently discuss the McCain misstatement or the Couric protection of McCain when she kept his mistake out of the broadcast.

No, Scarborough said that the issue had been raised by others on MSNBC, and that anyone who raised it (referring to Olbermann) is too stupid to be on television (his phrase).

Mika Brzezinski, who knows better, made a face but said nothing. Harold Ford, the voice of the Democratic Leadership Council, who never met a camera he didn't like, simply smiled his television smile and smoothly agreed with Scarborough's cheap shot at Olbermann. Ford then, as ever, referred to how close to Obama he wants to appear. (With friends like these …)

For now, two points:

First, McCain repeatedly lowers the quality of discourse in American politics. The man who ran in 2000 has disappeared; the face of Bush 44 has taken his place with these Rove-like low blows. It is McCain who has always been the fair-haired boy of the press.

Second, John McCain has made a long series of substantial factual errors that will become a major issue. Whether the problem is age or sloppiness, partisanship or tiredness, on issue after issue McCain says things that are factually incorrect.

Couric protected McCain by editing out his latest and very substantial factual error, gaffe, falsehood or mistake (call it what you will). Scarborough works to protect McCain by demeaning Olbermann, the messenger, who should be praised for doing real reporting (heaven forbid).

McCain’s Rove-like attacks and his serious and repeated factual errors on major issues will be a major topic in the election and do neither John McCain nor our political discourse any service.

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Brent Budowsky is a regular columnist on thehill.com. He served as Legislative Assistant to U.S. Senator Lloyd Bentsen, responsible for commerce and intelligence matters, including one of the core drafters of the CIA Identities Law. Served as Legislative Director to Congressman Bill Alexander, then Chief Deputy Whip, House of Representatives. Currently a member of the International Advisory Council of the Intelligence Summit. Left goverment in 1990 for marketing and public affairs business including major corporate entertainment and talent management.

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9 comments

Sandy Sand began her writing career while raising three children and doing public relations work for Women's American ORT (Organization for Rehabilitation through Training). That led to a job as a reporter for the San Fernando Valley Chronicle, a weekly publication in Canoga Park, California. In conjunction with the Chronicle, she broadcast a tri-weekly, 10-minute newscast for KGOE AM. Following the closure of the Chronicle, Sand became the editor of the Tolucan Times and Canyon Crier newspapers...

to see more of bio, click on member name
Sandy SandSandy Sand began her writing career while raising three children and doing public relations work for Women's American ORT (Organization for Rehabilitation through Training). That led to a job as a reporter for the San Fernando Valley Chronicle, a weekly publication in Canoga Park, California. In conjunction with the Chronicle, she broadcast a tri-weekly, 10-minute newscast for KGOE AM. Following the closure of the Chronicle, Sand became the editor of the Tolucan Times and Canyon Crier newspapers...

to see more of bio, click on member name

Picture it now

Obama ads using all of McCain's errors, each followed by a correction using those pesky facts.

They almost don't need anything more.

by Sandy Sand (142 articles, 0 quicklinks, 194 diaries, 1376 comments) on Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at 1:42:07 PM

Have submitted work to OpEdNews and others. Administer the website NotSee America and am writing a book on the take-over of America.
Dennis KaiserHave submitted work to OpEdNews and others. Administer the website NotSee America and am writing a book on the take-over of America.

Wouldn't Be An Ad

That wouldn't be an ad. It would be a mini-series. McCain would do himself better by miming his speeches. After all, it is much like the Reagan years where the media told us what he meant to say after each speech.

by Dennis Kaiser (14 articles, 0 quicklinks, 10 diaries, 229 comments) on Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at 6:55:57 PM

Bia Winter is an Artist/Writer from Maine, and has been an activist and letter-writer since the 60's. In 2004 she received the Roger Baldwin Award from the Maine American Civil Liberties Union for furthering Democracy after she got a Resolution Against the USA"Patriot"Act passed in her small home town of Mount Vernon, by overwhelming show-of-hands vote at Town Meeting. She continues to Write, Activate and Cartoon for Progressive causes. Her Letters are often seen in the Baltimore Chronicle, as w...

to see more of bio, click on member name
Bia WinterBia Winter is an Artist/Writer from Maine, and has been an activist and letter-writer since the 60's. In 2004 she received the Roger Baldwin Award from the Maine American Civil Liberties Union for furthering Democracy after she got a Resolution Against the USA"Patriot"Act passed in her small home town of Mount Vernon, by overwhelming show-of-hands vote at Town Meeting. She continues to Write, Activate and Cartoon for Progressive causes. Her Letters are often seen in the Baltimore Chronicle, as w...

to see more of bio, click on member name

Given Enough rope...

Yup, McSAME needs even more air-time to hang himself with!

Give it to him!

by Bia Winter (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 5 diaries, 319 comments) on Thursday, July 24, 2008 at 9:50:33 AM

Kevin Gosztola goes to Columbia College in Chicago where he is studying film. He hopes to become a documentary filmmaker. He is currently working as a production assistant on a documentary called "Seriously Green" which traces the development of the Green Party throughout the 2008 election. He has a passion for journalism and writes articles or press releases in his spare time. Kevin Gosztola is also a student activist who believes in questioning the way America's systems work(its electoral sys...

to see more of bio, click on member name
Kevin GosztolaKevin Gosztola goes to Columbia College in Chicago where he is studying film. He hopes to become a documentary filmmaker. He is currently working as a production assistant on a documentary called "Seriously Green" which traces the development of the Green Party throughout the 2008 election. He has a passion for journalism and writes articles or press releases in his spare time. Kevin Gosztola is also a student activist who believes in questioning the way America's systems work(its electoral sys...

to see more of bio, click on member name

He said, She said

The world is crumbling.

by Kevin Gosztola (210 articles, 111 quicklinks, 68 diaries, 809 comments) on Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at 6:09:18 PM

Scarborough

First, he would love to have even 1/2 of the viewership that Olberman has. Second, I would like to have more information regarding Scarborough's resignation from the House in 2001. It came at a time when there some suspicious circumstances at that time that were never fully investigated. Just curious. Maybe Scarborough shouldn't be saying much of anything.

by Dennis Kaiser (14 articles, 0 quicklinks, 10 diaries, 229 comments) on Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at 7:01:16 PM

Recently retired. President of a AFSCME local from 1997-2007. More a commenter to a blog article than article writer. Really enjoy well-written analysis of our times.
Robert ArendRecently retired. President of a AFSCME local from 1997-2007. More a commenter to a blog article than article writer. Really enjoy well-written analysis of our times.

Scarborough's Back Problems

I remember during the 2004 Presidential campaign, Scarborough was absent__or sometimes broadcasting from his home__weeks from his MSNBC PM show.

But, the back troubles that kept him from reporting to work did not stop him from standing on a stage of a Bush rally in Florida, arms raised high with glee.

Goodolboy, he__and a contemptable fraud.

by Robert Arend (3 articles, 14 quicklinks, 17 diaries, 172 comments) on Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at 11:23:20 PM

Gaffes Galore!

Funny, how Obama's gaffe, saying "Israel has always been and will always be a staunch friend and ally of Israels" is actually TRUE,
while McSAME's remarks about the Surge starting the "Anbar Awakening" were patently and historically wrong! (And that's RECENT history!)

The really outrageous part, of course, is that CBS doctored and edited McCain's Gaffe...even as his campaign is belly-aching about the Media's "Love Affair" with Obama!

by Bia Winter (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 5 diaries, 319 comments) on Thursday, July 24, 2008 at 9:57:10 AM

I'm an 81 year old widow, of close to eight years. Still have an active (and social activist) mind. With six offspring,I've spent a good part of my life so far, raising a family, and enjoying the fruits of their own families. Sixteen Grand kids and six Great, with two more due. My favorite quotation is 'Nothing By Chance.' It's from a book by Richard Bach. The signature at the bottom of my e-mail is "Walk in peace, balance and harmony."
Pat HerrickI'm an 81 year old widow, of close to eight years. Still have an active (and social activist) mind. With six offspring,I've spent a good part of my life so far, raising a family, and enjoying the fruits of their own families. Sixteen Grand kids and six Great, with two more due. My favorite quotation is 'Nothing By Chance.' It's from a book by Richard Bach. The signature at the bottom of my e-mail is "Walk in peace, balance and harmony."

Obama's 'error'

I laughed when I heard that some were mocking Obama for his remark. He was speaking the truth~~~ a freudian slip? Maybe. Obviously his subconscious knows. Poor, pitiful McSame can't even speak from his subconscious. I loved it when he stood in front of the cheese section of the supermarket, and tried to justify what he meant, with more obfuscation.

Oh yeah, Joe Scarborough sucks, and his resignation following what should have been a big news story, should come out. He's a disgrace, and should not even be on TV. (He replaced Don Imus, and this is good??)

by Pat Herrick (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 154 comments) on Thursday, July 24, 2008 at 10:29:08 AM

I am a retired opera singer. I was a leading soprano with the New York City Opera for ten years. I am a strong supporter of Dennis Kucinich and worked for his campaign in 2004. I believe that he is the ONLY honest man in congress. He has been working against this insane war since before it began. I am 72 years old and I have been so frustrated with the media, the Congress and the American people that they don't tell the truth.
CaronomeI am a retired opera singer. I was a leading soprano with the New York City Opera for ten years. I am a strong supporter of Dennis Kucinich and worked for his campaign in 2004. I believe that he is the ONLY honest man in congress. He has been working against this insane war since before it began. I am 72 years old and I have been so frustrated with the media, the Congress and the American people that they don't tell the truth.

What a pathetic campaign!

Scarborough is pathetic; McCain is pathetic; Katie Couric is pathetic; who else do you want to name? Thank God for Keith Olberman and Rachel Maddow!! They are the best things on MSNBC.

by Caronome (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 221 comments) on Thursday, July 24, 2008 at 5:18:22 PM