Big News Orgs Fail To Label McCain Attack Ad False

Talking Points Memo:

I've just done a lap through the coverage by the big news orgs of the ad John McCain put out this weekend attacking Barack Obama for canceling his visit to a U.S. Army base in Germany.

CNN has a piece here, The New York Times has one here, The Washington Post has write-ups here and here, and the Associated Press has one here.

The stories did dutifully note the Obama camp's push-back against the ad. But not a single one of these reports told you that the ad is false.

Read the whole story: Talking Points Memo

Comments

[Senella]

Attack! Attack! Attack! If you can't dazzle them with brillance, baffle them with bulls**t.
Oh McGoo you've done it again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[chosenson]

All the news stations are controlled by the INCUMBENT. They have to be pro-McCain. That is GW's gift to the Old Geezer. All those efforts to 'distance himself' from Bush are a big act for the public's benefit. Bush == McCain. And all that news bias is their way of protecting the legacy. Four [possibly 8] more years! Say goodbye to your mortgage, sell the car and break out the horse-and-buggy, plant corn in your backyard or you will starve! Eight more years! Eight more years! Eight more years!

[athenasword]

Glad that someone took notice... it is sick that McBlame can run ads like this and get a total pass from MSM.

[legoh]

We need to strongly encourage O's camp to fight every single attack on the 'Fight the Smears' site, on TV with their surrogates and in every which way they can.

It's the stupid little things that stick in some people's minds when they vote. None of McCain's vile claims should be ignored.

[bryansmith]

I love how they refuse to call McCain out on his repeated lies (remember "Obama will raises taxes on all Americans") while at the same time they run stories highlighting their own bias towards Obama! Not to mention that they have repeatedly cast Obama as arrogant in their coverage.

When it comes to Media bias, the truth is better seen in the QUALITY, not QUANTITY of coverage. They still have yet to tackle this whole "falsified birth certificate" BS that has been circulating as a false October surprise. If Obama loses, I know exactly who to blame!

[auntiecairo]

and have yet to see anyone in the media mention McCain's lack of support of the GI Bill, then shamelessly taking credit for it (and Bush giving him credit it for it as well - even though they were both against it). Will have to research to see if McCain joined Obama when he went after Walter Reed hospital for its despicable treatment of veterans. . . I'm guessing no -

[sandtats]

Richard Wolffe of Newseek, who traveled with O on this trip, was just on and totally debunked the ad; parts are "twisted," other parts blatantly false or misleading, he said. Similar comments today from Lynn Sweet of the Chicago Sun Times, who has covered O since he entered politics.

[NotMcCain]

Yes, Wolffe and some other print journalists, actually do a credible job, show some guts and objectivity, and don't just let lies pass uncommented on.

Hopefully Abrams will rip this apart on his show for the despicable set of falsehoods that it is.

And, of course, Olbermann will cover it for exactly what it is.

Anyone else?

Hello?

(crickets chirping).

[Egalitare]

Crickets still chirping. Film at eleven.

Also tonight: John McCain suggests that the cricket chirping is actually a secret message to terrorists cells that only he knows how to decode.

[EggsBolinski]

Olbermann and Abrams - I agree crickets chirping.

[brighterside]

O-bama camp also need to use language like this too. Say that its a complete lie and blatantly false.

They also need some "truth" ads. Run ads on what really happened and use it against McSurge.

O-bama needs to stop playing the nice guy and stop worrying about running a clean campaign already. These attacks are too flagrant and absurd to ignore and will play with voter's mind in the end.

[Paula1953]

Me thinks it will be very good show on Olbermann tonight! :)

[Vige]

I am thinking it is going to be Worst Person In The World. Maybe even a special comment.

[Gina322]

I know! I can't WAIT!

[DaOne]

Start a movement to adandon the MSM.

Turn off your TV's and lessen your frustration.

[Sandi7552]

I'm with you! The MSM is for the birds. I understand bending over backwards so as not to appear to be the "liberal media" when you are reporting facts, but to call yourself a reporter and not challenge a political assertion makes you the right wing media and that is only good for McCain, Bush, Cheney, Rove et al, it is never good for America. Grow a set MSM!

[edwarvir]

Good idea and then maybe these guys/girls will learn how to call a LIE A LIE
when they see and hear one. Shame on all of them.

[PumaAnn]

Turn off the love channel?

[luvangelHussein330]

No love for Obama. if anything they've been inlove with McCain like a domesticaly abused lover. he keep messing up...they cover for him no matter how irresponsible.

[Diogenis]

Granpa Mac took up a new hobby. Nit Pickin while he rocks his chair. Time for your meds...dear!

[RAYINNJ]

This shows how McCain, and by extension the MSM, doesn't quite 'get it' that "thinking" Americans don't give too much of a damn about Obama visiting the troops or not when you put this up against the price of gas and groceries. I mean, why isn't the press asking what does this have to do with the issues we face daily? Is it really THAT important? Well, I guess it IS if you're trying to damage Obama's reputation and take out the steam he's built up during the past week!

[highlyamused]

I've been a staunch supporter of CNN for years. They're losing me. After spending a few hours a day online reading everything I can to filter through the BS........and then to watch msm later in the evening and hear their lies and cover ups.......wow. The light is dawning. They really do play us for fools don't they?

Yeah I know......it's not a new revelation.......but I really think it's getting worse than it's ever been.

[zendem1]

I used to watch CNN too. They've gotten more in the GOP tank since the 2004 theft.

[Coinyer101]

they wont post my comments except for cafferty file.i only watch for jack.he's the only one with any common sense.

[CKieffer]

I agree, I adore Cafferty. He will call a spade a spade even when it goes against what CNN wants him (or them aka Blitzer and crew) to discuss.

I am glad they give him the elbow room to speak his mind.

[JesustheLiberal]

Stay on messege and let the bloggers fight the attacks. President Obama needs to stay above the fray of total silliness by McCain and the MSM and remain as he has..Presidential......there is not one troll who can honestly say McCain has acted anything close to a President....he is petulant, irrational and flies off the handle at a moment's notice. The contrast of Obamas' cool demeanor versus McCain's hotheaded remarks, silly comments, irrational thought pattern and phony "I Care" attitude only amplify the disparaging differences between the two. Only hard core republicans and racists who love their party more than their country would even consider McCain as a viable alternative to Bush, and as it turns out, McCain might be less intelligent and been born with even a larger silver spoon in his mouth than Bush.....whoda thunk it!

[Marlyn]

MSM is just one big propaganda machine for the GOP.

LIES? They wouldn't know the truth if they heard it.

[theone718]

Dan will handle this one later today, a little TOO later today.

[Dave01]

I'm assuming you're talking about MSNBC's Dan Abrams. He's good about calling McCain out on his BS.

[lincat]

The media is owned by the corporations so we'll never get the truth.