Rick Sanchez Calls Out Media That Fell For "Mutilation" Hoax

The big political story of the day revolves around what turned out to be a non-story. Several media outlets (the vast majority conservative) were left with egg on their faces after they trumpeted up the tale of a McCain volunteer who claimed to have been assaulted by a large black man because of a McCain bumper sticker on her car. On her face was carved a backwards 'B' (meant to represent Obama's name). The Drudge Report called it "mutilation."

It was a hoax. And now, some in the fourth estate are left to explain why they pushed this apparent political ploy. Those in the business who showed some prudence are calling out their competitors for taking the bait.

On CNN today, anchor Rick Sanchez did just that, naming the outlets that not only reported but actively pushed the story of Ashley Todd. In addition to explaining why his station didn't report the story, Sanchez dug the knife in a bit deeper when it came to Hugh Hewitt, the conservative radio talk show host who appeared on CNN Thursday and blamed "that side" (i.e. the Democrats) for engaging in "extraordinarily" disturbing acts.

"Part of the story is the fact that it was reported by the media," said Sanchez. "We would not be telling the story now had it not been carried by so many outlets. As I mentioned before, it was mentioned on, as a matter of fact I have a list and not to mention names, but the initials of the news organizations are Fox News, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Newsday. And also radio talk show hosts went on their radio stations and talked ad infinitum about the story yesterday, one of them even seemingly being a braggadocio about it when he was on the air with our own Wolf Blitzer yesterday."

Separately, the College Republicans -- a group of which Todd is a member -- sought to distance themselves from the whole affair, telling the Huffington Post: "When Ms. Todd initially contacted us claiming to have been attacked, our first reaction was obviously to be concerned for her safety ... We are as upset as anyone to learn of her deceit. Ashley must take full responsibility for her actions."

Comments

[Mycall]

04:24 PM on 10/28/2008

I like that when it was "believed" to be true it was those people (meaning democrats) fault and when it was found to be false the republicans were saying SHE (not republicans) should be held accountable for her actions. The democratic party is to be held accountable for the actions of EVERY democrat while the Republicans are not to be blamed for any individual forms of protest. I guess that is what you get when the entire party is comprised of ..... well... mavericks....
Just a thought....

[WasteNJ]

11:28 AM on 10/28/2008

Why is it that the Right always describes every criminal as a "6'4 dark skinned black man, about 200 lbs with dark clothing."? Is this the person who strikes the greatest fear of the Right wing? If so, I need to get a darker tan, drop 30 lbs and start wearing dark clothes.

[Aesthete]

11:40 AM on 10/28/2008

This is their favorite boogie man image.

[cgoodie]

03:21 PM on 10/28/2008

What surprises me is that Huffington Post missed the Fox Forum by Jon Moody, VP at Fox, in which he predicted that if this proved to be a hoax, that the McCain quest for president was over. They were so confident it was true...

[jtmoney]

11:06 AM on 10/28/2008

I think it's funny that people are getting lectured by Rick Sanchez.

[TrappedinBizarroWorld]

12:57 PM on 10/28/2008

Yeah, really. I used to watch Sanchez when he was on in Miami during the whole Elian thing. He was totally biased during every report where he shamelessly supported the Cuban exiles who were trying to steal the kid from his father.

[foxfan]

09:20 AM on 10/28/2008

When I read (the vast majority conservative), I lose interest because it tells me the viewpoint from which the article is written. Once sentence into it and I see the liberal bias.

The news reported a story where a couple of Obama supporters were beaten by elderly McCain supporters. The news also reported this story of a McCain supporter assaulted by an Obama supporter. News happens fast and is reported even faster. What is imporant is to stay with the story, follow up, and report the outcome. This was a hoax and the news services have reported that.

Great job guys, for a change.

[cgoodie]

03:24 PM on 10/28/2008

John Moody, VP at Fox News, predicted that if this turned out to be a hoax, it was the end of McCain's quest for the presidency... That's how convinced they were the story was true.

[AlindaFaye2000]

05:38 PM on 10/27/2008

The Ashley Todd's of this country seem to do this type of thing and then claim mental problems. This is getting kind of old.

[foxfan]

09:31 AM on 10/28/2008

Tawana Brawley?

[Aesthete]

11:50 AM on 10/28/2008

Ms. Brawley's hoax was based on fear of her abusive mother's reaction to her staying out past her curfew. She made up a false story in hopes that her mother would not beat her. Brawley was actually a victim of child abuse, not the story she told. In the case of Susan Smith, her beautiful little boys were killed by her because she was in love with a man who didn't want children around. She then made up a fictitious "black man" and said he was the killer. Fortunately, the local sheriff saw right through her story. Tales told by liars always fall apart at some point.

[kemo5]

03:41 PM on 10/27/2008

This was funny (for someone with a slightly twisted sense of humor). I caught this first as the 7th or so story at cnn.com.

I thought... oooh.. I wonder where Fox.com has it listed -> WHAM big picture - front page.

I turned on Fox News to see if they are hollering from the rooftops... and watched the cute blonde get called out by an Obama surrogate for parsing Obama's Iran comments...

then of course they break in with the story, but atleast informing us that some things are sketchy still...

but then the cute blonde came up with the idea that the backwards B could've been done if the thief was on the other side of her, looking at her upside down!

She was impressive. Twisted AND Investigative. Nice catch she must be for any fair and balanced tv show.

[BetterDeadthanRedState]

04:47 PM on 10/27/2008

There are cute blondes on Faux News?

[DKLabRat]

11:46 PM on 10/27/2008

"but then the cute blonde came up with the idea that the backwards B could've been done if the thief was on the other side of her, looking at her upside down!"

Oh my - I think I just broke a rib laughing. Thanks for sharing - made my night!

[AProudRepublican]

03:23 PM on 10/27/2008

This is such a sad story. This will haunt this girl for a long, long time, and did she actually think doing this would make a difference? To bring race into it was so horrible as well, and so was broadcasting this story!! Shame on FOX for doing that. What did they think they would accomplish by it? The American people are voting on "issues," not whether or not an unstable supporter of a party does some random attack!

[silvertongue]

04:55 PM on 10/27/2008

It's not sad; It's dispicable!

[Number15]

01:17 PM on 10/28/2008

Only the elitest are voting on issues - you didn't get the memo? Everyone else cares about boogie men, cheap gas and old washed up terrorist. Here in real virginia i'm not really sure i'm at work... i mean do work in "real virginia" or is this fake part .. i hope they post a sign soon.

[AProudRepublican]

04:18 PM on 10/28/2008

I don't understand what you're trying to get across here?

[jdw1981]

02:20 PM on 10/27/2008

New development in this story: Ashley Todd was a PAID ORGANIZER for McCain, not a volunteer as she had previously claimed. She worked for the College Republican National Committee, a "527" organization, and was paid right up until she was charged with filing a false police report.
http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/analysis/506

This doesn't look like a coincidence, especially since McCain's own Communications Director was pushing her bizarre false story to the media even before the details had been fully reported. Ashley Todd was obviously assigned to make up these false allegations by the McCain campaign. This story needs to be followed up further, and immediately.

[Aesthete]

11:58 AM on 10/28/2008

Ashley was wearing a very bad makeup job, even from a theatrical standpoint. I once worked for a forensic pathologist and recognized immediately that her "injuries" were faked.

[michelle111]

02:05 PM on 10/27/2008

Didnt anyone else see the backwards "B" and think "Hey that girl was looking in the mirror when she did that" ...I mean really...Why would the guy carve a backwards "B" ?

[silvertongue]

04:56 PM on 10/27/2008

Unfortunately, she used the three magic words......BIG BLACK MAN!

[joeyfoto]

01:48 PM on 10/27/2008

Ultimately, this is a sad story of a desperate young woman who will now be known for what is almost assuredly the dumbest thing she ever did in her life... It is a good thing the hoax was revealed before it had terrible consequences. Ashley Todd, let's all hope your 15 minutes are up.

[bongogirl]

01:20 PM on 10/27/2008

John McCan't and the republicans are responsible for the manufactoring of this haux. Putting the FEAR OF BLACK MEN in the "hard working white peoples" mindshas been their method of operation since day one. It is sad and unfortunate that this tactic remain a major part of the GOP. The republicans must understand that the days 1950's and 1960's are over. I REALLY FEEL SORRY FOR YOU AND THE IGNORANT PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY BELIEVE AND SUPPORT YOU!

[Aesthete]

12:00 PM on 10/28/2008

...an outdated "Willie Horton" technique. So sad for a party that once had class.

[thismachinekillsfascists]

01:19 PM on 10/27/2008

Obviously the College Republicans must take full responsibility for spreading this lie and giving it life. Obama needs to run an ad saying "this is what we're up against"

Vile, Despicable, and Shameless. That's the GOP in 2008.

[pearlone]

12:38 PM on 10/27/2008

Sad that a journalist doing his job is such an exception and not the rule. Sanchez actually tries to tell both sides of the story.

[lolcopter]

01:18 PM on 10/27/2008

I'm a big fan of Sanchez. I'll actually watch CNN during his segments.

[pbarba1969]

09:54 AM on 10/27/2008

Wow what a shcok that Gop TV, er, I mean FOX was pushing a story slamming Democrats, and more of a surprise, a Young Republican made up a face carving story all up.

But my question is this why aren't these young republicans serving in Iraq????

[Tonilaw]

12:59 PM on 10/27/2008

But, they should have known it wasn't real

Look at her face!!!!

Its backwards!!!

They took an obviously false story and ran with it. Now they just look stupid

[anachoret]

09:36 PM on 10/26/2008

Someone give that girl one of the purple heart bandages from Bush's 04 campaign, to cover her "B" scar.