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

[MRougely760]

Please share this link. It's my video response to Ashley Todd and the McCain Campaign

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZ8xtARGuMA

[Yve72]

Its been over 48 hours since this story's been declared a hoax.
John McCain has yet to repudiate Ashley Todd or the PA RNC comm. director who pushed the false story.

What is John McCain waiting on?

[huffyfan2]

It says alot about John Mccain, doesn't it? The silence is deffining.

[DKLabRat]

Tell me about it. When they thought they could pin it to Obama it was all over the place, front and centre, in big font. Soon as it became clear McCain's lot had been feeding the more salacious details to the media - boom, nowhere to be seen, never mentioned again. :P

[ImpalaSuperSport]

Makes sense, she was former Ron Paul supporter.

[rayinprague]

She tried a hoax at the Ron Paul campaign but nobody believed her:
From http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08299/922849-53.stm

"Ms. Todd sent an e-mail to the Ron Paul group saying her tires were slashed and that campaign paraphernalia had been stolen from her car because she supported Mr. Paul."

They gave her the boot for using deceptive tactics. I know nothing about Ron Paul, but his campaign at least seems to have some standards for behavior.

[DKLabRat]

Wow - really? She has some serious mental issues. Has she been ejected from the Republican Club she was a member of?

[BluePrideSMW]

This explains a great deal...

The Ballad of Johnny McCain: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDceTz3UAgI

[eugenegerard]

This is a perfect example of a "reporter" waiting until there was no chance of making a wave. If you guys had done this kind of stuff during the Bush years, just maybe we could have stopped these criminals. I forgot. Play it safe and do what corporate wants.

[Democratdoc]

Gee, I thought that "B" on her cheek meant that she was a Biden supporter? Seriously, I wonder how much money Rove paid her to stage this nonsense? The Reichwingers...forever pathetic.

[fireW]

No one with even half a brain would continue to pretend that Faux Noise was a legitimate source of news. It is all too clear that they believe their right to lie through their teeth is far more important than their responsibility not to. How is it surprising that they don't have the decency to retract their knee-jerk garbage regarding the pathetic McCain campaign worker and her race-baiting antics.

The intellectually lazy electorate then laments again and again how fed up they are with "all of them". As if everyone were actually as deliberately dishonest as these conservative elite liars club. Every day there's a new and ever more preposterous crock delivered as talking points by some GOP drink tank.

How many times do we have to see this before everyone gives them the attention they truly deserve; ZILCH!

[fearandloathing1]

Palin Revealed: Unreflective, Impulsive and "Going Rogue"
http://headofstate.blogspot.com/2008/10/field-dressed.html

[windyYooper]

what happened to the young woman from chi-town canvassing in wisconsin, who was assalted?
i swear i read a story about her last week
what happened? where is fox?
is the story a lie..... or is it more interesting and scary when its a black man attacking a white woman?
liberal media?
meanwhile mccain supporters are screaming kill him

[SPQR1052]

Share this link, it's GREAT!!

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

[123dee]

Great thanks for sharing

[w&cheneysuck]

Let's pray that good ones are here for a LONG LONG TIME!

[likeicare]

Well, it looks like Sanchez finally woke up. Hope it's catching.

[kennedy]

Rick loves his voice.....................and Obamas of course.

[bigjohnamerican1]

real americans dont trust the media anymore fox msnbc cnn none of them are worth the electricity it takes to light up the screen they can skew their polls put idiots like olberman and maddow on the oboma channel they can be in the tank and call the truth distraction but like the new york post soon general electric will be junk the silent majority wont be so quiet on november 4

[ATFIllinois]

Sounds like you are getting your info from Bill 0'reilly. I see you don't have the facts. It seems as if you are not informed very well. In case you haven't been paying attention, Olbermann and Maddow are outrating the propaganda channel. Also, amid the downward stock market, GE stock has actually GAINED over that period! Look it up. Of course, you probably won't. You would rather have your info spoonfed to you than to find out for yourself. You poor American. Maybe there's still hope for you someday.

[zurcl]

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[BleedingArtLiberal]

Oh, you poor thing!

Somebody give little johnny american a cookie and a great big swig of NyQuil and send him to bed until November 5th.

It takes time, sweetie, but someday you will be able to debate with the big kids!

[maxhnb]

Rick Sanchez, the truth be known, came from WSVN(channel 7) FOX NEWS in Miami. He worked for a tabloid mickey mouse news operation that featured magazine news style hype and blunder. he was involved in a vehicular homicide case in which he was suspected of being intoxicated, but was allowed to go home then return to take a breathalizer. Rick was booed off the stage at the fundraiser celebration following Hurricane Andrew at Dolphin Stadium.

Now on CNN, Sanchez made a turn around but he is just as blusterous in the style of the Cuban American broadcaster. Sanchez has good skills, it isgood to see him given more opportunities.

[bygollymissmolly]

So, when are we going to hear an apology from Faux Noise......crickets.

When are we going to hear an apology from the McCain campaign.......more crickets.

That says about all you need to know about Faux Noise and the McCain Campaign.