Why Did It Take Sinbad to Expose Hillary Clinton's Misstatement?

As I've been watching coverage of Hillary Clinton's attempt to explain why she characterized a visit to Bosnia years ago as much more dangerous than it actually was, I've been struck by network reporters' attempts to insert themselves into the story.

Both CBS's Sharyl Attkisson and NBC's Andrea Mitchell have pointed out during their reports that they were actually with Clinton on that Bosnia trip and recalled no sniper fire, rushing crowds or exaggerated danger. Since headlines have been filled with the news, other journalists who took that trip 12 years ago -- including former MTV News reporter Tabitha Soren -- have weighed in.

So why did it take comic Sinbad to blow the lid on the whole deal?

The idea that Clinton may have been fudging the truth about her Bosnia story first came from a March 11 interview Sinbad gave to The Sleuth, a behind-the-scenes Washington blog produced by WashingtonPost.com writer Mary Ann Akers. The former Jingle All the Way co-star, last in the news denying widespread rumors he was dead -- just the career folks (rimshot!) -- accompanied Clinton on the 1996 trip with singer Sheryl Crow and said it wasn't so dangerous.

His best line: "What kind of president would say, 'Hey, man, I can't go 'cause I might get shot so I'm going to send my wife...oh, and take a guitar player and a comedian with you.'"

Unfortunately, Sinbad also declared himself an Obama supporter during the interview, which probably cost him credibility. And Akers basically presented the story as a "he said, she said," with a Clinton spokesman providing quotes from stories published at the time noting the danger. Journalists acknowledge Clinton has told the Bosnia story at least since December on the stump; relating it so many times, reporters who regularly cover her had begun to joke about how often she'd drag out this old chestnut.

The Post ran a snarky blog item on Clinton's use of the story Dec. 29. The conservative media watchdog site Newsbusters noted March 18that no reporter covering the Bosnia trip in 1996 mentioned sniper fire.

But the truth of the Bosnia visit didn't resonate in the mainstream press until Attkisson's story this week (what's funny, is that Attkisson's original report plays up the danger of the visit a lot more than her latest story).

But shouldn't Mitchell and Attkisson, who have filed more than a few election stories this year, have remembered the truth before now? See more wacky observations on my own blog here.

Comments

[Blake Fleetwood - Huffpost Blogger]

See Blake Fleetwood's Profile

Sinbad did not go with Clinton to several dangerous outposts on a helicopter.

There were snipers around.

The MSM blew up this story to divert attention from the Wright story.

See the NYT story from people who were there:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

April 1, 2008

Straight Shooting From Tuzla
By LISSA MUSCATINE and MELANNE VERVEER

We flew in a C-17 cargo plane precisely because it was capable of steep descents and ascents into ...of areas of conflict. We were issued flak jackets on the plane and were told the tarmac ceremony might be canceled ... due to sniper fire from the surrounding hillsides. The first lady and Chelsea Clinton were moved to the armored cockpit for the landing. Armored vehicles were placed around the tarmac, and Apache helicopters hovered overhead.

In a recent e-mail message to a British blogger, Ejup Ganic, who was the acting president of Bosnia during Mrs. Clinton"s visit, wrote: " Although the NATO troops were in Tuzla, we still believed that some positions on the hills were occupied by radical Serbs."

Later, Mrs. Clinton flew from Tuzla to two military outposts by helicopter, escorted by Apache gunships.

The helicopters ... zigzagged just above the trees to avoid potential ground fire, according to Carey Cavanaugh, a State Department official traveling with Sinbad, and helicopters flew alongside to deal with the threat of anti-aircraft fire or snipers. .....many of us believed that the conditions on the ground were precarious. We were worried about sniper fire .

[Sneakerface]

Why didn't Sheryl Crow speak out ?! ?

[idontthinkthisishelping]

If only there was a Gallagher to break the Northern Ireland story. Unfortunately, "The Troubles" were far too solemn an affair to bring comedians and singer-songwriters along as witnesses.

[Overd0g]

Still can't say "lie" apparently. She's a congenital liar, plain and simple. And although all politicians are liars (fundamental job requirement), she doesn't have the restraint to not lie about things that are trivial and easily disproved. She didn't "misstate", she lied. Lied. Lied. Lied. Good lord.

[BitJam]

The problem is the "fair and balanced" approach taken by all of the MSM, not just FOX News. They never make (left of center) value judgments any more, it is all competing sound bites which always result in "he said she said".

It is the media version of literary deconstructionism and it is a total sham because it pretends that the framing and selection of issues is value-free when in fact it is well known that editors have the most control of the political message that is projected. This kind of fake news reporting heavily favors whoever is willing to lie bigger and more often. It is not surprising that it has usually been the corporate controlled right-wing that has benefited the most. I don't think it is a conspiracy but neither is it a coincidence that this phony form of news reporting happens to favor the corporations that control the MSM.

[julescator]

the MSM is sooo biased and so corrupt. Anyone who relies on them for real news is in the dark ages. I was very disappointed to find out that Andrea Mitchell was actually on the trip. She covered the Clinton campaign and had to hear this story every time Clinton told it. She only said - I don't remember it that way - ooops - she has slipped onto the group of the non-credible. But then again she is married to Alan Greenspan, he didn't say much to help the economy he said was overheating. After he retired, boy does he have a lot to say. Who would listen to him now?

[flabingo]

The day of the journalist is gone. We have Andrea, Chris Mathews, and many others with a limited amount of character and capacity. But the good news is that the internet and youtube are helping us get to the truth. Obama can pick Hagel and the democrats have a chance to win big in November and govern the country well.

[kae]

Nice point Eric. Where are all the whistle blowers? If our country is so great why are there not more people coming forward to expose the lies and bullsh*&t being televised to Americans this election and actually the entire Bush presidency.

[silverball]

colin powell comes to mind when i think of people that knew....a LOOOONNNNGGG time ago.....and refused to speak out.....george tenent...oops, he might have to give back his medal of freedom....good job "slam dunk"...you got your reward for being faithful...i hope they, and many others, have trouble sleeping at night...they should.....
our founding fathers would be appalled to see such duplicity...not only from our "leaders", but also the 4th branch .......

[mamacat]

The point made is entirely valid.
For whatever reasons, the American news media have done a pitiful job. When even the reporters who were with Sen. Clinton did not choose to contradict the politician?
How can we expect reporters to report the truth about the in-power Republican administration, when they won't even report the truth about the out-of-power Democratic primary candidates?
The incompetence boggles the mind.

[BosnianSniper]

But, but,but then they'd lose access.

[fymioyo]

And their Martha's Vineyard summer homes.

[avicenna]

The lack of fidelity to the truth in the false characterization of Hillary's delusions is parallel to why no one is telling to the truth regarding "the surge is working" and Bush's fairy spinning in Iraq. It wouldn't be patriotic to America's hold on hypocritical politicians high on their lies.

[sassafra]

because the msm is so far up every politician's bloated posterior they're terrified the'll be banished from their "comfy place" if they report anything that isn't pablum.
how else has chimpy survived 7 plus years without being impeached?

[ann1]

I believe Andrea Mitchell is a Clinton supporter. She defends Clinton quite a bit.

[fymioyo]

In a move of remarkable cynicism (even for her), HRC proposed this week that Greenspan lead a study group on foreclosures; last week she announced she would seek his general economic advice during her presidency. Of course Andrea Mitchell is a Clinton supporter! Who else is offering to rehabilitate her loathsome, incompetent, probably-senile-by-now husband? But Andrea should be mindful that the Clintons never keep their promises and only align themselves with people as long as they are useful to them.

[protagonia]

The Mainstream Media is a cancer to us. They are a tumor 0n the face of freedom.

[kettletop]

Please don't make this into more than it was. It doesn't have to be about who Sinbad supports or his color.
Once Sinbad came out with his comments, everyone liekly went looking through the archives to see if there was something to it. They would want to be the first to break this new with the proof.
The "news" cares most about ratings, and video proof would be ratings. Whatever bias the blowhards have, their primary purpose is to make money and they will always do what they think will bring in the money.

[PioneerKing]

dude they moved you off the front of the HuffPost fast. as to an answer for your question it's what Mrs. Obama says they move the bar higher. the folks in the media like McCain and the Clintons so they don't expose their perfidy. I mean look how the media has built up McCain's rep. it's the real fairy tale that Bill should be questioning.