Drudge Puts Dangerous Spin on Mugging, Implies Violence Targeting McCain Volunteers

Yesterday, a horrible incident took place in Pittsburgh: a young woman was robbed; and then, after the assailant noticed that her car had a McCain sticker, he returned to brutalize her, including scratching a backwards 'B' in her cheek with a knife. Although horrible by itself, what makes this story even more shocking is the way right-wing media has tried to twist the coverage with rhetoric suggesting that this ATM mugging was actually a pre-meditated act of political violence aimed at the McCain campaign.

At 4:03pm, today, a WTAE-TV Pittsburgh reported that a 20-year old woman was robbed at an ATM machine, and then subsequently had the letter 'B' scratched into her cheek with a knife--supposedly in response to her assailant seeing a 'McCain' campaign sticker on her car.   This is how WTAE reported the story:

Woman Attacked At ATM, Assailant Carves Letter Into Her Face

Woman Robbed, Attacked With Knife At Bloomfield ATM
POSTED: 4:03 pm EDT October 23, 2008
UPDATED: 4:30 pm EDT October 23, 2008

PITTSBURGH -- A 20-year-old woman who was robbed at an ATM in Bloomfield was also maimed by her attacker, police said.

Pittsburgh police spokeswoman Diane Richard tells Channel 4 Action News that the victim was robbed at knifepoint on Wednesday night outside of a Citizens Bank near Liberty Avenue and Pearl Street just before 9 p.m.

Richard said the robber took $60 from the woman, then became angry when he saw a McCain bumper sticker on the victim's car. The attacker then punched and kicked the victim, before using the knife to scratch the letter "B" into her face, Richard said.

Richard said the woman refused medical treatment after the assault, which happened outside the view of the bank's surveillance cameras.

The robber is described as a dark-skinned black man, 6 feet 4 inches tall, 200 pounds with a medium build, short black hair and brown eyes. The man was wearing dark colored jeans, a black undershirt and black shoes. (link)

The crime was horrendous. Anyone who mugs another person, whether it is for $0.60 or $60, is a criminal who deserves punishment.  And to beat someone up--and then scratch a 'B' in their face--supposedly in response to seeing a McCain campaign sticker on a person's car--that is an act that demands immediate criminal prosecution.  The young woman attacked deserves a speedy recovery and quick restitution of her property and dignity by the courts.

The problem with this crime, however, is not just that it happened, but the way that Matt Drudge has obviously tried to spin it into a political watershed for the 2008 Presidential campaign by rewriting the headline and carefully omitting several crucial elements.  The end result is that a mugging punctuated by an odd act of violence has been transformed at the hands of a right-wing media figure to appear like a targeted act of violence against the McCain campaign.

Not long after the original WTAE story, Drudge added the following incendiary headline on The Drudge Report:

SHOCK: MCCAIN VOLUNTEER ATTACKED AND MUTILATED IN PITTSBURGH...

'B' CARVED INTO 20-YEAR OLD WOMAN'S FACE... DEVELOPING...

Note two things that Drudge has strategically left out of this headline: (1) the actual details of the crime (e.g., an ATM robbery, followed by an assault) and (2) the fact that the robber brutalized the young woman after the initial crime had been completed, when the criminal noticed the bumber sticker on her car. The omissions are crucia because they repackage a story of theft and assault into a story of political violence. 

What Drudge has done, in other words, is reframe a report about a mugging to make it seem like the beginning of targeted political violence against the McCain campaign.  Hence, it seems from his headline that there are criminals in the U.S. currently out looking for McCain volunteers with the goal of brutally assaulting them--that someone was looking for McCain volunteers to attack, found one, and beat her.

Now, Matt Drudge's blog is one of the most visited websites on the internet and is well-known for its Republican Party leanings, it's deep connection to right-wing media outlets, and the phenomenal speed with which it can disseminate a story--whether that story is true or false.  It is important, therefore, to consider the grave danger carried Drudge's spinning of this story.

Given Drudge's choice of words, one could imagine the Drudge headline as the basis for right-wing media and the Republican base to conclude that political violence has begun against the McCain campaign--despite this being a false and misleading representation of the events.

Even worse, the immense site traffic at The Drudge Report enjoys, combined with Drudge's implication that this horrible mugging incident in Pittsburgh was in fact targeted political violence against Republicans, could result in widespread panic amongst by McCain supporters mislead by Drudge's manipulative reporting into thinking that they were the target of some kind of organized assault.

If either of those things were to happen, the Drudge headline of the WTAE story could quickly tip the the Presidential election into a dangerous place by heightening the 'us vs. them' tensions already set in motion by the McCain-Palin campaign rhetoric.

Finally, since Pennsylvania is a 'swing' stage--a state that is still too-close-to-call in the Presidential election polls--it is not beyond the realm of possibility that Drudge's deceptive re-framing of this mugging story could result in heightened tensions on the ground, and possibly contribute to outbursts of violence by people who believe they are under 'attack,' as a result of Drudge's rhetoric.

However Drudge's headline is interpreted, it has the potential to provide an excuse for actual political violence under the guise of self-defense.

Just to give an idea of how incendiary this story could become, since I began writing this post, the Obama-Biden campaign has already issued the following statement:

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the young woman for her to make a speedy recovery, and we hope that the person who perpetrated this crime is swiftly apprehended and brought to justice."

Their response shows the necessary and swift intolerance that any crime of this nature deserves.  Whether or not The Drudge Report will succeed with its dangerous ploy to recast this crime as the beginning of political violence against Republicans remains to be seen.   But at the very least, we can expect Drudge's spin to be the lead on every right-wing media outlet at least to the weekend. 

How mainstream media handles it is another story.  Will news producers at CNN, MSNBC, ABC, NBC, and CBS refute Drudge's irresponsible flirtation with rhetoric that has the potential to spark widespread panic?   Let's hope so.

***UPDATE (Fri Oct 24, 1:48pm EST): Pittsburgh's CBS affiliate KDKA is just now reporting that the 20 year-old woman in question has recanted her story:

A Pittsburgh police commander says a volunteer for the McCain campaign who reported being robbed and attacked near a bank ATM in Bloomfield has confessed to making up the story. Police say charges will be filed. More details to follow.

I am relieved, in the end, that this young woman was not the victim of a robbery or assault. However, the false accusation of political violence--tinged with racial profiling--raises serious ethical and criminal consequences for this young person. Needless to say, the way right-wing media attempted to transform this story remains an object lesson for this election season and beyond. -- JF

©  2008 Jeffrey Feldman, Frameshop

Follow Jeffrey Feldman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/JeffreyFeldman

Comments

[libbygirl]

No Drudge, no way, no how.

[Michale32086]

@alenaspoppa

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I disagree with your point. I think, in this case, that it smelled fishy from the start.
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Only because of your political bias. If the victim had been an Obama supporter and the alleged perp a redneck racist, you wouldn't have questioned anything...

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Exhibit A - The story was broken by Matt Drudge. If you're not skeptical, you're bound to sound stupid eventually.
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Wrong.. The story was broken by a Pittsburgh newspaper & website. But your bias doesn't allow you to make such a distinction..

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Exhibit B - The backwards "B" on her face and the fact it wasn't more than a superficial scratch.
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So, the fact that it was superficial is your "evidence" that it was bogus.

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Angry attackers generally leave more than a slap on the wrist.
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And your evidence to support this opinion is... what exactly???

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Exhibit C - The non-swollen eye. I've had black eyes. They only look like hers does after a few days. If you don't believe me, scroll through these comments for the doctors and nurses who said the same thing.
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Fair enough. That is legit.. However, is it legit enough to TOTALLY discount her story, if you were free of any bias? I don't think so...

CONT

[AsianAfricanAMERICAN]

I don't think your qualified to diagnose how anybody on the "left" thinks. Mark your asinine posts as exhibits. You claim people are bias, but you're the one that is bias as evidenced by your inability to change your position or just apologize and leave it that.

You claim to be an Obama supporter, yet you call me a bigot (you don't even know me!), because I didn't believe this story from the start. Yeah, that's change we can believe in. You're pretty much same old typical closed minded politics.

By the way....you're wrong. I can't speak for anybody else, but if the shoe were on the other foot, I would have been just as skeptical. But you can't argue with wannabe internet psychatrists spouting internet psychobabble. So pretty much, there is no need for me respond to anymore of your posts...I don't care what people like you think. FREAK!

[alenaspoppa]

"Only because of your political bias. If the victim had been an Obama supporter and the alleged perp a redneck racist, you wouldn't have questioned anything..."

Maybe not, but mostly because there are at least 20 stories to support such anger against Obama supporters for every 1story about violence against a McCain supporter. That not really bias, that empirical evidence. Anecdotally, I Googled "Obama message boards" last week, expecting to find places where other supporters congregated. Instead, I found hate-filled board after hate-filled board. I also listened to the messages that McCain supporters have been leaving at ACORN offices around the country, and hearing the n-word and death threats like that made me check a calendar to make certain I hadn't time-traveled. Does that influence my worldview? Yes.

"Wrong.. The story was broken by a Pittsburgh newspaper & website. But your bias doesn't allow you to make such a distinction.."

Okay, let me amend. The story was immediately picked up by Matt Drudge. If you're not skeptical, you're bound to sound stupid eventually.

"And your evidence to support this opinion is... what exactly???"

Experience. Living in Chicago. Having eyes, ears, and a brain.

"I don't think so..."

I have a feeling that there are many, many things that you don't think...

[larry278]

Who takes over from Matt Drudge to be the star crossed lady's fairy god mother in her bitter hour of great need? The lady needs friends to pay medical expenses & the cost of long term therapy. The lady needs & deserves a long run of good luck & good breaks. She is fragile, in the extreme. Her escapade shows that. No, I don't feel her pain but I understand some of it & I have sympathy for her. She could use supportive friends when she learns to trust. Good luck, lady, you deserve it.

[plooger]

Now that the hoax is exposed, Jeffrey, take a look at how Drudge is covering it, today...

Just a generic "She Made it Up!" headline.

No headline of "McCain campaign worker perpetrates racist hoax", or even a mention that she was a "McCain campaign worker."

[Michale32086]

I hardly call Bright Bold RED letters "generic"...

Why can't ya'all be honest about things when you post???

Michale.....

[writerjohnny]

"Ya'all"? That's hilarious.

[SMP]

she was brought in by the McCain campaign from Texas.......................just another step in McCains racial stirring..........

nov 4th it will backfire on McCain....................NO WAY NO HOW NO MCCAIN

[Michale32086]

@alenaspoppa & McBushMcSame

It's interesting how ya'all post HUFF PO stories as your "proof" whereas I post the actual news outlet that posted the story..

I guess that proves beyond any doubt who has the bias and who does not...

:D

Michale.....

[alenaspoppa]

Michale - Since you can't figure out the "reply" function, it's not surprising that you can figure out that all of the HuffPo articles link to their original sources.

You make a lot of definitive statements for someone who'd have to buy a clue to have one.

[writerjohnny]

I've replied to many of your posts that include no links or sourcing other than Drudge. Just admit it. You are Drudge.

[Michale32086]

@alenaspoppa

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The reason no one addresses your point is due to the general consensus that you never have one.
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I completely understand that you would HAVE to take that stance..

It's easier to bury your head in the sand and ignore reality rather than admit your own bias and bigotry..

@McBushMcSame

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I know, it's really hard to admit when you are completely wrong.
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I have absolutely NO problem admitting when I am wrong. When it happens..

If you can point to where I stated that the story was true, then and ONLY then will I admit that I am wrong.

But you can't, so I won't...

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That's ok. But when Drudge and Fox are the non-biases sources being used, well...
{{{{

So, you are saying that Drudge and Fox are "non bias" sources?? Can I quote you on that later??

Despite the false statements by alenaspoppa, the validity of the actual incident has never been my point.

My point has ALWAYS be the simple fact that the Left refuses to acknowledge that, when it comes to violent, disgusting and perverse attacks, the Left is as guilty as the right.

While THIS particular incident may have turned out to be bogus, there are numerous others that are not.

The simple fact that the majority of ya'all are hypocritical in your position on these LEFT on RIGHT attacks has been my point all along..

Michale.....

[alenaspoppa]

You're really something. It's like coming on here and saying "You refuse to admit that dog crap makes the best tasting cakes." Well yes, we'd refuse to admit that because it's NOT TRUE. You can make your specious arguments until you're blue in the face, but one story of an Obama supporter going after a McCain supporter does not equal 20 on the other side.

Saying that something is a "fact" does not make it one. Why do you have such trouble grasping that?

[McBushMcSame]

I'll try it for you one more time...

You were wrong. I'm so sorry.

Proof that you were wrong...

The local news source of the story, a television station in Pittsburg is right at the top of the article I posted, along with the AP story about the police suspisions.

Your source of the supposed violence of the Left, Ms. Ashley Todd, turned out to be a fraud. You went with Drudge and Fox as your sources, I went with the televisionstation in Pittsburg, The Associated Press, and the Pittsburg Police Department. You claim Huffington Post is biased, when they were correct, and had the sources to prove it. Your sources, Drudge and Hannity, were wrong, misleading, and attest to conservative race-baiting when in their favor, and sweep 'em under the rug when their Willie Horton cause backfires in their own faces.

Talk about hypocrisy.

You were wrong. Really, I'm sorry.

[MoeB]

Ok, well in this instance you have no point. Why? Because HER STORY IS BOGUS! She was NOT attacked by anyone on the left. So saying all this garbage about how it happens on the left too is a non-issue.

Whether you want to admit it or not, you came on here posting thinking that this would be a story you could ram into the faces of people who post here. Turns out the story was FALSE, the girl made it up, and to try and not look foolish, you want to hang on to this 'oh, well I didn't say if it were true or untrue'...whatever. You WERE going out of your way to produce some, ANY, sort of logical explanation about the backwards "B". Go back and read your posts if you don't believe me (and I'm sure you won't since I don't have a "B" carved into my face).

[Michale32086]

@alenaspoppa

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We question it because it's not true.
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Wrong..

Ya'all questioned it because you didn't WANT to believe it... This is evidenced by the fact that ya'all were castigating the victim and her story LONG BEFORE any evidence came in to support such a stance...

Which has been my point all along..

Ya'all simply REFUSE to acknowledge the FACT that the Left can be just as nasty and violent towards the Right as the Right can be towards the Left...

This story was bogus... There are many MANY other reports that are not bogus...

That has been my point all along..

Michale...

[alenaspoppa]

@Michale --- FYI, there's a Reply button on these posts for a reason.

Wrong...

I disagree with your point. I think, in this case, that it smelled fishy from the start.

Exhibit A - The story was broken by Matt Drudge. If you're not skeptical, you're bound to sound stupid eventually.

Exhibit B - The backwards "B" on her face and the fact it wasn't more than a superficial scratch. Angry attackers generally leave more than a slap on the wrist

Exhibit C - The non-swollen eye. I've had black eyes. They only look like hers does after a few days. If you don't believe me, scroll through these comments for the doctors and nurses who said the same thing.

Exhibit D - Your premise about the Left being just as nasty as the Right doesn't hold water (I was going to add "and you know it," but the fact is that you probably don't). We don't churn out books, radio programs and so-called "news" shows calling Conservatism a disease and implying or sometimes explicitly stating that Conservatives should be put out of their misery. Before anyone says that the MSM is liberal...that's not my point. It's the message coming from Liberals vs. the one that seems to dominate Conservative discourse.

[Michale32086]

JohnTalbutt

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No you are confused. It was the McCain campaign that brought the media in on this story so that the media was trapped into reporting the story as the truth emerged.
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Please cite your evidence to support such a claim..

Michale.....

[lejman]

yesterday, i commented that i wished a speedy recovery to the victim, and apprehension and prosecution for the perp. how does one apprehend and prosecute a myth that never existed? as for the "victim", she is in custody and will be prosecuted.

bulletin:
drudge and faux noise declare mccain defeats obama.

[Michale32086]

@jeamar

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Can the Police press charges against her for filing a false report?
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Abso-fracking-loutly..

As well they should!

Michale.....

[McBushMcSame]

This one's for Michale

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/24/mccain-supporter-who-clai_n_137484.html

[Michale32086]

I don't view a HuffPo post as proof, because of the inherent bias.

However, I have already posted the relevant cite that shows that the incident was, in fact, bogus.

However, that doesn't negate the validity of my initial point, nor does it mitigate the fact that no one was able to address the initial point..

Michale.....

[McBushMcSame]

I know, it's really hard to admit when you are completely wrong. That's ok. But when Drudge and Fox are the non-biases sources being used, well...

[alenaspoppa]

The reason no one addresses your point is due to the general consensus that you never have one.

[Michale32086]

On the original story, I can provide the cite..

http://kdka.com/local/attack.McCain.Bloomfield.2.847628.html

Ironically enough, my initial point is STILL valid..

And STILL unaswered.....

Michale.....

[McBushMcSame]

I'm sorry. You were wrong. The end.

[alenaspoppa]

It's never the end with him. He's the bald Elizabeth Hasselbeck.

To quote "Planes, Trains and Automobiles":

"...It's like going on a date with a Chatty Cathy doll. I expect you have a little string on your chest, you know, that I pull out and have to snap back. Except I wouldn't pull it out and snap it back - you would. Agh! Agh! Agh! Agh! And by the way, you know, when you're telling these little stories? Here's a good idea - have a POINT. It makes it SO much more interesting for the listener!"

[like a ginsu]

This was so preposterous from the jump. A black guy (with an NBA frame, mind you) in an Italian neighborhood at 9pm? Wearing an undershirt in Pennsylvania in late October? Come on now

[Michale32086]

Now yer REALLY reaching...

Down here in FL, I wear shorts and a tank top, regardless of whether or not it's 90 or 35 degrees..

Why can't ya'all just admit the fact that the ONLY reason you question this is because it was a McCain supporter "victim" and an Obama supporter "subject"...

If the roles had been reversed, ya'all would have sworn up and down at the validity of it...

Michale.....

[alenaspoppa]

We question it because it's not true.

Police: McCain volunteer made up robbery story
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081024/ap_on_re_us/attack_mccain_sticker

[Tommygun264]

The fact that he would trumpet this obvious fraud for the GOP to counteract the REAL cases of violence against Obama supporters - a woman canvassing for Obama was grabbed by the hair and punched in the head by a man screaming something about ACORN, tires have been slashed outside Obama rallies in North Carolina, etc. - proves that Drudge is nothing more than a right-wing TOOL, in every sense of the word.

[GeorgeP922]

Time to drop this editorial as it appears the robbery was fake, and the wounds self inflicted.

Even Fox News said this is the end of McCain.

[Michale32086]

Cite???

On both claims..

Michale.....

[McBushMcSame]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/24/mccain-supporter-who-clai_n_137484.html

[alenaspoppa]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/greg-mitchell/fox-news-vp-if-mccain-wor_b_137522.html