CNN's Baghdad correspondent Michael Ware crossed the line today with this statement about John McCain and other Republicans who are visiting Baghdad: "Essentially they're here to view the impact of the surge on the Baghdad security plan and essentially to sell its merits to say that, yes, it is having an impact and to take that message home to an American people desperate to hear signs of progress..."
Ware thus claimed that McCain is not conducting a good faith fact-finding trip, but instead will report that the surge is having a positive impact regardless of what he actually observes. Essentially (to use Ware's term), he's saying that McCain is just a pitch-man who is prepared to lie about life and death matters of the utmost importance to Americans. Ware, of course, provides no basis for this accusation, which appears to be the result of a grudge he holds because McCain disagreed with CNN's Wolf Blitzer about the impact of the surge.
The facts show that if McCain reports that the surge is having a positive impact in Baghdad, he will be correct. But that's not really the point. When a reporter escalates a disagreement about the facts on the ground to allegations of bad faith on the part of those who disagree with him, that reporter is, to take the most charitable view, burned out. When the allegations are against a patriot of John McCain's stature, they are even further out-of-line. If CNN were a credible news organization, it would reassign Ware.
Reader Comments ( Page 2 of 4)
16. Ware is a journalist who is on the spot in Iraq every single day. He hears and sees the carnage unleashed by this civil war. Senator McCain was a patriot during Vietnam and deserves to be honored for his service. I wonder if those who are speaking against Ware in defense of McCain spoke against the vicious attacks upon the honor of Senator Kerry when his patriotic service was questioned by lying Republican cowards. Now, McCain has switched sides so many times on previous positions that he has ceased to be a patriot and is now simply a typical politician who will say anything to please his audience.
TW at 4:57PM on Apr 2nd 2007
17. If you think CNN is nasty, what about the NY Post and their allegation that Rudy's wife killed puppies: http://www.solidpolitics.com
This is going to be a nasty campaign.
Bill at 4:54PM on Apr 2nd 2007
18. Damm tired of these surrender pussies.
socal4patrick at 5:30PM on Apr 2nd 2007
19. Stop with the John Wayne hero crap. McCain spent the war in Hanoi, not in combat. What does that have too do with the world conditions today? McCain never commanded anything near a war and has expertise in that area. Just stop its pathetic. There was a female reporter who took exception with McCain's remarks about a safe Baghdad, of course she was with the head General surrounded by security in that safe Baghdad.
Upjoe at 5:26PM on Apr 2nd 2007
20. 1. Emily if you think Ware is a liar why don't you and McCaine take a stroll through Iraq on his words alone. Buy the time the terrorist show the video of your captured butt you'll call McCain more names than Ware.
2. Hey Bill thats a familar story. I knew Rudy's wife looks like Cruella De-vil
Aww Poo Hoo at 5:14PM on Apr 2nd 2007
21. The problem with Ware’s statement is that he is stating what McCain is going to do in the future. That is not reporting. That is propaganda at best and, CNN should be ashamed that it is calling Ware a reporter.
Greg at 5:20PM on Apr 2nd 2007
22. For those of you who keep calling McCain a hero, do you know McCain was the guy who was responsible for blowing up the USS Forestall aircraft carrier killing many and wounding dozens. Yes Senator McCain was the guy who hit the button that discharged his planes weapons and caused a catastrophic event that will live in the minds of the survivors forever. He sat the rest of the war out in a prison camp. Hardly not the things that qualifies one to make military judgements.
Richard at 6:39PM on Apr 2nd 2007
23. Listen, McMain is one of Bush's front men and this guy will lie,cheat and tell you the moon is full of cheese, i would not vote for this clown, period, he's just a clown and not in true reality with the program.
bob at 6:50PM on Apr 2nd 2007
24. More nonsense, there was no heckling...Just a tired old man that is sucking at the money raising. 6 American troops were killed though, where is the outrage on that?
je san at 9:25PM on Apr 2nd 2007
25. Richard,
From the accounts of the Forestall incident McCain was not responsible. It appears that due to an electrical surge a rocket was launched from a fighter INTO McCain’s plane. I’m not a big fan of McCain, but I don’t think it right to make baseless and scurrilous attacks on a distinguished veteran.
Greg at 7:24PM on Apr 2nd 2007
26. That's the problem CNN isn't a credible news organization. All of you Communist News Network Kool-aid drinkers lap it up. Your minds are jello. Oh, by the way have nice day.
D Baker at 7:51PM on Apr 2nd 2007
27. Its obvious`that there is`a lot less `negative news`and way less` killing since the President's`new plan started. It seems that some Democrats `want us to lose so they, as a party, can more surely take power. A republic, once committed pulls `togethetr as one and we are committed. And some of these media boys and `girls need to read history--as `to what happenes when they do what they are doing. There way be harsh repercussions if we start rationalizing whose fault was it for sabotaging our attitude about victory. Some prominent chaps may take the blame and some may be a scape goat. We ms1t keep semblance of being one united people --- Americans. Its like the Bulshevic comspiacy coming back or has it been here all along and they're coming out of their niche again. Its getting to be like the Shiites `and Sunnis here!
R.Richard Fusilier at 8:47PM on Apr 2nd 2007
28. Paul Mirengoff, hmm wonder what your grudge against Ware and CNN stem from?
I viewed the original airing of that report, no heckling. Strong difference of opinion from a guy on the streets of Iran, a reporter who has seen up close and personal, day to day operations and occurrences, but hey, being so up close he could not possibly know what a politico running again for the highest office in our land has learned...
NO chance that Johnny Mc GOP-Puppet could be erring on the side of his party, or delivering desired result messages for PR purposes.
NO chance that he could be mistaken since he took a walk outside the green zone into an open air market, under the protection of five heavily armed airships overhead, surrounded by 100 of our bravest and finest. And of course the vest-bang bang...
Given the fact that Mirengoff has stated Ware 'heckled' McFlip flop, and that there is no evidence of such an occurrence, the bloged suggestion in Mirengoff's report is not only slanted to obfuscate fact, but is essentially frivolous to the point of being nugatory.
Or perhaps Paul Mireng off is jealous of another reporters kahuna's...
Just FYI, this writer is a senior citizen, independent moderate fed up with the bickering and corruption of our two party system...Sure hope they fix this problem soon...........I'd like to leave this great nation as i entered it-UNITED States.............
Steve at 8:56PM on Apr 2nd 2007
29. Michael Ware has been "stationed" in Baghdad for 4 years! I believe Ware's comments are most credible and that McCain is doing EXACTLY what Ware suggests. Kudos to Ware for his candor. I am sure Ware is probably sick and tired of politicians making assesments on Iraq when they have never set foot in the country and like I stated before Ware has been in the thick of the violence for 4 years. I hope Ware gets a promotion!
Bryan at 9:08PM on Apr 2nd 2007
30. Unreal, we need to have CNN out of there. What is this a war or a PR TV SIT Drama.
Time is well into this mess. We need to really kick ass and then get out of there. This Reid guy is a traitor with a capital T. Ware is there too long and should not be there at all.
Bob at 9:16PM on Apr 2nd 2007