Search
About This Blog
Resources
Blog Roll
- Captain's Quarters
- Cliff Schecter
- CNN's Political Ticker
- Conservative Grapevine
- Crooks & Liars
- Daily Kos
- Drudge
- FactCheck.org
- Huffington Post
- Instapundit
- Little Green Footballs
- News Bloggers
- Political-Buzz
- Power Line
- RedState
- Slate - Trailhead
- Swampland
- Talking Points Memo
- The Daily Dish
- The Plank
- The Young Turks
- Wonkette
New York Times Strikes (McCain) Again
On April 8th, the New York Times ran an article (to which I linked in a previous post) which falsely stated:
In a trip to the Middle East last month, Mr. McCain made an embarrassing mistake when he said several times that he was concerned that Iran was training Al Qaeda in Iraq. (The United States believes that Iran, a Shiite country, has been training Shiite extremists in Iraq, but not Al Qaeda, a Sunni insurgent group.) He repeated the mistake on Tuesday at hearing [sic] of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
The final sentence of this paragraph is simply false. McCain made no such statement (Powerline has the full text). Furthermore, McCain's previous "mistakes" were almost certainly mere slips of the tongue, which would undoubtedly have been immediately overlooked by anyone not consciously seeking to construct a derogatory story. Nine days after conservative blogs pointed out the Times' "mistake," the paper of record has printed a quasi-correction:
Correction: April 17, 2008
Because of an editing error, an article last Thursday about foreign policy advisers to SenatorJohn McCain referred incorrectly to an error he made at a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee on April 8. He briefly referred to Al Qaeda in Mesopotamia as a Shiite group, rather than a Sunni group; he did not repeat an error during the hearing that he had made on a trip to the Middle East last month when he said several times that he was concerned that Iran, a Shiite nation, was training Al Qaeda in Mesopotamia, a Sunni group.
First, an editing error does not explain a substantive attack awkwardly inserted into a larger piece to which it is tangentially related (at best). Nevertheless, I challenge anyone to find the transcript passage in which McCain confuses Al Qaeda for a Shiite group. This would prove impossible because A) it still did not happen, and B) no one outside the media calls it Al Qaeda in Mesopotamia. That label, as some remember, evolved out of a conundrum when Democratic candidate John Kerry announced that there was no Al Qaeda in Iraq ... just about the time a group calling itself "Al Qaeda in Iraq" committed several acts of terror. The media couldn't report the story without painting Kerry as a liar or a fool - so they "re-translated" Iraq as Mesopotamia in order to cover Kerry's mistake.
The Times consoles itself for having been caught (yet again) in a lie about a Conservative by fully repeating its precarious assertion that McCain made mistakes when speaking in the Middle East - thereby successfully manipulating its apology for slandering McCain into yet another slander of McCain. This is not the first shameless salvo by the Times in this election (see here and here), and it will not be the last.
UPDATE: As an aside, the New York Times Company posted a $335,000 loss this quarter, "one of the worst periods the company and the newspaper industry have seen. ... The company's main source of revenue, newspaper advertising in print and online, fell 10.6 percent, the sharpest drop in memory...."
Recent Comments
(Page 1 of 2)Blondssspice11:30AMApr 17th 2008
Obama was CLUELESS last night what to do about taxes. He stumbled on the taxes didnt have answers, and as usual he mirrored what Hillary said when ever he could.
Obama is now UPSET that you listen to every word he says.??!!! duh !! does he or doesnt he want you to listen? probably not, because when you look at the SUBSTANCE he is saying NOTHING.
Obama can't explain why he LOOKS DOWN at Christians
the way he disrespects Americans who hold the Constitution dear
the way he disrespects the flag and pledge of allegience.
No wonder, Obamas lifelong ties and heritage of MUSLIM and his subsequent alliegence to racist Jeremiah, and commitment to Africa, removes him for American interests. Obamas affiliations are not just a bad dream, it is a reality, and it is ongoing for at least 20 years.
VOTE HILLARY FOR PRESIDENT - THE INTELLIGENT CHOICE
GOD BLESS HILLARY AND GOD BLESS AMERICA
JAY M11:57AMApr 17th 2008
LOOSING OR WINNING A DEBATE DOES NOT A PRESIDENT MAKE.
IT IS ONE'S CHARACTER,INTELLIGENCE,HONESTY, WHICH MAKES A PRESIDENT.
JimM12:00PMApr 17th 2008
Hillary you were a true Annie Oakley at last night's debate hosted by ABC.
Only one question were you slightly off-the-mark --the one about Bosnia.
Obama mever hit the bullseyes on any of the questions posed to hime. He missed the entire target when asked why he did not wear the American flag
Now you holster those guns until the next time. Watch out that someone does not change a target on you. But be more carelful your guns aren't gone. But most important keep your ammo freah.
You root-atooting-son-of-a gal.
mrbline12:14PMApr 17th 2008
Mr. Paulette,
I figured I'd give you something you don't see that often in your coverage of McCain: I'm actually going to comment on it.
Good piece! While I am no fan of McCain, I am vehemently opposed to any media deliberately using what is supposed to be expository writing as a means to spread mis-information. People make innocent mistakes, which reminds me of a joke I learned as a kid.
You ask someone to repeat several words ending with "in" five times fast. After about a couple minutes of this, you quickly ask: "What is aluminum foil made out of?"
9 out of 10 will answer "Tin."
We have Al Quaeda on the brain . . . easy to say it in a pinch when asked about terrorism.
JOHN MANN12:22PMApr 17th 2008
RE SLANDER AND PANDER. Those who lower themself to the level of slander and pander to get elected are unfit to become President of WE THE PEOPLE.
mathew12:27PMApr 17th 2008
During the whole debate, Barack Obama came across like the educated refined gentleman he is. Hillary Clinton came across like the smart-ass unrefined unkind half man half woman that she is.
henry williams12:47PMApr 17th 2008
BLONDSSSPICE...heh thar blondie... you appear to be clueless. Better catch up on the scores out there. Obama won the debate by a hefty percent; 87% to Clinton's 22%. Obama also has the count over Clinton also; won more states and delegates. The Clintons are not known for their honesty or decent politics but are known for their dishonesty and indecent politics.
The Clintons havn't a clue that the american people have caught on. Shows how entrenched they are in their own grandiose. Clintons are habitual liars. Habitual liars end up believing their own lies. Like the sniper story that Clintons got caught on and have tried to lie out of. With psychopathic liars, one lie calls for another. Like we need more liars in the capital. They had their quota sewn up since about to be former Pres. Bush. If you fool easy, Clintons have yout vote.
D. L. GRAHAM12:49PMApr 17th 2008
HILLARY & ST. PETER’S PRINCIPLE
"It is this refusal to give ground, even when it is wise to do so, that I think is responsible, along with relentless negative ads, for the recent report that shows a drop in the Clintons' credibility. With the Pennsylvania primary just 5 days away, it appears that Senator Clinton is hacking away at the branch they are both standing on."
Every reader of yours (Tommy Christopher) knows you are a (Clintonite), as much as Michael Tomasky is an (Obamanite), but when your team is loosing sometime’s it’s better too admit defeat, an not risk injury. And, at this point in the game the only points (D-NY) US/Senator Hillary Rodham-Clinton are racking up are disapproval of both the campaign and her personal likability.
The campaign has now gone beyond damaging the opponents that the Clinton's faced during the "Primary" to threating the "Democratic Party", and throwing away the "General Election." At this point someone in the Clinton Campaign should urge an exit strategy leaving Hillary with some sort of leg to stand on.
Being and (Independent) and a citizen of "The Republic of California", she is not my Senator, and I have no dog in this fight. But, wasting years of work, your life's work for a position you can't hope to achieve? It's called the Saint Peter's Principle, Hillary has risen to her height of incompetency, and it's better to be at the job you’re best suited to perform. United States Senator.
tzada1:01PMApr 17th 2008
From AY M11:57AMApr 17th 2008
LOOSING OR WINNING A DEBATE DOES NOT A PRESIDENT MAKE.
IT IS ONE'S CHARACTER,INTELLIGENCE,HONESTY, WHICH MAKES A PRESIDENT.
______________________________________________________
From me: this is true, I have been saying all along that Obama has none of those. But he did clearly lose that debate. He was angry about at long last being asked semi tough questions, and he doesn't speak well without a prompter and when he does use one he is preachy and boring.
tzada1:11PMApr 17th 2008
From henry williams12:47PMApr 17th 2008
BLONDSSSPICE...heh thar blondie... you appear to be clueless. Better catch up on the scores out there. Obama won the debate by a hefty percent; 87% to Clinton's 22%
___________________________________________________
From me: Oh Really? I think Blondie knows more than you. I know I know more than you.
Gaming The Polls?
“James Zogby is firmly in the Obama camp — so much so that he’s worked other super delegates on behalf of the Obama campaign. He is the president of the Arab American Institute.
So, it’s interesting to note that one of the senior analysts with Zogby Polling — the pollster who is predicting big Obama wins — is also a major Obama super delegate. That would explain why Zogby’s polls have been horribly wrong this election year.
One would think that John Zogby would reveal to his paid subscribers that his brother is an official Obama supporter and wannabe super delegate influencer.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Zogby
“(James) Zogby is also a senior analyst with the polling firm Zogby International, founded and managed by his brother John Zogby, and is a prominent lecturer and scholar on Middle East issues…”
http://www.mikefrancesa.com/wordpress/?cat=15
Media fails to mention one key fact about latest NBC/WSJ Poll
March 27th, 2008 ·
This latest poll supposedly shows that the Wright issue has not hurt Obama. Funny how most in the media, with the exception of Craig Crawford, did not mention one key fact about the poll:
The poll was conducted Monday and Tuesday this week by Hart-McInturff and surveyed 700 registered voters, which gives the poll a margin of error of +/- 3.7 percent. In addition, we oversampled African-Americans in order to get a more reliable cross-tab on many of the questions we asked in this poll regarding Sen. Barack Obama’s speech on race and overall response to last week’s Rev. Jeremiah Wright dustup.
roger gardner5:41PMApr 16th 2008
Those drones who sit all day and post are not the ones who make things happen. The voters have spoken and there is no question who is in the lead. No amount of childish puny scrawl designed to batter Obama will change those who have made their own committment long ago as to whom they favor, will be voting for and why. Pathetic how the simple-minded post endless nonsense in vain, embellishing upon their own fears. I have no fear of any candidate, don't buy into fear tactics of the fearfull. My own radar, research and years of aquired wisdom tells me what candidate has ethics and who does not. What candidate has the courage needed to lead and which does not. I am able to decipher. Which candidate has self-interest and which does not is an easy read too.
For those that feed on shit are shit out of luck but they can pass the time of day away posting why their candidate lost.
So, who do I support? The best MAN for the job!
tzada5:57PMApr 16th 2008
To Roger Gardner
How about this AOl Poll still up? huh huh huh?
Poll Results
How trustworthy do you consider Barack Obama?
Not at all
48% 25,486
Somewhat
28% 14,618
Very
24% 12,666
tzada1:19PMApr 17th 2008
To From henry williams12:47PMApr 17th 2008
Which Democratic candidate won the debate in Philadelphia?
Hillary Rodham Clinton 42%
Barack Obama 33%
Neither, it was a draw 25%
Total Votes: 83,537
This is on the AOL page
Jay1:31PMApr 17th 2008
Obama's answer about Iran attacking Israel shows why he is having such a problem with Jewish voters. While Hillary said the US would respond with overwhelming force-the best Obama would say is that the US would take "appropriate action" without explaining what he meant. Obama does this all the time saying things by implication rather that making a clear statement of policy. He simply can't be trusted.
David S.2:16PMApr 17th 2008
Repeat after Justin Paulette: John McCain is a God who does no wrong...
NoMoreClintonLies2:46PMApr 17th 2008
The more Clinton addicts and Bush conservatives try to knock Obama down, the stronger he is afterward. That's because he has real integrity and real leadership qualities. The Clinton/Bush/McSame dynasty is over.
JOHN3:13PMApr 17th 2008
Have a look at Obama's 13th ward...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xqu3u9ISctA
Last Word3:19PMApr 17th 2008
To: JOHN3:13PMApr 17th 2008
Have a look at www.stophillary.com
Patrick3:37PMApr 17th 2008
I stripped bass from my fish monger last week and specifically had to request that it not be wrapped in the New York Times.
Patrick3:39PMApr 17th 2008
should be an "ordered" in there.
Barry Miller4:42PMApr 17th 2008
I'm always amused when Billary makes an issue out of associations and forgiveness. Especially when she dismissed southern blue collar workers by saying screw em, her condescension towards stay at home soccer moms and her passionate forgiveness and defense of a philandering husband who has the honor of being the second president in the history of the US to be tried for impeachment for lying about his extra marital affairs.
Surely if she can forgive Bills transgressions, she can sympathize with Obamas forgiveness of his retired pastor.
But I guess in the final analysis this whole forgiveness issue resides in the meaning of the word IS.
Latest Politics Headlines
Most Commented On Posts
Most Recent Comments
Politics Video
Obama's Iraq dilemmaHas Sen. Barack Obama changed his position on Iraq? CNN's Jessica Yellin reports. (July 3) | |
Michelle Obama "Whitey" Tape Found?Mo Rocca 180 may have found the notorious tape of Michelle Obama saying "whitey." Judge for yourselves. | |
Becoming Michelle ObamaHow easy is it to look like the next First Lady? The men of America want to know and Mo has a drag queen on hand to help them find out. | |
Becoming Michelle ObamaHow easy is it to look like the next First Lady? The men of America want to know and Mo has a drag queen on hand to help them find out. | |
Veteran Voices: '08 Race Through Military EyesIraq war veterans say their military experience has shaped the way they see the upcoming presidential election. Two young veterans, one a John McCain supporter, the other a Barack Obama supporter, share their stories. (July 2) | |
| « See More Politics Video | |
Declare Yourself is a campaign that encourages young Americans to register and vote.
REGISTER TO VOTE NOW AT:www.declareyourself.org
JOHN11:18AMApr 17th 2008
Have a look at Obama's 13th ward...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xqu3u9ISctA