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
CBS News Cuts McCain Gaffe
By Tommy ChristopherJul 23rd 2008 1:00PM
Filed Under:eRepublicans, John McCain, Breaking News, Iraq, 2008 President, Media
Tommy Christopher: CBS did not air the response to Katie Couric's question about the Anbar Awakening, matching it instead with another of Senator McCain's responses. Was this edit performed at the request of anyone in or connected to the Senator's campaign?CBS News issued the following statement to me, via email:
Tucker Bounds: no
As all news organizations do with extended interviews, last night's Obama and McCain interviews were edited to fit the available time and to give the viewers a fair expression of the candidates' major differences. The full transcript and video were and still are available at cbsnews.com.
Well, that was worth the wait. My questions to them were whether the McCain campaign had requested the cut, and would they be running a correction on the evening news?
This non-explanation holds no water. You don't cut the gaffe answer to one question, and replace it with the answer to a completely different question. One could hardly be blamed for thinking CBS was trying to pay the GOP back for the Bush Air National Guard story.
John McCain did an interview with CBS News, in which he made a serious error in describing the timing of the Sunni Awakening. The interview aired last night on the CBS Evening News. Well, an interview aired. Just not that one.
Keith Olbermann pointed out the discrepancy on MSNBC's Countdown. Here's Keith's report, followed by my own reporting, including a curious memo from the McCain campaign from yesterday, entitled, "BARACK OBAMA VS. CBS ON THE SURGE."
I went to the CBS website to see the transcript for myself, and it turns out they have the transcript, the video of the full interview, and the edited version. Here's the question in...question, followed by McCain's completely false answer:
Couric: Senator McCain, Sen. Obama says, while the increased number of U.S. troops contributed to increased security in Iraq, he also credits the Sunni awakening and the Shiite government going after militias. And says that there might have been improved security even without the surge. What's your response to that?Here is the video, as it was aired on CBS. You will notice that they rather sloppily cut in an answer to a different question.
McCain: I don't know how you respond to something that is such a false depiction of what actually happened. Colonel McFarlane (phonetic) was contacted by one of the major Sunni sheiks. Because of the surge we were able to go out and protect that sheik and others. And it began the Anbar awakening. I mean, that's just a matter of history. Thanks to General Petraeus, our leadership, and the sacrifice of brave young Americans. I mean, to deny that their sacrifice didn't make possible the success of the surge in Iraq, I think, does a great disservice to young men and women who are serving and have sacrificed.
Here is the full McCain interview. It is available on the website, but was seen by a microscopic fraction of those who saw the surgically enhanced version.
Now, I'm no tin-foil conspiracy nut, but a major network airing an answer to a different question, when the actual answer is grossly incorrect, would raise the eyebrows of a Botox addict.
On an ironic note, the McCain campaign sent out a memo yesterday morning, entitled "Barack Obama vs. CBS News on the Surge." The framing of these interviews as a boxing match is oddly prescient, given that it appears that CBS, intentionally or not, pulled a big punch against McCain.
I contacted CBS News for an explanation, and their spokesperson was not aware of the discrepancy, but assured me that it would be looked into promptly.
On the heels of the NY Times Op Ed flap, and its attendant cries of media bias, CBS News needs to act quickly to avoid any appearance that they were covering for McCain.
Recent Comments
(Page 1 of 3)Davidg8:35AMJul 23rd 2008
So is CBS evil today? Yesterday it was The New Yorker who was evil and had always been evil.
It's so hard to keep up with a delusional lunatic like Chuckie Christopher.
Tommy Christopher9:14AMJul 23rd 2008
Read slowly - Never said New Yorker evil. not say CBS e-vil. rite reeelly long sto-reee. reed hole thing
Ike9:15AMJul 23rd 2008
Davidg8:35AMJul 23rd 2008
So is CBS evil today? Yesterday it was The New Yorker who was evil and had always been evil.
It's so hard to keep up with a delusional lunatic like Chuckie Christopher.
---------------------------------
So, Davidg8, Christopher is delusional. For pointing out that CBS acted dishonestly and then proving the point by showing the video evidence? Pretty sick behavior, huh? I wonder if you're able to discuss the actual issue raised here (CBS's lack of integrity, in case you forgot) without your amateur diagnosis of a reporter's delusional state? From MY amateur psychologist's armchair, I'd have to deduce that YOU work either for CBS or the Republican party.
Ike9:20AMJul 23rd 2008
By the way, CBS has pulled both videos.
..........ver-r-r-ry suspicious....
Write to CBS and let them know the public is watching their behavior.
Diana9:22AMJul 23rd 2008
If he's Chucky, does that make you Glen/Glenda (or Tammy/Tommy), the Seed of Chucky? As I seem to recall, Dad comes back to haunt his offspring in the END. Besides, I think he was rather cute and endearing. EVIL? You've overdosed on horror films....speaking of which, did you manage to see TC's tribute to your cameo appearance in "Silence of the Lambs"? Have a nice day at work.....busy, busy, busy now.
Diana9:34AMJul 23rd 2008
"I like IKE". My dear grandfather coveted that old campaign slogan button, BTW. Another smart man.
tzada10:06AMJul 23rd 2008
AOL Political Machine has lost so many people. I remember when there were hundreds of posts. I even remember being happy for TC when he had something like 2000 or more. Guess that was in the days when we HOPED that there would be some CHANGE to what was open for discussion. But it's the same ole same ole. yawn...
iynaroc0210:10AMJul 23rd 2008
I wonder why stupid idiot Lou Dobbs and CNN have talked about this act by CBS. Idiots like Lou Dobbs have been busy running their stupid mouths about how the media were in bed with Obama. Lou Dobbs claims to be an Independent, but only somebody as stupid as he is, would buy into that. As for Katie Couric, she is a shaky anchor and they need to replace her immediately if she's the source of this dishonest act. Whomever is responsible should be fired so CBS would start to get back some credibility as a news organization.
Bill McDonald10:41AMJul 23rd 2008
And enlighten us please! Just what did McCain say that was untrue? Who is the SOB that insists the surge had nothing to do with the Sunni actions?
A.THOMAS10:47AMJul 23rd 2008
MC CAIN IS BEING FAVORED BY CBS.
MY VIDEOS DON'T WORK. IS AOL, CBS AND MSNBC CENSORING NEGATIVE COVERAGE OF MC CAIN?
HUH, MC CAIN CLAIMED THEY WERE FAVORING OBAMA. WHAT IS THE TRUTH?
A.THOMAS10:50AMJul 23rd 2008
Mc Cain where is the outrage that CBS is favoring him over Obama.
Diana11:02AMJul 23rd 2008
tzada 10:06AM Jul 23rd 2008
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Welcome back, tzada! Although I mean it when I tell you that you've been missed, I do need to correct you on something. Despite the relative slowdown around the 7/4 holiday, the overall comments posted really have not fallen off from months ago. Here are but a few examples of TC's high-traffic posts and I'm not even including all the recent PUMA stories (the following have had 1814, 789 and 511 comments posted, respectively):
http://news.aol.com/political-machine/2008/07/15/self-satisfied-new-yorker-cover-fails/
http://news.aol.com/political-machine/2008/06/23/an-open-letter-to-racists-vote-obama/
http://news.aol.com/political-machine/2008/06/27/dream-ticket-update-looking-good/
ME11:03AMJul 23rd 2008
This just justifies what Obama's been saying all along!!
It wasn't JUST the surge that helped improve the situations on the groung in iraq but ALSO THE OTHER FACTORS PLAYED A HUGE ROLE AS WELL. GOD BLESS OUR SOLDIERS WHO RISK THEIR LIVES OVER THERE!! BUT IT JUST WASN'T THE SURGE BY ITSELF THAT MADE EVERYTHING BETTER!
Peggy11:15AMJul 23rd 2008
I use dialup for my intenet connection so I can't really watch videos. Takes too long and they don't play well. But just reading the text on a lot of these articles has been interesting. Has anyone noticed that, as the election season progresses, the liberal media has leaned so far to the left they are in danger of falling into the Pacific Ocean. And the conservatives are equally in danger of landing in the Atlantic Ocean. I'm finding that the most balanced news I get is from my little local paper. It's owned by a locally well known conservative family and the editor is a flaming liberal. If you take the time to read through it, you might just get both sides of the issues.
I'm also becoming concerned about Tommy C. Over the last few days, he has used Keith Olbermann as the source for 2 or 3 of his articles and the HuffPost for at least one. I'm worried that going to these articles might send my computer into meltdown. I had to quit watching Hardball and Countdown last February. One day that month, Countdown came on and my television started saying "Obama alert, Obama alert". Then an alarm went off. Before I could get to the television, it imploded and started a small fire. Tommy, could you please start putting a small note in your headline that there is an Olbermann video involved or a quote from him in your article. That way, I won't put my computer at risk by reading it. After all, I am 65 years old, retired and can't afford to replace my computer. The loss of my television set was devastating enough. Thank you.
ps: I know I posted this on another blog. Please consider it an urgent request from a fan and not spam that needs to be deleted.
Susan12:25PMJul 23rd 2008
Please. Give me a break. Tommy Christopher tries to show his love to Obama every day by creating some piece of fiction here.
None of us believe anything you write any more. You are so desperate to try to promote your buddy Obama.
I still want to know:
Have you had any journalistic education?
Have you had any classes on ethics in journalism?
Do you get paid to write this trash?
Does your daddy own this page?
Because I am quite sure there are thousands of people out there who could do a better and more truthful job than Tommy Christopher.
Just asking.
betty w. downey12:31PMJul 23rd 2008
IN ALL THIS GREAT TELLING OF THE TRUTH, I KEEP WONDERING WHEN YOU WILL MENTION THE LATEST ON JOHN EDWARDS, AND HIS LATE NIGHT RENDESOUS WITH HIS MISTRESS AT A MOTEL, WHERE HE WAS SHOWN COMING OUT AT 3:AM. IF IT HAD BEEN MILT ROMNEY OR ANY OTHER PROSPECTIVE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR V.P. YOU CAN BET IT WOULD HAVE BEEN TOLD ASAP. DID SOROS TELL YOU TO OVERLOOK THIS ONE????
Dee1:25PMJul 23rd 2008
Have you all noticed the recent attacks on our American Flag, the alterations of and disdain for our National Anthem?
I see a pattern developing with Obama in the White House (if "they" can pull it off?) and it seems to be...to pull us into a One World Government.
In order to fully accomplish such a daunting task...it would be wise to have an "Insider" first and then go after a nation's guns, her sovereignty (flag, anthem, etc.) and then...slowly...ever so slowly...pull the country out her innocent slumber and into a New World Order.
Easy. When you know how... :>)
http://www.eyeblast.tv/Public/Video.aspx?rsrcID=2036
EGObaMANIAC1:44PMJul 23rd 2008
At least McCain isn't afraid of the press asking him anything other than softball questions.
Appearing on MSNBC’s “Hardball” from Baghdad, NBC News chief foreign affairs correspondent Andrea Mitchell objects to the “message management” that resulted in three days of images of Senator Obama that were almost entirely – except for a lone Iraq interview with Terry Moran – produced and released by the Pentagon.
Andrea Mitchell, re Obama: “He didn’t have reporters with him. He didn’t have a press pool. He didn’t do a press conference while he was on the ground in either Afghanistan or Iraq. … You’re seeing selected pictures taken by the military … So, there’s a real press issue here. Politically, it’s smart as can be. But we have not seen a presidential candidate do this, in my recollection, ever before.
“I have great respect for the military, of what they do best, which is to fight war, keep the peace, do all sorts of economic and civil reconstruction here in Iraq. I don’t think journalism is the prime thing that we recruit them and pay them for.”
One could ask..why is the press with him, why will he not allow foreign reporters to question him?
The answer....he is afraid of the truth.
Diana1:46PMJul 23rd 2008
Dee 1:25PM Jul 23rd 2008
07/23/08 10:14AM
Oil Greasing the Wheels
Dee 9:50AM Jul 23rd 2008
Share this LINK as often as you can... :>)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dee.....I've said the same thing to JOHN, but this eyeblast video ultimately only serves as a propaganda tool for the Rovian elements in the GOP, in the form of shameless exploitation and scare tactics. Do you even realize that it contains the severed head of hostage Nick Berg being held up triumphantly by al-Zarqawi's terrorist henchman? Reprehensible. Just lose the video, will you?
Latest Elections News Headlines
Latest Politics Headlines
Most Commented On Posts
Most Recent Comments
Political Machine Photo Galleries
Politics Video
 | Security And Politics In IraqAs the security situation improves In Iraq, there is still the question of political progress (September 5) |
 | Supporters: 'Palin Has a Record of Achievement'Women supporting Gov. Sarah Palin, McCain's vice presidential pick, gathered in St. Paul, Minn., Wednesday to call for an end to 'sexism' in politics. (Sept. 3) |
 | Obama: No Time for 'small' PoliticsAt a campaign event in Michigan, presidential nominee Barack Obama said with Hurricane Gustav eyeing the Gulf Coast, there is no time for 'small' politics. (September 1) |
 | A Trip of the Political Side of the State FairThe Minnesota State Fair is not only a marching ground for the school band, but a place for old school retail politics. The AP's John Mone takes a look at how elections are won at this great American gathering. (Aug. 31) |
 | Mo Rocca 180 - More Than Just Joe Biden!!!Mo Rocca 180 - More Than Just Joe Biden!!! |
| « 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
Diana8:32AMJul 23rd 2008
Pretty damning. Boy, just as the image of Dan Rather's carcass was fading from the rear view mirror....I cannot believe that no one beat you to the punch contacting CBS. Their response should be interesting, indeed. Great job, T. LOL about the Botox.