Sensitive

by Ted on August 13, 2004

Liberal Oasis has a good collection of quotes from our sensitive Republican friends.

Julian Sanchez adds,

I swear, stuff like this is almost enough to make me want to become one of those partisan Democratic hacks that Matt refuses to be. It ought to be crystal clear to everyone—it surely is to Cheney—that Kerry meant by a “more sensitive” war on terror exactly what Bush did when he used the same word: It’s a point about more deft diplomacy, not a suggestion that we watch Steel Magnolias with Osama and talk about our feelings.

Via Tapped, who point out the shoddy job that the press has done in pointing out the dishonesty in Cheney’s remarks. The Washington Post, the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times all fail to print Kerry’s entire quote in their articles about Cheney’s attack. With these guys, it doesn’t matter if what they’re saying is true; it only matters if it’s useful. It would be nice if the major media outlets didn’t keep falling for it.

{ 10 comments }

1

norbizness 08.13.04 at 7:25 pm

Hey, the Washington Post just printed a semi-apology for shredding their own journalistic ethics in becoming an Administration mouthpiece in order to lead the country into war…

… I think they’re entitled to about 100 free fuck-ups, don’t you?

2

Chris Martin 08.13.04 at 7:33 pm

On the other hand, the Daily Show presented all of the quotes in full.

3

Barry 08.13.04 at 7:45 pm

I went to the CNN page linked by Julian, and poked around, looking for the full Kerry quote. I couldn’t find it, after looking for a few minutes.

I can’t believe that CNN would accidentally have a story on Cheney’s reaction, without posting the original quote. That leads me to believe that this was deliberate, on CNN’s part.

4

Robin Green 08.13.04 at 8:16 pm

It’s there now. Maybe they added it?

5

Barry 08.13.04 at 8:20 pm

Hmmm. Maybe they got called on it.

6

James Joyner 08.13.04 at 8:49 pm

Is it your contention that the Kerry campaign never takes remarks out of context for cheap political points?

7

Rob 08.13.04 at 9:10 pm

James, you forgot to include something about Clinton doing it first.

8

GMT 08.13.04 at 9:47 pm

Is it your contention that the Kerry campaign never takes remarks out of context for cheap political points?

Wha…?
There’s nothing “out of context” about this at all. They made up a fake quote to whine about and the “news” amplified it.
People who can’t grasp that should avoid the perils of using big words, like “contention.”

9

JE 08.14.04 at 8:26 pm

And this surprises anybody how? The corporate media fits perfectly into the propaganda model…It’s just a matter of bias and more bias towards serving corporate interests and power. Always remember they aren’t in the business of news they are in the business of selling audiences to advertisers!

10

Barry 08.15.04 at 6:09 pm

And please note that the Post started having public second thoughts a few months before the election, when Kerry looks like an even-money bet on getting the presidency. Sort of like how the media accepted Bush’s plea to ‘changed the tone’ in DC, even as they were still kicking Clinton. These alleged changes of heart are soooooooooo convenient.

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