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CNN Hypes Kerry Impact

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Posted on Nov 3, 2006
Wolf Blitzer
lafirst.org

Despite evidence to the contrary, CNN anchors and reporters repeatedly insisted the controversy surrounding John Kerry’s “botched joke” will play a major role in the upcoming election.


Media Matters:

In the wake of Sen. John Kerry’s (D-MA) October 30 remarks, which Republicans and some in the media have misrepresented in asserting that Kerry denigrated U.S. soldiers in Iraq, CNN anchors and reporters on The Situation Room, CNN Newsroom, and American Morning stated or suggested without evidence that the controversy over Kerry’s remarks will have an impact on the midterm elections, despite the fact that Kerry is not up for re-election nor running for any other elected position.

In a November 2 analysis of a Democracy Corps poll conducted October 29 through November 1, the Democratic polling firm Greenberg Quinlan Rosner stated that the responses during the final day in which the poll was in the field, which came “after two news cycles of Kerry stories,” showed that the stories produced no difference in respondent opinions from the previous two days, and that the controversy over Kerry’s remarks “has not helped Republicans,” and that “independents show no interest in it.” The poll, conducted in the 50 most competitive congressional districts currently held by Republicans, found that respondents favored named Democratic candidates/incumbents over named Republican candidates/incumbents 51 percent to 44 percent.

Even before any poll was released, however, CNN was promoting the Kerry remarks as a major factor in the election…

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By Spinoza, November 9, 2006 at 12:31 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

The best way to deal with the press is bombs.  Yes I am serious.  What is meant by a free press? Can such a thing exist under capitalism.  Obviously not. We have to abolish all advertising as a first step. If that is impossible then violence is the ONLY means at the peoples disposal.

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By Jackie T. Gabel, November 7, 2006 at 1:07 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

After viewing on line a few confusing media reports about the “joke,” I finally found it.

Q: Where’s the “joke” and what was “botched?” The most misleading thing is that Kerry implies today’s college graduate is actually “educated.” On the contrary, today everyone is “trained.” A marginal few genuinely dedicated scholars are “educated.” Kerry’s comment was really about class and it’s true, especially in the sense that if you’re from a privileged class, the military isn’t an option to a better life, though it might help your political resume. On the other hand, you could get “swift-boated.” If only John had been lucky enough to get into the guard, manage to stay stateside and pick up all his buddies’ bar tabs…would be interesting to follow up on W’s old champagne squadron (or whatever they called themselves) and see where they’ve worked over the years, how they’ve invested…you know, follow the money, because in truth, that’s what almost everyone going to Iraq is doing: CACI, KBR, Halliburton, Titan, Blackwater—recommended viewing: “IRAQ FOR SALE - THE WAR PROFITEERS”

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By R.Roth, November 4, 2006 at 7:48 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

Who’s Kerry?

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By kevin99999, November 4, 2006 at 12:51 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

I am not surprised..this is how corporate media operates…why do you think Bush won elections…the media put protective veil around this man the day he announced his candidacy. The purpose of the corporate media is to defraud the public.

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By sharon ash, November 4, 2006 at 12:31 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

Let’s see.  Kerry botched a joke.  Some feelings got hurt, but that will pass.  Bush botched a war and 2800+ of our troops were killed, 40,000 with physical wounds and more than a trillion dollars wasted.  Our country will bleed from this mess for many years, and that’s no joke.  Bush also botched Katrina, our national debt and the list goes on and on.  The problem with CNN and the others of the non-stop talk news, is that they have to try very hard to find button issues to keep an audience.  Anything which might be taken as an insult against our sacred military machine it always a potential button issue.  Okay, in unison, let’s all say, “We love our troops”.  There now, isn’t that better!

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By vonwegen, November 3, 2006 at 5:15 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

CNN is totally pathetic. Once upon a time, they broadcast news that was important, but that was looooooonnnnnngggg ago. Fox News never had such pretentions—they knew they were lying to us from the get-go.
News you can trust? Only from Internet bloggers really on the scene!

Folks, it boils down to ONE point: if you are not satisfied with the GOP Congress AND the WAR in IRAQ, don’t vote for the scum that got us into this mess.

PS—We really miss you, Dr. Hunter S. Thompson! For reasons that should be obvious…

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