CBS News Fearful Kerry Comments Will Mobilize the GOP Base

Newsbusters ^ | November 1, 2006 | Michael Rule

[meg88]

CBS Fearful Kerry Comments Will Mobilize GOP Base

Wednesday’s "Early Show" on CBS highlighted Senator John Kerry’s disparaging remarks about the American military in three separate segments, but instead of expressing outrage at Kerry’s comments, CBS seemed more concerned that the Republicans may use them for political gain in the midterm elections.

While CBS omitted mentions that some Democrats have refused to campaign with Kerry and others have asked that he apologize, the network pondered if the outrage expressed by Republicans was an effort to "fire up the base" or simply a "desperate" attempt to change the subject.

Co-host Hannah Storm inquired of White House Press Secretary Tony Snow if President Bush’s demand that Kerry apologize to the troops was genuine or:

"...Is this an effort to get out the conservative, fire up the base and get the vote out in advance of next week's election?"

In the weekly "Capitol Bob" segment, Harry Smith asked Bob Schieffer:

"Did John Kerry give the Republicans a gift or is the White House so desperate to divert attention from the failing policy in Iraq?"

Schieffer conceded this gaffe was a gift from John Kerry, but cautioned:

"Now, how far this goes and where it goes from here, it's hard to say. But at least they've [Republicans] managed to change the conversation for a day."

But who will play a role in determining where this story goes? The media, of course. Will they follow up their reports with news that Democrats have urged Kerry to apologize or have cancelled appearances with him? Apparently not as the only mention of this subject on this morning’s "Early Show" came from Tony Snow in replying to a question from Hannah Storm:

Hannah Storm: "Mr. Snow, some Republican candidates are distancing themselves from the president and his Iraq policy. Some of them are going so far as to call for Donald Rumsfeld's resignation. What does the president think of candidates in his own party making such a public break from the White House?"

Tony Snow: "You mean like the two Democrats who have cancelled appearances today with John Kerry? I think both guys understand that in a political season, people can make political decisions. What the president wants is a Republican Congress and he's doing everything he can to make sure that it stays that way."

Now it is reasonable to say Hannah Storm had no reason to bring it up as she was conversing with a member of the Bush administration regarding the administration policies and political outlook. But, why were these developments ignored by Bill Plante, Bob Schieffer, and Harry Smith?

[talleyman]

Tony Snow bump!

("Holy Genghis Khan, Crapman!")

[pollywog]

For once THEY ARE right!! It has MOBILIZed THE BASE!!!

[hosepipe]

[ CBS Fearful Kerry Comments Will Mobilize GOP Base ]

NOT mentioned or even thought about is that it might mobilize not a few democrats TOO...
BWAHAHAHAHA...

Even some democrats can line up dominoes..

[WestTexasWend]

If Kerry wants laughs he should stick to duck hunting.

[faq]

Tony Snow deserves some credit for Kerry's shooting himself in the foot. If Tony hadn't hit him hard at that morning press briefing Kerry would not have shown his true egotistical self with his "I apologize to no one" comments. The media did not want to cover this story but they were dragged into it.

[Question Liberal Authority]

the network pondered if the outrage expressed by Republicans was an effort to "fire up the base" or simply a "desperate" attempt to change the subject.

It's both.

Let's say you're watching a football game. The Donkeys have the ball on the 5 yard line, and are up by 5, with 30 seconds left. Then a Donkeys player fumbles the ball. A player for The Elephants picks up the ball and runs 10 yards, 20 yards, 50 yards, 80 yards. It looks like he could go all the way.

At that point, the play-by-play announcer quips: "Is this a desperate attempt to fire up the crowd, or an obvious attempt to score the points needed to win the crowd?"

The correct response from the color commentator would be "Bob, you're a total dumbass." But, that's the difference between sportscasting and news "reporting".

[OESY]

OMG, is this true? I thought Rove was trying to divert attention from falling gas prices by shoving a microphone in front of John Kerry.

[rabidralph]

Personally, I would like to nail 'er 'ead to the floor.

[justshutupandtakeit]

Though awkwardly phrased it is pretty clear what was intended. RATs fleeing from Kerry are not mentioned by the Treason Media.

[Question Liberal Authority]

I personally don't think it will have a significant effect on the race.

It means all the difference in the world. You have to consider what the "news" coverage WOULD HAVE BEEN the last several days if not for this story. If the Republicans aren't humping little boys like Mark Foley, they're mocking the terminally ill, like Rush Limbaugh. Now, for some odd reason, the topic has been changed to the completely irrelevant "what is the role of the United States Military in a post-911 world?" Though the Dems would want you to believe the topic is simply "Can John Kerry tell a joke properly?"

Also, it puts a face on the anti-Democrat efforts. The Dems use George W. Bush to concentrate their anti-Republican efforts. I've seen more pics of George W Bush being used by the Dems in campaign ads than the actual people who are running. The Republicans have tried to use Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, et al, but most people don't know who they are and plus they've gone into hiding.

Also, this election is going to be ALL about TURNOUT. Plain and simple, the team that gets the most people to the polls wins. If as many people vote against Kerry in 2006 as voted against Kerry in 2004, the Republicans will pick up 50 seats.

[msnimje]

I personally don't think it will have a significant effect on the race.

It sure will. The midterm elections are often won by very few (dozens, hundreds) votes.

[50sDad]

"A fair question, and one that's been much on my mind."

"It is my opinion that Harold has been teaching those sheep to fly."

[RexBeach]

"Notice the great difficulty they have in the relatively simple task of perchin.'"

[Nancee]

Me too!


Nancee

[Almondjoy]

I know that people are swayed by the daily happenings in the media but give me a break.

If people would educate themselves they would let themselves fall victim to TV AD's and daily news gaffs.

People need to study the issues, understand where people stand, and vote for you beliefs.

Anything else is just stupid and feeds into the belief that there are too many "sheep" out there voting.

[silverleaf]

John Kerry's comments have given CBS "the buckwheats"!

[Enchante]

John Kerry: "If you can graduate with a 'Gentleman's C' average, marry a rich heiress and then a rich widow, and not say anything too revoltingly nasty about our dumbass troops, you can do well. Ooops, I've stepped in it again!"

[WoofDog123]

" and feeds into the belief that there are too many "sheep" out there voting."

i think this is more in the category of a fact rather than a belief. People who vote based on whether the candidate acts 'presidential' in a debate, how he looks, without gram zero of understanding of a single issue being discussed.

It is quite scary, really.

[Nancee]

SCARY is right!!!


Nancee

[Almondjoy]

Well no doubt there are "sheep" I was referring to the pereception of the amount of them.