The Media's Man: Journalists flay ABC for failing to coddle Obama.

The Wall Street Journal ^ | April 21, 2008 | John Fund

[2ndDivisionVet]

George Stephanopoulos and Charlie Gibson of ABC News weren't just criticized for their tough questioning of Barack Obama during last week's Democratic debate. They were flayed.

Hendrik Hertzberg of The New Yorker called their approach "something akin to a federal crime." Tom Shales, the Washington Post's TV critic, said the ABC duo turned in "shoddy and despicable performances." Walter Shapiro of Salon magazine said the debate had "all the substance of a Beavis and Butt-head marathon."

Most of the media mauling consisted of anger that the ABC moderators brought up a series of issues that had surrounded Mr. Obama since the last Democratic debate, a long seven weeks ago. They included his remarks that "bitter" Pennsylvania voters "cling" to religion, guns and "antipathy toward people who aren't them" and his relationships with the Rev. Jeremiah Wright and William Ayers, an unrepentant former member of the bomb-planting Weather Underground group. Mrs. Clinton also came under some fire over her made-up story of coming under sniper fire in Bosnia.

According to liberal journalists, all these topics are irrelevant. Josh Marshall of Talking Points Memo said they were "frivolous items . . . that presumed the correctness of Republican agenda items." Mr. Obama agreed, dismissing the items brought up by ABC as "manufactured issues."

* * *

But voters decide whom to support not just on issue positions, but on their judgment of the candidates' character and values. In this year's Democratic contest, the two remaining candidates broadly agree on almost every issue of substance.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Of course there is a double standard in this country: Everything is fair game when asked of a Republican, but off-limits towards a Democrat. The howls of rage from the press towards ABC proves it!

[boomop1]

ABC is owned by the clintoons, they are there to rescue her, don’t chaknow.

[infantrywhooah]

Ask that anti-Semitic racist hard questions, and force him to be accountable for his statements and actions and you’re committing something akin to a crime. Rip a Republican for the same thing and you get a medal and a pat on the back.

These scumbags don’t even hide their ultra left wing bias any more, they wear it like a badge of honor.

[subterfuge]

Sooo entertaining.

You can line up the media into two camps and they think the unwashed are so stupid we can’t see it.

You’ve got your Billary supporters and your Obamassein supporters. That’s all this is. The MSM got the task of picking the Republican nominee done early, but they’re having some trouble agreeing which marxist they should support to turn America into the Utopian Cuba.

[moose2004]

“Most of the media mauling consisted of anger that the ABC moderators brought up a series of issues that had surrounded Mr. Obama since the last Democratic debate, a long seven weeks ago. They included his remarks that “bitter” Pennsylvania voters “cling” to religion, guns and “antipathy toward people who aren’t them” and his relationships with the Rev. Jeremiah Wright and William Ayers, an unrepentant former member of the bomb-planting Weather Underground group.”

Hey Barry, you and Michelle better get used to it, it’s only going to get worse. I especially can’t wait for the NRA to spend $30 + million dollars to expose you for the radical you are.

[Joe Boucher]

I can’t remember the Clintons ever being asked the hard questions when they were in the White House.
Questions like how did your wife react when you told her you actually DID have an affair with Ms. Lewinsky?
Or Just how did those billing records get in your area?
How exactly did you parlay a grand in to 100 grand in the futures market?
Were you aware that you getting your hands on all those f.b.i. files was illegal?
Why was it so necessary to get rid of those folks in the travel office?
Why have you coveredfor Bill Clintons whoring about for so long?
I can go on and on but no one ever asks Mrs. or Mr. Clinton hard questions.

[Mr. Lucky]

You have a very short memory.

Try Googling on "Tim Russert Hillary Clinton" and review any of the articles.

[skinkinthegrass]

Everything is fair game when asked of a Republican, but off-limits towards a Democrat. The howls of rage from the press towards ABC proves it!

....hehehe...love it, when "the worm" turns.

[maine-iac7]

You can line up the media into two camps and they think the unwashed are so stupid we can’t see it.

Hard for us to see when we're crying bitter tears into our beer, one hand on our gun and the other on our Bible

[Arrowhead1952]

Most of the media mauling consisted of anger that the ABC moderators brought up a series of issues that had surrounded Mr. Obama since the last Democratic debate, a long seven weeks ago.

Mauling?? Help me out here, because there was just as much "pity" as there was a mauling. Hey BO, if you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen.

They included his remarks that "bitter" Pennsylvania voters "cling" to religion, guns

I ain't from Pennsylvania, but I will cling to those. See tag line.

[vpintheak]

Let Stephi and Gibson forever remember this. All leftists are fair weather friends, and don’t you ever, ever question their character.

[FormerACLUmember]

This is a rare glimpse into the gross intimidation used to enforce the nauseating Soviet-style ideological purity we see in the democrat party controlled media.

This was actually the best debate in living memory, showing what an arrogant empty suit Obama is.

[upchuck]

Mr. Obama agreed, dismissing the items brought up by ABC as "manufactured issues."

Perhaps. But Mr. Obama, who manufactured these issues? It was you who made the "bitter" remark, depended on Mr. Ayres for political help and attended Rev. Wright's ("God D--M America") church.

In case you hadn't noticed, Barry, actions have consequences.

[Last Dakotan]

Kinda like the calls NPR gets after it lets a lone Conservative on...

[Bender2]

Re: These scumbags don’t even hide their ultra left wing bias any more, they wear it like a badge of honor.

Then when the next nut cutting comes... those 'badges of honor' will make nice targets. Better than hair growing from the palms of their hands.

[SunkenCiv]

Another Judas [ex-Clinton DOL Sec’y Robert Reich endorses Obama]
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