Monday, September 24, 2007

Media Matters for America, September 24, 2007

Politico's Harris "struck by" Clinton's assertion of need for continuing U.S. presence in Iraq -- but that's not new

Following Bob Schieffer's interview with Sen. Hillary Clinton on CBS' Face the Nation, Schieffer asserted that Clinton had "today recognized that ... there is going to be an American presence, military presence, in Iraq for some time to come." The Politico's John Harris agreed, saying, "She did," adding that he was "struck by" Clinton's statement of her position. In fact, as Clinton
told Schieffer during the interview, her position that some U.S. troops should remain in Iraq is consistent with legislation she has supported in the Senate and in her previous statements on withdrawing troops. Read more



Daily News' Goodwin claimed Boxer amendment "almost identical" to Cornyn amendment "except that it did not mention MoveOn"

In a New York Daily News column, Michael Goodwin claimed that a Democratic amendment that "condemn[ed] all attacks on the honor, integrity, and patriotism of any individual who is serving or has served honorably in the United States Armed Forces, by any person or organization" was "almost identical" to an alternative Republican amendment "except that [the Democratic amendment] did not mention MoveOn." Though the Democratic amendment did not refer to MoveOn.org by name, it did specifically criticize MoveOn's ad about Gen. David Petraeus. Read more



Limbaugh named "Worst Person" "runner-up" for attempt to link Obama to bin Laden

During the September 21 edition of MSNBC's Countdown, host Keith Olbermann named nationally syndicated radio show host Rush Limbaugh the "runner-up" in his nightly "Worst Person in the World" segment for, as Media Matters for America documented, smearing Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) with references to Osama bin Laden. Limbaugh cited a bin Laden tape in which bin Laden "says he is going to invade Pakistan and declare war on Pakistan and [President Pervez] Musharraf, which, ladies and gentlemen, puts you on the same page with a Democrat presidential candidate -- that would be Barack 'Uss-Obama.' " Read more



On NPR, Wash. Post's Wright claimed Webb's Iraq amendment was "defeated decisively"

On the September 22 edition of National Public Radio's (NPR) Weekend Edition Saturday, Washington Post diplomatic correspondent Robin Wright characterized the Senate Republicans' blocking of an amendment sponsored by Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA), which would require that U.S. troops receive home leave time equal to their most recent combat deployment, as having been "defeated decisively." In fact, 56 senators -- including all Democratic members -- voted in favor of the measure, while 44 senators -- all Republicans and Independent Joseph I. Lieberman (CT) -- voted against. Read more



O'Reilly: "I respect dissent on the Iraq war"

On The O'Reilly Factor, Bill O'Reilly responded to a viewer who asked him to "stop labeling those who criticize our continued stay in Iraq as anti-American" by asserting: "I respect dissent on the Iraq war." After Fox News anchor Laurie Dhue stated that "[w]e welcome dissent in this country," O'Reilly replied, "We do. And on this program." In fact, O'Reilly has repeatedly attacked both the members of the anti-war movement and the media for their coverage of the war, asserting that they are "declar[ing] defeat" and "rooting for the USA to lose in Iraq."Read more




USA Today again aired Romney attacks on Clinton health plan without noting he signed a bill with similar requirements

In a September 24 USA Today article, reporter Fredreka Schouten quoted Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney's charge that Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's (D-NY) health care proposal is "a 'socialized medical plan' " without noting that, as governor of Massachusetts, Romney signed into law a health care bill that requires every state resident to obtain health insurance -- one of the central tenets of Clinton's plan. From the article: Read more



O'Reilly once again falsely claims "never" to call for boycotts, "except for France"

Bill O'Reilly told a listener: "I didn't call for any boycott. I never do that, except for France, and that's lifted." It was not the first time that O'Reilly falsely claimed that he "never" calls for boycotts. As Media Matters for America has documented, O'Reilly has previously denied calling for boycotts, but has in fact called for them on several occasions. Read more

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