October 12, 2006
Hotline After Dark -- Breaking News Overtakes Politics
TV was in breaking news mode last night, covering the NY plane crash in a way that only a story taking place in NY (vs. any other city in the world) will get covered.
Gov. George Pataki (R-NY): "There is now virtual certainty that this was nothing but a tragic accident, there was no link to terror."
More: "We had instantaneous communication, the city, the state, the federal officials. I talked to Secretary Chertoff a number of times, and the mayor. And whether it was the firefighters responding to the fire in the building or homeland security scrambling jets over New York, we have to say that there is a far better coordinated response than existed on September 11" ("Hardball," MSNBC, 10/11).
But there was some talk on Pres. Bush's presser:
CNN's Henry: "Just four weeks before the midterm elections, the president became the prognosticator in chief" ("Lou Dobbs Tonight," 10/11).
FNC's Baier: "In an hour-long news conference where the situation with North Korea dominated the questioning, President Bush called for stiff sanctions against the communist north promising serious diplomatic repercussions from a united international community" ("Special Report," 10/11).
NBC's Gregory: "On all these tough issues, the president's press conference -- they're becoming more frequent these days -- is another piece of evidence that the president himself wants to try to drive the debate in the final weeks of this midterm campaign" ("Countdown," MSNBC, 10/11).
Newsweek's Wolffe, asked about Bush accidentially calling Nancy Pelosi leader of the House: "Maybe it's wishful thinking. You know, he has always liked strong women in his life. You know, I think you can read too much into this. But you know, Condi Rice, Karen Hughes, his mother. I mean, maybe he likes Nancy Pelosi more than we think" ("Countdown," MSNBC, 10/11).
BY THE BOOK
And MSNBC's Olbermann had a preview of a new book from the former No. 2 man in Pres. Bush's Office of Faith-Based Initiatives. David Kuo's "Tempting Faith" will be out 10/16.
Olbermann: "Kuo cites one example after another of a White House that repeatedly uses Evangelical Christians for their votes while consistently giving them nothing in return."
More Olbermann: "According to Kuo, Karl Rove's office referred to Evangelical leaders as the 'nuts.' Kuo says, 'National Christian leaders received hugs and smiles in person and then were dismissed behind their backs and described as ridiculous, out of control and just plain goofy.' So, how does the Bush White House keep the 'nuts' turning out at the polls? One way, regular conference calls with groups lead by Pat Robertson, James Dobson, Ted Haggard, and radio hosts like Michael Reagan. ... They did get some things from the Bush White House, like the National Day of Prayer. ... Or 'Little trinkets like cufflinks or pens or pads of paper were passed out like business cards. Christian leaders could give them to their congregations or donors or friends to show just how influential they were.'"
Olbermann: "When cufflinks were not enough, the White House played the Jesus card, reminding Christian leaders that 'The knew the president's faith' and begging for patience. ... The office was literally a taxpayer funded part of the Republican
campaign machinery. In 2002 Kuo says, 'The office decided to hold roundtable events for threatened incumbents with faith and community leaders. Using the aura of our White House power to get a diverse group of faith and community leaders to a 'nonpartisan' event discussing how best to help poor people in their area.'"
More: "White House Political Affairs Director Ken Mehlman, 'Loved the idea and gave us our marching orders. There were 20 targets.' Including Saxby Chambliss in Georgia, and John Shimkus in Illinois. Mehlman devised a cover-up for the operation. He told Kuo, 'It can't come from the campaigns, that would make it look too political. It needs to come from the congressional offices. We'll take care of that by having our guys call the office to request the visit'" ("Countdown," 10/11).[EMILY GOODIN]
Posted at 07:17 AM
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