Kerry has Showdown with Reporter, Hits Raw Nerve that Reporter Reveals

[kerrygoddess]

John Kerry has Showdown with Reporter, Hits Raw Nerve that Reporter Reveals to Bloggers After Conference Call
August 21st, 2006 @ 2:59 pm

A recurring theme in the liberal blogosphere is to note the propensity of the MSM to allow the Republican Noise Machine to control the message in the media. In Lapdogs, Eric Boehlert demonstrated clearly that “the news media have utterly failed in their duty as watchdog for the public.”

An instance of this was seen clearly during the conference call with John Kerry and Patrick Murphy, a week ago Friday, when Jonathan Kaplan of The Hill asked Patrick Murphy, “Do you think Ned Lamont’s victory in Connecticut hurts or helps your chances of defeating the GOP incumbent?”

Murphy responded and Kaplan pushed the meme again, that perhaps Lamont’s victory was a gain for the GOP.

After Murphy’s second response to Kaplan, John Kerry interjected his thoughts on Kaplan’s question and made it very clear to Kaplan that the press “should not allow them to be able to try to transform failure into an offensive policy to suggest that someone is weak because they have an alternative that works.”

Kaplan snidely responded to Kerry saying, “Isn’t that your job not ours?”

John Kerry proceed to give Jonathan Kaplan a quick lesson in what the role of the media really is — “We communicate through you,” Kerry said. “We need to invite you to hold them accountable… We speak but if it doesn’t get out there, the American people don’t hear it.”

MORE, LINKS & AUDIO - http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=3932

[ProSense]

1. What a corrupt dishonest group of

assholes. These people should not be allowed to call themselves journalist. That's blatant partisanship and no wonder Senator Kerry and other Democrats cannot get their message out. The arrogant little prick thinks his job is to cherry-pick which messages the American public hears, disregarding those he doesn't like. What kind of fool statement is that for a journalist to make: that it's a politicians job to get his message out to the American public while fighting against a biased press. What a fucking asshole!




:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

[karynnj]

2. What I can't believe

is that after his temper tantrum, he asked like a errant schoolboy - not admitting to being the bad kid. (Dr Fate needs to hear the Senator firmly put this guy in his place.)

[kerrygoddess]

3. The whole episode

from Kaplan to Conallen was completely bizarre. I had been waiting for confirmation from the Hill before posting it.

[kerrygoddess]

4. Being on that call

I had a first hand view of what the media ignores - 2 reporters actually wrote about the press conference out of about 20 or more. 1 spoke up about the Conallen episode and made light of it. One WaPo reporter was on during Kaplan's temper tantrum in the second half the call and said diddly.

[ProSense]

5. You know I'm really

believe that people have no idea what we're up against. Rove and the Republicans benefit from people's unwillingness or inability to grasp that they will do anything to get there way, and that too many in the media (not all) are on their side.

This is a great comment:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=273&topic_id=99724&mesg_id=99733

[kerrygoddess]

6. I like that comment

Most people don't get what we're up against - even some who claim they do don't. Hell I wonder sometimes myself. It's layers deep, layers deep...

[karynnj]

7. I'm surprised that so few wrote about it.

You would think that the Kerry endorsing him should get at least a small story, especially if any were local media. The fact that the Republican opponent's chief of staff disrupted it with the cooperation of a reporter should have made the call more newsworthy.

It does show a bias - had this been a Republican call with Senator McCain endorsing him, the story would have been written about the bad behavior of the leftie Democrats. (Not to mention the overt bias of the Hill reporter.)

[kerrygoddess]

19. In a way I wasn't surprised

Because I was at a press conference here in L.A. that the same thing happened - they asked questions and never wrote about it. I wrote it about it in April.

[wisteria]

8. Actually, I think we have an obligation to make as many people

as possible aware of the confrontation and the attitude. Is it possible to spread this around to other blog sites? Maybe some media will pick up on it and an open an honest discussion can happen. There is also the general public- they need to be reminded how biased the media can be.

As I listened to this exchange, I thought about how Bush and Chaney malign the media when it serves their purposes- for example, " they never report the good things happening in Iraq" and I wondered if this arrogant, smug POS would have exhibited the same attitude and uttered the same phrases as he did in regards to Kerry.

Oh, and I liked how he suggested that they should use it against Kerry.

[blm]

32. Exactly - and I think Skinner should be asked to put it up on main page.

THIS is the real representation of what the media is about these days.

[TayTay]

9. Another 'Great Moments in Punditry'

as practiced by mental children. Sigh!

This guy breaks all the rules.

Anybody ever read this site: http://thenonsequitur.com/?m=200608

Really, I swear they all take classes in how to commit logical fallacies for fun and profit. Sigh!

[karynnj]

10. The linked site is cool

Scrolling down, they question Will's flip flop - showing he was a Bush cheerleader.

[TayTay]

13. Ahm, I love sites like that

I have a real weakness for wonky reads about logical fallacies. (Of course, that means that the Bush Admin drives me even more crazy, but I still like the sites.)

The commit all of them. There are refutation on all of Bush's 'arguments' based on this and ways to counter their arguments. But nobody ever debates anymore, they pontificate.

[whometense]

11. He might well act embarrassed.

Among the many low media points of the last few years, the total lack of respect he shows Kerry here may be one of the most emblematic. I was shocked to hear him. And, yes, if his employers have any sense - or sense of decency - he ought to be in trouble.

[karynnj]

12. Should we be emailing the Hill?

Between his lack of understanding on the role of the press, there was nothing in Senator Kerry's comments that should have generated the intense vindictive reaction he had. This is different than simply disputing Kerry's comments. If his boss doesn't react, this will mean to him that he can be as rude as he wants to Senator Kerry.

[whometense]

14. It would be interesting to see what kind of response

an email campaign might get. It's hard to imagine how anyone could try to defend what he said. You're exactly right - his reaction was intense and vindictive. So much so that when I first heard it my jaw literally dropped. Was Kerry listening at that point? It was hard to tell - I heard a voice that could have been his responding, but I wasn't sure.

If he said it out of Kerry's earshot, it was a really chickenshit attack.

And if he said it in Kerry's hearing it was an arrogant display of disrespect as well as totally unprofessional.

[ProSense]

15. I wondered the same thing!

There was some cross talk, but I thought I heard Kerry's voice.

[karynnj]

17. I agree

It let us see the disrespect that is clearly there and which is unchecked.

In 2004, the fact that Fox News did not fire Carl Cameron for his "metrosexual" report that he said was a joke, but which was repeated at least on CNN was a low as well - even if it was from a known biased source. He made up Kerry quotes! Although silly, the report was malicious and KNOWINGLY untrue - he made stuff up. It was also designed to hurt and to make the serious, dignified, and masculine Senator look frivolous, silly and metrosexual.

I've followed politics since the mid 60s and I never saw anything like that before.

[wisteria]

16. I am going to do it. I get angry just thinking about the attitude and

the suggestion that he and others should get back at Kerry with a smear for calling him out on what should be part of his job responsibility.
Boy, I am not a violent person, but this jerk needs a couple of shoves and maybe a pop in the face. Oh, I can't believe I am suggesting this- but that is how angry this whole incident makes me feel.

[blm]

21. GET THIS TO JON STEWART AT THE DAILY SHOW - he needs to hear it.

.Also send to MediaMatters and Atrios.

[wisteria]

22. Stewart may go for it. The media's indifference and ignorance

are subjects he brings up often.

[blm]

24. DailyHowler, too.

And ya know who else would want to hear it? Robert Parry at consortiumnews - he knows EXACTLY how these goons work and a reminder article from him could be helpful.

Also -someone from HuffPost maybe - Cenk or James Boyce?

[kerrygoddess]

28. Thanks

Sent to James and Cenk - if anyone can help pass it around please do!

[whometense]

25. What a GREAT idea!

Stewart would have a field day with this!!!! Anyone sending it??

[kerrygoddess]

29. Can anyone find contact for Daily Show?

Sent to Duncan and MM.

[wisteria]

33. That is a tough show to contact- I haven't been able to find any

cotact info- even through Comedy Central. I hope someone can provide so inside info on contacting them.

[blm]

37. Try running them down through the production office.

I'm hit and miss online today due to thunderstorms here. :(

[kerrygoddess]

18. Yes email them

The post on the Dem Daily has contact info.

[kerrygoddess]

20. Just posted on Kos

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/8/22/125629/481

I have to go out on business - if anyone can recco this much appreciated!

[whometense]

23. Thanks, KG

For the first time ever I just got the ability to troll-rate at Kos!!!

woohoo!!!!!

:party: :party: :party:

[kerrygoddess]

26. Thank you Whome!

I have to run around and get some biz supplies and hate to leave it but I'll be in and out for a while - hopefully others will help. C&L also linked to it this morning. We need to get this story around!

[MH1]

27. 2nd on the reco list

and lots of good comments from posters I don't recognize - that's always an excellent sign.

(This really is an excellent post, kg. Really.)

[kerrygoddess]

30. Thanks MH!

LOL! Trying to leave - can't go...

[wisteria]

31. Done! n/t

[karynnj]

42. It's huge and mostly good

[kerrygoddess]

34. Atrios!

Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Wanker of the Day

Jonathan Kaplan.

http://atrios.blogspot.com/

[whometense]

35. Congrats!!!

I was just coming over here to post that!!!

I love this comment: http://www.haloscan.com/comments.php?user=atrios&comment=115627013615518985#8432368

I move we up his nomination to uber-douche of the day.
FireFox | Homepage | 08.22.06 - 2:20 pm | #

[ProSense]

36. Excellent. I just sent an e-mail to

Countdown:

The following article is self-explanatory by its title:

John Kerry has Showdown with Reporter, Hits Raw Nerve that Reporter Reveals to Bloggers After Conference Call

An instance of this was seen clearly during the conference call with John Kerry and Patrick Murphy, a week ago Friday, when Jonathan Kaplan of The Hill asked Patrick Murphy, “Do you think Ned Lamont’s victory in Connecticut hurts or helps your chances of defeating the GOP incumbent?”

Murphy responded and Kaplan pushed the meme again, that perhaps Lamont’s victory was a gain for the GOP.

After Murphy’s second response to Kaplan, John Kerry interjected his thoughts on Kaplan’s question and made it very clear to Kaplan that the press “should not allow them to be able to try to transform failure into an offensive policy to suggest that someone is weak because they have an alternative that works.”

Kaplan snidely responded to Kerry saying, “Isn’t that your job not ours?”

John Kerry proceed to give Jonathan Kaplan a quick lesson in what the role of the media really is — “We communicate through you,” Kerry said. “We need to invite you to hold them accountable… We speak but if it doesn’t get out there, the American people don’t hear it.”

http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=3932

It’s appalling to me that anyone this uninformed about the ethics and role of a journalist should be allowed to masquerade as one. His response to Senator Kerry suggest inherent and blatant partisanship. Kaplan believes his job is to cherry-pick which messages the American public hears, disregarding those he doesn't like. His utterly foolish retort that it's a politician’s job to get his/her message out to the Americans without any mention in the press shows the depths of his ignorance.

When I consider the current misadministration of the country by the Bush administration, I can’t help but link it to the failures of the media to vigorously participate in disseminating the facts.

Take this excerpt from an August 22 article in The New York Times:

When Mr. Bush referred to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on Monday in reference to a question about Iraq, a reporter pressed him, “What did Iraq have to do with that?”

When Mr. Bush referred to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on Monday in reference to a question about Iraq, a reporter pressed him, “What did Iraq have to do with that?”

“Nothing,” Mr. Bush responded somewhat testily, adding, “Nobody has ever suggested in this administration that Saddam Hussein ordered the attack.”

Leading up to the invasion in March 2003, Vice President Dick Cheney did call attention to the theory, since discredited, that one of the Sept. 11 hijackers might have met in Prague with an Iraqi intelligence officer.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/22/washington/22bush.html

Why not call out George Bush on his misleading statements instead of Dick Cheney? There are ample quotes to chose from:

"The regime . . . has aided, trained and harbored terrorists, including operatives of al Qaeda. The danger is clear: using chemical, biological or, one day, nuclear weapons, obtained with the help of Iraq, the terrorists could fulfill their stated ambitions and kill thousands or hundreds of thousands of innocent people in our country, or any other."
Source: President Says Saddam Hussein Must Leave Iraq Within 48 Hours, White House (3/17/2003).

"One of the greatest dangers we face is that weapons of mass destruction might be passed to terrorists who would not hesitate to use those weapons. Saddam Hussein has longstanding, direct and continuing ties to terrorist networks. Senior members of Iraq intelligence and al Qaeda have met at least eight times since the early 1990s. Iraq has sent bomb-making and document forgery experts to work with al Qaeda. Iraq has also provided al Qaeda with chemical and biological weapons training. And an al Qaeda operative was sent to Iraq several times in the late 1990s for help in aquiring poisons and gases. We also know that Iraq is harboring a terrorist network headed by a senior al Qaeda terrorist planner."
Source: President's Radio Address, White House (2/8/2003).

"Saddam Hussein has longstanding, direct and continuing ties to terrorist networks. Senior members of Iraqi intelligence and al Qaeda have met at least eight times since the early 1990s. Iraq has sent bomb-making and document forgery experts to work with al Qaeda. Iraq has also provided al Qaeda with chemical and biological weapons training. We also know that Iraq is harboring a terrorist network, headed by a senior al Qaeda terrorist planner."
Source: President Bush: "World Can Rise to This Moment", White House (2/6/2003).

"Evidence from intelligence sources, secret communications, and statements by people now in custody reveal that Saddam Hussein aids and protects terrorists, including members of al Qaeda. Secretly, and without fingerprints, he could provide one of his hidden weapons to terrorists, or help develop their own."
Source: President Delivers "State of the Union", White House (1/28/2003).

"The British government has learned that Saddam Hussein recently sought significant quantities of uranium from Africa."
Source: President Delivers "State of the Union", White House (1/28/2003).

"Before September the 11th, many in the world believed that Saddam Hussein could be contained. But chemical agents, lethal viruses, and shadowy terrorist networks are not easily contained. Imagine those 19 hijackers with other weapons and other planes -- this time armed by Saddam Hussein. It would take one vial, one canister, one crate slipped into this country to bring a day of horror like none we have ever known."
Source: President Delivers "State of the Union", White House (1/28/2003).

"He's a threat because he is dealing with Al Qaida. In my Cincinnati speech I reminded the American people, a true threat facing our country is that an Al Qaida-type network trained and armed by Saddam could attack America and leave not one fingerprint."
Source: President Outlines Priorities, White House (11/7/2002).

"He's had contacts with Al Qaida. Imagine the scenario where an Al Qaida-type organization uses Iraq as an arsenal, a place to get weapons, a place to be trained to use the weapons. Saddam Hussein could use surrogates to come and attack people he hates."
Source: Remarks by the President at Arkansas Welcome, White House (11/4/2002).

"It's a man who has got connections with Al Qaida. Imagine a terrorist network with Iraq as an arsenal and as a training ground, so that a Saddam Hussein could use this shadowy group of people to attack his enemy and leave no fingerprint behind. He's a threat."
Source: Remarks by the President in Texas Welcome, White House (11/4/2002).

"This is a person who has had contacts with al Qaeda."
Source: President Bush Outlines Iraqi Threat; Remarks by the President on Iraq, White House (10/28/2002).

"And I also mentioned the fact that there is a connection between al Qaeda and Saddam Hussein."
Source: President Condems Attack in Bali, White House (10/14/2002).

Source: http://democrats.reform.house.gov/IraqOnTheRecord/index.asp?viewAll=1&Subject=Al%2DQaeda&submit=display

I look forward to the day that objectivity and accountability return to the entire media. Until then, I would appreciate any coverage your program can offer to expose Jonathan Kaplan’s rude and uninformed response to Senator Kerry.

Then NYT piece is posted here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2792873&mesg_id=2792873

[ProSense]

41. Anyone else want to

drop a line to Keith Olbermann? After all he has the Allen video up:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677


He should make it a theme: assholes.

[kerrygoddess]

38. Markos gave the diary a nod

In his Mid Day Open thread!

Thank you to everyone for helping on this! The diary is still going strong on Kos too.

[MH1]

39. I about fell off my chair when I saw that!

But it really was an excellent diary, you know!

:toast:

[kerrygoddess]

40. I did fall out of my chair!

:silly:

[rox63]

43. This just in from Media Matters on Kaplan

Who is Jonathan Kaplan?

Summary: After a conference call with Sen. John Kerry and Pennsylvania Democratic congressional candidate Patrick Murphy, Hill reporter Jonathan E. Kaplan commented on an argument Kerry had made by saying: "Screw that and screw him."

Read all about it here: http://mediamatters.org/items/200608230008

[Blaukraut]

44. Well, that explains quite a bit

He appears to be a republican tool and mouthpiece.

[globalvillage]

46. Bawk..,.bawk, bawk, bawwwwwkkkk

On a separate topic, in an April 6 article, Kaplan described himself as "addicted to war":

In January 1991, the U.S. military started waging the first Gulf War. From the moment my friends and I gathered in a dorm room around a tiny television to watch CNN reporting live from Baghdad, I was addicted to war

Within a week, I covered an entire wall in my dorm room with a collage of magazine photographs of the war. Some students were so alarmed by my obsession and the pictures that they hinted I should remove them. Fifteen years later and more than three years into an altogether different war, I remain equally obsessed about the emotional journeys of soldiers and reporters who witness the raw violence and fear of war up close.

At the start of the first Gulf War, I could have dropped out of college and enlisted to see the war firsthand. But by the time that idea popped into my head, the war had ended and the roaring 1990s had began. But this time, with the help of friends and colleagues, I spent a few weeks in Iraq in 2004 and again in 2005, and got a glimpse of a war that most people would never see.

I doubt I'd go back, but being able to read memoirs of soldiers and journalists is the next best thing to being there.

http://mediamatters.org/items/200608230008

[karynnj]

47. Isn't there a BIG shortage of qualified people right now

If he was in college in 1991, 15 years ago, he can't be over 36 years old - They could use him. So, as he said, "Fifteen years later and more than three years into an altogether different war, I remain equally obsessed about the emotional journeys of soldiers and reporters who witness the raw violence and fear of war up close.", I think he needs to put his body where his mouth is. He could try to be half as courageous as the Senator he disrespected was and is. He's not doing anything useful and he's behaving pretty badly.

[ProSense]

48. Another

war-loving coward!

[kerrygoddess]

57. Yep!

I hope I made his week! ;)

[ProSense]

45. Just another

idiot tool. Rox, you should add that to the GD-P thread. Thanks.

[blm]

49. Please post in GD.

.

[whometense]

50. Hey, that's great!!

They responded to all the emails. Wonderful.

[cadmium]

51. From now on

He should always be referred to as "Republican flak Jonathan Kaplan" or "Republican pundit Jonathan Kaplan"

That is what I do whenever referring to Ann Coulter I never use her name alone. I always refer to her as "Republican pundit Ann Coulter"

One thing that Bush has right is that you have to keep repeating things for them to take hold in the public's mind.

[whometense]

52. True.

That's the Stephanie Miller Rule.

I'ts always "Noted Transsexual Plagiarist Ann Coulter" and "Drug-Addled Gasbag Rush Limbaugh" Love it.

[blm]

53. Great frame.

.

[ProSense]

54. Excellent! n/t

[blm]

55. PLEASE POST IN GD!!!!

It hasn't popped up at all.

[whometense]

56. Rox may be away from the computer.

I'll do it.

Here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2796527&mesg_id=2796527