Chicago Trib.'s Clarence Page on Blagojevich scandal: "This is fresh meat for that [Republican] smear machine"
On MSNBC's Hardball, Clarence Page said that the emerging scandal involving Gov. Rod Blagojevich "is the brightest moment for Republicans since the Reverend Jeremiah Wright tapes came out," and added: "This is fresh meat for that smear machine."
During the December 10 edition of MSNBC's Hardball, Chicago Tribune columnist Clarence Page stated that the emerging scandal involving Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) "is the brightest moment for Republicans since the Reverend Jeremiah Wright tapes came out," and added: "This is fresh meat for that smear machine, but I don't think it's going to last long." During the discussion, host Chris Matthews said of Republicans: "They're flashing like E.T. all of a sudden."
Media Matters for America has recently documented media figures using the Blagojevich scandal as an opportunity to engage in suggestions of guilt-by-association against President-elect Barack Obama and baselessly link Obama to the scandal, despite prosecutor and U.S. attorney Patrick Fitzgerald's statement that the criminal complaint against Blagojevich "makes no allegations about the president-elect whatsoever -- his conduct," and Fitzgerald's warning to the press to "not cast aspersions on people for being named or being discussed or if you learn they're being interviewed."
From the December 10 edition of MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews:
PAGE: First of all, that's a lot to speculate, that Blagojevich, all of a sudden, is going to get sensible and actually step aside.
PAGE: I wouldn't put money on it. Number two, this is the brightest moment for Republicans since the --
MATTHEWS: They seem to have --
PAGE: -- Reverend Jeremiah Wright tapes came out. They're going to have a lot of fun with this.
MATTHEWS: They're flashing like E.T. all of a sudden.
PAGE: Yes. Exactly.
MATTHEWS: I mean, they're having --
PAGE: They're going to have a lot of fun with it.
PAGE: This is fresh meat for that smear machine, but I don't think it's going to last long.
The other right-wing media mogul you should worry about
Palin's book and Obama's bow: a media week to forget
Media Matters: The Palin chronicles
On a bright note , I just think the world of Clearance Page. Insightful again.
I'm not sure of the point, if it "won't last long", that seems to recognize that there's no validity. Is it just so accepted that "fresh meat" can be complete nonsense, as long as some smear merchants get a little mileage out of it?
On a bright note, Mark Foley thinks the world of page clearance.
Col- Page I believe is saying that there are too many problems with this country and this will have no traction with the American People. How a two bit Governor handled a Senate appointment has no bearing on issues like the Auto industry, stock markets falling, healthcare, Iraq, Afghanistan and issues this nation has been left by Bush.
I don't get your Mark Foley reference I was just discussing my admiration for Clearance Page , I find him very intelligent.
Right J, I was just pointing out that I'd like to see the pundits mention when something is BS. Saying it's red meat, but won't last long, sort of leaves it as a valid, if minor, item.
My Foley reference was only a lame joke about getting clearance for access to pages.
Ok , I got it . ;-)
let's just hope we never get another "clearance" thomas on the supreme court.
I think he meant it won't last among the non-frothers. But the excitable droolers will use this until they keel over and stroke out.
Like Hannity , he is about to blow a blood vessel.
He's who I had in mind. Sean should start a diet and exercise something other than his mouth.
If you're playing the Sean Hannity Drinking Game at home, the new bottoms-up phrase is "The Chicago Way". Sean wants sooo badly to coin a phrase, just like BilldO-- S.P.s, Obama mania syndrome,etc. They're like George Costanza lobbying for his T-Bone nickname, these things have to happen organically.
Page is good. As was stated yesterday you will see the GOP reaching to tag this on the President Elect.
The GOP can only do this with the help of Page and others who bring it up and ID it as red meat.
Victor the fact that Page is even suggesting that a smear machine exists in the GOP is telling enough and not helping the GOP cause at all.
Page's phraseology is also is telling of Page's attitude toward conservative media.
I will not hold my breath waiting for him to accuse left wing media as a "left wing smear machine".
Speaking of which, the left wing is in full denial mode again just as it was with Wright, Ayers, Dohrn, Rezko, and all the rest. You'd think Obama never even knew Blago was Governor by the way Obama's "machine" is out trying to put distance between the two.
Speaking of which, the left wing is in full denial mode again just as it was with Wright, Ayers, Dohrn, Rezko, and all the rest. You'd think Obama never even knew Blago was Governor by the way Obama's "machine" is out trying to put distance between the two.
AA, what exactly is the "left wing media" denying?
Pearlene,
The left wing media (along with the Obama administration) is denying there is anything but an arms length relationship between Obama and Blagojevich.
The "revised" comments by Axelrod denying Obama spoke to Blagojevich about his successor and the kool-aid like acceptance by many in the media is case in point.
AA, do you have any proof that the "left wing media" or the Obama administration is covering up information about a closer Blagojevich/Obama relationship?
Anything?
Did you see Blagojevich out on the campaign trail for Obama over the last 2 years? Speaking at the Democratic convention? Mentioned as a person Obama values?
Besides the basic public appearances all politicians of a state have with the states Governor, do you have ANYTHING that changes what's been said by the "left wing media" or the Obama administration?
AA, you've done this same "guilt by association" with Obama, Ayers and his wife.
You have have ZERO proof that what's been reported is not the truth. ZERO!
Pearlene,
Forgive me for being cynical, but David Axelrod's comment back in November and the Quincy Ill news reports, which now have put out a very lame excuse both point to the fact that there is a coverup.Why would Axelrod make up the story back in November that Obama and Blagojevich met if he had no knowledge that thaty did? Is he in the habit of making up stories for no reason? So, it is evidence, but one you completely ignore because Axelrod said he was 'mistaken' only after the scandal broke and he was called on it.
Both Axelrod's excuse, the Quincy reporting, and you make my point. You will ignore any evidence to the contrary even when it is staring you in the face.
I could have cared less if Obama talked to Blagojevich about the position. It borders on the inconceivable that Obama or his staff did not. As a matter of fact, I do believe the evidence offered by Fitzgerald does indeed point to the fact that someone talked to Blago.
What we need to find out is who fingered Blagojevich? If it wasn't Obama's camp, were they keeping silent after Blago tried to extort them for Obama's choice? If Blago did try a quid pro quo agreement for the Senate seat, and nobody reported it, then what does it say about Obama and his team? If they did report it, do you think they'd remain silent at this point or would it be 'leaked' to the press in order to put to rest the rumors?
Sorry Pearlene, there is more to this story than has yet reached the press. Obama's denials don't pass the smell test.
Forgive me for being cynical, but David Axelrod's comment back in November and the Quincy Ill news reports, which now have put out a very lame excuse both point to the fact that there is a coverup.Why would Axelrod make up the story back in November that Obama and Blagojevich met if he had no knowledge that thaty did? Is he in the habit of making up stories for no reason? So, it is evidence, but one you completely ignore because Axelrod said he was 'mistaken' only after the scandal broke and he was called on it.
AA, we first need to correct your misinformation that Axelrod said Obama met with Blagojevich. In the FOX interview, Axelrod said Obama spoke to the governor.
Axelrod said, "I know he's talked to the governor and there are a whole range of names many of which have surfaced, and I think he has a fondness for a lot of them."
Where is the big cover-up?
The FBI has been recording Blagojevich's conversations since October and they certainly have a recording, so why would Axelrod lie?
I do believe the evidence offered by Fitzgerald does indeed point to the fact that someone talked to Blago.
AA, did you also bother to find out exactly who was on the call to Blagojevich?
FBI secretly recorded Mr. Blagojevich telling a huge conference call loaded with politicos, in Illinois and Washington, that he wasn’t about to give the Senate spot away for nothing.
It’s also the same recorded conversation in which Mr. Blagojevich uses an obscenity to refer to Mr. Obama, before the governor makes clear he won’t give the president-elect the seat for free. “F— him. For nothing? F— him.”
If it wasn't Obama's camp, were they keeping silent after Blago tried to extort them for Obama's choice? If Blago did try a quid pro quo agreement for the Senate seat, and nobody reported it, then what does it say about Obama and his team?
Jack Connaty, of Chicago's Fox affiliate, reported this morning:
We did receive a tip this morning that perhaps all of this came together so quickly because the Governor may have reached out to Rahm Emanuel, the president-elect’s chief of staff, in attempting to leverage filling the Senate seat. And it may have been Rahm Emanuel who tipped the scale and made this move as quickly as it did.
If they did report it, do you think they'd remain silent at this point or would it be 'leaked' to the press in order to put to rest the rumors?
WHO started those "rumors"?
If Obama spent his time responding to each and every "rumor" put out by right wing blowhards, he'd get nothing done, and there's a lot to do, thanks to 8 years of Republican mismanagement.
Those of us who voted for Obama would rather he spend his time fixing this screwed up economy and end the war. In case you missed it, this country is getting pretty close to a depression and American soldiers are still dying in Iraq.
aa, speaking of smell test, perhaps you should wake up and smell the coffee. you're doing the usual innuendo and speculation and it's based on nothing. why do you ignore what are the exact words of blagojevich? suppose he was under the impression that obama, or his camp, did favor one candidate. if so, then no one from the obama camp offered anything. "for nothing?" when it comes down to it, blagojevich is the person who wanted something, and he obviously felt there was "nothing" offered from obama. why do you dismiss his words?
AA, you could not be further wrong than you are right now. no where has the Obama team denyed a relationship. He was the Governor of the same state that Obama was the Senator from.
You are mistaken. I didn't say the Obama team denied a relationship. Please go back and reread my post.
AA, I stand corrected. Also bad day for my spelling yesterday (denyed) is obviously not a word.
aa, you're not denying that there is a right wing smear machine? good grief, that's been an industry, with their clinton obsession for the last 16 years.
me,
Only if you are not denying there is also a "left wing smear machine" that has been in place since Reagan.
AA, do you ever have independent thoughts, or are they all dictated by what somebody else thinks?
aa, i realize there is rhetoric on both sides, but what do you define as a smear? the clintons murdered vince foster, something limbaugh has promoted? that's a smear. bush lied when he said he had to invade iraq because saddam wouldn't let the inspectors in? that's a fact.
What a load. Of course Obama knows who the governor of his state is. It's people like you suggesting that's proof of them being in cahoots together in this that is the denial. Ya got nothing, just like y'all had nothing with wright or ayers.
Snoop,
Ayers and Wright's relationship with Obama are pretty well documented. So to say I got nothing is denial of well known facts on your part.
I never suggested them being in cahoots together. However the quick distancing by Obama and Axelrod, like they did with other unsavory relationships, raises the question as it is the same pattern. It is a pretty bumpy ride on that Obama bus as they pave the road with grandma, Wright, Ayers, Dohrn, Pflager, and now Blagojevich.
So, if your next door neighbor was busted for, say, selling drugs, and the cops came by to ask about your involvement with that, and you said (truthfully) that you weren't involved, that would be an indication of guilt on your part?
Can I top that off for you?
It depends if you're a Republican or a Democrat in AA's world...
>>Ayers and Wright's relationship with Obama are pretty well documented. So to say I got nothing is denial of well known facts on your part.
And, as you admit, there is nothing to this relationship. Your reasoning is circular. That would be like me accusing you of having relationships with the mafia, and then naming 10 people. Even when it was shown you had no relationships with those 10 people, I could say, "Yes, I agree, but the pattern is distrubing."
thats right, it's pretty well documented. It's pretty well documented that there was nothing there, especially with Ayers.
>>Speaking of which, the left wing is in full denial mode again just as it was with Wright, Ayers, Dohrn, Rezko, and all the rest. You'd think Obama never even knew Blago was Governor by the way Obama's "machine" is out trying to put distance between the two.
No one is in denial except reactionaries like you. Your list just amounts to a lot of innuendo, so it is impossible to even respond to it.
Thanks for contributing another of the "Is not!" non rebuttals.
what is anyone in denial about? specifically? not an answer like there must be something here. what specifically?
OK, someone help me out here...
Is Page being cited by MMFA for being prophetic? Or because he's misinforming us?
I did not take it that he was misinforming us. I took it as he sees the GOP smear machine using this.
A few times they do feature people who agree with them.
Matthews is a loudmouth but he is right, the GOP propaganda machine is lighting up like E.T.
Oh, I thought that was Bill O'Reilly & Megan Kelly.
The Colonel wins the caption contest with a line like that
Is Page being cited by MMFA for being prophetic? Or because he's misinforming us?
Prophetic. Page, who sometimes speaks with a giddish bluntness, predicted a rash of misinformation from the republican smear machine, but he thinks it won't last long.
I don't know if this is a WITH, but the statement is dead on.
The Rush Limbaughs..Sean Hannities, Bill Cunningham's...Bill Oreilly's...and on and on....they get to continue their guilt by association campaign....Hey guys, HOW DID IT WORK FOR ELECTION NIGHT?
Would somebody explain for me where the "misinformation" is in this?
don,
Your comment shows you are also aware of what some of us have known for quite some time.
What have we known for quite some time?
JLyons wrote:
>>What have we known for quite some time?
Oh, you know. Obama's relationships. You know, the pattern of them. That he comes from chicago, a corrupt city. I'm not saying that Obama is guilty, but the pattern is disturbing. The pattern of having non-relationships with people, or of having relationships that are later proven tenuous or non-existent. Those non-existent relationships, you know (wink, wink) prove something.
It's just like we all know about how AA really feels about dictatorships. I'm just saying there is a pattern that is disturbing that needs to be looked into.
I think "AA" means he feels that MMFA does not show misinformation at times and that bothers him. Most on the board I think disagree with him and have stated that fact. Also, above is a statement explaining why this post is there.
No the distrubing pattern toward tyranny has been this administration's activities and I for have been amazed at almost every "conservative" on the board's willingness to shrink from stating their opposition to it or openly supporting it.
ulf,
Obviously the comments by Page listed above do not in any way rise to the level proclaimed by MMFA in it's mission statement. But hey, why should MMFA be held to the standard it sets for the rest of the media? I find it laughable that mmfa puts out more misinformation and selectively biased information than just about any of those it criticizes.
Don nailed it.
You are entitled to your opinion -- no matter how laced with the Right-wing Kool-Aid it is. At least that is what the Constitution said before it was shreded by this White House.
I read Maddog's comment as being sort of facetious. Sort of a tongue-in-cheek W.I.T.H., as Pages comments are a reasonable look at the Republican smear factories feeding frenzy.
AA may have , in his desperation to find a comrade in his mission statement police work, misinterpreted DonaldMaddogs remark.
I usually don't comment on these, because I have so much fun watching the Keystone Kops antics of those who don't seem to understand what a mission statement is. It's a broad outline, a general statement of purpose, but to the authoritarian-submissive wingnut mind, it's a self imposed doctrine of limitations, a set of rules that the nuance-impaired can abuse to catch people coloring outside of the lines.
My question, "where is the misinformation here"? has caused some confusion within my fan base. Both Page and Matthews are simply stating that the Repugs are going to use whatever they can concerning the Ill. Gov's horrible behavior to smear Obama. They are stating a truth. So how are their remarks in any way "misinformation". Jeeze! And, Gawd forbid I should ever agree with anything AA says. Even HE got my meaning all wrong. And another thing, now that I think about it, just how and why do liberals "smear" the right?How can you smear someone who is already smeared?
There's a perfectly good way to smear the right, Maddog, as evidenced by BilldO and others seething hatred of this site; Transcribe their words in full context, post video clips of their statements, in general, let them be themselves. They're self-smearing.
And I think I know your sense of humor well enough to see what your original comment meant.I've done the same thing, jokingly asking how noticing or predicting misinformation is misinformation.There are some here who find it way too complex that MMFA posts items related to con misinformation, and in their confusion they start running around imagining some sort of breach of conduct by this site.
The Chicago Cubs are from Chicago, does that mean they are corrupt?
Reference the difference between "corrupt" and "incompetent"...
Say it ain't so J!
Wow, Obama has some seriously questionable relationships with some corrupt individuals. We need to nip this thing in the bud NOW. Get the race-card out there and everything should be fine.
Who is playing the race card?
How dare you question Zamfir! He is the master of the pan-flute, don't you know?