Russert falsely asserted Democrats have received one-third of money contributed by Abramoff
During a debate between incumbent Sen. Mike DeWine (R-OH) and his challenger in the November election, Rep. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), on the October 1 edition of NBC's Meet the Press, host Tim Russert falsely asserted that "one-third of [convicted lobbyist Jack] Abramoff's money went to Democrats" in response to Brown's statements regarding donations to DeWine.
In fact, as Media Matters for America has repeatedly noted (including here, here, here, and here), Abramoff did not donate money to Democrats. A Media Matters search of the Center for Responsive Politics database of campaign contributions did not find any contributions from Abramoff to Democrats or Democratic leadership political action committees.
From the October 1 edition of NBC's Meet the Press:
BROWN: Mike DeWine received more than $400,000 from oil and gas interests, votes for an energy bill that they wrote.
RUSSERT: But Congressman Brown, one-third of Abramoff's money went to Democrats.
BROWN: Maybe it did. It didn't go to me.
Lie really, that we cannot kill. Someone please drive a stake through its heart. This just wont stop being repeated no matter how often it is shown to be false
The Republo-Cons took two big hits this weekend...Woodward's book confirms what we already knew; that Bush had been lying about Iraq from day one...and the House Page Pedophile scandal. Rove is desperately pulling every rabbit out of his hat that he can put his pudgy little fingers on. They will do whatever it takes to hold onto Congress...otherwise the investigations start. Nothing will surprise me in the coming weeks; including air strikes on Iran, or Osama Bin Laden's dusty corpse.
the Congressional Report released that exposes White House/Rove ties to Abramoff.
Normally, something like that would be headline material. The constant barrage of administration and Republican screw-ups really boggles the mind. I ascribe it - jokingly of course - to a strategy to inundate critics with so many targets that they never pursue any well.
They should be ready for this kind of question or comment and say something like "Democrats did not take one dime in contributions from Jack Abramoff. Where in the world are you getting that misinformation?" They should have all their facts and figures in order to respond to any attempt to spin this. When Dean did this the journos were taken aback because they actually believed the contrary.
If Dems consistently did this eventually the journos would give up and move on to something else.
I'm surprised Russert didn't add, "Abramoff's money was received over the Internet, which Al Gore claims he invented."
Ab gave money to the democrates because Hillary Clinton is SATAN and forced him to do so with her evil mind control powers.
Hillary also forced Abe to use the internet, which Al Gore invented.
if you can figure out how to bring up Bill Clinton / Monica Lewinsk and Cut & Run.
Hillary gave Abe a cigar to use the internet, which was invented by Al Gore, who had lots of spare time due to not pursuing terrorists
meh...not very good I suppose...I'd never cut it as a neocon
If they aren't dirty, just keep throwing the dirt on the wall, eventually some will stick, now Timmy is involved!
I suppose we can now call him "Fair and Balanced."
Sen. Harry Reid was the Chairman of the Gaming Control Board that black balled Spilotro, that broke up the Argent Group, and he was Govenor of Nevada when his first order of business was to take Humana Hospitals to task for hiding revenues from the state.
The proposal of an Indian Tribe with ambitions to start casinos on their reservation would donate to Harry Reid is a no brainer, hardly lumps Sen. Reid into the scandal.
They could hardly take this to the Ethics Committee and or the Justice Department and get any traction, but Republicans are lining up for prison.
I emailed Tim Russert with the challenge of other than the tribal donation to Sen. Reid, whom did Abramoff give to in the Democratic Party other that Reid, and how much??
Happy Thoughts;
Dan Grady
We get this from Russert again and again and he is allowed by NBC to do and say these things again and again. People go to work each day, we have the pressures of work and family to deal with and we have the RIGHT to expect at least the truth from these people who broadcast over OUR airwaves. When and if a democratically elected president is ever allowed back in the white house the first order of business should be a investigation of the broadcast media. We all go to work each day and do what we are told to do but not all of us sell out our country in the process. I hope someone can do something that will make it not worth it anymore for the Russerts, the Courics, the Matthews etc. Thank you David Brock.
a moderate buying into Republican mythology. I hope Tim Russert makes a correction.
I agree that Russert needs to be corrected, but MM posting should also mention that even though Abramoff only contributed to Republicans, his clients did contribute some money to Democrats.
Temphandle:
The bulk of those contributions to Dems from Abramoff clients were from Indian tribes who had been long time Democratic party supporters before they ever met Abramoff. The whole point of these tribes retaining Abramoff was to gain influence with the party that now controlled all three branches of government.
It is misleading to say, as you imply, that the tribal contributions to the Dems were directed by Abramoff.
Who cares if CLIENTS of Abramoff gave money to Dems or Republicans or the KKK? The CLIENTS weren't a front or a siphon for Abramoff's donations. Separate entities one and all. Abramoff's influence on his CLIENTS was what? To give LESS money to Democrats. Check the record. Tribal donations DECLINED after Abramoff was in their bullpen.
This and ALL Republican talking points must die.
So Abramoff, guilty of BRIBING Congressmen, gave money to the GOP. Abramoffs VICTIMS, never even ACCUSED of bribery, gave money to both Dems and the GOP. If it makes you feel better it could be put that way.
Said
"But lots of money went to democrats from Abramoff clients
I agree that Russert needs to be corrected, but MM posting should also mention that even though Abramoff only contributed to Republicans, his clients did contribute some money to Democrats.
- temphandle clique88wonderfulness"
A convicted felon gave to Republicans, and no Democrats.
Lots and lots and lots of other people and groups, including some of Abramoff's clients, gave money to lots and lots and lots of candidates and political parties, including Democrats.
The issue here? A convicted felon gave to Republicans, and gave nothing to Democrats.
Any other discussions about any other donations? Simply a distraction from the issue!
Howard Dean has already pointed out that neither Jack Abramoff or his wife ever contributed to Democrats. Wasn't Brown aware of this?
This is another case of Dems being unable or unwilling to confront GOP talking points head on.
Why aren't the top five potential subjects for a Sunday show given to each and every Dem appearing with counters to the Rove talking points. Do your homework!
We need a similar dis to Pelosi's excellent "fair and balanced" sarcasm to the Fox blonde the other day.
above, in Solon's subthread.
Obviously, I totally agree with you that this is one way to stop this BS. But there is no excuse for Tim Russert's repeating something that was already corrected for him, to his face.
I have watched Tim for years and have always found his show inciteful, but recently he has been slipping a little. I would not blame him (I think he is a fine man, who by the way is a registered Democrat) but the corporate executives telling him what to say. He must have to grint his teeth when his producers tell him what to say...
Please don't! He is a millonaire. Please feel bad for millions of women and men, adults and children around the world who have to sell their bodies (not their countries) just to survive. Russert is a registered SELLOUT!
Well Russert may be a gazillionaire but at least he doesn't sell out to imbeciles like O'Reilly and Hannity. He makes mistakes(don't we all) but he tries(unlike faux hacks). Remember the Cheney incident(Iraq is connected to 9-11 ). That was on his show, and he confronted Cheney on that.
Russert errors?
You might change your mind about how to interpret his errors. In this case, he was told a very long time ago that that "1/3 went to Dems" was not true. Why would someone repeat something he knows is not true?
Everyone does make mistakes, and some of them are honest mistakes. But just because someone is not as bad as the worst people on the air does not make him or her an unbiased journalist.
like so many media in washington. at least nbc nightly news did a fairly good job tonight, backing up the claims on woodward's book. so the bush administration is seen as both inept and lying. of course, they always have looked that way to those that took the trouble to be informed.
Oh well, I still like his show. I will admit he has changed(negatively) but I still don't think he is as bad as the FAUX news hacks. It seems KO, Jon Stewart, and Stephen Colbert are the only sane ones left...
and is Russert looking for a job as White House Press Secretary.
but not with anything you say after that. O'reilly, Hannity he is just as bad if not worse. He's suppose to be a registered Dem, right? No matter what he is we have the right to the truth over our airwaves. I have seen Mr Cheney on that show more than once and saw no confrontation whatsoever. Yes I have made many mistakes in my life and Russert has his show and he can do what he is told but I don't have to like it or agree with it.
Okay maybe I am less informed about him then you. I also understand we need a more responsible media than we have at this moment. However it is not easy to be a liberal media figure when your sponsers are corporate losers. Big Corporations are taking over America and are destroying every thing in their path. Thank You Keith Obermann for sticking to your guns!
Democrats learn to call a lie a lie? Just say it.Just say Russert,thats a lie.It's that easy.
Why do they sit there with that dumb grin on there face as someone lies about them?
Democrats must LOVE being swiftboated/fuzzy mathed/dismal national security record/weak on defense/gay party /pro death/Aid and comfort to terrorists/internet inventor....
Please STAND UP YOU SISSIES! America needs you and would vote for you if showed a little strength instead of the dopey sheepish grin.Take a que from Bill Clinton and START TELLING IT LIKE IT IS.