Reporting on Bush's campaign event with Sherwood, Dobbs, Baier ignored allegations Sherwood had "repeatedly chok[ed]" and "attempt[ed] to strangle" his former mistress
SUMMARY: CNN's Lou Dobbs and Fox News' Bret Baier reported on President Bush's visit to Pennsylvania to campaign for Rep. Don Sherwood and noted that Sherwood has acknowledged having an "extramarital affair." But neither Dobbs nor Baier mentioned allegations that Sherwood had "repeatedly chok[ed]" and "attempt[ed] to strangle" his former mistress.
In October 19 reports on President Bush's visit to La Plume, Pennsylvania, to campaign for Rep. Don Sherwood (R-PA), CNN host Lou Dobbs and Fox News chief White House correspondent Bret Baier noted that Sherwood has acknowledged having an "extramarital affair," but failed to note allegations that Sherwood had "repeatedly chok[ed]" and "attempt[ed] to strangle" Cynthia Ore, his former mistress. As Media Matters for America noted, Sherwood settled a lawsuit Ore filed based on these and other allegations of abuse for an undisclosed amount. Sherwood has denied the charge, most recently in a campaign ad in which he admits the affair but says "the allegation of abuse was never true."
On the October 19 edition of CNN's Lou Dobbs Tonight, Dobbs reported that "Bush stumped for Congressman Don Sherwood in Pennsylvania" and that Sherwood "has acknowledged having a five-year extramarital affair." Similarly, Baier, during his report on the October 19 edition of Fox News' The Big Story, noted that "Congressman Don Sherwood from Pennsylvania was once considered a shoo-in in that race, but after admitting an extramarital affair and some problems on the campaign stump, he's now trailing his Democratic opponent." Later, during his discussion with host John Gibson, Baier said that Sherwood is "having a bit of trouble." Neither Dobbs nor Baier mentioned the allegations of abuse against Sherwood. By contrast, an October 19 article by the Associated Press on Bush's campaign stop for Sherwood noted that "last year, Sherwood admitted to a five-year extramarital affair with a woman 35 years his junior. He settled a lawsuit that claimed he had choked her, he has denied he abused her, and has aired a campaign commercial asking constituents to forgive his infidelity."
Discussing Bush's trip, Washington Post columnist Dana Milbank wrote on October 20:
"I'm pleased to be here with Don Sherwood," a smiling president told the congressman's loyal but dispirited supporters at a luncheon fundraiser Thursday. "He has got a record of accomplishment."
Quite a record. While representing the good people of the 10th District, the married congressman shacked up in Washington with a Peruvian immigrant more than three decades his junior. During one assignation in 2004, the woman, who says Sherwood was striking her and trying to strangle her, locked herself in a bathroom and called 911; Sherwood told police he was giving her a back rub.
At a time when Republicans are struggling to motivate religious conservatives to go to the polls next month, it is not clear what benefit the White House found in sending Bush to stump for Sherwood -- smack dab in the middle of what Bush, in an official proclamation, dubbed "National Character Counts Week."
From the October 19 CNN's Lou Dobbs Tonight:
DOBBS: Many Republicans, of course, remain firmly loyal to President Bush and his conduct of this war. Today, President Bush campaigned for two leading Republicans who face difficult re-election battles.
First, President Bush stumped for Congressman Don Sherwood in Pennsylvania. He has acknowledged having a five-year extramarital affair. Congressman Sherwood is in danger of losing what had been one of the safest congressional seats in the country.
And tonight, President Bush is campaigning for another beleaguered member of Congress, Senator George Allen, in Virginia. Senator Allen faces strong criticism for his remarks that many people consider to be racially insensitive.
From the October 19 edition of Fox News' The Big Story with John Gibson:
BAIER: Now, the president announced today he's campaigning for two congressmen and a senator in now tight races. Congressman Don Sherwood from Pennsylvania was once considered a shoo-in in that race, but after admitting an extramarital affair and some problems on the campaign stump, he's now trailing his Democratic opponent.
And today the president went to Pennsylvania and gave an impassioned speech about how his supporters need to step up and get out the vote for Congressman Sherwood, saying it's a matter of national security and the economy, a issue, issues rather, that the president continues to hit and he's hitting today in Virginia, with Republican Senator George Allen, who's also seen his race tighten.
[...]
GIBSON: Bret, lastly, it is once again Clinton versus Bush. President Clinton is out there campaigning hard as well.
BAIER: Yeah, and in fact, [White House press secretary] Tony Snow was asked about that today and he was asked about the president going to campaign for these two candidates that are having a bit of trouble, Congressman Sherwood and Senator Allen. And he turned to the press corps and said, "Well, are the Democrats worried that former President Clinton is campaigning for Jim Webb [Allen's Democratic opponent] today?" trying to turn it around. But yeah, the former president is out and about on the campaign stump as he has been, this time for Jim Webb in Virginia.
GIBSON: Bret Baier at the White House.
Bret, thank you very much.
Of course he did. He's a shrub shill.
Was Sherwood ever convicted on any of the allegations??
That it can't be reported on unless there's been a conviction? His mistress locked herself in his bathroom and called 911 to report that she'd been strangled. The case was settled out of court.
it seems to me if everyone wants fair treatment, no one should be hung out to dry unless there was a conviction. Why should they ask about it if it was based on allegations? That is rather unfair.
Was he booked on the allegations?
Have you ever actually watched a news program or read a newspaper? Do you somehow think that criminal allegations prior to conviction are never reported in the news?
Is there a criminal investigation?
Because you clearly haven't bothered to read about this story before commenting on it. As has already been pointed out to you, the case was settled out of court for an undisclosed sum. So no, there is no further criminal investigation going on. Am I going to have to explain to you how our legal system works or can we stop with this nonsense now?
The bottom line, these allegations are part of the story and that should be clear to any unbiased, objective reporter. Nobody is saying that the allegations should be reported as if they were facts, but it should be reported that he's been accused of abuse and settled out of court.
exactly what I am saying. He was not convicted of it, PERIOD. And in all fairness, it should not be brought up. HE WAS NOT CONVICTED.
Now, I am not saying he did not commint the allegations. I do not know, do you have proof he did?
Just because it was settled out of court means nill. Many cases one after the other are settled out of court just to quite down some pathetic liar. Not that she lied, I was not there. But the settlement means squat.
Although, I see you sure would like it to mean more than it is. I have a strong feeling if it was one of your heros, nill would be said. He is not my hero.
So you will never bring up Ted Kennedy again. Is that what I am hearing?
brought him up? What the hell did he do? You mean the DUI?
"So you will never bring up Ted Kennedy again. Is that what I am hearing?"azapache
Did Mary Jo Kopechne settle out of court like Cynthia Ore did?
Nope, she was left to drown.
Kennedy should be sitting in prison cell instead of the US Senate.
Now I understand...............
Laura Bush killed after she ran a stop sign, the one that just happened to be her ex boyfriend. Did he settle out of court. Of did she just die? What about the black woman who accused Bush of rape? Did she settle out of court? Oh wait she died too.
No way, they should have been jailed, PERIOD. Unless of course, it was a accident.
But there is enough conincidence there to make it look bad. And thats all you need for inuendo. As for the black woman who accused Bush of rape well since she committed suicide shortly afterwards I guess we will never know. Of course she had a history of mental illness but we DONT know the details where the real reality IS. Just like with Kennedy. He certainly wasnt brave, and he certainly made mistakes after the fact but no one knows it wasnt an accident and so I say if Taz wants to use inuendo to smear someone,why cant I?
EVILLIB1727, can I call you EVIL? Anyway EVIL said (and I am paraphrasing) that if you are not convicted of a crime, then it should not be brought up in an election campaign, because it would not be fair. Since polictians are always campaigning, than what happen a long time ago, should never be brought up.
AZAPACHE //
I am a Arizona native, and have spent many years on the Mogollon Rim, Show Low, Pinetop, McNary,Heber, and the White Moutains that border the Apache Reservation.
My experience with the Apache has allways been a good one, as we own a couple of sections ajoining the reservation. I wonder if your "handle" is an accurate discription, and I would be curious if the "Cabin Mania" that was taking hold of the White Mountains was ever solved. I miss the region, the game, the clash of desert moutains to Pondersosa Pine to High Moutain Desert of the Monument Valley.
I love the Mogollon Rim and it's surrounding beauty.
Happy Thoughts;
Dan Grady
Sorry Dan, the name is derieved from something else. I am a transplant from another state, living in the greater southwest.
The allegations themselves are news. They are part of the story. You don't just ignore that part of the story because it was settled out of court. He was neither cleared nor convicted of the allegations, but that has no bearing on whether or not they should be reported. If he was cleared, then that would be part of the story as well. You don't need "proof" in order to report on allegations that have been made. We should all know the definition of allegation, right? And this isn't some random person with some random accusation. She locked herself in a bathroom and called the cops after allegedly being choked and strangled. We don't know if she actually was choked and strangled, but the allegations and the fact that they were settled out of court should still be reported.
tell that to Bill Clinton pal!!
No, in fact Sherwood wasn't convicted. However, if the allegations made by his mistress were completely false and she was lying, why would Sherwood settle the case for $5.5 MILLION?
Usually when cases are settled, no guilt is admitted. However, it's very telling that Sherwood would settle this case for such a large sum of money if, in fact, his former mistress was lying. Get a grip.
... These guys... I'm perpetually amazed. And yet, we'll hear how all this information is a result of partisan hackery b/c of the upcoming election. Maybe so. But still, you shouldn't strangle your girlfriend...right?
But, I'm sure Bush's impassioned pleas will get him right on track!
deserves to be in a abusive relationship. Sad for some male or female, they enjoy it.
There are relationships that are sometimes called passionate relationships that can be verbally and even physically violent. Most couples describe themselves as best friends, these are validating couples. Passionate couples dont value validation and only want to win the argument (Men are from Mars Women Venus is worthless for them) But each is equal in dealing out verbal and physical violence. The relationship has high highs but also low lows. I wouldnt call it abusive bc each is equal. Even these couples dont "enjoy" the low, violent episodes. Women frequently become involved in abusive relationships not bc they enjoy it but bc they feel they deserve to be abused. It is a way of punishing themselves for percieved wrongs they have done in past. They have very high rates of childhood abuse, usually sexual. They believe they caused the past childhood abuse. Most believe that they should have been able to stop abuse but didnt, therefor they are responsible and deserve to be punished ( not realizing that mindset of a child or how adept predators are). They frequently refer to themselves as dirty.
I dated a woman who had been through similar. It was by far the worst realtionship I have been in.
This new moratorium that Dobbs and Baier have apparently declared on the reporting of allegations----is the new rule permanent, or does it only apply to select candidates?
I would say Sherwood is desperate bringing Bush to town. Also, the extra-marital affair is really between himself, his wife and his God, right? so according to the left it's none of our business. It's a personal thing. Also, is the age difference relevent to the story? Would it make a difference if she was the same age? I say vote him out, personally, because he sounds like a cheating womanizer to me, the kind you all love to defend. BTW, Sherwood trails by 14 points, he's done.
Also, Allen still leads by 3 to 5 points despite his controversial statements, something not mentioned in the story above.
...the moment that the police were called.
plain liberal media bs.
You will find it next to the fountain of youth, you can recognize it because Godot and Bigfoot will be waiting there.
hmmmmm
Was Sherwood ever convicted on any of the allegations??
- evillib1727 / Friday October 20, 2006 01:10:42 PM EST - Reply to this comment
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Good point. Was Clinton? Kennedy? Jefferson? Reid? Have they even been indicted?
That's what I thought.
On the other hand, there's the dukester, delay, ney, abramoff, etc, etc. They're all currently or soon will be doin' the jailhouse rock.
The Story
I would say Sherwood is desperate bringing Bush to town. Also, the extra-marital affair is really between himself, his wife and his God, right? so according to the left it's none of our business. It's a personal thing. Also, is the age difference relevent to the story? Would it make a difference if she was the same age? I say vote him out, personally, because he sounds like a cheating womanizer to me, the kind you all love to defend. BTW, Sherwood trails by 14 points, he's done.
Also, Allen still leads by 3 to 5 points despite his controversial statements, something not mentioned in the story above.
- bruce1ace / Friday October 20, 2006 01:31:58 PM EST
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Brucie swings for the fences again. They call shrub in in the desperate, pathetic hope that with bush there, they may not be the most corrupt, reviled person on the stage. Bush goes for the same reason.
Ya gotta love the way the people who don't pay attention to polls always cite 15 different polls to show that the polls are in their favor or don't matter. The best you've got is a dead heat with Webb surging and bonehead sinking.
But, hey, Stonewall jackoff may survive. The ignorant white-trash, counterfeit Christian vote and Diebold may still save his sorry klansman butt. Of course, recently turning yet another corner in Iraq is key, too. His Presidential aspirations are dead as his chances of getting into the NFL HoF.
This all just further proves that when it comes to republican/conservative philosophy, ethics and or morality, there's no there there. Then again, there never was.
I'm not sure if that was an attempted rebuttal or a complete corroboration but I always find your posts to be highly entertaining. Cheers.
That's back at ya, brucie. I've always found you to be one of the more pleasant, reasonable repos. Of course, that's like saying as nazis go, you're one of the nicer ones.
That said, nice try. There's nothing to rebutt. Your predictably pathetic attempts to say that sherwood's problems are of a personal nature as we told you the Clinton's were irrelevant to your protests are as lame as his urgent need to deal with his sudden onset of alcoholism and admission of being molested 40 years ago is as ludicrous as anything this illegitimate trash administration has ever come up with and that takes some doin'.
Even by repo standards, that's weak. He's in treatment purely for LEGAL REASONS. IT BUYS HIM, AND - BY EXTENTION - THIS CORRUPT, INCOMPETENT REGIME TIME. LEGALLY, NO ONE CAN TALK TO HIM. HIS WHEREABOUTS ARE CONFIDENTIAL. HE DOESN'T HAVE TO FACE THE REAL WORLD. THERE'S NO OTHER REASON FOR HIM TO BE THERE.
Simply put, it's not the adultery. It's not the fact that Foley's gay. It's the fact he's a PEDOPHILE. It's the unprecedented repo hypocrisy and corruption. We're not the ones who made the bogus "values-voter, holier than thou, 'character' counts" fuss, you did.
That fella can be found in your mirror, sport.
Now that we are in the CHARACTER WEEK how about these charaters that are falling over one another trying to TOP each other.Its like watching an unbelievable but very interesting soap opera.