Investor's Business Daily editorial -- reprinted by CNN -- falsely claimed Soros "financed" Media Matters
SUMMARY: An Investor's Business Daily editorial, reprinted on CNNMoney.com, claimed that George Soros "has financed spin outfits such as Media Matters that specialize in providing distorted conservative political statements as grist for leftist politicians and media." The editorial also claimed that Media Matters "succeeded last year in denying incumbent [Sen. Joseph] Lieberman the Democratic nomination for Senate in Connecticut." In fact, Soros has never given money to Media Matters, and Media Matters does not participate or intervene in political campaigns.
A September 20 Investor's Business Daily editorial, reprinted on CNNMoney.com, claimed that philanthropist George Soros "has financed spin outfits such as Media Matters that specialize in providing distorted conservative political statements as grist for leftist politicians and media." The editorial also claimed that Media Matters for America "succeeded last year in denying incumbent [Sen. Joseph] Lieberman [I-CT] the Democratic nomination for Senate in Connecticut and effectively drove the moderate out of his own party." In fact, Soros has never given money to Media Matters, either directly or through another organization, as has been repeatedly and exhaustively demonstrated. Additionally, Media Matters monitors the media for conservative misinformation and does not participate or intervene in political campaigns.
The editorial also claimed: "No Democrat had the courage to cross MoveOn.org after its libelous [Gen. David] Petraeus ad. On Thursday, a symbolic vote in Congress censuring MoveOn.org for the Petraeus ad passed, but with the notable absence of both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. Election looming, neither wants to cross Soros' MoveOn.org." In fact, both Clinton and Obama voted for Sen. Barbara Boxer's (D-CA) September 20 amendment, which referred to the MoveOn ad as "an unwarranted personal attack on General Petraeus." Boxer's amendment also condemned the Republican-backed attacks on Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) and former Sen. Max Cleland (D-GA), both Vietnam veterans.
Lastly, the editorial claimed that Soros "heads a secretive rich-man's club called 'Democracy Alliance.' " In fact, while Soros is a member of the Democracy Alliance -- a progressive organization described by The Washington Post as "cooperative for donors, allowing them to coordinate their giving so that it has more influence" -- he is not on its board of directors.
CNN entered into a content partnership with Investor's Business Daily in 2001.
From the September 20 Investor's Business Daily editorial:
Soros also has financed spin outfits such as Media Matters that specialize in providing distorted conservative political statements as grist for leftist politicians and media.
Media Matters (and MoveOn.org) succeeded last year in denying incumbent Lieberman the Democratic nomination for Senate in Connecticut and effectively drove the moderate out of his own party. Net result: Fewer Democrats, including today's crop running for office, are willing to challenge any Soros-financed pressure group.
[...]
Soros says he has ended funding to voter-drive organizations, but he still heads a secretive rich-man's club called "Democracy Alliance" that has doled out $20 million to activist groups like ACORN [Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now].
[...]
The strategy seems to be working. No Democrat had the courage to cross MoveOn.org after its libelous Petraeus ad. On Thursday, a symbolic vote in Congress censuring MoveOn.org for the Petraeus ad passed, but with the notable absence of both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. Election looming, neither wants to cross Soros' MoveOn.org.
Ah, if only...
MMFA had Soros's wealth, then they could have a cable channel all thier own.
and actually had the power to kick certain people out of the Democratic Party!!
Yeah, if he really did fund this site, we could have a decent browser that allows us to jump straight to the page of our choice once the comments go past 20.
Good call Snoop.
The only work around seems to be to look at the address line in your browser.
If you're on the page with posts 20 to 39, you'll see a 20 in the address.
If the posts have grown to more than 20, you can just change the 20 to either 40, 60, 80, 100, etc. and hit enter to go directly to the page you're looking for.
Hope this helps.
But Media Matters does target political figures it does not like or agree with. Or sometimes it has its clone Keith Olbermann call them "worst Person in the World" If Soros does not give to MMFA why does the msm continue to say he does? Someone is flat out lying. I wish we could get to the bottom of it. If it is not true why does MMFA not sue these outlets? Or why does Soros not sue them? Why is it a bad thing if Soros did give money? Is he an evil man?
Is that an attempt at logic? If so it was very sad. Even IF MMFA targetted politicians, instead of the media portrayal of them which I havent seen, how would that in ANY way be a rational that it must be funded by Soros? Thats like saying since you bought fish you must need to pay your car insurance. Ypur obsession with Olbermann is really boring is there ANY venue you dont shoehorn him into? Send the man a letter telling him about your love and devotion and get it out of your system. There are probably lots of reasons MMFA doesnt sue over this slight, I mean its not even an insult its just WRONG so why BOTHER. Also they would have to show damage. In what way is MMFA being hurt becuase these dumbies keep claiming they are financed by Soros? Has it cost them donations? Why would it? The liberals that donate here large and small havent bought into the rightwing smear machine that Soros is deputy chief for Satan.
If it is a lie , take legal action. I do not know why these people are allowed to lie about Soros.
"If it is a lie , take legal action. I do not know why these people are allowed to lie about Soros."
This is because (and I mean no disrespect fo Solon's remark here) that fish must have car insurance.
and to bring a slander or libel suit, you must demonstrate that you were injured in some way.
Is sueeld eight years old or does she just talk like a naive child on purpose? (And lil sue when are you going to ask Keith to play "Misty" for you?)
Did they have charts like O'Reilly?
"George Soros "has financed spin outfits such as Media Matters that specialize in providing distorted conservative political statements as grist for leftist politicians and media."
This is laughable.
There's no need to distort the radical right fringe they're their own worst enemy. The problem is they were used to have the playing field all to themselves and are whining now that things have changed.
Just like Keith-O said, their greatest fear is not that they'll be misquoted, but that they will be quoted correctly.
So what were those 22 democratic senators doing temping fate, interferring with the true word? A parallel universe perhaps. Sans reality, the truth.
Is it to eary for a vicious headache?
Not sure what qualifies as "intervening" in political campaigns as far as MMfA is concerned, but I would wager there were more Pro-Lamont postings on this site than Pro-Lieberman.
Whatever is meant by intervening, I dont see how citizens and non citizens mostly NOT from Conneticut giving their opinions on a message board could be considered intervening in any sense
I've never seen MMfA report on anything that was pro or anti any particular person or candidate. What they do is provide facts and sources that reveal omissions or outright lies perpetrated by other media outlets.
Never have they posted a story without providing links and references. All their information and sources are 100% transparent. This seems to put their reporting above reproach- certainly more so than most major media outlets.
The bias is elsewhere. And, as always, those attempting to pull the strings by careful manipulation of information become shrill and defensive when the curtain is pulled aside.
What's that large sucking sound? No, it's not Perot talking about jobs leaving the U.S....It would be the sound you'd here from hundreds of liberal organizations going down the tubes...if Soros decided to stop donating money.
Soros donates his money...not just because he's a nice guy...he expects results...and he doesn't have to send directives to every organization to achieve those results...they know damn well what's expected...mmfa included.
Am I opposed to Soros spending his money on liberal causes? Nope...as long as the donations are legal.
SAVE DEMOCRACY, VOTE FOR A DEMOCRAT!!
wesley / Friday September 21, 2007 03:42:35 PM EST
Liberal groups circling the bowl, eh?? MoveOn.Org going down, eh??
I wager that MoveOn will be many times bigger by Nov '08, and America will be sounding off as MoveOn did come Spring '08 when the Republicans have to pull another PR Campaign out of their rear that the surge is working and the 1000 Americans we lost since 09/07 waiting on Iraqi politicians was blood and treasure well spent!
Will you be among them??? $9-12 billion a month, 100 American dead a month works for you, and we get??? A stable Iraq?? Really???
If your answer is yes, it's problaly better your not passing around whatever your smoking!
Happy Thoughts;
Dan Grady
And you have ZERO evidence ANY of those donations went to MMFA. All he has to do is write them a check if he wants to donate to them and yet it seems he hasnt done that. I donate money to the ACLU, the Worldwildlife Fund. Greenpeace. I do so because we have aims in common and I approve of the things they HAVE done. I am not so certain why Soros would be any different he has a whole lot of money doling out some of it to groups doing things he approves of doesnt mean he expects to control what they do. Ya got nothin
In a couple of words...delusional and vain.
Equating the influence of a train conductor's donations to those of a billionaire like Soros is...well...delusional and vain.
Anyone that wants in on the Soros millions must conform to his agendas...they know it...I know it...but sadly you don't.
If one of the groups that you donate to doesn't perform as you would like...you pull your donation. And guess what...unless thousands more follow your lead...the group goes right on.
If Soros...one single person...pulls his donation...timberrrrr!
Soros provides the life blood for many of these organizations to survive...you provide table scraps.
It's like the old E.F.Hutton commercials...when George Soros speaks...people listen. He doesn't have to write/direct checks or give marching orders to accomplish his goals.
Is it perplexing or frustrating that a business man to which capitalism has been so beneficial is not throwing his weight behind the cause of conservatism?
I really can't think of any other reason why you get so gratuitously hung up on what Soros does (or what you untenably think he does) with his money.
Pete,
I said earlier on the thread and several times in the past that I don't have a problem with Soros spending his money on liberal causes.
What is hilarious...is mmfa's continuous and ridiculous assertions that they don't receive Soros money. Whether it gets here third, fourth, or fifth handed...oh yes...Soros' influence and money gets here.
Continually creeping in the shadows...makes one think there is something to hide...why else such crafty wordsmithing about funding from a liberal icon.
With every post, your conspiracy becomes more and more untenable. I guess you're still convinced that proof comes in the form of red arrows, while MMFA believes it comes in the form of financial records.
(On that second thread you seem to be mysteriously MIA)
Its not ridiculous YOU are ridiculous. All Soros would have to do if he wanted to donate to MMFA is GIVE THEM A CHECK, he hasnt, you have no point. You WISHING that you did wont change that. If you cant cough up any evidence, and amazing mind reading doesnt qualify as evidence, that Soros TELLS the groups he donates to that they HAVE to give some of the money to MMFA then ya got nothin. You didnt the last few times you tried this incredibly weak argument and you still dont.
So your evidence that Soros with the would never donate with the same rationale as me is WHAT again? Oh it doesnt exist. So all you have is supposition and those amazing mind reading powers again. Except THEY DONT EXIST. Soros gives a lot of money true but you have NO evidence that means he controls ANY agendas much less MMFA who he DOESNT donate to. You just state that things are the way you WANT them to be and imagine that everyone is the way YOU would be if you were rich as Soros. Either cough up the evidence Soros has TOLD those groups he donated to that they HAVE to donate to MMFA or stop wasting out time with those non existant mind reading powers.
hack...cough...a lot of time riding two rails must promote a one track mind.
You know, solon, I used to enjoy your discussions...lately your screech has become boring and I don't think we have much to talk about.
I'll just utilize the scroll button...and let you amuse yourself...que sera sera.
Respond, dont respond, dress up like Ann Coulter and impersonate a scary pinata I couldnt care less. Ya got nothin. YOU keep repeating the same stale argument, which has been debunked a dozen times. Did you think I was obligated to come up with fascinating and ORIGINAL refutations for your same, stale, repeated, cliched argument barely repackaged. You are weak, you are repetitive, did you think YOU were not boring us to tears? You have no game.
There is a bottom line here. YOU cannot show Soros has in ANY way donated or directed any donations to MMFA. You havent come close to doing so you just keep PRETENDING you have.
"Methinks thou doth protest too much..."
Bill Shakespeare
"You're an ass." - Me.
MMFA isn't standing on the streetcorners shouting denials of soros funding. They're RESPONDING to an attack (an oft repeated attack) with the information that should clear the air of this issue......yet it doesn't.
Ah,,,An aristocrat!
"...Additionally, Media Matters monitors the media for conservative misinformation and does not participate or intervene in political campaigns."
AHH HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!
Talk about misinformation
Love to see some examples you have of MMFA's interventions into campaigns, since you seem to think its so apparent.
Oh come on...look closely
Every time an MMfA item mentions a cadidate, there is a negative characterization (if its a Republican), or positive (Democrat).
How can you say that's not trying to influence a campaign? Just come out and admit it.This is basically a liberal website they show the media misinformation and general churlishness we respond as liberals would be expected to the cons here do the same and this would be an intervention HOW? I suggest you just come out and admit you havent got a clue
SAVE DEMOCRACY, VOTE FOR A DEMOCRAT!!
How can you say that's not trying to influence a campaign? Just come out and admit it. // Goodfella57 / Friday September 21, 2007 04:27:16 PM EST
You have a huge database of every clip posted on this site available and all you have is a accusation, back up with you suspicion??
Why is it Mr. Goodpuppy can't make his case without any evidence of MMFA advocating, or prognosticating a candidate??? Neanderthal reasoning, or Republican desperation, or maybe both!!
Happy Thoughts;
Dan Grady
Neanderthal? Ouch!
How about this one: "Wash. Post uncritically quoted McCain accusing Dems of voting "against funding for our troops"" Anti-McCain
Or this anti-Giuliani: "New article by NY Times writer of "commanding daddy" profile left out 9-11 chairs' regrets about lack of scrutiny of Giuliani"
Or: "NY Post claimed Thompson said Clinton health-care plan "would require Americans to provide proof of insurance in order to get a job"
More anti Giuliani: "Reporting on Giuliani ad attacking Clinton, media don't note he blamed troops for missing weapons"
How about: "Media air Romney attacks on Clinton health care plan without noting he signed a bill with similar requirements"
It wouldn't be so obvious if MMfA didn't occasionally run something inaccurate from the other side. Believe me...there's plenty - but I guess that's why we have NewsBusters, LGF and Drudge
Dude, they're not endorsing candidates here they are pointing out the media inconsistencies and outright misinformation in the reporting about them.
The mission statement...
...dedicated to comprehensively monitoring, analyzing, and correcting conservative misinformation in the U.S. media.
MickD,
Yes, I know the MMFA mission statement. My comment is in response to this line:
"Additionally, Media Matters monitors the media for conservative misinformation and does not participate or intervene in political campaigns."
That sentence is an oxymoron. By the very nature of pointing out only "conservative misinformation", MMfA participates in the political campaign by NOT pointing out liberal misinformation.
And that's okay...but why try to deny it or claim otherwise?
An interpetation, okay. Remember what you come here for, in essence.
No they dont. MRC and a few other organizations do that THEY cover ONLY liberal media bias and misinformation that is NOT intervening.
Changes are coming to Media Matters to assuage your delicate sensibilities. From now on, things like this:
"Reporting on Giuliani ad attacking Clinton, media don't note he blamed troops for missing weapons"
will henceforth read:
"Reporting on a Republican candidate's ad attacking a Democratic candidate, media don't note the Republican blamed troops for missing weapons."
Who wrote this editorial and why does the paper have such an ax to grind against one of the few rich men who don't automatically love the Repubs? Not only are their facts wrong (apparently they have no internet search engines at the paper -- how do they check their investments?) but their snottiness smacks of "I wish oh how I wish it were true."
They believe this because bilionaries have been financing the right wing agenda apparatus (think –tanks, political action groups, various media) for the 15-20 years
This includes the billionaire and crazy Richard Mellon Scaife :
http://www.politicalfriendster.com/showPerson.php?id=434&name=Richard-Mellon-Scaife http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/clinton/stories/scaife050299.htmhttp://www.mediatransparency.org/funderprofile.php?funderID=3
…and the Coors family of Coors Beer fame has given a fair share as well. http://www.timeswatch.org/articles/2003/1230.asphttp://www.booknotes.org/Transcript/?ProgramID=1569
If it is not true why does MMFA not sue these outlets? Or why does Soros not sue them?
That's just stupid.
Simply because something is false does not mean it gives rise to a lawsuit. If you're going to be a knee-jerk troll, at least make some sense.
It's funny to read in the editorial (and O'Really? mentions this often on his show) about Dems being afraid to get MoveOn.org angry at them. Downright laughable considering that Repubs cower at the feet of Robertson and the rest of the evangelical extremists...
Thou might want to look at your own house before you go projecting onto someone elses...
Soros is the DEVIL.
As opposed, of course, to great PATRIOTS like Scaife, Moon, the Coors, the Hunts, etc.
The little dog laughed to see such sport ....