AP uncritically quoted RNC attack, ignored Obama's vote to condemn MoveOn ad
A September 25 Associated Press article on Sen. Barack Obama's (D-IL) first presidential campaign stop in Maine reported that "Republican National Committee spokeswoman Summer Johnson said Obama shouldn't talk about 'moral standing' when he sat out a Senate vote on a measure to condemn the liberal interest group MoveOn.org for a newspaper ad criticizing Gen. David Petraeus" -- referring to the vote on Sen. John Cornyn's (R-TX) September 20 amendment. The article quoted Johnson saying: "It seems Obama plays to the kind of politics set forth to him by MoveOn.org." However, while reporting that Johnson attacked Obama for not voting on Cornyn's amendment, the AP ignored Obama's vote the same day for an amendment proposed by Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) to "strongly condemn attacks on the honor, integrity, and patriotism of any individual who is serving or has served honorably in the United States Armed Forces, by any person or organization."
Boxer's amendment (pages S11864-S11865) criticized the MoveOn.org ad as "an unwarranted personal attack on General Petraeus," but also criticized Republican-backed attacks against Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) and former Sen. Max Cleland (D-GA) concerning their military service.
From the September 25 Associated Press article:
The hand-clapping, sign-waving crowd that paid $23 apiece for admission cheered repeatedly and rose to its feet during Obama's 35-minute speech. If elected, he said he would get out of Iraq, introduce universal health care coverage, change the tax code and reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil.
America also needs to improve its "moral standing" in the world by being more open to listening and negotiating with others, he said.
Republican National Committee spokeswoman Summer Johnson said Obama shouldn't talk about "moral standing" when he sat out a Senate vote on a measure to condemn the liberal interest group MoveOn.org for a newspaper ad criticizing Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq.
"It seems Obama plays to the kind of politics set forth to him by MoveOn.org," Johnson said.
"Obama shouldn't talk about 'moral standing"?
So, the MoveOn.org ad is a moral issue now? President Numbnuts invaded a third world country to steal its oil, lied about the reasons we're there, continues to lie about conditions there and why we're STAYING there...and this twit is calling the MoveOn.org "controversy" a moral issue?
Please. This is a stretch, even for a Regurgicon.
But don't be surprised when the loons show up to defend the "moral" claim. My bet is the name jacker will be leading the pack.
I find it rather ironic that you use the term loony toward others when the post you responded to uses the terms:
President Numbnuts
steal
lied
continues to lie
twit
Regurgicon
Can you say... ababababa dat's all folks! ;-)
Obama should just use this. The campaigns are always so stressed about having enough dough for advertising, they need to use opportunities like this to get some ink. The AP would be happy to host a little back and forth so Barack should make a little statement to the press.
The "Obama plays to the kind of politics set forth to him by MoveOn," quote is so patently ridiculous, he doesn't really have much to lose. I think the way he singled himself out as the one senator who called the GOP on their grandstanding would play really well to the base. It was the type of stunt that we're all so sick of and he came out and called it... A STUNT! Imagine that. This refershing candor is what sets him apart and could get him the nomination if enough people see it. The AP is really giving him an opportunity to call attention to it here. As Media Matters has now publicly pointed out, they owe him a quote.
Anyone confused enough to buy Summer Johnson's line on this won't be voting Democratic in 08 anyway. Duking it out with the dingbat righties a little bit would raise Obama's profile and endear him to the primary voters.
Ugh... what is the big freaking deal? Doesn't moveon.org have the right to express themselves? Okay, the thing with the original price break was a little odd, but big whoop.
I vehemently disagree with what the ad said, but they can say what they want (I just think it makes them look foolish, but that's their right too). :-)
This whole debate in Congress is pretty stupid. Don't we have better things to be spending our time on? Although I don't really get why Obama sat out the second vote. Was it that big of a deal?
It's a big deal because the GOP propaganda machine is making it a big deal. Period. They need a distraction, any distraction, from the real news.
Well, I would agree mostly, but it is not JUST the GOP making this into a big deal. The Democrats can't keep their hands off either (or won't leave well enough alone to let the thing dissolve into nothing). For instance Barbara Boxer was introducing amendments basically saying the same thing. It's all a joke.
Too much time is wasted on stupid, superficial matters. I'm a crazy, arch-conservative, and even I think the whole debate was ridiculous.
Well, you're right. The Democrats, apparently, are so browbeaten from their humiliation over the past 13 years that they keep snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
Con Man, he refused to vote on it because he said it was, "A stunt designed only to score political points." Pretty much just what you describe it as. This is exactly why I think they are providing him a golden opportunity. People on both sides of the aisle have the eyes to see this is grandstanding and a shameful waste of the nation's time, money and attention. He was the only senator I know of who simply pointed it out.
- during Obama's 35-minute speech. If elected, he said he would get out of Iraq - mmfa
And in last nights debate...when asked if he would guarantee he would have all combat troops home by 2013..."I think it's hard to project four years from now," said Sen. Barack Obama.
It appears that Obama's get out of Iraq pledge might take at least six years.
Oh Wes, you're on to him! We'd better stick with the folks who intentionally started the thing.
My thoughts exactly. Glad to see you are coming around. :-)
Move on made a juvenile error. Whoever was in charge of that decision must be about 20 years old and with no experience. BUT...Barack did the perfect thing by not voting. Calling it a stunt means he is continuing to keep his promise to be honest with all of us.
My first thought when the rtwing brought up the sense of the senate proposal was, "I hope all the Dems abstain." My guy did! I went into every chatroom about ten minutes later to let all of them know how bright and honorable and wise Barack is.