Kelly O'Donnell highlighted McCain's overseas trip "to pump his international image," ignored misstatements, fundraiser
SUMMARY: In a report on Sen. John McCain, NBC News' Kelly O'Donnell referred to McCain's "statesman-in-waiting trip overseas last month to pump up his international image," but did not note that, during the trip, McCain made the admittedly false claim, more than once, that "Al Qaeda is going back into Iran and receiving training and are coming back into Iraq." O'Donnell also did not mention that the trip included a fundraiser in London.
On the April 2 edition of NBC's Today, during a report on how Sen. John McCain is spending his time on the campaign trail, Capitol Hill correspondent Kelly O'Donnell stated: "[J]ust how well has McCain done with his head start? McCain packs his schedule with fundraisers, but donations remain a fraction of the Democrats' haul. ... And there was that statesman-in-waiting trip overseas last month to pump up his international image." However, O'Donnell did not mention that during the "trip overseas" to "pump up his international image," McCain made an admittedly false claim, more than once, that Iran was training Al Qaeda members to go back to fight in Iraq. It was only after Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT), who traveled with McCain, whispered something in his ear that McCain corrected himself, saying: "I'm sorry. The Iranians are training extremists, not Al Qaeda." O'Donnell also did not note that the "statesman-in-waiting trip" included a fundraiser in London.
From the April 2 edition of NBC's Today:
O'DONNELL: But just how well has McCain done with his head start? McCain packs his schedule with fundraisers, but donations remain a fraction of the Democrats' haul.
VIN WEBER (Republican strategist): We have a job to do in the Republican Party to build that enthusiasm.
O'DONNELL: Going for big laughs and broader exposure, McCain stopped to see David Letterman last night.
McCAIN: You look like the guy who the neighbors later say, "He mostly kept to himself."
O'DONNELL: And there was that statesman-in-waiting trip overseas last month to pump up his international image. At home, McCain still relies on a lean team and is just beginning to expand staff.
That may have been McCain's intention, but it fell far short.
And I don't know about anyone else, but I have a problem with anyone who's only RUNNING for president meeting with foreign heads of state as if they already WERE president.
lazyriver,
Look back into the portals of your mind. Once again, this has happened before, the idea of having contact with foreign leaders while still campaigning.....
Kerry said at a fund-raiser last week in Florida that he's heard from some world leaders who quietly back his candidacy and who hope he defeats President Bush in November.
And still more.......
Pressed on the campaign trail and by reporters to name the leaders, Kerry declined, although he said they were U.S. allies.
"I'm not going to betray a private conversation with anybody," he said Sunday. "I have heard from people, foreign leaders elsewhere in the world who don't appreciate the Bush administration and would love to see a change in the leadership of the United States."
He said the leaders were "people who ought to be on our side in Iraq and aren't because this administration has pushed them away."
The theme was raised by Cedric Brown, a participant in a town-hall meeting in Pennsylvania. He wondered whether Kerry was meeting with foreign leaders "to help you overthrow the Bush presidency."
Pressed repeatedly by Brown, Kerry finally declared: "That's none of your business."
The link to the whole story:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/03/15/politics/main606353.shtml
What say ye?
It is strange that reporters insist on covering events without parotting MMFA's talking points. It's almost as if reporters have A free will or something strange like that.
(Oh well, at least Keith Olbermann can be counted upon to ape MMFA's stuff.)
And, of course, GO OBAMA!!
It's almost as if reporters have A free will or something strange like that.
I soooo agree with you--Reporters should only report the good things about who they have chosen to become President. Sheeeesh!!!
[end sarcasm]
Being a cheerleader for McLame is not being a reporter,
But it sure agrees with Not Another Con.
Funny you brought that up. The other day I had a discussion about this with a family member, and he parroted an argument I've heard often, but never understood: "If she had said that over here it would have been okay, but you don't say things like that overseas." As always, when I asked why there was a difference, the subject was changed.
Seriousely, is there a right winger out there who can help me understand this seemingly mentally deficient argument?
Because we're supposed to keep a united front, and only discuss our problems internally. They saw it as Maines talking bad about the US behind the nation's back, so to speak.
No need to imagine, I seem to recall a little tempest blowing up just about a week ago regarding Hillary using the services of a certain high profile Englishman to help raise funds. She didn't even have to charge the US taxpayers for a Europen vacation to get that attack.
Good point, I had forgotten about that.
Perfect example of the difference in media's treatment of McCain compared to the Democratic candidates.
The only question of legality has to do with who paid for the trip to England. McCain's campaign said they will reimburse our government for that part of the travel bill.
But evidently, he's not the first to do this:
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/226/story/19647.html
The only question of legality is coming out of your pointy head, sinningreactionary. Did you read the item? understand it? What are you wingnuts drinking, there seems to be a higher rate than usual of most of you completely missing the point, and taking up the whole thread having things explained to you.
Let's sharpen up! This isn't Romper Room, and you can't have your hands held forever.
Colonel,
Take a chill and please I thought you moved beyond the demeaning descriptors.
If you look at the threads above, mine was in direct response to the comments others had made about the upcoming Elton John concert for Hillary and faulty logics question about overseas fundraising.
All I did was point out that having a fundraiser overseas is not necessarily illegal nor unprecidented in this presidential campaign cycle by both parties. I also said that the portion of McCain's trip overseas that involved fundraising would be reimbursed from his campaign coffers.
So please, just sit back and relax. Read the link I put up and respond to that if you so desire. There will be plenty of time later to question McCain's credentials as president as a results of his statements about Al Quida.
Whew. I feel like my chi is much more centered now, my zen less in flux, my aura stabilized and inner child that much fuzzier since we had this little talk. Don't you?
You're projecting again, PlowedConned. I was never upset, only trying to prod you into focusing a bit.
And I don't know where you got the idea I'd moved beyond the demeaning descriptors. You obviously have me confused with somebody more civil and sophisticated.
Colonel,
Sorry inferring that an atom of civility existed within the confines of your cranium. I'll try to remember that you...you..festering piece of liberal bovine droppings!!! hey I do feel better.
Now back to my focus or lack therof, anything more to say about the overseas thang!