Kilmeade baselessly claimed Dems "air-drop[ped]" team of "lawyers and investigators into Alaska" to investigate Palin
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SUMMARY: On Fox & Friends, Brian Kilmeade baselessly claimed that Democrats "air-drop[ped] 60 lawyers and investigators into Alaska" to investigate Gov. Sarah Palin. Kilmeade did not cite a source for the claim, but The Wall Street Journal's John Fund recently claimed that "Democrats have airdropped a mini-army of 30 lawyers, investigators and opposition researchers" into Alaska "to dig into [Palin's] record and background." Kilmeade did not mention that the DNC reportedly called Fund's assertion a "flat-out absolute fabrication" and said that neither the DNC nor the Obama campaign sent anyone to Alaska to do research.
During the September 15 edition of Fox News' Fox & Friends, co-host Brian Kilmeade stated that, on NBC's Meet the Press, Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) said, "I'd like to see [Gov.] Sarah Palin's tax returns, please. And I also would like to see a -- her having a non- -- put together a nonpartisan panel and agree to have a nonpartisan investigation on the trooper issue with the -- her ex-brother-in-law. So here we go, it's looking in the background." Kilmeade then asserted, "When you air-drop 60 lawyers and investigators into Alaska, you know, they've got to quick -- do some quick work because winter's coming." Kilmeade did not cite a source for the claim, but in his September 9 column, Wall Street Journal columnist John Fund's wrote that "Democrats have airdropped a mini-army of 30 lawyers, investigators and opposition researchers into Anchorage, the state capital Juneau and Mrs. Palin's hometown of Wasilla to dig into her record and background." But, as Media Matters for America noted, the Democratic National Committee has reportedly called Fund's assertion a "flat-out absolute fabrication" and Fund's claim has also reportedly been "flatly denied by Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor, and unconfirmed elsewhere."
Fund's claim that Democrats have "airdropped a mini-army of 30 lawyers, investigators and opposition researchers" into Alaska to investigate Palin was repeated in an attack ad from Sen. John McCain's campaign, which Fox News chief political correspondent Carl Cameron uncritically referred to on the September 10 edition of Fox News' Happening Now.
From the September 15 edition of Fox News' Fox & Friends:
DOOCY: What's extraordinary, though, is the fact that you are reading so much about Sarah Palin, and she certainly is brand-new, but how many people are actually digging -- and now that Joe Biden has finally been named as the number two guy for Barack Obama over a month ago, I haven't seen any things into his background. You know, there was that story that broke on Bloomberg -- I believe on Friday -- took a look at his income taxes over the last couple of years. He only gave two-tenths of 1 percent --
KILMEADE: Right.
DOOCY: -- two-tenths of 1 percent to charity. It was in one thing. It wasn't in The Washington Post, that did a great big article about his taxes, but 60 percent of the article was about Sarah Palin.
CARLSON: You know, the flip side of that, though, guys, is that when you have a lot of press being written about you, it says one thing: People want to read it.
KILMEADE: Right.
CARLSON: People want to read about this particular person in Sarah Palin, which you could equate to her being popular. So, if you're in the Joe Biden camp, you maybe are not happy with the fact that he's not getting a lot of press.
KILMEADE: Well, Senator Schumer was the lead guest on Meet --
DOOCY: He wouldn't want a lot of this publicity.
KILMEADE: Right. Senator Schumer --
CARLSON: Well, but they say that even any publicity sometimes is good publicity.
KILMEADE: Senator Schumer was on Meet the Press, and he said, quickly, the talking points, which he always does -- he usually writes them, to his credit -- he says, I'd like to see Sarah Palin's tax returns, please. And I also would like to see a -- her have a non- -- put together a nonpartisan panel and agree to have a nonpartisan investigation on the trooper issue with the -- her ex-brother-in-law.
So here we go, it's looking in the background.
DOOCY: Sure.
KILMEADE: When you air-drop 60 lawyers and investigators into Alaska --
DOOCY: Sure.
KILMEADE: -- you know, they've got to quick -- do some quick work because winter's coming.
DOOCY: Once upon a time, people went to bed with a teddy bear. How many people now go to bed with the BlackBerry?
Can't we just refer to him as "that guy who isn't Steve Doocy?" Because that really is all he is.
Fox and Friends is a THINK TANK. Except for the "think" part.
Party Affiliation: REPUBLICAN
Status: ACTIVE
State Senate District: 008
State House District: 012
"Democrats have airdropped a mini-army of 30 lawyers, investigators and opposition researchers" into Alaska "to dig into [Palin's] record and background"
Ok...... not true.... but even if it were..... how would that be a bad thing?
The RNC did it to Obama and Hillary and Edwards these last 18 months.... the DNC did it to Grampy and Mitt and Rotten Rudy as well in the same time frame.....
So why not investigate every aspect of Sarah Palin?? If she wants to be the VP of this nation.... then it is only fair that we know everything there is to know about her!! The good, the bad, and the ugly. PERIOD!
The rightwing can't posibly be this ignorant of the painfully obvious hypocrisy of this.... can they?
Oh wait..... it's not about that actually....... its simply about trying to cry foul that an absolutely and completely inexperienced but perfectly rightwing woman is being propped up by the same rightwing as some kind of a hero to the mythical little person and that by exposing Palin in any way is pure sexism. hmmmm.....project much?
Sadly.... at this time... it is kind of working... but even a bought and paid for media can't keep the facts under wraps for to long......
Which explains the corporate hope of choking off the internet by killing 'net neutrality' laws....... nice!
This country is a McCain/Palin White House away from being choke off and sent into the dustbin of history!
... it is only fair that we know everything there is to know about her!! The good, the bad, and the ugly. PERIOD! - CaptFoster2
There you go getting sexist again.
BillJ-MN
Can't help myself sometimes....... :-)~
Jeter,
Your so very right..... but... that is essentially what I was trying to say... but after re-reading my own post... I admit that I didn't type it out well enough.
Ok...... not true.... but even if it were..... how would that be a bad thing?
Captain, If the Dems don't do opposition research on Palin then they are fools. So no it wouldn't be a bad thing to do. It would be a smart thing to do.
Don't forget
profession- talking beast at FOX
nd how many McCain and RNC operatives do you suppose there are in Alaska at this moment trying to quash the bipartisan ethics investigation into Sarah Palin?
About the same number of people that Gramps McCain hired to hush up Cindy Lou's painkiller thefts from that non-profit......
Oh, yes - THESE clowns....
It was about a dozen that the mccain camp sent.
KILMEADE: When you air-drop 60 lawyers and investigators into Alaska --
How did the (alleged) number suddenly go from 30 to 60? Reminds me of Sen. Joe McCarthy and the alleged number of Communists in the State Department. Doocy is just plain stupid...but he also knows that he can say whatever he wants and never be called on it. (MMFA doesn't count because no one who listens to Doocy would read MMFA.)
Sorry, I meant to say that Kilmeade is an idiot. Well...so is Doccy, for that matter.
I watched Bob Schieffer Sunday and all the republican governor could say to refute Obama's policies was that they are going to enrich trial lawyers.
WTF? Is that all they've got? Trial lawyers?
Trial lawyers will hopefully soon become this administrations best friends.
Republicans always cry foul about trial lawyers. Until they want to sue someone (ie Mike Savage for example).
I'd rather see trial lawyers battling in courtrooms than say, CEOs being un-regulated and doing whatever they want to do without cause or concern for their companies, just as long as they're earning a fat paycheck, and cushy retirement. At least the lawyers have to prove their cases.
What the hell is going on at FOX. File this one (below) under "hell freezes over."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/15/foxs-megyn-kelly-works-ov_n_126473.html
Resident FOX babe, Megyn Kelly, has taken it upon herself to challenge the truthfulness of McCain's assertion regarding Barack Obama's tax plan and McCain's false assertions regarding Obama's position on sex education.
Even if they did do this, so what? Who wants to bet next time that this is brought up, it will be 100 lawyers? And then 120. 140. 160. 180. And then finally, 200 lawyers were sent to Alaska to find dirt on Palin.
I would be surprised though if there weren't a few folks digging around, but that's how these things, called opposition research, are done. It's not illegal. It's not untoward. It's common practice. That's what gets me about this whole thing. They make it sound like this is some sort of unfounded practice that these nasty democrats are doing, and IOKIYAR.
You mean, oppo researchers like Monica Goodling, , Tim Griffin and Kyle Sampson who...
According to e-mails, Goodling was involved in planning controversial 2006 US attorney dismissals and in later efforts to limit the negative public reaction. Goodling "warned of potential political problems with Timothy Griffin's interim appointment as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and underscored White House interest in getting it done." Reportedly, Goodling "took a leading role" in Bud Cummins's dismissal.
I guess Republicans never airdrop people, they take private jets.
That's a good point (and funny) Jeff. I'd predict about a 90% rate of ankle and knee trauma with that scenario.
It could be the basis for an update of an old joke though. (What do you call 60 lawyers dropped out of an airplane, instead of at the bottom of the ocean?)
Sorry, NG, speaking as an unrepentant loafer, I don't think it's any of your business to judge me for which body parts I support.
And speaking for myself, I'm a big fan of the foot! (Semi-obscure Seinfeld reference)
Jeeez... for a second there I thought that maybe you were confessing to being Dick Morris in real life.
Don't scare me like that!
While I agree it is very important to investigate Palin, the same attention is not being given to Biden or Obama. For instance last week Obama used an example of a waitress not making as much money as he does and how we should help her out. Yet these two cheapskates give NOTHING to charity. Should they not be leading by example? Also, Biden's son is a lobbyist who is being investigated,
shouldn't we know if his daddy helped him out and steered money his way? Shouldn't we know when Obama was doling out 49.5 million dollars for the Annenberg Foundation, where our tax money went and how it was spent?
While I agree it is very important to investigate Palin, the same attention is not being given to Biden or Obama.
God, some days it's just too easy. You really are taking all the fun out of it, fischergirl.
"While I agree it is very important to investigate Palin, the same attention is not being given to Biden or Obama. For instance last week Obama used an example of a waitress not making as much money as he does and how we should help her out. Yet these two cheapskates give NOTHING to charity. Should they not be leading by example? Also, Biden's son is a lobbyist who is being investigated,
shouldn't we know if his daddy helped him out and steered money his way? Shouldn't we know when Obama was doling out 49.5 million dollars for the Annenberg Foundation, where our tax money went and how it was spent?"
Really? The same attention hasen't been given to Obama? So all of the stories about where he went to school in Indonesia just never happened? The stories about his brother in Africa never happened? The stories about Reverend Wright never happened? The stories about his church never happened? The stories about Hawaii never happened? The stories about his birth certificate never happened? The stories about him possibly being a Muslim never happened? The stories about his "present" votes never happened? The stories about his voting record in the US Senate never happened? The stories about how he's the most liberal Senator currently never happened? The stories about his like of arugula never happened? The stories about his tax policy proposals never happened? The stories about him not traveling to the mid east never happened? The stories about tenuous ties to Ayers never happened? Rezko never happened? His sweet "deal" that he got on his house never happened?
Where have you been? Sleeping since 2007 when he announced? They've been vetting Obama since 2007 when he announced his candidacy. Maybe the huge amount of stories about Palin are justified, since we know little to nothing about her for the most part. Don't you think? Maybe you should use the google website, and do a little checking on Obama stories since 2007, and see what you get.
When Obama used the example of a waittress, he wasn't saying we should all send her money, he was saying that she should get paid more, as in, raise the minimum wage a little more to help her out. It's got nothing to do with charitable contributions. Aside from that, aren't republicans the people who normally yell and scream about not telling you what you can and can't do with your own money? And aside from that, seems as though that sometimes the truth, is always out there, as in:
"On their just-filed 2006 tax return, Obama and his wife, a hospital administrator, reported taxable income of $983,626 and claimed deductions for $60,307 in charitable donations. In 2005 they earned a combined $1.65 million and gave away about $77,300."
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0704250022apr25,0,3205433.story
Sure, Obama previously didn't donate as much, but do you think that might have had something to do with paying his bills? It is possible you know. And aside from that, I don't care what others give to charity. If you want to give, then by all means, please do so. If you don't... So what? I would call that being fiscally conservative.
And I see, of course, that the right wing media is all over Biden for his lack of charitable contributions, and again, it's their own money, and this would hold the same for everyone, they are not required to give money, or goods for charity, it's called a personal choice.
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=OTZiY2EyNjllZmI3MjBiODdiM2ViNjc5ZmYxNjI1Zjg=
And what's funny, is that they're quoting someone as saying that Americans are generally a giving group of people to charity, and that not giving is un-American somehow. I love how they're painting, or trying to paint him in the light of un-American for not wanting to part with his hard earned dollars.
I ask you know Fischergirl; how much did you give in charitable contributions, as a percentage of your income, last year?
Thank you Magnolia Lover! Obama and McCaine have definetely been vetted over the last many many many months of campaigning. And now it is the VP's turn. So sorry if people think that Palin is getting 'picked on' but as Magnolialover just put it Obama has definitely been gone over plenty of times. I mean .... all they have right now is lipstick. The press must be getting desparate for something to talk about Obama because this is the 'hot topic' in regards to Obama. Puh-lease. And I am sorry but 77K is a pretty good contribution especially in comparison to what other give. That is more than my spouse and I's combined annual income. Pretty darn impressive to me.
What anyone gives or doesn't give to charity has no bearing on the wages paid to a waitress.
Obama was pointing out how hard it is for lower income people to move up in this country. Your comment did nothing to address this issue.
You diverted attention. Something your side is very good at doing.
But see, she didn't even get that correct, as in, Obama has contributed to charity greatly the last couple of years. Before that, eh, not so much. Do I think that would be an issue for anyone? Nope. It is a free country after all isn't it? And isn't Obama, or anyone else for that matter, entitled to what they earn and take home from their jobs?
Bear in mind, on Obama's last book, I think it said he donated ALL profits from the sale of the book. That's pretty big. Sure he's not donating big dollars like Bill Gates, but I'm pretty sure when Bill was first getting rolling, he wasn't dropping Benjamins all over the place either. Isn't it also entirely possible that as he makes more money, which he'll most likely do, he'll probably contribute more and more, as a percentage of what he makes? He's a young man, and has a long time to give back.
-- on Obama's last book, I think it said he donated ALL profits from the sale of the book -- magnolialover
mags,
Help me out on that one. If you've got some info that says he donated "all" the profits from his last book...it would back up your statement.
He has pledged to donate the profits from his "next" book to an as yet unnamed charity.
FisherTrollUSMC-
Are you aware of McCain's plan to force the impoverished to donate all of their earnings to Exxon and Halliburton? I think that's a pretty harsh, even for a Republican.
(see, I can play the 'lie about your opponent' game, too!)
Kyle the dummy,
where is this plan? wasn't it Bill Clinton who who extended halliburtons's contract? Where is the files from the Annenberg foundation why don't you post them. Where are Obama's files when he was a legislator.His ridiculous comment oh was I supposed to keep them sounded very statesman like. i heard Biden give a speech the other day and he asked his good friend to stand up from his wheelchair. Can you imagine if Mclame said this? Where are Bambams records of when he was a civil rights lawyer? Where is his disertation? how did a druggie get into harvard?
"Kyle the dummy,
where is this plan? wasn't it Bill Clinton who who extended halliburtons's contract? Where is the files from the Annenberg foundation why don't you post them. Where are Obama's files when he was a legislator.His ridiculous comment oh was I supposed to keep them sounded very statesman like. i heard Biden give a speech the other day and he asked his good friend to stand up from his wheelchair. Can you imagine if Mclame said this? Where are Bambams records of when he was a civil rights lawyer? Where is his disertation? how did a druggie get into harvard?"
I'm not Kyle, but I will answer you.
First, we're not talking about Clinton. Over and done with that. He ran the country very well, was super popular, and left office having done well.
Obama's files as a legislator are easy to obtain. Any comments he has ever made on the floor, any legislation he's ever worked on, and anything he has ever done as a lawmaker is PUBLIC RECORD. Meaning, you, me, and everyone else can get that information, unless he was working on something classified, and even then, guess what? You can file a FOIA to see if they'll release it. Here, let me help you out just a little bit, because it seems that you know how to use a computer, at least to post drivel, let me point you in a direction that could be useful:
http://thomas.loc.gov/
That's a link where you could do all of the reading and research that you want about Obama, or any member of Congress.
http://www.ilga.gov/
Here is another link where you can search in Illinois. This Internet thing is wonderful isn't it?
Biden the other day, yes, he misspoke, and it would be a common mistake. As, stand up and take a bow is a common phrase. If McCain had done this, I would have shrugged it off the same as Biden. Thing is, if McCain had said it, I wouldn't have heard it on the news that night.
How did a druggie get into Harvard? First of all, the man was not a serious drug user, it's called recreational use, and lots of folks in the US do it every single day. Also, when he went to Harvard, he had stopped using drugs. And there is no requirement that you do, or do not use drugs to get into Harvard. You just have to have the right grades, and test scores, and since he graduated near the top of his class, he must have had those.
how did a druggie get into harvard?
By stopping his use of drugs. How did a druggie get into Yale? His father was a member of Skull & Bones.
And his grandfather was pretty high up there in the social order of things as well. And remember, said same druggie got into Harvard as well.
I still find it funny that the tough guy Bush, was a cheerleader in college.
I've often wondered myself. But it seems the Bushes were able to keep those files hidden.
Glad you brought the subject up. I'm also interested in how he got into the TANG, how he was able to miss his duties and why wasn't he activated from the ANG into the real Army?
FisherGirlUSMC said something...
Down girl! Down!
how did a druggie get into harvard?
How did an idiot get into the Marine Corps? They must have lowered the standards since my late father enlisted back in WWII. And if he were here today, he'd tell you to shut up.
So if the DNC or the Obama Campaign says this sinlt true that's enough? Give me a break!
They are getting desparate at the the Obama Campaign, i.e. MMFA
Interesting thought process there, Noleft. Kilmeade and Fund make an accusation with absolutley no evidence,. Something pretty easily confirmed, the flying in of a group of lawyers by the Obama campaign to Alaska.
This has not been confirmed by anybody, at a time when there are huge numbers of people working full-time watching the Dems every move.
MMFA reports this.
And you think it's Obama and/or MMFA that's desperate? heh. You'd make some guy a very nice prison girlfriend with an easygoing attitude like that.
Is it just me, or do those doofus's at Faux and Fools often wait until a talking point has been debunked before they start spreading it?
I'm beginning to get the idea that they ended up on Faux and Fools because they were just too damned dumb to work for Hannity.
I did not know lawyers had to parachute (air-dropped) into Alaska? Does the lower 48 not have landing rights in Alaska?
It would make a good cartoon with 60 lawyers in suits holding a briefcase and tie flapping in the wind with a parachute attached free falling to Alaska :D
The whole "Air dropped" has connotations of a "black ops" method and really are Americans that gullible?
Will the energy that comes out of Alaska jump from 20 to 40 percent too in a matter of a week?
If THAT starts increasing like the alleged lawyer total, we'll be energy-independent in a month!!!!! :-)