After Vieira claimed "political advertising suspended" for McCain campaign, dozens of NBC affiliates ran McCain ads during Today
SUMMARY: On NBC's Today, Meredith Vieira said of Sen. John McCain: "His campaign on hold, political advertising suspended, and he's asking his rival to postpone tomorrow night's debate." However, according to a Media Matters search of the TVEyes.com database, dozens of NBC affiliates ran McCain ads during the hour prior to, or following, her statement on Today.
Opening the September 25 edition of NBC's Today, co-host Meredith Vieira said of Sen. John McCain: "His campaign on hold, political advertising suspended, and he's asking his rival to postpone tomorrow night's debate." But according to a Media Matters for America search* of the TVEyes.com database, several NBC affiliates ran McCain ads during the hour prior to her statement on Today. Further, following her statement, dozens of NBC affiliates -- including flagship station WNBC in New York -- aired McCain ads during Today.
Media Matters has included video from WHO in Des Moines, Iowa, at approximately 7:30 a.m. ET.
From the September 25 edition of NBC's Today:
VIEIRA: Good morning. Crisis mode: President Bush, warning our economy is in danger, urges Congress to pass that $700 billion bailout package -- and fast -- while John McCain takes a dramatic step.
McCAIN [video clip]: I'll suspend my campaign and return to Washington.
VIEIRA: His campaign on hold, political advertising suspended, and he's asking his rival to postpone tomorrow night's debate. But Obama says, no way.
OBAMA [video clip]: It is going to be part of the president's job to deal with more than one thing at once.
VIEIRA: Now, both candidates are headed to the White House for an extraordinary emergency meeting with the president as Congress tries to hammer out a deal to prevent an even bigger meltdown. Today, Thursday, September 25, 2008.
ANNOUNCER: From NBC News, this is Today, with Matt Lauer and Meredith Vieira, live from Studio 1A in Rockefeller Plaza.
Oops. Obviously Vieira and the rest of the media has been had....again.
This reminds me of the reporter on 9/11/01 who was telling the TV audience that WTC7 had collapsed while the building was still visible behind them....
In addition, two McCain campaign surogates are making digs at Obama on TV, all the while claiming that McCain has suspended campaigning.
link
So you're going to blame Vieira for that?
NBC, Tommy. NBC.
Oh wait, that's right. You can't blame Vieira because she's not a journalist, right?
BTW, J/K.
Everyone must realize that in McJohnny World, suspending doesn't necessarily mean stopping..or, he was suspending 'his" campaign but those other guys can keep running their campaign for him. Do we have to explain everything to this MMFA crowd?
So the answer to the WITH is that it is not all there.
McCain's transparent grandstanding would be comical were it not for the fact that some idiots will buy into it. Putting country before politics! Ha...what a fraud...! (But we knew that already, didn't we?)
My prediction is that a deal will be reached on the bailout package by tomorrow and John McCain will come rushing into the auditorium in Oxford, Mississippi just as the debate is scheduled to begin...with his collar unbuttoned and sleeves rolled up as evidence that he's just returned from Washington after single-handedly solving the economic crisis. ;>)
I just hope that Barack Obama finds it appropraite to call out McCain for this phony political stunt.
Irony, It is a stunt by McCain, the desperation of his campaign is showing, it's actually embarrassing. But I don't agree that Obama should dump on him for it, he should show up for the debate tomorrow night and show leadership and resolve, compare that to McCain's flailing and it will speak for itself.
Thankfully, Obama is running ads right now that don't even mention McCain. I just heard one on the radio and it's just him talking about what happened and how he intends to fix it.
Disagree.
Stay above it all? That's the John Kerry way, that's the Al Gore way. Bless their hearts, but they lost that way. Obama needs to get after it and highlight McCain's negatives and tie McCain's economic ideology to this Wall St. disaster.
I was specifically responding to Irony's suggestion that Obama call out McCain for his political stunt, not his negatives or his Wall St. ties, perhaps you misunderstood.
This political stunt IS a negative worth highlighting.
McCain's gambling. He took a risk of appearing weak, his gamble is failing, and the price of that should be to look weak. You're absolutely right that Obama should hit him for it.
We agree. Obama has called McCain's bluff. Obama will be at the forum with or without the other guy. Brilliant move. A subtle but stern in your face by Barack.
We have a disagreement on Obama's campaign strategy regarding this from McCain, so be it.
Meh, so be it.
Anyway, Obama has played it beautifully so far. He's gonna show up no matter what. You just watch McCain cave on his principles again and show up because he doesn't want to miss the opportunity for prime time face time.
On that we agree, and in my opinion McCain has not shown any principles lately, so no worries about caving in on something that is already flattened.
And what's that line you're so fond of repeating, don't give you opponent a sword and expect him not to use it on you? Is that how it goes?
The election is close, McCain is down on the ground. There is no reason for Obama to back off now.
See I don't know about you, but I want a president who is willing to be aggressive with his principles and say "enough" and dismantle these kinds of political stunts.
Round, I also want an aggressive candidate and president. If Obama is being mischaracterized or lied about, then I say he should be forceful and direct with what the truth is, and on issues I believe he should be just as candid and forthright. But as far as this little McCain stunt, I think for Obama to sink to his level and start some finger pointing as to tactics, especially during tomorrow's debate, it will be a distraction away from issues and leadership, and these are two of Obama's strengths right now, that is where he needs to separate himself from McCain.
Well, you know I think the way Obama has handled McCain on this is a testament to Barack's leadership. For Obama to positively tell people, in effect, that his bold decision is a sign of that leadership while contrasting it with McCain's decision, indeed, directly addresses the issue in the most concrete terms.
He doesn't need to say he has played McCain like the cheap guitar he is, but to make that comparison of leadership styles, namely taking the economic debate to the people, instead of running to Washington for more photo-ops with George Bush could be a strong emphasis on Barack's people first politics of change.
John McCain will come rushing into the auditorium in Oxford, Mississippi just as the debate is scheduled to begin...with his collar unbuttoned and sleeves rolled up as evidence that he's just returned from Washington after single-handedly solving the economic crisis. ;>)
And he'll do this while fortifying Laissez-faire doctrine with 700 billion tax dollars! Maverick! Maverick! Maverick!
IRONY, I am still not used to the new format. I replied to your much earlier post with one of my own, but did not click "REPLY;, so it ended up way at the bottom.
Begins with "Mon cher Irony"....
You're really not sure what the point is? Really? It is simple. Veira claimed that McCain is suspending his campaign. That is not true. It is misinformation. MMFA reports on misinformation. No one is claiming that NBC is in the tank for McCain.
That's ridiculous. A clear stunt by McCain for sure, but just because a few ads got through without Vieira's knowledge doesn't mean she is lying, as you claim she isn't telling the truth.
He said "misinformation", not "lying". Your definition means that the misinformation was intentional, and that was not asserted.
Call it whatever you'd like.
FMP did just that, calling it "misinformation", which you said was "ridiculous". Obviously you felt he should have called it something else.
Veira claimed that McCain is suspending his campaign. That is not true.
Funnypants you are correct, McCain has lied again. My question is will the media believe this stunt or finally hold him to task.
My guess is no...
"No one is claiming that NBC is in the tank for McCain".
Maybe not everyone at NBC, but certainly "some".
I am not sure of what the point is here. Are we suggesting NBC is in the tank for McCain?
NBC is running campaign ads for McCain after he suspended his campaign. It's not so much a tank; it's more like his satellite office.
It's not so much a tank; it's more like his satellite office.
I am sure Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow would love to know that the network that pays them is running a satellite office for one of the people that they hate (John McCain).
Casey,
The Governor thinks NBC is pimping McCain, or something.....it's flat our ridiculous, anyone with a clue knows that.
Why, Tommy, is NBC running McCain's ads while reporting that McCain has suspended his campaign?
Of course, it makes perfect sense. McCain publicly suspends his campaign and all advertising and the bigwigs at NBC say let's run his ads anyway because we want him to win. It's the only logical explanation on why these ads were run after Vieira claims otherwise.
Gee Governor, you got your finger on the pulse of what's going on.....give yourself a gold star.
Thanks for the opposing view - oh wait - you don't have one.
So how is this Viera's fault?
Casey, I don't think it is her fault. A few ads apparently got through, maybe intentionally, maybe unintentionally, who knows? But she reported what McCain said, uncritically, that is her job.
I agree, I am with sueeld, i do not get the point of this.
I guess the even Bill Clinton is wrong he loves McCains bipartisan action
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-09-24-bill-clinton_N.htm?csp=34
Aren't you the same as "Caseyspring" that posted here some time ago?
Maybe its is Ellie717 or Bottleblonde (Sue) ? Come to think of it is has been quiet all week, i wonder if Sue got banned again.
Casey wrote:
>>I guess the even Bill Clinton is wrong he loves McCains bipartisan action
Yes, we have another example of the AA rule. (Provide a link that doesn't back up what you assert.) The link you provided does not support your claim. Bill Clinton only said he won't attack McCain because that won't lead to a winning strategy. He doesn't even *comment* on the latest McCain stunt.
Tommy wrote:
>>But she reported what McCain said, uncritically, that is her job.
Good jeezboll bob grief! You think it is the job of reporters to report *uncriticallyl" the words of politicians? Then why even bother having reporters! We could have imbeciles or trained monkeys do the same thing. Why not just get rid of reporters and get our news from press releases.
Is exactly the job of a reporter to be critical of any statement coming from a politician.
They already know that.
This whole thing is a shameless ploy and I think it's starting to backfire on McCain. It's funny that he called Pelosi and said he was coming back to Washington because "nothing is getting done" and Pelosi told a lot was getting done. If and when a deal is struck John McCain's involvement will be pretty much zero.
Shaggles, but the mouths of the Right will be spouting that a deal was done because thoise remaining in Washington knew that Big John was coming to town and the Maverick would get things done if they couldn't. Just the fear of McCain be htere got this deal done.
"If and when a deal is struck John McCain's involvement will be pretty much zero."
I think it would be hilarious if the negotiations go on for weeks - as could very well happen. Will he REALLY "suspend" his campaign until after the election?
I heard McCain spokesman Tucker Bound being interviewed today about his candidates decision to suspend his campaign for the good of the country.
He said that McCain's was decision was all "mavricky' and admirable and if Senator Obama wanted to keep giving glorious speeches before Roman columns and parting the waters etc, that was just fine with him. McCain's campaign wasn't going to get political when our nation's financial security was at risk.
This proves that MCain is just another political hack who wants the world to think he's being noble, while in reality he's let loose his minions to keep the image of Obama as the messiah going.
Amazing. Who in their right mind is going to fall for this McCain idiocy? His campaign must be in full panic mode or something, what with Palin embarrassing herself with her pitiful Couric interview, I almost feel sorry for the whole lousy bunch.
Who in their right mind is going to fall for this McCain idiocy?
Tommy
Meredith Vieira did. She fell for it.
Who are you talking to now?
John McGimmick, worst GOP candidate since Bush, Dole, Bush, Reagan, Ford, Nixon
I would say other than Dole, McCain is the worst. After all Bush 41 won once, so did Bush 43 allthough he stole the election. Reagan was great at campaigning and showing that image, and Ford and Nixon, that was a different era.
McCain though is running a horrible campaign. No one can disupte this.
Mon cher IRONY,
Don't forget who is behind every smarmy tactic McCain's gang does. No matter how idiotic WE may think Old John's moves are, his "base" will swallow ANYTHING fed to them. Just look at the polls. We should be terrified at the thought of this moron "rushing back to Washington to (ahem!) FIX things". He has been "fixing things" for decades, has he not?