Andrew Breitbart channels Glenn Beck: Jesse Lee is doing George Soros’ bidding for the White House
May 27, 2011 No Comment
Click here to view this media The Fox freakout over the White House’s new rapid-response media team headed by Jesse Lee picked up a head of steam last night on Sean Hannity’s show, when Andrew Breitbart came on and sounded like his nemesis, Glenn Beck, for a bit, as he debated the token liberal, Democratis strategist Steve Murphy. All that was missing was the chalkboard: BREITBART: Jesse Lee was at the forefront of the antiwar blogging movement, a point in time in which the same media that is out there saying that you can’t criticize the president, Barack Obama, were out there saying ‘dissent is patriotic’ and so Jesse was protected by the media . Now he wants to go after Fox News, AM talk radio, Andrew Breitbart, and what he’s doing is adding an extra protective layer to George Soros — all the media that he’s buying, and now Media Matters, which is a — MURPHY: This is the Hannity show, not Beck. BREITBART: This is a $15 million a year operation to try and shut up dissent. This is exactly what they do in totalitarian leftist nations like Venezuela. They try to shut people up. At this point, Murphy thankfully jumped in and pointed out that Breitbart was being absurd — this was a standard political media operation, only with more sophisticated media technology to work with. But Breitbart was intent mainly on smearing Jesse Lee: BREITBART: He’s a hit artist. MURPHY: So are you! Bretibart didn’t really have much of a response to that one. He knew it was true.
Continue reading …Andrew Breitbart channels Glenn Beck: Jesse Lee is doing George Soros’ bidding for the White House
May 27, 2011 No Comment
Click here to view this media The Fox freakout over the White House’s new rapid-response media team headed by Jesse Lee picked up a head of steam last night on Sean Hannity’s show, when Andrew Breitbart came on and sounded like his nemesis, Glenn Beck, for a bit, as he debated the token liberal, Democratis strategist Steve Murphy. All that was missing was the chalkboard: BREITBART: Jesse Lee was at the forefront of the antiwar blogging movement, a point in time in which the same media that is out there saying that you can’t criticize the president, Barack Obama, were out there saying ‘dissent is patriotic’ and so Jesse was protected by the media . Now he wants to go after Fox News, AM talk radio, Andrew Breitbart, and what he’s doing is adding an extra protective layer to George Soros — all the media that he’s buying, and now Media Matters, which is a — MURPHY: This is the Hannity show, not Beck. BREITBART: This is a $15 million a year operation to try and shut up dissent. This is exactly what they do in totalitarian leftist nations like Venezuela. They try to shut people up. At this point, Murphy thankfully jumped in and pointed out that Breitbart was being absurd — this was a standard political media operation, only with more sophisticated media technology to work with. But Breitbart was intent mainly on smearing Jesse Lee: BREITBART: He’s a hit artist. MURPHY: So are you! Bretibart didn’t really have much of a response to that one. He knew it was true.
Continue reading …Morning Shows Tout White House Claim that ‘Distraction’ Sarah Palin Is ‘Re-Election Insurance’
May 27, 2011 No Comment
Covering the growing buzz that Sarah Palin might mount a 2012 presidential campaign, the morning shows on Friday repeated liberal talking points proclaiming that it would be a disaster. Good Morning America's George Stephanopoulos insisted that the White House looks ” at Newt Gingrich, Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann as, basically, re-election insurance. ” CBS's Chris Wragge hinted that Palin might become a “distraction.” On NBC's Today, David Gregory appeared and lectured that “[Palin's] not seen as a general election candidate.” He added that “she's still relevant. She's still using Facebook. She's still opining. She's still attacking the President, but she's lost a little bit of that sting in her punch.” Co-host Meredith Vieira gloomily wondered, “But David, she also has higher negatives than any other GOP candidate. So how viable would her candidacy even be?” Appearing as a guest on GMA, political analyst Matt Dowd was a little more optimistic about Palin's chances against Obama. He suggested the White House may be “celebrating” the idea of the former Alaska governor running, but allowed “…Though I think Sarah Palin would help him get reelected, it's no slam-dunk if the economy isn't doing well, come a year from now.” Over on CBS's Early Show, correspondent Jan Crawford was more positive, pointing out that Palin raises the “energy,” she explained, “But I've got to say, a lot of Republicans think that the bus tour is win-win for the party. Palin can get out there and talk about the issues, really take on President Obama, and get conservatives fired up about this election.” However, co-host Wragge sounded a similar, defeatist theme: “Well, we know she galvanizes Republicans, but she also does not have a high favorability rating in the national electorate. If she can't beat the incumbent, President Obama, right now, does she become more of a distraction for the Republican Party?” For more on this, see a post by the MRC's Brent Baker on how the evening newscasts covered Palin . A transcript of the David Gregory segment, which aired at 7:07am EDT, follows: MEREDITH VIEIRA: David Gregory is moderator of Meet the Press. David, good morning to you. DAVID GREGORY: Hey, Meredith. VIEIRA: So here's what a lot of political insiders are saying about Sarah Palin, they're saying it may look like she's going to run but she has not laid the necessary groundwork to actually do so. What are you hearing? [ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Decision 2012; How Would Palin Candidacy Change GOP Race?] GREGORY: Well, pretty much the same thing. That she is making herself relevant, keeping herself relevant, that she's really not taking the steps to run. And as Andrea reported, these are some high profile signs that she's putting herself in a position to announce, but look, Sarah Palin runs kind of a closed society in American politics. There are very few people outside of her inner sanctum who really know what she's going to do. And she could just be looking at a couple of key factors that Andrea mentioned. She's second in the polls right now, according to a Gallup poll, behind Mitt Romney. High name recognition. Two, with Mike Huckabee gone there is still that space for a social conservative, more of a populist candidate. She could fill that void, particularly in Iowa, which kicks off the voting. VIEIRA: But David, she also has higher negatives than any other GOP candidate. So how viable would her candidacy even be? GREGORY: Well that's why there's so much skepticism that she would actually run. She's not seen as a general election candidate. And even among rank and file Republicans, according to Republicans I speak to, she's lost a lot of favor, if you go back to the response to the Tucson shootings and other issues. So she's still relevant, she's still using Facebook, she's still opining, she's still attacking the President, but she's lost a little bit of that sting in her punch. Still very popular in the grassroots but as a broader appeal, simply not taking steps to make herself more popular. VIEIRA: But could she become a real spoiler? And now I'm thinking of Michelle Bachmann, who is going to announce next month, she's says, whether or not she's going to run. The other Tea Party favorite. Could she – could Palin knock the wind out of Bachmann's sails, so to speak? GREGORY: Well and there's some feeling that perhaps Palin doesn't want Bachmann to steal that spotlight. I think that's true because they'd both be vying for the same space. That populist candidate the social conservative candidate. Bachmann, who was born in Waterloo, Iowa, is going to have a major announcement there perhaps to announce a presidential bid next month. So she might very well play well among the 40% of caucus-goers who are more socially conservative. Palin there as well. But know this, Palin is a factor whether she's a candidate or not a candidate because she has her own strong platform. So either way, she makes some noise in this presidential race. She has more potential impact, of course, if she's a candidate.
Continue reading …Morning Shows Tout White House Claim that ‘Distraction’ Sarah Palin Is ‘Re-Election Insurance’
May 27, 2011 No Comment
Covering the growing buzz that Sarah Palin might mount a 2012 presidential campaign, the morning shows on Friday repeated liberal talking points proclaiming that it would be a disaster. Good Morning America's George Stephanopoulos insisted that the White House looks ” at Newt Gingrich, Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann as, basically, re-election insurance. ” CBS's Chris Wragge hinted that Palin might become a “distraction.” On NBC's Today, David Gregory appeared and lectured that “[Palin's] not seen as a general election candidate.” He added that “she's still relevant. She's still using Facebook. She's still opining. She's still attacking the President, but she's lost a little bit of that sting in her punch.” Co-host Meredith Vieira gloomily wondered, “But David, she also has higher negatives than any other GOP candidate. So how viable would her candidacy even be?” Appearing as a guest on GMA, political analyst Matt Dowd was a little more optimistic about Palin's chances against Obama. He suggested the White House may be “celebrating” the idea of the former Alaska governor running, but allowed “…Though I think Sarah Palin would help him get reelected, it's no slam-dunk if the economy isn't doing well, come a year from now.” Over on CBS's Early Show, correspondent Jan Crawford was more positive, pointing out that Palin raises the “energy,” she explained, “But I've got to say, a lot of Republicans think that the bus tour is win-win for the party. Palin can get out there and talk about the issues, really take on President Obama, and get conservatives fired up about this election.” However, co-host Wragge sounded a similar, defeatist theme: “Well, we know she galvanizes Republicans, but she also does not have a high favorability rating in the national electorate. If she can't beat the incumbent, President Obama, right now, does she become more of a distraction for the Republican Party?” For more on this, see a post by the MRC's Brent Baker on how the evening newscasts covered Palin . A transcript of the David Gregory segment, which aired at 7:07am EDT, follows: MEREDITH VIEIRA: David Gregory is moderator of Meet the Press. David, good morning to you. DAVID GREGORY: Hey, Meredith. VIEIRA: So here's what a lot of political insiders are saying about Sarah Palin, they're saying it may look like she's going to run but she has not laid the necessary groundwork to actually do so. What are you hearing? [ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Decision 2012; How Would Palin Candidacy Change GOP Race?] GREGORY: Well, pretty much the same thing. That she is making herself relevant, keeping herself relevant, that she's really not taking the steps to run. And as Andrea reported, these are some high profile signs that she's putting herself in a position to announce, but look, Sarah Palin runs kind of a closed society in American politics. There are very few people outside of her inner sanctum who really know what she's going to do. And she could just be looking at a couple of key factors that Andrea mentioned. She's second in the polls right now, according to a Gallup poll, behind Mitt Romney. High name recognition. Two, with Mike Huckabee gone there is still that space for a social conservative, more of a populist candidate. She could fill that void, particularly in Iowa, which kicks off the voting. VIEIRA: But David, she also has higher negatives than any other GOP candidate. So how viable would her candidacy even be? GREGORY: Well that's why there's so much skepticism that she would actually run. She's not seen as a general election candidate. And even among rank and file Republicans, according to Republicans I speak to, she's lost a lot of favor, if you go back to the response to the Tucson shootings and other issues. So she's still relevant, she's still using Facebook, she's still opining, she's still attacking the President, but she's lost a little bit of that sting in her punch. Still very popular in the grassroots but as a broader appeal, simply not taking steps to make herself more popular. VIEIRA: But could she become a real spoiler? And now I'm thinking of Michelle Bachmann, who is going to announce next month, she's says, whether or not she's going to run. The other Tea Party favorite. Could she – could Palin knock the wind out of Bachmann's sails, so to speak? GREGORY: Well and there's some feeling that perhaps Palin doesn't want Bachmann to steal that spotlight. I think that's true because they'd both be vying for the same space. That populist candidate the social conservative candidate. Bachmann, who was born in Waterloo, Iowa, is going to have a major announcement there perhaps to announce a presidential bid next month. So she might very well play well among the 40% of caucus-goers who are more socially conservative. Palin there as well. But know this, Palin is a factor whether she's a candidate or not a candidate because she has her own strong platform. So either way, she makes some noise in this presidential race. She has more potential impact, of course, if she's a candidate.
Continue reading …Morning Shows Tout White House Claim that ‘Distraction’ Sarah Palin Is ‘Re-Election Insurance’
May 27, 2011 No CommentCovering the growing buzz that Sarah Palin might mount a 2012 presidential campaign, the morning shows on Friday repeated liberal talking points proclaiming that it would be a disaster. Good Morning America's George Stephanopoulos insisted that the White House looks ” at Newt Gingrich, Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann as, basically, re-election insurance. ” CBS's Chris Wragge hinted that Palin might become a “distraction.” On NBC's Today, David Gregory appeared and lectured that “[Palin's] not seen as a general election candidate.” He added that “she's still relevant. She's still using Facebook. She's still opining. She's still attacking the President, but she's lost a little bit of that sting in her punch.” Co-host Meredith Vieira gloomily wondered, “But David, she also has higher negatives than any other GOP candidate. So how viable would her candidacy even be?” Appearing as a guest on GMA, political analyst Matt Dowd was a little more optimistic about Palin's chances against Obama. He suggested the White House may be “celebrating” the idea of the former Alaska governor running, but allowed “…Though I think Sarah Palin would help him get reelected, it's no slam-dunk if the economy isn't doing well, come a year from now.” Over on CBS's Early Show, correspondent Jan Crawford was more positive, pointing out that Palin raises the “energy,” she explained, “But I've got to say, a lot of Republicans think that the bus tour is win-win for the party. Palin can get out there and talk about the issues, really take on President Obama, and get conservatives fired up about this election.” However, co-host Wragge sounded a similar, defeatist theme: “Well, we know she galvanizes Republicans, but she also does not have a high favorability rating in the national electorate. If she can't beat the incumbent, President Obama, right now, does she become more of a distraction for the Republican Party?” For more on this, see a post by the MRC's Brent Baker on how the evening newscasts covered Palin . A transcript of the David Gregory segment, which aired at 7:07am EDT, follows: MEREDITH VIEIRA: David Gregory is moderator of Meet the Press. David, good morning to you. DAVID GREGORY: Hey, Meredith. VIEIRA: So here's what a lot of political insiders are saying about Sarah Palin, they're saying it may look like she's going to run but she has not laid the necessary groundwork to actually do so. What are you hearing? [ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Decision 2012; How Would Palin Candidacy Change GOP Race?] GREGORY: Well, pretty much the same thing. That she is making herself relevant, keeping herself relevant, that she's really not taking the steps to run. And as Andrea reported, these are some high profile signs that she's putting herself in a position to announce, but look, Sarah Palin runs kind of a closed society in American politics. There are very few people outside of her inner sanctum who really know what she's going to do. And she could just be looking at a couple of key factors that Andrea mentioned. She's second in the polls right now, according to a Gallup poll, behind Mitt Romney. High name recognition. Two, with Mike Huckabee gone there is still that space for a social conservative, more of a populist candidate. She could fill that void, particularly in Iowa, which kicks off the voting. VIEIRA: But David, she also has higher negatives than any other GOP candidate. So how viable would her candidacy even be? GREGORY: Well that's why there's so much skepticism that she would actually run. She's not seen as a general election candidate. And even among rank and file Republicans, according to Republicans I speak to, she's lost a lot of favor, if you go back to the response to the Tucson shootings and other issues. So she's still relevant, she's still using Facebook, she's still opining, she's still attacking the President, but she's lost a little bit of that sting in her punch. Still very popular in the grassroots but as a broader appeal, simply not taking steps to make herself more popular. VIEIRA: But could she become a real spoiler? And now I'm thinking of Michelle Bachmann, who is going to announce next month, she's says, whether or not she's going to run. The other Tea Party favorite. Could she – could Palin knock the wind out of Bachmann's sails, so to speak? GREGORY: Well and there's some feeling that perhaps Palin doesn't want Bachmann to steal that spotlight. I think that's true because they'd both be vying for the same space. That populist candidate the social conservative candidate. Bachmann, who was born in Waterloo, Iowa, is going to have a major announcement there perhaps to announce a presidential bid next month. So she might very well play well among the 40% of caucus-goers who are more socially conservative. Palin there as well. But know this, Palin is a factor whether she's a candidate or not a candidate because she has her own strong platform. So either way, she makes some noise in this presidential race. She has more potential impact, of course, if she's a candidate.
Continue reading …Morning Shows Tout White House Claim that ‘Distraction’ Sarah Palin Is ‘Re-Election Insurance’
May 27, 2011 No Comment
Covering the growing buzz that Sarah Palin might mount a 2012 presidential campaign, the morning shows on Friday repeated liberal talking points proclaiming that it would be a disaster. Good Morning America's George Stephanopoulos insisted that the White House looks ” at Newt Gingrich, Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann as, basically, re-election insurance. ” CBS's Chris Wragge hinted that Palin might become a “distraction.” On NBC's Today, David Gregory appeared and lectured that “[Palin's] not seen as a general election candidate.” He added that “she's still relevant. She's still using Facebook. She's still opining. She's still attacking the President, but she's lost a little bit of that sting in her punch.” Co-host Meredith Vieira gloomily wondered, “But David, she also has higher negatives than any other GOP candidate. So how viable would her candidacy even be?” Appearing as a guest on GMA, political analyst Matt Dowd was a little more optimistic about Palin's chances against Obama. He suggested the White House may be “celebrating” the idea of the former Alaska governor running, but allowed “…Though I think Sarah Palin would help him get reelected, it's no slam-dunk if the economy isn't doing well, come a year from now.” Over on CBS's Early Show, correspondent Jan Crawford was more positive, pointing out that Palin raises the “energy,” she explained, “But I've got to say, a lot of Republicans think that the bus tour is win-win for the party. Palin can get out there and talk about the issues, really take on President Obama, and get conservatives fired up about this election.” However, co-host Wragge sounded a similar, defeatist theme: “Well, we know she galvanizes Republicans, but she also does not have a high favorability rating in the national electorate. If she can't beat the incumbent, President Obama, right now, does she become more of a distraction for the Republican Party?” For more on this, see a post by the MRC's Brent Baker on how the evening newscasts covered Palin . A transcript of the David Gregory segment, which aired at 7:07am EDT, follows: MEREDITH VIEIRA: David Gregory is moderator of Meet the Press. David, good morning to you. DAVID GREGORY: Hey, Meredith. VIEIRA: So here's what a lot of political insiders are saying about Sarah Palin, they're saying it may look like she's going to run but she has not laid the necessary groundwork to actually do so. What are you hearing? [ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Decision 2012; How Would Palin Candidacy Change GOP Race?] GREGORY: Well, pretty much the same thing. That she is making herself relevant, keeping herself relevant, that she's really not taking the steps to run. And as Andrea reported, these are some high profile signs that she's putting herself in a position to announce, but look, Sarah Palin runs kind of a closed society in American politics. There are very few people outside of her inner sanctum who really know what she's going to do. And she could just be looking at a couple of key factors that Andrea mentioned. She's second in the polls right now, according to a Gallup poll, behind Mitt Romney. High name recognition. Two, with Mike Huckabee gone there is still that space for a social conservative, more of a populist candidate. She could fill that void, particularly in Iowa, which kicks off the voting. VIEIRA: But David, she also has higher negatives than any other GOP candidate. So how viable would her candidacy even be? GREGORY: Well that's why there's so much skepticism that she would actually run. She's not seen as a general election candidate. And even among rank and file Republicans, according to Republicans I speak to, she's lost a lot of favor, if you go back to the response to the Tucson shootings and other issues. So she's still relevant, she's still using Facebook, she's still opining, she's still attacking the President, but she's lost a little bit of that sting in her punch. Still very popular in the grassroots but as a broader appeal, simply not taking steps to make herself more popular. VIEIRA: But could she become a real spoiler? And now I'm thinking of Michelle Bachmann, who is going to announce next month, she's says, whether or not she's going to run. The other Tea Party favorite. Could she – could Palin knock the wind out of Bachmann's sails, so to speak? GREGORY: Well and there's some feeling that perhaps Palin doesn't want Bachmann to steal that spotlight. I think that's true because they'd both be vying for the same space. That populist candidate the social conservative candidate. Bachmann, who was born in Waterloo, Iowa, is going to have a major announcement there perhaps to announce a presidential bid next month. So she might very well play well among the 40% of caucus-goers who are more socially conservative. Palin there as well. But know this, Palin is a factor whether she's a candidate or not a candidate because she has her own strong platform. So either way, she makes some noise in this presidential race. She has more potential impact, of course, if she's a candidate.
Continue reading …Morning Shows Tout White House Claim that ‘Distraction’ Sarah Palin Is ‘Re-Election Insurance’
May 27, 2011 No Comment
Covering the growing buzz that Sarah Palin might mount a 2012 presidential campaign, the morning shows on Friday repeated liberal talking points proclaiming that it would be a disaster. Good Morning America's George Stephanopoulos insisted that the White House looks ” at Newt Gingrich, Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann as, basically, re-election insurance. ” CBS's Chris Wragge hinted that Palin might become a “distraction.” On NBC's Today, David Gregory appeared and lectured that “[Palin's] not seen as a general election candidate.” He added that “she's still relevant. She's still using Facebook. She's still opining. She's still attacking the President, but she's lost a little bit of that sting in her punch.” Co-host Meredith Vieira gloomily wondered, “But David, she also has higher negatives than any other GOP candidate. So how viable would her candidacy even be?” Appearing as a guest on GMA, political analyst Matt Dowd was a little more optimistic about Palin's chances against Obama. He suggested the White House may be “celebrating” the idea of the former Alaska governor running, but allowed “…Though I think Sarah Palin would help him get reelected, it's no slam-dunk if the economy isn't doing well, come a year from now.” Over on CBS's Early Show, correspondent Jan Crawford was more positive, pointing out that Palin raises the “energy,” she explained, “But I've got to say, a lot of Republicans think that the bus tour is win-win for the party. Palin can get out there and talk about the issues, really take on President Obama, and get conservatives fired up about this election.” However, co-host Wragge sounded a similar, defeatist theme: “Well, we know she galvanizes Republicans, but she also does not have a high favorability rating in the national electorate. If she can't beat the incumbent, President Obama, right now, does she become more of a distraction for the Republican Party?” For more on this, see a post by the MRC's Brent Baker on how the evening newscasts covered Palin . A transcript of the David Gregory segment, which aired at 7:07am EDT, follows: MEREDITH VIEIRA: David Gregory is moderator of Meet the Press. David, good morning to you. DAVID GREGORY: Hey, Meredith. VIEIRA: So here's what a lot of political insiders are saying about Sarah Palin, they're saying it may look like she's going to run but she has not laid the necessary groundwork to actually do so. What are you hearing? [ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Decision 2012; How Would Palin Candidacy Change GOP Race?] GREGORY: Well, pretty much the same thing. That she is making herself relevant, keeping herself relevant, that she's really not taking the steps to run. And as Andrea reported, these are some high profile signs that she's putting herself in a position to announce, but look, Sarah Palin runs kind of a closed society in American politics. There are very few people outside of her inner sanctum who really know what she's going to do. And she could just be looking at a couple of key factors that Andrea mentioned. She's second in the polls right now, according to a Gallup poll, behind Mitt Romney. High name recognition. Two, with Mike Huckabee gone there is still that space for a social conservative, more of a populist candidate. She could fill that void, particularly in Iowa, which kicks off the voting. VIEIRA: But David, she also has higher negatives than any other GOP candidate. So how viable would her candidacy even be? GREGORY: Well that's why there's so much skepticism that she would actually run. She's not seen as a general election candidate. And even among rank and file Republicans, according to Republicans I speak to, she's lost a lot of favor, if you go back to the response to the Tucson shootings and other issues. So she's still relevant, she's still using Facebook, she's still opining, she's still attacking the President, but she's lost a little bit of that sting in her punch. Still very popular in the grassroots but as a broader appeal, simply not taking steps to make herself more popular. VIEIRA: But could she become a real spoiler? And now I'm thinking of Michelle Bachmann, who is going to announce next month, she's says, whether or not she's going to run. The other Tea Party favorite. Could she – could Palin knock the wind out of Bachmann's sails, so to speak? GREGORY: Well and there's some feeling that perhaps Palin doesn't want Bachmann to steal that spotlight. I think that's true because they'd both be vying for the same space. That populist candidate the social conservative candidate. Bachmann, who was born in Waterloo, Iowa, is going to have a major announcement there perhaps to announce a presidential bid next month. So she might very well play well among the 40% of caucus-goers who are more socially conservative. Palin there as well. But know this, Palin is a factor whether she's a candidate or not a candidate because she has her own strong platform. So either way, she makes some noise in this presidential race. She has more potential impact, of course, if she's a candidate.
Continue reading …Morning Shows Tout White House Claim that ‘Distraction’ Sarah Palin Is ‘Re-Election Insurance’
May 27, 2011 No Comment
Covering the growing buzz that Sarah Palin might mount a 2012 presidential campaign, the morning shows on Friday repeated liberal talking points proclaiming that it would be a disaster. Good Morning America's George Stephanopoulos insisted that the White House looks ” at Newt Gingrich, Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann as, basically, re-election insurance. ” CBS's Chris Wragge hinted that Palin might become a “distraction.” On NBC's Today, David Gregory appeared and lectured that “[Palin's] not seen as a general election candidate.” He added that “she's still relevant. She's still using Facebook. She's still opining. She's still attacking the President, but she's lost a little bit of that sting in her punch.” Co-host Meredith Vieira gloomily wondered, “But David, she also has higher negatives than any other GOP candidate. So how viable would her candidacy even be?” Appearing as a guest on GMA, political analyst Matt Dowd was a little more optimistic about Palin's chances against Obama. He suggested the White House may be “celebrating” the idea of the former Alaska governor running, but allowed “…Though I think Sarah Palin would help him get reelected, it's no slam-dunk if the economy isn't doing well, come a year from now.” Over on CBS's Early Show, correspondent Jan Crawford was more positive, pointing out that Palin raises the “energy,” she explained, “But I've got to say, a lot of Republicans think that the bus tour is win-win for the party. Palin can get out there and talk about the issues, really take on President Obama, and get conservatives fired up about this election.” However, co-host Wragge sounded a similar, defeatist theme: “Well, we know she galvanizes Republicans, but she also does not have a high favorability rating in the national electorate. If she can't beat the incumbent, President Obama, right now, does she become more of a distraction for the Republican Party?” For more on this, see a post by the MRC's Brent Baker on how the evening newscasts covered Palin . A transcript of the David Gregory segment, which aired at 7:07am EDT, follows: MEREDITH VIEIRA: David Gregory is moderator of Meet the Press. David, good morning to you. DAVID GREGORY: Hey, Meredith. VIEIRA: So here's what a lot of political insiders are saying about Sarah Palin, they're saying it may look like she's going to run but she has not laid the necessary groundwork to actually do so. What are you hearing? [ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Decision 2012; How Would Palin Candidacy Change GOP Race?] GREGORY: Well, pretty much the same thing. That she is making herself relevant, keeping herself relevant, that she's really not taking the steps to run. And as Andrea reported, these are some high profile signs that she's putting herself in a position to announce, but look, Sarah Palin runs kind of a closed society in American politics. There are very few people outside of her inner sanctum who really know what she's going to do. And she could just be looking at a couple of key factors that Andrea mentioned. She's second in the polls right now, according to a Gallup poll, behind Mitt Romney. High name recognition. Two, with Mike Huckabee gone there is still that space for a social conservative, more of a populist candidate. She could fill that void, particularly in Iowa, which kicks off the voting. VIEIRA: But David, she also has higher negatives than any other GOP candidate. So how viable would her candidacy even be? GREGORY: Well that's why there's so much skepticism that she would actually run. She's not seen as a general election candidate. And even among rank and file Republicans, according to Republicans I speak to, she's lost a lot of favor, if you go back to the response to the Tucson shootings and other issues. So she's still relevant, she's still using Facebook, she's still opining, she's still attacking the President, but she's lost a little bit of that sting in her punch. Still very popular in the grassroots but as a broader appeal, simply not taking steps to make herself more popular. VIEIRA: But could she become a real spoiler? And now I'm thinking of Michelle Bachmann, who is going to announce next month, she's says, whether or not she's going to run. The other Tea Party favorite. Could she – could Palin knock the wind out of Bachmann's sails, so to speak? GREGORY: Well and there's some feeling that perhaps Palin doesn't want Bachmann to steal that spotlight. I think that's true because they'd both be vying for the same space. That populist candidate the social conservative candidate. Bachmann, who was born in Waterloo, Iowa, is going to have a major announcement there perhaps to announce a presidential bid next month. So she might very well play well among the 40% of caucus-goers who are more socially conservative. Palin there as well. But know this, Palin is a factor whether she's a candidate or not a candidate because she has her own strong platform. So either way, she makes some noise in this presidential race. She has more potential impact, of course, if she's a candidate.
Continue reading …Murray Waas broke a story yesterday about the John Ensign scandal in Reuters which Nicole wrote about here. I’ve been pushing for the media to force Sen. Tom Coburn to explain his actions in the matter, since he was in the middle of the whole thing as some sort of a go-0between. Well, he finally commented after Waas broke some news on Ensign: The Senate Ethics committee report portrayed Ensign as intermediary in negotiating a potential seven figure payment from Ensign to his former campaign treasurer, Cindy Hampton, who he had the affair with, and her husband, Doug Hampton, who was Ensign’s closest friend and administrative assistant. The Senate Ethics committee quoted several people who gave sworn testimony in the case. Coburn said today that they were lying. Regarding the Senate Ethics Committee report’s conclusions , Coburn said: “That’s a totally inaccurate characterization of what happened. What the story you hear is not an accurate reflection of what happened.” Ensign made the comments during an interview for C-SPAN’s “Newsmakers,” which will air Sunday. Coburn told C-SPAN that he never negotiated on Ensign’s behalf, but instead simply passed information along from the Hamptons and their attorney and Ensign. He also said that he was proud of what he had done and would do “exactly” the same thing all over again: “We put two families back together with multiple children — both marriages are stable right now,” Coburn said. “I’m proud of what I did and the way I did it. There’s nothing unethical about what I did.” In fact, the Hamptons have said they are divorcing, and Cyndy Hampton recently filed for bankruptcy. It is unclear why Coburn broke his long silence at this point in time and provided C-SPAN with his most extensive remarks on the entire matter since disclosure of the affair. One likely reason is that instead of the story fading, Coburn’s role might face renewed further press scrutiny if and when the Justice Department reopens its probe of Ensign. Coburn has previously said that he was a witness about his role before the Senate Ethics Committee, but has never commented as to whether he was asked for information by the Justice Department. How exactly did he put two families back together again? Does he believe divorce and bankruptcy is “mending the fences?’ Will the media finally force Coburn to answer publicly for his involvement in this scandal?
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Violence breaks out around Barcelona’s Plaça de Catalunya, the first trouble after 12 days of protests Protesters who have camped out in Spanish squares for the past 12 days clashed with police for the first time on Friday after authorities dismantled a camp in the centre of Barcelona. Police and clean-up trucks moved into the Plaça de Catalunya, with about 200 protesters being corralled peacefully in the centre of the square. Protesters were told they were not being evicted and would be allowed back, but municipal workers took away tents, mattresses, tarpaulins, computers and materials used to build the camp. Trouble erupted when thousands of supporters arrived and blocked access roads. Police cleared routes out of the square by using batons, reportedly injuring 99 people and arresting two. Video footage filmed in the square shows bloodied demonstrators being beaten by police. Protesters said police also used pepper spray and rubber bullets. The Catalan regional government said it ordered police into the square only so it could be cleaned. Authorities were reportedly concerned that the camp might be a focus for violence on Saturday night when crowds of people are expected to take to Barcelona’s streets if the city’s football team wins the Champions League final against Manchester United. Demonstrators were allowed into the square after the clean-up and immediately started to rebuild the camp. A peaceful demonstration against the police action has been called for this evening in Barcelona, Madrid and dozens more cities where protesters are camped out in squares. The clean-up came after authorities came under increased pressure from shop owners and local officials to remove the camps throughout Spain, but protesters said they would stay in place until Sunday at the earliest. Spain Europe Protest Giles Tremlett guardian.co.uk
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