On Wednesday’s CBS Evening News, correspondent Ben Tracy filed a report linking angry protesters opposing ObamaCare at town hall events to conservative groups, examining the possibility that the "outrage" has been "organized" by these groups, or even affected by "anti-government" sentiment over other issues, rather than legitimate concerns about the plans under consideration.
Tracy began his report: "For some, their anger is tightly focused on health care reform. But for others, this issue is simply the final straw." After a soundbite of a woman complaining about the legalization of abortion and the removal of prayer from public schools, Tracy continued: "Some experts believe a growing anti-government sentiment, fueled by extraordinary events such as the bailouts of the banking and auto industries, is spilling over into the health care debate."
Notably, eight minutes after the end of Tracy’s report, a piece was run in which correspondent Bob Orr relayed concerns by the liberal Southern Poverty Law Center about right-wing extremism motivated by "anti-government" sentiment, Democratic party control of the government, and the first black President, and the possibility of violence from these extreme groups in the near future.
Returning to Tracy’s report, the CBS correspondent relayed claims by conservatives that "the outrage is not organized," and showed a clip of Michael Patrick Leahy of the Tea Party Coalition arguing that the protesters are mostly "individual voices." But then Tracy dismissed Leahy’s contention by citing efforts by some conservative organizations to instruct activists on how to protest effectively:
TRACY: Yet, Web sites – such as Recess Rally, which is planning a nationwide health care bill protest – lists Freedom Works as part of its coalition. That's an organization led by former Republican Congressman Dick Amey, whose lobbying firm works for the health care industry. Also, a conservative group in Connecticut posted an online memo called, "Rocking the Town Halls." The playbook outlines tactics to give Congressmen, quote, "a reality check from we-the-people." The memo advises to "watch for an opportunity to yell out ... the goal is to rattle him."
Tracy informed viewers that counterprotests are being organized by supporters of ObamaCare, a clip was shown of one such protester blaming FNC hosts Glenn Beck, Bill O’Reilly, and Sean Hannity for disseminating "talking points." Protester Pepper Mashay shouted: " It seems like the Republicans have all these talking points that have been delivered through Glenn Beck, Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity that's not true!"
Below is a complete transcript of the story from the Wednesday, August 12, CBS Evening News:
KATIE COURIC: Meanwhile, Americans have certainly spoken out about other controversial issues and other bills before Congress, but, as Sharyl mentioned, we'd never seen people turn out at town meetings the way they are as prepared and as organized as they are. Ben Tracy looks now at what's behind this passion to be heard.
BEN TRACY: For some, their anger is tightly focused on health care reform. But for others, this issue is simply the final straw.
NANCY SNYDER, OPPOSES HEALTH CARE REFORM: We didn't stand up, and what happened? They took prayer out of the school and replaced it with drugs. We didn't stand up, we got legalized abortion, and they're killing babies. And if we don't stand up now, God help us.
TRACY: Some experts believe a growing anti-government sentiment, fueled by extraordinary events such as the bailouts of the banking and auto industries, is spilling over into the health care debate.
UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN IN AUDIENCE TALKING TO SENATOR ARLEN SPECTER: I don't want this country turning into Russia, turning into a socialized country.
DAN DURBIN, USC ANNENBERG SCHOOL FOR COMMUNICATION: When people see the change as being sweeping, complete, or large, they feel threatened, and their immediate response is going to be to react.
TRACY: Those fighting the health care bill contend the outrage is not organized.
MICHAEL PATRICK LEAHY, NATIONAL TEA PARTY COALITION: It's a million or so independent individual voices, exercising their right to free speech.
TRACY: Yet, Web sites – such as Recess Rally, which is planning a nationwide health care bill protest – lists Freedom Works as part of its coalition. That’s an organization led by former Republican Congressman Dick Amey, whose lobbying firm works for the health care industry. Also, a conservative group in Connecticut posted an online memo called, "Rocking the Town Halls." The playbook outlines tactics to give Congressmen, quote, "a reality check from we-the-people." The memo advises to "watch for an opportunity to yell out ... the goal is to rattle him" or her.
SENATOR CLAIRE MCCASKILL (D-MO), ON STAGE: I don't understand this rudeness.
TRACY: But even some opposing the bill worry all the yelling will drown out their message.
DAVE SCHWARTZ, AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY: They're hurting the cause now, and they're hurting the cause in the future.
TRACY: Yet, the other side is organizing, too. Attendees at this pro-reform event yesterday in Los Angeles were recruited by a local social service agency.
PEPPER MASHAY, SUPPORTS HEALTH CARE BILL: It seems like the Republicans have all these talking points that have been delivered through Glenn Beck, Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity that’s not true!
TRACY: And so Democrats are now trying to play defense, sending out these health care fact check cards to supporters with their own talking points. Ben Tracy, CBS News, Los Angeles.
—Brad Wilmouth is a news analyst at the Media Research Center.




KATIE COURIC: Meanwhile, Americans have certainly spoken out about other controversial issues and other bills before Congress, but, as Sharyl mentioned, we'd never seen people turn out at town meetings the way they are as prepared and as organized as they are. Ben Tracy looks now at what's behind this passion to be heard.














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I notice that Tracy didn't
August 13, 2009 - 07:17 ET by motherbeltI notice that Tracy didn't mention Organizing for America, HCAN, or the SEIU.
I'm sure his next report will cover organizing on the left.
\sarc
mb
August 13, 2009 - 08:39 ET by larry on LIadd one more,YWC!LI; yes we can long island .very active!
Did CBS link the little
August 13, 2009 - 08:48 ET by mattmDid CBS link the little "mean signs" girl to her Obama-donating mother? Didn't think so.....
What these dopes on the Left are either too blind to see or too unwilling to notice is the fact that there are many democrats who are opposed to Obamacare and who resent being told to sit down and shut up. I hope they remember how their own leaders treated them next November.
Too bad the Madoff pyramid
August 13, 2009 - 09:15 ET by Joe BlogsToo bad the Madoff pyramid scheme didn't take down the $PLC, too.
I'm still waiting for the MSM analysis of ACORN, Soros, etc.
August 13, 2009 - 07:19 ET by acaiguanaFirst, I really don't care who organizes protests against this government, as long as there aren't any Facist groups linked to the Conservatives.
Second, Cindy Shehan is touted as a great American because she lost a son in Iraq; but all those who are in the audience and are Veterans are ridiculed as know nothings driven like sheep with the Shepherds of Talk Radio and FOX news.
Third, all the Democrat talking points in the world do not make a fact.
ACA
...
Quoted from: 'Acaiguana notes from the Underground' (Soon to be at theaters near you)
You're right...Cindy
August 13, 2009 - 07:24 ET by motherbeltYou're right...Cindy Sheehan, possibly the dumbest woman to continually "remove all doubt" was beyond criticism and treated as a prophet because she was a Gold Star Mother.
But you vets (and my husband is one) are too dumb to know which end is up, and are led around by your noses.
Tracy began his report:
August 13, 2009 - 07:44 ET by black47211Tracy began his report: "For some, their anger is tightly focused on
health care reform. But for others, this issue is simply the final
straw." After a soundbite of a woman complaining about the legalization
of abortion and the removal of prayer from public schools, Tracy
continued: "Some experts believe a growing anti-government sentiment,
fueled by extraordinary events such as the bailouts of the banking and
auto industries, is spilling over into the health care debate."
----------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah, that pretty much sums it up for me. It started with, oh heck, what?, Obama's partial-birth abortion vendetta, and then the Porkulus, and then his infamous World Apology Tour 2009, and then his hiring these super-liberal leftists for his cabinet positions (Czars), and then this Health Care Reform fiasco, and of course his complete ineptitude to actually be the President and so on.
For me it has been one thing after another and it continues to grow by leaps and bounds. Enough is truly enough. The liberals have had their MSM poking this sleeping giant with sticks long enough. America is, at its core and heart, Conservative. 2010 will be a huge wake-up call to the Socialist Progressives here in America who are in Congress and in the White House. Can you say "Lame Duck Presidency for 2010 to 2012"?
www.pelicanmarsh68.blogspot.com
My final straw was back
August 13, 2009 - 08:53 ET by mattmMy final straw was back when Carter ran this country into the ground - everything the Left has done since has been to thwart the resurgence of America which was begun by Reagan, or to finally destroy it by ramming socialism down our throats.
Anger? Damn straight!
Oooooookay
August 13, 2009 - 07:46 ET by rightwingidiotYeah, like all the protesting against reform is being manufactured by the special interests and the talk shows. It couldn't be just regular people, that don't belong to a union or agitation group (ACORN), are getting fed up with what Obeyme and the dems are doing in DC.
Sometimes you just have to wonder who's pushing this crap through the major network news rooms. Do they really think that people can't see right through this?
Oh well. As the ratings continue to plummet eventually they will either wake up and smell reality or end up with fewer viewers than Matthews.
Americans fed up....
August 13, 2009 - 08:10 ET by adamsmithThe Obama Presidency has pushed it's "European" socialism as far down American's throats as it can...The media will continue to lose viewers to Fox news as they are the only ones not in the tank for the Marxist in Chief...BS only goes so far and the lies have become too many and too thick for the people to believe these Charlatans anymore. The left point to SS and Medicare as grand achievements by the Democrats consistently failing to point out that combined they are 80trillion dollars in unfunded debt. The government's purse strings will be cut one way or another...We don't want anymore debt with interest cut out to the politicians' friends in the corrupt banking sector at taxpayer expense....Socialism must die, it is everywhere else...
News reporting 101: If
August 13, 2009 - 08:09 ET by Scuba DudeNews reporting 101:
If the story involves a Republican, Conservative or right leaning person or group or there is a hint of any links to any such person or group keep the story in front for as long as possible until another story involving another Republican, Conservative or right leaning person or group replaces it.
If the story involves a Democrat, Liberal or left leaning person, group or organization, the appropriate response can be found here.
The Obama Administration: THE most fiscally irresponsible Administration EVER
"Protester Pepper Mashay
August 13, 2009 - 08:14 ET by ckc1227"Protester Pepper Mashay shouted.."
Pepper Mashay? Really now? Would that be a play on paper mache' by any chance? Why not use your real name, "pepper"?
Maybe the protesters should just pretend to be doctors instead.
"NANCY SNYDER, OPPOSES HEALTH CARE REFORM:"
Gee, nice label....misrepresent much, CBS? Did Ms. Snyder says she opposes all health care reform, or did she say she opposes government run health care reform? There is a difference you know.
Sounds like the name of a
August 13, 2009 - 08:35 ET by motherbeltSounds like the name of a lady wrestler or Roller Derby queen. LOL
Update: I've since had time to check out your link, and follow the links there.
That is hilarious!
Excellent advice, this:
A word of advice to budding political operatives: when you need two plants, try to pick people smarter than actual plants.
linkage
August 13, 2009 - 08:40 ET by regimeofterrorSo this bunch at CBS will strain themselves to find "links" between two people THEY consider enemies and that is ok but when real researchers find links between two of America's (not just liberal's) enemies, such as Saddam and al Qaeda, and those people are smeared by CBS.
Saddam Hussein and terrorism. Trying to tell the rest of the story at http://www.regimeofterror.com
When Obamacare kicks in,
August 13, 2009 - 21:24 ET by stratmanWhen Obamacare kicks in, this pretender will be the prototype "physican" available to treat you.
What a dumbass - she's being videotaped!
Isn't it a crime to impersonate oa physician?
Isn't it a crime to
August 13, 2009 - 21:26 ET by Free StinkerIsn't it a crime to impersonate oa physician?
Supporters of "The One" don't get charged with crimes as far as I have observed.
"Gov. Palin has been subjected to one of the most massive and dishonest pile-on smear attacks in the history of liberal media." -- Lowell Ponte
You may be correct. If
August 13, 2009 - 22:01 ET by stratmanYou may be correct.
If being a jackbooted, armed and menacing New Black Panther prowling the entrace to a voting location earns a pass by the Justice Department, then impersonating a physician and propagandizing will hardly cause a raised eyebrow.
Disgusting if nothing results.
We may well be on our way to 'Obama fiddles while America burns'.
→ Maybe strat
August 13, 2009 - 21:29 ET by Cool ArrowBut maybe it won't be able to kick in because those evil surgeong will cut off their feet.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
Don't forget the tonsils!
August 13, 2009 - 22:03 ET by stratmanDon't forget the tonsils!
This is a very encouraging report.
August 13, 2009 - 09:02 ET by JTPIt is good to know that the press still has investigative skills to track down the source of all of these evil doers disrupting the town hall forums. And I thought all hope was lost for the MSM.
"Live for yourself...there's no one else more worth living for.
Begging hands and bleeding hearts will only cry out for more"- Rush--Anthem
August 13, 2009 - 09:36 ET by jessieHWe aren't that well organized, yet, but we will be by September 12. Can You Hear US Now?
It's All About Illegals
August 13, 2009 - 10:23 ET by slickwillie2001On the other hand, I link the whole Obamacare drive to illegal aliens and their advocacy groups. What Obamacare in its present form will do is remove healthcare from senior citizens to give it to illegal aliens. We can say that because seniors clearly lose the most, and illegal aliens clearly gain the most. An Obamacare card will be just another anchor that illegals can claim in order to stay here.
Once illegal aliens have an Obamacare card, that is just another justification that the liberals will have to let them stay. Look at their likely logic, –'how can we deport someone when this country is their only source of healthcare?' When a Mexican wants to cross into the USA at a legal border crossing they will show their Obamacare card and simply claim they are entering the USA for an urgent medical condition. Who could question that?
Obamacare in HR3200 at present states that "if any one member of a family qualifies for Obamacare, all other members of that family thereby qualify." So that means if a Mexican extended family drops one in the USA, who is thereby a citizen, the entire clan qualifies. People in Mexico today that have never been in the USA will be qualified for Obamacare.
Democratics have time and time again rejected amendments that would proscribe illegals from taking advantage of Obamacare, while admitting that there is a path in HR3200 that would allow illegals to take advantage of it. It's all about illegals and their eventual path to voter registration.
Conservative Groups
August 13, 2009 - 10:29 ET by QuinnrastaJayk Quinn
The groups protesting ARE mostly conservatives... we sure as hell aren't socialist liberals!!!
"Give liberals the facts and they will give you conspiracy!!!"
Jacob Quinn
The point is that when
August 13, 2009 - 16:29 ET by Brad WilmouthThe point is that when liberal protesters show up to protest against conservatives, the mainstream media don't generally show interest about whether liberal organizations are doing things to get these people to show up. The theory is, that if it takes organized groups to push people to show up to events and voice a point of view, this would suggest that these people can be dismissed by the politicians because their views are out of the mainstream. But if many people show up without coordinating with any interest groups, this suggests the views may be more mainstream.
Obama bad health gets major endorsement: Commie Party USA
August 13, 2009 - 14:05 ET by Jack BauerIf you're looking for reasons to oppose el Presidente Papa Doc's plans to destroy American healthcare as you know it (other than it SUCKS mightily)
Then this should do it. Oh, and notice how they agree with Jim DeMint that this is Obama's Waterloo, too.
FROM THE COMMUNIST PARTY USA
Re el Presidente
August 13, 2009 - 20:16 ET by slickwillie2001'Papa Doc Obama'; I like that. Let's all use it.
Oh my, Jack. The Papa Doc
August 13, 2009 - 20:20 ET by QueenMumOh my, Jack. The Papa Doc title is eerily fitting in some way.
"The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out
of other people's money."
—Margaret Thatcher
Waterloo indeed! DeMint
August 13, 2009 - 20:37 ET by bigtimerWaterloo indeed!
DeMint spoke words of wisdom....he made me smile when he spoke them, I surely am now...hope I still am when Congress gets back trying to pass this once again, and most especially in '10 when we purge a mess of them from the pig trough they have been slovenly feeding off of.
Obama's a Community Agitator, a walking, talking destroyer. ~ Rush Limbaugh