ABC, CBS and NBC centered their Thursday night stories, on Senator Judd Gregg's decision to withdraw as Commerce Secretary-nominee, around his disagreement with the Obama administration's “stimulus” plan -- with only passing mention, if any, of the administration's wish to move the 2010 census count from Commerce to the White House.
CNN's Jessica Yellin reported at the top of the 6 PM EST Situation Room that “sources close to Senator Gregg say the bigger issue for him was the White House's effort to take control of the census,” yet that politicalization of the census wasn't mentioned at all in a full CBS Evening News story from Chip Reid, who found time to relay how “a top Democratic source on Capitol Hill was more blunt, saying Gregg actively campaigned for the job, then 'erratically dropped out without warning,'” nor in a Katie Couric-Bob Schieffer discussion.
On ABC's World News, George Stephanopoulos offered a clause about the census, but couched as merely a GOP allegation: “Since the nomination became public there were two public issues over who would administer the census -- that was getting politicized according to Republican officials -- and also over the stimulus bill.”
Only after a full story on Gregg and Obama campaigning in Illinois for the “stimulus” bill did NBC's Chuck Todd get to the census issue:
There actually might have been a raw political reason and that was the fact that the White House was going to take control of the census away from the Commerce Department and into their own hands. And that had become sort of a mini firestorm, both on the right and the left, and at the end of the day, with the White House and Rahm Emanuel wanting control of that census, that was yet another reason why Judd Gregg decided he didn't want the job.
A February 10 NewsBusters item by Rich Noyes, “Networks Silent on White House Grab of 2010 Census,” recounted:
The Obama administration's decision to have the White House supervise the 2010 Census -- a response to left-wing complaints that the Census was too important to leave under the authority of Republican Judd Gregg, the nominee for Commerce Secretary -- has thus (as of Tuesday morning) far drawn absolutely no attention from the three broadcast networks, with not a single mention on the ABC, CBS or NBC morning or evening newscasts.This would undoubtedly be a huge story if the White House were still in Republican hands and it was the GOP that was attempting to take over the Census. As the Wall Street Journal's John Fund reported on Tuesday: "'There's only one reason to have that high level of White House involvement,' a career professional at the Census Bureau tells me. 'And it's called politics, not science.'"
—Brent Baker is Vice President for Research and Publications at the Media Research Center
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Oh isn't that just lovely,
February 12, 2009 - 20:48 ET by bigtimerOh isn't that just lovely, and doesn't it just figure...
Of course they are going to give it short shrift...they want the whole matter to just 'poof' disappear...and if they have their way it will...
One thing about it though, the cat is out of the bag, big time...and this is one matter that is NOT going to go away!
This will be ONE huge fight...as it should be.
The repubs of course would have been pilloried if they even thought about doing this BS dictator tactic.
Hi BT - I'm just thrilled that Gregg had the courage
February 12, 2009 - 21:11 ET by Dee Bunkto withdraw. The media will have a target on his back now.
Will he be getting his Senate seat back now or is it too late for that?
Hey Dee... Just caught
February 12, 2009 - 22:39 ET by bigtimerHey Dee...
Just caught this, been away from the PC for a bit...anyway, the other gal wasn't sworn in yet, according to what I have heard, Gregg let this be known to O for about two days now, so he will retain his seat as far as I know.
I have also heard he isn't going to run again after his term is up.
It's times like this, I miss Bob Smith...ex-Senator from NH.
Calm Down Losers
February 12, 2009 - 21:52 ET by TheDiplomatYour time is still up! Obama will gain points from this... as long as he uses it to destroy the GOP.
Sit down boozer...
February 12, 2009 - 21:56 ET by MightyMouth...you gotta be drinking if you think Obama had a win here..he got another black eye!...er.. well he got knocked down a notch anyhow.
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
Good point Dip
February 12, 2009 - 22:08 ET by acumen"... as long as he uses it to destroy the GOP."
And that is the sad reality of what the dem party has become. What is more pathetic? What the dems have become or their enablers of this destructive mindset. Kudos for highlighting so precisely what 'yes we can' entails.
I agree acumen and the media are in on the game
February 12, 2009 - 22:16 ET by Dee BunkGregg will realize - hero one day villain the next - all depends on if you bow to Obama or not. If you don't agree Obama is the one and only savior then you're evil and must be destroyed. The corrupt media is so unbelievable and Dip is proud of it.
For TheStalinist
February 12, 2009 - 22:23 ET by UnsaneThat's because you are an intellectual weakling. You have zero ideas to offer - and neither does The Holy Shahinshah - so what do you have to do? Silence all opposition and demand everone around you SHUT UP.
Thanks for demonstrating your vapidity, my little Stalinist.
"THIS IS YOUR FINAL WARNING!!! THE HOLOCAUST OF THOUGHT IS DAWNING!!!" - Nevermore, "Bittersweet Feast", from This Godless Endeavor (2005)
Typical lib belief that the
February 13, 2009 - 01:50 ET by MrSnugglesTypical lib belief that the enemy is the Republican party, conservatism, freedom, liberty, and justice. Republicans see those that would take away freedom, liberty, and justice as the enemy. How long before the country wakes up and realizes that those people are called democrats?
MrSnuggles
February 13, 2009 - 08:09 ET by Sergeant ROCKAnd they would still believe that as an Islamo-fascist sawed a knife through their neck! Truly a mental disorder.
"I ask, Sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people. To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them."
George Mason
Bolton/KEYES 2012
I just watched my local CBS affiliate story on Spendulus
February 13, 2009 - 00:03 ET by Army BratThe talking head moron said that, "Not all Republicans are onboard."
No bias there!
Happy Trails...
Gregg: heroic, brave, man of conscience?
February 12, 2009 - 21:14 ET by jondelwicheWhen a Senator flipped in May 2001 and turned the Senate
to the Dems under Bush's early months of office, the press
showered praise on the Senator's "heroic" actions.
Let's see how the press portrays Sen Gregg's actions......
when the big O is President.
The Chicago Thugs
February 12, 2009 - 23:30 ET by iveseenitallBarry and Rahm are a couple of swarthy con men. Keep your eye on them. The media won't. They'll steal the silverware when you're not looking. Then, before you know it, they'll own your home. The bumpy ride is just beginning, America.
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
isia... Yep. I don't
February 12, 2009 - 23:57 ET by bigtimerisia...
Yep.
I don't know that we will ever be the same after the destruction is done by these evil people with their agenda.
Saul Alinsky would be proud.
Get ready
February 12, 2009 - 21:39 ET by AndanteI expect Oberdufus to suggest that Gregg left because he knew the vetting process, in spite of Gregg's denial, would bring light to some embarrassing event in Gregg's past. At the very least he'll be accused of deliberately attempting to undermine the Messiah's great plan.
-------------------------------------
"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."
Thomas Jefferson
great example of media bias
February 12, 2009 - 21:49 ET by soosanI can already see the stories circulating about how Sen Gregg is not a team player. Good for him. Leadership is what has been missing from the GOP.
Ever heard of FNC?
February 12, 2009 - 21:54 ET by Sergeant ROCKDo these idiots really believe that if they suppress information that no one will find out about it through other sources??
"I ask, Sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people. To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them."
George Mason
Bolton/KEYES 2012
It's the MSM equivalent of
February 12, 2009 - 22:21 ET by ThisnThatIt's the MSM equivalent of "If you build it -- they will come".
MSM: "If we don't report it -- it didn't happen".
___________________________________
The challenge is to follow a consistent plan despite inconsistent prices - Sarah Palin, State of the State of Alaska speech
Something related to this...
February 12, 2009 - 21:55 ET by acumen.....I was reading an article on Politico (links to page 2 of article where relevant quotes are located) about Gregg's decision and stumbled across this bizzare interpretation by the writers of the article; "Republicans celebrated Gregg’s decision to stay in the Senate — and gloated over the embarrassment the Obama team was facing."
The mission? Find the gloating. Here are the quotes from Republicans following the above questionable 'analysis' by Politico:
“Sen. Gregg made a principled decision to return, and we’re glad to have him,” said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). “He is among the smartest, most effective legislators to serve in the Senate — Democrat or Republican — and a key adviser to me and to the Republican Conference. It’s great to have him back.”
“Judd Gregg would have been a strong Cabinet member, but it is good for the country and the Senate that he will continue to be a Republican senator.” - Sen Lamar Alexander
"....gloated over the embarrassment the Obama team was facing." ?!? If only to enjoy for one hour the rare insightfulness and loud platform that Republican bashers posing as impartial observers possess.
I challenge any of the writers of this Politico article to reply here and point out any supposed gloating by the Republicans quoted or any reference by the Republicans quoted to the supposed embarrassment directed at Obama or his team. Good luck!
I like going to Politico to...
February 13, 2009 - 05:37 ET by NavyBuckeyespin up some uberlibs. The moderate libs who actually dive into conversation are few and far between. I enjoy a good back and forth of opinions (they rarely have facts) but the moderates at least think about what they say.
But man the uberlibs.....its just a few lines of name calling and death threats. Its rather funny. You can put a link and explain how tax breaks work. The reply from an uber lib "Die you ^$#@ for brains mother$%%%$. You don't know %%^^%. Obama wipes is *#@ with #$#^ like you. Che rules Obama rules....yay welfare"
Its rather humorous.
“Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter” - Thomas Jefferson
Obama's Rahmbo Census
February 12, 2009 - 22:26 ET by CTCould have been or be the biggest scandal of the Presidency since Watergate!
Yep.....
February 13, 2009 - 05:38 ET by NavyBuckeyeand the consequences it would have on state funds, and voting would be disasterous.
“Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter” - Thomas Jefferson
What they don't want us to know . . .
February 12, 2009 - 23:07 ET by GalvanicI watched Couric (CBS) followed by Williams (NBC). Both failed to mention the politicization of the Census Bureau as one of the reasons for Gregg's withdrawal.
But it went further. On CBS, Couric then asked Schieffer if the problems with nominations were indicative of a problem with the Obama's vetting process, thus passively implying that maybe Gregg had a personal or embarassing scandal in his background like Daschle and Geithner.
Then, on NBC, Williams narrative continued over a graphic of the 4 nominees who withdrawn so far: Gregg, Richardson (though they didn't mention that he's under investiation), and tax-dodgers Daschle and the nominee for Chief Performance Officer.
The uniformed viewer could easily conclujde that Gregg withdrew due to some nefarious behavior or event in his past.
Galv... Typical. Despica
February 12, 2009 - 23:25 ET by bigtimerGalv...
Typical.
Despicable.
They will never change.
Obama's motives
February 12, 2009 - 23:14 ET by SasquatchMaybe the real reason why BHO wants control of the Census is so he can skew it with data from those seven extra states he thinks we have...
Sas... I've be roaring
February 12, 2009 - 23:29 ET by bigtimerSas...
I've be roaring with laughter, and I am chuckling...but heck...ya' never know anymore if we give this guy enough time with the msm as his bull-horn, heck, he will have the same lemmings that voted him in, believing there are 57 states.
gerrymandering coming soon to a district near you
February 13, 2009 - 00:21 ET by Andantegerrymander ...
1 : to divide (a territorial unit) into election districts to give one political party an electoral majority in a large number of districts while concentrating the voting strength of the opposition in as few districts as possible 2 : to divide (an area) into political units to give special advantages to one group <gerrymander a school district>
-------------------------------------
"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."
Thomas Jefferson
CNN CAPTION: GOP ATTACK AGAINST PRESIDENT OBAMA?
February 12, 2009 - 23:31 ET by krendler"BREAKING NEWS
GOP ATTACK AGAINST PRESIDENT OBAMA?
MOST REPUBLICANS AGAINST STIMULUS PLAN. "
That's been the large caption at the bottom of the screen on CNN constantly for about the past 3 hours. Turn it on right now and you'll see it.
The Republicans are attacking president Obama, everybody!!! Breaking News!!! The Exalted One is under attack by those racist Republicans. They're trying to destroy our hero who has been working feverishly to unite our country after Bush divided it.
krendler
February 12, 2009 - 23:39 ET by TN MomWonder when CNN will run Attack captions against Catipillar for daring to say 'they will probably lay off more employees' since obama promised people that Catipillar will hire back when the stimulus passes?
Note to MSM: IT'S THE
February 12, 2009 - 23:35 ET by TN MomNote to MSM:
IT'S THE CENSUS, STUPID! Obama 'hired' Gregg to run Commerence, then rip the rug out from under him by placing the Census under Rahm Emanuel.
Ya gotta hand it to the crackpots at the Obama Admin. We all called this during the election: Mr. Zero Experience Obama is in way over his head...and everyone knows except MSM. The MSM are just gerrymandering for obama.
Way to go Sen Gregg! Nice to see someone stand on principle!
I still hold hope this bill can go down the tubes
February 12, 2009 - 23:48 ET by nwahsI don't think anything is done until its done. The media is famous for saying things are done, and they never get done.
But PLEASE, lets not whine. The media will do what they've done for 20 years. Want to fight them - fine! Post contacts, post strategies, but please don't whine.
Did you really expect the party in power NOT to try to consolodate power???
Its not over, not by a long shot.
Ovations start with a single person. Yea for Gregg.
"On ABC's World News,
February 13, 2009 - 08:27 ET by midia"On ABC's World News, George Stephanopoulos offered a clause about the census, but couched as merely a GOP allegation..."
But of course, George Steph. already knew that was going to happen. He was briefed in advance.
I can see a patern...
February 13, 2009 - 08:44 ET by c5thenThe Obamanation administration pushes for an $800 billion spending bill that they call a "stimulus". The Obamanation administration appoints multiple tax-cheats and criminals to various cabinet positions. The Obamanation administration takes over the census from the Department of Commerce so they can use statistical estimation.
Hey, I got the wrong "CHANGE"!
Alan Keyes / Sarah Palin - 2012
Patterns..
February 13, 2009 - 08:49 ET by Sergeant ROCKMaybe we're looking at it the wrong way? Remember a few days ago someone posted an article about 'detention camps' being in the prokulus bill? Maybe, they to control census to identify where to put these camps?
When you think the worse of liberals, that's usually where you'll find their true objectives.
"I ask, Sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people. To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them."
George Mason
Bolton/KEYES 2012
The smoothest transition that humankind has ever witnessed?
February 13, 2009 - 09:46 ET by krendlerIs this still "The smoothest transition that humankind has ever witnessed", as one of the Obama Cultists on MS-NBC described it, well before Obama even took office?
You can't say that Pres.
February 13, 2009 - 10:31 ET by QueenMumYou can't say that Pres. Bush didn't do his part to make it a smooth transition. Every day Pres. Obama is learning that the job isn't as easy as he thought it would be.
BTW, I heard a brief soundbite yesterday in which Obama, commenting on Gregg's withdrawal, said that Sen. Gregg didn't want to abandon his Senate seat. So much for the change in Washington. Although the retention of a Republican seat in the Senate is also an acceptable reason for Gregg to withdraw, Obama seems to be clueless about the possibility that principle might have been involved. The Dear Leader dropped his mask a bit on this one. He's clearly demonstrated that he is a full-blooded political animal.
The census thing has been
February 13, 2009 - 09:52 ET by marpelThe census thing has been eating at me ever since I heard the news items. What the hell is going on in DC? Can you say "dictatorship"?
If Karl Rove would have done this I would have felt the same way. Of course, Karl Rove would have been under indictment by now if he would have done it, and Bush would have been impeached.
Kirsten Powers
February 13, 2009 - 16:28 ET by Wildcatter1980I hope I did not hear her correctly on last night's (Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009) Hannity. It sounded like she tried passing off the moving of the census to the White House from Commerce as no big deal or reason to worry.
If she really meant this, I've lost a large measure of respect for her.
--
Ignorance, our most costly commodity - paraphrased from Rush Limbaugh
She's typically one of the
February 13, 2009 - 17:07 ET by marpelShe's typically one of the more saner Libs...I saw her on there, but only caught the tail end of the panel last night. I'm surprised she would have said it, but anything is possible.