In Friday night stories on President Barack Obama's plan to reduce troops in Iraq by 90,000, neither the CBS Evening News nor NBC Nightly News mentioned a key factor raised by ABC reporters Jake Tapper and Martha Raddatz.
On ABC's World News, over video of Tapper standing at Camp Lejeune with the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Tapper noted: “Defense Secretary [Robert] Gates and Joint Chiefs Chairman Mike Mullen today credited President Bush's surge, opposed by then-Senator Obama, with helping to pave the way for today's announcement.” Viewers then heard a short soundbite from Gates: “It clearly has put us in a very different place in terms of where Iraq is.”
Up next on the February 27 newscast, Raddatz addressed the military's reaction, and shared her assessment:
I think if there hadn't been a surge, if there hadn't been such success, you wouldn't have seen those Marines clapping today. It would be a very different kind of speech.
Raddatz repeated her observation 90 minutes later on PBS's Washington Week:
This speech today, had the surge not been successful from a security standpoint, would have been a very, very difficult speech. You wouldn't have seen any Marines clapping.
Setting up a CBS piece from David Martin, on how those who have served in Iraq greeted Obama's plan, anchor Katie Couric did acknowledge the improved situation in Iraq, though she avoided giving President Bush any credit: “One big reason the administration can withdraw combat troops is the success the U.S. military has had on the ground.”
—Brent Baker is Vice President for Research and Publications at the Media Research Center
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Tapper
February 27, 2009 - 21:15 ET by SeftonMaybe I haven't seen enough of him, but the reports I have seen, Tapper does come off as a lot more unbiased in his reporting than most of the usual suspects.
He'd better watch it...I'm sure the ABC powers-that-be aren't going to let him get away with it for long.
~They'd be fools to mess with him
February 27, 2009 - 21:57 ET by choselife3xHe's the best thing they've got.
Hope and Change=
Despair and Socialism
Agreed
February 28, 2009 - 12:19 ET by KC MulvilleI've found that Tapper's a lot better than the vast majority of reporters. I read his blog on ABCNews fairly regularly. Sure, he files a few reports that echo the party line, but I'm willing to listen to him because he often files contrary reports as well.
So much of reporting comes down to who you interview, and Tapper seems to have a few conservative sources, and he's willing to air their opinions. I can live with that.
Y'know
February 28, 2009 - 13:40 ET by BobAnthonyABC has two of my favorite reporters in not just Tapper, who is a rising star, but also John Stossel. These two make ABC palatable. And I should start reading Tapper blog. Debbie Schlussel mentioned him a couple of times at her blog. Called him a great researcher. Research is one of my favorite things about broadcasting, that is if in some cases you can get your hands on the stuff you're looking to research!
Want the PLAIN truth and no spin? Listen to The Plains Radio Network online. It's like nothing you've ever heard.
www.plainsradio.com
This coming from Raddatz is
February 27, 2009 - 22:26 ET by bigtimerThis coming from Raddatz is surprising to me.
They aren't going to be rid of Tapper....they know the gold-mine they have.
We are never going to hear the words Victory or the Surge worked coming from the msm for the most part giving credit where credit is due, nor are we ever going to hear O ever give credit to the former President and his administration....and we sure as heck know the majority of the msm will be doing as such when hell freezes over.
In other news...The Commander in Chief abdicates his duty.
February 28, 2009 - 00:19 ET by JWFWe still are waiting for the Commander in Chief, the guy in charge of WINNING A WAR the United States is engaged in or will engage in the future. We are still waiting for him to use the word victory in Iraq.
We are still waiting for him to visit the troops his is in charge of.
We are still waiting for him to visit the theatres he is sending men to die in.
Sincerely,
a Veteran of a 1000 psychic wars.
And now, this knucklehead
February 28, 2009 - 06:25 ET by ConservativeRexAnd now, this knucklehead is advertising exactly when the troops will be withdrawn and exactly how many are going to be left in country.
I am not sure, but I would think that is really all the information al-qaeda would require to respond. While the CINC was at it, why didn't he given coordinates as to where the HQ's were for the remaing troops, and the night guard schedule?
I am not sure if this fella is as nieve as he appears, or is he simply as radical as most say he is. He really may be a stealth candidate. Once again, his handlers tell the lie often enough, it becomes the truth.
Delenda est Washington
Warning-warning- Danger
February 28, 2009 - 09:27 ET by BDWarning-warning- Danger Will Robinson...
As any military historian or analyst can tell you the worst thing to do when you have provided security in an area is precipitously halt combat patrols.
Most of the liberal pols during the last election were claiming that their plan called for the removal of all US combat troops from Iraq, and planned to only leave combat support and combat service support troops in place to assist the fledgling Iraqi government.
To their feeble thinking, only combat arms troops were in any form of danger in theater. Yet they do not realize the military maxim that the only security you have in a combat zone is that which you provide your self from diligent patrolling. And the troops to do this patrolling are now to be removed.
Can't help to wonder if
February 28, 2009 - 10:05 ET by RR GOPCan't help to wonder if Chairman Obamao wants all those troops over here in order to quell future civil unrest?
One of the 24% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 89% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory.
Just pondering...
February 28, 2009 - 10:45 ET by SeftonIn that scenario, I would hope that the troops act on the part of their oath of defending the Constitution over following the orders of the CINC. If it were me, the definition of "against all enemies, foreign and domestic" falls right in line with either interpretation of Obama's citizenship. :-)
Tapper and Raddatz: Voices
February 28, 2009 - 10:26 ET by TN MomTapper and Raddatz: Voices in the wilderness.
Couric: Bonafide member of the Liberal Elite MSM Journalist. Their mantra is to propt up obama/dems and attack conservatives.
Oh don't worry, the media
February 28, 2009 - 11:32 ET by Dave DOh don't worry, the media has got this one covered. If it works out I'm sure they're give credit to Obama due to his extreme brillance. If the other hand doing this manages to loose everything they'll be sure to lay the blame on Bush. Either way Barry is set.
fair and BALANCED
February 28, 2009 - 14:41 ET by jacktheripperthat's all I ask