Shortly before the polls closed, CBS's chief Washington correspondent, Bob Schieffer, rejected any effort to tie President Barack Obama to two the Democratic gubernatorial candidates for whom Obama campaigned, insisting on Tuesday's CBS Evening News that the contests were more about local issues and so “I don't think they had much to do with anything but New Jersey and Virginia.”
Citing the special congressional race in New York, Schieffer rued “this third-party conservative who literally pushed a moderate Republican out of the race,” and proceeded to analogize Republicans this year to leftist activists who in 1972 pushed Democrats to pick an un-electable presidential candidate:
The Republican Party is really split and it is the conservatives who seem to have the juice right now. It's very much like what Democrats went through in 1972. The party activists on the left were so upset with mainstream candidates that in an effort to purify their party they pushed it so far to the left that they nominated the very liberal George McGovern for President. Now it's conservative Republicans who are upset with their mainstream candidates. They want to push the party to the right.
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As if Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman is any less mainstream than the liberal Republican nominee, Dede Scozzafava, who suspended her campaign over the weekend.
Fill-in anchor Harry Smith had asked Schieffer: “So many would love to tie President Obama's fortunes to these elections, these governor elections in New Jersey and Virginia. Is that valid?” Seemingly presuming the Republican will win in both states, Schieffer tried to separate Obama from the two potential losses:
I don't know about that. I mean, he campaigned in both states for the Democrats, but I'm not one who thinks that local candidates are ever helped out much by a national candidate who comes in. These two races -- in both Virginia and New Jersey -- were so much about local issues, about property taxes, about the economy, that I don't think they had much to do with anything but New Jersey and Virginia, quite frankly.
From the 6:30 PM EST edition of the Tuesday, November 3 CBS Evening News:
HARRY SMITH: Bob Schieffer is our chief Washington correspondent and host of Face the Nation. Bob, a question for you tonight. So many would love to tie President Obama's fortunes to these elections, these governor elections in New Jersey and Virginia. Is that valid?BOB SCHIEFFER: I don't know about that. I mean, he campaigned in both states for the Democrats, but I'm not one who thinks that local candidates are ever helped out much by a national candidate who comes in. These two races -- in both Virginia and New Jersey -- were so much about local issues, about property taxes, about the economy, that I don't think they had much to do with anything but New Jersey and Virginia, quite frankly.
SMITH: Well, let's talk about the House race. New York District 23. So much has been set about orthodoxy and the Republican Party. Will this tell us trends in terms of how the Republicans expect to be running in the future?
SCHIEFFER: In this case, I think it will, Harry. This is the most interesting race on the card by far, because what you have is this third-party conservative who literally pushed a moderate Republican out of the race. And she went on to endorse Obama [actually, the Democratic candidate].
The Republican Party is really split and it is the conservatives who seem to have the juice right now. It's very much like what Democrats went through in 1972. The party activists on the left were so upset with mainstream candidates that in an effort to purify their party they pushed it so far to the left that they nominated the very liberal George McGovern for President. Now it's conservative Republicans who are upset with their mainstream candidates. They want to push the party to the right. And if this frustration continues, I think you're going to see more moderates challenged next year in Republican primaries by conservatives.
SMITH: Bob Schieffer, thanks.
—Brent Baker is Vice President for Research and Publications at the Media Research Center
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
How?
Tue, 11/03/2009 - 19:33 ET by Jman449How can conservatives win, according to the Jurassic Media? When they lose, they lose. When they win, they lose. What, pray tell, would be a victory for conservatives? As near as I can tell, the only way they can win is to elect candidates more liberal than the media. Who are Marxists.
Presstitutes think Conservative = Loser
Tue, 11/03/2009 - 19:48 ET by Thinking.ManYou know this Presstitute looks like he shoudl be dead, I mean seriously that's what he looks like after his Pimp get's his makeup on?!
The presstitutes just keep whoring for socialism, it's getting kind of old and most americans are starting to see through it.
Who came up with that term, "presstitute"?
Tue, 11/03/2009 - 19:53 ET by CO2MakerThat's a pretty nifty play on words. I'd like to know who invented it? I think the first person we saw demonstrate it was Hannah Giles in the Acorn sting videos (you know, pretending to be a prostitute and reporting a story, as opposed to pretending to report a story and prostituting yourself instead).
Excuse me, Mr. Schieffer
Tue, 11/03/2009 - 19:43 ET by karelingBut when you speak of a third party conservative who "literally pushed" a moderate Republican (cough) out of the way, you're essentially saying that Mr. Hoffman rudely put his hand on Dede and physically shoved her out of his way.
She backed out of the race on her own due to poor polling. That's not even figurative pushing, Mr. Schieffer.
This is as annoying as the constant claims that Arlen Specter was "forced" out of the GOP.
Apparently
Tue, 11/03/2009 - 19:47 ET by Thinking.ManWhen Leftists reject a candidate, like Lieberman, they are just trying to help him find his way into the light, the oncoming headlights of the bus that is.
Presstitutes being hypocrits and whoring for a Marxist Pimp-Daddy like Obama? Say it isnt so! LMAO
By the time this is done ABC, NBC, etc. will have the ratings of a carrot top prime time special.
Schieffer's delusional
Tue, 11/03/2009 - 20:52 ET by konoI nearly drove off the road when I heard him try to liken today's GOP to the Dems in 1972. The circumstances and personalities are completely different, for one thing. And the GOP is just holding the line against Liberal Republicans. The Antique Media keep referring to Scuzzface as a 'moderate Republican', when she was to the left of the Democrat and even endorsed the Democrat.
Pelousy, Boxer, et al keep talking about muzzling talk radio, and the WH talks as if they want to shut down Fox, saying the biased shows need to offer 'equal time' to opposing views. With all the Liberal spin in the MSM, talk radio and Fox ARE 'equal time'...
Bob Schieffer may not live up to his name...
Tue, 11/03/2009 - 22:33 ET by Mitch NJbut he certainly lives up to his initials.
Bob Schieffer - Very short---
Tue, 11/03/2009 - 22:44 ET by matthewdeanVery short post, but so very perfect.
A++
Good on Ya, Mitch.
MD
"There is no distinctly American criminal class - except Congress."
Mark Twain (1835-1910)
Harry and
Tue, 11/03/2009 - 19:47 ET by bigtimerHarry and Bob...
Blah...blah...blah and blah.
Two Peas in a Pod doing their duty to spin, spin, spin.
How's that Hope and Change working for ya folks...eh?
'Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea'~Breitbart
obama is God
Tue, 11/03/2009 - 20:04 ET by ThisnThatSchieffer: Of course this election isn't about obama. Obama is God. He gets to do what he wants to do. Lose an election? Obama can just clap his hands and "presto" -- election lost. Win an election? Snap his fingers.
We'll win (er, ahem, I mean the Democrats will win) when obama says it's time to win. Until then, we're (ahem, I mean the Democrats are) content. When the messiah (eh, *cough*, I mean obama) says it's time, then we'll see the wins. Otherwise, back to you Smith. No news here at all.
__________
"mmm, mmm, mm. Barrack-Hussain-Øbama↓." - The liberals coolaid drinking song
TnT... Your post
Tue, 11/03/2009 - 20:13 ET by bigtimerTnT...
Your post mentioning about O just clapping his hands reminds me of that product The Clapper ...
Just in a good mood tonight and looking at everything humorous I guess...the talking heads are enough to make one that way...they really are comedians...I can't believe at times what all I am hearing...talk about desperation.
'Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea'~Breitbart
18% precincts in, and
Tue, 11/03/2009 - 21:05 ET by ThisnThat18% precincts in, and Christie leading Corzine by 11 points -- 52% to 41% in NJ! So far, so good.
__________
"mmm, mmm, mm. Barrack-Hussain-Øbama↓." - The liberals coolaid drinking song
32% in
Tue, 11/03/2009 - 21:16 ET by general companyAnd he still leads 51 to 42
My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
McGovern
Tue, 11/03/2009 - 19:52 ET by irishguySure Bob, just like McGovern, except for the fact Hoffman's winning and McGovern lost in a landslide
X
Tue, 11/03/2009 - 19:52 ET by serfer62snicker, sniker
You're right of course Bob...those loser Conservatives
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Scuzzy is 'mainstream'?
Tue, 11/03/2009 - 19:56 ET by SlyrrScuzzy was a 'mainstream' Republican like Obama was a 'centrist' and a 'unifyer', and like CBS is a 'successful' news network that makes 'money' and has 'viewers'.
Bob, when do you start working for MSNBC?
Tue, 11/03/2009 - 20:00 ET by American DelightSo, when statewide candidates in New Jersey and Virginia do poorly, it says nothing about national politics. But when it comes to district level congressional candidates in New York, that says EVERYTHING about national politics and the state of the GOP. Got it, Bob--thanks for the lucid, unbiased analysis as always!
Heck... Bob's always been
Tue, 11/03/2009 - 20:06 ET by bigtimerHeck...
Bob's always been qualified to work for msnbc since I can remember...he just didn't get so blatant about it all until he was a regualr guest on Imus about once a month or so when Imus was still on msnbc.
Btw...his brother is running for something in Texas...seems like Gov. but I think I've got that wrong, maybe congress or something...anyway he's always been a leftie...just kept his dumb mouth shut back when.
'Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea'~Breitbart
Newsflash for Schieffer
Tue, 11/03/2009 - 20:08 ET by ThisnThatThe "republican" candidate in District 21 was not moderate.
Stop using far-left definitions of normal, everyday terms, Schieffer. Gay rights, pro-abortion, stimulus supporters are not moderate.
__________
"mmm, mmm, mm. Barrack-Hussain-Øbama↓." - The liberals coolaid drinking song
THEY ARE NOT
Tue, 11/03/2009 - 20:13 ET by DEVILDOCMOMMAINSTREAM REPUBLICANS, JUST LIKE YOU ARE NOT THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA! Sorry, I just cannot stand it any more.
DDM... No need to
Tue, 11/03/2009 - 20:18 ET by bigtimerDDM...
No need to apologize...you're not alone.
I've been listening to these lying liars on the screen now for over an hour...they are seriously cracking me up with laughter.
Desperation along with their spin is really and truly pathetic humor...I'm past the point of anger.
Thank goodness for the internet along with talk radio and Fox.
'Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea'~Breitbart
You are right
Tue, 11/03/2009 - 20:52 ET by DEVILDOCMOMI don't know what I would do without FOX, Rush, or Newsbusters...tho' I must add I think Newsbusters adds a good percentage to the people who watch these loser shows...in other words if it wasn't for Newsbusters and other conservative people watching these programs to see what the fringe left is saying the ratings would be even lower. :)
Go lower indeed...I know
Tue, 11/03/2009 - 21:00 ET by bigtimerGo lower indeed...I know since the election for Walks on Water, I have really quit my regular routine of what I used to watch politically when it came to the enemy within shows...starting to catch a little hear and there, but that's about it for now...plus haven't had time to be on computer much lately, but still listen to talk radio on it.
Glad to see ya here tonight.
'Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea'~Breitbart
Oh, I like that...
Wed, 11/04/2009 - 15:49 ET by DEVILDOCMOMWalks on Water...that's funny. I may even use it in the future, I am sure you will not mind. I have not been on as much either, but am always happy to see you here.
Keep On Keeping ON
Tue, 11/03/2009 - 20:25 ET by GazinyaWatch O'Reilly claim he called this race months ago. This idea of 'how do we grow our party' is just so much old ideas that it is exhausting. The O'Reilly keeps saying that "Palin NEEDS to grow her base!" What we know as conservatives is that if just one person is principled people will grow around them. Those that are afraid of taking a stand think it is necessary to compromise. We know this, from experience, that when freedom and liberty are up for moderation through compromise, freedom and liberty loses. Conservatives do not know how to moderate our freedom or our God. Every example of compromise has cost the country a larger slice of it's heratige.
If it is not possible to gain any authority in this country by being honest, open and having a fiedelity to God, Country, Constitution (same) and family then who would want to have that authroity. "The rightious shall live by faith." It works for me. Gazinya
"moderate republican"
Tue, 11/03/2009 - 20:26 ET by nolotrippenOK, Bob Schieffer, I know you know what you're saying is a flat-out lie. You're older than Egypt so I know you understand the difference between a liberal and a moderate. You even know these terms when applied to a Republican. You're not a journalist. You're just a lying bafoon.
Sorry, folks. I just feel very anti-MSM today.
“It is almost impossible to distinguish a politician from a gangster.” (Will Durant, 1931)
It is very ok nolo---
Tue, 11/03/2009 - 23:04 ET by matthewdeanCivilized people are allowed, even expected, to get a tad incensed on occasion; and we do so by posting or some other type written or verbal communication.
This provides us a means of controlled venting, as opposed to giving in to the overwhelming urge to physically beat the living !%*$%#^% out of LibDems, specious talking heads, and some in-laws who so richly deserve it.
Maintain.
MD
"There is no distinctly American criminal class - except Congress."
Mark Twain (1835-1910)
Not much help
Tue, 11/03/2009 - 20:42 ET by NonanonIf national candidates don't affect the outcome of local elections, why did Obama bother to go to both states to campaign for the Democrat candidates? He sure has very important decisions to be dealing with in D.C. Perhaps he thought his presence would have a big effect on the election and believed it was important. B.S. is just trying to pre-emptively blunt any negative message that may come out of it.
I'm also curious to know how much it cost for O to visit both states and how much 'carbon damage' did the trip or trips cause? But we know that kind of stuff matters only when Republicans do it, Democrats are immune from such inquiries from the 'news' media.
He's right
Tue, 11/03/2009 - 21:11 ET by lotr...about McGovern and the Democrats. But he couldn't be more wrong in his analogy with today's "conservative" Republicans, who, FWIW, are actually to the left of JFK on the political spectrum. It is the Democrats who still have the problem with reigning in the radicals.
"Steady." -- Keith Olbermann to Chris Matthews
Fast Foward - 2010 - Bob
Tue, 11/03/2009 - 23:30 ET by richflanjFast Foward - 2010 - Bob Schieffer:
"I wouldn't call the loss of both the House and the Senate a referendum on Democrats. The Republicans misled the people with their out-of-the-mainstream conserative views and the people just got swept up in the hype..... blah, blah, blah....'
2012 - Bob Scheiffer:
"Sure, Obama was beaten in 48 States and Republican ======== was elected. That doesn't mean that the people rejected Obama's policies..... blah, blah, blah"
The LMSM will never admit its template is wrong. Let them live in it.
Meanwhile, their viewers disappear, and the rise of the conservative movement will continue. Just sit back, advocate true conservatism, and silently chuckle as the LMSM goes the way of the dinosaur.
According to the left a
Tue, 11/03/2009 - 23:31 ET by Patrick MichaelAccording to the left a "Moderate Republican" is one who votes for healthcare, cap and trade, the stimulas, another stimulas, abortion, higher taxes, illegal immigrants rights and climate change. Funny but that sounds like a "Democrat" to me.
Stay Free!!!
Blame who??
Tue, 11/03/2009 - 23:35 ET by Patrick MichaelHey, don't blame Schieffer, he thinks it is 1972.
Stay Free!!!
Schieffer put the dum in referendum
Wed, 11/04/2009 - 05:04 ET by Jack BauerAhh, remember those far far off days when an election in Virginia WAS a referendum on the sitting President?
Actually, not so far off. I just googled: "Virginia" + "referendum on Bush" -- and the odd thing?
Then it was a referendum on Bush and his policies -- and that was the media meme.
In fact somebody said this after the 2006 elections:
Yes, you guessed. It was CBS News chief Washington correspondent, Bob Schieffer. Her are a few more choice observations from not so way back.
Poor old Mr Rothenberg had two attempts at calling Virginia a referendum on Bush. This is the first...
Not that I'm prescient, but....
Wed, 11/04/2009 - 06:04 ET by motherbeltI predicted that last night
LOL
No kudos for me....they're sooooo predictable!
good one mb. predicatable
Wed, 11/04/2009 - 06:18 ET by Jack Bauergood one mb. predicatable and funny too. They always forget how easy it is to check what they said before.
But hey, if Democrats and their media acolytes want to delude themselves, I say go for it. Doesn't harm the Reps.
The obvious...
Wed, 11/04/2009 - 11:18 ET by slickwillie2001The liberals will use any ridiculous comparison to avoid the obvious more logical one, the off-year elections of 1993, which foretold the Gingrich revolution of 1994. As much as I dislike Gingrich, he got that one right and we need to follow the same course that he did for 2010.
McGovern? Jeesh.