Update below (11:26): ThinkProgress responds.
(h/t Ace)
NonPartyPolitics has picked up on how the liberal ThinkProgress blog smells something fishy in presidential daughter Jenna Bush's engagement to beau Henry Hager. Basically the lefty blog suggests that first lady Laura Bush lied to the press -- in 2005.
That's right, there's got to be something sinister and mendacious in Laura Bush's 2005 prediction that Jenna and Henry were "not serious." I mean, it's not like true love can blossom in a courtship in two years. Not for someone that close to President Bush!
Fortunately, even this lunacy was too much for the readers at TP. Here's an excerpt from NonParty Politics:
Think Progress Smears Jenna Bush
...and its readers overwhelmingly tell it to leave the story alone!
There's moral decency out there, somewhere.
Two years is a long time for things to change. With all the important things that Bush Co. is lying about these days, why is TP wasting it’s time with this?
Comment by Andrew M — August 16, 2007 @ 7:51 pm
I agree… this is trashy reporting… I expect better thing coming from thinkprogress. 2 YEARS IS PLENTY OF TIME FOR THINGS TO GET SERIOUS.Time for THINK PROGRESS to get SERIOUS about their reporting!
Comment by gldsndz — August 16, 2007 @ 7:56 pm
Don’t we have more important things to have our hair on fire about?
Comment by Karen — August 16, 2007 @ 7:58 pm
This is lame. I don’t care. Think Progress, focus on substantial things, please.
Comment by Jim — August 16, 2007 @ 7:58 pm
This is lame and has no bearing on politics. I expect to hear about these types of “news” issues on Digg or Reddit.
Comment by Whocares — August 16, 2007 @ 7:59 pm
I agree with the above comments. Who cares about this?
Comment by Eric the Political Hack — August 16, 2007 @ 8:02 pm
Not to say some weren't harsh:
May happiness elude them…
…and tragedy befall them…
…at every turn…Comment by big papa — August 16, 2007 @ 7:58 pm
Sigh.
Update: Faiz Shakir of ThinkProgress just sent along an e-mail. He protests that we (and Ace, NonParty Politics) are misconstruing the tone of the blog post.:
Ken, I just read your post regarding our write-up of Laura Bush's 2005 comments on Jenna's fiance. You write, "Basically the lefty blog suggests that first lady Laura Bush lied to the press -- in 2005."
That's incorrect. Not everything we do is an attack on the Bushes. In this case, we thought it was an entertaining news item that was rather interesting -- that's all. It's something that Laura should chuckle at as well.
Our critics have ascribed motives to us that are simply wrong. We weren't playing "gotcha" or calling her a liar. We were pointing out, in joking fashion, that Laura never predicted this relationship going as far as it has.
What do you think?
Update II/Semi-related item (11:38): Speaking of lame attempts at humor, Time's Swampland blog took a brief swipe at Jenna Bush's "arranged marriage" with the headline for an August 17 news digest entitled "Daily Jumble: Jenna's Arranged Marriage-Free Edition."
—Ken Shepherd is Managing Editor of NewsBusters. You can follow him on Twitter here
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Comments Policy
Laura Bush lied???
Fri, 08/17/2007 - 10:04 ET by LionKingThis is hillarious. Laura Bush lied 2 years ago when she said that she felt the relationship between Jenna and Hager was not serious. Wow!!! So it became serious after all...this is news because a parent misjudged a relationship.
I am concerned about some of these lefties like big papa... what did Jenna Bush ever do to you? Does HATE make you feel better?
I heard that same line last night!
Fri, 08/17/2007 - 10:43 ET by HelenSLast night on the nightly news here (Ch. 7 in the DC-Metro area) I heard that same lame comment. They showed a clip of Laura Bush on the Today Show or something saying that the relationship wasn't serious. And lo-and-behold two years later the younguns are engaged! Was there some rumor that Laura is prescient and we missed it?
It is so pathetically stupid. They stoop to such ignorance in order to dredge some alleged ding against the Bush family.
"Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war" - Shakespeare
HelenS-
Fri, 08/17/2007 - 10:45 ET by drillanwrI guess this is what the bottom of the scraped barrel looks like ...
GMA had the same slant this morning
Fri, 08/17/2007 - 11:11 ET by SouthJersey1953GMA basically said that they thought Laura Bush 'intentionally' mislead the msm a couple of years ago just to insulate Jenna from the press.
No RINOs in '08
Well, Helen she got caught
Fri, 08/17/2007 - 15:25 ET by motherbeltWell, Helen she got caught out, didn't she??? It's just another "Bush Secrecy" Scandal!! How DARE Laura Bush say the relationship wasn't serious, when she knew for a FACT that there was a CHANCE that they MIGHT be engaged TWO YEARS DOWN THE ROAD???????
Filthy are busy
Fri, 08/17/2007 - 10:53 ET by cvgbuckeyeThe party of larry Flint never wears out.
Posting examples of
Fri, 08/17/2007 - 10:05 ET by LeonPosting examples of anonymous blog readers again?
Sigh.
I Fail to see the logic
Fri, 08/17/2007 - 10:22 ET by SpockI fail to see the logic behind your complaint Leon. Your comments are anonymous too are they not?
Yes, and as such, I hope
Fri, 08/17/2007 - 10:24 ET by LeonYes, and as such, I hope they're never used to be representative of an entire group of people.
Leon, the item was about the
Fri, 08/17/2007 - 10:23 ET by Ken ShepherdLeon, the item was about the blogger, not the commenters. In fact, most of the commenters were pretty rational and derided TP for making a stink out of nothing.
Valid Point Ken. I
Fri, 08/17/2007 - 10:25 ET by LeonValid Point Ken. I apologize for being a jerk.
I read ThinkProgress and I thought that article was pretty lame. All I could think was, "WHO CARES?!?"
So much VITRIOL on this!
Fri, 08/17/2007 - 10:11 ET by Special KayCongratulations, and I hope they have a fine life together, despite all the cr@p I read on the Web, before actually finding a NICE story on the two of them...
Is it really beyond the realm of possibility that these two kids actually LOVE each other, and it's not some kind of Karl Rove/George Bush scheme?
And, what is most disgusting is how the Snidely Whiplashes out there attribute all of their Hero's (Paris, Brit) traits (drinking, going out without panties on) on NICE people? Disgusting.
30+ years of the Women's Movement, and this is what we're reduced to: Repressed Emasculated Generation Nothings, trying to assert themselves against their Overly Aggressive Mother Figures.
Geesh, I hope I haven't ruined MY sons...
"Interum faeces et urinam nascimur"
BDS
Fri, 08/17/2007 - 10:31 ET by Wildcatter1980Bush Derangement Syndrome soars to new heights!
No wonder the left wingnuts see conspiracies in the September 11 and AGW skeptics to name but a few.
Also, it is good to see that there are actual decent people on the left, too, as evidenced by the criticisms being posted.
Just my $0.02
is she pregnant?
Fri, 08/17/2007 - 10:36 ET by SqueezerWonkette has a post on her blog w/ pictures saying jenna bush is pregnant. although I read it and looked at the pictures and jenna doesn't look pregnant to me.
}}---> Pregnant?
Fri, 08/17/2007 - 10:39 ET by Cool ArrowIf pictures mean anything, one could ask the same of Pumpkin Lady Clinton.
~LYDSEXICS UNTIE!~
I'm sure Waxman is preparing
Fri, 08/17/2007 - 10:36 ET by Free ThinkerI'm sure Waxman is preparing for a congressional investigation into this matter.
Yes, and he'll probably
Fri, 08/17/2007 - 10:42 ET by drillanwrYes, and he'll probably demand an OB/ GYN examine Miss Bush to see if she's still chaste ... You know, because the MSM has the right to know these things.
Anything can happen
Fri, 08/17/2007 - 10:41 ET by Ole_SargeOur daughter (20) started dating a young man in high school, starting almost 6 years ago. On and off sometimes. With many separations, (current one, he's going through Air Force Basic Training) they might just end up married, or not. One of these days. I just know that the relationship between our daughter and this young man has lasted longer than many a celebrity marriage.
Frankly very few mothers have that instant insight that tells them "this is the one" that their child will marry. We still don't know.
Where's the "think"?
Fri, 08/17/2007 - 11:24 ET by mattmWhere's the "think" in "Think Progress"??? Of all the misnomers.....!!! Whew!
BTW - When did liberals start caring about whether someone is being honest or not?
ThoughtlessProgress
Fri, 08/17/2007 - 11:41 ET by LionKingI was reading the comments to the post. Most seemed bored with this while many contend that Jenna must be pregnant. Again, they make these claims out of pure hatefullness...there is no apparent urgency to them getting married, hardly a "shotgun" wedding.
The left is just filled with vitriol...spurred by BDS.
What do i think of the update?
Fri, 08/17/2007 - 11:43 ET by c5thenI think that ThinkProgress is trying to CYA after their readers told them that they crossed a line.
They say that "Laura Bush must be surprised at the announcement" because she said it wasn't serious 2 years ago. As if Laura has been hidden in some cave and not had any contact with her daughter in two years.
Why would someone even go back and check on this particular issue, if not to publish a "gotcha" story or at least to bring up an assumed embarrasment.
The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic
Thinkprogress.org a pathetic left wing site
Fri, 08/17/2007 - 11:49 ET by futbolisgreat1"...Not everything we do is an attack on the Bushes...." by Faiz Shakir
So, this guy from Thinkprogress.org admits that most of what they do is attack President Bush, right? Bunch of fools that run Thinkprogress.org. Their intend was to attack Bush and his family, they can't help it, they are deranged Liberals that see pure evil in whatever Bush does. Bush breaths and they will opine about how evil it is for Bush to breath. I pity the "Think"progress.org bloggers.
Hey futbolisgreat!!
Fri, 08/17/2007 - 13:49 ET by Six String SpiffHey Fut! Long time no see. Hows the promotion?
The American Revolution Continued
Their Own Fan Base Called Them Out
Fri, 08/17/2007 - 11:55 ET by nlihachFaiz Shakir:
"Not everything we do is an attack on the Bushes. In this case, we thought it was an entertaining news item that was rather interesting -- that's all."
A couple lies here, 1) Every story they run on Bush is an attack, just fess up to it, and 2) If they are so into "entertaining news items," such as this, then why is there no such other celebrity gossip on Think Progress?
I posted the Think Progress "news item" on my Blog not only because it was a smear, but more importantly, its own readers clearly have much more decency than the Blog's authors.
This should be a sign for the Presidential candidates: Stay away from the cheap shots against the family.
Nick Brunetti-Lihach
This site runs
Fri, 08/17/2007 - 12:56 ET by balboaThis site runs "entertainment" posts just for fun, too. So why can't Think Progress?
Who f****ing cares?
Fri, 08/17/2007 - 12:03 ET by mvfreemanWho f****ing cares?
But why is she pregnant?
Fri, 08/17/2007 - 12:13 ET by tnculpIt's the reason they think she's pregnant that is important:
To avoid the evil Bushco draft he's secretly trying to setup. Duh!
Right Tracker - Conservative Blog Directory
The Draft
Fri, 08/17/2007 - 12:19 ET by LionKingI thought the draft was for males between the ages of 18 and 35.
"It's the reason they think
Fri, 08/17/2007 - 13:20 ET by ckc1227"It's the reason they think she's pregnant that is important:
To avoid the evil Bushco draft he's secretly trying to setup. Duh!"
Even though the one screaming the loudest about reinstating the draft is a democrat, one Charlie Rangel.
Does this mean the other
Fri, 08/17/2007 - 13:22 ET by ckc1227Does this mean the other twin is untaken, 'cause I'm available if she is? ;)
Not only did both
Fri, 08/17/2007 - 15:21 ET by Cape Conservativenewscasts (local & national) have the Laura Bush quote but they made sure to show a not-so-flattering picture of the couple dancing at the president's inauguration ball. I'm sure there were many other pictures that could have been used.
But...oh no....any way they can get at George Bush, they will!
In a couple of years, the psycho wards across America (especially here in the northeast) are going to be full of libs who no longer have their main target available for venting their extreme hatred.
In any case, I wish the young couple the very best in life in the years ahead. They seem to be very compatible and have taken their time to make this most important decision. God bless them!
This attempt to make
Fri, 08/17/2007 - 19:04 ET by bigtimerThis attempt to make anything sinister of this is about the same as WaPo attempting to make an issue out of the name Fred.
Some people really have pathetic trivial loathsome lives.
May they have a long strong happy marriage...
May Fred win in '08!
Scandalous wedding?
Fri, 08/17/2007 - 21:10 ET by nkviking75The impending nuptuals will provide the MSM opportunity for many investigations. Will corporate money fund the wedding? Will the wedding gifts be thinly disguised bribes? Will the Bush administration be wasting taxpayer money on the ceremony and the honeymoon? Will a government plane wisk the happy couple away? Who will pay for the security contingent they'll require?
By the time the MSM is done, Jenna will want to elope. But then, that would be a scandal as well.
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
PS. What are the chances some moonbat Dem at the wedding will create some sort of embarrassing scene?
Exactly viking... I heard
Fri, 08/17/2007 - 21:20 ET by bigtimerExactly viking...
I heard on one of the leftist stations today, I think CNN that she wouldn't dare have it at the WH because of all the protesters and she didn't grow up there...they said most likely Kennebunkport...
As if they know... or the gal gives a wit what the msm has to say about what, where, and who she marries...
The idiots need to get a real life.
If ony they would.
JENNA BUSH ENGAGEMENT
Sun, 08/19/2007 - 03:53 ET by FAPLANDTHESE HATEFUL BLOGGERS ARE SWINE. WHEN THE ISLAMOFACISTS SHOW UP AT OUR DOORSTEP BECAUSE OF THEM. THEY-THE LEFTIST BLOGGERS WILL BE THE FIRST ONES THEY BEHEAD. RADICAL ISLAMISTS HATE PIGS AND LIBERALS MOST OF ALL.