GMA Robo-Reports Against McCain

GMA Robo-Reports Against McCain

By Mark Finkelstein (Bio | Archive)
October 18, 2008 - 08:57 ET

Someone should explain to ABC: it ain't "dirty" if it's true. GMA got the collective vapors this morning over the robo-calls the RNC and McCain campaign are making, informing voters of Barack Obama's close association with unrepentant terrorist Bill Ayers.

In GMA's book, there's no real difference between these calls—which Cokie Roberts alluded to as "dirtier" tactics—and the calls made against McCain during the 2000 South Carolina Republican primary.

Except there is a difference. A big, fundamental one: what's said in the current calls is true. Obama did work closely with Ayers. What was said in the 2000 calls against McCain in South Carolina was false: he didn't father a black child out of wedlock. He and wife Cindy adopted a Bangladeshi child.

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Confirmed Obama-phile David Wright narrated the segment.

DAVID WRIGHT: In some of the battlegrounds, the McCain campaign has launched a barrage of automated phone calls, with nasty accusations about Obama.

Cut to audio clip of man reading the script seen in the screencap.

WRIGHT: In 2000, McCain had similar phone calls used against him.

Cut to clip of McCain [from 2000?] condemning those calls. Cokie Roberts then weighed in.

COKIE ROBERTS: When campaigns get desperate, they tend to get dirtier.

WRIGHT: The negative attacks in recent weeks seemed to have backfired for the McCain campaign. Their poll numbers have dropped.

McCain's poll numbers have dropped? Oh, really? Like the AP/Yahoo and Gallup polls in recent days showing McCain within two points? Or take John Zogby's commentary of this morning [emphasis added]:

Today is the single biggest day for John McCain since we began the tracking poll two weeks ago. He reached 47% support and trailed Barack Obama by only two points for the day. This was the first full 24-hour cycle of polling after the final presidential debate, and it appears clear that McCain has consolidated his Republican support.

At the end of the 7 AM half-hour, anchor Bill Weir managed to work one last swipe at the McCain campaign—much to his colleagues' mirth—into his comment on a harmless segment on the soup battle raging in the marketplace between Campbell's and Progresso that Marisol Castro had narrated.

BILL WEIR: When you hear some robo-calls about --

MARISOL CASTRO: Exactly --

WEIR: -- terrorists love this kind of soup, then you know [inaudible, perhaps: "it's down to a level."]

No soup for you, Bill.

—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.

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Soup Nazis

October 18, 2008 - 09:20 ET by Indiana Joe

It's plain that any criticism of The Obama is "dirty lies," or "racist lies," or just plain "lies."

Doesn't matter if it's true... they're "lies."

Denial is funny that way.

"I do not... believe that the same God who has endowed us with senses, reason and intellect has intended us to forego their use." G. Galilei

Good morning Joe

October 18, 2008 - 09:43 ET by cocodrie

Excellent analysis.

Sorry, but the actions of

October 18, 2008 - 09:49 ET by Sven

Sorry, but the actions of the Libs as of late, do not show that they are confident, but rather very fearful!

I mean if BHO's up in all these polls, why are they intent on trashing "Joe"?, why are they trying to dig up some dirt on Mrs. McCain?

I don't trust these polls as far as I can spit! The Drive-bys are doing their best to try and discourage folks from voting! As I said in another post: The left is going to be very surprised Nov. 5th!

Is an EEOC Complaint Against CBS, NBC, ABC and CNN Warranted

October 18, 2008 - 10:15 ET by allanf

Conservative journalists should file EEOC complaint against the networks for "political discrimination" . For news gathering jobs that don't involve commentary, political orientation is not a component of the job. Yet the networks are overwhelmingly Democratic.

The best way to attack journalistic bias may be through the liberals own anti-discriminiation apparatus.

A fantasy of mine...

October 18, 2008 - 10:35 ET by Rackie

Gosh darn it! If that doesn't just beat all. Ms. Cokie makes a another snide, clueless-elitist remark and her nose is still straight. It's not fair.

Sick of Robo Calls

October 18, 2008 - 11:22 ET by kdoliver

Not totally on topic, but I am sick of robo calls in general. I live in VA and I have received about 6-8 calls in the last week. Maybe I am idiot or maybe I know too much, but do these things really work?

I know i am not the only one is sick of robo calls. The amount of these calls is irritating. Spend the money on getting the message out about the how destructive BHO will be to America another way. Just stop calling.

http://thelazytriath...

While Robo calls are true, Obama lies and walks free..

October 18, 2008 - 11:42 ET by Gary Hall

While Robo calls are true, Obama lies and walks free.. of any noticable press attention.

1. Down in Florida, Obama used a lie about Social Security benefits to scare the daylights out of retired seniors.

Obama said that "if my opponent had his way, the millions of Floridians who rely on it would've had their Social Security tied up in the stock market this week." He referred to "elderly women" at risk of poverty, and said families would be scrambling to support "grandmothers and grandfathers."

And we wonder how Obama has taken the lead in Florida? The MSM is simply pleased with the outcome.

2. Obama lied to Joe the Plumber. Right there on the tape that our MSM has been showing over and over again, and using to attack "Joe?" Folks, it's Obama that's running for president. The MSM's attention should be focused on what he is saying:

Obama said:

"we haven't given a break to folks who make less."

Well, that is certainly a big one, is it not? 2001 tax rebate. Lowered all tax rates. Doubled child tax credit. Fixed the marriage tax penalty trap. Lowered capital gains and dividend tax rates (yes Obama, millions of working Americans do invest in America's businesses and in their future), and of course seems folks were just receiving a $600/each tax stimulous check.

The Robo call is a true message - looks like there's room for more of them - notably as long as the MSM long ago decided that they were not in the news business.

(;~> gary

Thanks NB!

October 18, 2008 - 17:33 ET by TN Mom

I completely quit watching ABC/NBC/CNN/CBS (local channels as well) so it's fun to read transcripts and watch videos here.

COKIE ROBERTS: When campaigns get desperate, they tend to get dirtier. I think Cokie was speaking about herself and MSM cohorts! As the polls tighten the MSM goes in all-out lie mode.