CNN's "Newsroom" apparently can't get enough of Max Blumenthal. Less than four hours after their 5-minute infomercial on Blumenthal latest left-wing hack job on Sunday evening, host Rick Sanchez and correspondent Josh Levs did another segment promoting the "expose" on College Republicans. Sanchez and Levs continued to "conveniently omit" the liberal associations of Blumenthal, not even mentioning Blumenthal's posting of his video on the Huffington Post, as they did in their first segment. Sanchez was even open about where he stood on the issue of young Republican "chicken hawks." "As you watch these guys – and I think most people at home would agree -- there seems to be a certain hypocritical nature to this. I mean, they're so boastful when they talk about supporting the war, and yet sheepish when it comes to actually doing something about it."
Sanchez and Levs's introduction to their rehash on Blumenthal's video:
RICK SANCHEZ: Staying now with the Iraq war, and doing a little Josh's corner. Josh Levs is joining us to talk about something that's interesting, and it has to do with Young Republicans -- that's what the organization is called -- getting a visit from a writer, who then challenged them, since they all seemed to be very gung-ho about the war, as to whether or not they themselves would go and fight in this war. Or do they want to?
JOSH LEVS: Exactly. That's what happened. It's a man named Max Blumenthal, who decided to go to a meeting, this national College Republican group, and he posed to some of these people a question that they may not have seen coming.
Blumenthal is not merely a "writer" and/or a "man." He has written for "The Nation" magazine, "The Huffington Post," and for "Media Matters for America," the left-wing "watchdog" group. All three institutions are part of the radical left-wing, a label that Blumenthal apparently rejects, as Levs repeated in the first segment.
After playing clips from Blumenthal's "documentary" for the second time, Levs repeated his line that "Karl Rove... Ralph Reed, Jack Abramoff" were all former members of the College Republicans.
The full transcript of the second Sanchez/Levs segment on Max Blumenthal:
(CNN CAPTION: “WHY AREN’T YOU SERVING?”)
RICK SANCHEZ: Staying now with the Iraq war, and doing a little Josh's corner. Josh Levs is joining us to talk about something that's interesting, and it has to do with Young Republicans -- that's what the organization is called -- getting a visit from a writer, who then challenged them, since they all seemed to be very gung-ho about the war, as to whether or not they themselves would go and fight in this war. Or do they want to?
JOSH LEVS: Exactly. That's what happened. It's a man named Max Blumenthal, who decided to go to a meeting, this national College Republican group, and he posed to some of these people a question that they may not have seen coming.
MAX BLUMENTHAL: Why are you not fighting them over there?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Why am I not fighting them over there? Because I'm in college right now.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I’m an undergraduate right now, and I just had a scholarship (INAUDIBLE). And I just didn't have any real -- I didn't have any strong urge...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't think -- you can't talk about this issue if you're not serving.
LEVS: Ok, so he put that and more into an Internet video that he's calling ‘Generation Chicken Hawk,’ and he told us that this is what it's all about.
BLUMENTHAL: An ideology that says you can support this war, which is not supported by most Americans, and which is wearing down the military, without serving in it in any way or participating in it or making any kind of sacrifice.
SANCHEZ: You know, it's interesting. As you watch these guys – and I think most people at home would agree -- there seems to be a certain hypocritical nature to this. I mean, they're so boastful when they talk about supporting the war, and yet sheepish when it comes to actually doing something about it.
LEVS: That perception is definitely what led a lot of people -- what led Max to want to even do this video, and it's making a lot of people really interested.
SANCHEZ: What about the guy that runs -- isn't there like a top guy at the top? I imagine, as a journalist, you probably sought him out.
LEVS: Absolutely. I did. Spoke with him. And guess what? He's a veteran. 25 years old, and he served in Iraq. He called this a political hit job. He said it's one-sided, this video that Max Blumenthal put out there, and this representative of the group also told us this.
NICK MICCARELLI, CO-CHAIR, COLLEGE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMTE.: There are many people who support stricter laws on a lot of things in this country and aren't necessarily willing to go become police officers.
SANCHEZ: Now, he seems like a straight-up guy, who's willing to put his muscle where his mouth is. Maybe a little different than some of the guys in this organization. It's interesting. These organizations, maybe it's me, but they're awfully young to have so much to say about something that maybe they ought to put in a couple of years first. But we'll leave that alone.
LEVS: I’m sure you had something to say in college.
(CROSS TALK)
SANCHEZ: They're young upstarts. But is there a sense that this is the kind of organization that makes the Karl Roves of the world?
LEVS: Exactly. It actually made the Karl Rove of the world.
SANCHEZ: He was a member of this organization?
LEVS: Karl Rove was in this, Ralph Reed, Jack Abramoff. Some major Republican players started off in the College Republican world. So, one thing Max Blumenthal is saying with this video is you know what? Some of these people someday just might be running America, so it's worth challenging them now, getting to know what their positions are, and from his perspective, calling them on what he views as hypocrisy.
SANCHEZ: That's amazing. Josh Levs. Thanks, Josh.
(h/t NewsBusters reader Damian G.)
—Matthew Balan is a news analyst at the Media Research Center.




















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"That's amazing"? Wow,
July 30, 2007 - 15:08 ET by Free Thinker"That's amazing"? Wow, let's not even hide our leftist slant. Karl Rove was once in a college Republicans? Shocking. I wonder what current democrats were in college democrats and had opinions that were challenged because they had not "put in a couple of years" to their cause. How many outraged college democrats are squeeling about darfur but have never gone there and done anything about it? Was this seriously on tv?
That is one thing about the
July 30, 2007 - 16:59 ET by well99That is one thing about the media.They never let common sense or the truth get in the way of a story.
I support the war...But
July 30, 2007 - 18:50 ET by TruthMongerI support the war...
But I wouldn't fight in Iraq - I would be too afraid to be hurt or killed...
so whattya think Blumy? Care to mock me as a hypocrate? Please do so...
My grandmother as well - she supports Bush - but is too afraid to fight - what a hypocrite that bitch is too, right Blumy?
Love your insights Blumy - thanks for showing us the way - whatta courageous guy you are - as I am sure you are off to Iraq to fight at this very moment...hats off to ya - I couldn't do it myself - too damn afraid and chicken...
Any troops reading this - thanks so much for protecting chickenhawks like me and my grandmother - we salute you and will be forever greatfull!!!
And any Max Blumenthals reading this can kiss my chickenhawk a$$...
Hey TM... Heck, you
July 30, 2007 - 18:57 ET by bigtimerHey TM...
Heck, you covered it for me and my sentiments.
I thank ya' kind sir!
A few rebuttals
July 30, 2007 - 17:33 ET by JungusSo what gives Blumenthal power over the first ammendment? Because of what I say means I don't have the right to say it? How very progressive of him.
Also, I said this once and I'm sure I'll say it again. If I am a hypocrite for saying we need to win this war and not joining the armed services, then he needs to be one for being against the war and not joining Al Qaida. But I am not a hipocrite simply because I am not saying that everyone should join the army. I am simply saying that as a nation we need to win this war. This leads me to my third point.
How would you feel if you and all other conservatives joined the army, went to Iraq and left all liberals behind. Liberals in charge of the press, our communities, and our government. Free to pass any law they choose. Not a happy thought huh? Plus even now, how easy is it to do your job if you think your whole country is against what you are doing?
I am not impressed by these anti-cheerleaders. I am even less impressed by their closed minded followers.
CNN's fun topic of the day
July 30, 2007 - 17:37 ET by TruthMongerCNN's fun topic of the day is it?
Yes, let's talk hypocracy of the young college folks...
I mean they haven't lived that long yes - and so they shouldn't really have opinions yet - like supporting the Iraq war - and then on top of that not having the guts to drop school and go fight in Iraq you betcha...
Or also those unseasoned opinions of the younger left - such as "Bush is Hitler" and "Iraq is just about oil" - and on top of that not having the guts to venture off of the DKOS web site for more information...
Looking forward to the CNN hit pieces on that fun topic tomorrow right CNN...?
I mean it's not like the whole world can see you coming a hundred miles away as usual...
Get a clue CNN - for your own sake...
just pathetic...
The more things change---
July 30, 2007 - 17:41 ET by misterbillThe more things change---the more they stay the same!
It is much easier to ridicule the ideas of the elders than to create and implement their own.
I'm outraged that college
July 30, 2007 - 17:47 ET by TruthMongerI'm outraged that college leftards haven't joined en masse:
1. Greenpeace anti-whaling ship crews - they can't give a sh*t about whales then...sorry - it's Blumendick's rule...
2. Assembly lines at the hybrid auto plants - - they can't give a sh*t about saving gas then...sorry - it's Blumendick's rule...
3. Darfur relief crews - they can't give a sh*t about Africans then...sorry - it's Blumendick's rule...
4. Soup kitchens to help the homeless- they can't give a sh*t about the homeless then...sorry - it's Blumendick's rule...
5. Universal health care lobbying firms- they can't give a sh*t about healthcare for all people then...sorry - it's Blumendick's rule...
6. Illegal Immigration assistance groups - they can't give a sh*t about Mexicans then...sorry - it's Blumendick's rule...
etc etc etc
misterbill, La plus ca
July 30, 2007 - 17:50 ET by Blondemisterbill,
La plus ca change, la plus ca meme chose.
Or somesuch!
Is it just me or does Rick
July 30, 2007 - 18:04 ET by fitzfongIs it just me or does Rick Sanchez remind anyone else of Ted Baxter from the Mary Tyler Moore show? Just a bloated empty suit who can't even competently read his cues from a teleprompter.
As for the "Chickenhawk" charge, that's just lazy and dishonest. The left never seemed too bothered when their draft-dodging windbag from Arkansas was sending our troops into harm's way.
It's not just you, but you
July 30, 2007 - 18:16 ET by Chris NormanIt's not just you, but you did leave out "pretty boy". They couldn't have hired him for his intellect. He's just the male version of all the info-babes the cable news channels have hired...
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
"... and he posed to some
July 30, 2007 - 18:08 ET by Chris Norman"... and he posed to some of these people a question that they may not have seen coming."
This is a typically arrogant and condescending attitude from Liberals, in this case that somehow young conservatives are foolishly wrong and just need to be "shown up" by a smart liberal to put them in their place and show them the error of their ways.
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
Does this mean I can't
July 30, 2007 - 19:24 ET by ckc1227Does this mean I can't support policemen, firemen, garbage men, doctors, accountants, etc, etc since I don't want to do any of these jobs either?
Speaking of hypocrites
July 30, 2007 - 20:01 ET by acumenSpeaking of hypocrites - So I presume Blumenthal has the same problem with Algore (supposedly) supporting the environment from the comfy confines of his not so green mansions and private jets? Or Edwards (supposedly) supporting the poor in between 400 dollar haircuts at his oversized mcmansion. Yeah, what a bold documentarian. Just overlook those glaring examples of hypocrisy and go after some College students. Please....
Oh, and be careful where you tread Sanchez, reminding us of who was in what College organization. I'm sure you wouldn't want America to name names about who were former members of the SDS, the Weatherman, etc. Particularly with an election coming up.