MRC President and NewsBusters Publisher Brent Bozell appeared opposite liberal radio talk show host Mike Papantonio on the April 24 "Fox & Friends" program in two short segments in the 8 a.m. half-hour. Topics included the cancellation of a planned CBS North Carolina Democratic primary debate and the recent Los Angeles Times's article hinting that John McCain "may face "fitness questions" in light of his U.S. Navy disability pension. [see video here; audio available here]
In the first segment, Bozell applauded ABC for a hard-hitting Pennsylvania debate and lamented that the primary debates up to it had mostly been "a farce." In the second, the MRC president slammed the April 22 Ralph Vartabedian article in the Times as worse than being a mere "cheap-shot," it's just merely "stupid" and nonsensical.
A transcript of Bozell's remarks appears below:
STEVE DOOCY, co-host: Brent, ABC took a lot of heat because, from the mainstream media that said, "Oh, you guys were just too rough on Barack Obama.' But he was the front runner and for a change he got front-runner questions.
BRENT BOZELL, MRC President: Be still my heart. For the first time in 7,000 debates or whatever we've had this year, ABC decided to ask real questions and tough questions. And he folded like a cheap suit underneath them. Look, ABC did the right thing, and by the way, I wish they would do tougher questions on Republicans as well. These debates, I think, have been a farce. They've been love-fests. Tough questions were asked and liberal orthodoxy was violated, and the Left is going apoplectic.
[...]
BOZELL, reacting to Papantonio defending Obama declining a North Carolina debate: Can I translate what Mike just said into English? What he's saying is Barack Obama is at his best when no one challenges him and all his does is give rhetoric. When he's asked a tough question, he folds.
[...]
DOOCY: Brent, according to the L.A. Times, it talks about how John McCain is getting 50-some odd thousand dollars a year military disability pension. Of course, he was ejected, shot out of the sky, uh, broke his arms, they tortured him for five years. Now they're saying...
BOZELL: Details!
DOOCY: ...if he is disabled, technically, in the eyes of the government he couldn't possibly be fit to be the commander-in-chief.
BOZELL: No, and neither was Franklin Delano Roosevelt. This is not a cheap-shot article, this is just a stupid article, on two points. First they say that, that because he's disabled he's not fit to be president. In the very next sentence, the very same source says that because he hiked in the Grand Canyon, he's not eligible to get the benefits. You know, it's one or the other. Either you are or you're not unfit.
BOZELL: And here's the funny thing. The source for this story, Robert Schriebman, do you know what medical qualifications he has according to the L.A. Times? You know how they cite him? He's a tax advisor!
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Comments Policy
Clean Campaign
April 24, 2008 - 08:13 ET by allanfWe can expect questions to be raised about McCain's:
by the MSM. Such questions are only inappropriate when posed to a Democrat.
McCain's *real* health problem is probably
April 24, 2008 - 08:28 ET by sarcasmo7. Melanoma.
JMR
The tax & spend drug war looks racist in the real world.
and more
April 24, 2008 - 09:45 ET by Agnosticquestioning his service (yes they will even bring up allegations against is POW time - remember the MSM is starting to feel invincible)
Kerry will unofficially confirm that McCain campaigned to be his running mate.
The phrase "another old white man" will be kept in everyone's mind by the media - even if no one actually ever says it.
In his long voting record the media will find many flip-flops.
His stand on illegal immigration and global warming will be touted by the MSM because they know it will hurt him with conservatives but it won't help him with liberals who will want the Democrat anyway.
We have yet to begin the lovefest for Senator Obama and for those that believe Senator Clinton still has a chance - there would be a lovefest for her as well eventhough it would be subdued as they explored ways to make sure they don't lose the "black vote". It is far from over and the media hasn't even unpacked there arsenal against Senator McCain as of yet. It will take something short of divine intervention (for all the IDers out there) to prevent a Democrat from taking the WhiteHouse in the election. The only chance the Republicans ever really had was to run with opposing ideas but instead they ran Senator McMain (DorR).
Edit: I don't have any real reason to dislike to Senator McCain and in many ways he seems a decent person but IMO totally unelectable. However, if President Reagan in his prime was running today with the attitude and egos of the MSM as unbridled as they are he would have an uphill battle.
huh?
April 24, 2008 - 13:38 ET by MindwerkzWait a second, isnt this the guy the Dems and MSM picked to be the Repub canidate? Now they want to start bashing him?
They love him because hes a Democrat, but hate him because he has an R next to his name... in favor of blatant communists that want to rape and pillage our country.
France is looking better and better every day.
Here is a quick primer on
April 24, 2008 - 08:32 ET by motherbeltSince, as Mr. Bozell said on F&F just now, the "disability" complaint comes from a tax consultant, it would appear his biggest problem is that McCain is not being taxed adequately.
Here is a quick primer on "disability" payments from the Armed Services. John McCain receives pension, as does every other 20 year veteran. Whatever portion of that pension that is classified as "disability pay" is not taxable. Period. It is NOT an extra payment for the disability.
For example, it appears his pension is $58,000 a year. If his disability were 20%, then 20% of that amount would not be taxable. That's all. Disability pay is paid out separately, by the VA, but it is still part of his pension, not an added amount. Every dollar of disability pay is subtracted from the regular pension, so that the total never goes over $58,000.
And "disability" as defined by the armed services for purposes of disability pay is completely separate, distinct, and bears no relation at all to disability as defined by the ADA.
Just like Brent said
April 24, 2008 - 08:44 ET by DelsaLet see, McCain is 100% disabled so he is not qualified to be pres. And on the other hand, he can hike the Grand Canyon? What's their point?
First the LA Times went for his citzenship. That didn't work and now they try this.
The Left has to get over this because McCain is the Rep nominee.
Delsa, you're in good
April 24, 2008 - 09:07 ET by motherbeltDelsa, you're in good company. Mr. Bozell made that same point on F&F this AM. When lefists are arguing , it doesn't matter if they contradict themselves.
Besides, as I point out above, "Service-connected disability" is a whole lot different from disability under the ADA. John McCain might not even be able to qualify for a Handicap Parking tag if he applied. That doesn't mean he doesn't have a "service-connected (or related, I always forget which it is) disability.
I'm pretty sure that McCain
April 24, 2008 - 09:18 ET by NewsbusterbrownI'm pretty sure that McCain is less disabled than FDR was. Whatever you think of Roosevelt, he was able to perform his presidential duties despite his handicap. IOW, another stupid-ass charge by the MSM once again.
“There are no easy answers' but there are simple answers. We must have the courage to do what we know is morally right.” - Ronald Reagan (1964 Republican Convention)
Well Delsa
April 24, 2008 - 11:04 ET by cvgbuckeyeWell Delsa, lets compare McCain to the liberal's and media's and hollywood's and democrat's (excuse the redundancy) hero JFK.
I believe that he was injured in battle and recieved disability. All during his presidency, he was on strong pain-killers which were judgement altering.
That probably explains that fact that he was stove-piping Marilyn Monroe and every other tramp that his liberal buddies, including his brother, could smuggle into the oval office (and Bill Clinton thought he was such an original). It might also explain how he and all his advisors (including another liberal hero, Bobby Kennedy) fouled up the Cuban Crisis and the Bay of Pigs, thus allowing the only remaining communist country in the world.
I guess, though, that he didn't hike accross the Grand Canyon, unless there would have been another tramp on the other side.
well, cvgbuckeye
April 24, 2008 - 12:57 ET by DelsaYou forgot JFK had Hodgkin's disease as well.
And you are forgiven your "redundancy".
Delsa-
April 24, 2008 - 14:02 ET by HAL9000actually, he had Addison's disease- adrenalin gland not functioning properly. I know, my dog has the same affliction.
You are correct. JFK had
April 24, 2008 - 22:06 ET by stratmanYou are correct. JFK had Addison's Disease... and quite a lot more.
From a NYTimes article in 2002 about JFK's medical issues, the drugs JFK took:
Antispasmodics to control colitis
Antibiotics for a urinary tract infection
Hydrocortisone
Testosterone
Salt tablets (#'s 3, 4, 5 to control his adrenal insufficiency)
Antihistamines for food allergies
Antianxiety drug, Stelazine, for two days.
Demerol for pain
Methadone for pain
Ritalin
Meprobamate
Librium (#'s 11 and 12 for anxiety)
Barbiturates for sleep
Thyroid hormone
Gamma globulin, presumably to combat infections
''Seven to eight injections of procaine in his back in the same sitting'' before news conferences and other events
Antidiarrheal drugs like Lomotil for "spastic colon"
From the same article, the medical problems of JFK while president:
Addison's disease - potentially life threatening disease; at one time thought to be caused subsequent to earlier Tuberculosis infection though no further record found of TB.
Painful, cramping spastic colon, AKA Colitis - what would probably be known today as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Chronic diarrhea with Weight Loss - related to IBS
Electrolyte disturbances - secondary to Addison's, Chronic diarrhea of IBS
Anxiety
Insomnia
Fatigue
Chronic pain - back
Multiple and varied location infections - ''a tremendous proclivity for infections''. One infection described was Urinary Tract - Given the sexual proclivities of JFK, makes one wonder if the etiology was secondary to his Addison's or from his sexual adventures.
Food allergies
"Depressed" affect from "allergy medicine" - Also not uncommon was pyschological instability resulting from the then common practice of "sleeper" medication at night and amphetamine during the day to stay alert (or diet) in a real "dog chasing its own tail" situation.
Thyroid hormone replacement therapy for????
Osteoporosis
Multiple vertebral fractures secondary to Osteoporosis
Difficulties with Activities of Daily Living (eg dressing)
Muscle Atrophy?
Hypercholesterolemia
Possible history of Malaria - infected while stranded on island after wrecking PT109 during WWII
Riiiiiiight!
In today's world, the health and medication list are frightening considering this was a sitting president. To JFK's credit, you do not hear that he complained much about his ailments - a stoic man concerning his pain. But he did lie and conceal his health issues from the public. We may never know how his health may have clouded his decisions and led to his various misadventures - Bay of Pigs, Vietnam, etc.
RRAM Tough!
John McCain went into
April 24, 2008 - 09:25 ET by ThisnThatJohn McCain went into harm's way in the service of this country. He was shot down; he was held prisoner for years; he was tortured. He is now a U.S. Senator.
And the LA Times thinks these factors make him unfit to be President?
I personally believe the LA Times is unfit to be a newspaper. The United States of America has benefited greatly from John McCain's service. His $58,000/yr pension/retirement is a small price to pay for such service.
If the LA Times had any honor themselves, they would (a) fire the dumbass who wrote this article; and then (b) fire the other dumbass who approved its publication. Then they would write a large check and give it to one of our charities that service today's soldiers and veterans.
But, the LA Times has no honor. They are shameless cowards who pander to the left wing and do everything they can to besmirch the reputation of an honorable man running for President. IMHO.
___________________________________
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it is in English, thank a Soldier. - My barber
No, the LAT doesn't think he
April 24, 2008 - 09:32 ET by NL207No, the LAT doesn't think he is fit to be Predsident because he is not a Democrat. He isn't liberal enough for them. Even Hillary is not Liberal enough for them.
Disability
April 24, 2008 - 09:53 ET by jazboSo the MSM is backling off on the ADA.
Perhaps the LAT will propose cancelling the ADA all together?
Typical cold-hearted liberalism.
Brent Bozell
April 24, 2008 - 09:51 ET by candanceI watched this on F&F and thought Brent did a good job. His "counterpart" came off like a jerk with the way he randomly brought up the economy and George Bush just to try to make Republicans look bad. And then all that stuff about Obama being at his best when he's giving a speech? Brent blew him out of the water.
The segment was a perfect microcosm of the way liberals and conservies interact 90% of the time. A liberal gets huffy, blames everything on Republicans, and then lobs a random personal insult. A conservie keeps his cool and makes good points.
candance, all I can say is
April 24, 2008 - 10:00 ET by motherbeltDamn Skippy!
Right on. And they hate them (conservatives) for it!
Obama is at his best when making a speech because there are no questions!
Bad Candidates.
April 24, 2008 - 10:18 ET by iveseenitallMcCain is the best candidate among the three. The other two are completely unacceptable. Sad. Prepare yourself for bad times ahead.
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
You know I've been thinking
April 24, 2008 - 10:23 ET by taterYou know I've been thinking whatever president we get is going to be bad...it's just a matter of how bad it will be, but couldn't some of the stink be lessened by clearing out the scum in Congress??? Like getting rid of all of the libtards and stocking Washington with people who hopefully have some base in what's really going on in John Doe's life.
By justice a king gives stability to a land; but he who imposes heavy taxes ruins it. -Proverbs 29:4
This is my hope, maybe the
April 24, 2008 - 10:36 ET by general companyThis is my hope, maybe the folks that have been getting screwed by the same person for 20yrs or so will wake up and run them off. I aint holding my breath though.
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
I have been "hoping" for
April 24, 2008 - 10:39 ET by HermanoI have been "hoping" for term limits for many, many years. Maybe Barack can give me "hope."
Candance, welcome to VIRGINIA
April 24, 2008 - 10:17 ET by PawpawNWelcome to Virginia, Candance. I'm about 45 miles from Richmond and 30 from Charlottesville. This is beautiful country!
yay pawpaw
April 24, 2008 - 11:51 ET by candanceIt's very pretty all around here.
50 some odd
April 24, 2008 - 10:31 ET by bassndude50 some odd thousand dollars a year, for a disability from VA? Never happen. Max Mac could draw is a little over 30,000 a year. Married with kids at home is 2,772 a month.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
Bassndude
April 24, 2008 - 12:30 ET by DelsaWhere did they get that figure?
My dad was 100% diabled (WWII) 31/2 years as a guest of the Japanese.
He got nothing like that number. His rank was Captian
Delsa.. those are todays
April 24, 2008 - 13:04 ET by bassndudeDelsa.. those are todays figures for 100% disability. I get one of those checks, but not for that much either. It depends on your disability and how the VA rates it.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
1099-r
April 25, 2008 - 06:26 ET by JWFSen Mccain would get a 1099-R every year which would list the portion that is taxed and the portion not taxed. He is also elegible for Special Combat Related Compensation and I do not know if he gets extra for being a POW. He is also a federal employee being a senator and all, or at least I think he is, so that might add something to the mix, being 70, he might be getting extral pension thrown in for that.
He does not list the 1099-R on his tax return so I am guessing it is all tax free.
ADA
April 24, 2008 - 10:58 ET by CobraMan"Brent, according to the L.A. Times, it talks about how John McCain is
getting 50-some odd thousand dollars a year military disability
pension. Of course, he was ejected, shot out of the sky, uh, broke his
arms, they tortured him for five years. Now they're saying...
if he is disabled, technically, in the eyes of the government he couldn't possibly be fit to be the commander-in-chief."
So the Americans with Disabilities Act doesn't apply to the President? I'd like to see THAT argued in court!
McCain's biggest problem is,
April 24, 2008 - 11:48 ET by goldbarMcCain's biggest problem is, like Ronald Reagan he wants to grant amnesty to all illegal aliens and weaken this country's borders.
All three of them want that
April 24, 2008 - 12:02 ET by Dan The Man 2All three of them want that and the other two are worse in that respect. At least McCain said he gets what the American people has said. He at lwast listens to teh electorate. Now what any politician really does is up to conkecture and only time will tell. One thing we know about Clinton she wants to take from the peopel all teh money for our own good an Obama wants change for change's sake and hopes it will be right.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
leadbar... McCains
April 24, 2008 - 12:07 ET by Clear thinkerleadbar...
McCains biggest problem is... he is NOTHING like Ronald Reagan.
"Abstain from McCain"
hi goldbar
April 24, 2008 - 12:54 ET by candanceConsider the fact that you are an Obama supporter, you apparently want amnesty as well. So why did you bring this up? Not to discuss it honestly but just to annoy conservies.
Reagan made a compromise on amnesty with the goal of securing the borders. Congress promised to seal the southern border and promptly dropped the subject as soon as they got what they wanted.
And while we're at it, Democrats ran the White House for eight years and did nothing about our weakening borders.
Come to think about it...
April 24, 2008 - 13:51 ET by Mark_for_SenateThe economy didn't start its slowdown until Democrats gained control of congress in 2006. Prior to that we had 52 consectutive months of job growth. A National record!
To know and not do, is to not yet know