Bozell in WMAL Interview: ABC's Gingrich Story Has 'Awful Taint of Rathergate to It'
ABC News's Marianne Gingrich interview has "that awful, awful taint of Rathergate to it," timed as it was "to do the most amount of damage it possibly could to Newt Gingrich's career," NewsBusters publisher Brent Bozell complained in an interview with Washington, D.C. news-talk station WMAL's Morning Majority program.
While Marianne Gingrich may be "entirely honest" in her claim, she is "lashing out at her ex-husband" and her story is an unconfirmable account. "I think it was a mess of a story, I think it hurts the media," the Media Research Center (MRC) founder added. [interview embedded below page break]
"I suspect in the primaries, I think people are so fed up with the press, so fed up with the character assassination attacks, this thing might actually backfire in his favor," Bozell opined.
"You have no problem with the idea of exploring the area of character when it comes to candidates?" co-host Brian Wilson, formerly of Fox News, asked Bozell.
"No, not at all," Bozell responded. Wilson then continued:
I'm going to argue this... let me just argue devil's advocate position here. You get an interview with the former wife of a guy who's running and surging in South Carolina, and she says, you know, in the interview, "Newt wanted me to have an open marriage." I don't know, I think that's interesting and one of the definitions of news is, you know, what's interesting? When people say interesting things it sometimes becomes newsworthy.
I don't have a problem with that being a story, but I sort of agree with you, that it's the timing of all this that makes people just sort of wince. Like, why now, and this is the question that I asked of Brian Ross yesterday, "Why now, what's the news?"
I think there was news, but the question is, why did they do it now?
"If the headline is Newt's former wife claims he wanted an open marriage, I think that is news," Bozell agreed, "But because of this timing, you just have to wonder, what is the agenda of these people?"
"Everyone's seeing it, that reporters aren't out there to cover news, they're out there to destroy candidates," the MRC president, adding, noting that "one by one" successive GOP primary candidates have been savaged by the media.
However, Bozell added, he "can't fault the media entirely" when GOP candidates meekly submit to liberal journalists like George Stephanopoulos running the agenda at primary debates. "They have every right to go to the networks and say, enough of this! We're not going to put up with any more of these character assassinations."
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Comments
The Lib Media
Submitted by kilrod on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 12:11pm.
The liberal media has an arse kicking coming fourthwith. Newt is doing a good job so far.
fourthwith - that's gettin your arse kicked 4 different ways.
"Let the Good Times Roll"
(grins) kilrod "the Birther"
If an unborn child cannot trust you, why should I,??
And looks to
Submitted by misterbee241 on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 12:33pm.
me Newt has drawn first blood.
Obama has
Submitted by misterbee241 on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 12:17pm.
made it known he wants to run against Romney. The Democrat PR machine, aka the media, are stepping up to make sure that happens.
Talk About Media Exploitation
Submitted by scottyusmc on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 12:19pm.
Everyone has a tragic personal story to tell but it seems that the self-appointed BOB gate-keepers in the media will stop at nothing to diminish an opponent to their Master!!! But, the truth is it diminishes them most of all. Their ability to influence any but their own kool-aid drinkers is about reaching "zero." Wonder what they'll do when they speak and there is nobody left to listen...
I for one am
Submitted by misterbee241 on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 12:30pm.
willing to overlook Newt's peccadilloes and leave what is in the past in the past. This country is way too important to hand it back to Obama for another four years.
I dont see Romney beating Obama. Romney is untrustworthy and way too wishy washy. I know Romney is a successful business man, but will he stand up to democrats? I dont know, but I'm skeptical.
Newt for all his faults has shown a willingness to stand up on his hind legs and fight back. Maybe he can rally those cur dogs known as Republicans.
I disagree
Submitted by mandrake on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 1:59pm.
With respect of course. The man is on his third wedding vow, which he clearly has no respect for, It's only the most important vow you can ever make. So why would you expect him to have more respect for the oath of office?
Uh huh...
Submitted by CobraMan on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 3:20pm.
Yea, and I bet that's the same argument you used when you supported the Clinton Impeachment too, right?
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
What?
Submitted by mandrake on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 4:24pm.
The Clinton Impeachment was never up for betting, as least as far as I know. I need to know you are cool with your candidate..I will have money riding on this.
Ok, I'll take that bet!
Submitted by CobraMan on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 4:31pm.
Ok, I'll take that bet, especially since you don't even know who "my candidate" actually is! I never told anyone who I would vote for. You see, I'm not a Republican, so I don't really care who they nominate for President, or who their current contenders are. I won't be voting in their primary. I vote according to my needs, not the needs of a given party.
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
Ok, but we'll have to wait
Submitted by mandrake on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 4:34pm.
I never actually place my bet till the 'real' debates have ended..see ya then ;)
We will have to wait.
Submitted by CobraMan on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 4:42pm.
We will have to wait, at least until the presidential ballot is actually drawn. It would be foolish to bet on a candidate until we know who the candidates will actually be. See ya then!
But you did kind of avoid my question. DID you support Clinton's Impeachment because he broke his marriage vows repeatedly? Did even oppose Clinton's first run for President because of his past, shall we say, marital indiscretions? Or is that type of indignation only reserved for Republicans?
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
uhmm
Submitted by mandrake on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 4:51pm.
I guess you don't know I am a Canuck? In which case most of your questions are moot. But no, If I could have, I would not voted for Clinton.
So much for the bet, then.
Submitted by CobraMan on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 5:54pm.
Well, there goes the bet, I guess. As a Canadian, one who feels that American politics is moot, what possible incentive could you have for this bet, other than for fun I mean? I mean, really, you can't even vote in the election, so you don't really have a candidate in mind, do you?
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
Cobra
Submitted by mandrake on Sat, 01/21/2012 - 12:44pm.
I think you are missing the point. As a Canadian, I can legally bet on the outcome of US elections. While you as an American cannot.
And just for the record, I've missed only once in 45 years..I lost on Obama..didn't see that one.
So, I do it for both fun and profit.
"willing to overlook Newt's
Submitted by ckc1227 on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 5:15pm.
"willing to overlook Newt's peccadilloes and leave what is in the past in the past. This country is way too important to hand it back to Obama for another four years."
And then what happens when a couple of weeks before the election, we discover that it's not in the past after all when a couple of new women come forward claiming they've been with Newt recently? If Newt is the candidate, that's almost guaranteed to happen, even if it isn't true. And because of Newt's history, it won't have to be true. And just like that, you've guaranteed Obama another 4 years.
If Newt is the candidate, he will lose based on the appearance of Republican hypocrisy alone....and they will be right.
A rather unlikely scenario
Submitted by CobraMan on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 6:06pm.
"And then what happens when a couple of weeks before the election, we discover that it's not in the past after all when a couple of new women come forward claiming they've been with Newt recently?"
That's a rather unlikely scenario, as it seems that the anti-Newt cockroaches have all already crawled out of the woodwork. There really can't be too many left. Let's face it, the left has played it's "hypocrisy" hand. It's been laid as bare as it can possibly be, and has been exposed as the bluff it always was. . Newt, of course, has called their bluff, and has won, spectacularly!
I mean, really CNN's own audience applauded his response to this bluff! You can't beat that, not even if you pull a pair of aces out of your sleeve just before the general election! The damage to the MSM's reputation in this situation is beyond repair.
Do you know what America's response will be to further allegations? Oh, Geeze's, not this crap again! In this respect, I hope they try. It'll only strengthen Newt's popularity. Nobody likes a Bully, you see. One would think that the left would have learned their lesson after their failure to bully Bush with his National Guard "record."
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
These unconfirmed allegations
Submitted by ThePickle on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 12:31pm.
These unconfirmed allegations are NOT news.
They are juicy little tidbits whose only 'newsworthiness' is the MSM's desire for them to be true.
It is tabloid journalism at best and at worst, it is the MSM's barely disguised attempt to smear a candidate with the tawdry and salacious.
If the
Submitted by oldmanatee on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 1:52pm.
divorce was 10 years ago and her allegations were true, why do they just now bother her so much she has to bring them up now?
same crap
Submitted by Skul on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 1:53pm.
Pulled the same stunt on Herman Cain.
Make allegations without proof, and hope it sticks.
Liberal news will now look for anyone wanting their fifteen minutes of fame to
repeat the story and swear it's true.
Hell hath no fury,
Submitted by texasborngranny on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 1:57pm.
and all that. What made Marianne think that the MARRIED man she messed around with, would not mess around on her?
What a sad life she must have been living, all these years, carrying around that desperate need for revenge. Revenge is an acid 'that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured." But I guess she never read Mr. Twain.
But, now that ABC has taken advantage of this sad soul for their purpose of propping up a failed president, what happens to Marianne? Her heart will not be lightened, if fact it is probably heavier and even more troubled. I hope her friends and family are around and that she seeks professional assistance in dealing with her state of mind.
After seeing Newts response
Submitted by Free Stinker on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 2:06pm.
After seeing Newts response last night, all I have to say is "Sarah who?" ;-)
/// Sarah Palin Fan since July 11, 2007 /// خال
Was Obama married back when
Submitted by tobiasdog on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 2:40pm.
Was Obama married back when he was cavorting with Larry Sinclair? Just sayin'.
Was Obama married back when
Submitted by tobiasdog on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 2:41pm.
Was Obama married back when he was cavorting with Larry Sinclair? Just sayin'.
Rathergate Smells
Submitted by NVRAT on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 3:08pm.
Yep. "A Woman Scorned" and did not really get upset until 10 years later. I thought NBC/MSNBC was the lowest form of news reporting but, ABC is going lower and lower each day, It will not be long before you will not be able to tell the difference, if any now. You would think that the last two times after being embarrassed on punitive questions and, the audience praising the answers, that the propagandist news organizations would realize that the people do not give a damn about their attempt to discredit the Republican candidates and, they are tired of and do not believe the MSM bias. Come on stockholders do you really think that these CEO`s and Left Wing Idiots managing the Company`s are making you money? if you do you must be delusional. Get back to your original Charter Objectives and start reporting the way you use to you know, honesty, integrity and since of purpose. Get Smart.
It is rather telling...
Submitted by CobraMan on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 3:24pm.
"Yep. "A Woman Scorned" and did not really get upset until 10 years later."
It is rather telling that none of this came up during the divorce proceedings. You would think that a woman so scorned would at least mention it when it would have the best effect: during the divorce!
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
As the saying goes, "Revenge
Submitted by Ken Shepherd on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 4:17pm.
As the saying goes, "Revenge is a dish best served cold."
What is "interesting," or what is "scandalous?"
Submitted by CobraMan on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 3:19pm.
"I don't know, I think that's interesting and one of the definitions of news is, you know, what's interesting?"
I think you mean "scandalous," don't you? After all, you are trying to tun this into a scandal.
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
watch the money
Submitted by Tyler520 on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 6:52pm.
Perhaps we should be asking Marianne to release her income tax reports, eh?
People should be keeping a close eye on Marianne's bank account transactions for the next few months - wouldn't be surprised to see her making lavish purchases in the near future.