A truly extraordinary event occurred on CNN Sunday: Howard Kurtz actually supported President Bush sitting down with milbloggers to discuss what's going on in Iraq.
I kid you not.
When this issue was raised on the most recent installment of "Reliable Sources" - that Bush had a meeting Friday attended by ten military bloggers - it seemed almost a metaphysical certitude the President would be lambasted for catering to the extreme right.
Surprisingly, such was not the case:
HOWARD KURTZ, HOST: The Washington Post reports this morning that on Friday, President Bush met with ten bloggers who specialize in military affairs, talked about the war. One of them who blogs under the name of "Black Five," found the President "intelligent, razor-sharp, warm, focused, emotional, and genuine."
Is this another effort to get out the message without dealing with people like [CNN's] Jamie McIntyre?
DAVID FRUM, NATIONAL REVIEW: I'm sure the President loves dealing with Jamie McIntyre. But, I love the idea of bloggers as a credulous audience. I mean, that, one of them is joining, one of the bloggers there joined, I think two of them, actually, joined the meeting via a satellite connection from Iraq where they almost live. And, these are people who actually have almost specialized knowledge of military affairs, and we can all learn a lot from them. They have, they have their limits, their narrow focus, but within their focus, they know a lot.
KURTZ: And, I think it's a step forward that President finds time to sit down with bloggers.
So do I, Howie, especially if Republicans ever want to see the creation of a conservative Daily Kos.
Maybe GOP legislators should follow the President's lead and fully engage the Rightroots.
Bravo, Howie. Bravo!
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters.
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Comments Policy
extreme right????
September 16, 2007 - 11:47 ET by BacchusYou cannot be serious. Milbloggers are not extreme right. Rightroots may be a more accurate description.
The milbloggers did what the press couldn't or wouldn't do. They tracked the events on the ground from many and varied sources. I'd compare them to ham operators of their day; the news being about as raw as it could be. Milblogs deserve the credit and the recognition. They did, and are doing, a fantastic job. There were many more blogs and people involved too, not just the ten.
Bacchus
September 16, 2007 - 11:56 ET by Noel SheppardB,
I think you're misunderstanding the text. I wasn't suggesting that milbloggers are extreme right. Instead, I was expecting them to be characterized as such when the subject was raised. See the difference? ns
I understood ya,
September 16, 2007 - 12:03 ET by drillanwrI understood ya, Noel.
As for a "conservative Kos" ... Hopefully that would be a compilation of all the intelligent folks I have encountered on sites such as NB, and milblogs ... and NOT the hate-spitting that can be seen from the Kos-in-jammers ... but from the loons a who call themselves "right"ies. Like to think we are several steps above the Kos-in-jammers and HuffyPuffies in civility and class.
Noel
September 16, 2007 - 12:43 ET by BacchusJust saying, Noel.
Also... "especially if Republicans ever want to see the creation of a convervative Daily Kos." Too much political power invested in too few entities is not a panacea. Just saying.
Conservative DailyKos?
September 16, 2007 - 12:31 ET by heldmywEw!
I'll do my own thinking, thanks. And the language.... No. Don't want.
(btw NewsMax is reporting that Wes Clark endorsed Hildabeast... watch for interesting Kostard reaction in 4-3-2-...)
I predicted a while back
September 16, 2007 - 13:22 ET by Jack BauerI predicted a while back that Wesley Kook would be the Shrillary's choice for VP.
It was at the behest of ClintonIc that he got into the primaries in 2004.
Now he'll ge used to give her cover over that tricky reality that not only has SHE NEVER SERVED IN THE MILITARY. She bleepin' HATE the military with a vengeance.
And the military hate her from her time as First "Lady"
If she wins, Kook will find himself with as much presidential influence as LBJ's spitoon. Except when he's wheeled out to give her covering fire.
Interesting, Jack
September 16, 2007 - 13:30 ET by BlondeI hadn't thought of it that way (actually I try to think about her highness as little as possible..she gives me hives).
I can't begin to wrap my mind around HRC as C-I-C. I think the military would be justified in mutiny if that were to happen.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
Hiya Blonde (e-on the
September 16, 2007 - 13:39 ET by Jack BauerHiya Blonde
(e-on the way!)
I hadn't read it anywhere when I hypothosized about a possible Wesley Kook VP. I'm sure others have pondered this.
Interesting no?
But it makes absolute sense when the campaign advisors must know that she has NO credibility as a C-in-C with the swing voters, and that will just kill her in a general election.
That combined with the female factor (no offense) has to be a drag on her numbers.
I think she overpolls anyway, because people don't want to be thought of a sexist as the reason for not choosing her.
But when it comes to that private voting booth, they just won't vote for her.
Just a theory.
And she ain't no Thatcher, who adored all things military and natutrally supported the military.
Back atcha, Jack.
September 16, 2007 - 13:45 ET by BlondeWes the lap-dog sounds like a much better choice for HRC. Presuming she gets the nod, of course.
As I've stated here numerous times before, I wouldn't vote for her for dog-catcher....maybe for kennel cleaner, but not dog-catcher.
She'll do whatever she thinks will slingshot her to the White House. I think she's badly miscalculated here, though, people are mad about the Moveon ad and her stupid statements in that regard.
It's going to get very, very interesting.
P.S. I saw a documentary on the Military Channel about the Falklands War last week. I didn't recall it as being such a tightly run thing, perhaps the MsM was already at it back then? Maggie & RR. Wow.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
Jack,
September 17, 2007 - 01:42 ET by Dave RLOL-Dammit, Jack!
You just might be on to something here. Let's face it, the Democrat Party is (quite rightly) viewed by many as being weak on national defense. Hillary knows this, as does the party leadership. Besides, that Hillary/Obama thing just isn't going to work out.
The dems idea of a military "hero" are guys like Kerry and Murtha. Picking a turn-coat former general like Wesley Clark would be a good move on her part-as far as liberals go, anyway.
I mean, this guy is Judas, Benedict Arnold and Vidkun Quisling all rolled into one, which makes him.......a perfect choice for the democrats in '08.
"I WANT MY COUNTRY BACK!”- Rick Roberts
Kurtz lather
September 16, 2007 - 13:08 ET by Lame CherryIt is always interesting to see what makes liberals pant like Pavolov's dog and for liberals to get into a wet lather over this reflects Bill Clinton feeling people's pain.
What is strange is Kurtz actually thinking this makes a difference as it does not.......the troops will remain and complete the mission, but now in Kurtz's emotional gate the troops have at least been touched from on high so "they feel better".
Having been through a number of locked and loaded sitting in misery I do understand the process of at least knowing the outside world gives a rip, but what matters most to anyone is getting done what needs done so you can get out of dodge.
Always is interesting and a thanks to Newsbusters for the continued labratory of liberals studying how their minds work.
*HIC IACET ARTORIVS REX QVONDAM REXQVE FVTVRVS
Holy molie
September 16, 2007 - 17:36 ET by SportPoliticsSo this is supportive?
" Is this another effort to get out the message without dealing with people like [CNN's] Jamie McIntyre?"
That says, Bush can lie his spin directly to his troops without our ace reporter calling him on it, and spreading the truth instead.
What about this:
" KURTZ: And, I think it's a step forward that President finds time to sit down with bloggers"
Well he certainly didn't say members of the military who blog. This means any bloggers to him. Only his CNN bud could possibly have any real effect in stunting "Bush's message".
Next on the list for Howie's demands is Bush finding time for Daily Kos and Huffpo, where Cindy can do a sneak attack under an alias, or Howie can cackle and and get backchannel stories or the whole archive to ruminate over.
Bush found time for bloggers = insult
Bush getting message out by avoiding our watchdog = insult
You were being sarcastic NS, or it's just so bad from where you sit that even subtle glossed insults from Howie can be considered a gain of ground.