All three morning shows on Wednesday failed to cover a front page Washington Times story asserting that Senator Joe Biden has paid over $2 million in campaign money to family members and their businesses. Washington Times reporter Jim McElhatton wrote in the October 15 edition of the paper that "the money largely flowed from the coffers of Mr. Biden's failed presidential campaign during the past two years to a company that employs his sister and longtime campaign manager and longtime campaign manager Valerie Biden Owens, according to campaign disclosure filings."
The current Democratic vice presidential candidate also "directed campaign legal work to a Washington lobbying and law firm founded by his son R. Hunter Biden, the disclosures show." CBS's "Early Show," NBC's "Today" and "Good Morning America" all skipped the report. And although GMA found no time to highlight Biden's activities (which are legal, but have been harshly criticized by groups such as Public Citizen), the program did manage to devote a full segment to a 106-year-old nun who will be voting for Senator Barack Obama.
Citing a new report by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, McElhatton noted that "other Biden campaign cash paid reimbursement expenses for his sister, his wife, two of his sons, his brother and the senator." The Washington Times article went on to add:
Elected officials can hire family members for their campaigns at fair market value rates, but they are not allowed to convert campaign donations to "personal use" or hire family for their official congressional offices. Some observers say having family members on the campaign payroll blurs the lines of what's permissible.
"Technically, it's legal, but frankly, it doesn't pass the smell test," said Bruce Buchanan, a professor of government and presidential politics at the University of Texas at Austin. "That's why all the public interest groups flag it and report it. It feeds the public perception that politicians are ethically challenged."
See the Washington Times for the full article.
On October 10, the morning shows similarly ignored a Times report on allegations that Obama attempted to delay an agreement by the Bush administration to maintain a military presence in Iraq.
—Scott Whitlock is a news analyst for the Media Research Center.
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»→ Joe from Scranton
October 15, 2008 - 12:40 ET by Cool ArrowIt's OK. Last time I checked, Scrappy Joe from Scranton was a Democrat.
He's not paying off a mistress, is he?
Underdog & Pitbull 08
Maybe not - but he certainly has
October 15, 2008 - 20:02 ET by Cape Conservativesat down to a dinner table with his son, the lobbyist - something he insists he has never done. Guess this disclosure proves otherwise!
Maybe they used the same...
October 15, 2008 - 12:44 ET by mizflame98...line they use every time Biden gaffes. "Oh, that's just Joe."
“Anybody gone into Whole Foods lately and see what they charge for arugula? I mean, they’re charging a lot of money for this stuff.”
B.H. Obama
I guess by now everyone
October 15, 2008 - 12:44 ET by Chris NormanI guess by now everyone realizes that we can expect an almost total embargo on any news in the mainstream meadia that may negatively impact the Obama campaign.
McNotObama '08
Wait, this is Legal?
October 15, 2008 - 12:51 ET by MeanderingIf what Biden is doing is legal what's the problem. Granted I thought it was an illegal act, but apparently its unethical only is that right? I don't know for sure and I'm looking for clarification. I do not this it is right, but it doesn't surprise me that the MSM would not report on this.
I can't take it any longer.
October 15, 2008 - 13:09 ET by attorneygirlWe do not watch network news in our household. Neither do we watch local news. It's all propaganda and pablum.
I believe Obama's rise is due to several factors. The first is that most folks are idiots who don't think, don't question, and who want handouts. Obama and his clan know this and are taking advantage of it. This is where the pandering and class warfare come into play. It's easy to sway an ignorant mind. The second reason is because there is a powerful contingent of people in this country who hate America as the rest of us know and love it. They want to reshape it into a socialist state that will bow to other interests. And I fear this crowd more than the idiots who don't want to think.
I have worked very hard to support myself and go to graduate school, get a graduate degree, and start a successful law practice. (And I did it all on my own dime, working full time, eating tuna, renting and driving old cars.) And now, I cannot get taxed any higher from state and federal governments. But when I see our government waste money in such a Herculean way, I am appalled, angered, and ultimately saddened and frightened--yes--frightened. If the majority of the press/media in this country are sycophants to the leftist/socialist extreme philosophy presented by Obama and his minions, we are in for big trouble.
This is not the same America in which I grew up. And yet I want to return there.
I'm going to have to let all this politics go and simply focus on my business, my clients, my husband, my home, and my own life. I just can't take it any longer.
What people seem to forget is that the government--at any level--will do nothing for you. Your success in life is completely up to you. You define your own life. Our society only rewards you based on what you bring to that society that it values. So, find a need and fill it. Build your own life. Contribute, work hard, study, learn and grow. Take responsibility for your own life. (I sound like Tony Robbins here.) But don't expect anything or anyone in the government to help you.
I don't know why the media has forgotten this wisdom.
Well said!
October 15, 2008 - 14:15 ET by JohnMUnfortunately, the situation you describe has not been adequately addressed or analyzed by non-liberals. (I avoid "conservative" in this statement because there are MANY who are "not conservative" who are also "not liberal", and they are an important group for conservatives to ally with...)
The situation is this: it is not simply a trend in political rhetoric or campaigns that has so many willing to vote for Obama. Instead, it is truly a deeply-held belief that "rules are meant to be broken", and "I deserve an exception" - otherwise know as Entitlement. For many people this is not just a political tendency; it has actually become a Philospohy of Life .
Nevermind that it contradicts all logic, economics, and philosophies of "natural law" and personal accountability - the message has been hammered into their minds for so long that it has been accepted as a fact. It's like "junk science", it's a "junk life code" or something; they just accept it based on the repetition, not on the logic.
And it's fine that you would "sound like Tony Robbins", if that's the result of speaking your mind and speaking up for Truth. We need more of that! I'd back you if you run for office!
I also find it in my best interest to periodically pull back from the intensity and focus on more rewarding things like family etc, but please do not withdraw too much or for too long. Your voice is important and your message needs to be heard. Besides, it gives others like me who buzz in and out of the blogs an opportunity to exchange good ideas.
As the old slogan goes "Hang in there, baby!" (And be happy you're not stuck in the Lost State of New Joisey!)
-JohnM
Well said, indeed!
October 15, 2008 - 17:44 ET by Cape Conservativeand she should be especially happy she is not 'stuck' in the bluest of blue states, home of more liberals per square inch than any other state!
I agree that all the pro-Obama news coverage is overwhelming and so I, too, try to focus on home and family. To watch Boston television news is so far out of the realm of reality that we have simply tuned out of ALL local news. (we get our weather on the internet ;-) Network news lost us long ago, I did watch the Charles Gibson condescending interview of Sarah Palin and swore ABC News would never be on in our home again!
Thank heavens for Fox News!
AG,That's why I say:There
October 15, 2008 - 14:18 ET by Chris NormanAG, That's why I say: There are "two Americas". One which watches, believes, and relies on the "Mainstream Media" for their news and political information and the other one - which doesn't.
McNotObama '08
Sarah Palin
October 15, 2008 - 13:17 ET by NorthCoasterSarah Palin was found to have an ethical issue with the ex-brother in-law state trooper and it was blasted all over the media. Joe Biden does this and you can hear the crickets chirp. Just listen.................................
chirp!
and compare the
October 15, 2008 - 17:52 ET by Cape ConservativeFoley (emails) vs Mahoney (adultery/sexual harassment of a staff member serving 'at his pleasure') coverage - or the 'macaca' (one word!!) vs John Edwards (adultery/possible illegitimate child) coverage - and on and on and on
Look at the media coverage of our sorry Massachusetts congressman, Barney Frank. NONE! And he doesn't even have an opponent for the upcoming election - so we are stuck with this shameful sorry excuse for a human being. And you know that House Leader Pelosi will NOT follow through on any investigation of his blatant abuse of his power. Sleeping with a Fannie Mae top executive for 8 or 9 years while he was making congressional decisions on the organization is pretty blatant in my opinion!
»→ Baloney Pony Mahoney
October 15, 2008 - 17:53 ET by Cool ArrowIf it wasn't such an old joke, it might be a funny joke.
Mahoney the Baloney Pony and his campaign of family values.
Great values, If you're an alpha marmocet.
Underdog & Pitbull 08
Why would they report it?
October 15, 2008 - 14:04 ET by Paul AtreidesWhen they could cover the fact that Sarah Palin bought an expensive tube of lipstick seven years ago.
Eloquent understatement!
October 15, 2008 - 14:22 ET by JohnM"It feeds the public perception that politicians are ethically challenged."
If it were simply that politicians were "challenged", I might have some hope that they could overcome that challenge.
Sorry to say, I think it's a lot deeper - more like "morally bankrupt."
And, as we are always seeing reports from FBI investigations that show how there's a blatant disregard for the laws, and the ongoing elevation of the self over the law, I'd conclude it's a LOT more than a mere "perception."
-JohnM
McCain, the truth is a winning strategy
October 15, 2008 - 15:06 ET by AtTheWaterCoolerIf McCain or Palin would speak about it the press will cover it !!!
http://www.jeremiahf...
BIDEN lashes out at Gov Palin's 'visit pro-America areas' - CNN
October 17, 2008 - 17:45 ET by soludaBiden breached Palin's freedom of speech and her rights to visit where she's loved. if you guys are so nasty, mud slinging her. God give her the rights to say: go, pro-America. Obama is not. Obama went to Berlin to run his campaign, was he out of his freaking mind. ya, he's icy cool because he imitates Hitler charisma. Biden apparently is senile and still proves himself a gaffe machine. pipe down, Biden, you don't even speak like a good teacher do !!!