As the networks continue to pound away at their pet theory that social conservatism will make the Republican Party extinct, suggesting that the last Republican in New England should turn out the lights when he or she leaves, it's worth remembering that the drive-by media's horror-movie narrative -- call it Attack of the Fringe -- never plays in theaters with a Democrat in the lead.
The networks are very consistent in denying there’s a "fringe" on the Democrat side, and they find internal Democratic fights are a perfectly good story – best saved for drinks after the newscast is over.
Let’s go to Connecticut in August 2006, when fringy leftist Ned Lamont defeated Sen. Joe Lieberman in a primary. (At least Lieberman had the guts to fight and lose within his own party -- and he never became a Republican.) Did that display the "fringe" attacking the reasonable career moderate? Wrong. To the media, it only proved that President Bush was politically toxic.
On CBS, over video of a Bush embracing Lieberman, with "KISS OF DEATH" on screen, Jim Axelrod provided the anti-Bush party line: "Call it the ‘kiss of death.’ President Bush's embrace of Joe Lieberman gave Ned Lamont the perfect image to hang around his opponent's neck in a Democratic primary."
Wasn’t Lamont fringy? No, he and his ultra-left blogger Kosmonaut army were merely "anti-war." CBS's Trish Regan found: "It's a sentiment that anti-war bloggers tapped into. They waged a successful cyber campaign against their three-term senator. The message? Anti-war and anti-Bush means anti-Lieberman."
Chip Reid, then with NBC, couldn’t even call them liberal: "Lamont got a huge boost from Internet activists who attacked Lieberman for his support of President Bush's war plan." Anchor Brian Williams could only say "Lieberman has been a steadfast defender of President Bush's Iraq war policy, his opponent anti-war, and now the fallout from all of this begins."
CNN political guru Bill Schneider couldn’t find a far-left fringe with both hands and a laptop: "Why did they reject him? Because nearly 60 percent said Lieberman is too close to President Bush."
—Tim Graham is Director of Media Analysis at the Media Research Center.
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Yep. Nothin' fringy at
May 5, 2009 - 13:38 ET by HockeyKidYep. Nothin' fringy at all about a guy with both Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson in the picture behind him. After all, they were both presidential candidates!
"Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
Reverrrrrrrnd Jacksnnnnnnnnn
May 5, 2009 - 14:01 ET by Tim GrahamJust had to recycle that screen shot!
here is some reycled
May 5, 2009 - 18:20 ET by klchadwickvideo of bush and liebermann... ;0)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFRfS7CQkv8
http://politicaldessert.wordpress.com
The Dem/Lib view is what
May 5, 2009 - 13:47 ET by mattmThe Dem/Lib view is what IS, any deviation from it is heresy. It's just like the soviet aparachiks. Toe the party line, or else.
Pravda's job was to spin everything in favor of the party line. The MSM is doing the same for the Dems.
America, where are you?
Koo koo
May 5, 2009 - 13:58 ET by DontFeedTheTrollsThe democrat party is ALL fringe ALL the time. Every kook group is embraced by the democrats, always. Criminals, illegals, murderers, child molesters, spouse beaters, MSNBC. They embrace them all.
D
Keep the ILLEGALS out, join NumbersUSA to send free faxes to your reps.
DFTT... You nailed
May 5, 2009 - 15:17 ET by bigtimerDFTT...
You nailed it!
Nothing like the hypocrisy they use 24/7.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Baseless Attack
May 5, 2009 - 15:30 ET by JDWJoe won for some reason, why isn't it addressed?
Dems still dance around terrorism and Joe doesn't like the music.
JDW
DAILY WAVE
When people fear their government there is tyranny. When government fears the people there is liberty.
reaching across the aisle does not work-
May 5, 2009 - 16:02 ET by JIMMY1660the suggestions by the Dimocrats to move to a more reasonable position is the way for future Republicans to address issues. BS-the American voter wants small government and lower taxes, the current RE pubs. did not offer a clear cut difference.
Stand up, make sure the voters know a strong military, lower taxes-and spending controls are the benchmark. one would be surprised once said out loud and the clarity is there, its come back time.
Is there a reason DIMOCRATS would make such suggestions for Repubs to win. I think not.
BHO- the one term DIMOCRAT
A couple more years of this
May 5, 2009 - 21:35 ET by RR GOPA couple more years of this bumbling clown and I can't help but to wonder if close association with George Bush will be held as a badge of honor?
One of the 34% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 61% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory (yep...approval for Congress now at 39%...do you believe that!?).