CBS News correspondent Cynthia Bowers reported that Hillary Clinton’s campaign trip to Iowa this past weekend "marked the first time any Clinton has ever campaigned in Iowa." Ms. Bowers, reporting in the 7:00 half hour of Monday’s "Early Show," should have researched the facts before making such a blanket assertion. According to a Nexis search, CNN reported on February 11, 1996 that then President Clinton was campaigning in Iowa, even though he had no primary opponent, to "solidify his support." And, a Nexis search on Hillary Clinton revealed that the New York Senator was the key note speaker at a Democratic Party Jefferson-Jackson Day dinner to raise funds for Iowa Democrats on November 15, 2003.
Ms. Bower’s report, while not necessarily biased, raises the question, is anyone at CBS doing research? One would think that in the wake of the Dan Rather "memogate" scandal in 2004, CBS journalists would be more cautious about what they report and would take the time to verify the accuracy of their claims.
A transcript of Ms. Bower’s piece follows:
Harry Smith: "First let's get to our top story and that is 'Campaign 2008.' Two big name New Yorkers with presidential aspirations, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, had busy weekends in two key states. CBS News correspondent Cynthia Bowers reports."
Cynthia Bowers: "Voters in the early-bird caucus state of Iowa got a first look at Hillary Clinton this weekend. Some said she talked more softly than they expected."
Hillary Clinton, New York Senator: "This is one of the issues we're going to work very hard on."
Cynthia Bowers: "But she still carried a big stick when it came to bashing the Bush administration's handling of the war in Iraq, telling supporters in Davenport the president's war strategy was 'ill-conceived and incompetent.'
Hillary Clinton: "He has said on more than one occasion he is leaving this to his successor, which I think is the height of irresponsibility. And what we have to do is put enormous pressure on him to end the war he started and bring our troops home."
Cynthia Bowers: "Amazingly, her trip marked the first time any Clinton has ever campaigned in Iowa, a state where she is polling well behind John Edwards and a state that is considered must win in a primary that now includes nine Democrats. It is even more crowded on the other side. In a surprise announcement, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee became the tenth Republican. Rudy Giuliani one of the early favorites, took a pre-announcement fundraising trip to the other small state with a big say, New Hampshire, telling supporters this race is about bridging the political divide."
Rudy Giuliani, former New York Mayor: "It is not just about ideologies; it isn't about political parties. It's about who can do it better for our city, our state, and our country.
Cynthia Bowers: "But that divide, likely, won't be bridged any time in the next 22 months. That's how far off election day is, 22 months that just might be more tiring on the voters than on the candidates. Cynthia Bowers. CBS News, Chicago."


















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Checking facts is a trap..
January 29, 2007 - 15:29 ET by Gary HallChecking facts could be a trap for CBS, Michael. If they do the research and discover the facts, then they would be pretty much stuck with having to either report it as the facts indicated, or decide not to cover that piece of news at all (their preferred method of bias - it the facts don't further our agenda - then silence reigns). If on the other hand, they go on air and simply speak off the top of their head,and get caught (and who besides Newsbusters is watching them?) all they have to do is say, "oops, sorry - we should have checked on that."
Amazing
January 29, 2007 - 20:16 ET by BBallleaperAmazingly enough no Clinton has ever taken a $100,000 bribe, never tried to frame innocent Travel Office workers, never covered up fraudulent law firm billing records, never participated in a fraudulent real estate scheme, never sold American secrets to the Red Chinese for campaign contributions, never intimidated a spouse's bimbos for fear of an eruption, never covered up a rape, never covered up a mysterious death in an administration,...............I assume by now I have made my point, although I could continue for several years if you so desire....................................!
I wonder if, instead of slopp
January 29, 2007 - 15:41 ET by HumanEventsI wonder if, instead of sloppy journalism, this was intentional in order to make this Hillary in Iowa story seem even more significant than it really is.
And how about that liar Hillary saying Bush "has said on more than one occassion he is leaving this (Iraq war) to his successor." I never heard him say that. He has said he won't be rushed and won't set a time table for departing Iraq and didn't rule out the possibility that it could last to his successor. What a congenital liar she is. And she adds that this was a war that "he" started. Hey you lying witch, you yourself voted for the Iraq war.
Hillary
January 29, 2007 - 15:48 ET by Jerry MackGH & HE
Excellent analysis!
HE, immediately after Septemb
January 29, 2007 - 21:48 ET by MikeBHE, immediately after September 11, Bush said flat out that the war against terror would not be quick. It did not take very long to overthrow two terrorism supporting governments, but hunting vermin is a long term commitment.
Of course, when Clinton sent troops in to Kosovo, he promised they'd be home by Christmas. He didn't mention which Christmas, though, now did he?
"A communist is someone who reads Marx. An anti-communist is someone who understands Marx." Ronald Reagan
CBS or any media outlet in an
January 29, 2007 - 16:25 ET by bigtimerCBS or any media outlet in any form having to fact check anymore...
Surely you jest.
No reprimands, accountability or firings....Grand Jury investigation, jail time with regard to the NYT's and WaPO for releasing classified info. during a time of war endangering us all and our strategy and therefore all of our lives.
Why should they bother...after all it is all for one and one for all as long as their outcome is achieved.
All of this will get worse before it gets better before '08...and then some.
Michael, CBS learn from Dan Rather? .....um.....
January 29, 2007 - 16:31 ET by acaiguanaMichael, CBS learn from Dan Rather? .....um.....
One would think that in the wake of the Dan Rather "memogate" scandal in 2004, CBS journalists would be more cautious about what they report and would take the time to verify the accuracy of their claims.
Naw.
ACA
...
Acaiguana says: "I love blind Monkeys and any inference that I am making fun of blind Monkeys would be wrong.
Why bother with checking the
January 29, 2007 - 16:39 ET by Chris NormanWhy bother with checking the facts? After all, with the Democrats, isn't it all about feelings and emotion?
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
...and we all know the democr
January 29, 2007 - 16:49 ET by bigtimer...and we all know the democrats can do no wrong...don't we.
Proof has been in the pudding.
Disgusting and hypocritical.
As Rush Limbaugh aptly noted
January 29, 2007 - 16:43 ET by HumanEventsAs Rush Limbaugh aptly noted in one of his undeniable truths of life - "Evidence refutes liberalism".
All fact checkers were fired
January 29, 2007 - 17:08 ET by GothampcAll fact checkers were fired when Katie Couric joined the team. What's the point of using facts when Katie can make things up?
Micheal I'm sorry but you a
January 29, 2007 - 17:24 ET by AJMicheal I'm sorry but you are wrong. They didn't learn from old Danny... they just found better ways to cover up poor researching.
some times, my ear plugs aren't enough to block out liberal manure.