Like the old adage which says a stuck clock is accurate twice a day, on Monday another public figure broke with President Bush on Iraq and, for at least the fourth time in the past two years, the NBC Nightly News saw a “turning point” or a “tipping point” on the war. If NBC says it enough, eventually they may, indeed, be correct and consider themselves prescient.
“Tonight,” Brian Williams teased, “is Iraq policy at a tipping point?” With "Tipping Point?" on screen, he proceeded to lead his July 9 broadcast with how “there are signs and signals and indications that a turning point may be nearing on U.S. involvement in the Iraq war” because of defections by Republican Senators. Reporter David Gregory cited White House “high-level strategy sessions and meetings with Republican lawmakers whose criticism of the President's war policy has accelerated a push to withdraw troops.” Gregory then asked: “Is this the tipping point on Iraq? Tonight, another Republican Senator, Olympia Snowe of Maine, called on the President to set a timetable for troop withdrawal, saying the surge is not working.”
Two weeks ago, when Senator Richard Lugar “broke with the President on the Iraq war,” Williams proposed: “Tonight many are wondering if we're witnessing the beginning of some kind of turning point?” Williams earlier teased the newscast with the same formulation: “Is this a turning point in the war?” (June 26 NewsBusters item) NBC, however, has a poor record of picking Iraq war “turning” or “tipping points.” In 2005 the network hailed Cindy Sheehan's protest near Bush's ranch as a “turning point” and last October Williams heralded comments from Senator John Warner on Iraq as he asked: “Is this a new turning point?”
On the August 25, 2005 NBC Nightly News, reporter Carl Quintanilla asserted:
"Sheehan, say some historians, may be evolving as an icon in the war's turning point, if this is one. For three weeks, she's dominated headlines, mobilized protesters-"
Man: "She's taking a stand."
Quintanilla: "-both with and without relatives in Iraq."
Cindy Sheehan: "They don't have what I like to call skin in the game, but we are all affected."
Quintanilla: "Making it safe, her supporters say, to voice doubts about the war, just as Walter Cronkite did on the Evening News in 1968."
For the entire story check the 2005 NewsBusters posting, or MRC CyberAlert posting with different screen shots, both of which noted how on MSNBC's Countdown that night, fill-in host Amy Robach framed Quintanilla's story around how "there are those who wonder if attitudes toward the war could be reaching a tipping point and whether the Gold Star mom could be the driving force."
A little over a year later, on the October 6, 2006 NBC Nightly News, Williams highlighted Republican Senator John Warner's warning that Iraq is drifting "side-wise," a comment trumpeted by Williams in his tease:
"When a key Republican Senator comes home from Iraq and says the U.S. has to re-think its strategy, is this a new turning point?"
The MRC's Brad Wilmouth corrected the closed-captioning against the video to provide this partial transcript from the start of the July 9 NBC Nightly News:
Brian Williams teased:
“Tonight, is Iraq policy at a tipping point? With pressure building on the Bush administration to change course, the White House says no.”
Williams opened:
“Good evening on this first Monday after the July 4th break. There are signs and signals and indications that a turning point may be nearing on U.S. involvement in the Iraq war. As you'll hear in a moment, the Bush White House is denying anything's been accelerated, but the problem is the very people they used to be able to count on, the Republicans in the Senate who have been steadfast dependable supporters of the war effort. One by one, they have been beginning to defect from the President with the lowest ever recorded approval rating. And where does all of this leave the American men and women who have volunteered to serve their nation? We begin our coverage on this Monday night with our chief White House correspondent David Gregory. David, good evening.”
David Gregory began:
“Brian, inside the White House tonight, a greater sense of urgency about what comes next in Iraq. High-level strategy sessions and meetings with Republican lawmakers whose criticism of the President's war policy has accelerated a push to withdraw troops. Is this the tipping point on Iraq? Tonight, another Republican Senator, Olympia Snowe of Maine, called on the President to set a timetable for troop withdrawal, saying the surge is not working... “
—Brent Baker is Vice President for Research and Publications at the Media Research Center
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
I wished I were rich and powe
July 9, 2007 - 20:59 ET by bigtimerI wished I were rich and powerful....
I would search high and low... back every single candidate that I could to get rid of these losing so called republicans/RINO's that are backing down and crying like stuck hogs because it is getting nearer and nearer to their own political arses as 08 election season nears and money may dwindle up for their political coffers..for me it is nothing but short of treason...the last of the surge just got in to Iraq not very long ago...they voted Petreaus in unanimously and they have turned around like the chicken-shites they are...waved the white flag and are running like hell now....
I detest them all... I will not forget.
Gregg, Hagel,Lugar, Domenici, Voinivich,Snowe, (Collins may be next as usual) Warner, Graham ... others to come I am sure....some I may have forgot...
They could not even wait until the Sept. report...they are working with the terrorists and the terrorists know it...so do THEY.
These people did not get a clue about us out here in the real world when it came to Illegal Immigration...they are really brain-dead.
As an aside...I think Schumer and NM going more and more green has really got Domenici by the balls...if he has any left that is...sure hasn't looked that way...he has really changed since this AG Scandal....he doesn't want to go to end up going to court...
These people would be the last people you would want on the battle field with you...yet they make the laws...and control the funds...for defeat it seems once again.
Shameless and shameful.
Despicable all...unfortunately I fear more to come..makes the leftists happy too...along with the enemy.
bigtimer, A good evening , yo
July 9, 2007 - 21:06 ET by Airforce_5_Obigtimer, A good evening , you mean you are not rich and powerful? so why do they call you Bigtimer? Or do I want to know.
Build The Fence
bigtimer, A good evening , yo
July 9, 2007 - 21:06 ET by Airforce_5_OThat goes double for me.
Build The Fence
Evening AF...LOL....Well sinc
July 9, 2007 - 21:14 ET by bigtimerEvening AF...
LOL....
Well since it goes double for you I may tell you how I got that user name sometime...but it isn't because I am rich and powerful...
Dang it all...anyway...
Come on BT...I know your hold
July 9, 2007 - 21:24 ET by Airforce_5_OCome on BT...I know your holding out on the money.
I have another nick name but I don't use it here (it would get me in trouble)
Build The Fence
Af...LOL...You enjoying a lit
July 9, 2007 - 21:35 ET by bigtimerAf...
LOL...
You enjoying a little alcoholic beverages this evenin'...just askin'...
If so...CHEERS friend.
No bt, this is all drug and a
July 9, 2007 - 21:45 ET by Airforce_5_ONo bt, this is all drug and alcohol free, imagine if I did. That is scary.
Build The Fence
You are really cracking me up
July 9, 2007 - 21:55 ET by bigtimerYou are really cracking me up now Af....
God love ya....
Well...I just opened an ice cold beer...so I am still going to say CHEERS!
Well as the rats jump ship we
July 9, 2007 - 21:01 ET by Airforce_5_OWell as the rats jump ship we will see who truly has what it takes to go the distance. Cut and run is still the cry of Harry "I Can't Lead" Reid before time has been given to see if the new strategy will work. They want instant gratification for everything but this is war. It does not happen overnight even in this modern age.
We will see if Harry gets his way or another shut down of the switchboard again.
Build The FenceWell, it appears the MSM may win on this one
July 9, 2007 - 21:13 ET by terrigAbout a week ago my husband was telling me about an email he received from the group that replaced theirs in the training. They truly feel that they are going to be hung out to dry along with General Petreaus and the surge plan. It's really quite depressing living with someone who believes that his trips (yes trips plural) to Iraq have been useless and that his friends who have died or have been greivously injured have been in vain. Well, hope all you anti-war dolts and the MSM are pleased with yourselves.
terrigHow are they going to b
July 9, 2007 - 21:20 ET by Airforce_5_Oterrig
How are they going to be hung out by the General?
Money?
Game Plan?
Please explain the statement.
Build The Fence
Af...She said hung out to dry
July 9, 2007 - 21:23 ET by bigtimerAf...
She said hung out to dry ALONG with Gen Petreaus...
(sorry if I butted in terri)...
Hey Bigtimer, that is exact
July 9, 2007 - 21:28 ET by terrigHey Bigtimer, that is exactly what I meant. Michael feels that no matter what happens, the troops are gone are will be gone beginning in Sept. I guess we'll be back.
Oh snapp BT!!!! Sorry I misse
July 9, 2007 - 21:42 ET by Airforce_5_OOh snapp BT!!!! Sorry I missed that. My fault terrig.
I agree they could with this Con-gred in place. I saw an article over the weekend that discribed that same scenerio then the Dems can blame Bush and all the Repubs still on board. Now is when you will see the weak run for cover.
Build The Fence
Af...and terriHere is the lat
July 9, 2007 - 21:50 ET by bigtimerAf...and terri
Here is the latest on many who are already backing down..the defeatist quivering cowards.
I also forgot to mention Gordon smith and Lamar Alexander.
....this will be brought up for a vote...I just pray that people give it as much attention as they did the fence/illegal immigration issue and contact their representatives or any of these wimps....
IMO.
Most are covering their political asses....Harry Reid has a plan too...this article explains it all.
....sickening what they are doing to the men and women who have fought and died.
Thanks BTHere are the names f
July 9, 2007 - 22:02 ET by Airforce_5_OThanks BT
Here are the names for all who are interested:
Sen. Lamar Alexander (Tenn.)
Sen. Pete Domenici (N.M.)
Sen. Judd Gregg (N.H.)
Sen. Richard Lugar (Ind.)
Sen. George Voinovich (Ohio)
Time to start calling Guys. They need to know we are watching them.
Build The Fence
Evening terri...that is exact
July 9, 2007 - 21:21 ET by bigtimerEvening terri...
that is exactly the reason my heart grieves for what I see coming...
I am sick...just sick of these so defeatist despicable critters called men/women....
May Lord help us all...may we never forget who the deserters are when we vote.
Our Forefathers would be rolling in their graves.
My heart goes to the Iraqi's that have fought and died also...and good God what is yet to come for them.
I am ashamed...once again of these people in DC...I hope we rise up and fight back when votes come...that is all I can do.
Hi BT, yes it is really sad
July 9, 2007 - 21:30 ET by terrigHi BT, yes it is really sad. This past weekend we heard from the parents of a friend of ours who died in October. They sent out a blanket note to everyone to let us know how they were doing. They were heart sick they said that they feel it is all for naught.
terri,I am so sorry. That i
July 9, 2007 - 22:10 ET by Blondeterri,
I am so sorry. That is the saddest thing I think I've heard in a really, really long time.
This is what the dem's and liberals are fighting for. Defeat of our patriotism and our spirit. We can't let them win. Particularly not those who have given everything.
We're with you, my friend. Keep the faith.
Blonde, terri and bigtimer,We
July 9, 2007 - 22:53 ET by msh1973Blonde, terri and bigtimer,
Well we truly cannot let that happen to our men and women in uniform. My nephew is going over for his second tour soon, I do not want him to think it is all for nothing. The military does have President Bush in their corner and I hope he remains steadfast in his promise to them.
I hope he stays steadfast too
July 9, 2007 - 23:04 ET by bigtimerI hope he stays steadfast too msh....
I hope the best for your nephew..
I am worried they are going to try and get a veto proof Senate.
I do not know if you read a link I inserted here with what Reids plans are along with some of the members that are jumping shift...
Only thing I know to do is like I stated on this thread msh...we are going to have to call contact whatever it takes to these critters like we did the immigration BS.
bigtimer,Thanks for that well
July 9, 2007 - 23:18 ET by msh1973bigtimer,
Thanks for that well wish..
If I have to get on the phone again I will. Perhaps Laura Ingraham will team up on this one, she is really for the Military.
Great idea there msh...with L
July 9, 2007 - 23:22 ET by bigtimerGreat idea there msh...with Laura and such.
Btw...please let your nephew know he has my family's deep gratitude....always.
bigtimer,Will do...thanks!
July 9, 2007 - 23:36 ET by msh1973bigtimer,
Will do...thanks!
confidence booster
July 10, 2007 - 09:51 ET by acumenterrig and all - here is a confidence booster.
Oly is what we call here in N
July 9, 2007 - 21:24 ET by Del DolemonteOly is what we call here in New England a wolf in sheep's clothing; in this case a Republican in name only.
In 2006, she was named one of "America's Top Ten Senators" by the far-right TIME Magazine.
You've got to ask yourselve
July 9, 2007 - 22:09 ET by radiofitz34You've got to ask yourselves, "why are we wanting to stay the course (in NB) and senators are unwilling to do so?"
It must have something to do with that we are not running for re-election. I wish these senators would worry less about their own butts and more about our future as a country.
}}----> No soap Radio
July 10, 2007 - 00:24 ET by Cool ArrowI think we are unwilling to prostitute the promise of the Constitution like so many of our elected officials are.
The only tipping point I see
July 10, 2007 - 00:19 ET by jdhawkThe only tipping point I see is less and less viewers watching the NBC Slightly News . . .
THAT GUY HAD NO DOUBT ABOUT WHO WAS WINNING.
July 10, 2007 - 10:18 ET by BDThey could change. Imagine if their reporters actually ran a story about the actual situation in Iraq according to how I and my comrades saw it.
Perhaps actually interview one or two of the Foreign Militants captured during the fighting in Najaf, Falluhjah, Samara etc and ask THEM who they think is winning.
My favorite quote from an Iraqi Militant captured in those battles was something like "Fighting the Americans is like being stalked by a MACHINE!!! (We think he meant a Terminator)."
He later went on to moan about the fact that the Americans always were more accurate in their fires, never presented a target for his comrades to adequately spray AK-47 fire on and that they had access to precision guided munitions which could obliterate his comrades in the next house over without fear of hitting other americans. He also complained that he had come to fight the americans, but the leadership only wanted to use him in suicide attacks. He warned his comrades back in Saudi Arabia not to follow him to "This killing ground."
THAT GUY HAD NO DOUBT ABOUT WHO WAS WINNING.
How many of you heard about that?
The networks started interviewing wounded soldiers thinking they would turn on the administration and be sympathetic victims. That was until the wounded refused to be victims.
Then they turned to the Iraqi's who had similarly been wounded who were mystified how the US could be held accountable for the Islamo Fascist work.
So, now the press concentrates on the legislative class.
I'd love to read this. Do you
July 10, 2007 - 10:43 ET by danboI'd love to read this. Do you have the link? Or did I miss it?
Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of truth and knowledge will be shipwrecked by the laughter of the Gods. Albert Einstein
Vionovich, Luger, Snowe
July 10, 2007 - 01:16 ET by Lame CherryWhat NBC is missing in this is not the tipping point in the war, but the failsafe point in Conservatives and basic Republicans.
Republicans worked their butts off for Newt Gingrich and the fine people we were told we elected to take America back from Clinton's globalism and we got lied to.
Republicans worked even harder to elect George Bush and Republican majorities and we once again got lied to.
Right now Republicans have heard Vionovich prove what a dolt he is on issues which matter to them, heard Trent Lott blame talk radio which expresses what Republicans believe, suffered through the nonsense of Arlen Specter on border busters and now are watching globalist Luger and RINO Snowe show who they are really in bed with.
That is the story as Republicans are noting all of this. Republicans are not going to be voting for these liberals in the next election. They have had it with the current lip service pretenders now running who vote continuously like Teddy Kennedy.
It is not Iraq which is at the tipping point NBC, but the United States and the slosh which is coming in the next years is going to wipe these liars out of office. Here am I not just speaking about Republicans either as the loons on the left are fed up with what democrats are pulling on them too.
Change is coming and that same change is going to end the propaganda media.
Brian Williams is at his tipping point. He will content himself with acting important as he is unemployed along with Luger.
*HIC IACET ARTORIVS REX QVONDAM REXQVE FVTVRVS
Just one more reason why Reagan was the best.
July 10, 2007 - 07:40 ET by Six String SpiffThis doesn't surprise me at all. It's very sad that politicians think of themselves and their elections before whats good for the country. I considered a life in politics, but I am way too outspoken to mingle with these empty suits in the Capitol. There are a select few who are exempt from this label. However, I could probably count them on one hand. We had control of EVERYTHING, and what did we accomplish?
-Trading our soldiers lives for primates not even worthy of a soldiers finger nail.
-A 'Comprehensive Immigration Reform' bill that was absolutely detrimental to our country that just barely sunk.
-One MSSM outlet after another revealing national security methods and procedures, while our elected 'conservatives' sit around and just role over for them.
-A constant barage of attacks on the Conservative base by the foul MSSM while virtually NO ONE from Congress stands up and objects or attempts to debunk any of their idiotic claims.
- A 'Consevative' President that didn't even have the BALLS to call out Mayor Nagin and that stupid broad Governor who where the REAL problem in NO. No, why do that when you can just sit back and let the media have you for lunch? while You're at it, don't forget to make the entire Republican party look bad.
-"Jobs American won't do" That phrase alone is SO insulting, it's enough for me to toss the President over board on my political ship.
- To Summarize, nothing but a whiney bunch of spineless cockroaches!!!!!
Where the Hell have all of the Conservatives gone?
READ ALL THEIR REMARKS
July 10, 2007 - 08:00 ET by PawpawNWhile their words quiver a little, you need to read all their remarks. None of these fence sitters has changed what they have said all along, just now they are being used by the MSM to make it appear that they are wavering in support. These people are saying the exact same thing they said a year ago, just now the MSM gives them a forum and then edits their comments. Get real people, when it comes to a vote, even the DIMS fail to vote against a surge, against the funding, against withdrawal, etc. It's all talk, they take no action when called to the carpet!
HT to Rush for the link. This
July 10, 2007 - 09:17 ET by danboHT to Rush for the link. This is what the democRATS and cowardly Rebublicans want to run away from.
7/5/07
If we have lost the respect of the world it's because our leadership lacks the courage to do a needed dirty job.
Source
Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of truth and knowledge will be shipwrecked by the laughter of the Gods. Albert Einstein
Ahh yes, another "tippin
July 10, 2007 - 10:05 ET by CapitalismRulesAhh yes, another "tipping point" from the same network that had the "courage" to break ranks with reality and start "calling" the situation in Iraq a civil war. As if we need these people to label every conflict for us. I mean really, "calling" a civil war, just like NBC "called" Florida for Gore.....so stupid.
Seriously, does NBC know what
July 10, 2007 - 10:24 ET by shannon20Seriously, does NBC know what "tipping point" means?