Hector Gutierrez
2004-10-10 11:31:48 UTC
An internal memo written by ABCNEWS Political Director Mark Halperin
admonishes ABC staff: During coverage of Democrat Kerry and Republican
Bush not to "reflexively and artificially hold both sides 'equally'
accountable."
The controversial internal memo obtained by DRUDGE, captures Halperin
stating how "Kerry distorts, takes out of context, and mistakes all the
time, but these are not central to his efforts to win."
But Halperin claims that Bush is hoping to "win the election by
destroying Senator Kerry at least partly through distortions."
"The current Bush attacks on Kerry involve distortions and taking things
out of context in a way that goes beyond what Kerry has done," Halperin
writes.
Halperin's claim that ABCNEWS will not "reflexively and artificially hold
both sides 'equally' accountable" set off sparks in St. Louis where media
players gathered to cover the second presidential debate.
Halperin states the responsibilities of the ABCNEWS staff have "become
quite grave."
In August, Halperin declared online: "This is now John Kerry's contest to
lose."
x x x x x
Halperin Memo Dated Friday October 8, 2004
It goes without saying that the stakes are getting very high for the
country and the campaigns - and our responsibilities become quite grave
I do not want to set off (sp?) and endless colloquy that none of us have
time for today - nor do I want to stifle one. Please respond if you feel
you can advance the discussion.
The New York Times (Nagourney/Stevenson) and Howard Fineman on the web
both make the same point today: the current Bush attacks on Kerry involve
distortions and taking things out of context in a way that goes beyond
what Kerry has done.
Kerry distorts, takes out of context, and mistakes all the time, but
these are not central to his efforts to win.
We have a responsibility to hold both sides accountable to the public
interest, but that doesn't mean we reflexively and artificially hold both
sides "equally" accountable when the facts don't warrant that.
I'm sure many of you have this week felt the stepped up Bush efforts to
complain about our coverage. This is all part of their efforts to get
away with as much as possible with the stepped up, renewed efforts to win
the election by destroying Senator Kerry at least partly through
distortions.
It's up to Kerry to defend himself, of course. But as one of the few news
organizations with the skill and strength to help voters evaluate what
the candidates are saying to serve the public interest. Now is the time
for all of us to step up and do that right.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Filed By Matt Drudge
Reports are moved when circumstances warrant
http://www.drudgereport.com for updates
(c)DRUDGE REPORT 2004
Not for reproduction without permission of the author
admonishes ABC staff: During coverage of Democrat Kerry and Republican
Bush not to "reflexively and artificially hold both sides 'equally'
accountable."
The controversial internal memo obtained by DRUDGE, captures Halperin
stating how "Kerry distorts, takes out of context, and mistakes all the
time, but these are not central to his efforts to win."
But Halperin claims that Bush is hoping to "win the election by
destroying Senator Kerry at least partly through distortions."
"The current Bush attacks on Kerry involve distortions and taking things
out of context in a way that goes beyond what Kerry has done," Halperin
writes.
Halperin's claim that ABCNEWS will not "reflexively and artificially hold
both sides 'equally' accountable" set off sparks in St. Louis where media
players gathered to cover the second presidential debate.
Halperin states the responsibilities of the ABCNEWS staff have "become
quite grave."
In August, Halperin declared online: "This is now John Kerry's contest to
lose."
x x x x x
Halperin Memo Dated Friday October 8, 2004
It goes without saying that the stakes are getting very high for the
country and the campaigns - and our responsibilities become quite grave
I do not want to set off (sp?) and endless colloquy that none of us have
time for today - nor do I want to stifle one. Please respond if you feel
you can advance the discussion.
The New York Times (Nagourney/Stevenson) and Howard Fineman on the web
both make the same point today: the current Bush attacks on Kerry involve
distortions and taking things out of context in a way that goes beyond
what Kerry has done.
Kerry distorts, takes out of context, and mistakes all the time, but
these are not central to his efforts to win.
We have a responsibility to hold both sides accountable to the public
interest, but that doesn't mean we reflexively and artificially hold both
sides "equally" accountable when the facts don't warrant that.
I'm sure many of you have this week felt the stepped up Bush efforts to
complain about our coverage. This is all part of their efforts to get
away with as much as possible with the stepped up, renewed efforts to win
the election by destroying Senator Kerry at least partly through
distortions.
It's up to Kerry to defend himself, of course. But as one of the few news
organizations with the skill and strength to help voters evaluate what
the candidates are saying to serve the public interest. Now is the time
for all of us to step up and do that right.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Filed By Matt Drudge
Reports are moved when circumstances warrant
http://www.drudgereport.com for updates
(c)DRUDGE REPORT 2004
Not for reproduction without permission of the author