The biased media that did a hit job on Hillary also did a hit job on Gen. Clark!

Hello Everyone:

I have credibly documented the unfair hit job that most of the biased and pro-Obama media did to Hillary during the Democratic primary which in my opinion is mostly responsible for her primary loss to Obama:

http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/15744

VIDEO: Dan Abrams asked about Hillary's primary loss "Is it the media’s fault?"

Submitted by Mitch Dworkin on June 9, 2008 - 5:58pm.

http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/15744#comment-309677

There is NO question in my opinion of anti-Hillary media bias...

Submitted by Mitch Dworkin on June 9, 2008 - 6:07pm.

I completely agree with Joan Walsh when she credibly documented how that most of the media "were just swooning over Barack Obama" and how that they "hate -- hate Hillary Clinton" in this short video:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5bab7_clinton_news (01:50)

Here is the transcript and the credible documentation to back up what was said in this video:

http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/15435

Howard Kurtz and Joan Walsh summarized how the media went wrong covering Obama!

Submitted by Mitch Dworkin on May 5, 2008 - 12:30am.

I also very strongly agree with Lou Dobbs when he came out and bluntly admitted that "The national media is so in the tank for Barack Obama" and with his panel guest Democratic strategist Robert Zimmerman (a superdelegate who was for Hillary during the primary) when he said that "I felt the media's conduct was, I thought in many ways, reprehensible and judgmental, I thought it was wrong:"

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0806/20/ldt.01.html

LOU DOBBS TONIGHT

Unqualified Support for NAFTA; Salmonella is Still Spreading; Broken Borders with new Tactics; E-Voting Backlash; Obama Changes Mind; Illegal Immigration; CNN Hero

Aired June 20, 2008 - 19:00 ET

LOU DOBBS, HOST: "The national media is so in the tank for Barack Obama. Look, I'm an Independent populous, I really, you know, one of these two is going to win the presidency and I'm not going to cheer no matter what happens, all right? But the idea of watching national news organizations across the board, electronic and print, going in the tank for Obama is just silly. I mean, having people say this is a movement instead of a campaign. I mean the man is -- it's an absurdity. Aren't you embarrassed?

ROBERT ZIMMERMAN, NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEEMAN: I'm not a member of the national media, but if I was, I certainly would be.

No look, I said this during the primary process. I felt the media's conduct was, I thought in many ways, reprehensible and judgmental, I thought it was wrong..."

It has to be noted that the same biased media who did this hit job on Hillary in the 2008 Democratic primary also did the same kind of a hit job on Gen. Clark back in 2007 as I have credibly documented:

http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/13098

Chuck Todd of MSNBC said about Gen. Clark: "worse presidential launch ever..."

Submitted by Mitch Dworkin on August 23, 2007 - 9:22am.

http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/12956

Paul Begala said "The ideal Wes Clark was even better than the candidacy..."

Submitted by Mitch Dworkin on August 7, 2007 - 6:46pm.

http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/12270

MY RESPONSE: Dana Milbank, Ryan Lizza, Susan Page & Chris Matthews trashed Clark

Submitted by Mitch Dworkin on June 1, 2007 - 3:35pm.

http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/12214

Cillizza compared Fred Thompson to Clark:"best day as a candidate was his first"

Submitted by Mitch Dworkin on May 25, 2007 - 8:54pm.

http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/13230#comment-237326

I'm going to get sick if I see one more comparison of Gen. Clark to Fred Thompson by the mainstream media "pundits:"

Submitted by Mitch Dworkin on September 6, 2007 - 8:42am.

It is my very strong opinion that the same mainstream media who intentionally trashed Hillary's candidacy are mostly responsible for stopping Gen. Clark from entering the 2008 race because they would never have taken him seriously as a top-tier Presidential candidate based on all of these kind of insulting comments. If the media would not have taken Gen. Clark's candidacy seriously if he had announced back in 2007, then reality as far as I can see is that it would have been very hard for him to have gotten any kind of traction to break out of the second-tier and get into the top-tier!

I had documented back in May of 2007 how that Gen. Clark who had not even announced a Presidential candidacy was polling about equal with every second tier candidate who had announced their Presidential candidacy:

http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/12201

GALLUP: New poll numbers are out focusing on Hillary / Gen. Clark is mentioned!

Submitted by Mitch Dworkin on May 24, 2007 - 2:13pm.

It is a very sad thing in my opinion when a great candidate like Gen. Clark had a hard time entering the 2008 race back in 2007 and when the most qualified Democratic candidate left in the race at the end who I clearly thought was Hillary did not win the primary mostly because of a biased media that focused far more on a candidate's style over their substance as well as on "tactics and horse race, rather than policy or character:"

http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/12343

Howard Kurtz & Panel/Pew Poll: Media's focus on candidate style over substance!

Submitted by Mitch Dworkin on June 11, 2007 - 4:56pm.

http://pewresearch.org/pubs/489/news-coverage-first-quarter-2007

Project for Excellence in Journalism

A Quarter's Worth of News Coverage

Project for Excellence in Journalism's Analysis Finds Iraq War Coverage Mostly about the U.S., 2008 Presidential Campaign Coverage Mostly about Democrats

May 25, 2007

"Coverage of the Democratic presidential hopefuls has outstripped that of the GOP candidates by 61% to 24%. And nine out of 10 of the 2008 campaign stories have been about tactics and horse race, rather than policy or character..."

I fully realize that the 2008 primaries are over and that Barack Obama is the presumed Democratic nominee but it is my opinion that a post like this is definitely necessary so that history records what might have happened IF the media had actually done their jobs of looking first at a candidate's qualifications as well as fully scrutinizing Obama instead of unprofessionally giving him the free ride that they did!

It is true that Hillary's campaign made some mistakes and that Gen. Clark would have had some tough obstacles to overcome if he had announced such as fundraising BUT it is truly sad when none of these things probably mattered at the end of the day because it would have been very hard for any serious Presidential candidate to win when the most of the media are rooting against them and when they are doing a hit job on the campaigns who they do not like!

The current media system is definitely broken right now in my very strong opinion. I definitely view MSNBC as being "the Obama Network" and going forward I will be taking them with a grain of salt. CNN never should have had Donna Brazile on as a so-called "undeclared superdelegate" and Roland Martin on as a so-called "objective commentator" when both of them were very clearly in the tank for Obama. I also have much more respect for FOX News right now because they have been the only major cable news network that actually did their job of trying to fully scrutinize Obama during the primary!

Mitch Dworkin

http://www.securingamerica.com/

http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/10756
StopIranWar.com: "War is not the answer"
Submitted by Wes Clark on February 21, 2007 - 11:40am.

http://www.securingamerica.com/ccn/node/7191
Listen to Gen. Wes Clark fight for Dems on Sean Hannity's radio program: An excellent example for all of us to follow and what we all need to be doing to help fight back against extreme right wing Neocon smear propaganda!

"Hardball" (with Bill Barnacle subbing for Chris Matthews) did a long segment on the veepstakes today (Monday), with Howard Fineman and Roger Simon. After the usual suspects, Barnacle asked for dark horses. Fineman mentioned that Obama could use a military person, and mentioned a "Wes Clark-type" or "James Jones-type." No further discussion, but hey, every mention helps.

We need as many "mentioners" as we can dredge up.

Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
Wes Clark -- Make America All It Can Be!

to watch Howard Fineman making these comments:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/25337047#25337047 (12:04)

Veepstakes speculation
June 23: Questions are intensifying as to who each presidential candidate will pick as his running mate. MSNBC political analyst Howard Fineman and The Politico's Roger Simon join guest host Mike Barnacle and look at the veepstakes.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/25337047#25337047 (12:04)

The comment about Gen. Clark take place at about 11:40 into the video which is close to the end of it.

While it was nice to hear Howard Fineman mention Gen. Clark even as a dark horse VP candidate which was the context of his comment, I am no fan of Fineman because of how badly that he trashed Hillary during the primary as a regular guest on Countdown with Keith Olbermann!

However despite my negative opinion about Howard Fineman, I definitely agree with you that "We need as many "mentioners" as we can dredge up." I would really like to see Gen. Clark on the ticket because he deserves it and he is the best and the most qualified candidate in my opinion. That would also help to make up for how so many in the media trashed Gen. Clark back in 2007!

I would definitely sleep much better at night knowing that Gen. Clark was there to help keep an eye on Obama when a serious crisis comes up!

http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/12619

Hagel frustrated the media pushes Hillary & money over issues & qualifications!

Submitted by Mitch Dworkin on July 10, 2007 - 12:13am.

http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/12343

Howard Kurtz & Panel/Pew Poll: Media's focus on candidate style over substance!

Submitted by Mitch Dworkin on June 11, 2007 - 4:56pm.

http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/12287

James Carville, Donna Brazile & J.C. Watts misunderstand a key Iraq question!

Submitted by Mitch Dworkin on June 4, 2007 - 1:56pm.

http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/11555

ANALYSIS: How "Media Pundits" wrongly push unqualified Presidential Candidates!

Submitted by Mitch Dworkin on March 22, 2007 - 5:08pm.

http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/10942

MEDIA PUNDITS: What they get right, wrong, questions for them, & Clark coverage!

Submitted by Mitch Dworkin on February 6, 2007 - 2:57pm.

in this Hardball video:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/23849705#23849705 (05:12)

Clinton and Obama: Dream or nightmare?
March 28: A Hardball panel (Andrea Mitchell and Craig Crawford) debates if a Clinton and Obama ticket would be a dream or nightmare for the Democratic Party.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/23849705#23849705 (05:12)

Here is the transcript of the main points in this video:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23882154/

'Hardball with Chris Matthews' for March 28
Read the transcript to the Friday show

Guests: Dana Milbank, Crystal McCrary Anthony, Chrystia Freeland, Todd Harris, Brian Katulis

CHRIS MATTHEWS, HOST: "Craig, your thought about a ticket of Obama on top, Hillary as number two.

CRAIG CRAWFORD, “CONGRESSIONAL QUARTERLY,” MSNBC POLITICAL ANALYST:

Well, I get past the political analysis to what kind of presidency that would be, and I think of Hillary Clinton as the Democratic Dick Cheney.

(LAUGHTER)

CRAWFORD: Imagine her back there in the West Wing, running things, working the hill. I mean, I do think she could be very effective, if they could work together, Andrea‘s right about the issues, but I mean of the personalities, the high-octane personalities involved. But imagine Hillary in there, like Dick Cheney, behind the scenes, working the Hill and getting the legislation through.

(CROSSTALK)

CRAWFORD: She could be his...

MATTHEWS: Let me interject here. She‘s on the ticket, it puts a lot of people at rest about Mideast policy. She‘s a much more predictable,pro-Israeli politician. Barack‘s an unknown. She could help in that department. She‘s solid on health care, on domestic issues, especially with women, concerns of child development, education, the whole array of domestic issues most importantly, generally, to women voters. She gives him a lot of protection among the traditional Democrats who never heard of Barack Obama..."

Chris Matthews said this right in the middle of when he was trashing Hillary's Presidential candidacy and when he was doing his regular media hit job on her:

http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/15269

YouTube: Hillary said on Ellen that Chris Matthews "manhandles me every night"

Submitted by Mitch Dworkin on April 14, 2008 - 3:24pm.

http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/14759

YouTube: Chris Matthews said Clinton Press Shop Composed of "Kneecappers"

Submitted by Mitch Dworkin on February 18, 2008 - 9:39am.

http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/14717

VIDEO: Chris Matthews said "I Felt This Thrill Going Up My Leg" As Obama Spoke!

Submitted by Mitch Dworkin on February 14, 2008 - 10:23am.

http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/14454

VIDEO & ANALYSIS: What about the seeming apology of Chris Matthews to Hillary?

Submitted by Mitch Dworkin on January 19, 2008 - 5:50am.

http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/13814

Why I think Chris Matthews crossed the line showing his own bias against Hillary

Submitted by Mitch Dworkin on November 5, 2007 - 3:30am.

This seemed like a contradiction to me because how could Chris Matthews think that Hillary would be such as great VP (being a heartbeat away from the Presidency) when he was doing such a massive hit job on her Presidential campaign?

It also has to be noted that Chris Matthews made fun of Gen. Clark on Hardball as recently as June 12, 2008:

http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/15789

Transcript & Video: Chris Matthews made fun of Gen. Clark on Hardball on June 12

Submitted by Mitch Dworkin on June 13, 2008 - 2:28pm.

I remember in 2004 that I felt General Clark got a bad rap from the media. Even when he polled well and got a lot of votes in the few primaries where he participated, including a win in Oklahoma, he was practically ignored as a political candidate. The media focused much of the coverage on his mistakes, and he made a few, but it seemed to me that the media never took a four-star general being president seriously. After General Clark made that stirring speech at the 2004 convention, I don't think any rational person could fail to acknowledge the tremendous strides he made in the political realm.

In the long run, it doesn't help to criticize the media. I like the way General Clark keeps his focus on the future and his main goal of the good of the country. He fought hard for Senator Clinton. His style is to advocate for the person he endorses, not to belittle the opponent. Once Obama won the nomination, he threw his support to Obama and says that the country can't afford a third Bush term in the form of John McCain. In order for Obama to win in November, he will need experienced, national-security tested people like General Clark to advise him and campaign for him.

General Clark could have looked back at what the media did to him in 2004, or he could see the bigger picture and continue toward the goal of electing the Democrat to the White House. His tenacity is amazing and should be a great encouragement to the rest of us.

By the way, Lawrence O'Donnell of MSNBC has said several times that General Clark should be the VP. He told that when he and Clark were on TV together.

not to belittle the opponent.

No one belittles McCain with the authority and ability that Wes does.

in my opinion!

I really appreciate the good things that you had to say about Gen. Clark but in my opinion history has to accurately record what happened in the media to both Gen. Clark and to Hillary so that people will know to take these biased media pundits with a grain of salt when they watch them and so that hopefully one day these media pundits will be held accountable for their unprofessional behavior!

I agree with you that looking back won't change the past BUT it may help to positively influence what happens in the future if people know about it and learn a lesson from it!

I also hope that Gen. Clark is on the ticket because he definitely deserves it and he is clearly the most qualified person for it in my opinion. I would sleep much better at night knowing that Gen. Clark was there to keep an eye on Obama when a major crisis comes up!

You are right about that. The media should get the same criticism as the people it covers. All one has to do is look at the media in 2002 leading up to the Iraq war. The media, which is supposed to be the watchdog of the people, failed us as miserably as the Democrats who simply gave in to the ideological, neocon mentality of this administration. General Clark was talking to Democrats at that time and urging them not to give Bush a blank check. They did anyway. The media was worse, though. The lack of any competent investigative reporting was inexcusable, and the country has suffered greatly in part because of the media's laziness and complacency.

I just believe that everyone should wait until after the election to engage in the historical perspective. We don't need distractions before November.

One of the real pluses that Obama seems to have is that he will listen to people who know more than he does about critical issues facing the country. That's the way he strikes me. You are right that it would be great to have someone of General Clark's stature advising a President Obama, and it would even be better if Obama has the judgment to listen and act accordingly. I too would feel safe if General Clark were the one in the White House helping Obama face the crises that we undoubtedly will have.

Here is the CNN transcript from Wednesday, May 28 where John Roberts admitted about the media "with the benefit of hindsight, I think we could have done a better job in the run-up to the Iraq war" and where he said to Ari Fleischer "I think we should have done a better job of holding your feet to the fire:"

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0805/28/ec.01.html

CNN ELECTION CENTER

Scott McClellan Blasts Bush Administration; Interview with Former White House Counselor Dan Bartlett; Fight for Florida's Delegation Continues; Two Commuter Trains Collide in Boston

Aired May 28, 2008 - 20:00 ET

CAMPBELL BROWN, CNN ANCHOR: "He (Scott McClellan) says in the book, "The liberal media didn't live up to its reputation. If it had, the country would have been better served."

John and Ari (Fleischer), I want to get both of your takes on this.

JOHN ROBERTS, CO-HOST, "AMERICAN MORNING": Yes. I think, with the benefit of hindsight, I think we could have done a better job in the run-up to the Iraq war.

Even though what happened cannot be changed now, hopefully people will learn a valuable lesson from this important piece of history and will do a better job of holding the media accountable for what they do and say in the future!

Sorry this is late, but I was directed to this diary by another of Mitch's links with comments, but I believe it needs a response:
--------------------------------------------
CNN ELECTION CENTER

Scott McClellan Blasts Bush Administration; Interview with Former White House Counselor Dan Bartlett; Fight for Florida's Delegation Continues; Two Commuter Trains Collide in Boston

Aired May 28, 2008 - 20:00 ET

CAMPBELL BROWN, CNN ANCHOR: "He (Scott McClellan) says in the book, "The liberal media didn't live up to its reputation. If it had, the country would have been better served."

John and Ari (Fleischer), I want to get both of your takes on this.

JOHN ROBERTS, CO-HOST, "AMERICAN MORNING": Yes. I think, with the benefit of hindsight, I think we could have done a better job in the run-up to the Iraq war.

Ari, I think I should have leaned on you a lot more than I did. But, at that time, I guess we were caught up in the post-9/11 sense of patriotism. The White House was also pretty adept at branding anybody who questioned what you all were doing as being unpatriotic. And there was no way to verify what you were saying, because nobody had any access to Iraq. But I think we should have done a better job of holding your feet to the fire..."
-------------------------------------------
Even though what happened cannot be changed now, hopefully people will learn a valuable lesson from this important piece of history and will do a better job of holding the media accountable for what they do and say in the future!
----------------------------------------------------
My response:
DUH!!! - I don't believe for a minute you guys are sorry you didn't do a better job of investigative reporting....what in the HELL DO YOU GET PAID BIG BUCKS FOR???

http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/15694

The media did NOT do their jobs in the run-up to the Iraq war AND vetting Obama!

Submitted by Mitch Dworkin on June 5, 2008 - 2:12am.

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0805/28/ec.01.html

CNN ELECTION CENTER

Scott McClellan Blasts Bush Administration; Interview with Former White House Counselor Dan Bartlett; Fight for Florida's Delegation Continues; Two Commuter Trains Collide in Boston

Aired May 28, 2008 - 20:00 ET

CAMPBELL BROWN, CNN ANCHOR: He (Scott McClellan) says in the book, "The liberal media didn't live up to its reputation. If it had, the country would have been better served."

John and Ari (Fleischer), I want to get both of your takes on this.

JOHN ROBERTS, CO-HOST, "AMERICAN MORNING": Yes. I think, with the benefit of hindsight, I think we could have done a better job in the run-up to the Iraq war.