Comments on: An Epidemic Of Misunderstanding

By: ashley

ashley — Sat, 24 May 2008 06:53:26 +0000

I don’t really understand her need to bring up RFK. Her point was made by her saying that her husband didn’t have the nomination in the bag until June. We get it–she’s not dropping out. If she felt it necessary to bring up the Kennedy assassination, she certainly could have worded it better, but I guess her brain-to-mouth filter was a little slow that day.

The media (and politicians) count on the stupidity of the American public. It is sad, but very true. The people who are actually paying attention and care enough to look things up and find out the whole story (or even THINK about what is/was actually said in its proper context, rather than what the other side says about it) are the exception rather than the rule. Campaign spin doctors work around the clock, viewing tapes of rival candidates’ speeches, tearing them apart, looking for something to twist around to use against the candidate (if you don’t believe me, rent The War Room–it’s about Bill Clinton’s campaign). It doesn’t matter if something is true or not (take the “swiftboat attacks” against Kerry), if they can cause damage to the other person, they will. Is it fair? No. Is it going to change? No.

By: straightrecord

straightrecord — Sat, 24 May 2008 04:30:38 +0000

thanks for your comments. i, too, have been watching with dismay the “gotcha” journalism being practiced by tabloid cable and the perceived need to follow on by the mainstream press. we have reached a sad state of affairs and i have one posit for why this gotcha crap has gained such traction.
first, anyone knows clinton was merely saying that “shit happens” in campaigning, even as late as june, so why should she back out now. in saying that, badly as she did, she is saying no more than was reported at http://www.straightrecord.com/over more than six months ago in looking at the unique campains ahead.
what is most troubling is that the general public has lost the ability to read these statements that have become “gotchas.” just look at the blogs and reactions even from people one used to consider reasonable. there has been a great loss of intelligence and functional literacy in this country, leading to misreading of many statements and a burgeoning and profitable tabloid cable market.

By: Hans

Hans — Sat, 24 May 2008 04:06:09 +0000

last I knew you can’t condem someone for being associated with another person who’s sayings something you don’t agree with while at the same time you are seeking the endorsement of a controversialy person too. don’t blame hagee & parsley on democracts, this was McCain making not their’s,

try this progression on for size

By: What Say You?

What Say You? — Sat, 24 May 2008 03:41:28 +0000

I agree with you that most of this nonsense has been overblown to the point of ridiculousness.
But not Hillary’s unfortunate comment. I don’t care who you are, you just don’t go there. Ever.
Hillary knows that.
And it’s pretty disingenuous for you to say that Barack’s camp attacked her over this. David Axelrod was asked about the remark, and he merely answered the question. Most people - myself included - think Axelrod was being extremely kind in his reaction.