Anyways, ABC has finally decided to make it official. The following quote was cut & pasted from the Drudge report:
ABC TURNS PROGRAMMING OVER TO OBAMA; NEWS TO BE ANCHORED FROM INSIDE WHITE HOUSE
Tue Jun 16 2009 08:45:10 ET
On the night of June 24, the media and government become one, when ABC turns its programming over to President Obama and White House officials to push government run health care -- a move that has ignited an ethical firestorm!
Highlights on the agenda:
ABCNEWS anchor Charlie Gibson will deliver WORLD NEWS from the Blue Room of the White House.
The network plans a primetime special -- 'Prescription for America' -- originating from the East Room, exclude opposing voices on the debate.
The Director of Communications at the White House Office of Health Reform is Linda Douglass, who worked as a reporter for ABC News from 1998-2006.
Late Monday night, Republican National Committee Chief of Staff Ken McKay fired off a complaint to the head of ABCNEWS:
Dear Mr. Westin:
As the national debate on health care reform intensifies, I am deeply concerned and disappointed with ABC's astonishing decision to exclude opposing voices on this critical issue on June 24, 2009. Next Wednesday, ABC News will air a primetime health care reform “town hall” at the White House with President Barack Obama. In addition, according to an ABC News report, GOOD MORNING AMERICA, WORLD NEWS, NIGHTLINE and ABC’s web news “will all feature special programming on the president’s health care agenda.” This does not include the promotion, over the next 9 days, the president’s health care agenda will receive on ABC News programming.
Today, the Republican National Committee requested an opportunity to add our Party's views to those of the President's to ensure that all sides of the health care reform debate are presented. Our request was rejected. I believe that the President should have the ability to speak directly to the America people. However, I find it outrageous that ABC would prohibit our Party's opposing thoughts and ideas from this national debate, which affects millions of ABC viewers.
In the absence of opposition, I am concerned this event will become a glorified infomercial to promote the Democrat agenda. If that is the case, this primetime infomercial should be paid for out of the DNC coffers. President Obama does not hold a monopoly on health care reform ideas or on free airtime. The President has stated time and time again that he wants a bipartisan debate. Therefore, the Republican Party should be included in this primetime event, or the DNC should pay for your airtime.
Respectfully,
Ken McKay
Republican National Committee
Chief of Staff
MORE
ABCNEWS Senior Vice President Kerry Smith on Tuesday responded to the RNC complaint, saying it contained 'false premises':
"ABCNEWS prides itself on covering all sides of important issues and asking direct questions of all newsmakers -- of all political persuasions -- even when others have taken a more partisan approach and even in the face of criticism from extremes on both ends of the political spectrum. ABCNEWS is looking for the most thoughtful and diverse voices on this issue.
"ABCNEWS alone will select those who will be in the audience asking questions of the president. Like any programs we broadcast, ABC News will have complete editorial control. To suggest otherwise is quite unfair to both our journalists and our audience."
This is indeed a sad day for what little remained of the Fourth Estate. Finally, there is no more dissembling, no more mask. ABC is state run media.
Maybe they'll be OK right? Maybe they'll be fair and balanced (hah!):
ABC promises Republicans health care coverage won't be Obama 'infomercial'
I don't believe that crap for a NY minute. Here's a taste of what's to come, again copied from the Drudge Report:
ABC REFUSES OPPOSITION ADS DURING WHITE HOUSE SPECIAL
Wed Jun 17 2009 15:15:00 ET
ABC is refusing to air paid ads during its White House health care presentation, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned, including a paid-for alternative viewpoint!
The development comes a day after the network denied a request by the Republican National Committee to feature a representative of the party's views during the Obama special.
Conservatives for Patients Rights requested the rates to buy a 60-second spot immediately preceding 'Prescription for America'.
Statement from Rick Scott, chairman of Conservatives for Patients Rights:
"It is unfortunate - and unusual - that ABC is refusing to accept paid advertising that would present an alternative viewpoint for the White House health care event. Health care is an issue that touches every American and all potential pieces of legislation have carried a pricetag in excess of $1 trillion of taxpayers' money. The American people deserve a healthy, robust debate on this issue and ABC's decision - as of now - to exclude even paid advertisements that present an alternative view does a disservice to the public. Our organization is more than willing to purchase ad time on ABC to present an alternative viewpoint and our hope is that ABC will reconsider having such viewpoints be part of this crucial debate for the American people. We were surprised to hear that paid advertisements would not be accepted when we inquired and we would certainly be open to purchasing time if ABC would reconsider."
Now to be fair, some say this is overblown and much ado about nothing:
ABC Defends Decision to Broadcast From White House
Well, it would be nice if ABC shows all sides of this story and leads the country into a good, healthy discussion of this important topic. We DO need a good discussion, cuz right now it seems like a lot of bullshit from both sides of the issue.
But I absolutely do NOT trust ABC and their Democrat friends to do this. They WILL present one side over the other. It WILL be an Obama infomercial.
Be cool if I'm wrong, but don't bet against me.
Now these folks say that this is just tit for tat, cuz that awful, evil, lying, ultra conservative, bile spewing, buck tooth, retard Fox News did a special on Bush in the White House (oh man,that opens up a world of crude images):
Crooks and Liars
OK, not exactly the same thing, but I'll go along with accusations of fawning.
Uh, except this brown noser did it every bit as well, better actually, being on Twitter and all:
Follow NBC's Coverage "Inside the Obama White House" on Twitter
Oh, uh, here:
Inside the Obama White House
Oooooh, my leg is just TINGLING.
So, anyone who got all in a Huffington, er huff, about Brett's Bush White House lovefest can go piss up a rope.
Let's face it, these guys in the State Run Media would eat a mile of Obama's feces just to have the honor of getting to where it came from so they can french kiss the glorious area. Repeatedly.
ABC is so far the only one to snuggle right in nice and tight. Officially.
Final word will be from the great Chris Muir:
Get a Room
No comments:
Post a Comment