Detroit Free Press: Rove Rumor Red Meat to Blue State Audience

[Maddy McCall]

Metro Detroit
BRIAN DICKERSON: Rove rumor red meat to blue state audience

May 15, 2006

BY BRIAN DICKERSON
FREE PRESS COLUMNIST

/snip

Whatever it was, the news that White House adviser Karl Rove had been indicted for perjury electrified the 700 or so lawyers, judges and elected officials (including featured speakers Gov. Jennifer Granholm and U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y.) gathered at the Dearborn Hyatt Regency for Saturday night's annual banquet of the Michigan Trial Lawyers Association.

Until they found out that maybe he hadn't been.

MTLA Vice President Robert Raitt was heading toward the podium to introduce Clinton, the banquet's keynote speaker, when Gerald Acker, a Southfield trial attorney and prominent Democratic fund-raiser, mentioned Rove's indictment.

Raitt didn't question the report. "Gerry is pretty connected," he explained Sunday, "and I thought, well, that'll get this crowd going."

A couple of minutes later, Raitt brought the heavily Democratic audience to its feet with the, um, news.

/snip

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060515/NEWS05/605150380/1007

[Taxloss]

1. Interesting.

It's amazing how high the stakes are getting. And an audience of judges and lawyers would presumably have a fair old insight into what was going on.

[symbolman]

2. Oh this is RICH

Let the DEMOCRATIC HUMILIATIONS BEGIN!

I'm SO PROUD, to think that ALL of those LAWYERS and Politicians and people with Money were FOOLED and HUMILIATED, just wait until the Scarborough show or O'Rielly shows these STUPID DEMOCRATS STANDING AND CHEERING OVER A RUMOR.

"Do you really want the Democrats to run the National Security of this country, and protect US from the Evil Terrorists when they can't even tell the differnce between a RUMOR and a FACT?"

NOW we start getting ALL of our asses kicked.

Thanks Jason, thanks LOADS. You've done wonders for the Left.

Maybe you can take a break and go look for Jimmy Hoffa for a while.. take your time..

[katinmn]

4. Many have staked their reputations on this.

And if they are wrong, we will pay a heavy price in lost credibility.

I pray they are right!

[Taxloss]

6. It looks like it might be lose-lose.

If Leopold is wrong, that's a massive blow against the LW blogosphere. If he's right, those 700 senior Democrats are going to look amazingly out of touch - how did they get it so wrong?

(PS :hi: )

[katinmn]

8. Yikes!

:hi: friend!

[symbolman]

7. Uh

Do you really think that they haven't LOST their reputations already?

Don't you think all these heavy hitters feel pretty damned STUPID right now?

THink they're going to call up TO and Jason and CONGRATULATE THEM?

They were PUNK'D, and they are pissed.. doing this to politicians, this kind of shit can LOSE ELECTIONS, ONE Photo OP for the right like this one is all it takes run over and over during elections..

TO and Jason just got toasted by all these people, and NOT with champange...

[katinmn]

9. Are you 100% convinced now that there has been no indictment?

I thought we were to learn anytime after Monday.:scared:

[symbolman]

10. I don't believe Leopold's story

I think that it appears to be open ended, fuzzy math that makes it look like it will happen sometime THIS WEEK, and it could.. the grand jury could meet on either Wed or Fri and vote to INDICT THEN..

Of course this would still be considered Leopold's "scoop" as he left the impression that it's THIS week, with all the fuzzy math crap, and other confusing parts of that article..

Watch it happen, but to me there's a BIG difference between an Indictment dated last week and this week, and you better believe those folks that ALL stood up and clapped are PISSED.

Their "scoop" may have already smacked them in the face and cost them more than they bargained for.

[KharmaTrain]

40. I'm Still Wondering What Reputations To Whom?

All this broo-ha-ha sure wasn't part of my conversations today...nor did I see it on other sites.

All this angst...and for what?

So what if the wingnuts see us all dancing at the though of Rove frog-marching...I hope they get real pissed. I'm not afraid of those asshats and I can see Fitzgerald is taking his time and making sure if you "shoot the king, you don't miss"...I guess this isn't enough for some and too much for others.

The Repugnicans are too busy beating up on each other...just look at the reaction to fukstick's speech tonight...these people are in full blown meltdown...and we're here forming our own circular firing squads? Makes zero sense to me.

Peace...

[leveymg]

21. There are really only 2-3 reputations at stake here.

If they got snookered, it'll be a real personal and professional blow to a few people.

But, IF THEY'RE RIGHT, THEY'RE FAMOUS!!!!!

[IdaBriggs]

20. Well, the Repukes went to war over a rumor of WMDs, so what can you do?

Personally, I think Jason is going to be proven correct, at which point I am sure you will apologize profusely to him, right?

[symbolman]

24. I'll apologise to him when he apologises

that that entire ROOM full of Lawyers and Hillary Clinton for making all those democrats look like idiots.

[IdaBriggs]

28. So, you don't care whether or not he's right at this point -- you just

don't like folks being made to look like idiots because they cheered about Rove being indicted?

Why not be fair? If Leopold is correct, apologize abjectly publicly (like you've been bashing him); if he's wrong, and nothing is announced between now and close of business Wednesday, then you can join the howling pitchfork mob.

[symbolman]

38. I'm damned sure he wrong as hell

What's going to happen is that on either Wed or Fri the GJ will meet and decided whether or not to indict him, if they do, they will all march downstairs two floors and let the municipal Judge sign it, Rove will walk out a free man until trial.

The howling Pitchfork Mob will not include me. Whatever you or others may think of me, it ain't my style. There are plenty of folks that WILL be doing that, and to be honest I will be telling people to show a little class and shut up about it, he blew it, and it's over.

I really don't give two shits about Leopold, it's what he represents that's dangerous to the Left, PR crap, sensationalism, blaming sources for HIS mistakes, claiming that he's the injured victim.. did you do any of that HOMEWORK I gave you?

How can you trust someone so completely if you know NOTHING about them, and actually admit it.. like those people that tell you not to see a Movie when they themselves haven't seen it.

[Vinnie From Indy]

22. LOL! Oh the irony!

I find a great deal of humor in the fact that even today, people refuse to factor into this debate the foaming at the mouth accusations by the GOP and right wing media operatives about President Clinton on host of issues. Has Rush Limbaugh, Hannity or any other GOP flack had their "asses kicked" for their daily delivery of lies, misinformation or "inside info"? No, they have thrived on it!

To infer that ALL Democrats will have their "asses kicked" because of Leopold's single story is bit hyperbolic. That is especially true because the vast majority of bloggers and Democrats are taking a wait and see attitude. Leopold, except for a few other brave souls and some workmates, is out there all by himself on this thing. If the indictment comes, his future is made. If not, it is certain that there will be another leftie blogger that will break some other story and life will go on.

[depakid]

3. The power of rumor

and wishing something was true- that's a two edged sword.

[LFD]

5. Frog March!

[symbolman]

11. KICK

Because NOBODY wants to admit that they've already SCREWED THE POOCH on this one.

There are SERIOUS ramifications here, do you want to save the Dem party or NOT?

[Taxloss]

12. This is turning into a car crash.

I think if a room full of judges, lawyers and senior Democrats can come to the conclusion that the story is false in such a short period of time, it's really not looking good for the story.

They all reached for their Blackberries - who did they check with? It's not like they don't have connections. And not one of them said "be fair, there's something to this" - they were embarrassed to have mentioned it.

[Libby2]

13. You really seem to be enjoying this.

[katinmn]

14. Stop sniping. No one in their right mind enjoys it.

The personality cults here need to get a grip.

[lonestarnot]

15. Thank you Kat!

[katinmn]

16. Good morning, lonnie!

:donut: Hope you had a nice Mother's Day!

[lonestarnot]

17. Excellent. How was yours?

[katinmn]

18. Great. Wish we could have been at the DC vigil, though.

Can't wait to get PVD's report and pictures.

[lonestarnot]

19. Me too. We were there in spirit! I assume she will be posting pics.

[Vinnie From Indy]

23. WOW!

Did you have an extra bowl of "Hyperbole Flakes" this morning?

The Leopold story will not mark the death knell of the liberal blogosphere or DU. It will be rough on Jason if his story is incorrect, and maybe Will, but it hardly rises to the level of mass "blogocide" for the left.

[symbolman]

25. Sure I don't know anything about advertising

or film making or the right wing or the Media, my site is called Takebackthemedia.com. I've won a Hollywood award for my animations in Flash, beating out of 640 animatiors worldwide for Best Animated Graphics in 2000.

TBTM is pretty much credited with creating the political Flash attack ad in 2000 - we have over 50 on our site. My ARMY OF ONE ad was one of 14 finalists out of 1500 entries in MoveOn's Bush in 30 seconds contest.

I've been on the O'Reilly show once, twice on Joe Scarborough's show, we screw Limbaugh for Millions in advertising funding, some of the ad people dropped him the same afternoon that we started our boycott. See's Candies, Radio Shack, Red Lobster, Geico, big list.

My ARMY OF ONE ad was shown 3000 times all over the east coast during the primaries, a millionair put up a third of a million dollars to get it out there.

We have been sued by Michael Savage for a Half a Million dollars and WON.

I can call many celebrities whenever I want and get a call back.. I was drafted in 1971 and was a Sgt in the Air Force during Nam.

That's about a third of what our site has done, bringing in 100 MILLION hits in our first year alone..

Hyperbole? How about doing a little research before you spout off.

Oh and we recognize bullshit when we see it, we watch MSM tv all day, but that doesn't mean we will allow confirmed plagiarists, liars, forgers, convicted of grand larceny (and I'm not talking about Will Pitt here) to CON US.

At this point Leopold might as well be working for the fucking White House for the damage he's doing.

Think at least my being a Vietnam Veteran gives me the right to free speech?

Wanna play nice, and just state your views instead of cramping my style?

[Vinnie From Indy]

27. What? Not an eagle scout?

As long as were running down our credentials, my mom likes me!

I thought I was playing nice. I applaud your impressive resume and I have followed your site since the day it went live. You are no stranger to me.

That being said, I do not believe that if Leopold has been played it will be as bad as you make it out to be. In fact, I propose that Leopold's story makes the Liberal blogosphere stronger regardless of how it unfolds. If true, score a huge win for Truthout and Leopold and the liberal blogosphere. If not, Leopold will have a monumental problem regaining credibility and the liberal blogosphere will have a sterling example of why they need to get it right before publishing. Either way, we win.

Another bit of truth in rebuttal to your position is that the right wing media has thrived on incorrect, poorly sourced and untrue stories for the last two decades. Right wingers have accused Clinton of dozens of crimes including murder and they have hardly been damaged by it.

Just a difference of opinion, that's all. I propose we wait and see and revisit your predictions of catastrophe.

Cheers!

[Roon]

26. Kick

:kick:

[Maddy McCall]

30. A news story from one of the top newspapers in the nation...

and no one wants to opine on it. Wonder why?

[Taxloss]

31. Good question. n/t

[Maddy McCall]

32. Head-in-sand syndrome, I guess.

[demobabe]

33. Don't you see, we're WINNING

By being publicly humiliated in the MSM, that means Democrats win.

Because the MSM always lies.

And Jason Leopold always tells the truth (you'll see)

Or if he's wrong, he'll burn his sources.

:eyes:

Doesn't it occur to anybody that the threat to "burn sources" is just one more dodge to get around responsible reporting? A CREDIBLE journalist doesn't burn sources. Instead, they come out and say, "I screwed up the article, I retract it, and take full responsibility." They don't point to someone else and say "it was their fault my article was screwed up." That's chickenshit.

It doesn't matter if Leopold got burned by the sources, it is his responsibility to publish articles that are factually correct

Seriously, some of this is wandering into delusionland.

Multiple sources have come out and been unable to verify (or deny) Leopold's article, and still people are throwing out every fantasy to try to stick with it.

[Maddy McCall]

35. Yes, the threat to burn the sources....

seems unprofessional at the very least.

If you look at this situation, you see gullibility all the way around. IF Leopold trusted untrustworthy sources without properly researching them as well as their ties to Rove, he was gullible. IF people trust his article without looking critically at the details (or in this case, lack therof), they are gullible.

So far, the few details in his article have been shown to be wrong...first, the 24 hour thing. CYA and now it's "24 business hours."

Will has problems with this, too, because he's the senior editor, and he admitted that he missed some of the most important problems in the article.

You know, if I worked for, say, Piggly Wiggly, and you wanted to do an expose' on Piggly Wiggly, you could come talk to me, a bag boy, and I could tell you all kind of rumors that I had heard (or if I were loyal to my boss, stuff that I hadn't heard, but that I wanted to tell you just to pique your interest)...and if you ran with my story that the head cashier is embezzling money, without checking all available documents or other sources, and your editor let you print it, then it's your--the reporter--fault, as well as the editors, if it's proved that the bag boy was just blowing smoke up your ass.

But then the situation keeps compounding on itself--you print the article, and your newspaper receives national attention for the sensational claim you made--and once it's out, you can't drag it back in, and it's very difficult for either the reporter or the newspaper that hired him, to regain credibility.

But to "out" the bag boy because he fed you bogus info is crazy and will earn the reporter, as well as his editor who approved said "outing," scorn from peer newspaper professionals. It wasn't the bag boy's job to vet your story for you--it was your fault for rushing to report the story as it was told to you, instead of using common sense and restraint to get your facts in order.

[demobabe]

39. Someone else brought up a good point

I read somewhere, can't remember offhand... but suppose Leopold's article is wrong and he outs his sources. Chances are, the sources are going to deny talking to Leopold anyway, so what does he lose? What if he just made the whole thing up and didn't talk to the sources at all? They would end up denying being a source, because they weren't.

How would we tell? We couldn't. Therefore Leopold couldn't be proven to have lied about sources.

Look at Luskin and Corallo: they both say Leopold never contacted them. Who is lying?

[Maddy McCall]

29. .

[sheelz]

34. Damn!

Some people never learn that there are consequences, the end result is further damage to democracy! :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

[Maddy McCall]

36. .

[Nicole]

37. .

[symbolman]

41. Kick

Rove Indicted yet?

NOPE.

[charlie]

42. Lessee

Last I heard, it was 24 business hours, so 8 hours a day puts us past Wednesday. If Thursday rolls around and no joy, I guess we'll have to deduct 2-hour lunches and 40-minute coffee breaks. Come Friday, we'll be arguing about whether Fitz meant a Biblical Creation day or ordinary secular man hours.

[symbolman]

43. LOL!!

Delicious.. then of course there's always Nanoseconds, Venusian time, and the limitless time at the speed of light, where time becomes pretty much meaningless :)