Putnam (R-FL) didn't know and didn't care that "Pelosi plane" story was false

[underpants]

GOP Rep. Who Pushed Pelosi Plane Story Admits He Didn't Know -- Or Care -- If It Was True
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/horsesmouth/2007/02/gop_rep_who_pus.php

From the Tribune story by reporter Billy Townsend:

Putnam, the third-ranking House Republican, had pushed the Pelosi story aggressively the day before, both in print and on television.
"This is not about having secure communications and secure aircraft available to her. It's about an arrogance of extravagance that demands a jumbo jet that costs $22,000 an hour to operate to taxi her and her buddies back and forth to California," Putnam told Fox News.

It turns out there's no evidence Pelosi requested any such thing. A day after Snow's remarks, the nonpartisan House sergeant-at-arms released a written statement explaining that for security reasons he asked for a plane that could carry Pelosi nonstop to her home in San Francisco, a much longer distance than former Speaker Dennis Hastert, of Illinois, had to cover.

Putnam now acknowledges he had no personal knowledge of any Pelosi request. He said he was commenting on an anonymously-sourced story in The Washington Times and additional coverage from CNN.

"This was a classic case where the media got out in front of us," Putnam said. "Did we jump on it? Yes."

And he is unapologetic about that. He calls the Pelosi plane story, whatever its legitimacy, "the first break have had from the media in driving our message since before the Mark Foley story broke."

And these days, as chairman of the House Republican conference committee, it is in Putnam's congressional job description to care intensely about that.

[Phredicles]

1. "Driving our message"? What message is that?

My guess is, We want what we want and screw the truth...:eyes::grr::puke:

[donkeyotay]

2. Similar to the Politico story about the dems' policy of slow bleed

when they never said such a thing. KO had clips of the GOP parrots all out spouting the slander. So everything goes on as usual. GOP loyalty is to their party, not their country. Their policies will continue to address appearances, not substance. You can change the words with which a audience perceives an issue, ie., Abu Ghraib was a frat boy prank, but it does not change the reality or the way the rest of the world sees it.

[Fresh_Start]

3. GOPer admits their message is lies.

"And he is unapologetic about that. He calls the Pelosi plane story, whatever its legitimacy, "the first break have had from the media in driving our message since before the Mark Foley story broke."

His own logic is that the story was a chance for them to drive their message. Since he admits that it doesn't matter to him whether the story was true or not, he is effectively admitting that their goal is driving lies to the public.

[gratuitous]

9. And since Mr. Putnam has stated it so succinctly

All the media should be on notice that in order to drive their message, the Republican leadership will knowingly and deliberately lie. Since the GOP will not change their behavior, even when they're caught out like this (and indeed will defend their lying as a legitimate tool of political discourse), then it's up to reporters and editors to double and triple check everything the Republicans say.

The Republican leadership has told you straight out that they will lie, news media; it's up to you and you alone to verify any statement coming out of the GOP. Responsible journalism (yeah, I know: :rofl: ) demands that you get a second, non-GOP source for anything they say.

[Supersedeas]

4. unapologetic in blaming the media for his own hysteria....disgusting Repig

[xxqqqzme]

5. is putnam that little red-headed, opie-looking,

adult wanna-be that was hanging out on the tarmac w/ jebbie & harris lat summer?

[Mel]

6. yea that's the punk

[johnnydrama]

7. when i was younger

The Congress was a sacred institution, one to look up to as a measure of how great our country is.

Now you have congressman purposely lying on the floor of the house unapologetically.

Even when they find out that they were lying, the refuse to take it back.

Putnam about Pelosi, Young with the Lincoln quote, McConnell & Boehner about the phony "slow burn" quotes from democrats.

All within a few days.

This great institution has been brought into the gutter by these people.

[Webster Green]

8. Heh!.....The little dip-shit acts like Congress is a schoolyard game..

And reveals that he thinks cheating is just fine, as well.

What a disgrace! Good thing he's from Florida though. That makes sense.

[AX10]

10. Putnam (sawed off little hick) admits that the GOP lies....

about their opponents in order to gain power.

[Vinca]

11. This guy is a real jerk. nt