CNN Champions Pelosi Smear, Covers False Washington Times Story Six Days Straight

[babylonsister]

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/02/07/pelosi-smear/

CNN Champions Pelosi Smear, Covers False Washington Times Story Six Days Straight

Last month, when a right-wing publication smeared Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL), CNN helped debunk the report and called out media outlets that ran with the false story. Anderson Cooper told viewers: “That’s the difference between talking about news and reporting it. You send a reporter, check the facts, and you decide at home.”

Now, the Washington Times (owned by the same entity that published the Obama smear) has launched a series of attacks on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), claiming that Pelosi is “demanding permanent access to a large military jet for herself, her staff, other Members and supporters.”

As with the Obama smear, the Times story is based entirely on quotes from unnamed sources. Yet, instead of investigating the report, CNN’s Lou Dobbs has covered the story every day for six straight days — Feb 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 — amplifying the attacks and repeating the inaccuracies.

Here are Dobbs’ claims along with the facts:

1) Dobbs: Pelosi “wants the U.S. Air Force for personal accommodation.”

FACT: Pelosi’s use of a military aircraft is about security, not “personal accomodation.” It was House Sergeant at Arms Wilson Livingood who initiated inquiries into the aircraft. “I advised Speaker Pelosi that the US Air Force had made an airplane available to Speaker Hastert” following 9/11, Livingood wrote, and “I offered to call the U.S. Air Force and Department of Defense to seek clarification of the guidelines .”

snip//

Email Lou Dobbs and tell him to correct the record.

[CatWoman]

1. do you have Lou's email addy?

[napi21]

4. I've heard conflicting stories about this, but no answers!

I first heard Nancy asked for a plane that would fly non-stop from Ca. to DC. I can sure understand THAT! Then there was son report that the plane Hatert used could do that. I happen to think that the first report was right, and the one Hastert used would have tostop for refueling at least once.

I'dreally love to hear from someone who knows more about these aircraft that I do, just who is right here?

I'm well aware that commercial non-stop flights NEVER fly smaller aircraft, and maybe that's just an economic thing. I also know there is a max distance spec on every aircraft.

nypilots out there who can answer this?

[babylonsister]

7. The only thing I could find on his site was this feedback form, but

I imagine someone has his e-mail address because he has a question of the day. I don't listen to him much.

http://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form5.html?9

[Catherine Vincent]

2. Wolf Blitzer just reported on it also.

He had some repuke congressman yelling about it. Don't remember his name.

[Double T]

3. Speaker Pelosi got HERSELF in THIS bind when she requested........

what MOST would consider an EXCESSIVE Air Force aircraft; Speaker Pelosi would have done just fine with a much smaller aircraft.

[napi21]

5. Check my post above. She wanted Non-stop capability.

Ca. is a lot longer flight than Ill. and requires a lotmore fuel capacity!

[Double T]

13. A much smaller aircraft is available with more than a 5,000 mile range.....

without refueling. The Speaker has really tarnished her credibility with HER request for the excessive Air Force aircraft.

[DURHAM D]

6. She did not make the request. This whole story was

put to rest as WH spin several days ago. Do some research before starting it up again please.

[DU9598]

8. Thanks to the poster.

First I saw of the story, but had heard a RW complaining. Glad the poster directed us to the rebuttal to the story.

[Double T]

14. In the current environment with lies and fabrications of ALMOST EVERYTHING........

it is difficult to know what is truth and what is spin. The msm is still on this issue and THEY sure aren't letting up. If it is bushco spin, please accept my apologies for perpetuating the BS.

[partylessinOhio]

9. We do not have royalty in the White House or Congress.

This is just ridiculous.

I would also like to see the Condoho grounded.

Now we have this "your plane is bigger than mine" business. Enough already.

[Pirate Smile]

10. Tucker is pimping it big time right now on MSNBC. bleech.

[peacetalksforall]

11. I think it shows good contingency planning - find out what's involved

in the event of a disaster similar to 9-11 - more - or less - find out what the procedures are. Very smart of the Sargeant At Arms. Why not be knowledgeable?

So has Dobbs ever mentioned Hastert?

[peacetalksforall]

12. Be safe - don't trust Dobbs. Don't warm up to him. Just stick with

facts, not the person and not his employer - Time Warner. It's easier to judge what he says and there is no disappoint him.

In fact, start with the fact that Time Warner is a right wing partner and you won't be let down.