Reporters Shocked by Anti-Kerry Band-Aids

Reporters Shocked by
Anti-Kerry Band-Aids

To document the heights (or depths) of liberal media bias during the week of the Republican convention in New York City, the Media Research Center staff is preparing twice-daily CyberAlerts. The following items are a sampling of the latest findings of notable convention media coverage, with full details available at www.mrc.org:

Aghast Over Band-Aids. CNN was upset to learn that some delegates were wearing Band-Aids emblazoned with little purple hearts. Reporter Candy Crowley confronted one woman: This is a man [John Kerry] who went and served his country. Do you feel as though youre making fun of him. On the limited distribution ABC News Now network, Peter Jennings asked Newt Gingrich: Did you squirm a little when you saw the guy wearing the purple heart? Gingrich: No, I think its funny.

Wishing for a More Liberal Agenda? After the speeches by John McCain and Rudy Giuliani, CNN anchor Aaron Brown seemed put off by their focus on national security. He told Washington Post reporter Terry Neal: I dont think the Republican Party can go an entire week without mentioning the economy, without mentioning health care, without mentioning the range of social issues. But they managed to get through the entire night tonight without talking about any of them.

Soldiers Love Hillary? On MSNBC last night, Hardball host Chris Matthews and NBC reporter Andrea Mitchell, speculating about the 2008 campaign, began talking about Hillary Clintons foreign policy credentials. Ive got to tell you, the rank-and-file military are really happy with her, Mitchell asserted.

Wheres Fallujah? Times Joe Klein faulted the GOP for not getting into nuance or detail in the speeches last night. You never heard the word Fallujah mentioned, he unrealistically argued. Following Bill Clintons opening night speech five weeks ago, however, Klein did not wonder why the ex-President failed to mention impeachment or other weaknesses of his tenure.

More Taxes, Please. In his interview with President Bush on Mondays Today, NBCs Matt Lauer told Bush he wanted the President to at least consider raising taxes in a second term. If the deficit doesnt come down, if you cant pay it down by half by 2008, will you raise taxes? Lauer lobbied.

Vice President Darth Vader. ABCs Claire Shipman told Dick Cheney that hes been referred to as evil genius, Darth Vader, architect of war, Mr. Doom and Gloom. She asked, does that bug you?

Journalists Against Bush. Former 60 Minutes correspondent Meredith Vieira regaled her colleagues on ABCs The View with how she participated in the anti-Bush marches in New York City this weekend. And on MSNBC last night, Newsweeks Jon Meacham told Chris Matthews that Republicans think all of us and the New York Times are against them. Matthews admitted: Theyre right about the New York Times, and they may be right about all of us. Full details, plus more at www.mrc.org.