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August-B 2012 | XXXXI- 16 Pat Caddell: Media Are “Enemy of the American People”

By Roger Aronoff at Caddell spoke at the recent AIM conference, “Obama- Nation: A Day of Truth.” He is the founder of Cam- Pbridge Survey Research, a public opinion pollster, and an expert in analyzing public opinion. He is frequently on Fox News, but some may remember him from all the way back to the McGovern campaign. He also worked on the Carter campaign, as well as for Gary Hart, Joe Biden, and Jerry Brown. Caddell has also worked as a consultant to various movies, TV shows, and documentaries—most notably “Apocalypse Now,” NBC’s “The West Wing,” and recently to a documentary that was shown on the Fox News Channel called “The Hope and the Change.” What follows is the speech he gave to the conference. The title of his speech was The“ Audacity of Corruption.’

PAT CADDELL: Thank you. Glad to be with you. This could take a long time, but we don’t have that, so let me just get right to this. I think we’re at the most dangerous time in our bias has become very real and very dangerous. We have a First political history in terms of the balance of power in the role that Amendment for one reason. We have a First Amendment not the media plays in whether or not we maintain a free democracy because the Founding Fathers liked the press—they hated the or not. You know, when I first started in politics—it had been press—but they believed, as [Thomas] Jefferson said, that in order for a long time, and for many years—everyone on both sides, to have a free country, in order to be a free people, we needed Democrats and Republicans, despised the press commonly, be- a free press. That was the job—so there was an implicit bargain cause they were SOBs to everybody, which is exactly what they in the First Amendment, the press being the only institution, should be. They were unrelenting. Whatever the biases were, at that time, which was in our process of which there was no they were essentially—they were equal-opportunity people. checks and balances. We designed a constitutional system with That changed in 1980. There’s a lot of reasons for it. It began many checks and balances. The one that had no checks and to change in the ’80s. It changed—an important point in the balances was the press, and that was done under an implicit [Michael] Dukakis election, when the press literally was trying understanding that, somehow, the press would protect the people to—Dukakis-Bush, get Dukakis elected by ignoring what was from the government and the power by telling—somehow al- happening in Massachusetts, with a candidate who was run- lowing—people to have the truth. That is being abrogated as ning on the platform of “He will do for America what he did we speak, and has been for some time. It is now creating—that for Massachusetts”—and they were on the verge of bankruptcy. is the danger that I spoke to. Also, the change from evening news emphasis to morning This morning, just this morning, Gallup released their latest news by the networks is another factor that’s been pointed out poll on the trust, how much trust—the Congressman [Lamar to me, and, most recently, what I call the nepotism that exists, Smith] made reference to an earlier poll—when it comes to re- where people get jobs—they’re married to people who are in the porting the news accurately, fairly, and fully, and it’s the highest administration, or in politics, whatever. But the overwhelming in history. For the first time, 60% of the people said they had continued on page 4 Editor’s Message

Dear Fellow Media Watchdogs: This AIM Report is the first in a series of reports that in the News will document our conference held on September 21st at the Heritage Foundation. It was called “ObamaNation: A Day of Truth.” If the reaction to this talk by Pat Caddell is any indica- The speech by Pat Caddell, “The tion, the conference had a big impact. Within the first couple Audacity of Corruption,” given at of days after we posted a video of the speech, a short highlight AIM’s September 21st conference, video, and the transcript, the reaction was overwhelming. “ObamaNation: A Day of Truth,” The speech, the highlights-video and the description of it that we put on our website was picked up by many leading news were quickly picked up by the Fox News website, by the New York Post, which carried sites, including Fox News, The New it both online and on their Sunday op-ed page, and by numerous other popular blogs York Post, Real Clear Politics, The and news websites. Many, such as Real Clear Politics, posted our video, and the speech Drudge Report and the Rush went viral. Rush Limbaugh cited it and played clips. In addition, clips were shown and Limbaugh show. Caddell appeared on Fox News’ O’Reilly Factor and America Live, with Megyn Kelly. Here was former liberal Democrat Caddell saying that the media had become the Caddell’s speech was also picked “enemy of the American people,” for how badly they were reporting the presidential race. up, including links to the video of The part of the speech that seemed to resonate most across the blogosphere was this: his speech, on other popular web- “When we see what happened this week in Libya—and when I said I was more sites like Ace of Spades, Hot Air, frightened than I’ve ever been, this is true, because I think it’s one thing that, as they Lucianne.com, and Instapundit. did in 2008, when the mainstream press, the mainstream media and all the press, jumped on the Obama bandwagon and made it a moral commitment on their part to AIM’s Cliff Kincaidrecently spoke help him get elected in a way that has never happened, whatever the biases in the past.” at Ronald Reagan’s alma mater, Eu- He was referring to how most of the media chose to ignore the fact that the admin- reka College, in Eureka, Illinois, at an istration had been blatantly lying when they were saying that the murder of American event called, “Media’s Influence on Ambassador to Libya, Christopher Stevens, and three others who were with him, was Elections.” Also featured was Peter the result of a spontaneous demonstration at the Libyan consulate in Benghazi over an Hart, a left-wing media critic. The anti-Islam video made in the U.S. They even sent UN Ambassador Susan Rice to appear topic was, “The Great Election De- on five network Sunday morning talk shows to make the case that that was not an act bate: How the Media Can Sway of terrorism aimed at the U.S., though information had already come out that indeed, Votes and Win Elections.” it was a planned act of terrorism, and that there had been no demonstrations outside the consulate before the attack took place. She also said the FBI was investigating. AIM needs your help. We are The new president of Libya was on CBS’s Face the Nation, and he said unequivo- working hard to publicize and dis- cally that it was a planned terrorist attack. All the while, the media were focusing on a tribute the fascinating speeches and four-month old secret recording of Mitt Romney talking about the 47% of Americans vital information presented at our who don’t pay federal income taxes. The fact that the media were clearly trying to help “ObamaNation” conference. Please Obama by not reporting what they knew about the incident in Libya, and of 20 other use the enclosed postcard to send U.S. embassies under siege around the world, were what Caddell found so galling. us a donation to help us succeed in I will get the next several AIM Reports out soon with more from our conference.• getting word out. Thanks. For Accuracy in Media Roger Aronoff Your Letters should be reined in at any cost. New tactics Dear Editor: have to be employed. AIM’s mission is laudable, necessary A twice-monthly newsletter published by and never more needed, as so well pointed Rod K. Accuracy in Media, Inc. out by Pat Caddell in his recent speech to MI your organization. However, it seems that Editor: Roger Aronoff the mainstream media continue on with Please send Letters to the Editor to: their biased reporting and news censor- Accuracy in Media 4455 Connecticut Ave, NW #330 ship with ever more impunity despite your Attn: Letters to the Editor Washington, DC 20008 efforts and those of Fox news and other 4455 Connecticut Ave, NW #330 202-364-4401 | www.aim.org organizations like yours. How do we stop Washington, DC 20008 them? I agree with Mr. Caddell, they have or email to [email protected] become a serious enemy of the people and Please keep your submissions to 50 words

2 August-BJune-B 2011 2012 Romney Won’t Challenge Liberal Media Bias By Cliff Kincaid “I think we have a system of free press, schmann tells AIM that the media rela- people are able to provide their own per- tionship with the CGI is another example spectives, based upon their own beliefs,” of the “unholy alliance” that existed during he said. “I think there’s some people who the Clinton Administration. are more in my camp, there are a lot of “This is nothing new,” she told AIM. people that are more in his camp. I don’t “The media have been sacrificing the truth worry about that.” for access to the Clintons and other power- In fact, as Caddell and other speakers players for a long time now.” at the AIM conference noted, the media This year, Mitt Romney spoke to the bias is overwhelming. A recent example, group, endorsing foreign aid and free which illustrates the general pro-Demo- trade and praising Clinton for helping cratic Party bias, was the complicity by the “the downtrodden around the world.” ongtime Democratic political opera- media in rehabilitating the disgraced and “Once again President Bill Clinton is tive and pollster Pat Caddell told impeached former president, Bill Clinton. playing politics masterfully by having Lthe AIM “ObamaNation: A Day of On page 2 of Time magazine’s October President Obama and Romney speak at Truth” conference on September 21 that 1st issue, featuring Bill Clinton on the the CGI,” she said. “Now they both owe Republican presidential candidate Mitt cover as a global problem solver, managing him, instead of just Obama for his keynote Romney should run against the press as editor Richard Stengel acknowledged that speech at the DNC. Bill Clinton did the well as Barack Obama. Romney should be Time was a “media partner” behind the same thing during the 2008 Presidential strongly “pushing back” against the media Clinton Global Initiative’s 2012 annual contest with Senator John McCain and bias, he said. meeting. then Senator Obama attending. It was a Caddell, who has become critical of Time reports that Stengel moderated a smart move on his part.” the liberal direction of the Democratic panel on “Creating Value for Business and In the CBS News interview, Crawford Party, has recently declared that Romney Society,” in which the magazine says that pressed Romney about the media, asking is running an incompetent campaign. He he “made plain the core challenge: That the him, “So you think you’re getting a fair said about Romney’s strategists, “They are profit motive is sometimes at odds with shake?” incompetent, they believe that you can sit the broader interests of society at large.” Romney replied, “I don’t think anybody and an election will automatically come in my business thinks they wouldn’t like to you.” to re-write the stories, and write the media At the AIM conference, he mentioned At the AIM conference, he men- accounts in a way that’s more favorable that criticism in the context of urging tioned that criticism in the context to them, but I don’t worry about that. I the Romney campaign to launch a vigor- of urging the Romney campaign take my message out. I know I’ll have a ous attack on the major media. He said to launch a vigorous attack on the chance through ads, through the debates, major news organizations are serving “as major media. to get my message home to the American off-shoots of the White House press of- people.” fice,” and will destroy America unless What about involvement with the for- Caddell suggested that one of Rom- their power is monitored, exposed, and mer Democratic president being at odds ney’s advisers, Ed Gillespie, is unconcerned checked. with the need for objective news report- about the media bias problem and win- He added, “Why isn’t Romney himself ing about Clinton, whose wife is Obama’s ning the race because he has been a partner getting up and saying, ‘I’m running against Secretary of State? Also, Obama White in a lobbying firm with former Clinton two organizations—I’m running against House press secretary Jay Carney served White House counsel Jack Quinn and will the Democrats and the President, and I’m as Washington Bureau Chief for Time make money no matter what happens on running against the mainstream media, magazine. Election Day. which will not tell you the truth.’” Some of those listed as speaking at this He said, “The corruption in this town is Caddell said Romney won’t do this be- year’s Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) so great. Everybody in Washington seems cause he is running a “cautious” campaign. were, in addition to Stengel: to almost be on the take…when you have He explained, “…they don’t do it because firms that have Ed Gillespie in business this man dares to be cautious. He’s going •Nicholas D. Kristof, Columnist, The with Jack Quinn, who was the counsel to dare-to-be-cautious himself right out New York Times for Bill Clinton, and responsible for the of a race that was his to lose, and he’s los- •Piers Morgan, Host, CNN’s Piers Mor- pardon of Marc Rich, among other things, ing it…” gan Tonight is because everybody in this—those people As if to prove this point, Mitt Romney •Charlie Rose, Executive Editor and on K Street, in both parties, are about ar- has now told Jan Crawford of CBS News Anchor, “Charlie Rose” rangements and money.” that the major media are not in the tank •Fareed Zakaria, Host, CNN-GPS Cliff Kincaid is the Director of the AIM for Obama and that he has no plans to Center for Investigative Journalism, and can challenge liberal media bias. Investigative journalist Marinka Pe- be contacted at [email protected].

August-B June-B 20122011 3 continued from page 1 “Not very much” or “None at all.” Of in the White House—when we’re talking Mitchell’s administration we had Justice course there was a partisan break: There about Iran, I just finished surveys, some of Departments that were so politicized and were 40% who believed it did, Democrats, you may have seen, with John McLaugh- so corrupted by politics—and he appoints 58% believed that it was fair and accu- lin this week, with Secure America Now, someone who gave two people to do a rate, Republicans were 26%, Independents why not—just how strongly Americans are study on the leaks, sometime in the next were 31%. This contempt for the media, concerned with Iran, the Muslim Broth- century will come out, and one of them or this belief—and there are many other erhood, what’s happening in the Middle is a, was a contributor to Barack Obama polls that show it—but I want to just use East, and cuts in defense spending. This when he was a state Senator. That’s a re- a few examples, because I am I think we is not the place for that, but it strikes me ally unbiased source! And the press, of crossed the line the last few weeks that as the American people identify, in the course, won’t look into this. It will not ask are terrifying. polling we’ve done over the last year, is the question. But the Republicans could A few weeks ago I wrote a piece which Iran is the single greatest danger to the have called them down. Yes, the President was called “The Audacity of Cronyism” in United States. And here’s a man who’s be- could have extended Executive Privilege, Breitbart, and my talk today is “The Au- ing paid by an already named front group but let him say “I will not answer that dacity of Corruption.” What I pointed out for that—for a terrorist regime, and is not question, sir” on the question of “Did you was, it was appalling that Valerie Jarrett asked about it, or queried about it! leak these secrets that Dianne Feinstein, had a Secret Service detail—a woman in The third thing I would say is that— the Chairman, the Democratic Chairman, the White House is a senior aide with a full then there’s of course [National Security of the Senate Intelligence Committee said a Secret Service detail, including on vaca- Advisor] Tom Donilon, who I know very were endangering national security and tion, and nobody in the press had asked well from years back, who I would cause American lives?” As she said when she why. That has become more poignant, a little bit of a stir a few months ago when read Sanger’s book, “My God, every page I as I said, last week, when we discovered I said he was the “leaker-in-chief.” I mean turn I learn something that I don’t know!” that we had an American ambassador, on this ridiculous running around—“How I mean, these are serious matters but in the anniversary of 9/11, who was without did these secrets get out?”—when it is clear Washington they’re playful, and the press adequate security—while she still has a he is a person whose only credential— does not pursue any of them. Secret Service detail assigned to her full- Peter Schweizer has done a study talk- time, at a massive cost, and no one in the ing about corruption. 60%, or 80%—it’s media has gone to ask why. closer to 80% I think, now—of the money The same thing: I raised the question of given under the stimulus to green energy David Plouffe. David Plouffe, who is the projects—the President and this adminis- White House’s Senior Advisor—he was the tration’s great project—has gone to people campaign manager last time, he and [Da- who are either bundlers or major con- vid] Axelrod sort of switched out, Axelrod Valerie Jarrett tributors to Barack Obama. But nobody going back to Chicago for the campaign— has no credentials for foreign policy; who says a word. Of course Republicans don’t and just after it was announced that he has been in the White House; who was a raise it because they just—in Washington, was coming, an Iranian front group in political operative for Walter Mondale, they simply want to do it when they get Nigeria gave him $100,000 to give two Jimmy Carter, and others; who was known back in power, so they won’t raise it, and, speeches in Nigeria. Now, let me tell you: to have, in my opinion, to be just the most of course, the press doesn’t because they There’s nobody that hands—no stranger amoral person I know in politics; and who basically have taken themselves out of do- gives you $100,000 and doesn’t expect is using and orchestrating national secu- ing their job. something in return, unless you live in a rity. In Mr. [David] Sanger’s book [Con- When we see what happened this week world that I don’t. And when he—no one front and Conceal: Obama’s Secret Wars in Libya—and when I said I was more has raised this in the mainstream media. and Surprising Use of American Power], frightened than I’ve ever been, this is true, He was on with George Stephanopoulos, as a reviewer at [The New York Times] because I think it’s one thing that, as they on ABC, a couple of weeks ago, and they said, “The hero of this book, and the clear did in 2008, when the mainstream press, were going through all these questions. source of it, is Tom Donilon”—but let the mainstream media and all the press, No one asked him whatsoever about that. me just make a point. Neither does—and jumped on the Obama bandwagon and He was not inquired—there’s been no— I would say this to the Congressman— made it a moral commitment on their George Stephanopoulos, a former advi- “You know, all the Republicans have to part to help him get elected in a way that sor to Bill Clinton—who every morning, do”—you know, I talk often about the has never happened, whatever the biases while Rahm Emmanuel was Chief of Staff, “Corrupt Party” and the “Stupid Party,” in the past. To give you an example of the has his call with Rahm Emmanuel and but the Stupid Party couldn’t be stupider difference, I’ll just shortly tell you this: In James Carville, and the three of them have when it comes to things like this. They 1980, when [Jimmy] Carter was running been doing it for years—and he is held could have called Tom Donilon and other for reelection, the press—even though out as a journalist. He has two platforms. people down to the Congress, put them 80% of them, after the election, reporters I mean, he’s a political hack masquerading under oath, and asked them if they had said they voted for Carter over [Ronald] as a journalist. But there’s no—when you leaked. Instead you have Eric Holder, who Reagan, or 70% percent of them, a very don’t ask the questions you need to ask of runs the most political Justice Depart- high percentage—they believed, so much, someone like David Plouffe, who’s going ment since John Mitchell—only in John that the Carter campaign and the Carter continued on page 5 4 August-BJune-B 2011 2012 continued from page 4 White House had abused the Rose Garden Secretary of State wasn’t out there doing this, just as no press person will go and ask against [Ted] Kennedy that they made this—was on national television, lying and the most obvious questions, when there a commitment, as they discussed, that promoting the White House line while the are really good stories here, good media they would not serve as the attack dogs Libyan President, the very same moment, stories, and good news stories. They are on Reagan for the Carter White House is saying “This is a premeditated attack.” in the tank and this is a frightening thing because they thought it was unfair and Nobody has asked that question. This Another example has been the polling, they weren’t to be manipulated. I total- morning—take a look at The New York which everyone wants to talk to me about. ly disagree with their analysis, but that Times this morning, it’s a minor reference. Look: There is no doubt that Romney is was when you actually had a press corps. blowing an election he could not lose, and Whatever their own personal feelings, It is one thing to bias the news, or has done everything he can to lose it. But they made judgments that were, “We’re have a biased view. It is another thing the bias, the polling, it’s very complicated. not going to be manipulated.” This press to specifically decide that you will not Some of it is error, some of it is miscalcu- corps serves at the pleasure of this White tell the American people information lation, but some of it is deliberate, in my House and President, led by people like they have a right to know. opinion—to pump up the numbers using Ezra Klein and Journolist, where they plot 2008 base to give a sense of momentum the stories together. The problem here is Oh, now we’ve decided that it was a terror- to the Obama campaign. When I have that no one will name names. ist incident. But this is—that would have polls that have the preference of Demo- But I want to talk about this Libyan changed, that should change the politics. crats over Republicans higher than it was thing, because we crossed some lines here. I do blame the—you know, it’s not— in 2008, which was a peak Democratic It’s not about politics. When the—if any this is without accomplices, because the year, I know I am dealing with a poll that President of the United States—First of incompetence of the [Mitt] Romney cam- shouldn’t be reported. And yet they are all we’ve had nine day of lies over what paign, which I said a week ago is the—my being done, and they are being done with happened because they can’t dare say it’s God!—the worst campaign in my lifetime, that knowledge and with that basis for a terrorist attack, and the press won’t push and the Republican establishment in gen- some people, and the answer, as I said, this. Yesterday there was not a single piece eral’s inability to fight, has allowed these some of it is incompetence, some of it is in The New York Times over the question things to happen in part because they don’t they just don’t know, really know, how to of Libya. Twenty Americans embassies, do it. But I want to go through two other handle it, and some of it is on purpose, yesterday, are under attack. None of that quick points. and it’s purposeful. But all of it is just is on the national news. None of it is be- [Mohamed] Morsi and Egypt: The to serve a basic point, just as JournoList ing pressed in the papers. If a President of President of Egypt, we find out now, that was—Mr. Klein’s JournoList—but as I said either party—I don’t care whether it was two days before, that his whole agenda has there is no pushback. We have a political Jimmy Carter or Bill Clinton or George been getting the “Blind Sheikh” [Omar campaign where, to put the best metaphor Bush or Ronald Reagan or George H. W. Abdel-Rahman], who’s responsible for the I can on it, where the referees on the field Bush—had a terrorist incident, and got bombings of the World Trade Center in are sacking the quarterback of one team, on an airplane after saying something, and 1993, out of jail. Prison. I’ve been told tripping up their runners, throwing their flown off to a fundraiser in Las Vegas, they specifically, by a member of the intelli- bodies in front of blockers, and nobody would have been crucified! It would have gence community, the White House and says anything. The Republicans don’t. The been—it should have been the equivalent, State Department are negotiating that reason you will lose this battle is for one for Barack Obama, of George Bush’s “fly- now. They have now come out and de- reason. Despite organizations like AIM ing over Katrina” moment. But nothing nied it, but [Morsi] comes out, that they and others who are pointing this out, and was said at all, and nothing will be said. ordered—he’s the head of the Muslim the fact that 60% of the American people It is one thing to bias the news, or have Brotherhood! The American people know are in on the secret here—I mean, they’re a biased view. It is another thing to spe- what they think of the Muslim Brother- no idiots—Republicans and those candi- cifically decide that you will not tell the hood: They are against them eleven to dates who are not the candidates of the American people information they have one, all right? And he’s the president of the press refuse to call them out. If I were the a right to know, and I choose right now, Muslim Brotherhood, [which is receiving Romney campaign I would’ve been doing openly, and this is—if I had more time $2 billion from the United States]. He this for months! I’d have been looking I’d do all the names for it—but The New orders, he tells them—we had advance at individual reporters! I would be tell- York Times, The Washington Post, or the warning because they had said they were ing the American people, “They’re not most important papers that influence the going to do this, attack our embassy. The trying to stop me; they’re trying to stop networks, ABC, NBC, and, to a lesser President—after the incident, after 48 you! And they are here to do this!” And I extent—because CBS has actually been hours, Mr. Morsi does nothing and says would have made the press themselves an on this story, partly because the President nothing—picks up the phone, calls him, issue because, until you do, what happens of Libya appeared on [Bob Schieffer’s Face and demands that they call it off. On Fri- is, they are given the basic concession of the Nation] and said, on Sunday, while day—last Friday, a week ago today—there authenticity and accuracy, or that they are [U.S. Ambassador to the U.N.] Susan Rice was supposed to be a big demonstration. credible, by not doing that. was out—the U.N. Ambassador has no We thought that would be the big day— Now too many reporters, too many portfolio on this matter—lying, said of no, it disappeared, because Morsi called it political people in the Republican party the Secretary—you know why, notice the off. But no press person has investigated in this town, want to maintain their rela- continued on page 6 August-B June-B 20112012 5 tionships with the press. This is how Sarah to do it, and the country doesn’t have the but, worse—and this is the danger of the Palin got handed over to Katie Couric confidence in the press that they once had. last two weeks—what truth that you may and to ABC before she was ready—be- But all I want to conclude to this is that know, as an American, and what truth you cause Steve Schmidt and others want to we face a fundamental danger here. The are not allowed to know, they have, then, preserve their view, you know, their rela- fundamental danger is this: I talked about made themselves a fundamental threat tionships with the press. You know, people the defense of the First Amendment. The to the democracy, and, in my opinion, have their own agendas, and often it’s not press’s job is to stand in the ramparts and made themselves the enemy of the Ameri- winning. But this not-pushing-back is a protect the liberty and freedom of all of can people. And it is a threat to the very problem, and they don’t do it. And, you us from a government and from orga- future of this country if that—we allow know what this is a different era: The old nized governmental power. When they this stuff to go on, and we cross—we’ve argument of “You don’t attack someone desert those ramparts and go to serve—to crossed a whole new and frightening slide in the press”—but it’s “You don’t get in a decide that they will now become an ac- on the slippery slope this last two weeks, pissing match with someone who buys ink tive participants—when they decide that and it needs to be talked about. And so by the barrel”—doesn’t apply anymore. their job is not simply to tell you who that’s my—that’s as much as I can do in There are too many outlets, too many ways you may vote for, and who you may not, twenty minutes.• CNN’s Don Lemon assessment. But the problem for her is that who insisted the language be reinserted she claims that she was misquoted, when so that the platform would be reflective Grills Debbie Wasser- a check of the Examiner story makes no of his personal views. man Schultz over God, mention of her using the word “policies” After a little more discussion of the plat- and was a very straightforward report of form language, Lemon then switched back Jerusalem and Israel what she did say. to the controversial platform vote, asking By Don Irvine After realizing that she was going to why the teleprompter already included stick to her talking points, Lemon moved language stating that the necessary two- on to the platform debacle in which the thirds vote was achieved. Democrats removed references to God Wasserman Schultz said that the belief and Jerusalem from their platform, only was that they would get that two-thirds to reinsert them after a public outcry, in vote, and that’s what Villaraigosa heard a very clumsy manner. and that’s why he called it that way. She Lemon started off by playing the now also disputed the notion that there was famous clip of the platform vote that shows any discord. a contentious vote and a very confused “I know discord. Hearing a smattering NN’s Don Lemon put the squeeze Anthony Villaraigosa, the chairman of the of opposition when something’s proposed, on Democratic National Chair- convention. Villaraigosa finally made the we don’t do things completely unanimous- Cwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz decision to pass the platform changes after ly nor do we require unanimity in our over the events in Charlotte at the Demo- three voice votes in which it was clear that party.” cratic National Convention that left many there was not a two-thirds majority, which A smattering of opposition? Was she people wondering about her judgment and was necessary to reinstate the language. hearing the same voice vote that everyone leadership skills. He then asked Wasserman Schultz, else heard? There was noticeable disagree- Lemon started off the interview by ask- as the head of the Democratic National ment over the platform language, and no ing Wasserman Schultz about her remarks Committee, who was responsible for one said that there had to be unanimity, on Republicans and Israel. The Washing- screwing up the language? but in this case they needed at least a 2/3 ton Examiner had reported her as saying Wasserman Schultz said that when Pres- vote of the delegates and they clearly didn’t that Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren had ident Obama realized there was an omis- get it. But Villaraigosa approved it anyway, told her that “what the Republicans are sion, he insisted that they be reinserted. in an attempt to avoid embarrassment, doing is dangerous for Israel.” Lemon wasn’t satisfied with her answer though the coverage after the vote made Wasserman Schultz then accused the and told her that he had heard that “over the Democrats look worse than if they had Examiner of misquoting her, saying that and over and over again,” and that after just had an honest vote to begin with.• she never said that Republican policies the GOP convention which repeatedly were dangerous for Israel, but rather that mentioned God and Israel, that omitting What you can do what Republicans were doing by suggest- them from the Democratic platform must Please send the enclosed postcards to: ing that there was “daylight” between the have been intentional. He asked her if she • Patrick Pexton, Ombudsman at The parties on Israel was what was “harmful” shouldn’t have made sure there wasn’t an Washington Post, for suggesting that the to Israel. oversight, considering her position as the media give Romney a fair shake; Lemon told Wasserman Schultz that head of the DNC and being a Jewish- • Anderson Cooper for his excellent maybe she didn’t say it, but she certainly American. work on Libya-Gate, showing how Obama “inferred” (sic) it, and that Oren denied Wasserman Schultz responded by saying administration had been lying and cover- that he ever made those remarks. that the platform was very pro-Israel, and ing up about death of U.S. Ambassador. ; Wasserman Schultz disagreed with that reiterated that it was President Obama • Please make a donation to AIM

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