Kerry has Showdown with Reporter, Hits Raw Nerve that Reporter Reveals

[kerrygoddess]

John Kerry has Showdown with Reporter, Hits Raw Nerve that Reporter Reveals to Bloggers After Conference Call
August 21st, 2006 @ 2:59 pm

A recurring theme in the liberal blogosphere is to note the propensity of the MSM to allow the Republican Noise Machine to control the message in the media. In Lapdogs, Eric Boehlert demonstrated clearly that “the news media have utterly failed in their duty as watchdog for the public.”

An instance of this was seen clearly during the conference call with John Kerry and Patrick Murphy, a week ago Friday, when Jonathan Kaplan of The Hill asked Patrick Murphy, “Do you think Ned Lamont’s victory in Connecticut hurts or helps your chances of defeating the GOP incumbent?”

Murphy responded and Kaplan pushed the meme again, that perhaps Lamont’s victory was a gain for the GOP.

After Murphy’s second response to Kaplan, John Kerry interjected his thoughts on Kaplan’s question and made it very clear to Kaplan that the press “should not allow them to be able to try to transform failure into an offensive policy to suggest that someone is weak because they have an alternative that works.”

Kaplan snidely responded to Kerry saying, “Isn’t that your job not ours?”

John Kerry proceed to give Jonathan Kaplan a quick lesson in what the role of the media really is — “We communicate through you,” Kerry said. “We need to invite you to hold them accountable… We speak but if it doesn’t get out there, the American people don’t hear it.”

MORE, LINKS & AUDIOS - http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=3932

[babylonsister]

1. “We need to invite you to hold them accountable… " Amen, Senator! nt

[MrModerate]

4. How about "you need to do your frakkin' job, pudknocker . . ."

Although that might not be so effective.

[babylonsister]

5. New Word (for me): pudknocker!

[MrModerate]

11. I've always liked it . . .

It's useful when you want more syllables than "wanker."

[Kolesar]

60. A line from "The Right Stuff"

Spoken by "Pancho" Barnes, owner of Pancho's Happy Bottom Riding Stables and Saloon

[Joe Bacon]

33. but Kaplan LOVE$ being a $tenographer!

He loves those tax cuts too much to tell the truth to the American people.

[Guaranteed]

10. THAT was statesmanship.

Nice tact on Kerry's part. The point definitely got across.

[kerrygoddess]

12. Yep...

"We need to invite you" -- cracked me up - JK totally got under Kaplan's skin.

[babylonsister]

28. Not even tact, but classy and smart, as usual.

I can't argue with intelligence, especially when it's coming from Kerry because he's really working for us and speaks for me.

[panader0]

2. The man who should be president. I'll always admire him.

[Unbowed]

37. I agree. He should be President.

Maybe he will someday.

[knowbody0]

3. thanks kerrygoddess

that was delicious!

[kerrygoddess]

6. My pleasure! n/t

[IndianaGreen]

7. Too many rightwingers passing themselves off as journalists!

They are guilty of what they accuse the liberals of having: a liberal press, which in reality is a conservative press representing the views of the media owners.

Way to go, Kerry!

[kerrygoddess]

9. Exactly...

Nothing liberal about Jonathan Kaplan who enabled a GOP staffer to hack into a Dem Press Conference.

[karynnj]

What a baby as well

He counted intelligently counter Kerry's polite, but strong comments so he resorts to that childishness - and expects his peers to join him in ripping Kerry. Then he acts like the elementary school kid who won't own us to being the one who said that - because he "would get in trouble."

If there weren't a tape, I wonder how he would write this up. (Murphy took his obnoxious question quite well - but Kerry did a good job in focusing attention on where the problem is.)

[kerrygoddess]

19. Between him

and Conallen it was quite a sideshow!

[Supersedeas]

72. the Corp shills are beginning to be EXPOSED

[Donnachaidh]

8. what an asshole Kaplan is!

So much for the liberal media.

[kerrygoddess]

35. With a capital "A"

[nam78_two]

13. I have some questions about Kerry

I have recently been reading up on Iran Contra, BCCI etc.-I just knew the general outline before.

Kerry comes off as a real frickin' hero in all that I have been reading. Why did his campaign never talk about this stuff-this is baffling to me ?
I saw maybe one Salon article about all this stuff in the whole time.

The guy has a real backbone and what comes across is true integrity. How did they allow this man to be painted as a wishy-washy person with no principles??

How do these Repuke pigs get away with this time after time after time...tarring and feathering one highly respectable nominee after another....its baffling to me...

I always liked Kerry but his work on the Iran-Contra/BCCI stuff makes him a real hero. Too bad even so many lefties have a "meh" attitude towards him.

The more I learn about Kerry the more dejected I get about what might have been ...
Very frustrating looking at all the amazing people -Kerry, Gore etc. who might have been prez and then looking at what is the prez. .

Oh and good on him for the reporter stuff !

[karynnj]

20. Just a guess,

I assume that he didn't speak about Iran-Contra most for two reasons:
- The country has glorified Oliver North as a hero Communist fighter and has turned bad to good and good to bad.
- St Ronnie died in the summer of 2004 and was already being cannonized by the press - imagine if Kerry spoke of trying to stop Reagan/Bush from allowing the Contras to run guns (to Central America) and drugs here.
(I just hope history records the truth - if it does the Bushes and Reagan will be seen for what they are.)

Kerry did mention BCCI in his University of Pennsylvania speech - in saying that he would go after the terrorist funds -

here's a link to the Washington Post coverage - read this in light of the arrests in London and you will see why George Will said what he did.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A48716-20...

Here's the transcript of Kerry's speech:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/transcrip...

He also spoke of his ideas in the the NYT magazine article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/10/magazine/10KERRY.html...

Kerry also refered to it as he spoke on terrorism in the first debate.

I had the same reaction that you describe as I read Tour of Duty than read of Iran Contra, and BCCI. It is amazing to me that with both these things and fighting the Vietnam war, he risked the political career that meant so much to him.

He also saved the life of a Republican Senator who was chocking on a piece of fruit. The Senator was at the Republican lunch and he left the room - 2 other Republicans tried to help him by hitting him on the back. Luckily, Kerry came out of the elevator, immediately assessed the situtation and used him the Hiemlick manoever.

He also saved the life of one of his swiftboat crew in the last decade. He had a very bad bout of PTSD, ended up living on the streets and drinking. He was then suicidal but made a last call to Kerry's Senate office. Kerry spent most of a day on and off the phone with him (between votes) and he got him into a VA rehab. As he had no family or friends left speaking to him, Kerry provided emotional support and kept in contact with him and his doctor through that time. Kind of blows the aloof elite snob image up. (Imagine Bush caring for someone who was down and out.)

[nam78_two]

34. Nice!

Thanks for the links/info...didn't know the Heimlich stuff etc.

I always felt that many people wrote him off too quickly...many people on our side I mean.

He also always gave me the vibe of being super liberal but trying to mask it for the elections...

[blm]

47. Unfortunately, many who purport to be on "our side" were angry at Kerry's

investigations because they or their DC establishment friends were involved in those events to some degree.

The more you learn the more you wonder why Clinton chose to close the books on BushiNc's crimes....crimes that led to almost everything happening today, including 9-11.

[tbyg52]

67. To quote Heinlein

The answer to "why don't they" is always "money." Money runs this country, not the people.

[IronLionZion]

43. It breaks my heart

Guys like Kerry were born to lead this country. But this country just doesn't seem to appreciate it.

[blue cat]

66. me too

breaks my heart to heart him speak so eloquently when we have a prez who other countries make fun of because he can't speak well.

[kerrygoddess]

70. I'm grateful

That JK's getting more and more vocal. Bush is an idiot!

[LittleClarkie]

30. I did that just before the election. I've been known to STILL burst into

tears thinking of what might have been.

In other words, I hear ya.

[Chemical Bill]

38. My opinion...

is that since we (well, the CIA and the big banks that make money on drug smuggling) are up to our asses in heroin in Afghanistan, someone mentioned to Kerry that if he raised Iran/Contra and BCCI as issues then he would end up like Vincent Foster or Paul Wellstone. That's just my opinion, of course.

Bill

[IronLionZion]

42. Rove graduated from the school of orwellian logic

he goes after the candidate's strengths. He swiftboated his military service. Said his very intelligent analysis of the issues is "flip flopping". His support for freedom is "enabling the terrorists" who hate us for our freedom. Somehow, the private health insurance that every congressman and federal employee including KKKarl has is "big government bureacracy".

And the list goes on. They do it because it works. The sheep fall for it.

yeah, the Iran Contra and BCCI stuff was the real deal. And when I see his movie Going Upriver I just feel like crying for what might have been. Same thing with Al Gore. Even with Jimmy Carter using more helicopters during Operation Desert 1.

[blm]

44. The problem is CLINTON and those Dem spokespeople schooled only in

defending Clinton for the last 15 years. They know hardly ANYTHING anout any other Dem or their record.

And since most Dem pundits and spokespeople are Clintonites they still aim to protect him - by bringing up IranContra, BCCI or CIA drugrunning, it begs the question - Why did Clinton want the books closed on these BushInc crimes of office?

[Guaranteed]

14. There was more to it, at the link, too.

Apparently Kaplan wasn't finished. He had a bit of a meltdown after Kerry got off the line.

[kerrygoddess]

18. Major meltdown

It was pretty astounding. Chickenshit wouldn't even admit it was him after he was identified by someone on the call.

[Cha]

15. Kick for Kerry! This is where we

lose the masses..in the fascist press. Everyone's starting to notice.

[blm]

50. Dean and the DNC need to hear this because it's how they operate against

most Dems.

[ProSense]

16. Bravo Senator Kerry! Shows you what cowards these

assholes are. Kaplan gets handed his ass for not understanding his job, then comes back, hiding (unidentified) on the other end of a phone, to whine and hurl snide remarks.

[Gregorian]

17. I'm sorry I ever lost faith in you John.

You've got me back on board. I was weak to not realize Sen. Kerry's integrity and tenacity. I just expected this kind of swinging a lot sooner. I guess he had too much class to strike out like this. But now we're at a different crossing in time.

Thanks.

[kerrygoddess]

29. We are at different crossing

And the fight ain't over.

Welcome back - IMHO JK has more integrity and tenacity than 99% of those on the Hill. Even when he hits hard, he does it with style.

[az chela]

21. I want to dedicate this post to my mother in law

Who died 3 weeks ago.Before Bush stole the election from the real winner she had ordered
a dollar bill for me with a picture of Kerry in the middle.
It is in a black folder with an eagle on the front in gold.Since she wasnt the least bit interested in politics I havent a clue where she got this but she sent it to me in the mail.
It is one of my favorite possesions and if John runs again I will have a dollar with the real president on it.
Thanks mom
I know you have went to the happy hunting ground and are finally at peace

[globalvillage]

27. My condolences.

That's a very sweet sentiment.
So sorry for your loss, and hopeful that your mother in law has found peace.

[dweller]

31. what a sweet gift

that hopefully has a prescient value if not one day an economic one.

you should hold it whenever you think of your mother in law and wish her happy hunting.

peace
dp

[blm]

45. Oh geez.... you just choked me up BIGTIME on this post.

May peace be with you and your family.

[OzarkDem]

22. The Hill newsletter has been very prickly of late

They've become very defensive, almost shrill. They've taken the gloves off when it comes to Dems.

This is all very, very good news. It means they see the handwriting on the wall and their days of feeding at the trough are coming to an untimely end.

I think what bothers these reporters more than anything is that they've been so arrogant living like the ultimate insiders gloating over Bush's policies. And all those policies are looking like the trash they are. Its not the potential for defeat that bothers them as much as the public humiliation they experience when the public finally realizes the GOP is nothing but a pack of liars and common thieves.

[Cocoa]

23. I like when Kaplan realized he stepped in it

"I shouldn't have even said that...Now I'm going to get in trouble...Mike, are you going to help me out here?"

[OzarkDem]

24. He had a GOP plant to play "Gannon" for him

The audacity of these jerks - this whole ambush of Kerry was deliberately planned and they whine when they get caught in their lies and dirty tricks.

The news media are scum.

[karynnj]

25. Their "ambush" was pretty lame

Kerry was so much better than they were that he took it all in stride. Maybe they'll eventually get that he is the real thing.

[kerrygoddess]

26. 'cept Mike dug it deeper

the audio got cut there but Conallen really dug them both in.

[blm]

54. This is pretty much proving we pegged these mediawhores exactly right

a long tme ago, and they never fail to remind us how right we STILL are about them and their agenda.

I wish we WERE just paranoid.

[fedupinBushcountry]

32. Thank you Senator Kerry

again you show another example of class and the truth of how this media is so inept and hurting this country more then helping it.

[_dynamicdems]

36. This is great! LOL!

Righteous smackdown of Kaplan by JK. Good stuff! JK is armed to the teeth and hunting bear this week.

[Mad_Dem_X]

39. "If it doesn't get out there...

the American people don't hear it."

EXACTLY! They can talk until they're blue in the face, but if the media doesn't report it, it does no good.

[karynnj]

41. That will also be the challange in 2008

Most people were not even aware that the reason they heard no message in 2004 was mostly because it was not carried in the media. Kaplan's comment that it was "Kerry's job" to get the message out also says the Democrats (or at least Kerry) are responsible for developing their own media to get out their message. Democracy needs a free independent press.

What was really strange was Kaplan's intense anger at Kerry statements that few people would disagree with. That he though Kerry was in the wrong, not him is interesting.

[kerrygoddess]

49. Kaplan was clearly there

helping to set Conallen up to play his little game of challenging Murphy to a debate. The whole thing stinks of biased reporters and their bad behavior.

[bluescribbler]

40. That's my Senator!!

Damn, I'm proud of him.

[kerrygoddess]

68. Used to be mine

I'm in CA now... Actually I think of him as my president.

[bdamomma]

46. the truth comes out again

“We communicate through you,” Kerry said. “We need to invite you to hold them accountable… We speak but if it doesn’t get out there, the American people don’t hear it.”



Right on Senator Kerry.

[ProSense]

48. Exactly! I have yet to find any major news coverage of

Conyers' report:

The Constitution in Crisis; The Downing Street Minutes and Deception, Manipulation, Torture, Retribution, and Coverups in the Iraq War, and Illegal Domestic Surveillance

[demdiva]

51. So great! Thanks Senator Kerry

[kerrygoddess]

52. JK set him in his place

Kaplan was ticked.

The audio tell the story.

[demdiva]

61. he did. absolutely.

[Time for change]

53. Good for him -- Dems need to do that kind of thing much more often!

[blm]

55. Calling the press out is CRUCIAL at this point - And this story may have

legs - it caught fire on Dkos and Atrios has it up.

ALL Dems need to make this case about holding the press accountable and to urge them just to do their damn jobs.

[kerrygoddess]

58. C&L also has it!

Keep it going people!

[kerrygoddess]

62. Making some noise with this

Atrios, the Daou, C&L, Kos's Mid Day Thread Thread.

Thank you everyone!

[blm]

63. MediaMatters, HuffPo and TakeBackTheMedia need to see it.

.

[kerrygoddess]

64. I've sent

please feel free to back me up and sent it!

[Time for change]

73. Here's something I wrote about that recently

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[blm]

75. That's a great post - very much in tune with Boehlert's book, Lapdogs.

And you make a great point, one that bothers me IMMENSELY - So many of our Dem analysts and strategists have completely MISSED THE BOAT on the corporate media agenda.

I think it comes down to being too close and part of it. They see their roles and that THEY can get on TV when they have a book out or something, but don't notice that many others CANNOT. How many times did you see Boehlert or Palast or RFKs books and articles discussed? And you'll NEVER see Robert Parry invited on any of the shows, even though he had more insight into the Bush family dealings than any other journalist.

[Dr Fate]

56. He should have said : "Stop repeating Karl Rove's lies as facts."

Kerry is my man, but ALL DEMS need to drop the nuance and start being blunt when it comes to media bias.

He should have said:

"You media people need to stop repeating Karl Rove's lies as facts- that is NOT supposed to be your job."

We wont make a dent or get into the echo chamber until we make blunt, agressive, but truthful statements about our opponents.

[kerrygoddess]

57. Hey Hey Dr Fate!

He's the Real Deal! Kaplan is a class A hole.

[Dr Fate]

59. I agree on both counts, 100%. But my point stands.

But my points stand- Kerry's retort will go unheard as it is.

If all Democrats with media access made "hot" , confrontational statements like I suggest, it would get more play in the echo chamber. More swingvoters & former Repubs would be introduced to the concept that the media just may be Pro-Bush.

I think Democrats need to make unqualified accusations that the media repeats Rove's lies as facts. And accuse them of doing it ON PURPOSE.

Bring up specifc examples of lies they repeated over the last 6 years and then ask them if those repeated statements are factual or not.

Ask them "Why did you refuse to investigate this? You just repeated it as a fact- do you guys investigate ANYTHING that Rove tells you to say????...Oh- you DO? What then?"

Of course, no DEMS will ever do that, and of course, your average non-news junkie will never be introduced to the idea that the media is biased in favor of Bush.

Kerry is heading in the right direction with this- but I wont celebrate until I see something more direct and blunt.

[kerrygoddess]

65. Disagree

The media heard it and probably all reacted privately as Kaplan did. He dressed them all down when he dressed Kaplan down. If I had not exposed this no one would know.

[samsingh]

69. Kerry speaks the truth

but if the media is corrupted and owned by the anti-American repugs - then rich Democrats need to buy up the media and make it objective again

[blm]

71. I am definitely on that platform with you. I have SCREAMED LOUDLY every

time a media deal was up in the air, hoping to get the attention of the Dem investor class.

[kerrygoddess]

74. Media Matters Asks ‘Who Is Jonathan Kaplan?’

Media Matters Asks ‘Who Is Jonathan Kaplan?’
August 23rd, 2006 @ 5:31 pm

Media Matters has done an in depth follow-up to my piece here 2 days ago on Jonathan Kaplan — ‘Who Is Jonathan Kaplan?’

Kaplan got a little testy after a teleconference call with the media, during which John Kerry pointed out to him that the responsibility of the media is to “not allow them to be able to try to transform failure into an offensive policy to suggest that someone else is weak because they have an alternative that works.”

Kaplan’s outburst after the call was caught on tape and it has caused a stir in the liberal blogosphere.

Media Matters takes a look back at Kaplan’s “history at The Hill of repeating unchallenged partisan attacks on Kerry.”

He devoted the entirety of a July 7, 2004, article to simply reprinting Republican attacks on Kerry and former Sen. John Edwards (D-NC) following the announcement that Edwards would be Kerry’s running mate. The entire article, titled “GOP swiftly goes on the attack,” is reproduced below:

http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=3969

[ProSense]

76. So this jerk

is addicted to war, but leaves the fighting to others? No wonder he hid his identity. He's a major league asshole and poster boy for cowardice.