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From IsBushWired -
Saturday, October 16, 2004
Get off our backs (and the president's), press big shots tell fellow reporter
The national press seems almost as eager as the White House to have this story die away -- perhaps because it makes them look almost as bad as the White House.
Reporter Dan Elias was at the third debate, where he asked every official and network newsman that he saw for an explanation. Elias says he felt he had to ask because, "there's incontrovertibly a foreign object on the president's back. We need to get an answer as to what it is."
He writes, "As we all know, at one point in our history, the national media conspired to protect a president's image by hiding his handicap: the fact that FDR had been crippled by polio and used a wheelchair. It's hard to believe that that's what's happening today. But the reticence of the national media to seriously engage this issue is having the same effect. And it may well be denying a very important truth to the American public at a critical time in our history. And if we're all off-base about this, the White House can easily set us straight. Why are they choosing not to do so?
Here are more excerpts from his email to IsBushWired:
"Like many readers of this web site, I've been mystified as to why this story hasn't been picked up in full force by the network media, nor raised as a serious issue by the Kerry campaign, nor put to rest by the White House.
On Wednesday night, I had the opportunity to do a little direct research, and put people on the record on this issue.
I attended the debate at ASU in Tempe. During the pre-debate hours, I encountered, in the press tent, various members of the national press, and the most prominent figures of the two campaigns, and asked each the following question: "What was the president wearing on his back during the first debate, and doesn't the public deserve an explanation as to what it was?" My questioning, when possible, took place in the presence of other members of the media. Below you'll see a list of the individuals I asked and how they responded.
Ken Mehlman, Bush campaign manager:
"The president is an alien. You heard it here first. The president is an alien. Seriously, I didn't see it, I didn't pay attention to it, I was amused to hear that someone thought it was a transmitter." Me: "Well, who knows what it is? "Mehlman: "I do not know. I will try to find out and tell you." (Note: Salon also posted on Melhman's and another top Republican's non-answers.)
Joe Lockhart, senior adviser to the Kerry campaign: "I don't know what it was, if it was a transmitter it's nothing we can prove, so we're staying away from it."
Jeff Greenfield, CNN senior commentator: "I don't want to go there. That's 'Area 51' kind of stuff. Did you see Bush's performance? If he was getting help, a Democrat must have been on the other end."
Alan Colmes, FOX News: "I haven't seen the photo." Me: It's not a photo, Mr. Colmes, it's apparent on any video of the debate. Colmes: "Well, I haven't seen it." After more questioning, Mr. Colmes grew impatient and said, "What do you want me to say?" I suggested it was irresponsible of him not to have looked into the story and formed an opinion on it.
Chris Wallace, FOX News: "I don't know." Me: "Well, no one knows, but don't we deserve an explanation?" Wallace: "Would you leave me alone and let me do my job?" Me (as Wallace walked away to the FOX set): "That is your job, Mr. Wallace."
Elias concludes his letter to us, "Regardless of whether it's a receiver or not, a foreign object of some kind is clearly visible on the president's back during the first debate. The public has a right to know what it is. The White House could put the entire issue to rest by telling us. Their failure to do so suggests there is no legitimate explanation." |
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