The Mort Halperin Memo to ABC News...

[kentuck]

This story is reported on Sludge Report so I won't bother you with a link. If you wish to got there, that is up to you. But the right-wingers are fired up about a memo that says all distortions and attacks are not the same. ANd they are aware of the Bush plan to destroy Kerry with lies and distortions and "liberal" labels...
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Halperin Memo Dated Friday October 8, 2004

It goes without saying that the stakes are getting very high for the country and the campaigns - and our responsibilities become quite grave

I do not want to set off (sp?) and endless colloquy that none of us have time for today - nor do I want to stifle one. Please respond if you feel you can advance the discussion.

The New York Times (Nagourney/Stevenson) and Howard Fineman on the web both make the same point today: the current Bush attacks on Kerry involve distortions and taking things out of context in a way that goes beyond what Kerry has done.

Kerry distorts, takes out of context, and mistakes all the time, but these are not central to his efforts to win.

...more

[Goldmund]

1. Josh Marshall has a nice write-up about it

www.talkingpointsmemo.com

[Fluffdaddy]

3. I like Josh Marshall , I visit his blog everyday

[Fluffdaddy]

2. The Right-Wingnuts are really playing this up..................But

They had nothing to say when that FOX reported posted BS "joke" quotes from Kerry on Fox's web site

[kentuck]

4. ..more from the comments from"that" website...

Why should there be any controversy in putting comments and distorions into proper context. It shouldn't be that one side can say whatever they wish. If the other side does not respond, that is their fault. The press has no responsibility in the matter.
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<snip>
We have a responsibility to hold both sides accountable to the public interest, but that doesn't mean we reflexively and artificially hold both sides "equally" accountable when the facts don't warrant that.

I'm sure many of you have this week felt the stepped up Bush efforts to complain about our coverage. This is all part of their efforts to get away with as much as possible with the stepped up, renewed efforts to win the election by destroying Senator Kerry at least partly through distortions.

It's up to Kerry to defend himself, of course. But as one of the few news organizations with the skill and strength to help voters evaluate what the candidates are saying to serve the public interest. Now is the time for all of us to step up and do that right.