Drudge was set up. We were just given a gift that keeps on giving.

[boxster]

Does everybody realize that??!?

With the news that the intern rumors were entirely fabricated (and the parents being Kerry supporters!), I just realized that someone set up Matt Drudge in a big way.

Maybe it really was Lehane. Wouldn't that be incredibly funny? Lehane goes to Drudge acting disgruntled and angry and gives Drudge the scoop of a lifetime.

Oh, there's a little problem. The story's a fake. Lehane knows it's a fake and is setting Drudge up. Drudge runs with it anyway, regardless of the lack of confirmation. It blows up in his face.

Regardless of who did it, if it was someone on our side, it was brilliant. One of the RW's most visible, most effective tools was just completely discredited beyond our wildest dreams.

This 'scandal' may negate Drudge as a weapon for the remainder of the election. We could not have asked for a better gift, with the possible exception of getting rid of Rush instead of Drudge.

Opinions? Other thoughts?

Edit: I suppose one of these is in order for my post: :tinfoilhat:

[HootieMcBoob]

1. Don't give up hope

We could not have asked for a better gift, with the possible exception of getting rid of Rush instead of Drudge.

It still could very well happen. :toast:

[boxster]

8. We can only hope!

That being said, I think the Rush drug problem and its aftermath have blunted his effectiveness with the "average Joe" more than he or the RW would like us to realize.

[Sensitivity]

2. But BUSH Avoided Any Blame. It was suggested to Press that Dems Started

the rumor. I heard numerous talk show that repeated that.

[boxster]

3. Blame would have never made it to Bush, regardless.

I think what is more important:

1) Drudge is neutered, at least for the time being
2) Future stories about Kerry infidelity (or anything else, for that matter) are going to be met with much skepticism

In a wacky way, I wish this had actually gotten *more* press, because the debunking of it would have been an even bigger deal.

[diplomats]

4. That just proves boxster's point

The Dems planted a story they knew was false, and Drudge fell for it. Absolutely brilliant.

[Sensitivity]

6. Don't Believe it. HUMAN NATURE suggest many will still believe the slime

[diplomats]

9. Wingnuts, maybe

The point is, Drudge acted like he was breaking Lewinsky II, and he's been had. Now his credibility is damaged if he tries to do this to Kerry down the road.

[charlie]

11. Credibility is damaged?

Not at all. Just because he holds the childish conceit that he's a journalist doesn't mean his readership does. He's not popular because of his reputation for credibility. As long as he bags a hit once in a while, he stays golden. It's the same reason the National Enquirer still has a circulation in the millions -- they deliver provocative juicy bits that occasionally turn out to be true.

[diplomats]

15. I disagree

Remember when this story broke even DUers were saying, "Well, he did break the Lewinsky story"? Now he'll be known as the guy who tried to pin a Lewinsky on Kerry, and it blew up in his face. It won't stop people from going to his site, but if he attempts more smears of Kerry, they'll get less traction because he blew this one.

[charlie]

16. I disagree too

:)

His effectiveness may be reduced around here (and he'll have to do it again for us to find out if that's true), but beyond partisan Dems, I don't expect he's lost clout. He's posted a lot of discounted crap, but his site is still popular as hell, it's still the internet's spot for water cooler gossip.

Wait a while, he'll try again and we'll see.

[bushalert]

5. I Friggin' knew It...

It sounded like pure crap to begin with. Even so, it shows just how scared dems have become. The very faint possiblity that something may come up and we become so petrified. We need to FIGHT BACK! Even if something had happened, so what....keep repeating this.....WE WILL WIN IN NOVEMBER WE WILL WIN IN NOVEMBER...

[fromadam]

7. My take?

It was floating out there for a long time. Of course, Kerry had assured those who need to know, that it was a non-issue.

But, if it doesn't get out there, and NOW (when democrats will banter it about), then it isn't really a non-issue.

Six months from now, it's a real issue, if it hadn't been taken care of this way.

Now, it's dead and gone, and even the right wing media will defend Kerry if it's brought up again.

[tobius]

10. Whoever started this needs to be held accountable.

If they were repugs or not.

[BruinAlum]

12. DRUDGE was set up? He's a KNOWN liar!

Sheesh!:eyes:

[boxster]

17. Yes, but as many people gleefully pointed out over the past few days,

once in a while, Drudge is right.

And, considering he gets 5 million hits a day, we could do worse than to set the guy up for a fall.

[BruinAlum]

19. Even a stopped clock is right twice a day

[sistersofmercy]

13. Yes but it would have been better if bush* had made some comments

about the rumor in any attempt to smear Kerry. Now that would have been a sweet blow. I agree btw it was a set up and Drudge went for hook, line and stinker! :D

[Maddy McCall]

14. Yes, a gift indeed, as it reveals the right's desperation and tactics

This topic is now off-limits for the rest of the election season. Any media that report on this from here on will appear as the boy who cried wolf to many times.

Any so-called scandals which emerge will carry the taint of Drudge's enthusiastic scandal-mongering and will just be discarded to the trash heap with the rest of his smears of Democrats in this cycle.

Drudge just engraved his own headstone. Epitaph says "He who lied lies here."

[Newsman Matt Drudge]

18. hmmm. Yes! That's the truth!

I was set up! Those lousy liberals done set me up! They took advantage of the fact that I never fact check, nor research, nor even think about something before I post it.

Yes, yes. I'm not to blame here, I'm the victim!

Thank you, friend, for putting this situation in its proper context.

God bless you, and God bless America

Best,
Matt

[boxster]

20. Hehe.

A pretty darn accurate portrayal, I'd say.

[GumboYaYa]

21. "with the possible exception of getting rid of Rush....."

Well, maybe we will find out that Rush is drug addict or something crazy like that and he will be completely discredited with his fans.....or maybe not.

[boxster]

22. It's not like we didn't try....

I could be wrong, but I think that the drug thing has had a negative impact on his credibility to the masses. A small one, perhaps.

[janx]

23. No negative press about any candidate is a good thing,

especially crap like this. This wasn't a set-up.

Try not to get overly optimistic--you might let down your guard.

[Beetwasher]

24. The Fallout From This Is a Gift

Whether intentional or not (I'd prefer to think it WAS intentional. That would me someone very clever is doing some good things for the Dems for a change) Drudge may very well have been effectively neutralized. I hope Polier sues him. Now THAT would be the kicker

[JasonBerry]

25. If Drudge is wrong

And it looks like he probably is, then Drudge will only be good for his story links. He actually does a good job when he sticks to reporting others news as opposed to the muckraking he does on his own.