CNN graphics question absence of Dem Iraq plan, but not Bush's postponement

[NNN0LHI]

http://mediamatters.org/items/200612160002

A series of graphics used by CNN on December 14 illustrates the markedly different reception CNN gave to, on one hand, the Bush administration's decision to delay the release of a revised strategy for Iraq until the new year and, on the other, a press conference in which incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) announced the Democrats' agenda for the first 100 legislative hours in the new congressional session. Graphics appearing during CNN's reporting on President Bush's consideration -- and postponement -- of a revised strategy raised no questions about the delay. On the other hand, in coverage of the Democrats' legislative agenda for the "first 100 hours," CNN repeatedly aired graphics questioning the absence in that agenda of a plan for Iraq -- even though the plan for the first 100 legislative hours has remained the same since late October.

As Media Matters for America noted, during a report on the December 13 broadcast of NBC's Today, National Review White House correspondent Byron York suggested that President Bush delayed his announcement of changes to the administration's Iraq war policy -- initially planned to be delivered before Christmas -- until January in part because of "public relations," adding: "he president wants to come out with something new, something fresh, and something that will help change the debate at the same time that the Democratic Congress is taking office and getting a lot of attention in Washington." By contrast, Roger Simon, chief political columnist for The Politico, a political news website to be launched in January 2007, commented on the possible political considerations behind the delay on the December 13 edition of MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews, saying: "The trouble is, people are dying and maybe that would be a reason to speed things up a little."

PELOSI & IRAQ

On the December 14 edition of CNN's The Situation Room, on-screen text teased the segment on Pelosi, asking "Where's Iraq?" Other on-screen text about Pelosi and Iraq read: "Pelosi's Agenda: What's Missing?" and "Pelosi Did Not Discuss Iraq in Outlining Agenda."

On the December 14 edition of CNN's Lou Dobbs Tonight, on-screen text read: "What Iraq Plan?" "Dems Made No Mention of the War in Iraq," and "Dems Deeply Divided Over Their Iraq Policy."

[spanone]

1. The media is embedded with this regime. It will take years maybe decades to correct.

Corporate for profit media must figure that Iraq war is money in the bank. They want to kill the Democrats before they take office.

[theoldman]

2. As long as we do not have a Democrat for president, the

Democrats would be foolish to submit a plan. Let Bush go ahead and hang himself on his dumb plans. If they don't work, Pelosi should cut off the money.

[rodeodance]

3. mind control in full swing!

[Fridays Child]

4. President Bush doesn't have a pl--wait! Climbers are lost on Mt. Hood!

:nuke:

[NNN0LHI]

5. Hard to believe CNN was able to get all those graphics up in one day

Someone was working real hard over there.

Don

[NNN0LHI]

6. Here is the Dobbs transcript from the same day

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0612/14/ldt.01.html

LOU DOBBS TONIGHT

Aired December 14, 2006 - 18:00 ET

<snip>One of this country's most senior military commanders, General Peter Schoomaker, today called for a large increase in the size of the U.S. Army. General Schoomaker said the Army will break without additions of thousands more troops.

The Marine Corps is also asking for more troops. The military's request comes as the Bush administration is preparing to announce a new strategy for Iraq.

The Democrats are demanding quick action on Iraq, but Democrats are failing to come up with a plan of their own, as Jamie McIntyre now reports from the Pentagon on the military's urgent and increasing requests for more troops.

Elaine Quijano reporting tonight from the White House on whether the president is planning to increase the number of troops in Iraq.

And Bill Schneider reports from Washington on the Democrats' failure to come up with a strategy of their own for the war in Iraq.

We turn first to Jamie McIntyre at the Pentagon -- Jamie.

[samsingh]

7. we now have the power to hold the media accountable

through the House and Senate.

[mikehiggins]

8. We don't have the power

not unless you are in Congress. Otherwise you're going to have to stand and watch as our "new" Congress vacilates and compromises away all that could be done, in order to curry favor with the media in time for the 2008 elections.

Then DU and elsewhere will be full of people saying we have to be patient, Rome wasn't built in a day.

Maybeso, but it was burnt down in a day, and our own Nero still holds court at 1600.

I'm very much afraid we've elected a "business as usual" Congress, as usual, and that they will do as little substantive work as any of the Bush League could wish.

How much longer are we going to get screwed by the Beltway Vichy Dems before we kick the whole bunch of them out of office and replace them with citizen-populists?

[radfringe]

9. First off

it's not the Democratic Party's responsibility to come up with a plan.

They can hold investigations, hearings and make suggestions. But devise a plan that will be implemented? no way.

Secondly - the responsibility for war plans falls into bush's lap. He's the commander in chief, and he's reminded of this many times.

lastly - even if the Democratic Party comes up with THE ULTIMATE SUPER-DUPER SAVING IRAQ AND BUSH'S ASS PLAN, what make anyone think bush would listen?

[Norquist Nemesis]

12. Exactly! Any plan that Dems offer will be skewered by the RW

as traitorous and an attempt to usurp the commander-in-chief.

[Rex]

10. We don't call it the M$M for nothing...

The only thing that keeps these people out of jail is Bush and crew.

[BuyingThyme]

11. I've seen lots of Dem plans around here.

But none of them have been as remarkable as the thought of PUTTING MORE AMERICANS UNDER FIRE!!

There's yer headline.

[NNN0LHI]

13. kick n/t