Politico Story Saying Reid Called Generals "Incompetent" Is Denied

[jefferson_dem]

This, from http://electioncentral.tpmcafe.com/blog/electioncentral/2007/jun/14/reid

Politico Story Saying Reid Called Generals "Incompetent" Is Denied
By Greg Sargent | bio

One of the big stories of the day is this front-page piece in The Politico that claims that Harry Reid blasted General Peter Pace as "incompetent" and described General David Petraeus in similar terms on a recent conference call with liberal bloggers.

The story has already sparked an uproar, and the conservatives have jumped all over it. It was linked on Drudge, and John McCain sent out a press release attacking Reid over it. And White House press secretary Tony Snow use it to hammer Reid as anti-military in today's White House briefing. Snow brought up the Politico story himself, saying that it was "outrageous" for Reid to be "issuing slanders" toward commanders "in a time of war."

But we've just spoken with three of the liberal bloggers who say they were on the call, and they all say they don't remember Reid saying anything like this. One flatly denies that he said it.



The Politico story, which was written by John Bresnahan, only attributes the claim that Reid disparaged the generals to "several sources familiar with the interview," without saying whether these sources were on the call. It contains no direct quote of Reid beyond the one word "incompetent." It goes on to say that Reid "made similar disparaging remarks" about Petraeus, without quoting or paraphrasing any.

<SNIP>

http://electioncentral.tpmcafe.com/blog/electioncentral/2007/jun/14/reid

[yardwork]

1. Gasp! It was on one of the internets and it turned out to be a lie!?

How could Tony Snow have been so misled??!! This is hugh1111

[blondeatlast]

5. And CNN even quoted it... nt

[yardwork]

6. That usually proves it's not true.

[bryant69]

2. Well everybody knows you can't trust bloggers

Hey, wait a moment? Isn't politico a blog too?

Now I don't know who to not trust.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[underpants]

3. Can we find out what Bob Hope said about this?

[The Magistrate]

4. Politoco, Sir, Is Talon News In A Funky Tee-Shirt

Nothing but a right Republican megaphone, barely disguised as a journalistic blog....

[Horse with no Name]

8. I rarely pass up an opportunity to pass this nugget on

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=230720&mesg_id=230720

[blogslut]

9. yep

n/t

[blondeatlast]

7. But the story ended up at the WH press conference anyway:

Whether or not it’s true, he was asked?

“Well, do you trust the Politico?’’ Snow, a journalist at heart, replied. “I don't know. I'll give -- we'll give a call.’’

[blondeatlast]

10. Isn't this like the third time bloggers have called out Politico on a BIG story

and found that Politico just made the stuff up?

[blondeatlast]

11. Note the photos as well. Who's "thoughtful and concerned" looking

and how does Senator Reid look?

Fair, my left butt cheek. We need to destroy this incresingly "legitimized" rag ASA P.

[Forkboy]

12. Why do people even take Politico seriously?

The Enquirer has a better track record of being correct. :shrug:

[Strelnikov_]

13. Umm . . does this mean their competence is unimpeachable?

Because I don't think I can go there.

I think Patreaus was competent at one time, but has sold out to political expediency.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

14. Well, we all know that the generals are competent becaue they have a lot of tinware on their chests

And, therefore should go unquestioned or commented on, despite their obvious failures.

[Psephos]

15. Reid has confirmed the story on the record

Sorry to rain on everyone's parade.

[blondeatlast]

17. Cite? Geez Louise, this isn't FR. nt

[Stinky The Clown]

16. Get ready for much more like this from Politico

Hard right ownership with a soft front end image.