Elizabeth Edwards misrepresented by AP story

[JNelson6563]

As there is much ado about nothing in regard to an AP story claiming EE claimed Obama and Clinton are just doing that cult of personality thing, I thought I'd post her response to this story here in a new thread since it is getting overlooked as a reply in the misleading and negative thread on this topic.

First the AP "story":

By MIKE GLOVER

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - The emerging presidential campaign has fallen into a "cult of personality" that will change as voters begin to focus on the differences between the candidates, Elizabeth Edwards said Thursday.

Edwards, the wife of Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards, conceded that the campaign has cranked up far earlier than previous cycles, and said the only good thing about it is that "fluff and frivolity" will eventually fade.

"Maybe it's a good thing that we start early and let that dissipate a little bit so we can actually start talking about the issues," Elizabeth Edwards told The Associated Press.

She was in Iowa to formally open her husband's campaign office. In the last election cycle, John Edwards surprised many by finishing second in the state's caucuses, giving him enough momentum to land on the ticket with nominee John Kerry.

In this cycle, John Edwards has focused on building a campaign organization in Iowa, and hasn't generated the same buzz as rivals Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama.

Elizabeth Edwards said she's comfortable with the campaign to date, saying the huge crowds Clinton and Obama are drawing are caused by "the cult of personality which seems to have happened on both sides this time."

"Maybe this is the warm-up period where we allow ourselves a little fluff and frivolity," she said.


EE's response:

No, I did not (3.00 / 17)

I spoke earlier today to Mike Glover of the AP. He asked about the public interest in my cancer. I said that in entertainment the cult of personality was fine and harmless but in politics it interferred with the real discussion of issues. I said the campaigns were all going through this process of concentration on personality, and even when the process involved people saying nice things about me, I didn't think it was useful. I never mentioned Senators Clinton or Obama at all directly or indirectly, and when I saw what Mike had written, I asked our press people to speak to him about correcting it.
Just so you know.


by ElizabethEdwards on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 12:11:36 AM EST

http://www.mydd.com/story/2007/4/12/223822/066#commenttop

Julie

[bigtree]

1. frickin media nonsense

can we talk about ISSUES now???

[JNelson6563]

2. Yeah, I believe that was EE's point.

Sadly many DUers gobbled up the media nonsense regarding what EE said.

Julie

[Gold Metal Flake]

3. Would someone please give this rec #5?

Please keep this thread kicked and visible. We all know it's harder to get the truth out after the conservative lie has been launched.

[jsamuel]

4. already did

[Gold Metal Flake]

8. Me slow type.

You good person! :thumbsup:

[KansDem]

5. The AP has jumped the shark...

Don't forget it was the AP that tried to tell us that Mark Foley was a Democrat.

It used to be a reliable source for news; one that many news outlets relied on. But now it's shown itself to be just another tool for CorpUSA.

RIP, "Amalgamated Propaganda."

[jsamuel]

6. True

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

7. Yes they have. Please keep the Truth kicked here! eom

[JNelson6563]

10. "Amalgamated Propaganda"

haha Perfect! :toast:

[MontanaMaven]

31. Is there an AP Watch anywhere?

Looks like we need one.

[spooky3]

35. send it to Mediamatters.org

[Snotcicles]

9. I think just like with Dean this crap gets ratcheted up on the ones

the establishment fears most.
Just look here on DU how quick some are to turn things vile.

[JNelson6563]

11. Good point.

It's a sad state of affairs.

Julie

[AnneD]

36. Exactly...

the best way to control an election is to control your opponent. I have been thinking a lot about Ed Muskie. Once they got him out of the way, Nixon had to defeat McGovern. A fine man indeed, but not a challenge to Nixon. This is a page ripped from an old play book, and it gripes me to no end seeing folks fall for it. They are trying to take out a strong candidate before the first primary vote has been cast.

How do we know that this Glover guy-by writing a 'pro Obama' speech knock out Edwards for mainstream folks and put us against Obama. That leaves Hillary. Now I am the first to tell you that even though she has a big war chest...nationally she is our weakest candidate. Do you see my point. That is chess strategy and it is damn brilliant if intentional.

Who is Glover...and as Deep Throat said,"Follow the money".

[Canuckistanian]

12. Here's what the media spinners read in a story like this...

....presidential campaign...Elizabeth Edwards...."cult of personality".................................................................rivals Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama.


Stop the Presses!

[The Count]

13. Will the oh, so public suffering of these people ever end????

:shrug:
Al Gore has been skewered by the media in 2000 - while running, wile fighting the results in Florida - and most of the people now on DU were whistling Dixie...(or supporting Nader). Now I am supposed to feel sorry - for a fresh issue daily- for the guy who never lifted a finger/disclosed the stealing of my vote in 2004 AND sponsored IWR to boot! I have had it with this shit!

[spooky3]

14. Julie is simply correcting misinformation. I can't imagine why you

would be opposed to that. Surely you are not in favor of lies and misleading information being published without correction about any of our Democratic candidates, are you?

[JNelson6563]

16. Yes, we should let EE be falsely maligned.

Oy. :eyes:

[benny05]

25. That's not nice at all

What a crass comment.

Poster is not even close to being in Elizabeth Edwards' league.

[The Count]

41. Right, she's a saint and I am crass - maybe the whole personality cult issue

that apparently she brought up is not entirely unrelated to the worshiping going on here. I am sure it makes you guys feel all superior and everything to the rest of us, but you may want to think how it looks for the non-believers (and I know it's blasphemy to say 'non-believers do exist - but we've established already I'm not worthy)
I'd check the level of sanctimony - it may be time of some adjustment.

[benny05]

42. I hear ya, Count

I think someone here or Mydd typed the "Saint Elizabeth" phrase, although I did not.

As an acquaintance of Mrs. Edwards, I'm still certain she would not wish to be elevated more than she is. She appreciates well-wishers, and is sincere in her thanks. Her video is a testimonial.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAdYpo9JgXE

But some misinformation did take place, and I'm sorry to read you may be one of those who disbelieve her or that disbelieve she really posts on blogs and means what she types. I know her voice though, from her chats to posts on different places. She speaks the truth and/or sets the record straight. She is both a lawyer who can speak with facts, but with a compassion of a writer/artist.

However, I also believe there is frustration over Clark not announcing a run at this point, and that is part in parcel my view about your message, and why at a time such as this, I think you are unfair in your criticisms. You are lashing out at her, not at Clark, which I don't think you wanted to do, or least hoped you would do. But when I see a "Run Wes Run" or "Al, Run,Al" post, I cannot fault any supporter when s/he is disappointed he hasn't announced. I think there could be good reasons why, and perhaps not over money either.

[The Count]

43. Actually my frustration has nothing to do with a particular candidate not being in

I don't have anyone who speaks for me in the race - except maybe Kuchinich and he is completely ignored (as Clark would be too).
My frustration stems from the overly reverent attitude of the Edwards campaign posters. I can't open any page without some "have you sent flowers to Elisabeth today" type of thread. I have nothing against Elisabeth personally, and my lashing was not really at her but at the worshipers. Ideologically and pragmatically, her husband is the furthest away from whom I want leading this country at any time after to any Republican. And I feel my dissent stifled by reverence and won't accept it.

[benny05]

44. Are you from Canada, GB, Commonwealth, etc

Originally? curious.

[The Count]

45. Nope. Transilvania - ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! really, none of the above.

[benny05]

46. Thanks

But I don't think you are a UU either...

but if you are, my apologies up front.

[ooglymoogly]

15. Glover should end up on Kieth Olbermans

WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD segment.

[JNelson6563]

17. Good idea.

What an asshole that guy is. :grr:

[Blackhatjack]

18. When there is no dirt to report, the AP makes up their own.... to be expected from this source

We can expect more reporting like this the closer we get to the election.

[wicket]

19. Where are the apologies from the DUers who attacked Elizabeth over this?

:grr:

[JNelson6563]

21. They are conspicuously absent in this thread

Anyone surprised? ;-)

[wicket]

32. Not at all

:hi:

[wicket]

47. The sound of crickets is deafening

:grr:

[wicket]

39. Anyone, anyone? Bueller?

[gratuitous]

20. Remember the reporter's name: Mike Glover

We could have another John Solomon on our hands. Keep an eye on these propaganda jockeys, and they'll either have to write it straight, or quit their jobs to go work at Faux.

[JNelson6563]

22. Where are the Truth Warriors??

Gosh I don't see any of the folks who proclaim their purpose in life is to find truth and expose falsehoods......

I don't see them doing their truth warrior thing in the thread that prompted this one, the one helping to promote the AP lie.

Funny how truthiness fluctuates in importance in the eyes of some, or at least so it would seem.

Julie

[mzmolly]

23. Thanks Julie, another rec for ya.

Elizabeth Edwards has great integrity. I do admit to being taken with her personality, however. ;)

[JNelson6563]

26. Perhaps you are a cultist of EE? haha

Thanks MsMolly! Good to see you! :hi:

Julie

[mzmolly]

29. Indeed I am.

Shhhhhhhhh. ;)

[benny05]

24. Elizabeth Edwards Punked that Diarist at MyDD

That diarist keeps trying to spread misinformation on behalf of Obama. I was so glad to see her go and punk him, but in a nice way.

She's awesome.

[Catchawave]

27. Thanks so much Julie!

I just sent this thread to Keith Olbermann to nominate Mike Glover for Worst Person in the World :hi:

P.S. others can do the same, just click "send email to a friend" at the top of the OP page.

Your friends name: Keith and Staff
Your friends email: [e-mail]

:toast:

[JNelson6563]

34. Cool!

Great idea Catchawave! :hi:

Julie

[dk2]

28. Elizabeth has our back!

I can't say how much I appreciate her jumping in on the blogs.


Thank you Elizabeth Edwards - you are the greatest!

[dogday]

30. This does not surprise me in the least...

Not A/P first time bending the story if you know what I mean.... I am outraged...

[JNelson6563]

33. I know, those lousy bastards.

Seems every major source suffers from this malady of "yellow journalism", as it were.

Julie

[MasonJar]

37. Elizabeth Edwards has never been a frivolous person; she would

hardly start now.

[ashlarah]

38. MSM sloppiness still amazes me

I have personnaly been misquoted on two occasions in a large city paper. What I actually said wasn't what the reporter wanted to hear. He quoted me saying something I never would have said--with actual quotation marks. Every time I have attended an event that is later reported on in MSM, I find inaccuracies. Sometimes they are trivial, but sometimes the inaccuracies themselves change an unfolding story.

That is what is happening here. MSM loves to report on sniping between candidates. They are hoping to provoke some sniping here by sloppy reporting of Elizabeth's remarks. The reporter was surely aware that if he were more precise his story would be less dramatic. It makes you wonder what they teach aspiring reporters about paraphrasing and exact quotes in journalism school.

Hooray for Elizabeth calling him out.

[Gloria]

40. She spoke about this last night on Larry King, just like in her

"correction" above....

[Blackhatjack]

48. Where are those Clark Supporters That Always Show Up To Attack Edwards?

I guess the truth and tenor of this thread just does not afford them the same opportunity to raise another attack on John Edwards like previous threads based upon lies.

[benny05]

49. And it doesn't speak well for Mrs. Clark either

I have heard the nicest things about Gert, but jeez, the Clarkies are out to attack Edwards constantly and it is though it is out of frustration now because Clark hasn't announced.

[Adelante]

51. What doesn't speak well for Mrs. Clark?

Benny, I suggest you visit a few Richardson or Clinton or Obama threads and see how your colleagues attack other Democrats. Does it speak badly for Mrs. Edwards? Not to me. Although it does speak to the rank hypocrisy exhibited by some Edwards supporters who can tolerate no criticism of Edwards yet pile on the others.

As to your other point (it seems it is today's Edwards meme on Clark supporters) - many Clark supporters are frustrated he hasn't announced. Many others are glad, as I am. He says it's a time for policy, not politics, and I agree.

The premature primary race that has been imposed on this country is a disgrace. The money wasted on these campaigns is a disgrace. Two Billion Dollars projected to be spent between the two parties for the White House this time around: Disgrace. Presidential candidates who require briefing on the Geneva Conventions four years into a war: Disgrace.

I am not at all unhappy Wes is waiting to decide. He has more sense.

[Catchawave]

50. According to the Greatest Page....

...some of them are so upset they're shaking? 9 recs worth of mad !

:evilgrin:

[Gold Metal Flake]

52. Kick

:kick: