Whenever an anti-Bush or Republican book comes out, every major network touts it and the morning shows or shows like "60 Minutes" do long puff interviews and segments with the author. However, whenever a Democrat is bashed in a book you would never know it. Or, if the networks do acknowledge it they trash the book as mean spirited or point out errors. They actually have a term for these books - "swiftboating." The name of course comes from the Swift Boat Veterans who questioned John Kerry's service in Vietnam (as if hammering a political opponent is something new).
Jerome Corsi, the author of the anti-John Kerry book "Unfit for Command", has come out with a new book called "Obama Nation." The book is critical of Obama's liberal connections and shady past. The book is number 1 on the NY Times bestseller list and is exposing some serious flaws in Obama. How did CNN recently cover the book? Take a look at the following transcript as posted by the fantastic website Newbusters.org (I bolded the most absurd parts):
SUZANNE MALVEAUX: There's a new book out about Barack Obama, and it is not flattering. The facts are mixed with accusations about Obama that are misleading or just flat-out wrong. Yet despite all of this, there is concern that author's claims might catch on with some voters. Our CNN's Jessica Yellin joining me now, and Jessica, the author even admits that there is an agenda here behind this book.
snip
MALVEAUX: The Democratic presidential nominee of four years ago is trying to help the current presumptive nominee. John Kerry hopes what happened to him does not happen to Barack Obama. So Kerry and supporters roll out a website called "Truth Fights Back." It promises to fight lies from what it calls the right-wing smear machine. Joining me are CNN political contributor, Democratic strategist Paul Begala, and Republican strategist Kevin Madden, a former spokesman for Mitt Romney. Good to see you guys; thanks for joining us.
I want to start here by talking about this new website that John Kerry has up. He's saying he's coming back and he wants to make sure that all these smears and lies basically are addressed. Is Barack Obama, is he responding to some of these attacks quick enough, or is he falling into the same kind of trap that John Kerry was in at this time last summer [cycle?].
Can you feel Malveaux's pain and worry? She also calls criticism of Obama "lies" and "attacks" and says Kerry was in a "trap." Now, when Democrats attack Republicans do we find the same concerns? No, they're just ignored or just reported as straight news. There is no handwringing or commentary.
For example, the Democrats released a website today called "The Next Cheney" which criticizes potential running mates for Sen. John McCain. CBS News quotes the Dems' press release throughout the "article" and pointed out some examples from the website. If this was a Republican website, there would all sorts of condemnations from the left in the article and lots of hot air from the reporter.
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