Welcome to the White House/ABC socialist media hour

[Effluo]

ABC TURNS PROGRAMMING OVER TO OBAMA; NEWS TO BE ANCHORED FROM INSIDE WHITE HOUSE
Tue Jun 16 2009 08:45:10 ET

On the night of June 24, the media and government become one, when ABC turns its programming over to President Obama and White House officials to push government run health care -- a move that has ignited an ethical firestorm!

Highlights on the agenda:

ABCNEWS anchor Charlie Gibson will deliver WORLD NEWS from the Blue Room of the White House.

The network plans a primetime special -- 'Prescription for America' -- originating from the East Room, exclude opposing voices on the debate.

MORE

Late Monday night, Republican National Committee Chief of Staff Ken McKay fired off a complaint to the head of ABCNEWS:

Dear Mr. Westin:

As the national debate on health care reform intensifies, I am deeply concerned and disappointed with ABC's astonishing decision to exclude opposing voices on this critical issue on June 24, 2009. Next Wednesday, ABC News will air a primetime health care reform “town hall” at the White House with President Barack Obama. In addition, according to an ABC News report, GOOD MORNING AMERICA, WORLD NEWS, NIGHTLINE and ABC’s web news “will all feature special programming on the president’s health care agenda.” This does not include the promotion, over the next 9 days, the president’s health care agenda will receive on ABC News programming.

Today, the Republican National Committee requested an opportunity to add our Party's views to those of the President's to ensure that all sides of the health care reform debate are presented. Our request was rejected. I believe that the President should have the ability to speak directly to the America people. However, I find it outrageous that ABC would prohibit our Party's opposing thoughts and ideas from this national debate, which affects millions of ABC viewers.

In the absence of opposition, I am concerned this event will become a glorified infomercial to promote the Democrat agenda. If that is the case, this primetime infomercial should be paid for out of the DNC coffers. President Obama does not hold a monopoly on health care reform ideas or on free airtime. The President has stated time and time again that he wants a bipartisan debate. Therefore, the Republican Party should be included in this primetime event, or the DNC should pay for your airtime.

Respectfully,
Ken McKay
Republican National Committee
Chief of Staff

MORE

ABCNEWS Senior Vice President Kerry Smith on Tuesday responded to the RNC complaint, saying it contained 'false premises':

"ABCNEWS prides itself on covering all sides of important issues and asking direct questions of all newsmakers -- of all political persuasions -- even when others have taken a more partisan approach and even in the face of criticism from extremes on both ends of the political spectrum. ABCNEWS is looking for the most thoughtful and diverse voices on this issue.

"ABCNEWS alone will select those who will be in the audience asking questions of the president. Like any programs we broadcast, ABC News will have complete editorial control. To suggest otherwise is quite unfair to both our journalists and our audience."

Developing...

Wow, just fxuking wow... GG Obama

[Day]

God forbid he explains his plans to the country he's running. WHAT AN OUTRAGE

[Correction]

You're going to have to try harder than that. Provide the link to the source, etc.

Son of Egon?

[Stiker]

Wow, just fxuking wow... GG Obama

Perhaps you should be more upset at ABC...just a thought.

[Dimmauk]

Wow what a surprise, the GOP only wants bipartisanship when it only suits them. Fuck those guys.

[Effluo]

Take it for what it's worth, it's from drudge: DRUDGE REPORT: ABC TURNS PROGRAMMING OVER TO OBAMA 2009 and from The Examiner

And I have absolutely no problems with his telling America about his love for Universal Healthcare. I do however have a problem when there is no opposition allowed. Sure, it can be sugar coated all it wants, but what about the drawbacks and issues that are going to come about. But that's cool, enjoy the three week wait to see a doctor for your broken arm.

Call it what you like, ignore it even.. Just answer me this, when was the news last anchored from the White House?

[Dimmauk]

Take it for what it's worth, it's from drudge: DRUDGE REPORT: ABC TURNS PROGRAMMING OVER TO OBAMA 2009 and from The Examiner

And I have absolutely no problems with his telling America about his love for Universal Health care. I do however have a problem when there is no opposition allowed. Sure, it can be sugar coated all it wants, but what about the drawbacks and issues that are going to come about. But that's cool, enjoy the three week wait to see a doctor for your broken arm.

Call it what you like, ignore it even.. Just answer me this, when was the news last anchored from the White House?

How is that different than the wait now?

[Correction]

Looks like a lot of hot air from the GOP, fully half the story is just the bitchy letter designed to generate 'ME TOO' attention from news outlets in general. And nice thread title falling directly for that trap.

[Neosutra]

lolGOP

[archibaldcrane]

It does seem a bit strange, but I'll withhold judgment on whether it's an Obama cheerleading section for hours on end until I see it.

[Effluo]

How is that different than the wait now?

If you're telling me you have to wait that amount of time to see a doctor for a broken bone, i'm glad I don't go to the same doctor.

[Stiker]

Take it for what it's worth, it's from drudge: DRUDGE REPORT: ABC TURNS PROGRAMMING OVER TO OBAMA 2009 and from The Examiner

And I have absolutely no problems with his telling America about his love for Universal Healthcare. I do however have a problem when there is no opposition allowed. Sure, it can be sugar coated all it wants, but what about the drawbacks and issues that are going to come about. But that's cool, enjoy the three week wait to see a doctor for your broken arm.

Call it what you like, ignore it even.. Just answer me this, when was the news last anchored from the White House?

Again, your beef should be with ABC then.

[Beckwin]

oh look, a republitard from texas. color me surprised.

on that note, lol @ asking for bipartisanship only when it benefits you, also I wonder if the GOP is reconsidering it's opposition to the Fairness Doctrine.... lololololol

I'm also pretty sure that the GOP has plenty of avenues for telling America (lies) about healthcare reform; doesn't have to be integrated into the exact same event. I'm sure the news stations will have GOP congressmen on to discuss it afterwards; not much different than a state of the union style thing, or how the President gives a weekly address.

[Dimmauk]

If you're telling me you have to wait that amount of time to see a doctor for a broken bone, i'm glad I don't go to the same doctor.

And you are telling me if boogyman Obama has his way we will wait 3 weeks to see a doctor? Bullshit my man. GTFO with that crap.

[Beckwin]

Again, your beef should be with ABC then.

excellent point, see my fairness doctrine comment lol.

WHY DOES THE GOP WANT TO TELL PRIVATE CORPORATIONS WHAT THEY CAN AND CANNOT SHOW ON THEIR NETWORKS?!?!?!??!


SOCIALISM!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Stiker]

excellent point, see my fairness doctrine comment lol.

WHY DOES THE GOP WANT TO TELL PRIVATE CORPORATIONS WHAT THEY CAN AND CANNOT SHOW ON THEIR NETWORKS?!?!?!??!


SOCIALISM!!!!!!!!!!!!

Obama is clearly holding a gun to their heads. Can't you see it??? STATE MEDIA!

[Day]

I'm sure Fox will cover it, nothing to worry about there Mr. fear monger.

[Effluo]

Again, your beef should be with ABC then.

We have no evidence as to who put this little production into motion. We may never know, but if POTUS approached a media station and said I want to do blahblahblah, who the hell is going to say "no".

I'm pissed at both of them. Glad I voted libertarian.

[Day]

You do realize we elected him president right?

[zoobernut]

I hate when people throw around the word socialism without even knowing wtf socialism is. The GOP turned it into a buzz word and so many people just cry out socialism all the time now. It is worse than the one word responses people give on these forums.

OP do you know what socialism is?