We asked last week we told you of an infamous Michelle Obama tape that mainstream media had been reporting about, without any substantiation, based on the claims of a blogger. This thing bled over into mainstream media and was ll the buzz on the days before the final primaries. Barack Obama finally shot down the rumors:
A reporter from the respected McClatchy newspaper group travelling on the Obama campaign plane asked him about rumours on the internet of a video of his wife using a derogatory term for white people. 'We've seen this before,' Obama fumed. 'There is dirt and lies circulated in emails and they pump them out long enough until you, a mainstream reporter, ask me about it. That gives legs to the story. If somebody has evidence that myself or Michelle or anybody has said something inappropriate, let them do it.'
Welcome to the media ecosystem, in which 'mainstream' media have discovered that their new symbiotic relationship with the blogosphere sucks them into a downward spiral and an underworld of innuendo, lies and propaganda.
'Frankly, my hope is people don't play this game,' Obama told the McClatchy reporter. 'It is a destructive aspect of our politics. Simply because something appears in an email, that should lend it no more credence than if you heard it on the corner. Presumably the job of the press is to not to go around and spread scurrilous rumours like this until there is actually anything, an iota, of substance or evidence that would substantiate it.'(The Guardian "How the net's political dirt corrupts mainstream media")
Well turns out the whole "videotape ranting" plot line came straight from a novel, The Power broker by Stephen Frey:
Now. Either author Stephen Frey is clairvoyant, writing this book in 2006. Or this is one of the all time amazing coincidences. Or whoever started this rumor got the idea from a novel. Anovelista.com
In the meantime, I think I'm going to start planning the menu for my Election Night party. Black tie, of course! Anovelista.com
You will be happy to know that the Obama campaign is assigning Michelle her very own group of advisors for the general election and have "indicated" that they are gathering a team to help respond to attacks on Michelle:
Recognizing the extent to which Republicans view Michelle Obama’s strong views and personality ["angry Black woman"]as a potential liability for her husband, Mr. Obama’s aides said they were preparing to bring aboard senior operatives from previous Democratic presidential campaigns to work with her, a clear departure from the typical way the spouse of a candidate is staffed. Mrs. Obama’s operation would include senior aides devoted to responding to attacks and challenges to her, particularly if she continues to campaign as much as she has so far. NY TIMES ( ADAM NAGOURNEY and JEFF ZELENY)
It is about time.! Notice how the NY TIMES characterized Michelle "strong views and personality." Are they any "stronger" than Hillary's or Cindy McCain's? You should be able to click on the reporter names and send them an email if you so choose. Ask them to explain what is "strong" about her views. Which ones in particular?
I should have the Michelle Obama blog up by next week. Thanks to those of you who volunteered. I will get back to you soon.
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