CNN, MSNBC parroted DeLay's allegation that Earle is a "partisan zealot"

[NNN0LHI]

http://mediamatters.org/items/200509290009

CNN, MSNBC parroted DeLay's allegation that Earle is a "partisan zealot" but failed to note Earle's history of prosecuting Democrats

<snip>Notwithstanding that Earle's record has been widely reported, as well as noted repeatedly by Media Matters for America, CNN's American Morning host Miles O'Brien said in a September 29 interview with DeLay attorney Dick DeGuerin, "This is a liberal Democrat district attorney, and I understand all of the implications of all of that and all of the cases he has attempted in the past aimed at Republicans." Elsewhere in the show, O'Brien reported that "Tom DeLay says his indictment in a campaign-finance scandal is the product of a partisan witch hunt by a Democratic district attorney," while noting only that Earle "says it's not about politics, but criminal intent." After CNN political analyst Ron Brownstein cited DeLay's role in the controversial Texas redistricting effort, O'Brien suggested that "a lot of people would say, 'Hey, this is just sour grapes on the part of Democrats.' "

O'Brien's comments contrast sharply with a report by CNN congressional correspondent Joe Johns on the September 28 edition of CNN's The Situation Room. Johns noted that while Earle is a Democrat, he has prosecuted more "Democrats than Republicans." Johns then showed video of a press conference in which Earle responded to DeLay by noting that he had prosecuted 15 public officials, "12 of whom were Democrats and three of whom were Republicans." Johns delivered a similar report two hours later on CNN's Lou Dobbs Tonight.

However, in a taped report subsequently aired by CNN on the September 28 editions of Anderson Cooper 360 and NewsNight with Aaron Brown and the September 29 editions of CNN Live at Daybreak and American Morning, Johns cited DeLay's accusation that Earle is a Democratic "zealot" without noting that Earle had mostly prosecuted Democrats in the past. Johns's report also included unchallenged footage of DeLay claiming the indictment was a "premeditated campaign of political retribution ... led by a partisan fanatic."

Similarly, on the September 28 edition of MSNBC's Scarborough Country, MSNBC chief Washington correspondent Norah O'Donnell played footage of DeLay accusing Earle of "blatant political partisanship" and reported DeLay's claim that Earle is a "partisan fanatic." While O'Donnell noted that Earle "denied politics was involved" and played footage of him describing the conspiracy charges against DeLay, she did not include his record of prosecuting Democrats.

[mzmolly]

1. Considering he prosecuted 12 Dems and 2 Repukes, I'd say he's

not QUITE a zealot.

[havocmom]

3. Maybe a zealot, but definately NOT a partisian zealot.

When confronted with that 12 and 3 ratio, every single GOP shill on TV has resorted to the fall back position: 'Well, he goes after people he doesn't like'. To which I respond: He goes after criminals! That's his JOB!

[mzmolly]

6. 12 and 3 ?

Ahh, I stand corrected. ;)

As you say, perhaps a zealot, but not a partisian one. :hi:

[Emit]

7. That's a good comeback

I also heard several talking heads mention that the 12 to 3 ratio related to Texas when 'everyone' in Texas was Democrat, and that he went after 'conservative' Dems, implying that that ratio really means nothing.

[Cha]

2. And so the hell what? Even if he did?

Would cnn, msrnc point out that the big bad repuke prosecutors only prosecuted Dems?

[Zen Democrat]

4. You know, it just doesn't matter to me. All that matters is that

Tom DeLay was indicted by a Texas Grand Jury. How sweet.

At this point, whatever MSNBC or CNN says is meaningless. DeLay's finished. Ronnie Earle is the only person in America that could have stopped Tom DeLay -- and he got a Texas grand jury to return a felony bill of indictment.

They can yell partisan all they want. We know who they are ... the same people who DIDN'T yell partisan prosecutor at Ken fucking Starr.

[zoeb]

5. Crap, stupid news shows...DeLay was admonished

several times by their own ethics committee. Then his PAC is caught laundering money. The public is not going to believe that Bugman sat idly by and didn't know his PAC was sending that kind of money, $190k, up to be laundered by the repuke national committee.

Does it really matter if Earle trumped up charges? F&%k No!!! DeLay is a crook and should be prosecuted. Does it matter that Faux said Earle was filming a movie about taking down DeLay? F&%k No!!! He could film sequels as long ad he's prosecuting the stupid crook, Bugman!!!