Is Sinclair's Hyman's offer to John Kerry legit?

[Bullshot]

On the Lehrer Report Tuesday, Sinclair VP Hyman repeatedly said they haven't decided how their controversial anti-Kerry program will be programmed, and he repeatedly said that they are offering John Kerry the microphone and he could conceivably have more air time than the propaganda piece they're running.

A part of me is saying that Kerry should take him up on the offer and take up at least as much time as the propaganda film. Call him on his bluff. If he's not bluffing, then you've got a shitload of free campaign air time.

Hyman looks like one of these pretty-boy snake oil salesman. Let's see how legit his offer is. In the mean time, keep putting all of the economic pressure on Sinclair that you can muster, because that's the only thing that people like Hyman understand--money.

And God have mercy on Sinclair if Kerry is elected President. If it were me, I'd make Sinclair's life a living hell through my FCC chairman.

[demnan]

1. I think they should do what C-Span did not long ago

Play Kerry's testimony before Congress when he testified about the war. That was as intelligent a rebuke that could be offered against this foolishness.

[clydefrand]

2. I think he should not engage in this

because there is no way of guaranteeing that Kerry's comments will be aired. They'll do it to their advantage, their agenda which is to paint a negative picture of John Kerry.

[TheWebHead]

3. why would he want to go on Sinclair?

to get ambushed or fuel more fire to this story... of course Sinclair knows Kerry won't appear after their hit piece.

The best way to go after these guys is class action from shareholders... Someone like Milberg Weiss filing suit against them.

[Onlooker]

4. He should consider taking it, if he can talk about whatever he wants

He should take it only if they give him a free hour of time to say what he wants. That way, he could briefly attack the film, point viewers to a website that talks about his true record, and then go on and present his ideas to a largely Republican audience. He could, for instance, read the letter from John Eisenhower, who is supporting Kerry from a completely Republican point of view.

[BlueEyedSon]

5. Kerry should have them air F911 or Hijacking Catastrophe as his proxy.

[bluestateguy]

6. I reminded of that scene from the movie "Nixon"

Nixon visits with those rich Texans, one of whom is played by Larry Hagman. Hagman's character, a cowboy conservative, pisses and moans to Nixon that the EPA and OSHA are all over his ass; that some federal judge is forcing his "grandkids to go to school with some n***er kids". He then says "You're forgetting who put who where you are".

Nixon: "The American people put me where I am"

Hagman: "Really. Well that can be changed"

Nixon: "Jack, you say you don't like the EPA and OSHA on your ass, how about the IRS"

Hagman: "My God, Dick. Are you threatening me?"

Nixon: "Presidents don't threaten Jack. They don't have to"

Yeah, Sinclair better hope that Kerry doesn't win. With the stroke of a pen he could have multiple government agencies make lunchmeat out of that company.

[NJCher]

7. an interview isn't as compelling as a story

I don't think an intervew setting the record straight is equivalent to a program in which they play ominous music behind JK testifying or some oher action is going to have the same emotional impact. Think of those Swift Boat ads.

No, the only fair response is to show an equivalent drama.


Cher

[Jeff in Cincinnati]

8. He shouldn't even reply...

"Hey! Walk on into this dead-end ally! It's not like we're going to mug you or anything..."

If Kerry's people even consider this offer, they should have their collective heads examined.