Mission Accomplished - A look back in horror - From Media Matters

[kpete]

Thu, Apr 27, 2006 12:45pm EST

Mission Accomplished: A look back at the media's fawning coverage of Bush's premature declaration of victory in Iraq

On May 1, 2003, President Bush landed on the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln aboard an S-3B Viking jet, emerged from the aircraft in full flight gear, and proceeded to "press[] flesh," as The Washington Post put it, as he shook hands and hugged crew members in front of the cameras. Later that day, Bush delivered a nationally televised speech from the deck of the Abraham Lincoln in which he declared that "ajor combat operations in Iraq have ended," all the while standing under a banner reading: "Mission Accomplished." Despite lingering questions over the continued violence in Iraq, the failure to locate weapons of mass destruction, and the whereabouts of Saddam Hussein, as well as evidence that Bush may have shirked his responsibilities in the Texas Air National Guard (TANG) during the Vietnam War, the print and televised media fawned over Bush's "grand entrance" and the image of Bush as the "jet pilot" and the "Fighter Dog."

Chief among the cheerleaders was MSNBC's Chris Matthews. On the May 1, 2003, edition of Hardball, Matthews was joined in his effusive praise of Bush by right-wing pundit Ann Coulter and "Democrat" Pat Caddell. Former U.S. Rep. Robert K. Dornan (R-CA) also appeared on the program.:

Lots, lots, lots more at:
http://mediamatters.org/items/200604270005

[Captain Hilts]

1. The media matters thread on this is MUST reading. nt

[Crankie Avalon]

2. A hilarious look back...

"MATTHEWS: The president there -- look at this guy! We're watching him. He looks like he flew the plane. He only flew it as a passenger, but he's flown --

CADDELL: He looks like a fighter pilot.

MATTHEWS: He looks for real. What is it about the commander in chief role, the hat that he does wear, that makes him -- I mean, he seems like -- he didn't fight in a war, but he looks like he does."

He "flew it as a passenger" and "he didn't fight in a war" but we all should pretend otherwise and indulge him and his Village People dress-up act. :7 :eyes: :crazy:

[SeattleRob]

4. Tweety sounds smitten...

[riderinthestorm]

7. Blew coffee all over the keyboard!

Even though I've read this before, Matthews' masturbation over * in his flight suit costume is just too funny. Ya just know he's checking out *'s stuffed sock.

The hat??!!! LOL!

K & R for the article though, which everyone needs to read in all seriousness.

[mindfulNJ]

3. blecchhhh

Reading the Tweety quotes makes me want wretch. I need a shower....

[VolcanoJen]

5. K&R - A must read, even if it's difficult.

Another excellent piece from Media Matters.

[Joe Fields]

6. I think Liddy was even more smitten. LOL

[underpants]

8. USA! USA! USA!

-The Today Show's Ann Currie leading a cheer that morning.

I am patriotic as the next guy but seriously act like a professional.

[lumpy]

9. Un-ferking-believable !

Never heard the TV comments before about the Bush-FlyBoy-Hero since I rarely watch TV news. My God !
Such slobbering idolization over this phony of a man; reminded me of Hitler and his adoring minions. The references to the potential of woman slavering over Bush was particularly disgusting.
I have a good mind to remind Chris Matthews of his fauning words of reverence and awe of the freak known as George W.Bush. The stupid man should have to listen to his words over and over again.

[Avalux]

10. OMG - this Mathews quote is KILLING me!!!!

"And that's the president looking very much like a jet, you know, a high-flying jet star."

GAAAAAA!!!! :rofl:

[Faryn Balyncd]

11. great post