Brooks Admits He Picked Facts ‘Out Of The Air’ To Defend Bush’s Iraq Policy

[CatWoman]

Yesterday, Media Matters observed that on this week’s Meet the Press, New York Times columnist David Brooks admitted to using a made-up statistic in order to argue against withdrawal from Iraq.

Specifically, Brooks rehashed the right-wing talking point that withdrawal in Iraq would certainly lead to “genocide,” alleging that 10,000 Iraqis a month would die after redeployment. But Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward quickly forced Brooks’ to admit his statistics were baseless:

BOB WOODWARD: I mean, you cite numbers which you have pulled out of the air of 10,000 dying. I mean, that’s–that–where does that come from? <…>

DAVID BROOKS: So I just picked that 10,000 out of the air.

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/23/brooks-iraq-air/

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

1. Even picked out of the air, that's ~5,000 per month less...

then are dying now.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

2. That was a beautiful moment.

Brooks is a tool's tool.

[lurky]

10. LOL!

A tool's tool? Is that like a musician's musician?
Somebody other tools look at with awe and aspiration?
:P

[underpants]

3. The unraveling Brooks on PBS- No idea of any options on Iraq

He actually throws his hands up in the air.
http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/21/david-brooks-im-so-confused-about-what-to-do-in-iraq/

[IndyOp]

4. See also "David Brooks confused about Iraq"

Suddenly Mr. Brooks just doesn't know much anymore...
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x42469

:grr:

[driver8]

5. I saw that -- Woodward's expression was great. n/t

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

6. Ugh! Brooks should be thrown in a garbage dump for all he's worth (nothing). eom

[BOSSHOG]

7. bush's supporters with microphones have been making shit up for five years

Its the state of conservatism in America today and it is allowed to proliferate because of the proud grassroots "conservatives" who just love their christian commander in chief.

[spanone]

8. Why not? bu$h* picked his facts out of the air to invade Iraq....seems fitting.

:sarcasm:

[Rob H.]

9. And that's different from what Brooks normally does how?

He's right up there with clueless know-nothings like Bill Kristol and Brit Hume, imo. Despite the fact that they've been dead wrong on most things wrt Iraq they're still trotted out on TV as "experts," when in any sane world they would never have been heard from again.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

14. Not much different at all. The only time Brooks isn't quoting GOP talking points is >

> when he's just pulling stuff out of his ass.

[wiggs]

11. Brooks looked WEAK and amazingly Woodward was critical of WH. And the author of

"Cheney" shouldn't have been on there...biased but presented as an authority. nt

[brentspeak]

12. Does this mean that that David Brooks will be forced to find another line of work?

In this age of discredited "experts" who get to keep their lucrative jobs, apparently not.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

13. Of course not... what would he

do?

[Gidney N Cloyd]

15. I just hope this helps Woodward remember how satisfying it can be to put the truth out there.

He's gotten a little out of practice since the 'Woodstein' days.