It seemed like a straightforward political move. In the midst of the debate over the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP), before the president vetoed expanding access for millions of low-income children, Democrats invited a 12-year-old boy, Graeme Frost, to deliver the party’s radio address. The point, obviously, was to humanize the policy debate — instead of just another politician reading talking points, here was a kid who was able to get the medical care he needed after a serious car accident caused severe brain trauma, paralyzed one of his vocal chords, and put him in a coma.
That was two weeks ago. Over the weekend, several conservative activists and bloggers decided it was time to do what the right does best: smear anyone who gets in their way. The Conservative Attack Machine decided Graeme Frost and his family didn’t deserve benefits under S-CHIP and went after the Frosts with a vengeance.
A poster at the Free Republic propagated information alleging that Frost was actually a rich kid being pampered by the government. Among other bits of information, the post by the Freeper “icwhatudo” asserts that Graeme and his sister Gemma attend wealthy schools that cost “nearly $40,000 per year for tuition” and live in a well-off home.
The smear attack against Graeme has taken firm hold in the right-wing blogosphere. The National Review, Michelle Malkin, Wizbang, Powerline, and the Weekly Standard blog have all launched assaults on the Frost family. The story is slowly working its way into traditional media outlets as well.
It would merely be regrettable if the right invaded the Frosts’ privacy and attacked them for speaking up, but this is much worse —
the conservatives launching the attacks got their facts wrong.
For example, the right hammered Graeme for attending an expensive private school.
What his attackers neglected to mention is that the school only charges the Frosts $500 a year.
The right hammered Graeme’s sister, who suffered brain injuries in the family’s car accident, for also attending an expensive private school,
without noting that the state covers her tuition.
The right blasted the Frost family for living in a neighborhood where some homes sell for nearly a half-million dollars.
What their attackers neglected to mention is that the family bought their home 16 years ago for $55,000, in what was once a less-safe part of Baltimore.
By any reasonable measure, the Frost family is struggling.
The parents’ combined income is $45,000. They have four kids,
all of whom qualify for S-CHIP, and all of whom
would have no insurance without the state benefits. The right has decided to characterize the Frosts as an example of a wealthy family on welfare.
The reality is that conservatives are smearing a family in need of a hand.
What’s more, Michelle Malkin claims she went to the Frost’s home and workplace yesterday. A co-worker of the father said the family is “struggling,” but Malkin remained skeptical.
Now, when dealing with a large group of conservatives who oppose healthcare for poor children on principle, I suppose it’s best to keep expectations low. But this is perhaps the most vile smear the right has launched in recent memory. The Frosts are not political candidates. They are not publicity-seekers. They are not political players of any kind. This is a family who can’t afford healthcare for their kids who need it, and they showed courage asking the president to do what’s right for other families in similar circumstances.
And for that, the right has made this family a target. Conservatives are having trouble winning the policy debate on the merits, so they’re going after a 12-year-old child and his family. Worse, conservatives launched their smear before getting the facts straight.
http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/archives/13165.html
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