The Pink Flamingo :: Drudge Hits McCain - Once Again, Ignores Romney's Problems

Once again Matt Drudge, with his close ties to the Romney campaign, has broadsided John McCain. Unfortunately there is nothing new about the feud between John McCain and Matt Drudge or the fact that Matt Drudge is a hysterical fool when it comes to immigration, consequently he hates McCain.

“…In addition to the "Bomb Iran" video, Drudge was one of the first to post links to a 1989 video clip of Giuliani declaring "there must be public funding for abortions for poor women." In April, he posted a story suggesting that a blotch on McCain's head (caused from a bump) was in fact a new case of skin cancer, a false rumor apparently intended to fan concern over McCain's age. Drudge has also posted embargoed text of Romney's presidential announcement speech in February. On May 10, he posted the first excerpts of Romney's May 13 interview on "60 Minutes."

Some campaign aides have suggested that Drudge's personal relationships have played a role in what oppo leaks he posts on the site. "I think it's clear that Romney has gotten fairer treatment from Matt Drudge than any other candidate. There is a lot less negative Romney stuff," said the senior Republican campaign aide. "It stems back to what many people believe is a very good relationship between the Romney team and Matt Drudge….”

Save the GOP

“…McCain was cleared of any wrong doing in the incident relating to this accusation, that being he and four other senators tried to influence banking regulators for Charles Keating, later convicted of securities fraud. I do find the timing of this story rather interesting considering what other news has broken today:..”

Sam at Save the GOP is obviously pointing a finger at Romney.

Hugh Hewitt goose-steps in line, gleeful about the Times hit piece on McCain, obviously forgetting that he doesn’t believe anything the Times writes. You gotta love these people who are so busy pandering for Romney and the beltway status quo managed by Sun Myung Moon’s WTimes bunch that they can’t stand true to their values. The beautiful part of all of this is conservatives who blame the NYTimes for every evil under the sun, refusing to believe anything they write, are willing to fall for this hook, link & sinker. Funny, isn't it? I think it just goes to prove exactly what and with whom we are dealing and the abject depravity of their intellectual honesty.

From Raw Story:

“…The timing struck at least one other prominent Washington observer. Mark Halperin, a Time magazine editor, observed, "with just days to go before the voting — with everyone so busy, so tired, so manic, and so vulnerable — political and media actors are more easily turned chasing in whatever direction Drudge points them. Or, more specifically, in whatever direction Drudge’s spoon-feeding sources point them." "Why is Drudge highlighting the McCain story, but has not touched other political hot potatoes that are swirling in the ether?" Halperin asked. "Answer that, and you probably will have a better handle on who the major parties will nominate than any polling data can give you." McCain has retained Washington lawyer Bob Bennett to help him respond to allegations against him. "In 2000, during the South Carolina primary campaign, John McCain was the victim of false, vicious rumors about his personal life," Bennett said in a statement. "These rumors and gossip damaged his campaign and may have cost him the election.""Upon hearing that such unfair tactics might be entering the campaign arena again this year, Senator McCain, desiring to respond more forcefully than he did eight years ago, retained me to explore the options available," Bennett added. "What is being done to Senator McCain is an outrage."…”

Flopping Aces has a great take on the whole thing, including more information on just how much Drudge dislikes John McCain.

TANCREDO’S OUT
Malkin’s touching eulogy to Tom Tancredo’s political career is enough to bring tears to the eyes of all good Tanton fearing nativists who have given in to the dark side of the force. For the rest of us – NANANANANA
It couldn’t happen to a more deserving person.

“…Tancredo’s exit comes as Congress guts the border fence, the Border Patrol remains under siege, and shamnesty proponent John McCain rebounds. Where do conservatives who take homeland security seriously turn? I don’t need a candidate with whom I agree on 100 percent of the issues. At the very least, however, I’d like a candidate who doesn’t share the Left’s utter contempt for, apathy, or sheer condescension toward grass-roots Republicans and immigration enforcement activists. Character counts. Steadfastness counts. A spine would help. So would genuine passion and energy. Tom Tancredo has all of that. He’ll continue to play an important role in American life, perhaps in the U.S. Senate. Because of his relentless crusading for secure borders and restoration of the rule of law, immigration will not disappear from the presidential race’s radar screen after his exit–despite the GOP elite’s fervent desire that the issue die down and noisy activists go away. For that, we owe him great thanks.”

Yea, right. Good thing I’m not a school kid at lunch or I’d be snorting milk through my nose about how as I sob because of my heart-break. Those of us who are rational about immigration reform have been taking a few blows these past few months. The tide has turned a little, and the anti-immigration forces are suffering, considerably.

TANCREDO ENDORSES ROMNEY
I know I sound crazy over this, but I tell you the conservative fix is in and from on high, Romney has been picked as the candidate who is most pleasing to Sun Myung Moon’s Washington Times and John Tanton. Tancredo’s endorsement of Romney proves it. Tancredo is controlled by John Tanton. If Tanton wants Romney endorsed, he gets Romney endorsed.

CAPTAIN ED PICKS UP A ROMNEY LIE
Captain Ed is one of the intellectually honest conservatives when it comes to highlighting Romney’s little flubs, prevarications, and flip-flops. Funny thing, but I’ve not seen this one. If Romney had not been the great choice from on high, you would be hearing this from everyone. Romney said that he saw his father march with Martin Luther King.
Captain Ed

“…Which parts of this were meant figuratively? The values shared and lived in his religion? His parents providing compassionate care to others? The use of the phrase "I saw" conveyed a sense of witnessing an actual event, not a figure of speech. Romney would have been better off saying that he got that story from his father and older brother and assumed it to be true. It would still call into question his eyewitness account in the speech, but that could be written off as rhetorical flourish. The point about marching with King was meant to counter the racism in the Mormon church, and was important enough that most analysts recognized it as such immediately. Tancredo's surprise endorsement will overshadow that gaffe. Romney had better double-check his anecdotes a little more carefully in the future if he doesn't want to end up in Al "I helped create the Internet" Gore territory…”

Fox is now highlighting the lie, but I noticed John Gibson making excuses for Romney.

Yet Another Drudge Hit on a Romney Competitor The problem is conservatives and Republicans have been hit with story after story pounding everyone but Romney over on Drudge. One of Romney’s top people is a man named Matt Rhodes, who is very close to Matt Drudge. According to the WPost (a year ago) …

“…Rhoades served as research director and deputy communications director for the Republican National Committee in the 2006 cycle and is a highly-regarded and fast-rising operative in Republican presidential circles. He had previously worked as research director for the Bush-Cheney re-election campaign. "Matt Rhoades is one of the most creative, hard working, intelligent and principled people in politics," said outgoing RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman. One of the most important contributions Rhoades will make to the Romney team is his relationship with Matt Drudge. As documented in John Harris's and Mark Halperin's book -- "The Way to Win" -- the Drudge Report is an indispensable mover of political news and can shape (and often lead) news coverage by the major media outlets. The duo refer to Drudge as the "single most influential purveyor of information about American politics" and detail a meeting between Drudge, RNC research director Tim Griffin and Rhoades -- Griffin's deputy at the time -- that functioned as a passing of the Drudge torch from Griffin to Rhoades. Rhoades' connection to Drudge is tough to replicate; watch Drudge over the coming weeks and months to see the importance of that relationship and how it accrues to Romney's benefit….”

ROMNEY DIRTY TRICKS
I find fascinating the way the conservative MSM and blogsphere is choosing to ignore Romney’s questionable behind the scenes dirty tactics. Things such as the MLK comment that would almost sink another candidate, are receiving little or no “conservative” play. Same goes with some of Romney’s operatives and some push polling doing by someone who was obviously one of Romney’s family friends pretending to be anti-LDS. There’s quite a bit of nasty push polling going on in New Hampshire. The NRP has a few ideas, so do I. I smell a rat and that rat usually turns out to be Mitt Romney.

DRUDGE GOES AFTER MCCAIN
This entire scenario with Matt Drudge and other stalwart “Main-Stream” extreme conservatives is becoming way to cozy and just a little too cute for words. For the past few days we have been feted with Drudge’s take on Mike Huckabee being just way to “Christian”. Now he’s going after John McCain.

“MEDIA FIREWORKS: MCCAIN PLEADS WITH NY TIMES TO SPIKE STORY
Thu Dec 20 2007 10:56:57 ET

Just weeks away from a possible surprise victory in the primaries, Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz has been waging a ferocious behind the scenes battle with the NEW YORK TIMES, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned, and has hired DC power lawyer Bob Bennett to mount a bold defense against charges of giving special treatment to a lobbyist!

McCain has personally pleaded with NY TIMES editor Bill Keller not to publish the high-impact report involving key telecom legislation before the Senate Commerce Committee, newsroom insiders tell the DRUDGE REPORT.

The paper's Jim Rutenberg has been leading the investigation and is described as beyond frustrated with McCain's aggressive and angry efforts to stop any and all publication.

MORE

The drama involves a woman lobbyist who may have helped to write key telecom legislation.

The woman in question has retained counsel and strongly denies receiving any special treatment from McCain.

Rutenberg, along with reporter David Kirkpatrick, has been developing the story for the last 6 weeks.

Rutenberg had hoped to break the story before the Christmas holiday, sources reveal, but editor Keller expressed serious reservations about journalism ethics and issuing a damaging story so close to an election.

McCain campaign officials Rick Davis, Charlie Black and Mark Salter are also said to have met with the NEW YORK TIMES in an effort to halt publication. ..."

Developing...”

“…McCain acknowledged that his presidential campaign aides have had discussions with the newspaper regarding its inquiries. "I have not had been in talks with The New York Times. They've been communicating with our staff and with us," McCain said. "I've never done any favors for anybody—lobbyist or special interest group—that's a clear, 24-year record." McCain and four other senators were accused two decades ago of trying to influence banking regulators on behalf of Charles Keating, a savings and loan financier later convicted of securities fraud. The Senate Ethics Committee said McCain had used "poor judgment" but also said his actions "were not improper" and warranted no penalty. McCain was faced with the question Thursday after the online Web site, the Drudge Report, said his aides and advisers had been trying to dissuade the newspaper from publishing a story. McCain questioned the timing of the allegations and compared them to the criticism he confronted in 2000 when he first ran for the presidency. "I do find the timing of this whole issue very interesting," McCain said. "And we're not going to stand for what happened to us in 2000. We're getting close to the primary. These allegations are coming out at a very interesting time, and I have never, ever done a favor for any lobbyist or special interest group."…”

Kavon W. Nikrad from Race42008

“…So I just had to chuckle when I read the headline on Drudge accusing Sen. McCain of exerting legal pressure on the NY Times to kill a story connecting him to illicit behavior with a Washington lobbyist. We all know the bastion of fairness the NYT embodies when it comes to covering Republican politicians-especially ones it considers threatening to their agenda. Drudge, of course, is hardly neutral himself. Top of the page hit pieces have appeared on his site on every Republican top-tier candidate, save one. What this story has accomplished is to convince me that there is something to the whispers that I have been hearing from multiple sources-that a McCain surge is a real possibility; and that some are afraid enough to take action now. In fact, just yesterday I spoke with someone in the upper tier of a rival campaign who confided to me that McCain might be the guy who wins it all when this is all said and done. I can hear the skeptical comments now. But please remember, campaigns are often the first to recognize polling trends as they are privy to internal polling that we are not. But the bottom line is this… Can John McCain be a strong-willed, bare knuckles infighter who will do whatever it takes to advance his agenda as a U.S. Senator? Sure. Is he wrong on key issues such as Immigration and CFR? Yes. Is he a dirty politician who would enter into illicit arrangements with a beltway lobbyist?

Not in this world… Or the next one…”

I think the bottom line here is the Romney people are scared. The last I heard, McCain was in a 3 way tie in the Fox poll (nationally). That tells me there is very definite movement in McCain’s direction, virtually tied with Huckabee and Giuliani, with Romney at 11%. That’s why we’re now seeing hits on the top three.

DRUDGE DISLIKE OF MCCAIN WELL DOCUMENTED
FROM THE POLITICO:

“…A second Times reporter agreed with this assertion about Keller. However, the Times masthead in New York and Washington has remained silent: Washington bureau chief Dean Baquet, managing editor Jill Abramson and Keller did not return calls and e-mails seeking comment. Drudge's obvious disdain for McCain, remind those in the Arizonan's camp, is well-documented. Moreover, they note, without making the charge that he is the source for the leak, Rutenberg has been displeased with the McCain campaign's lack of cooperation on the story. So there could be a motive for him to get this information into circulation, and increase the pressure on his editors to publish, they speculate. Rutenberg — who wrote the October 2007 front-page story about the Clinton campaign leaking to Drudge — did not respond to phone and e-mail requests seeking comment. Kirkpatrick, when reached by phone, declined to comment….”