I posted a link earlier today on how the DNC was planning on waging a war against Governor Mark Sanford, as he is increasing being seen as a major threat again President Obama in 2012.
The DNC provided reporters with these talking points;
The reviews are in, and South Carolinians from both parties are rejecting Governor Mark Sanford’s decision to play politics with $700 million in federal job creation and economic recovery funds. On the same day the Washington Post is running a front-page story on the economic crisis in South Carolina, a bipartisan mix of South Carolina leaders are criticizing Gov. Sanford’s decision to put his personal political ambitions ahead of the people of South Carolina by threatening to reject economic recovery funds that will create or retain jobs, improve education, and complete infrastructure projects throughout South Carolina. As one local paper reports, “South Carolina’s Republican-controlled General Assembly is poised to rebuff Sanford and seek the stimulus money on its own.”
“Mark Sanford is putting his personal ambition ahead of the people of South Carolina by cow-towing to the Rush Limbaugh-led, obstructionist wing of the Republican Party,” said Democratic National Committee Communications Director Brad Woodhouse. “Now is not the time to politicize these practical steps to create jobs in South Carolina and across the country. Governor Sanford should stop playing politics and work with leaders from both parties who want to use the economic recovery funds to help create jobs, fix our schools, reform our health care system, make America energy independent, and lay the foundation for long-term growth in the 21st Century.”
Coincidentally, I just turned on CNN and reporter Jessica Yellin just spouted out this slanderous line to describe ‘opposition’ to Governor Sanford’s education strategy;
“The Government of South Carolina is not interested in educating black children”.
Soon after this comment, the report switched to a video feed of Governor Sanford (confirming he was the accused racist). The CNN report did not allow Governor Sanford to address the ‘racism’ charges directly, and only later did they play a short clip of his response to criticism of his education funding formula.
Republicans have grown to accept the liberal media bias, but for a major network such as CNN to allow the DNC to storyboard their reports and accuse a major political figure of racism (without evidence) is completely unacceptable.
I encourage you to provide your feedback to CNN, here. I will post the video if/when it becomes available.
CNN reporter, Jessica Yellin
March 12th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
Oh darn. Another race-baiting exercise. Time to see how many around here leap at the opportunity to throw Sanford under the bus. Because it’d be terrible if Olberman said bad things about us.
March 12th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
Thomas Alan,
There is a big different between a pundit and a pool reporter.
March 12th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
I suppose. I’m not sure how that makes a difference to my statement though.
March 12th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
I feel ya, Sanford. It’s like having a conversation with Tano, isn’t it, Mark? It is, yes…there, there. Solidarity, my brother.
March 12th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
I’d be interested in more context around this comment. Was it an editorializing comment, was it a quote from some Democratic operative, was it an allegation, etc…
March 12th, 2009 at 8:36 pm
JayPe,
That is my issue, I wanted to see the individual on the record, on camera making this claim, but it was just added as the reporter as a talking point from the opposition, but not an editorial.
The outrage is that Sanford was not allowed the defend himself.
March 12th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
Did the DNC really write “cow-towing”?
Is that something you do with a tractor and a holstein?
March 12th, 2009 at 8:49 pm
Wish I could say this surprised me. They should have Sanford on personally. I don’t personally think it’s because they see him as a 2012 threat, but anyone doing what he’s doing is a threat to Obama’s success. Welcome to the big show, Mark Sanford.
March 12th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
Adam Brickley,
Great point. Sanford is receiving attention and popularity for his opposition to wasteful spending and many of Obama policies. If Sanford is becoming the defacto leader of the GOP, the DNC and media will attempt to destroy him.
March 12th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
“If Sanford is becoming the defacto leader of the GOP”
That probably overstating the case (and I’m sure the Mitt, Huck and Palin fans will have heart attacks when they read it). But certainly Sanford has moved up a good bit recently and is now seen as a leader and a prominent spokesperson.
This is a great opportunity for Sanford to show if he’s got what it takes to perform on the big stage. Can he take this kind of crap without getting rattled? Can he give back as good as he gets without doing so in a manner that appears defensive or petty?
If he passes the test he’ll be well-positioned for 2012 and maybe we’ll be discussing a top tier of four contenders instead of three. But we’ll have to see how he performs under pressure first.
March 12th, 2009 at 11:42 pm
I wonder how Sanford’s conduct is affecting his popularity in his state, which currently has double digit unemployment. I like him, but he seems to be burning a lot of bridges with people.
March 13th, 2009 at 8:39 am
[...] in the twisted mind of House Minority Whip Jim Clyburn. Clyburn has picked up on the trend (as Kirstofer points out) of calling Mark Sanford a racist because he has rejected stimulus money. With Obama’s [...]