CBS Needs An Awakening

I think I have to reiterate how important this John McCain Iraq timeline incident is. As Steve Benen noted, this is the kind of thing that killed Gerald Ford in 1976. During a debate with Jimmy Carter, he claimed that "there is no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe," which was an obvious fiction, and the resultant outcry cemented his inevitable defeat. Now McCain says something just as obviously wrong, and this time it actually got some half-decent coverage in the media.

Except on the station where it originated, and that's why it's journalistic malpractice for CBS to have covered up for McCain in the way they did.



Apparently, CBS violated their own standards and practices by substituting a different answer for the question they asked, taking it completely out of context. That's completely shameful, and it wasn't done to save time. They actually ADDED some separate answer from elsewhere in the interview.

You need to contact them.

The story on their website is still solid, but the presentation on air was not and is outrageous. There must be some repercussions against this gaffe no matter who is involved and what happened. They need to come out and apologize for their ethical lapse.

Here’s CBS’s contact info:

TV Show CBS Evening News with Katie Couric

Abbott Heather, Producer (212) 975-3019 (212) 975-1893

evening@cbsnews.com

http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/eveningnews/main3420.shtml

Arensberg Chloe Producer, (212) 975-3691, (212) 975-1893

Contct CBS and demand they a) explain themselves on this egregious action. b) to hold those accountable.

evening@cbsnews.com http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/eveningnews/main3420.shtml

It is unacceptable for a news organization to so blatantly distort the truth. Sen. McCain screwed up - big time - and deserves to take the hit. CBS should not be able to run interference.

UPDATE: Meanwhile McCain is in hiding today. Guess he hasn't figured out a satisfactory answer to his own stupidity on Iraq.