Shocking Obama scandal Hillary camp is sitting on

[Bronco Bob]

or maybe not.


Novak’s ’scandal’ smear story starts looking shaky
Posted November 19th, 2007 at 1:25 pm

Over the weekend, the big political brouhaha was over a three-sentence “scoop” in Bob Novak’s latest column.

Agents of Sen. Hillary Clinton are spreading the word in Democratic circles that she has scandalous information about her principal opponent for the party’s presidential nomination, Sen. Barack Obama, but has decided not to use it. The nature of the alleged scandal was not disclosed.

This word-of-mouth among Democrats makes Obama look vulnerable and Clinton look prudent.

Even by Novak standards, it’s shamelessly unethical to pass along unidentified rumors about rumors. Joe Klein suggested that Novak may have “simply abandoned all pretense of being a journalist.” Regardless, it prompted the Clinton and Obama campaigns to engage in some heated back-and-forth.

Given that his column was a textbook case of news-free innuendo that shouldn’t be published in a responsible paper, Novak needed to elaborate. This morning, Novak appeared on Fox News to add some additional insights to his story.

Novak disclosed that his source for the story was not anyone close to Clinton but rather, someone who was “told by an agent of the Clinton campaign” about the alleged dirt. Got that? So Novak was not privy to the dirt itself, nor did he talk to Clinton’s people. Rather, he heard it from someone who had heard it from someone else. Another secondary source, Novak went on to say, claimed to have heard the same thing. Fact-checking = completed.

Oh my.

So, what are we left with here? Novak talked to a Democrat (whom he will not name), who talked to Clinton “agents” (whom he does not know), about Obama-related rumors (which he cannot identify) addressing an Obama scandal (which may not exist).

Novak took this “story” and put it in a nationally-syndicated column. A wide variety of editors saw this, and concluded, “Sounds good to me.” Wow.

For what it’s worth, Sam Stein added that Novak’s column wasn’t nearly as ambiguous about the degrees of separation between these Clinton “agents” and himself.

For the record, in the original column, Novak suggested he had more personal knowledge of that rumor-mongering. “Agents of Sen. Hillary Clinton,” the piece began, “are spreading the word in Democratic circles that she has scandalous information about her principal opponent for the party’s presidential nomination…”

There was no mention of Novak hearing about this second-hand from someone whose credibility is unknown; the claim is simply asserted as fact.

I’ve seen some suggestion that Novak may have simply made up this story out of whole cloth. That strikes me as unlikely — Novak is a sleazy, offensive, right-wing columnist who’s perfectly willing to undermine our national security on a whim. But I can’t think of any instances in which he simply fabricated a story. In this case, I suspect Novak really did talk to someone who talked to someone else about rumors dealing with rumors.

But it’s still hackery, not journalism.

http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/archives/13649.html

(In case you don't remember, Novak was the one who outed CIA agent Valerie Plame.)

[Taco John]

The minute I saw this, I figured it was Novak getting played. I don't think that the Hillary camp has anything, but they figured they'd start some rumors and see if any journalists would bite -- and then if the Obama camp responded, they'd pull out the standard "he's inexperienced and naive" card again.

...and as much as I like Obama, he is very inexperienced and naive. He's been led around by the ear by the Hillary camp. He's just not ready for prime time yet.

[baja]

Why does not everyone see that Ron Paul stands head and shoulders above these political sewer rats and their hanger-ons.

If you don't like his politics fine but if America cannot at least see that Ron Paul is a principled man of high integrity then I believe there is little hope for America.

If you don't know a good man when you see one then you have no hope of voting in a winner.

[Bronco Bob]

Why does not everyone see that Ron Paul stands head and shoulders above these political sewer rats and their hanger-ons.

If you don't like his politics fine but if America cannot at least see that Ron Paul is a principled man of high integrity then I believe there is little hope for America.

If you don't know a good man when you see one then you have no hope of voting in a winner.

Trust me, if Ron Paul were leading in the national polls, people would be
making up crap about him too. Most of the MSM already writes him
and his followers off as nuts and kooks. It would only get worse if he
was regarded as a serious candidate.

[cutthemdown]

They should fire back by leaking a rumor that Hillary was present a few times when Monica gave Bill his hummers, And that Hillary also got some service from her.

[baja]

Hillary = a new and slightly improved (read smarter) version of George Bush.

[alkemical]

Hillary = a new and slightly improved (read smarter) version of George Bush.

lol, is that really "improved"?

[ak1971]

I read somewhere that there is some video or something of him doing blow. He can just take a page out of the Clinton book and tell them that he didnt inhale or sneezed or something.

[defenseman]

The minute I saw this, I figured it was Novak getting played. I don't think that the Hillary camp has anything, but they figured they'd start some rumors and see if any journalists would bite -- and then if the Obama camp responded, they'd pull out the standard "he's inexperienced and naive" card again.

...and as much as I like Obama, he is very inexperienced and naive. He's been led around by the ear by the Hillary camp. He's just not ready for prime time yet.

the fact that the Hillary camp is even going here is just freaking ridiculous. It's obvious to me, based on this, she can be trusted to be un-trustworthy. Amazing these politicians, just amazing..dman

[baja]

the fact that the Hillary camp is even going here is just freaking ridiculous. It's obvious to me, based on this, she can be trusted to be un-trustworthy. Amazing these politicians, just amazing..dman

Stop the presses I agree with Dman on two different posts on the same day?

[Garcia Bronco]

They should fire back by leaking a rumor that Hillary was present a few times when Monica gave Bill his hummers, And that Hillary also got some service from her.

I hear there is video of this too.

[SoCalBronco]

I hear there is video of this too.

It's a Youtube favorite.

:)


Clinton is starting to come down to earth now in the polls which is just what I have been hoping for. There was a poll today where Obama has now taken the lead in Iowa, albeit its within the margin of error.

[Bronco Bob]

the fact that the Hillary camp is even going here is just freaking ridiculous. It's obvious to me, based on this, she can be trusted to be un-trustworthy. Amazing these politicians, just amazing..dman

Exactly where is the Hillary camp going with regards to this?
So basically Novak comes up with some unsubstantiated BS story,
and the Hillary haters all jump on this and say, see Hillary can't
be trusted. No, Novak can't be trusted. If he has something,
say it.

[Bronco Bob]

I read somewhere that there is some video or something of him doing blow. He can just take a page out of the Clinton book and tell them that he didnt inhale or sneezed or something.

The Hillary camp would love this. It would just play into their theme that
Obama is getting desperate and has abandoned his "Party of Hope"
philosophy and has instead reverted to Republican talking points.

[defenseman]

Exactly where is the Hillary camp going with regards to this?
So basically Novak comes up with some unsubstantiated BS story,
and the Hillary haters all jump on this and say, see Hillary can't
be trusted. No, Novak can't be trusted. If he has something,
say it.

Any stories Novak has floored recently? Think about Valerie Plame, if you have enough gray matter left, what a clue bag. It also was unsubstantiated and YET the dems turned Washington DC on it's freaking ear when it hit the streets. So he's good enough for the "Plame" scenario when it aides the Dems and NOT NOW? You are a freaking hypocrite to the nth degree. What a freaking biased POS take on your part. NOVAK CAN'T BE TRUSTED!!!!!!!!!! Hilarious! Your take smats of major HYPOCRISY zipperhead..dman

[Bronco Bob]

Any stories Novak has floored recently? Think about Valerie Plame, if you have enough gray matter left, what a clue bag. It also was unsubstantiated and YET the dems turned Washington DC on it's freaking ear when it hit the streets. So he's good enough for the "Plame" scenario when it aides the Dems and NOT NOW? You are a freaking hypocrite to the nth degree. What a freaking biased POS take on your part. NOVAK CAN'T BE TRUSTED!!!!!!!!!! Hilarious! Your take smats of major HYPOCRISY zipperhead..dman

Well, my friend's uncle's brother in law's great aunt's hairdresser's cousin
has it on good authority that you are a poopy head.

[defenseman]

Well, my friend's uncle's brother in law's great aunt's hairdresser's cousin
has it on good authority that you are a poopy head.

You are playing politics, and believe what you want to believe, believe what is convenient, and Novak can't possibly be correct , RIIIIIGGGHHHT??????. Even though, via the exact same method he called out the "valerie plame" issues in our executive branch, and it was OK then, RIIIIGGGHHT????. Politic on dude, hypocrisy at it's best....dman

[Bronco Bob]

You are playing politics, and believe what you want to believe, believe what is convenient, and Novak can't possibly be correct , RIIIIIGGGHHHT??????. Even though, via the exact same method he called out the "valerie plame" issues in our executive branch, and it was OK then, RIIIIGGGHHT????. Politic on dude, hypocrisy at it's best....dman

With Valerie Plame he got the word directly from people inside the Bush
administration. And Plame really was a CIA agent, so that was a fact.
With this Obama claim he originally said it was agents with-in the Clinton
camp, and then he later backed off that original claim and is now saying
he heard it from someone who heard it from someone with-in the Clinton
camp. So he never heard it directly from Clinton, he never heard it directly
from someone who works for Clinton, he heard it from somebody who claims
to have heard it from somebody who works for Clinton. And he never even
names names, who was this person who told him? Who was the person
who told them? And if he has something that juicy on Obama,
why doesn't he tell us what he has? Why is he protecting Obama
or the Clinton operatives. He had no problem exposing a covert
CIA agent, and yet he has too much integrity to spill the beans
on Obama?

[defenseman]

With Valerie Plame he got the word directly from people inside the Bush
administration. And Plame really was a CIA agent, so that was a fact.
With this Obama claim he originally said it was agents with-in the Clinton
camp, and then he later backed off that original claim and is now saying
he heard it from someone who heard it from someone with-in the Clinton
camp. So he never heard it directly from Clinton, he never heard it directly
from someone who works for Clinton, he heard it from somebody who claims
to have heard it from somebody who works for Clinton. And he never even
names names, who was this person who told him? Who was the person
who told them? And if he has something that juicy on Obama,
why doesn't he tell us what he has? Why is he protecting Obama
or the Clinton operatives. He had no problem exposing a covert
CIA agent, and yet he has too much integrity to spill the beans
on Obama?

Lots of blah, blah, blah and backpeddling is your position? Bottom line is, Novak is very well respected and has never gone out on a limb without a source in place. From a journalistic standpoint, he has proven himself very reliable. How do YOU know the media isn't putting a nice "spin" on one of their own to help out ole' queenie hillary? Know matter, you continue to be and are the classic hypocrite we all know and count on for political comedy...thanks for the laugh......dman

[Bronco Bob]

Lots of blah, blah, blah and backpeddling is your position? Bottom line is, Novak is very well respected and has never gone out on a limb without a source in place. From a journalistic standpoint, he has proven himself very reliable. How do YOU know the media isn't putting a nice "spin" on one of their own to help out ole' queenie hillary? Know matter, you continue to be and are the classic hypocrite we all know and count on for political comedy...thanks for the laugh......dman

I think you are confused as to who is doing the backpeddling.
It is Novak who is doing the backpeddling, not me.
But leave it to Hillary haters like you to side in with the
right wing smear machine and make up excuses for them
when they get caught with their pants down.
And exactly how I am being a hypocrite? You can throw out
all the negative words you want, but if you can't back them up,
it don't mean chit.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

I read somewhere that there is some video or something of him doing blow. He can just take a page out of the Clinton book and tell them that he didnt inhale or sneezed or something.

Or he can take a page out of the Bush play book and simply refuse to answer any questions about it.

(Wait - that only works when you're a member of a powerful and well-connected family.)

[defenseman]

Or he can take a page out of the Bush play book and simply refuse to answer any questions about it.

(Wait - that only works when you're a member of a powerful and well-connected family.)

Like hillary has done virtually through the entire campaign? Will not release records from the Clinton library so folks can get a better look at her and what she thinks? Hillary, and the Clintons WROTE the playbook...dman

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Like hillary has done virtually through the entire campaign? Will not release records from the Clinton library so folks can get a better look at her and what she thinks? Hillary, and the Clintons WROTE the playbook...dman

http://www.ohanaed.com/images/4533.gif

He was talking about Obama - not Hillary.

[Spider]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/spiderinwy/Pretty.gif

[Bronco Bob]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/spiderinwy/Pretty.gif

Now all he needs is a platinum blond wig and he can be Rudy's lesbian lover.