Polinaut: January 27, 2006 Archive

Release the hounds!

Posted at 8:06 AM on January 27, 2006 by Bob Collins

OK, new political joke being tested for the road show. "What's a politician's definition of a perfect dream?" Answer: "Any dream that ends with Kevin McHale being named his/her opponent's campaign manager."
Needs work? OK.

On the blogs today, another dispute has broken out (yes, it's hard to believe there'd be words exchanged between bloggers, I know). Pat Kessler of WCCO did a Reality Check a week or so ago about Jack Abramoff, in which he said:

It is widely described a Republican ethics scandal, and it largely is...

..IN FACT, most of the Abramoff related monies in Minnesota went to Democrats.

Uh oh. That's the kind of talk that starts blog fires.

And Clever Peasantry took to the ramparts.

Unfortunately, WCCO's experienced political reporter doesn't seem to be able to grasp this elementary concept. Actually, this isn't very fair. We're fairly sure that Mr. Kessler understands this concept quite well. However, as a mainstream political reporter Mr. Kessler suffers from middleoftheroaditis; a serious condition that affects reporters who believe that treating an issue "fairly" means giving equal weight to both "sides". Because of this unfortunate condition, Mr. Kessler has invented a new term to describe "Mr. Abramoff's donations":

"Abramoff-related monies."

Mr. Kessler then proceeds to use his fancy new term to balance out reality.

You can hear it now, can't you. The voice of Jon Stewart screaming, "OH NO....YOU DIDN'T!"

Back to you, Kessler.

Here are the facts: Abramoff personally gave money only to Republicans. But his clients, especially non-Minnesotan Indian tribes, made millions of dollars in donations to both parties, including a small amount here in Minnesota.

Critics say we shouldn't count that as Abramoff-related money.

But nonpartisan organizations tracking campaign finances regard contributions by Abramoff clients as money connected to Abramoff, and that's part of what federal investigators are looking at.

The vast majority of contributions went to Republicans, and the corruption charges involve only Republicans so far. But politicians from both parties are scrambling to shed their donations.

And that's what we reported.

Hmmmm.... stinging in its restraint? Darn those editors.

Back to you, Mr. Sponge.

Contrary to Mr. Kessler's assertion in the first report that no Minnesota Democrats are giving back their "Abramoff related monies", Mr. Kessler now defends his work by saying that "politicians from both parties are scrambling to give back their donations". Not here in Minnesota. Not at all. Of course, we are using Mr. Kessler to fact check Mr. Kessler so perhaps something is lost in translation. While there are definitly some national Democrats doing so, Mr. Kessler's initial report was specifically about "Abramoff related monies" in Minnesota. Sorry sir, bait and switch doesn't cut it as a defense.

I say 'good day, sir.'