How to Spot A Blogger Cutting And Pasting Talking Points
I knew conservative bloggers ran GOP talking points. But running the TP emails verbatim is taking it to a new level. Right down to the text-stylying. It really does make blogging so much more easier.
Here is the part of the text of
***
57% More Likely to Vote for Member of Congress Who Supported Medicare Part D
According to a USA Today/Gallup poll released late last month, 57% were more likely to vote for a Member of Congress who supported Medicare Part D, while 29% were more likely to vote against a Member who did not support the plan.
Costs Are Lower for Seniors and the Federal Government Than Expected
The average premium seniors pay for their prescription drug benefit is just $25 per month instead of $37 per month, and this year the Federal government will spend 20 percent less overall on the Medicare drug benefit than was projected last July.
Even National Democrats Are Urging Seniors to Enroll in the Program
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said last week: "Democrats have been out across the country encouraging seniors to sign up for a prescription drug plan by May 15th." (Pelosi Release, 5/9/06)
***
Now here is a talking points email I received from Phil Singer.
***
Harris said she thought her campaign had paid for her dinner with defense contractor. “Wade also picked up a $2,800 tab for dinner with Harris at a Georgetown restaurant, though she said she thought her campaign had reimbursed Wade $100 for her appetizer and drink. Recently, she told the Orlando Sentinel she had been wrong. She said she donated $100 to a Jacksonville ministry to compensate for her share of the meal.” [Tampa Tribune, 5/14/06]
Post: Harris claimed, “famously and falsely,” that Mr. Bush had prevented terrorist attack aimed at Carmel, Ind. “Last summer, Ms. Harris claimed, famously and falsely, that Mr. Bush had prevented 100 terrorist attacks within the U.S. including one aimed at Carmel, Ind. That came as news to the mayor of Carmel.” [Palm Beach Post, 3/19/06]
Harris Accused Newspapers of Distorting Her Makeup. Harris charged that newspapers altered her photographs. On a radio show, she said “you know, whenever they made fun of my makeup, it was because the newspapers colorized
***
Talking point emails are written in a certain style. There is always the bold headlines and citing of sources without links. If I could find the actual Republican TP email, I would accuse
Update: Thomas Croom has taken credit for the post and admitted he reprinted talking points. The post was not written by Blogger X.
posted by Michael Hussey @ 4:22 PM
4 Comments
4 Comments:
Blogger X didn't write the post.
Of course it's talking points, and it's obvious as such. As you say yourself, Right down to the text-stylying, there was no attempt to "pass it off" as my own. The difference in font was clear, as was the difference in style, voice and intent.
PEER Review isn't journalism. I don't break news, I comment on it. I don't organize activists with PRFL, I critique those who do. PRFL is factual, pure opinion, editorial and correct.
When the GOP starts accusing me of plagiarism then I will adjust my tactics. Coming from you, you might as well have printed it on a certificate and framed it for me. Thanks for the credentials. Stop by anytime!
My, aren't we touchy. Would you have told people they were talking points if I didn't mention it.
You may note that I have not amended, changed or noted anything different on my site with regards to this posts. And I won't.
Any reader of my site can see, and knows, that quotes or material that is clearly not of my own is always,
1) offset and/or italicized,
2) or of a clearly different font, style and voice that indicates it was cut and pasted from another source.
Since my site is trustworthy and factual on a consistent basis my readers generally only challenge the information I provide when they are interested in the source material for informational purposes. The credibility of my postings is never in question. Of course, I have already mentioned most of this in my comment -
Of course it's talking points, and it's obvious as such. As you say yourself, Right down to the text-stylying, there was no attempt to "pass it off" as my own. The difference in font was clear, as was the difference in style, voice and intent.
Furthermore, GOP talking points (or democratic ones for that matter) are rarely, if ever, cited as such either by those who employ the information or by those who report the information. The only exception to that statement would be in instances when the reporting organization has a clear political bent, be it neutral or bias, and has a purpose for reporting the sourcea as talking points.
Anybody who has ever been involved in politics, political consulting, public relations or media management can tell you that media outlets (of all sizes) frequently take information provided to them by campaigns, spokesmen or press liaisons and use it, often verbatim and complete as received. Why? Because the information is readily available in the public sphere, or the source clearly stated, and doesn't require a genius like yourself to look it up. For instance -
84% of Enrolled Seniors Are Satisfied With Medicare Part D
A poll released by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce last month found that a large majority of seniors (84%) enrolled in the Medicare prescription drug program are satisfied with their drug coverage and a majority (52%) say they are enjoying a significant cost savings.
source? Chamber of Commerce. Go find it.
61% Say Enrollment in Medicare Part D is Very or Fairly Easy
According to a CBS News/New York Times poll released last week, 37% said enrollment in the new Medicare prescription drug program was "very easy," and 24% said it was "fairly easy."
source? CBS News. Go find it.
57% More Likely to Vote for Member of Congress Who Supported Medicare Part D
According to a USA Today/Gallup poll released late last month, 57% were more likely to vote for a Member of Congress who supported Medicare Part D, while 29% were more likely to vote against a Member who did not support the plan.
source? USA Today/Gallup. Go find it.
Costs Are Lower for Seniors and the Federal Government Than Expected
The average premium seniors pay for their prescription drug benefit is just $25 per month instead of $37 per month, and this year the Federal government will spend 20 percent less overall on the Medicare drug benefit than was projected last July.
source? Federal Government CBO. Go find it.
Even National Democrats Are Urging Seniors to Enroll in the Program
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said last week: "Democrats have been out across the country encouraging seniors to sign up for a prescription drug plan by May 15th." (Pelosi Release, 5/9/06)
source? Nancy Pelosi. Hit your speed dial and ask her yourself.
Don't kid yuourself into thinking you have caught me doing something.
Hi, you have a wonderful blog here - congratulations.
I have a christian blog. It pretty much covers christian related things, and persecuted christian matters.
Please take a look when you have a moment.
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home