We Take Your Times And "Shove It"!

Since we have been following coverage of Theresa Heinz Kerry's "shove it" adventure, and as a courtesy to my new friends at Media Matters, we thought we would take a moment to see how the NY Times covered this.  You will be shocked to learn that, among the major media I looked at, they were hands-down the most gentle with Ms. Heinz Kerry in their coverage.

In other "dog bites man" news, I set my alarm early, and can confirm to you that the sun does rise in the East.

There are two competing themes in the presentation of Theresa Heinz Kerry's "shove it" story.  Either feisty Theresa told off a conservative columnist (you go, girl!), or unpredictable (but ironical!) Theresa called for civility in American politics, then erupted after being questioned by a conservative columnist about an odd comment she had made, but denied making.

To recap the main points I am looking for in each story:

(1) During her talk to the Pennsylvania delegation, Ms. Heinz Kerry paused to reflect, then said something including "un-American traits".  It did not seem to be offhand or unconsidered.

(2) The reporter questioned her; Ms. Heinz Kerry did not know, at this point, who he was or what paper he was with.  This seems to be clear from the tape, and she says so later to Katie Couric.

(3) relying on the fuzzy audio here, the initial exchange was:

McNickle: (inaudible) Un-American activity? You mentioned un-American?

Heinz Kerry: No, I did not say that.

McNickle: What did you mean?

Heinz Kerry: I did not say that (pointing finger at reporter).

We note that she *did* say un-American, did *not* say "activities", and was quite dismissive and rude when the reporter attempted to get at the truth.

(4)  Ms. Heinz Kerry walked away and conferred with the Governor.  Upon learning the reporter's affiliation with a Scaife paper, she sought him out for a second confrontation, which ended with the now-classic "shove it". 

So, how many of those details do the different media outlets get?

CNN goes with unpredictable Theresa in this excellent story and here.

USA Today includes a transcript - call it fair and balanced.

MSNBC delivers a cream-puff interview with Katie Couric, but tells the story here.

The Boston Globe actually tilts away from Ms. Kerry, failing to report a key word in her misunderstanding with the reporter (she claims that his question about "unAmerican activities" upset her).

Fox News is brief (at their website - I assumed they looped the video).  Their story mentions the newspaper but not its history with Ms. Heinz Kerry; it also follows the early pattern of missing the word "activities".  OTOH, since Ms. Heinz Kerry only blew up at the reporter *after* learning his affiliation, I think his affiliation is overblown - why did she deny the quote and refuse to clarify it in their first encounter?

And here is Ron Fournier of the AP.

But no worries for the Kerry side - how has the Paper of Record covered this?

Jim Rutenberg made the print edition of the NY Times yesterday with this long appraisal of Ms. Heinz Kerry, in which the "shove it" incident was just a part.  A feisty Theresa appears in the second paragraph; we have to wait until paragraph twenty-eight for some details.  The initial account does not include the disputed word "activities".  But wait!  The Times runs a correction the next day, to get that pro-Heinz detail into the story.  [More on that below.]

And this Political Points column looks as though it will be in the Thursday edition.  It discuss the fully-airbrushed, feisty Theresa version of events (and John Tierney is a free-markets guy!)

For further contrast, the Washington Post ran the AP version in their DeadTree edition; the AP version is available at the Times website, but did not (to my tired eyes) appear in print.

Net - the Times is out of the mainstream.  Surprised?  I'm just trying to help Duncan and his Brockers, here.

(And when I find that Dan Rather interview, you will see a creampuff.)

Now, a brief comment about this controversial word "activities":

It is clear that Ms. Heinz Kerry's defense hinges on the notion that the reporter asked her about "unAmerican activities", she had McCarthy flashbacks, and her brain froze.

Studying the videotape, it is far from clear how the conversation progressed.  It was a crowded, noisy room; both the reporter and Ms. Heinz Kerry are caught on tape saying "activities" at different points.

However, the original AP report left out that detail, as did the original ABC Note transcript.  ABC has since snuck it back in (I think - having heard the tape, I looked for it and didn't see it first time, and didn't copy it, either.  My bad.) 

From USA Today:

McNickle: (inaudible) Un-American activity? You mentioned un-American?

Heinz Kerry: No, I did not say that.

McNickle: What did you mean?

Heinz Kerry: I did not say that (pointing finger at reporter).

McNickle: Well, what did you say?

Heinz Kerry: I did not say that.

McNickle: I am just asking what did you say.

Heinz Kerry: Why are you putting those words in my mouth?

McNickle: I thought you said something about being un-American?

Heinz Kerry: No I did not say that.

Heinz Kerry turns away, then returns a few moments later.

Heinz Kerry: Are you from the Tribune-Review?

McNickle: Yes, I am.

Heinz Kerry: Of course (turns away quickly).

McNickle: Come here (tapping her on the elbow).

Heinz Kerry: (Turns back to reporter) Understandable. You said something I didn't say — now shove it!

In their correction the Times adds, correctly, IMHO, this bit from the tape:

Later, Mr. McNickle asked her what she had meant by "un-American activities." Mrs. Heinz Kerry replied, "I did not say `activities' or `un-American,' " and then added: "You said something I didn't say, so shove it."

I think the "then added" exchange came a few minutes later, in round two.

Comments

[Patrick R. Sullivan]

I almost feel sorry for Brad DeLong after that goddawful, it's all about me and my linguistic skill, speech last night. This is your candidate? A wuss who can't even keep his overbearing, idiotic, self-absorbed wife off stage at the biggest moment of his life?

[HH]

McNickle: I thought you said something about being un-American?

Heinz Kerry: No I did not say that.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is a lie. And her hubby stands by his woman on this one, so we can only stand in awe as the Washington press corps cheers on the idea that they would deal with these people for four years.

[Thom]

She probably didn't recall saying "un-American" because, apparently, most of what she says is unscripted and extemporaneous. I wouldn't call her denial a "lie." However, Gov. Rendell clearly knew that she did, indeed, say "un-American" and after conferring with him, or at some time subsequent, she should have graciously apoligized.

The incident does go perfectly with Kerry's own "I don't fall down, that SOB knocked me over" statement about his skiing adventure in Idaho -- they both refuse to admit mistakes and expect others to clean up their messes.

[Big mama T]

You little people are such fools. That is why you refuse to bow when I speak. You will get yours, you idiots. John & I know what is best for you peasants even though you do not. We long so for the good days, the European days of elegance when royalty was respected. Ants!!! Insects!!! Middle class riff-raff. You make fun of us because we do not pay taxes on my $3.2 billion in assets. You make fun of us because we pay the bare minimum of 0.983% in taxes on my $80M/yr income while I support a 30% tax on any family earning over $100,000. You ignorant scum. I suport the outsourcing of all the Heinz manufacturing plants and their thousands of jobs so that my income will grow even more while my husband tells you about all the bad outsourcing plotted by evil US corporations. Worship me and my waned beauty or I'll get you my pretty, and your little dog too!