The AP is once again caught by the blogosphere cooking up an anti-Bush story.
WEST ALLIS, Wis. - President Bush (news - web sites) on Friday wished Bill Clinton (news - web sites) "best wishes for a swift and speedy recovery.""He's is in our thoughts and prayers," Bush said at a campaign rally.
Bush's audience of thousands in West Allis, Wis., booed. Bush did nothing to stop them. [emphasis added]
Bush offered his wishes while campaigning one day after accepting the presidential nomination at the Republican National Convention in New York. Clinton was hospitalized in New York after complaining of mild chest pain and shortness of breath.
Bush recently praised Clinton when the former president went to the White House for the unveiling of his official portrait. He lauded Clinton for his knowledge, compassion and "the forward-looking spirit that Americans like in a president."
I read this story on the wire feed, and dismissed it, until I heard the soundbite. Here's an excellent page of sleuthing at Swimming Through The Spin.
This campaign would be a romp for Kerry, ala 1992, without the blogosphere to expose the Jason Blairs behind the media curtain.
UPDATE: Drudge has the retraction and soundbite up now.
UPDATING THE UPDATE: Powerline has damning updates on the story, Bush-haters in the media just won't give it up, even when they've been outted as liars.
Posted by feste at September 3, 2004 02:08 PM | TrackBack