Steele to GOP: Fight ABC over Obama Primetime Special

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele urged supporters Thursday to “fight” ABC News over the network’s planned televised town hall on health care that is set to air directly from the White House.

“It seems that the mainstream media has finally decided to dispense with the pointless denials of favorable coverage of the Obama administration. Now one network, ABC News, has actually turned its entire programming over to President Obama and his big-government agenda,” Steele wrote in a fundraising email under the subject line “URGENT!!! Help the RNC fight Obama & ABC News!”

“The liberal special interests have clearly learned from their missteps the last time they tried to force Americans into a socialized health care system — the abysmal failure of the Clinton Administration's ‘HillaryCare,’” Steele wrote. “That's why their friends at ABC News will be promoting Obamacare at virtually every opportunity, from ‘Good Morning America’ to ‘Nightline,’ and reach from ABC News' websites all the way to the White House's East Room.”

ABC has been under attack from the RNC since the committee learned of the hour-long town hall, which is scheduled to air June 24.

In a letter leaked to the Drudge Report, RNC Chief of Staff Ken McKay wrote ABC to express that he was “deeply concerned and disappointed” with the network.

Senior Vice President Kerry Smith responded that the criticism is based on “false premises.”

“No one watching, listening to, or reading ABC News will lack for an understanding of all sides of these important questions,” Smith wrote in a letter to McKay. “We've already had many critics of the President's health care proposals on the air — and that’s before a real plan has even been put before the country.”

Steele, as part of an effort to solicit funds to run ads opposing the president during the televised event, claimed in his email Thursday that ABC has “flatly rejected” the RNC’s request to “add our views along side those of the Obama Democrats.”

“What are the Democrats and their media allies afraid of? The truth?” Steele wrote. “That is outrageous! And we will not take it!”

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0609/23885.html#ixzz0IoIssOUA&C

which were nothing more than commercials for fear. I remember when stations covered Bush on his various addresses cover various topics like New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, the economy and the capture of Saddam, the only real difference is that Obama isn't filtering the questions like Bush did.

Homes?

Mr. Obama IS the President of the US! If you're really not interested, don't watch! The majority of Americans like Obama's proposal and WANT a public option. I suggest you pay attention to the majority of the people instead of your base & top contributors!

where? That's news to me.

The Republicans simply have no shame. They have an entire news network acting as a propaganda arm. ABC and other networks give a lot more time to Republican opponents, rather than Democratic supporters during interviews, including such figures as Dick Cheney without challenging them on basic facts or demanding that they offer a realistic proposal of their own on issues such as healthcare, yet the RNC accuses ABC of bias merely because it hosts a question and answer to the President?

What?

George Bush spent 8 years mostly avoiding the press, and somehow allowing members of the public to ask the President questions is favoritism? What the hell is the point of the media if people cannot ask the President questions without a media filter?

and we do not censor.

What an unAmerican idiot.

Man, this is gonna hurt, but seriously ... do you suppose people will email ABC and actually support, you know, covering the president? I mean, I had to change the channel for 8 freakin' years whenever Bush came on, and now they want the media to stop covering the president of the United States?

I hate these people. I really do. I don't want to, but I can't help it.

out there. The "media" didn't cover shit with the Dems when bushcheney had the pulpit.

on everyday and no one complains

That should shut him up.