ABC News Caves Completely to Intolerant Left, Cancels Breitbart Election Night Appearance
by PubliusAfter flying Andrew Breitbart all the way out to Phoenix, Arizona yesterday to participate in an online Townhall election event, after taking him out of his home state, away from his business, and nearly making it impossible for him to vote in today’s crucial midterm election (though he’s on an airplane now in order to cast his ballot), at about as close to the last minute as you can get, Andrew Morse, chief of the ABC News digital division, sent the following email late this afternoon abruptly canceling Breitbart’s appearance:
We have spent the past several days trying to make clear to you your limited role as a participant in our digital town hall to be streamed on ABC News.com and Facebook. The post on your blog last Friday created a widespread impression that you would be analyzing the election on ABC News. We made it as clear as possible as quickly as possible that you had been invited along with numerous others to participate in our digital town hall. Instead of clarifying your role, you posted a blog on Sunday evening in which you continued to claim a bigger role in our coverage. As we are still unable to agree on your role, we feel it best for you not to participate.
This is yet another obvious attempt to build a narrative that puts the blame on Breitbart when the truth is that this is nothing more than ABC News caving in to and attempting to appease the organized left’s outrage machine that went into full astroturf mode after Breitbart’s ABC News appearance was made public.
As a reminder as to who’s exaggerating, here is exactly how Breitbart’s election night townhall event was described by an ABC News producer to him in an email:
This program will broadcast on the ABC Television Network, abcnews.com, ABC News Now, and ABC News Radio. …
The show will be live on the web and ABC News Now as well as on the network from 4:00pm till 11:00pm MST.
With this in mind and in writing, here is how Big Journalism announced Breitbart’s ABC News appearance:
ABC announced their election night coverage early on and Big Journalism Editor Dana Loesch will join the network in studio for 6 p.m. – 2 a.m. election night; Bigs founder and head of the Breitbart empire Andrew Breitbart will be bringing analysis live from Arizona.
Obviously that’s not an exaggeration, but after this announcement posted, the Left exploded in organized outrage and in order to mollify them, ABC News released an official statement walking back their original invitation. In response to this, on Sunday, here is how Breitbart himself went even further to describe his role in the very post Mr. Morse references as the reason for the abrupt cancellation:
I was promised no specific amount of airtime, nor payment for my analysis, but was told that I would be a part of the broadcast coverage in addition to participating in the online event[.]
That fits any possible definition of any possible role ABC News had in mind for Breitbart and yet in order to justify his abrupt cancellation, Mr. Morse refers to that sentence as continuing to “claim a bigger role.”
If that description is unacceptable, then no description is acceptable, and that’s the real point.
By continuing to release these provably false statements, ABC News is attempting to disguise and cover up for the fact that they are giving in to the PC, anti-free speech forces on thelLeft. Anyone concerned with diversity of opinion and the idea of open, healthy debate should take note of this and the recent firing of Juan Williams from NPR. Major news organizations are caving to those intolerant of the free expression.
This issue is far from over, we are considering any and all options.
More to come…
Email this to a friend | Print |
Share on Facebook
| Tweet this
| 
Follow Us on Twitter
Subscribe via RSS
Got a Tip?
73 Comments
Whats up peeps?
I had busy day, starting with being first in line in my district and voted for the conservative ticket.
Booyah.
The MSM never ceases to amaze me
Bought and paid for by Soros and the rest of the Marxist/Socialists types
ABC – Anti-Brietbart Communications
ABC blew their chance. When they go down they'll be begging Andrew to appear. By that time he'll have his own Network. Can't wait! Go Breitbart!
Breitbart, why put up with the MSM? No one's gonna be watching ABC anyway. My TV's on Fox News and will turn to MSNBC/CNN every once in a while for comedic effect.
I am shocked I tell, that ABC would cave to their last 4 viewers.
I'm sure the tens of people who will be watching it probably don't care who's on it.
Well, the only rreason I was even going to surf over to ABC tonite was to try to catch AB on the show- Now I don't have to go there at all, I can stay on FOX. Andrew, consider yourself lucky not to have to associate with these shabby, shabby, people.
What's ABC anyway, I haven't watched those networks in like years.
Screw them.
I have two MAJOR problems with ABC News…
First; the letters ABC imply that the people running the organization know what comes next…
Second; by calling it "news" they imply that they report the facts and let the viewers decide if it is in fact "news"…
Dropping Breitbart was just as dumb and just as evil as NPR firing Juan Williams, the only difference being the skin color of the guy given the boot.
ABC is attempting to act as an "opinion filter" instead of a "garbage filter" in spite of the social contract to act only as the latter.
Shame on them.
So in essence they are upset because Andrew refused to ride in the back of the bus.
Probably worried that he might use the "Leftist" bathroom and water fountains. What a bunch of intolerant loons, not that anyone here is surprised.
Maybe as a replacement they can get a democrat clown to fill in, maybe the idiot that thought that Guam would tip over if we added any more marines, nah probably too bright for the commentators, they might feel intimidated.
I said this on another thread but it bears (?) repeating
Just got home from voting and doing a two hour stint at poll watching
And from what I can tell we are going to SPANK the DEMS
The answer to ABC and the rest of the Alphabet Media is to not watch their coverage. Watch Fox News or your favorite bloggers on the net. A pox on all of the Lame Stream Media.
Surprising…yet predictable, no?
Owh Come you know you just want to gloat
And I'm with YA
Everyone please send this to your facebook or tweet everywhere you can. We need to show ABC how bad they suck.
Everyone needs to go to http://www.breitbart.com and watch all the live screening he is providing from his site. He has FOX, MSNBC, CNN but he does not have ABC. We all need to flood his site and watch the live screening from his site to show ABC how bad they suck.
hey, I like that avatar…
But one of them is Soros
in essence, the LSM just plain sucks. Now they know it.
No you can go to http://www.breitbart.com and watch either FOX, CNN, or MSNBC live streaming. We need to flood Andrew 's site to show ABC.
Just another alphabet company
Well… no wonder no one trusts the MSM anymore. They can't even lie convincingly about lying.
Excuse me Publius, but isn't ABC News a cornerstone of the "intolerant left"?
ABC will never come up on my TV set again… Too bad, from time to time we get asked to participate in the Nielsen ratings. DOH.
I'm there. Thanks for the 'heads up'!
Great Idea! Will do!
Gonna be a long night.
ABC calling Rand Paul did I just hear?
Two words, Christine Amanpour.
ABC did not need the trouble that would come from having a racist that targets innocent African-Americans for smear jobs like Breitbart did to Shirley Sherrod! Good move ABC! I applaud you!
This is absolutely outrageous. ABC is being dictated to. I will NEVER again put ABC anything on my set. I will purposely skip from 4 to 6 even when channel surfing. NEVER. NEVER will I watch a football game, or baseball game or golf or friggin cricket on ABC. They are dead to me.
Have someone set up a live blog for you Andrew. We'd all love to hear from you. You'd have a better audience. Maybe even a bigger one.
ABC will be just fine. You teabaggers can't bring ABC down!
LOL! Like teabaggers would watch anything but Fox Propaganda Channel!
ABC made the right move. The don't need to be associated with a racist like Breitbart who goes around smearing innocent African-Americans with deliberately edited video!
Can I get you a Waaaambulance…
You sound very sad and distraught or possibly suicidal…
Agree with JohnK above, set up a live chat AB, and we will all participate. See my posting on BJ for xreference to Liberty Chick's posting. It is dead on point.
"that targets innocent African-Americans"
You're talking about Kenneth Gladney. Right? That wasn't Andrew targeting the innocent African-American. That was SEIU thugs. Andrew was the one who exposed and defended the innocent African-American.
Shirley Sherrod is NOT an innocent African-American. She's one small part of a very large dollar scam. And it's all gonna come out starting in January. Go Issa!
It's going to be a very long and lonely night here for you.
You're the one crying and whining about Racist Breitbart getting dumped! I'm quite happy with the news! We don't need no stinking racists on ABC!
You might want to get Amanpour outta there then, she hates Jews like Obama hates Americans!
Apparently the socialist democrats heartily approve of Death Panels for conservative Journalists, too.
Issa? You mean Crybaby Issa?
"On August 7, 2003, Issa shocked supporters and announced he would not continue his candidacy. Comically claiming, "It had nothing to do with Schwarzenegger's decision," Issa at times wept uncontrollably as he made his premature withdrawal. (This video shows Issa's pathetic performance as he concluded his gubernatorial ambitions had been terminated. The water works start around the 7:30 mark.)"
http://www.perrspectives.com/blog/archives/001007...
Did you also vote in the middle and at the end? LOL.
AB stick with Fox News. The rest are going to go under.
If the Republicans were getting routed, Breitbart's appearance would have been no problem. Today's election is vindication of Brietbart's contention of leftwing bias, enabling a political monolith that was governing against the will of the people.
ABC=Failure
We are supposed to feel sorry for a bonehead that knew he was going to be out of state and was not intelligent enough to vote early or absentee?
The new ABC – The American Breitbart Channel
ABABC vs. MSNBC
Has a certain ring to it, no?
When I wrote the email that told them I would not be watching their election coverage because of their bias, I also told them there are no other shows I watch on their network anyway, so Adios, Amigos!
Who is the MORON running ABC? After the contraversy blew up the ONLY THING that could have happened was ratings through the roof! "No such thing as bad press"! There is one reason and one reason only that ABC would not capitalize on a capital opportunity… IDEOLOGY. Needless to say, their ideology doesn't include self preservation or income.
No, no, they're talking about Andrew Breitbart, not Anita Hill… or Robert Byrd….or Joe Biden… or…
Well, your "racist who targets innocent African-Americans" comment really doesn't make it clear which Democrat you were talking about, but it was Andrew Breitbart. You really should read better.
General Breitbart Sir, Congratulations – you've won another brilliant victory.
For those not paying attention: As you know, ABC and the other broadcast news media, are losing audience share by the thousands every year. The reason why, should be obvious: they continue to distort, and even outright lie, to their viewers. The only way they get those viewers back, is to get back their legitimacy, their long-gone image of journalistic integrity. One of the ways that they do that, is to interact with conservatives.
General Breitbart, Sir, ABC NEEDS you. ABC needs you MUCH more than you need them.
You pushed them, and they blinked.
My fellow soldiers, this war is not about obtaining the good graces of the establishment media, and lending them legitimacy. It is about just the opposite: exposing them for what they are, and ultimately, destroying them.
Fight on! To Victory!!
(For additional information, or if you just want to be inspired, watch the movie '300')
GOOD.. his ass is a hack, anyway!!!!
YAYZ!
You're the only teabagger around here. Some people will put anything in their mouth, except intelligent words.
Ah yes, good old Saint Stephen. Your avatar is really cool too!
Same crap, different day. Tomorrow: Same crap, different day, but a much better day.
Fox just called the House for Republicans…. Captain….. Lot's of it and standing on one leg.
Arrrrr! Where's me parrot?
I tried dancing with the dog, he bit me. My Liberal dog doesn't understand the jubilation.
Not to worry Andrew, the fight is just beginning. We will no longer be ignored.
Argggh! Scurvy Dog! This time we will spare the plank. Should have petted the poodle, not danced with 'em.
In the morn… all hands on deck for weigh anchor! Heave ahead mate. A little grog for me crew… Hare of the dog that bit ya.
Storms a brewin off the starboard. Heavy seas ahead… but the ship is sturdy.
We have to wait until 8:45 pm here before we get any CA results. SUCKS ASS.
I'm dying here to see some results of Brown v Whitman. Gonna go kick the dog again………..
BTW…. We got a Big "effin" Deal (R) here in Georgia for Governor to replace Purdue (R). I was afraid that we were getting "King" Barnes (D) back. The news is pretty good all over the country.
Think they hear us now?
What? You don't check me up anymore? lol
Don't know if you checked out Drudge today? This will make your head explode. You know O is traveling to the Taj Mahal with 40 jets and about a billion friends, family, staff, etc…
They released the cost per day of this trip. I'll let you read it………….
http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/us-to-spend-200...
Sorry… my voting finger is in traction… but I did manage a few more lol. Just caught up in the moment. How did you know I was posting about the Taj Mahal? Same thing happened with the "hair of the dog" thing. Apparently we are on the same wave length tonight.
I think we should send Nancy over with Big O…. one way ticket of course.
I'm pretty sure it has been a very very long time since Ole' Nanc has seen the Big O.
I'm also pretty sure that creek dried up with the drought of 67'.
Now your getting it. They must lie… even if the truth is more convenient and easier to say. They have honed it to such a fine point that they simply cannot tell the truth.
If it is red it has to be blue, if it's something borrowed, it's brand new. For worse it is better… in sickness it is health. A marriage made in heaven…. (that's hell… for those of us who get it.)
My condolences on your loss today….. sniff, sniff (snicker). Tomorrow is a brand new day…. but it may be a long ride on the short yellow bus for you. But look on the bright side… your free lunch is still safe for now.
It's time to boycott ABC news as well as send letters & e-mails and phone calls to all ABC sponsors. Who will join me? Besides thoughtful, freedom-loving Americans will be way too busy starting tomorrow trying to educate others on the foundation of our country and why we all need to make sure Mr. Obama (I know better than anyone on the planet) Obama is out of office in 2012! God help us preserve the republic.
I think it's time to hit them where it hurts: Boycott ABC.
Wow. Bill Maher is more tolerant than ABC and is at least open to the marketplace of ideas when welcoming guests such as Breitbart. The major news networks must be afraid for their live$ and think the government will bail them out if they appease them more and more. Sorry to say ABC, you too will be eaten up until only one Pravda station remains. However, these major news networks are worse. At least Russian citizens knew they were being lied too. For our citizens, it might be too late before the stuff really hits the fans.
Thank God for honorable men like Breitbart and Ailes.
That's OK Andrew. We did your talking for you last night.
Dude….
Your street cred just went up by NOT appearing on that liberal dreck network.
You must be logged in to post a comment.