Nedra Pickler Bashes Obama Again [View All]

[leftrightwingnut]

I saw this printed on page 3 of my local paper this morning:

Conservatives Say Obama Lacks Patriotism:
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/O/OBAMA_ATTACK_FODDER?SITE=MIBAX&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Feb 24, 7:34 AM EST

Conservatives Say Obama Lacks Patriotism

By NEDRA PICKLER
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Sen. Barack Obama's refusal to wear an American flag lapel pin along with a photo of him not putting his hand over his heart during the National Anthem led conservatives on Internet and in the media to question his patriotism.

Now Obama's wife, Michelle, has drawn their ire, too, for saying recently that she's really proud of her country for the first time in her adult life.

Conservative consultants say that combined, the cases could be an issue for Obama in the general election if he wins the nomination, especially as he runs against Vietnam war hero Sen. John McCain.

"The reason it hasn't been an issue so far is that we're still in the microcosm of the Democratic primary," said Republican consultant Roger Stone. "Many Americans will find the three things offensive. Barack Obama is out of the McGovern wing of the party, and he is part of the blame America first crowd."



Wikipedia on Pickler:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nedra_Pickler

"In covering the 2008 election, Pickler again came under scrutiny for her coverage of the Democratic candidates, particularly Barack Obama. A March 27, 2007 article written by Pickler entitled "Is Obama All Style and Little Substance?" was attacked for its claim that Obama had "delivered no policy speeches and provided few details about how he would lead the country" in his campaign up to that point.<11> The liberal media watchdog group Media Matters for America countered by pointing out that Obama had given numerous policy speeches on Iraq<12>, Israel<13>, health care<14>, and other topics.<15> In February 2008, Pickler again came under criticism after she wrote an article in which she detailed Republican charges that Barack Obama is unpatriotic. Her only source was Roger Stone, a notorious Republican consultant<16>"


In my opinion, this is a prime example of "reader beware". Why was this article planted now? Why was it allowed to be planted?