Martinez admits his staffer wrote Schiavo talking points memo (RAW STORY)

[jefferson_dem]

RAW STORY

STORY EXCERPTS LEAKED:

WASHINGTON (AP) — A one-page unsigned memo that became part of the debate preceding Congress' vote ordering a federal court review of the Terri Schiavo case originated in Florida Republican Sen. Mel Martinez' office, Martinez said Wednesday.

The memo — first reported by ABC News on March 18 and by The Washington Post and The Associated Press two days later — said the fight over removing Schiavo's feeding tube "is a great political issue ... and a tough issue for Democrats."

"This is an important moral issue and the pro-life base will be excited that the Senate is debating this important issue," said the memo, which was described at the time as being circulated among Senate Republicans.

Martinez told the AP's Matt Yancey and other news organizations in a written statement "he discovered Wednesday that the memo had been written by an aide in his office."

<SNIP>

http://rawstory.com/martinez_memo_406.htm

EDIT : To update link and subject line.

[qb]

1. GOP S.O.P.: Pass the buck

Blame the poor fool who works for you. Can anyone remember a single Republican taking responsibility for anything in the last 15 years?

[dflprincess]

6. 15 years?

It's the same excuse Nixon tried during Watergate.

[qb]

10. 15 years = how long I've been 'politically aware'

I'll leave it to those with a little more historical perspective to set me straight!

[The Doctor.]

133. To be fair...

How many Democrats have stood up and taken responsibility for 'questionable' activities in the last 15 years?

I'm sure there have been a few - and I'm sure someone knows better than I.

[ooglymoogly]

141. the buck stops here

thats a dem. phrase

[TankLV]

158. Bullshit! "To be fair" - Democrats ALWAYS take responsibility. ALWAYS.

ONLY REPUKES play that sorry-ass game.

Nice try - but thanks for playing anyway!

[AuntiBush]

175. Yes! Thank you TankLV - Great Call!

Only REPUKES, is correct! And, it's been a hell of a lot longer than 15 years - it's they're legacy!

[calimary]

140. It goes back farther than that - Joe McCarthy tried blaming everything

on those dirty ol' Commies in the 50's, I believe.

[lonestarnot]

91. Nope not a fooking one! Isn't it simply amazing!

[Pachamama]

103. Damn them Repukes have sharp Aides! Amazing how these "rogue" Aides can

write things and they manage to get such wide distribution?

They NEVER take responsibility and always manage to find someone to blame, usually some poor lackey.... :eyes:

[jefferson_dem]

2. Guess that answers the "moonie times" silly question -

"Was the Schiavo memo a fake?"

http://washingtontimes.com/national/20050406-124141-1831r.htm

Crow-eatin' time over in sicko freeperland -

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1378314/posts

[Old and In the Way]

28. Crow-eatin' time indeed.

Not a peep yet on that....but I'll be checking in on that thread to see how the conversation changes.

They've been comparing this to the Bush AWOL "fake" letter....I wonder if they'll rethink who was responsible for those documents now? Nahhhh.

[Terre]

69. 2 Threads within 2 minutes of each other

Gonna go read them now and see what moronic excuses they come up with. . . hehe

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/search?m=all;o=time;s=Martinez%20memo

Edit: Well darn - link won't post right, so try this:
http://tinyurl.com/5hxqv

or do a search for "Martinez Memo"

[Old and In the Way]

90. Lovely

I get such a chuckle out of these people. Filled with righteous indignation one minute, scrambling to apologize for their Party's unethical bevaviour, the next. It'd be great entertainment if our country wasn't being destroyed due to stupid people like this who allow criminals to have their way because "at least their not Democrats". :eyes:

Ol' SusieQ is a world-class apologist in her twisting the revelation into a Democratic problem:

"That being said, Tom Harkin should have, once having seen what the document said, and that it had clearly been written for the Repubs., given it back to Martinez with the simple comment "I don't think you meant to give this to me." That he didn't do that makes me wonder about Sen. Harkin in this matter."

Yes, SusieQ, Tom should have have handed the club back to Marvolous Mel and said, "May I have another?"

[stevedeshazer]

125. Great line in that Freeper thread

Thus ends this round of "who wants to be the next Buckhead?"

[ClintonTyree]

146. These pinheads actually believe...

that an "aide" wrote and distributed it without Martinez's knowledge. :rofl: These HAVE to be the most stupid people on the planet. :silly:

[johnfunk]

32. Time for the POWERLIE Blog to apologize to a lot of readers

Assrocket and his pals must be feeling like real idiots!

[johnfunk]

68. What POWERLIE said

Courtesy AmericaBlog:

We have written extensively about the fake "talking points memo" on the Schaivo case that ABC News and the Washington Post publicized, beginning on March 18. We have pointed out, most comprehensively in the Weekly Standard, that there is no reason whatsoever to believe that the memo originated with the Republicans, and considerable reason to think it may be a Democratic dirty trick....

There is a story here, if our media wanted to pursue it. The memo in question is a pathetic piece of work. Any competent person could look at it and see that it is not a product of the Republican leadership. It is on a blank piece of paper; no letterhead, no signature, no identification. Anyone in the world could have typed it. It is incompetently produced: it gets the Senate bill number wrong, misspells Terri Schiavo's name, and is full of typographical errors. The only people reported to have distributed it (by the New York Times) were Democratic staffers. And--most fundamentally--it is absurd to think that the Republican leadership would produce a "talking points" memo discussing what great politics the Schiavo case was for Republicans. Those aren't talking points; not for Republicans, anyway. The memo benefited the only party that it could possibly have benefited: the Democrats.

If there were investigative reporters working for the Washington Post, ABC, the New York Times, or any other major news organization, they might want to try to find out where the memo came from. Circumstantially, it seems extremely likely that it was produced by Democrats as a political dirty trick.

But such investigation seems to be beyond the capability--more important, beyond the ambition--of our mainstream press. Only bloggers look critically at documents that cast disrepute on Republicans. Mainstream reporters accept them uncritically, at face value, no matter how inept they may be. Why is this?

Sunday morning, I'll be on Howard Kurtz's CNN television program, "Reliable Sources," to discuss the "talking points memo." It will be interesting to see whether Kurtz tries to defend his paper's handling of the issue.

UPDATE: A reader points out that the Post's original story on the fake memo, which went out, apparently, on March 19, also included this paragraph:

Republican officials declared, in a memo that was supposed to be seen only by senators, that they believe the Schiavo case "is a great political issue" that could pay dividends with Christian conservatives, whose support is essential in midterm elections such as those coming up in 2006.

Someone at the Post swallowed the fake memo hook, line, and sinker--Mike Allen, I assume. Someone else at the Post apparently realized that the paper lacked facts to back up its accusations. I've written Allen to see what he has to say about these events.

My, my, my -- it looks like Assrocket has some 'splainin' to do to the rubes who actually believe the nonsense posted to POWERLIE

BONUS! Here's what Mickey Malkin Maglalang said:

I suspect that no one at the Post or ABC News still believes the amateurish, unsigned, misspelled memo was circulated by Republican Party leaders..... Will ABC News officials continue to stonewall, as Dan Rather et al. so famously did just a few months ago? Or will they come clean and promptly issue a orrection? What about the Washington Post, which strongly implied in this article that Republicans were responsible for the memo? And what about all the other pundits, from Chris Matthews to Cynthia Tucker, ho stated explicitly that Republicans distributed the memo--a statement that an anonymous ABC News official now says ABC News never eported? You would think the MSM learned something from RatherGate. Apparently not.

<>

ON EDIT: Had to add that "glamour" shot of Maglalang!

[thingsarelookingup]

136. malkin shrill

Perhaps Ms. Malkin would like a saucer of milk to go along with her crow. Love it!! I hoped for this to smack them in the rear and it finally has. (great pic - what a loon)

[jefferson_dem]

75. Powerlie punk offers lameass whirling dirvish-like strawmen in defense.

:rofl: :spray:

Now this is some fucked-up funny shit -

Assuming this is for real, it solves the mystery of where the "talking points memo" came from. It leaves open the question of why ABC and the Washington Post reported the memo the way they did. Mike Allen, the Post's reporter, has previously said that the memo came from a Democratic Senator who said he got it from a Republican Senator. That is consistent with the current AP account. But the story that Allen wrote with a Post colleague on March 19 is not consistent with the current version of the facts. On March 19, Allen wrote:

...

In fact, if the current AP account is correct, the amazingly inept "talking points memo," which got the number of the Senate bill wrong, misspelled Terri Schiavo's name, and contained a number of other typographical errors, did not come from "Republican officials" or "party leaders," but rather from an anonymous, unknown staffer. Senator Martinez himself--forget about members of his staff--is a freshman senator, in office for three months, not a "party leader" or "Republican officials." (The plural in the Post's original article is interesting.) Also, the reporting by ABC and the Post suggested that the memo was widely or universally distributed among Republican senators, while a survey reported by the Washington Tmes indicated that none of the 55 Republican senators had seen it. So, if the current AP story is correct, it confirms that ABC and the Post mis-reported the story--in the Post's case, in an article that was picked up by dozens of other newspapers off the paper's wire service.

The latest story also confirms how absurd it was for ABC, the Post, and other news outlets to label the anonymous memo a "GOP talking points memo." We have no idea who the unidentified Martinez staffer is, but he apparently was not authorized to speak for his boss, and most certainly was not empowered to speak for the leadership of the Republican party. We'll try to track him down and get his story, but in the meantime, this story serves as an object lesson in how the mainstream media can take a dopey, one-page memo by an unknown staffer and use it to discredit the entire Republican party.

I have asked Mike Allen some questions about what information he had at the time he wrote his story in the Post, and why he attributed the "talking points memo" to "Republican officials" and "party leaders," and will post whatever reply I receive. If he correctly reported what he was told by Tom Harkin, it appears that Senator Harkin may have misled him, and may be the source of the inaccurate story that spread rapidly through the mainstream press. As matters now stand, it appears that ABC, the Post, and subsequently many other news outlets, took an anonymous memo by an unknown staffer, and misrepresented it as an official "GOP talking points memo" created by "Republican officials" or "party leaders" and distributed to "Republican senators." This is only a slightly less egregious offense than if the memo had actually been written by the Democrats who fed it to the press and pounced on it for partisan advantage.

http://www.powerlineblog.com/

[johnfunk]

77. Typical Assrocket spin

Not even all of his lawyerly skills can keep him looking like the blinkered doofus he is.

[ClintonTyree]

147. Deny, deny, deny, pass the buck, pass the buck, pass the buck...

the "responsibility party" strikes again. Instead of accepting responsibility and admitting he was wrong, this nit-wit continues to insist that there was a vast conspiracy and parses this memo ad nauseum looking for a way to shift blame to ANYONE but the ones that actually deserve it.

What a fucking pussy this guy is. But then, aren't they all. They're the types that would fart and blame it on their girlfriends or wives. NO BALLS! Whining little "girlie-men". :rofl:

[iamjoy]

46. This Is An Interesting Freep Post...

"When I first heard about this and saw what this memo said, I knew right away that there was a more diabolical twist to the story. Do Republicans actually need a memo to inform them that the Christian Coalition would not be happy if they did not support the Shiavo's?"

So, it seems to me what they are saying is, this memo was crafted by evil Dems. And the way we know this is because shoot, all Republicans know they have to do what the Christian Coalition wants, so why would any Republican send out a memo to remind them of that?

[johnfunk]

71. Have you the original URL?

[Terre]

79. Freeper comments

Here's an understatement from Freeperville:

Between this and Cornyn's braindead remarks which hint at justification for violence against judges, this has been a disastrous week for the GOP Senate."

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1378877/posts

And another thread I haven't read yet:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1378878/posts

edited to close quote

[Donailin]

80. OH WTF!!!??

>>Martinez admits his staffer wrote Schiavo talking points memo
Raw Story ^ | April 6, 2005 | Associated Press


Posted on 04/06/2005 7:51:15 PM PDT by Trueredstater


WASHINGTON (AP) — A one-page unsigned memo that became part of the debate preceding Congress' vote ordering a federal court review of the Terri Schiavo case originated in Florida Republican Sen. Mel Martinez' office, Martinez said Wednesday.

Advertisement

The memo — first reported by ABC News on March 18 and by The Washington Post and The Associated Press two days later — said the fight over removing Schiavo's feeding tube "is a great political issue ... and a tough issue for Democrats."

"This is an important moral issue and the pro-life base will be excited that the Senate is debating this important issue," said the memo, which was described at the time as being circulated among Senate Republicans.

Martinez said in a written statement he discovered Wednesday that the memo had been written by an aide in his office. "It is with profound disappointment and regret that I learned today that a senior member of my staff was unilaterally responsible for this document," Martinez said.

He said he accepted the resignation of the staffer, whom he did not identify, who drafted and circulated the memo. "This type of behavior and sentiment will not be tolerated in my office," he said.

"Until this afternoon, I had never seen it and had no idea a copy of it had ever been in my possession," Martinez said of the document. He had previously denied knowing anything about the memo and condemned its sentiments.

Martinez, in his statement, said Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, had asked for background information on the bill ordering a federal court to review the Schiavo case.

He said he pulled a one-page document from his coat pocket and handed to Harkin. "Unbeknownst to me ... I had given him a copy of the now infamous memo."

He said Harkin had called him earlier Wednesday to say he believes the memo had been given to him by Martinez. The Florida senator said he then ordered an internal investigation in his office.

Allison Dobson, a spokeswoman for Harkin, said the Iowa Democrat had received the memo from Martinez in the days leading up to passage of the bill.

Martinez said he also had apologized to Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., who is up for re-election in 2006 and was cited in the memo because he had declined to become a sponsor of the bill.

Originally published Apr. 6, 2005.

[Don_1967]

121. Don't of get about DeLay

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/06/politics/06delay.html?incamp=article_popular_4

[johnfunk]

73. Freep Moderator removed THIS post from "Is the memo fake?' thread

... from http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1378314/posts?page=1

To: Cincinatus' Wife

Was the Schiavo memo a fake? No, as it turns
out

Drudge Report, Raw Story, and DC Insider all report that the
AP will report that Sen. Mel Martinez (R-FL) admits his staffer wrote Schiavo
talking points memo. DC Insider quotes part of the story:

WASHINGTON (AP) — A one-page unsigned memo that
became part of the debate preceding Congress' vote ordering a federal court
review of the Terri Schiavo case originated in Florida Republican Sen. Mel
Martinez' office, Martinez said Wednesday.

The memo — first reported by
ABC News on March 18 and by The Washington Post and The Associated Press two
days later — said the fight over removing Schiavo's feeding tube "is a great
political issue ... and a tough issue for Democrats."

"This is an
important moral issue and the pro-life base will be excited that the Senate is
debating this important issue," said the memo, which was described at the time
as being circulated among Senate Republicans.

Martinez told the AP's
Matt Yancey and other news organizations in a written statement "he discovered
Wednesday that the memo had been written by an aide in his
office."

Additionally, DC Insider is reporting that

• Martinez is livid at the aide responsible for the memo
• One
of the principals at Powerline blog (which is being waggishly referred to as
"Powerlie" by a few Republiocans was informed that
the memo was the real deal by a Republican staffer and advised to remove his
claim that the memo was bogus because "there's no Senator's name at the top of
the memo, showing ownership, so it must have been a fake." color=blue]don't put your
name on something that would be politically damaging if it leaked out --
especially if you're a loyal Republican. You also don't use your
letterhead for a short, potent and potentially controversial set of talking
points you're whipping off quickly and printing on the nearest printer late on
a Saturday night in the Senate.]

Above transcribed from DC
Insider's evening fax dispatch. It's making the rounds on the Hill. Dems are
being really snide about it.

44
posted on 04/06/2005 8:18:47 PM PDT by horkulated

< Post Reply... Report [br /Abuse> ]

The poor, deluded dears -- why do they hate the truth so much?

[mike_c]

3. republican congressional staffers take note....

Your bosses will leave you twisting in the wind for the most crass of political motives.

[Horse with no Name]

4. Too funny

But...sad thing...we won't hear anything about it now that its been attributed to a pug.
Just another one of those stories that just....go away.:banghead:

[sonicx]

5. how often does his staff do things without him knowing it?

:eyes:

[Frances]

7. How dumb does Martinez think we are?

Harkin, a Dem, asks Martinez for info and Martinez gives him something (from his coat pocket no less) that he hasn't read?????

[sonicx]

12. "Got any cocaine?"

"Here you go...what a sec, I had cocaine in my pocket?"

[sescob]

156. Rofl!

yeah, unbeknownst to him...my ass!

[Rose Siding]

8. Poor, poor, clownish WaTimes

But, but, but....they SAID they didn't dooooooo it!

[maddezmom]

30. and it was the legal counsel to Sen. Mel Martinez

The legal counsel to Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.) admitted yesterday that he was the author of a memo citing the political advantage to Republicans of intervening in the case of Terri Schiavo, the senator said in an interview last night.

Brian Darling, a former lobbyist for the Alexander Strategy Group on gun rights and other issues, offered his resignation and it was immediately accepted, Martinez said.
~snip~

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32554-2005Apr6.html

[ltfranklin]

45. I'll betcha...

he'll be heading straight for a Lobbying firm.

[Jeff in Cincinnati]

110. You're assuming he ever left in the first place...

[UpInArms]

54. from the Moonie Times article:

Mr. Nelson's fellow Florida senator, Mel Martinez, a Republican, also has been the focus of some scrutiny in press accounts because passages of the disputed memo appear to have been lifted from a press release posted on his Senate Web site.

He denied any involvement.

"Senator Martinez has never seen the memo and condemns its sentiments," spokeswoman Kerry Feehery said. "No one in our office has seen it, nor had anything to do with its creation."

Can anyone say

LIAR!!?

Knew you could!

:popcorn:

[renaissanceguy]

88. Leave it to them to do the dirty work.

What I'd give for some REAL journalism, for once. How about POINTING OUT the hypocrisy, like we saw in the good old days?


http://www.cafepress.com/liberalissues.20383992

[grytpype]

9. Here's a link to the AP article, what a laugh...

http://rawstory.com/martinez_memo_406.htm

This is so funny...

[Pirate Smile]

11. I bet Nelson really wants to be his buddy now.

"Martinez said he also had apologized to Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., who is up for re-election in 2006 and was cited in the memo because he had declined to become a sponsor of the bill."

What an a$$%^le!

[grytpype]

13. What I want to know is,

Why did Sen Martinez have a copy of it in his pocket?

[reality based]

51. Senator Martinez should resign

That seems to be the appropriate consequence. It would surely be immediately accepted.

[maddezmom]

14. WaPo has it now: Author Of Schiavo Memo Steps Forward

Author Of Schiavo Memo Steps Forward
Sen. Martinez's Counsel Cited Upside for GOP

By Mike Allen
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, April 7, 2005; Page A01

The legal counsel to Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.) admitted yesterday that he was the author of a memo citing the political advantage to Republicans of intervening in the case of Terri Schiavo, the senator said in an interview last night.

Brian Darling, a former lobbyist for the Alexander Strategy Group on gun rights and other issues, offered his resignation and it was immediately accepted, Martinez said.

Martinez said he earlier had been assured by aides that his office had nothing to do with producing the memo. "I never did an investigation, as such," he said. "I just took it for granted that we wouldn't be that stupid. It was never my intention to in any way politicize this issue."

Martinez, a freshman who was secretary of housing and urban development for most of President Bush's first term, said he had not read the one-page memo. He said he inadvertently passed it to Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), who had worked with him on the issue. After that, other Senate aides gave the memo to reporters for ABC News and The Washington Post.

~snip~
more; http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32554-2005Apr6.html

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

70. "I just took it

for granted that we wouldn't be that stupid..."

[rawstory]

15. Sen. Martinez admits his staffer wrote Schiavo talking points memo

From AP -- leaked to us.

http://rawstory.com


WASHINGTON (AP) — A one-page unsigned memo that became part of the debate preceding Congress' vote ordering a federal court review of the Terri Schiavo case originated in Florida Republican Sen. Mel Martinez' office, Martinez said Wednesday.
Advertisement

The memo — first reported by ABC News on March 18 and by The Washington Post and The Associated Press two days later — said the fight over removing Schiavo's feeding tube "is a great political issue ... and a tough issue for Democrats."

"This is an important moral issue and the pro-life base will be excited that the Senate is debating this important issue," said the memo, which was described at the time as being circulated among Senate Republicans...

"It is with profound disappointment and regret that I learned today that a senior member of my staff was unilaterally responsible for this document," Martinez said.

http://rawstory.com/martinez_memo_406.htm

[BlueEyedSon]

16. Ooooooh, so it wasn't a Democratic fake......

[librechik]

22. hannity's and gang got some splainin to do---

didn't they blame the Dems for this? Can't wait for the retractions!

LOL

[ClintonTyree]

148. I wouldn't wait too long...............

they'll be ice-skating in hell before Hannity retracts anything that slips from his gaping maw.

[Arkana]

17. Oh, I'm sure he "regrets it."

Fucker probably ordered her to do it in the first place, and is just pissed he got caught.

[sazemisery]

18. Blame it on the staff

Always blame it on the staff.

[Pirate Smile]

23. Those crazy staffers. Inserting crazy provisions into the budget.

Circulating outrageous talking points to all the other Republican Senators.

The Senate needs to declare war on the out of control Senate staffers, not the Judiciary. :eyes:

[Kber]

111. "declare war on out of control Senate staffers" you said

snarf!

;)

[pilgrimsoul]

19. Unilaterally, my ASS!

So this staffer will fall on his sword for Martinez, and Martinez gets portrayed in the media as a principled guy who's cleaning his own house. How convenient!

[snippy]

151. Yes, he clearly is lying again. By saying "unilaterally" he hopes to

prevent any further investigation. I'll bet the memo was quickly drafted during a conference call among staffers of Martinez, DeLay, Mehlman, and Rove.

[thebigidea]

20. uh huh. as if Senate staffers regularly distribute tactical memos...

... to all the other Senators/staffers without first running it by their boss. As if they were independent!

[MissWaverly]

21. Hooray for you, thanks for letting us know

Raw Story is the place I go for news, keep up the great job. At least the Dems won't get blamed for this, I thought this was going to be another CBS memo problem when Tucker Carlson accused the Dems
of creating it.

[Vanje]

24. LIAR!

"It is with profound disappointment and regret that I learned today that a senior member of my staff was unilaterally responsible for this document",Martinez lied his weasely ass off.

[ruggerson]

25. There was some rightwing blogger

on Scarborough who very smugly swore that there was proof it was a Demo plant.

I want to see them apologize publicly.

NOW. You hear me, assholes?

[Placebo]

27. He's getting off to such a fine start.

People, look at 2 freshman senators: Martinez & Obama.

Who makes you prouder to be an American? I rest my case.

[reality based]

72. Sure took him a long time to "learn"

that his staff was responsible since surely he knew where it had come from when he handed it to Senator Harkin on the Senate floor. I accept his assertion that he hadn't read it because it telegraphed the strategy to embarrass Democrats. He's just an empty suit not completely stupid. I reserve the right to change my mind, however.

[ltfranklin]

97. Ya Think?

I think I can see what happened. After all the quotes from all the Republican Senators saying "I never, not me", Harkin probably went up to Martinez and said "You know, you handed me a copy yourself".

Hope they cleaned the carpet after.

[reality based]

115. After further reading it appears

that the memo may have been inadvertently given to Harkin. Reminds me of the story about Billy Graham being hired to coach the Texas Aggies. After Billy's long prayer at a critical moment in the traditional game with the University of Texas, the clouds begin to form, lightening filled the sky, a giant hand came out of the sky with the single digits on either side extended, and a loud voice thundered "Hook 'em Horns!" God was not on Mel's side.

[lala_rawraw]

170. Yeah, I remember something about...

Rathergating us, no? Hmmm, we happen to check our sources, in case the RW happened to miss that!!!!

[HerbieHeadhunter]

26. Nice scoop, definitely front page material...

cheers!

[gordianot]

29. That would be lucky to make in the B section.

No news is the real news in Bush country.

[maddezmom]

36. Front Page tomorrow on the WaPo

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32554-2005Apr6.html

[jefferson_dem]

44. Looming large in NYT also -

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/07/politics/07memo.html?

[maddezmom]

49. Has the Wash Times picked it up yet?

:evilgrin:

[jefferson_dem]

56. Well...surprise surprise.... Even Moonie Times on board.

And they are not happy with sccumbag Martinez -

He said though, in response to repeated inquiries by The Washington Times, that he did not know he even had the memo or had passed it on until Mr. Harkin told him about it today. Mr. Martinez said he had meant to give Mr. Harkin a document describing Mr. Martinez's bill to prolong Mrs. Schiavo's life while federal courts reviewed her situation.

<SNIP>

Mr. Martinez's explanation still doesn't square with the contention of some Democrats that the memo was knowingly given by a disgruntled Republican to a Democrat.

<SNIP>

http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20050406-103018-1572r.htm

[maddezmom]

60. ah yes, they launched an investigation

what a bunch of loons. :crazy:

from the article:


"Until this afternoon, I had never seen it and had no idea a copy of it had ever been in my possession. I have vehemently denied the memo and its sentiments, as has my staff," he said in a statement released tonight.

"As I have stated numerous times, I vehemently condemn this memo's sentiments. This memo in no way reflected my motivations for being involved in this legislation whatsoever," Mr. Martinez said.

He said an internal office investigation determined that "a senior member of my staff was unilaterally responsible for this document."

"It was not approved by me or any other member of my staff, nor were we aware of its existence until very recently. This is not a document that would have been approved in this office for circulation under any circumstances," he said.

[UpInArms]

85. here are some links

Schiavo Memo Is Attributed to Senate Aide
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/07/politics/07memo.html

Fla. senator's office source of Schiavo politics memo
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20050406-1916-schiavo-senatememo.html

Martinez: Memo calling Schiavo dispute "great political issue" ...
http://www.wkyt.com/Global/story.asp?S=3177915
http://www.whbf.com/Global/story.asp?S=3177915http://www.volunteertv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3177915
http://www.10tv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3177915
http://www.kasa.com/Global/story.asp?S=3177915
http://www.kold.com/Global/story.asp?S=3177915
http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=3177915
http://www.wtvm.com/Global/story.asp?S=3177915
http://www.kfor.com/Global/story.asp?S=3177915
http://www.kwwl.com/Global/story.asp?S=3177915
http://www.wbay.com/Global/story.asp?S=3177915
http://www.wboc.com/Global/story.asp?S=3177915
http://www.kcautv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3177915
http://www.wpri.com/Global/story.asp?S=3177915
http://www.walb.com/Global/story.asp?S=3177915
http://www.kesq.com/Global/story.asp?S=3177915
http://www.wavy.com/Global/story.asp?S=3177915
http://www.wluctv6.com/Global/story.asp?S=3177915
http://www.lex18.com/Global/story.asp?S=3177915
http://www.kplctv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3177915
http://kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=3177915
http://www.whnt19.com/Global/story.asp?S=3177915
http://www.kfvs12.com/Global/story.asp?S=3177915
http://www.whnt19.com/Global/story.asp?S=3177915


Martinez says his staffer produced Schiavo memo
http://washingtontimes.com/national/20050406-103018-1572r.htm

Senator’s office produced Schiavo memo
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/7412110/

looks like the echo chamber that the pukes set up might just be the beast that they can't control :eyes:

:popcorn:

[Pirate Smile]

50. It sounds a lot like the "No, it's not my pot" defense.

In his statement, Mr. Martinez said that on March 9 he had mistakenly and unknowingly handed the document to Senator Tom Harkin, Democrat of Iowa, on the floor of the Senate. Mr. Martinez said that he had meant to reach for a different document and that he did not know how it had entered his possession.

"Until this afternoon, I had never seen it and had no idea a copy of it had ever been in my possession."

[LizW]

63. Pretty much lays it all out there, doesn't it?

Bottom line: Martinez stupidly handed his talking point memo to a Democrat. Then he lied, lied, lied about where it had come from. Then he lied some more about whether he knew about it. Then he let his lead counsel twist in the wind for it. And even the lead counsel, while twisting, lies that "he never meant for the memo to be distributed" and didn't even recall printing it out. Only problem: several Senators had copies.

This is a very enjoyable story.

[UpInArms]

65. from your link

In a statement issued last night, Martinez said that Harkin asked him for background information on the bill and that he gave him what he thought was a routine one-page staff memo on the legislation. "Unbeknownst to me, instead of my one page on the bill, I had given him a copy of the now infamous memo that at some point along the way came into my possession," the statement said.

:rofl:
:popcorn:

[Erika]

31. You mean Florida GOP politicos are corrupt?

I'm just shocked. Just shocked. sarcasm off.

[imenja]

33. there goes the senior vote for Martinez

or at least I hope so. We need to remember that in 2110. The seniors are furious over the Schiavo thing.

[lala_rawraw]

171. Don't forget the other

guests at that frat party for strategy, cough.

[Solly Mack]

34. That's not what his staff was saying earlier when they denied

having anything to do with it (liar,liar)

"Mr. Nelson's fellow Florida senator, Mel Martinez, a Republican, also has been the focus of some scrutiny in press accounts because passages of the disputed memo appear to have been lifted from a press release posted on his Senate Web site.
He denied any involvement.
"Senator Martinez has never seen the memo and condemns its sentiments," spokeswoman Kerry Feehery said. "No one in our office has seen it, nor had anything to do with its creation." "

brb with the link


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=1373460&mesg_id=1373460

just click on the Moonie Times article

[jefferson_dem]

35. Freeper knuckle-draggers just now getting smacked with the TRUTH.

:popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn:

Gather round, friends. Time to watch some exploding heads!

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1378877/posts

[jefferson_dem]

37. Wow. I'll be damned. Here's one with a "lick of sense" at least.

To: pa mom
A freshman Senator with a freshman staff.

Between this and Cornyn's braindead remarks which hint at justification for violence against judges, this has been a disastrous week for the GOP Senate.

14 posted on 04/06/2005 7:59:28 PM PDT by sinkspur (If you want unconditional love with skin, and hair and a warm nose, get a shelter dog.)

< Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies >

[iamjoy]

55. Pa Mom Has Sense Too

"I don't like it because it was discussing the political advantages of the Schiavo case. Leaves a bad taste in my mouth even if I agree with them. I try to ask myself, If the other side did this would I be upset, and if the answer is yes, then . . ."

"Thanks, I just see so many of us (I know I've done it) jumping all over libs when they do something wrong. Let's hold ourselves to a higher standard"

Also said this feeds into the hand of the left and that two wrongs don't make a right. Downright sensible for a Conservative.

[MessiahRp]

42. LMAO

"To: Trueredstater

Only republican memos are reported in the MSM. Why is that?

9 posted on 04/06/2005 7:55:48 PM PDT by Brimack34
< Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies >"

That is too funny.

Rp

[ltfranklin]

48. I'm sorry for all the EMTs..

...the one's that'll get called in for all the back injuries. You know, from all the talking heads, bloggers and politicians BACKING UP so fast they collide with sharp objects.

[thereismore]

132. I read the freeper site and I must admit

with relief that even there you can find people who recognize when they have an egg on their collective freeper face.

[tblue37]

139. Here's the Freeper remark that encapsulates their whole attitude:

Regardless, the MSM did not make sure that the memo came from the Republicans. They just jumped the gun. They're lucky that the memo proved not to be fake.

In other words, the fact that the Republicans really were responsible for the memo still means that the MSM was wrong to report that the Republicans were responsible for the memo.

[donheld]

38. Martinez is executive chair of the Moran Committee.

[ltfranklin]

98. Is that...

Moran Committee or Moron Committee.

(apologies for using a rather distasteful reference term for mentally disabled, but if I didn't say it, someone else would)

[Nothing Without Hope]

105. Part of the standard welcome to DU should include the disclosure that

the word "Moran" is deliberately misspelled because it refers to a famous (at DU) photo of a GOP protester holding an unintentionally ironic handmade sign (see below). It became a legend. When you see "Moran" at DU, it's an inside joke. And welcome to DU, a little late but with feeling!
:hi:

[Catt03]

39. Demand an apology from the following

from

Michelle Malkin
Ann Coulter
Rush Limbaugh
Pat Buchanan
Joe Scarborough
New York Daily News
Washington Post: Howard Kurtz (sic)

Just to name a few of hundreds of Republicans who tell lies

[tinfoilinfor2005]

168. Oh, I just saw it on tv...2 millions repugs lined up in the street

in front of a church to confess and apologize for their lies and misrepresentations...
oh wait...not repugs. Italians. Never mind.

[Atman]

40. You know that favor we did for you Mel? Getting you elected?

Well, we're calling in the loan. You're taking the hit for the "Talking Points" Memo, capiche? - BushCo


Hey, I'm just sayin, y'know? It's always so easy to think the worst when the BFEE is involved.

[ltfranklin]

99. Oh, Please....

He's heading straight for K-street.

[Atman]

117. Of course he is! Why is that in conflict with what I said?

If he wants to keep playing in the BFEE League, he'll do what he's told. He can have the biggest effing office on K Street, but if he's pissed off the BFEE, he won't be able to get the cleaning lady to talk to him.

Don't "oh please" me! We lose because we keep thinking "Oh, please! They wouldn't do that!" as they're fucking us over.

[gratuitous]

41. Lying liars and the lies they tell

So it WAS just a Republican plot to exploit that poor woman's pitiful condition for political gain. Of course, we didn't really need the authorship of the memo proven, just look at how many of the grandstanding Republicans have made it down to Florida to comfort the Schilling family. (Hint: touch the tip of your right index finger to the tip of your right thumb.)

Major media? Cable outlets? Helloooooo? Seen anything like this before? Recognizing a pattern? Anything, you know, NEWSworthy about any of this?

[ruggerson]

43. Powerline

was very vocal that this was a Demo plant. Let's see if the fuckers there have the balls to apologize.

[jefferson_dem]

47. Those fuckers got no balls (pardon the "oxymoran") and will not apologize

Powerlie rag was the first blog to push the "memo was fake" meme.

http://powerlineblog.com/archives/2005_03.php#009953

Bet they'll run for cover now.

[MADem]

52. Great timing for a confession!!!

All eyes are on Rome, with the occasional glance towards Monaco, and a bat of the eyes to Michael Jackson.

The story will sink like a stone, and don't think they didn't time it so that it would. Cretinous bastards!

[Robbien]

62. If it wasn't the Pope-athon it would be something else

For the last two months the only things that have happened are steriods, Schiavo and the Pope.

And of course forever on-going Michael Jackson.

[Erika]

53. The GOP created a frenzy they thought would profit the GOP

They did it at the cost of privacy to families making difficult decisions. Revolting is the least caustic adjective I can attribute to them for this political decision.

[wicket]

57. Eat crow, Malkin!

Michelle Malkin has been pushing this story like crazy, hinting that the Democrats had tried to set up the Repubs. This is so funny it's blowing up in her face! :rofl:

[Mr_Spock]

61. She's a street walker disguised as a street walker

Malkin the troll.

[okieinpain]

100. yeah. laurie ingram was pushing sqawking this morning too,

wonder what she will have to save thursday morning.

[iamjoy]

58. Tempest In A Teapot

I mean, let's be honest here. We all knew the Republicans were exploiting Schaivo for political gain - why does the memo matter?

And as we see from reading the FReeper posts, the ones who support the Republicans still do and the rest of us already knew the truth so what's coming out about this memo makes not a darn bit of difference.

And we have enough of our own issues.
No, I am more mad that everyone just assumed it was a Democratic plot, a trick....But don't hold your breath waiting for any apologies.

[reality based]

87. In the macho world of Republicanism

it is important never to admit a mistake (unless they're being born again). The resignation of the staffer and the apology to Senator Nelson is an admission of error. It affects momentum in the political battles currently taking place, especially in the Senate. Senate Democrats have pointed out that they don't permit the distribution of anonymous talking points on their side. Some Senate rules reforms are needed it would appear. Finally, this puts a lot of egg on the faces of media whores who tried to push this as a Democratic dirty trick. People like Barnes and Kurz owe Senator Harkin an apology-- big time. They were in essence suggesting that they didn't believe his account.

[cal04]

59. Senator’s office produced Schiavo memo/MSNBC

Senator’s office produced Schiavo memo
Florida’s Martinez says a senior aide wrote it

The memo — first reported by ABC News on March 18 and by The Washington Post and The Associated Press two days later — said the fight over removing Schiavo’s feeding tube “is a great political issue ... and a tough issue for Democrats.”

“This is an important moral issue and the pro-life base will be excited that the Senate is debating this important issue,” said the memo, which was described at the time as being circulated among Senate Republicans.

Martinez said in a written statement he discovered Wednesday that the memo had been written by an aide in his office. “It is with profound disappointment and regret that I learned today that a senior member of my staff was unilaterally responsible for this document,” Martinez said.


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7412110/
(wonder who really wrote the memo)

[jefferson_dem]

64. "(wonder who really wrote the memo)"

Some stupid partisan hack fucker who can't spell worth a shit.

- - In other words : Sen. Martinez

[peacetalksforall]

126. I agree...he appeared to be the stupidest of the stupids - even before

this - compliments some others. I wouldn't be surprised if MM wrote it. Whoever wrote it and whoever released it was in a hurry.

They are pathetic vote stealers, liars, thieves, destroyers, connivers. They have no conscience.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

66. My aide is always fucking up my day, too.

[Star]

67. Activist aides??

Those repukes sure seem to have an awful lot of "activist aides" who just go ahead and do things on their own, don't they?

[Judi Lynn]

106. They are such rascals.Who can forget their triumph, the Miami-Dade recount

These "rule of Law" people are worth their weight in vomit.

You will remember:

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22............
Manuel C. Miranda, a former Republican Judiciary Committee staff member, whose name appeared as a recipient of one of the Democratic e-mail messages and who has been questioned by Mr. Pickle’s investigators, said in an interview Thursday that he knew how the documents were obtained by Republicans. He said that a junior member on the staff of Senator Orrin G. Hatch, Republican of Utah and chairman of the Judiciary Committee, had discovered a flaw in the computer system that allowed him to read some of the Democratic computer traffic.

Mr. Miranda, who is now a senior staff aide to Senator Bill Frist of Tennessee, the Republican leader, said that the junior aide was reading the Democratic documents from about May 2002 until the early fall of 2002. The aide, who has since left the Senate, passed some of those memorandums to Mr. Miranda and other Hatch staff members, Mr. Miranda said.

“Those documents that I did read were, in my view, not obtained in any way that was improper, unlawful or unethical,” he said. He described them as “inadvertent disclosures that came to me as a result of some negligence on the part of the Democrats’ technology staff.” His only obligation, he said, was to see that the Democrats were told that the computer system had a flaw that allowed Republican aides to read some of their memorandums.

“I knew our people had told their people about it,” Mr. Miranda said. “Once I knew that, I had no further obligation.”
(snip/...)

http://www.dialedin.us/archives/000229.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Republican aide Manuel Miranda's DEEP THOUGHTS on his actions:

I do admit that reading Democrats' documents on an unprotected server to help defend the president's embattled nominees was political hardball, and I have learned that one shouldn't play hardball with a limp-wristed team captain.

It is also important that teammates not have tin ears. Tin ears lose elections.
(snip/)

http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewCommentary.asp?Page=%5CCommentary%5Carchive%5C200405%5CCOM20040507d.html

[liveoaktx]

74. From AP link-this cracks me up

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050407/ap_on_go_co/schiavo_senate_memo

***OOOPS! IMAGINE MY EMBARRASSMENT WHEN....

Martinez, in his statement, said Sen. Tom Harkin (news, bio, voting record), D-Iowa, had asked for background information on the bill ordering a federal court to review the Schiavo case.


He said he pulled a one-page document from his coat pocket and handed to Harkin. "Unbeknownst to me ... I had given him a copy of the now infamous memo."

[Erika]

76. The GOP prostituted Terri's death for use as their political

fodder. Every American should be outraged.

[Donailin]

78. oh right! a fucking aid in his office.

Serenity NOW!
:banghead:

[Erika]

81. It was one of his lawyers.

FYI

[Debs]

143. Yeah, right

A lawyer who can't spell. I believe that.

[Carolab]

82. I knew it was Martinez all along. He was leading the circus from day one.

So now this aide gets the blame. I guess Mel doesn't know what his staffers are doing, huh? I don't buy it.

[MO_Dem]

83. Did anybody see Martinez on Fox News Sunday

or whatever the show is called the morning after news broke about this memo? I just happened to be surfing and caught that moment when Martinez was asked about the memo, and he got such a "shit eating grin" on his face that it was obvious to me that he knew all about it. He quickly straightened his face and said he knew nothing about the memo. It was obvious that he was LYING! Wish Fox would dig out the tape and rerun that portion over and over and over and over. It's priceless. Better yet, I wish I had it on tape!! heehee.

[jefferson_dem]

86. The lying fucker's caught red-handed. Here's a new thread, dedicated...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1709677

[MO_Dem]

89. Woohoo! Thanks Jefferson!

I hope Fox has to drag out the video and show it. The expression on his face is priceless! I wanna see it again sooo much, but I won't watch Fox to see it. I wanna see it on CNN!

[jefferson_dem]

84. YAHOO LINK HERE - (RATE IT UP ^)

Sludge links to it so the freeper-fucks are gonna be trying to tamp it down for sure.

:bounce:

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/washpost/20050407/pl_washpost/a32554_2005apr6

[ltfranklin]

102. They already have...

It's a 2.18 right now, doesn't even show up in the Politics section.

I guess it's a reflection of how embarassed they are that they got it down so far so fast.

Update: There's a second article on the same subject that's a 4.8 that I guess they haven't found yet...here's a link:

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=ap/schiavo_senate_memo

[maddezmom]

108. it's up to 4.12 now

You have given the news article Senator's Office Source of Schiavo Memo a rating of 5.
Its current average rating is 4.12 with 299 vote(s).
Back to article

[Catchawave]

114. It's being Freeped...back down to 2.96 :(

This article was found on page A18 of the Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk).

Too bad a story this important was buried so deep.

[daleo]

92. What is odd is that they 'fessed up.

Generally, they can just continue to stonewall. Someone must have had the goods, and could prove it. So this fellow walked the plank for the Good of Martinez and the Republican Party (and a lot of dough), I think.

Thank you, Darling, your money is on the bedside table. Ta, ta.

[Old and In the Way]

93. I wondered about that too.

No way do they admit to this....hell, every Republican Senator disavowed it (which makes you wonder, what's the point of issuing talking points if no one reads them). I guess we can conclude they are all a bunch of liars.

But what other hard evidence forced Martinez to come clean?

I'm sure there's a job at a good lobbyist firm, but with his political instincts, I think he's ready for the majors - the RNC will probably sign him on..

[TankLV]

159. Or the repukes can have him registering new Democratic Voters!

Because when they throw out ONLY THE DEMOCRATIC FORMS - it's always just a "mistake"!

[reality based]

116. Fingerprints

or other forensic evidence. Our friend Senator Lautenberg asked for an investigation. They had to cut their losses before it became a festering sore. Better to blame an aide than to implicate Senators. I wouldn't be so quick to let it go, however. There are reportedly other copies in circulation, some without the same spelling and other errors.

[Synnical]

94. kick - cause I have to go to sleep

I live in Fla - in the blue part of the state. This is news - will see if the local paper reports on this in the AM.

[evilqueen]

95. Schiavo Memo Not A Fake!!!

". . . The legal counsel to Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.) admitted yesterday that he was the author of a memo citing the political advantage to Republicans of intervening in the case of Terri Schiavo, the senator said in an interview last night.

Brian Darling, a former lobbyist for the Alexander Strategy Group on gun rights and other issues, offered his resignation and it was immediately accepted, Martinez said. . ." -- Washington Post

[Nothing Without Hope]

96. So we're supposed to believe that an "aide" singlehandedly wrote this

memo and passed it around to Repub senators without his/her boss's knowledge? Suuuuuuuuurrrrre! :sarcasm:

Hearts of lions, these guys. Faced with a situation they can't bluff or bully their way out of, they fearlessly snatch an aide and point the finger of blame at THEM. I wonder if they will bother to explain why yesterday's version of the story - the one in the Moonie Times - affirms their solemn and absolute certainty that the memo was a fake fomented by scheming Democrats? :eyes:

[LynnTheDem]

101. Have the rethug pundits, freeps et al APOLOGIZED yet?

No, didn't think so. Takes GUTS & COURAGE to do that.

[Nothing Without Hope]

104. Interesting new developments at this new thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=3439509
Title: "Schiavo memo tied to Toxic Tom DeLay. Gee, what a shock."

[maddezmom]

109. interesting article on Delay connection to Alexander Stategy

~snip~
Alexander Strategy Group, the lobby firm run by Buckham, employed Christine DeLay, the congressman's wife, from 1998 to 2002, according to DeLay's personal financial-disclosure forms. Christine DeLay is also paid more than $4,000 a month by the Americans for a Republican Majority PAC for her fund-raising work, according to Federal Election Commission records.
~snip~

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000103&sid=aBKZemGRi6C4

[Jo March]

128. I'm sending that thread to all the anti-Delay sites

In addition, I am calling my Congress folks (although they are repubs) & I'm sending it to Kerry, Kennedy and anyone else I can think of!!!

Edited for freeperish spelling.

[Judi Lynn]

107. Unfair campaign tactics by Mel Martinez,in order to grab Bob Graham's seat

Posted on Wed, Mar. 17, 2004

WASHINGTON

Ex-HUD chief's travels reviewed

Former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Mel R. Martinez made repeated trips to Florida at taxpayers' expense before his bid for Senate here.

BY MIKE ALLEN
Washington Post Service


WASHINGTON - Mel R. Martinez, a former secretary of Housing and Urban Development, traveled repeatedly to Florida at taxpayer expense before leaving President Bush's Cabinet in December to run for the Senate from the state, according to records released by the administration.

Many of the trips generated newspaper and television coverage that allowed Martinez to elevate his profile before he became a candidate and had to spend campaign funds for his events. In response to a Washington Post request, HUD provided a partial list of Martinez's destinations that showed he traveled to Florida on government business at least 12 times in his last 21 months in office.

FLORIDA STOPS

The list shows Martinez made official stops in Miami five times; Orlando, Tampa and Tallahassee twice each; and St. Augustine once. He took additional trips to Miami, Orlando, Sarasota and Tampa for which costs were split between the government and a political organization, such as a party or campaign, according to the 10-page list.
(snip)

Jennifer Coxe, a spokeswoman for the Martinez campaign, said HUD officials reported that at least 50 percent of the invitations he received came from Florida. She said the White House gave him some travel assignments because he is bilingual.
(snip)

Martinez, a native of Cuba, flew first class to Miami last year as the official White House representative at the funeral of Cuban-born salsa star Celia Cruz.
(snip/...)

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/politics/8204236.htm
(Free registration is required)



Who knew American taxpayers had to
pay for a trip for Mel Martinez to
Miami to attend the funeral of this
Cuban singer (while simultaneously
reaching out to the ultra-conservative,
cohesive Cuban right-wingers in order
to refresh their memories he was running
for Democrat Bob Graham's Senate seat)?

[The Backlash Cometh]

112. Mel is a lot slimier than I ever imagined.

[callous taoboy]

113. G.O.P.= God On Parade n/t

[fryguy]

118. falls on his sword

or, more precisely, pushes his staffer on to it - "a senior member of my staff was unilaterally responsible for this document"

my bet is the senior staffer is publicly fired and then re-hired or hired by the Whitehouse or lobby firm with a significant salary increase . . . nothing like failing upward in this administration.

[Junkdrawer]

137. Yep. I'd bet Santorum and/or DeLay was the real author. n/t

[gtar100]

119. These activist, out-of-control staffers are ruining our country!

or is it there are a few bad apples in the ranks? Who ever said that republicans didn't learn anything from Abu Ghraib.

[smb]

120. Plans

Plan A: Say it was a Democrat forgery.

Plan B: When Plan A doesn't work, blame some expendable minion.

[Catfight]

122. Who do I call in Florida to demand his resignation? He ran the

dirtiest campaign for Senator I've ever seen on TV against Betty Castor. It was disgusting. I knew then there was nothing beneath this guy, he's a total pig politician that will stoop as low as he needs to to win. There is no excuse for this, he must go.

[Pacifist Patriot]

157. I remain convinced....

his election was as fraudulent at Shrub's was.

[Hailtothechimp]

123. Anyone who believes this is terribly naive.

Martinez is a "new senator" who happens to have 5+ years in office to weather this storm. Throw a rogue staffer into the mix, and you have the perfect fall guy.

This memo came from Rove or Morton Blackwell or some similar scaly type. Martinez is just the one they found to take the fall for it.

These people sicken me.

[redqueen]

127. As long as it kills the 'may have been a fake' story they tried to float

I don't really care.

They're all pretty much equally slimy IMO since not a one of them will stand up to the GOP mafia.

[Callboy]

124. funny, but once again this story

will go nowhere due to the gop squashing machine

[rodeodance]

129. yes, lets all forget about it-says the Free Republic--sad thing is, as you

say--it will go nowhere (after a few articles).


http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1378941/posts#comment?q=1

Ok, Ok, it was a rookie mistake by a staffer. I will have forgotten about it tomorrow, as we all should. The dems are awfully forgiving whenever one or their own does something stupid. When was the last time you heard a dem blowing off steam about Sheets Byrd's past with the KKK, or his "white ni&&3r" statement. When was the last time you heard a dem rant about Kennedy offing a young woman at Chappaquidick. We conservatives have a habit of eating our own if they stray from the straight and narrow. I think we should take a page from the oppositions play book on this one.......

[nolabels]

135. Did you read and understand the implications of this other thread

Schiavo memo tied to Toxic Tom DeLay. Gee, what a shock.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=3439509&mesg_id=3439509

They are now lying about the lying to the tenth power.
I just hope the GOP keeps on multiplying their lies, it makes them look so worldly and powerful :nopity:

[davidinalameda]

130. Yahoo link

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/washpost/20050407/pl_washpost/a32554_2005apr6

The legal counsel to Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.) admitted yesterday that he was the author of a memo citing the political advantage to Republicans of intervening in the case of Terri Schiavo, the senator said in an interview last night.

Brian H. Darling, 39, a former lobbyist for the Alexander Strategy Group on gun rights and other issues, offered his resignation and it was immediately accepted, Martinez said.


and I wonder how long he'll be out of work--I'd say Monday

[Roland99]

131. Took HOW long for someone to 'fess up?

Fucking bastards.

[meganmonkey]

134. Okay, which DUer posted this on FR??

Bwaaa haaa! I registered as a member of this odious web site just to post this reply. You guys are sucking it! I'm loving it! You get yourselves all whipped up, get your bunches all bunched, talking about liberal media conspiracies, etc., andonandon, and here it is: your party is falling apart! By the way, what is a conservative nowadays anyway? I think this is the new definition I saw in Webster's: "A big-spending, nation-building, big government moralist often found in the grip of paranoia and false conspiracy theories. Soon to be renamed New Democrats."
posted on 04/07/2005 7:37:30 AM PDT by Maytals

:rofl:
edit for link:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1378878/posts?q=1&&page=51#62

[tubbacheez]

138. Writing the memo is one thing. Distributing it far and wide is another.

Fine, he fired the staffer for writing the memo. The staffer was either 1). following orders to be ruthless against Dems, or 2). being overly zealous in following those orders.










But who spread the memo around like virus?

[loro mi dicevano]

142. Ohyeahright, Martinez had *nothing to do with it.*

Like I buy that.

[sellitman]

144. Ah...that old "inerrant aid in the office trick...I know it well.

What a crock of shit!

[demgurl]

145. I only have one thing to say about this....

They brought it on themselves. Let's look at this with common sense (which is not so common these days).

They blame the Democratic party, right? And who brought the actual memo to light but a Democrat? They jumped up and down and yelled. They accused and ranted and roared.

Where does someone start an investigation of this kind? With the person who brought it to light and is being accused - a Democrat. Did they really think this through? Is the Democrat going to shut up and take the blame when the opposition party is to blame? Or will he give the name of where he got the memo from?

Once you get the first name, the next person either has to say the original person is a liar OR you give it up and so the dominos fall.

If you think this through, you do not blame the Democrats. We have been blamed for enough things that we are going to expose the republicans as quickly as we are asked, "Who gave you that memo?"

If they had just shut up and not pointed fingers then this may never have gone as far as it has. When you start blaming someone else then those people are going to want to defend themselves.

So they could have held their tongue and not said anything and just 'looked' guilty but it would be up for speculation OR they opened their mouths and made the situation ten times worse!

Of course, what do you expect from people who can not spell and get so much of the information wrong anyway? They should not throw such insults around lest it be thrown right back.

[janx]

149. COUNSEL TO GOP SENATOR WROTE MEMO ON SCHIAVO

The legal counsel to Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.) admitted yesterday that he was the author of a memo citing the political advantage to Republicans of intervening in the case of Terri Schiavo, the senator said in an interview last night.

Brian H. Darling, 39, a former lobbyist for the Alexander Strategy Group on gun rights and other issues, offered his resignation and it was immediately accepted, Martinez said.

Martinez, the GOP's Senate point man on the issue, said he earlier had been assured by aides that his office had nothing to do with producing the memo. "I never did an investigation, as such," he said. "I just took it for granted that we wouldn't be that stupid. It was never my intention to in any way politicize this issue."

Martinez, a freshman who was secretary of housing and urban development for most of President Bush's first term, said he had not read the one-page memo. He said he inadvertently passed it to Sen. Tom Harkin (news, bio, voting record) (D-Iowa), who had worked with him on the issue. After that, officials gave the memo to reporters for ABC News and The Washington Post.

(More at link)
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/washpost/20050407/pl_washpost/a32554_2005apr6

So which was it? A low-level staffer or his lawyer? Why does the story keep changing? ;-)

[matt819]

150. You gotta admire these folks

Okay, so this here senator "comes clean," announcing that the writer of this despicable memo was a member of his staff. Hey, the senator had no idea, pure as the driven snow, kisses babies and helps old ladies across the street.

Let's assume that he's a nifty guy you'd like to have over for a barbecue. But he's also a guy who has as his legal counsel a man who could come up with those revolting talking points. He has a guy on his staff who has the power and reach to get these reprehensible views out among the faithful. He has a guy on his staff who clearly was willing (and able for some time) to conceal that he was the originator of this trash. I know he's a senator. Busy guy and all that. But, contrary to the principles of the republican party, the buck does have to stop somewhere, and someone in charge has to take responsibility. And he should be able to manage and guide a staff to ensure that this crap is nipped in the bud. But he didn't, did he? He hired and sought guidance from a man who saw political gain in the tragic demise of a fellow Floridian. He hired and kept on staff legal counsel that was prepared to deceive not only the senator but his colleagues, the media, etc.

Pathetic.

[Catchawave]

152. Oh boy, Ron Reagan's (connected?) show just

dissed this whole topic using a Blog Observer reading from conservative blogs. :silly:

In all fairness, I just heard the "conspiracy theory" posts, but I swear, nothing that referred to MSM facts.

I think I'll "right" Ron a letter now....carry on <snork>

[warrens]

153. Link to DeLay uncovered

The guy who wrote it worked for DeLay's closest adviser and backer, who also employs Delay's wife. Hmmmmm.

http://www.blah3.com/article.php?story=20050407134516452

[oasis]

154. Operation MESS. Martinez Exploitation of Schiavo Suffering.

The GOP scumbags will pay at the ballot box.

[corksean]

155. Interesting that he admits the provenence of the memo the day before

the Pope's funeral, followed by a weekend when the MSM are likely to give a lot of coverage to Chuck & Cammie's nuptuals.
Come Monday morning it will all be forgotten.

[journalist3072]

160. Breaking: Florida Senator's Aide Resigns Over Schiavo Memo

Florida senator's aide resigns over Schiavo memo
Martinez: Senior staffer responsible for document
Thursday, April 7, 2005 Posted: 9:42 AM EDT (1342 GMT)


WASHINGTON (AP) -- Sen. Mel Martinez said Wednesday an infamous unsigned memo passed around on Capitol Hill emphasizing the politics of the Terri Schiavo case originated in his office.

The memo -- first reported by ABC News on March 18 and by The Washington Post and The Associated Press two days later -- said the fight going on then over removing Schiavo's feeding tube "is a great political issue ... and a tough issue for Democrats."

"This is an important moral issue and the pro-life base will be excited that the Senate is debating this important issue," said the memo, which was described at the time as being circulated among Senate Republicans while legislation was being considered to place the Schiavo case under the jurisdiction of federal courts.

Read the entire article at http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/04/07/schiavo.memo.ap/index.html

[Mz Pip]

161. Low level fall guy

taking the heat for what is the policy of all those higher than him.

He knew what they wanted. He pointed out the obvious. Now he's toast. They all should rot for this one.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[DoYouEverWonder]

162. This guy wasn't just some Senator's aid

he was Martinez's friggin's Legal Counsel. He's the guy that is supposed to give Martinez legal advice. He's the guy who is supposed to know better.

I've got a feeling our little Darling is connected to a lot of other shit.




Brian Darling

[DulceDecorum]

164. Brian Darling is a lobbyist for the Alexander Strategy Group.

The Alexander Strategy Group was formed by Rep. DeLay’s former Chief of Staff Ed Buckham, who also introduced Rep. DeLay to corporate lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Former DeLay aide Jim Ellis, who was indicted for money laundering, was a consultant to ASG. Former DeLay staffer Tony Rudy, former DeLay PAC director Karl Gallant, and Rep. DeLay’s spouse, Christine DeLay, all worked for ASG.
http://www.ourfuture.org/press/releases/index.cfm?pressReleaseID=111

With thanks to Kos.

[DoYouEverWonder]

166. He's also part of Citizens for Conservative Government

why is that name familiar?


Brian co-chaired the Conservative Working Group, a weekly legislative strategy meeting of conservative staff members in both the House and the Senate. He has continued with another coalition the Citizens for Conservative Government (CCG) which he currently is the co-chairman. He also served as a counsel for the Senate Judiciary Committee and as an aide to former Senators Paul Coverdell, R-Georgia and Steve Symms, R-Idaho.

Brian serves as Director of Government Affairs on the Board of Directors of VOTORS. In his spare time he plays hockey, softball and golf. Brian is also on the Board of Directors of the Airline Pilots' Security Alliance.

http://www.votors.org/content.aspx?ccategoryid=24&acctid=105

[DulceDecorum]

167. Christine Delay receives a salary from ASG for basically nothing.

Christine DeLay, Tom's wife, also receives a salary from ASG.
(http://www.corpwatch.org/news/PND.jsp?articleid=2188)
Her approximately $40,000 a year salary, though, is "for her job as chief executive officer of Americans for a Republican Majority." According to Tom DeLay's communications director, "DeLay's wife is paid through the Alexander Strategy Group primarily as a bookkeeping arrangement... She does not keep an office at the firm and often works out of the couple's home." (http://www.dfw.com/mld/startelegram/2835510.htm?1c)
But Christine DeLay is not listed among the firm's 17 staff members on ASG's website.
<snip>
Enron was ASG's biggest client; they received at least $411,000 from Enron between 1999 and 2001.(http://www.dfw.com/mld/startelegram/2835510.htm?1c) Ed Buckham and ASG were involved with a "secret 'grassroots' campaign -- spearheaded by Enron -- to deregulate energy markets... An outline for the plan was faxed to Tom DeLay's Washington office. It was printed on Alexander Strategy letterhead complete with Ed Buckham's name in print. The only problem was that Alexander Strategy's CEO was still in the employ of the federal government at the time... Alexander Strategy Group was, as Enron promised, awarded the $750,000 contract to drum up support for electric power deregulation -- a goal that Enron believed would open the $300 billion a year electric markets to Enron. The stealth campaign would operate out of an energy consortium dubbed, 'Americans for Affordable Electricity' -- a name that Californians would find bitterly ironic just three years later."
(http://www.alternet.org/print.html?StoryID=13104)
The North Carolina-based private military contractor Blackwater USA hired ASG for crisis management, public and media relations as Blackwater - and private military contractors in general - came under increased public scrutiny following the public killing and mutilation of four employees in Fallujah, Iraq on March 31, 2004.
http://www.sourcewatch.org/wiki.phtml?title=Alexander_Strategy_Group


The Alexander Strategy Group and The Harbour Group are two parts of a strategic alliance with Washington-based law firm Swidler Berlin Shereff Friedman, LLP. Swidler's Managing Partner Barry Direnfeld hailed these additions as "a jolt of expertise, energy and excellence on a broad range of client challenges. It's an incredible infusion of talent, giving us an unparalleled capacity to solve the most complex business problems."
The Alexander Strategy Group is led by Ed Buckham and Tony Rudy, former top aides to House Majority Leader Tom DeLay. The Harbour Group government affairs and communications practices are led by Managing Directors Richard Marcus and Joel Johnson.

About Alexander Strategy Group
Alexander Strategy Group (ASG) is a lobbying and political strategy firm with offices in Washington and Hong Kong. ASG's partners have worked extensively with the Executive and Legislative branches of government, been involved in numerous Presidential and Congressional campaigns, forged alliances with numerous conservative advocacy groups and worked at the highest levels of the international arena. Taken together, the principals' diverse background allows them to offer a complete package of representational services to clients in the United States and worldwide.

About Swidler Berlin Shereff Friedman
Swidler Berlin Shereff Friedman, LLP is a law firm with nearly 300 lawyers in offices in Washington, D.C. and New York City. The firm's diversified roster of national and international clients includes Fortune 100 companies, smaller business enterprises, and families and individuals. The firm has more than twenty different practice areas, including antitrust, corporate, litigation, telecommunications and government affairs. The firm ranks as the sixth largest lobbying firm in terms of annual revenue among the top twenty law firms in Washington.

About The Harbour Group
The Harbour Group, LLC, is a wholly owned subsidiary of SBSF that develops public relations campaigns, crisis communications tactics, and legislative strategies for business clients nationwide. Members of THG have held prominent positions in both houses of Congress and in the White House, and have extensive experience working with the media. They have strong working relationships with key decision-makers in all branches of the government, with the media, and with third-party groups such as consumer advocates and labor organizations. Through this combination of experience and expertise, the group provides a powerful advantage in shaping the development of legislative and policy strategies that impact clients' business objectives. The Harbour Group is uniquely positioned to tackle the most complex policy initiatives and communications campaigns at the national, state, and local level.
http://www.harbourgrp.com/news_pr_013003.html

"We have provided access to key Members of Congress and staff and helped the client develop the messaging and materials they need to turn congressional contacts into legislative support."
-- The Harbour Group
http://www.harbourgrp.com/ab_prac_legstrat.html

"The fundamental components of each campaign are shrewd thinking to establish the client's strategic direction, persuasive message development, and fast-track implementation to ensure the client is 'first to market" with its story.'
-- The Harbour Group
http://www.harbourgrp.com/ab_prac_pr.html

Together, The Alexander Strategy Group and The Harbour Group offer unparalleled access to Washington decision makers on both sides of the aisle. With decades of senior-level experience formulating public policy and legislative strategy, The Alexander Strategy Group/The Harbour Group powerhouse provides the skills and tools needed to succeed in the nation’s capital. The individual members of our firms have built careers tackling complex policy initiatives and intricate communications campaigns.
We offer our clients a rare combination of veteran communicators, tested policy makers, and savvy strategists. Our team includes presidential advisors and high-ranking aides to Congressional leaders. We have worked on political campaigns, represented international governments and corporations, and conducted local, state and federal issue campaigns. Our government affairs work is supported by seasoned public relations counselors with expertise in coalition management, corporate positioning, media relations, merger and acquisition strategy, local and national event staging, product launches and issue advertising.
http://alexanderstrategy.com/alliance.asp

.... such as Brian Darling former legal aide to Senator Mel Martinez of Florida(R).

As Senator Martinez said the other day, "The court ordered decision to stop all nutirents and remove her feeding tube was made without any legal represenation of her interests. A federal habeas corpus proceeding will ensure her right to another hearing is followed before the court ordered decision to end her life is followed through."
Brian Darling, Martinez's chief counsel, told Drew Ryun, our Director of Governmental Affairs, that the Republican leadership is taking this bill very seriously. Oftentimes it takes weeks or months to get a piece of legislation to the floor for debate. Darling told the ACLJ that Republican leadership wants this measure on the floor by Monday or Tuesday of next week. There is a full court press going on right now on the legislative side to save Terri Schiavo. Republican staffers have told the ACLJ that this issue is garnering bi-partisan support.
http://www.aclj.org/News/Readwr.aspx?ID=1293

[Jack Rabbit]

163. What did Senator Martinez know and when did he know it?

That's a good question to ask tonight.

[tuvor]

165. I only read the CNN article, but

...does anyone mention exactly WHY the "aide" resigned?

Who, What, Where, When all seem to be there, but....?

Sometimes I'm intrigued by the absence of something, what can I say?

[DulceDecorum]

169. He was probably

offered a top post at the World Bank.

[lala_rawraw]

173. Because

of the Nelson remark...

[deadparrot]

172. Malloy's ranting on this very subject now.

Gotta love it.

[jmcon007]

174. Has Limbaugh apologized to the Dems yet?

[cannabis_flower]

176. just like them

I wouldn't be surprised if they even approved it before it was sent.

[The Donkey]

177. The Silence of Non-Apology is Deafening!!

This story is a day old now and I have yet to hear one apology from any senator, member of congress, radio host, news organization, or pundit for accusing democrats of 'forging' this document. Wasn't it just a day or two ago that they were all screaming themselves silly trying to pin the blame for this memo on anyone but themselves?

:puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: