Today\’s quote comes to us from Chuck Todd – NBC\’s Senior White House Correspondent and host of Meet The Press.
Speaking of the Indiana Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) law, this is what Todd had to say:
“If there is any good news for Republicans on this issue right now is that it\’s happening in 2015 and not 2016.”
In my opinion, Todd is correct. But I wonder if he understands why.
If there is one thing I have learned in the years I have paid attention to national politics, it is that mainstream media have no problem in “finding” an issue, giving it blanket coverage – then moving on only after their take on the issue is indelibly printed in people\’s minds. And, with few exceptions, the issue is damaging to Republicans, thus beneficial to Democrats.
The Indiana law is a perfect example of just such an issue.
Indiana is one of 19 states with a version of RFRA – which, like the others, patterns its content on the federal law that was passed in 1993, when it was sponsored by (Democrat) Chuck Schumer, was given yea votes by virtually every Democrat in the senate (97-3 in total), and enthusiastically signed by Democrat Bill Clinton.
RFRA, therefore, is every bit as much a Democrat concept as it is a Republican concept.
But, as I have mentioned in a previous blog, Democrats needed a diversionary issue so people would not be talking about the ridiculous-bording-on-insane “deal” with Iran and Hillary Clinton scrubbing her server clean of the information she was supposed to have given to a congressional investigative committee. So badabing, badaboom, the Indiana RFRA law magically became media\’s lead story for a week (and who knows how much longer).
Just like Governor Christie\’s alleged involvement in closing a couple of George Washington Bridge lanes for a few days – which not only was laughable as an issue, but turned out not to be true. For two months that was all we heard about…until two separate investigations could not find any wrongdoing on his part. But…damage done, he will always be remembered for it.
And just like the “Bush lied about WMDs” routine – which has been in continuous play for well over a decade, despite the fact that virtually every Democrat publicly agreed with Bush at the time…including (partial list) Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Al Gore, Joe Biden, John Kerry, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and a bunch of others.
Click here for a video of every one of them and more… though, for some reason the video leaves out this October 10, 2002 quote from Hillary Clinton: “In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability, and his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including
As you can see, media have a history of creating these kinds of issues. And, believe me, there are many more examples than I\’ve shown.
With this in mind I award Chuck Todd Quote Of The Day honors, because he hit the nail on the head with his comment.
The only thing missing was a follow-up sentence, to the effect that “Of course, they will find something else next year, so this doesn\’t really matter”.
