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Attacking Obama's Missouri ‘Truth Squad’
September 29, 2008 11:12 AM
Republicans -- led by the Governor of Missouri and the Republican National Committee -- are alleging that there is something untoward about the "Truth Squad" the Obama campaign has set up in the "Show Me" State. The problem, these Republicans say, is that these "Truth Squad" members are prosecutors and sheriffs with law enforcement powers, thus creating an atmosphere where Missourians might be afraid of being prosecuted for criticizing Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.
There is no evidence, however, that these prosecutors are threatening to use their prosecutorial powers in such a way.
And despite GOP complaints that the mere presence of prosecutors on the "Truth Squad" could intimidate Obama's critics, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and his running mate Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin have used prosecutors on their "Truth Squads" too, prompting no complaints from the GOP at the time.
**
The Missouri Truth Squad, an Obama campaign press release stated last week, would “respond quickly, forcefully, and aggressively when John McCain or his allies launch inaccurate claims or character attacks about Barack Obama, or when they distort Barack Obama’s record or plans.”
So what's the problem?
Many of the Obama Missouri Truth Squad members have law enforcement powers, such as St. Louis County Circuit Attorney Bob McCulloch, St. Louis City Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce, and Jefferson County Sheriff Glenn Boyer.
A local TV story took those facts and then stated that, "Senator Barack Obama's presidential campaign is asking Missouri law enforcement to target anyone who lies or runs a misleading television ad during the presidential campaign," which doesn't seem a fair representation of the formation of the "Truth Squad."
Republicans immediately began painting this as a situation where the Obama campaign is using its law enforcement friends to threaten to lock people up if they say something negative about Obama.
Gov. Matt Blunt, on official state stationery, said, “What Senator Obama and his helpers are doing is scandalous beyond words, the party that claims to be the party of Thomas Jefferson is abusing the justice system and offices of public trust to silence political criticism with threats of prosecution and criminal punishment."
None of the prosecutors or sheriffs on the "Truth Squad" have said they'd use their law enforcement powers as part of their task as "Truth Squad" members.
But Blunt said that wasn't the point.
"The only conceivable purpose of Messrs. McCulloch, Obama and the others is to frighten people away from expressing themselves, to chill free and open debate, to suppress support and donations to conservative organizations targeted by this anti-civil rights, to strangle criticism of Mr. Obama, to suppress ads about his support of higher taxes, and to choke out criticism on television, radio, the Internet, blogs, e-mail and daily conversation about the election," Blunt said. "Enlisting Missouri law enforcement to intimidate people and kill free debate is reminiscent of the Sedition Acts - not a free society.”
St. Louis County prosecutor Bob McCulloch called the notion that he was going to use his official powers to prosecute people who lie about Obama "nonsense."
"I don't know what charge anybody could be talking about there is no such thing; libel is a civil matter entirely," McCulloch said. "What I said was if it is a lie I'll call somebody on it and say that's a lie; tell us the truth. That gets morphed by those with these very sinister motives," the prosecutor said. He added, "It's morphed into 'they are trying to intimidate people into not talking.'"
St. Louis City Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce added in a statement: "As a citizen, I believe that elections should be about issues. I also have enormous respect for our First Amendment and freedom of speech. My sole purpose in participating in this initiative is about getting truthful information to the voters. This has never been or never will be about prosecuting people. Clearly there are those who are attempting to twist the purpose of this initiative for their own benefit. This attack is a great example of how the truth is distorted in campaigns and what we’re trying to stand up against."
But the deputy chairman of the Republican National Committee, Frank Donatelli, told the News-Leader, that even though the Democratic prosecutors “haven’t specifically said” they would use their powers to fight for Obama, but “I don’t think you have to use the power. I think if you just call out somebody and you have the power, you’ve made your point. It’s not that you have to prosecute a guy, but people think you might.”
That's why prosecutors don’t typically become members of campaign truth squads, Donatelli said, because the prosecutor's presence on the truth squad “has a chilling affect on people’s rights of free speech.”
This story broke last week and has been building since.
Largely unreported is the dial-back from reporter John Mills, whose story seemed to imply exactly what the GOP is charging -- that Obama has enlisted a squad of prosecutors to go after anyone who criticizes the Democratic presidential candidate -- but has since said that "in the retelling of the story, it got out of control."
“If they think a group has put out a misleading ad, they’re basically going to call a press conference and say the ad is misleading," Mills told the News-Leader yesterday. "I’m sure the Republicans would do the same thing."
Of the concern that prosecutors should not be on truth squads -- which may seem a legitimate criticism -- it could be observed that McCain's South Carolina primary "Truth Squad" included Attorney General Henry McMaster and Seventh Circuit Solicitor Trey Gowdy, a prosecutor.
The recently created "Palin Truth Squad" includes District Attorney of Dona Ana County (NM) Susana Martinez.
- jpt
September 29, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (287)
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So how y'all feeling about this today? Truth squads, wherein they decide the truth? Guilty if they say so, huh? Obama talked about 57 states...that's a lie...arrest him. What a bunch of hypocrites. We love authority, when it is on our side....bah humbug.
Posted by: rev g | Apr 26, 2009 1:40:15 PM
are you...really, really serious. No...I mean REALLY?
I do have, thankfully the luxury of a win to decidely end this debate and separate myself from it. Come on though people. Honesty, and the demand for such, should not be and is not the crush to the 1st amendment you speak of.
Maybe it's just me, but it seemed clearly stated that prosecution was NOT the goal (or an option here), but rather a forced exposure to the actual facts behind a statement. I almost said we shoudn't, but thats bs...there IS NOTHING wrong with that. If this is what it takes to get honesty out of the otherwise weaselish, negative, lying ass politicians, I personally welcome it. Bring truth, bring honesty my friends, and for God's sake bring change...our country, our people and our world need it.
Posted by: jimminy cricket | Nov 5, 2008 4:09:07 AM
the difference is that McCain isn't attacking Joe The Plumbers for questioning him, nor cutting off TV stations for asking probing questions of
his VP. You add all those things together (as Obama has done) and you get censorship. That is not what this country is about.
Posted by: Incognito | Oct 30, 2008 1:13:26 AM
This is a hoot......What's wrong with an "authority figure" deciding what is true or not??? LOL
In Ohio, they didn't want "authority figures" near the polls, because it would scare away people, ethic groups, minorites, that have a fear of "authority figures."
LOL......Having your cake and eating it too!
Posted by: lu | Oct 29, 2008 8:45:26 AM
If this were the "McCain Truth squad" congress would already be having an official investigation. But as always, the Democrats get a big PASS when caught doing something shady. Same with the ACORN scandal. If Republicans ever sunk low enough to be filling out thousands of fake voter registrations, there would be senate investigations, and people would be going to jail.
Posted by: Bob | Oct 21, 2008 2:31:09 PM
So, if B.H. Obama is elected president and does NOT reduce taxes for anyone making $250,000 per year or less then we can arrest and prosecute the "truth squad" for lying?
Let's face it, their version of the "truth" as stated in the on-air interview was WRONG! Obama has no plans to reduce taxes on anyone making $250,000 year. That figure is for a COUPLE. For an individual it is $125,000. So please Mr. Sheriff, do your duty and arrest those two prosecutors for lying!
Posted by: URDreaming | Oct 19, 2008 12:29:10 AM
edav38
Did you miss the part of the article that said McCain/Palin have "Truth Squads" that include law enforcement people too?
It's right near the top.
So it's Only OK if you are Republican?
No surprise
Posted by: GH | Oct 18, 2008 1:43:15 PM
The stupidity about this election has reached epidemic proportions. Do you really think that in the modern world we live in a small group of prosecutors and sheriffs could strong-arm voters? Of coarse not! There are stops in place. Obama knows that. Why are all criticisms of Obama absurd? Can the Republican Party really not anything worth discussion on him? I am a registered republican who will be voting for Obama. I think John McCain is a life-long politician who has been caught with his pants down during an economic crisis created by typical republican “trickle down” economics gone wrong. He has to do whatever he can to distract voters from that. This is one of those tactics, feeding on peoples fear with definite racial undertones. I don’t know if Obama is the man for the job, but my gut tells me he is a better man than McCain
Posted by: Donan | Oct 14, 2008 11:45:22 AM
If you people cannot SEE that these "Truth Squads" are a Violation of the US Constitution, then you need to move to China or Russia where FREEDOM OF SPEECH is curtailed.
There is NOTHING in the US CONSTITUTION that satates, "Freedom of Speech, as long as you follow a party line or are telling the truth that the candidate wants you to say", is PLAIN AND SIMPLY states "The Freedom of Speech SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED!!
These people in the "Truth Squads" are BREAKING THE LAW of the US CONSTITUTION
If you do not like the US CONSTITUTION, then change it, or shut your traps.
Posted by: edav38 | Oct 12, 2008 1:05:42 AM
Ok look, if they are "targeting" this person for violating the law and what they said was a lie and against this code of ethics or whatever it was then maybe you shouldn't be saying it in the first place.
Posted by: Tyler | Oct 5, 2008 11:21:35 PM
It's ABC. ABC is owned by Disney. And Disney is obviously in bed with the Obama campaign.
Posted by: John D. | Oct 4, 2008 2:09:10 PM
So...I'm to believe that those involved in a "Truth Squad" have the corner on truth, and clearly see the right answers to all debate that running for the office of President of the United States generates? Am I perceived as mindless enough that I would want a man in the Oval Office who would allow such activities to be associated with his campaign? Wake up citizens of America...for you will certainly have to endure the rule of the one you vote into office. Shame on you, candidate Obama, for your inexperienced lack of understanding of the proper use of power, you who desire to head the Executive branch!
Posted by: Pastor Swope | Oct 1, 2008 11:22:19 PM
Reading some of the comments, most of you seem to overlook the fact that if you tell the truth, the "truth squads" don't have any authority to do anything to you. It seems most of you are outraged that you will not be able to outright lie about Obama without correction from a Democratic organization. Are you having trouble smearing Obama with the truth?
Posted by: anonymous | Oct 1, 2008 5:16:06 PM
Are you seriously defending this?
STOP MAKING EXCUSES FOR OBAMA!!!
Please. People like you will destroy our country.
Palin has NEVER used LAW ENFORCEMENT.
Why can't you see the difference???!!!
Posted by: Janny | Oct 1, 2008 7:26:07 AM
Jake, all stripes of extremists need to have a little light shined on them, both left and right. When KMOV did a re-edit of their item to exclude the intial report that the Obama campaign had asked law enforcement to "target" anyone making false statements, etc. and violating Missouri ethics laws....the media took another black eye. There is no need to defend that or resist the actual truth of the report. We have to get back to a place where the truth rules. And, please, let us not have any conversations abut "whose truth" and a relativistic "...but look what they did". The objective truth that journalism schools used to teach and that sustained this democracy for 200+ years before we fell off this cliff of partisanship and whatever it takes to win. I believe both sides are to be held to the same high standard and without the supposed fourth branch of government taking sides to the exclusion of truth.
Posted by: Enthused | Sep 30, 2008 10:47:05 PM
This article is wrong. The video report of this truth squad did say that law enforcement, including prosecutors, would "target" people who may violate Missouri ethics laws who are misleading or not telling the truth about Obama. If that does not indicate that they will prosecute someone under the Missori ethics laws I don't know what does. The article leaves out the important facts that mention "target" and "Missouri ethics laws." Watch the video for yourself.
Posted by: CarlH | Sep 30, 2008 4:39:57 PM
Here’s another article, “Silencing Critics Using the Barack Obama Method” (from Ann Woolner of Bloomberg), on Obama’s attempts to control the public debate. And from the article it’s apparent that this woman is clearly an Obama supporter. She thinks charges made against have been baseless. “But the proper response in a democratic society isn't to scream at those who give an author a podium, to call the man names or jam a radio station's phone lines with angry callers.”
Posted by: Erika | Sep 30, 2008 1:48:29 PM
The market lost more than a trillion dollars yesterday - more than the proposed bailout figure. And you fools are arguing about ACORN? Get some perspective.
Posted by: mara | Sep 30, 2008 12:44:38 PM
Obama flat out lied to the American people during the debate. He DID INDEED vote FOUR times to raise taxes on people making 42G per year! It is a record of FACT..go look it up. This guy will do or say ANYTHING to get elected.
Posted by: Obama is a fraud | Sep 30, 2008 10:43:09 AM
I too am a democrat voting for McCain. The truth is that Obama scares the hell out of me for many reasons. He makes me feel uncomfortable. I don't like how people are so willing to overlook his past associations. To me he is simply nothing more than a slick talking crook. He says he cares about the poor, but is willing to take donations from people that can barely put food on the table. He reminds me of a minister in a poor church conning people for collections.
Posted by: dem for McCain | Sep 30, 2008 10:39:38 AM
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