Yet ABC News sticks by a story that puts a premium on anonymous sources over on-the-record emphatic denials from the DoJ's #2 in command. Egregious reporting on Ross' behalf.

"Fake but Accurate" anyone?

You folks aren't called the Lame Stream Media for nothing. The Hastert story is typical. LSM has Pulizter Prize level ethusiasm for any story, regardless of the truth, if it involves the GOP and gleefully will not cover similar stories about a democrat.

ABC should retract its story based upon this "named source" who credibly disputes the accuracy of ABC's story. Just because ABC reports it doesn't make it true. More proof of the drive-by media.

Hey Brian
You and your network suck! You are a bunch of liars! I hope you have the same fate of Dan Rather.

Brian Ross, lying again!

Liberal media sliming GOP, undermining America's national security.

What else is new.

Why isn't THIS the headline? Another libelous headline by the Liberal drive-by mecia.

I am constantly amazed at how little real news can be found at any of the major news outlets web sites. It seems every other "news" story is based on rumor or a qoute of some partisans opinion. Verbal assaults by politicians are nothing new and shouldn't even be reported - it is a given that they don't agree. Reporting it just encourages them. Engineering anonymous source leaks seems to be the hobby of choice in Washington. Any story qouting them has no credibility. Here's an idea - instead of reporting what the politicians hand feed you why no report facts, based on valid sources, that you've uncovered by actually investigating something.

I am so tired of media fantasy to support agendas. I even heard that abc's reporters were even laughing as this is being reported. Brian Ross should be fired along with all involved. abc does not exist in my selection to watch the news.

Ross and Vargas,

Looks like you two have pulled a Dan Rather here. You've glammed on to a story that isn't a story and tried to make sensational news from it. I hope you have the courage to retract it, because your sources are obviously wrong!

Let's see some journalist fortitude here and admit your error.

Thanks,

Rich Galloway

Bill Burkett is off his meds again!

All politicians are reported guilty until proven innocent by insinuation by the MSM unless of course you are a leftist like William Jefferson ($90K in freezer – separation of powers), Chuck Schumer (credit reports – staffers blamed), Harry Reid (collected nearly $68,000 in donations from Abramoff's firm, lobbying partners and clients – no defense just "not illegal: comment), Cynthia McKinney (mean right hook to a capital police officer – changed her hair), Patrick Kennedy (drunk driver – Mom and Dad’s fault) or any other Dem. where the story will be diverted, suppressed or not brought up again.

Like many others these days this is an old story from last November. The part ABC forgot to include this time is that Mr. Reid is in the thick of this as well. One can only conclude that ABC printed this story as a diversion from Jefferson.

I am sure there are many other politicians on both sides of the isle are being investigated. It is laughable by normal Americans who pay attention how stupid the MSM thinks we are. If any of these politicians are guilty then they must be dealt with. I would hope that we all are in agreement with that. However, quit using one side of the story to promote or divert from the left.

Keep up the good work MSM with your “no-idea” left friends and real Americans will keep the majority.

ABC is merely quoting sources and sticking by their story that "Sorces say". What's wrong with that?

Tommy

Maybe Brian Ross and Dan Rather can start a new news network together. The slogan for it can be: "We Make It Up As We Go Along"

So, the department of Justice has denied these allegations. Twice.

There is no subpoena, no evidence. yet ABC news, based on unnamed sources, continues to push this dead story.

And they wonder why people think there is a liberal bias in the mainstream media?! I wonder if they would push this hard if it was Speaker Pelosi and not Hastert? We all know the answer - Hell NO!

Why should ABC retract a story that is true. Sources gave ABC this information. If sources provided the information, sources provided the information.

Tommy

Give it up, Ross, before this becomes 'Memogate II.' Your 'source' might want to get a lawyer - heh. You've been played.

Well, you 'big' media did it again! I do enjoy watching you fall on your face AGAIN just like Dan Rather (whose credibility was forever extinguished), the New York Times, etc.
Nothing less than a total retraction will suffice, and if I were Hastert I would do my own investigation as to whether this story constitutes "reckless disregard for the truth". This is also a perfect example of where reporters should be forced to reveal their sources (assuming they exist at all). Jail time certainly seems appropriate .
Shame on you for lying to us once again. No wonder so many people have stopped watching evening news, because this behavior seems to be 'de riguer'.

Well, that DOJ statement looks pretty plain to me.

Great story, though, I'll bet all the Manhattan liberals were celebrating Hastert's impending "frog walk".

Between Bush's impeachment, Rove's indictment and now the investigation over Hastert, it's pretty clear that the liberal media has given up on reality and is now reporting only its own fantasies.

After the Dan Rather debacle, you would think you guys would be more careful. Your patisan political attack on Dennis Hastart is an outrage. Shame on you.

There's only one problem with this denial. The FBI has a policy of not commenting on investigations.

From the Washington Times;
Aug 30, 2004

"FBI spokesman, Bill Carter said, "It has been our long-standing policy not to comment on matters of this type or to confirm or deny the existence of any investigation."

We can find dozens of examples of the FBI neither confirming nor denying the existence of an investigation. But in this case they ran out to deny.

Is that policy or politics?