“Remember when no one understood why ABC asked about contraception at the NH Republican debate?” William A. Jacobson writes, adding that Newt’s comeback (posted above) “was prophetic in hindsight:”
Well what do you know, about a month later the Obama administration proposes administrative rules under Obamacare which would require free contraception be provided even by religious institutions which oppose contraception on religious grounds.
It’s almost as if Stephanopoulos got the memo first. Unless, of course, you believe in coincidences.
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Disney-ABC in tight message coordination with Democrats? Heaven forfend.
At the Tatler, Clarice Feldman adds, “It’s time the RNC asks [Stephanopoulos] if he coordinated this with the White House directly or through its media shills like Media Matters. And if he did or refuses to answer or to offer a credible explanation, ABC should be booted from further debate moderating privileges.
Why should the RNC grow a spine now?
Earlier: “CNN Host Asks If Initial Outrage Over Contraception Mandate was ‘Manufactured’ to Hurt Obama.” Can you spell projection, boys and girls?
I saw a snippet of this somewhere else and wondered what in the world people were talking about–wondering if something was about to be stretched.
Now that I have been reminded about the debate question–which as has just been pointed out many people wondered about at the time–I have got to say that is absolutely, positively looks like something is rotten in the state of Denmark. Doesn’t mean it is, but this is pretty bad. It might be something called preparation of the battle space–to maneuver the GOP candidates in a position where they have already been sealed off from being able to make certain promises to disgruntled Catholics.
My personal view, however, is that this was probably a recon effort done on behalf of the Democrats more than anything else–to see what kinds of damage would be ensued if the Obama decision went the way it did. With no one on the GOP side saying they were going to fight to ban contraception, one flank seemed secure, and the decision could go forward. Sort of the Axelrod version of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact.
It is also possible Stephanopolous got snowed and was not aware of the coming decision–i.e., he was a patsy. He might have asked “what are some good questions to ask” of some group, and got this contraception question in return because that group was really an intermediary for the White House. Of course, that still speaks not well of him, because I doubt he asked PJM or Townhall or NR their opinion on questions to ask–and, of course, he still asked it.
The sooner we figure we got folks trying to play for keeps the better off we will be. On the other hand, it means someone is willing to take a lot of damage over this contraception issue, which is useful to know.
It also might mean there is for some reason, a desire or felt need to start destroying the prestige of the Catholic Church–some reason to make them seem backwards–and a need worth risking blowback on. It would be interesting to know what that need is if true.
As for not hosting the debates again–of course the answer is yes. Which means it will be no. Oh well. At least some of us will go down with honor–because at this rate we are going down.