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AP Story Reports Boos Rather than Bush's Act of Kindness

Recently, the Associated press retracted a Sept. 3 story about a Republican audience that it reported responded negatively to the suggestion by President Bush that prayer be offered on behalf of former President Clinton. Specifically, under the by-line of reporter Tom Hays, the AP said: "Bush's audience of thousands in West Allis, Wisconsin booed. Bush did nothing to stop them." In reality, President Bush announced to the crowd that he had just learned that former President Clinton had been hospitalized. There was a moment of near-silence in which a slight murmur of concern was audible. Then Bush said that his thoughts and prayers were with the Clinton family, and the crowd cheered and applauded loudly. [see Powerline Blog for more details].

I had a very close friend of exceptionally character in the audience that provided more information about the situation. She sat near the front, in the proximity of Mrs. Bush and said there no boos, "none." However, she did tell me that during the President's speech an acquaintance of hers fainted in the audience. After the speech, the President and Mrs. Bush visited the woman who passed out to make sure she was "ok" and to express their concern for her well being. The elderly lady was, of course, delighted by both the concern and attention she was given by the President of the United States and his wife.

One wonders why the AP reported the respectful and compassionate words about former President Clinton falsely and in a manner that reflected poorly on President Bush. My friend confirmed there was absolutely no way a person in the audience could have mistaken the cheering as booing. One wonders why the character conscious media did not pick up the later story about the President's act of kindness for a fallen supporter. Perhaps it is because Wisconsin is a swing state in the upcoming election.

Posted by tim at September 17, 2004 2:06 AM

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