Whenever GOP politicians are attacked, they come running to Fox News for some refreshing rehab provided by Fox hosts who, in their validation of the beleaguered Republican, smear those nasty Democrats who are making their lives miserable. This morning, Fox & Friends' resident Stepford wife, Elisabeth Hasselbeck gave poor GOP House candidate Barbara Comstock an opportunity to promote her candidacy and defend herself against the slings and arrows that Democratic strategist Paul Begala, recently lobbed in her direction. Oh yeah, and Hasselbeck worked in a little Clinton bashing, too. It was all good....
In a recent Politico article about Comstock's candidacy, former Clinton political adviser Paul Begala said that Comstock had a “really almost sick, sort of stalker-like obsession with President Clinton." His statement would seem to be born out by reality in that during the Clinton years, Comstock seemed to have been obsessed with bringing down the Clintons by whatever means necessary. She has been described as "the type of politician who makes investigating for the sake of it an art form." And now that Hillary Clinton might be running for President, Comstock is all Benghazi, Benghazi, Benghazi.
This morning she appeared on Fox & Friends where she was hosted by Elisabeth Hasselbeck who, after spitting out Begala's quote, provided Comstock with an opportunity to explain that her past pursuit of Clinton wrongdoing was entirely legit. Comstock didn't want to go any further because it's just so 90's. As she spoke, the chyron framed the propaganda message: "War on women, Clinton style, former Clinton advisor rips GOP candidate." She then focused on her awesome ideas. As the chyron continued the agitprop messaging, "Loaded language, dem. calls GOP candidate a 'Clinton stalker',"
Hasselbeck refocused on the Clintons: "I want to ask you how concerned you are. Right now as a congressional candidate it would matter more to have a target on your back from the Clintons whom many see as quite powerful when it comes to politics." She asked if Comstock thought the Clintons "are gonna pull back from these efforts, perhaps, to deny you the opportunity to take the seat." More agitprop from the chyron: "Crossing the line? Dem. labels GOP woman a 'Clinton stalker'." Comstock responded that she was more concerned about Obama's "lackadaisical attitude." The chyron described Comstock as a "White House sleuth" because she was part of "many Clinton investigations" and "Digging up dirt, investigated Watergate, Lewinsky scandal." (LOL, Fox is proving Begala's point!)
Hasselbeck asked why "the Clintons are calling you a stalker" when it was "so long ago." Comstock blithered about the importance of issues which are being neglected by Obama and the Democrats who "can't run on this economy." (Right, unemployment down, 52 months of job growth, rising stock prices...) She continued to tout her awesomeness. Hasselbeck wanted to know "how that's gonna work" if Hillary Clinton wins the presidency and Comstock is in the congress?" Comstock couldn't predict the future but continued to tout her awesomeness for those who are being "assaulted" by the bad economy and - drum roll please - Obamacare. Hasselbeck: "Absolutely."
Did you catch the verbal sleight of hand here? The quote about Comstock came from Paul Begala; but Hasselbeck made it seem as though it was said by the Clintons. Nice bit of anti-Clinton propaganda coupled with a nice political ad for Comstock, courtesy of the "fair and balanced" Fox "News."
And about that "stalking" - Comstock and her posse actually trespassed on private property to peer into the window of the White House aide who was a central figure in "Travelgate" that Comstock was tasked with investigating. Seriously!