I realize I’m the last in the blogosphere to weigh in on the Halperin memo bombshell. I saw this last night but too wrapped up in the debate to consider Matt Drudge’s report. Here’s the alleged memo in full:

Halperin Memo Dated Friday October 8, 2004

It goes without saying that the stakes are getting very high for the country and the campaigns - and our responsibilities become quite grave

I do not want to set off (sp?) and endless colloquy that none of us have time for today - nor do I want to stifle one. Please respond if you feel you can advance the discussion.

The New York Times (Nagourney/Stevenson) and Howard Fineman on the web both make the same point today: the current Bush attacks on Kerry involve distortions and taking things out of context in a way that goes beyond what Kerry has done.

Kerry distorts, takes out of context, and mistakes all the time, but these are not central to his efforts to win.

We have a responsibility to hold both sides accountable to the public interest, but that doesn't mean we reflexively and artificially hold both sides "equally" accountable when the facts don't warrant that.

I'm sure many of you have this week felt the stepped up Bush efforts to complain about our coverage. This is all part of their efforts to get away with as much as possible with the stepped up, renewed efforts to win the election by destroying Senator Kerry at least partly through distortions.

It's up to Kerry to defend himself, of course. But as one of the few news organizations with the skill and strength to help voters evaluate what the candidates are saying to serve the public interest. Now is the time for all of us to step up and do that right.

I believe the sentiment expressed in this memo accurately reflects the bias so evident in ABC reporting. But I am surprised to an acknowledgement in written form, so I need to know more. Where did the memo come from? A Kinko’s in Abilene, Texas? An ABC newsroom? Did Halperin accidentally put Matt Drudge in the “To” block of his email?

Since all other products coming out of ABC are filled with blantant bias, this seems too accurate to be genuine. Will update this post as the story develops.

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» NY Post Reporting ABC Bias Story from Carnivorous Conservative
They don't add anything to the details. But it did validate one thing I've been seeing. I think ABC's "The Note" has been incredibly biased in it's selection of news bit. And I found this at the tail end of [Read More]

Tracked on October 9, 2004 10:50 AM