Topic: Media Research Center
After the revelation that President John Kennedy used then-19-year-old White House intern Mimi Alford as a mistress, the Media Research Center has enjoyed reporting on it:
- Brent Baker claimed that NBC's Brian Williams "conveyed the distress of JFK sycophants in his audience" over Alford's book on the affair, adding, "Apparently, covering up for Kennedy for 50 years is not long enough for the viewers of a network which employs people who write embarrassingly obsequious books like Jack Kennedy: Elusive Hero."
- Kyle Drennen highlighted Alford's "revealing interview" promoting her book and criticized those who gave "a sycophantic defense of the womanizing president."
- Drennen claimed that NBC's Ann Curry "fretted over" Alford "sharing unflattering details about the late president."
- Tim Graham complained that Barbara Walters was being a "shameless public hypocrite" for doing a book on the affair.
- Mike Bates declared, "Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich, and Bill Clinton shouldn't even be mentioned in the same context. They've never been accused of jetting women in for their satisfaction. Of directing girls to have sex with other men while they watched. Of forcing a woman to inhale a sex drug."
But when it came to an affair involving a Republican politician, the MRC wanted to shut down all discussion of it.
As se've documented, MRC chief Brent Bozell ran to the defense of Newt Gingrich when one of his ex-wives came forward to talk about his adultery, declaring it to be "systematic character assassination" and an "October Surprise of the worst sort" even though nobody has disputed the basic facts of the case. Further, the MRC also dismissed Marianne Gingrich as "bitter," suggesting she can't be trusted when, again, no one has forwarded any evidence to contradict her.
So, the MRC has no problem talking about politicians' affairs -- as long as that politician isn't a conservative. How that furthers the MRC's hollow campaign to "tell the truth," we have no idea.
