If Michael Moore wins an Oscar Sunday for his controversial documentary "SiCKO," it seems certain Hollywoodans and the left will try to use the moment to advance universal healthcare in this country much as they did last year with Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth" and global warming.
Yet, as media gush over Moore and his socialist healthcare philosophies, will they point out how antagonistic he is to the two Democrat presidential candidates?
In particular, will they address a recent unfriendly exchange between Moore and Hillary Clinton reported by The Hill late Friday evening (h/t NBer Par for the Course, emphasis added throughout):
Moore, director of the Academy Award-nominated documentary “SiCKO” about the U.S. healthcare system, criticized both Clinton and her rival for the Democratic presidential nomination, Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.), for failing to support a universal system of government-financed health coverage during their runs for the White House. “The two Democratic candidates don’t quite get it,” he said.
Clinton's campaign responded with a shot at Moore.
"His movie notwithstanding, Michael Moore clearly doesn’t know a whole lot about how healthcare policy works," Clinton spokesman Jay Carson said in an e-mail. He said Clinton's healthcare plan would insure every American and make sure that covering people and not profits are the top priority.
Interesting, wouldn't you agree? Yet, more compelling is the thought of Moore winning on Sunday, and being interviewed on all the morning programs on Monday about his views on the subject.
Think anyone will ask him about this row with Clinton? Or what his views are about both Democrat candidates' positions on healthcare?
While you ponder, The Hill had more:
Moore noted that Clinton and Obama have received more campaign contributions from healthcare interests than any other presidential candidates, including all those who ran for the Republican nomination. Healthcare interests “know which way the wind is blowing” and believe the next president will be a Democrat, Moore said.
For a change, Moore was quite right, as NewsBusters on Thursday shared contribution data recently exposed by the Columbia Journalism Review (emphasis added):
In the pharmaceutical and health product industries, contributions to Clinton total $349,000 and $338,000 to Obama. Again, McCain trails in donations at about $98,000, an indication that the sector sees the real action on the Democratic side of the ballot. Health professionals, which include doctors, nurses, and dentists, have given Clinton some $2.3 million and Obama $1.7 million.
So, if Moore wins on Sunday, will his antagonistic views towards both Democrat presidential candidates be the rage on news programs Monday?
No, I don't think so either.
—Noel Sheppard is an economist, business owner, and Associate Editor of NewsBusters.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Outrage
February 23, 2008 - 12:50 ET by owlpelletsMike,
I agree, this is an outrage. Perhaps it's time for you, your Hollywood chums, and Fidel "Weekend at Bernies" Castro to form a nice solid front behind Ralph Nader. Show all of those insurance agents and filthy drug scientists that they can work govt. jobs or go to "The Camps."
I always wanted to get into politics, but I was never light enough to make the team.
Sicko
February 23, 2008 - 12:53 ET by lhbarnesWhy should anyone care what this "sicko" has to say about anything?
Michael Moore's ultimate hypocrisy...
February 23, 2008 - 14:19 ET by goldenthroatHey, fatso! Try working on your OWN health care - you look like a stroke waiting to happen! Oh, yeah - if it does happen you'll expect us to pay for it, right?
"Air America - Radio for the Politically Impaired!" - Goldenthroat
Moore has some real competition this year with No End in Sight
February 23, 2008 - 12:53 ET by Dee BunkIt's hard to predict which one will win. Both are very Anti-American. I give the slight edge to No End in Sight because there hasn't been enough bad news in Iraq lately.
Either film will get morning show interviews and no questions as to the inaccuracies or incompleteness of the so called documentaries.
Sicko
February 23, 2008 - 12:57 ET by lhbarnesMichael Moore getting an Oscar? Algore getting a Nobel? Obviously, these types of awards are no longer based on any sort of special talent or contribution. It's all politics and money.
Hey has anyone seen Al Gore
February 23, 2008 - 13:15 ET by USA4freedomHey has anyone seen Al Gore lately, I think Moore AKA-Jabba the Hutt ate him.
Ronald Reagan, 1962: I did not leave the Democratic party, the party left me.
Insert: your name, 2008, and the Republican party.
The whole thing will be a
February 23, 2008 - 13:15 ET by owlpelletsThe whole thing will be a BHO campaign ad anyway. Sorry but I need to go practice my lettuce hoing skills. I then can complete my two years on the collective farm with slightly less fear of being beaten senseless by one of these Hollywood folk doing their two years as a guard.
I always wanted to get into politics, but I was never light enough to make the team.
Sorry to keep up the
February 23, 2008 - 13:23 ET by USA4freedomSorry to keep up the appearance attacks, but does he look in that picture like he is ripping a big one?
I agree with Rush even if we get rid of almost all of the Libs. we should keep a few just to remind us of how bad they are.
A 500 lb man demanding for free “our tax money” health care.
Al Gore, flying around the world in his jet and huge electric bill telling us we need to cut back..!!
Ronald Reagan, 1962: I did not leave the Democratic party, the party left me.
Insert: your name, 2008, and the Republican party.
uuuuh....yeah. I'm sure
February 23, 2008 - 13:40 ET by motherbeltuuuuh....yeah. I'm sure "SiCKO" is a "documentary"...just like "Farenheit 911" was a "documentary", until critics started pointing out the lies and mischaracterizations and errors in it. Then it became an "editorial", a "satire", a "comedy"....or a combination of all three...in other words "a work of art" as Moore described it.
Yeah, Mike. Whatever gets you through the night.
I think you can be sure that Mr. Moore, even if he is not specifically asked in an interview, will get the point out that even the Democrat candidates are not offering universal, government-provided health care. He's too egotistical not to, because he thinks that is the only way.
Noel.. No, it won't - however Moore's..
February 23, 2008 - 14:51 ET by Gary HallNoel.. No, it won't - however...Naturally, however, they will use it with vigor it to cut McCain down, while softly peddling the message to shape the Democrat candidate's attention, and the pubic's perception of, to Moore's message.
First, (you'll remember this) one might want to go back and take a peak at Michael Moore's: Why Don't We All Just Cut the Crap Right Now.
It's actually quite enlightening. While reading, one should ignore his never ending universal rant about Bush and Republicans - that's not the point (however, one is encouraged to allow the mind to wander over and savor the little defenses of Bush being blamed for all the world's woes only 101 days into "the Jaunta.")
The point is to understand Moore's never ending universal rant at the Democrats. That includes Bill Clinton, the Democrats in congress, and is certainly extended to the current Democrat candidates for president.
Michael Moore is the new Democrat of the not so far future. Obama will serve as a step on the ladder to socialism.
In the moment, the media is in a bind. They align themselves more with the vision of Michael Moore than with the Democrat candidates, however, they can't run the risk of entirely exposing themselves with an open and frank conversation admitting their true vision in the moment; the likely result of that being a 2008 election loss to the Republicans, as Americans who are wanting "change" are really not understanding why. The shift to pure socialism (Fidel style) is the ultimate agenda here.
The context in this exercise is found in Noel's analysis; Michael Moore is not aligned with the most liberal of the Democrats in power - rather, Michael Moore is aligned with the radical left, which has growing presence in the MSM. Their comfort with the Fidel's of the world, Moveon.org, the DailyKos is telling.
Be very afraid. The shift from the Democratic party to the Fidel party is doing very well.
The Truest Headline We May See All Year
February 23, 2008 - 14:55 ET by mikeinmdIf Moore wins :
Hollywood Loves SiCKo's
I heard that sicko is not
February 23, 2008 - 14:59 ET by USA4freedomI heard that sicko is not showing in Cuba.. wonder why?
Ronald Reagan, 1962: I did not leave the Democratic party, the party left me.
Insert: your name, 2008, and the Republican party.
Sicko not showing in Cuba?
February 23, 2008 - 15:07 ET by Mica the MagnificentIt's not showing in Cuba because the only projector bulb they had blew out in 1978.
They don't have a Best Buy
February 23, 2008 - 15:19 ET by USA4freedomThey don't have a Best Buy they have a No Buy.
Ronald Reagan, 1962: I did not leave the Democratic party,the party left me.
Insert: your name, 2008, and the Republican party.
-
February 23, 2008 - 17:25 ET by dahliatraversExcellent.
"Yet, as media gush over
February 23, 2008 - 15:02 ET by TE"Yet, as media gush over Moore and his socialist healthcare philosophies, will they point out how antagonistic he is to the two Democrat presidential candidates?"
Will Wolf Blitzer have Moore on his program for the sole purpose of having Moore denounce Rodham and Barack Hussein Obama like Blitzer routinely has complete irrelevancies on his program for the sole purpose of having said irrelevancies denounce George W. Bush? Don't bet on it.
Michael Moore
February 23, 2008 - 15:03 ET by R D HelmSo, I wonder if Michael had his armpits "botoxed" in preparation for his big win?
Seriously, I don't think Michael really understands how things work in politics. He seems to lament that the very industries that are going to be the most affected by whatever insanity the next administration comes up with regarding health care, are contributing to the candidates who will be signing the related bills into law. I am not comfortable with this arrangement for a whole host of reasons, but that is the way it is, and I see no real effort on the part of either party to reduce the influence of the special interests, other than the obligatory lip service they apply to the problem every election cycle.
We may not be headed for total universal health care right away, but I am pretty sure that the involvement of the federal government in our health care system is going to deepen significantly in the coming years. Sadly, there are just too many people in this country, like Michael Moore, who wish to pawn off their own responsibilities in this area onto the shoulders of others.
The really unfortunate part is, once we start down that road to a total government takeover, it will be nearly impossible to reverse course.
Proud member of the "Rough Republican Attack Machine."
When they call an
February 23, 2008 - 15:27 ET by USA4freedomWhen they call an entitlement program to get a spendinglimit to 5% “a cut,” then there is no hope.
Bigger government grows bigger government.
This administration has done NOTHING to stem the tide.
So if this administration has done nothing how big will the next one be!
Ronald Reagan, 1962: I did not leave the Democratic party, the party left me.
Insert: your name, 2008, and the Republican party.
USA,
February 23, 2008 - 20:20 ET by R D HelmThis administration has done NOTHING to stem the tide.
Correct, as the Bush administration has effectively doubled the size of the federal government during his tenure, yet Mr. Bush has been successfully tagged as a hard-core conservative by his detractors in the MSM.
I shudder to think how rapid the growth of government would be under a democrat such as Obama or Hillary. Come to think of it, even under a McCain, for that matter, as I see him as being more liberal than even GWB.
At this rate, one day down the road, the majority of Americans are going to be federal employees. Not a good thing.
Proud member of the "Rough Republican Attack Machine."
I totally agree, Its like a
February 23, 2008 - 21:54 ET by USA4freedomI totally agree,
Its like a giant snowball rolling down the hill on greased tracks.
All of that on top of the 12-20 Mil.+ every one in their families of illegals pouring across our border.
I see nothing but hard times for my children and their kids.
Ronald Reagan, 1962: I did not leave the Democratic party, the party left me.
Insert: your name, 2008, and the Republican party.
Spending
February 23, 2008 - 22:12 ET by Noel SheppardNBers,
I hope I don't offend anyone, but to call Bush a conservative is just as errant as calling McCain one.
Consider that under his reign, most of the time with Republicans controlling Congress, spending has increased by an astounding 67 percent. By contrast, under Clinton, it only rose 32 percent.
If this is conservatism, I need to consider whether I want to be a conservative. ns
Noel, LOL, not offended an any way, actually
February 24, 2008 - 00:08 ET by R D HelmI hope I don't offend anyone, but to call Bush a conservative is just as errant as calling McCain one.
Ah, you might want to go back over my comment again, as I said that GWB was certainly no conservative, and that McCain was, IMHO, anyway, more liberal than even he is. Or, did I miss something? Not like it would be a first for me, or anything.
If this is conservatism, I need to consider whether I want to be a conservative.
And you aren't the only one who feels that way. Tust me on that one.
So, when, exactly, is the Libertarian Party's convention?
Proud member of the "Rough Republican Attack Machine."
Noel,
February 24, 2008 - 00:10 ET by tracheostomyThat statistic includes the WOT though. . .right?
-PJ
"Trake: Your lofty convictions are another blemish on the rump of congregational sectarianism." -Tumbler 5/15/07
PJ
February 24, 2008 - 00:24 ET by Noel SheppardPJ,
Factor out the $375B increase in defense spending since FY 2001, and spending has still increased by 47 percent, much more than under Clinton. ns
No problem Noel. . .
February 24, 2008 - 00:29 ET by tracheostomy:backing away:
This topic is all still a learning experience for me.
-PJ
"Trake: Your lofty convictions are another blemish on the rump of congregational sectarianism." -Tumbler 5/15/07
PJ
February 24, 2008 - 00:40 ET by Noel SheppardPJ,
I pride myself in feeling that I know the history of our budget more than 99.99 percent of Americans. Here's the link. Learn this, and you'll understand more about our nation's finances than most of the people that report on it: http://www.whitehous... ns
Noel
February 24, 2008 - 00:45 ET by botgpg 1 of 342?
i'll have to go to work to print that sucker!!
(W is a globalist not a conservative.)
No Poofdas
botg
February 24, 2008 - 01:14 ET by Noel Sheppardbotg,
Why would you print it when it's available as a PDF? ns
noel
February 24, 2008 - 01:19 ET by botgold habits,
easier to read, highlight, and tab for me in that format.
plus i read in bed
No Poofdas
$30 Billion in useless "Aid to Africa"
February 24, 2008 - 00:52 ET by PopularTechIt will include $30 Billion in worthless foreign aid to Africa! Bush needs his head examined.
The Anti 'Man-Made' Global Warming Resource
So......Big Pharma gives
February 23, 2008 - 15:26 ET by Scout FinchSo......Big Pharma gives generously to Democrats? Thank you for your enlightenment, Mikey.
With all that money he
February 23, 2008 - 19:08 ET by the strugglerWith all that money he has,he should buy a gun and shoot himself.
Moore's Single-Payer Plan Advantage
February 23, 2008 - 19:36 ET by TheHistorianThere is an advantage to Moore's single-payer plan. In order to reduce his cost as a medical risk, they might tape his mouth shut so he doesn't eat. That has an obvious second advantage.
Why is it every liberal performer thinks he is an expert in healthcare (Moore) the military (Farrell) or being President (Babs and dozens of others). I wish they would all go on TV so that I could turn them off. While they have a right to speak, they do not have a right to make me listen.