Obama aide declares self Fox's 'fact checker'

In heated exchange, Obama aide declares self Fox's 'fact checker' David Edwards and Nick Juliano
Published: Monday September 29, 2008


After she gave Barack Obama a bracelet memorializing her son's sacrifice in Iraq, Tracy Jopek asked the Democratic presidential candidate not to use the memento as a political prop. When Obama mentioned the bracelet during last week's debate, though, Jopek said it was appropriate, and she grew dismayed at conservative critics' who turned his mention into "garbage on the Internet."

Story is the right choice of words but it didn't come from Tracy Jopek.

Steve Doocy said, "We're hearing more about the story behind that particular bracelet. And apparently, the mother -- Tracy Jopek -- asked your campaign that he not wear it anymore at public appearances."

For Fox, apparently, more actually means less, and Gibbs pounced on the co-anchor.

"That's not true," he said. "That's not true -- no, no, no, no!"

Gibbs mentioned the AP report and told Doocy to "get your facts straight first."

"That's why you're here," Doocy jibed.

"Yeah, I know, I'm a fact checker on Fox News," Gibbs replied.

The conversation continued, with Kilmeade breaking in to bring up the ex-husband's objections to Obama wearing the bracelet, to which Gibbs said the campaign wasn't trying to mediate the couple's divorce.

"And again, if you guys are going to ask questions about this, let's get the facts right ... before we start making stuff up on the news," Gibbs said, further enraging Kilmeade.

The people who keep repeating this are attacking a Gold Star Mom just because they don't like the person who is honoring her fallen son. FOX and the rest of the "right wing" should be very ashamed of this stunt. They honor no one but themselves.

The Associated Press tracked Jopek down on Sunday to get her own view on what was becoming a developing story. She said his mention was "an appropriate response" to McCain.
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