Rocky reported Cheney's attacks on Democrats but included no Democratic response

Written by Media Matters Staff

Published

In an article about Vice President Dick Cheney's appearance at a campaign rally for 5th District Republican congressional candidate Doug Lamborn, the Rocky Mountain News reported Cheney's attacks on Democrats but did not provide any Democratic response.

In a November 4 article by reporter Dick Foster about Vice President Dick Cheney's November 3 campaign rally appearance for 5th District Republican congressional candidate Doug Lamborn, the Rocky Mountain News reported Cheney's criticism of Democrats but did not include any statements from Democrats.

The News article reported that “Cheney accused Democrats of supporting tax increases on everyone, including families.” However, the News provided no evidence supporting or challenging Cheney's claim and included no Democratic response. The News further reported that Cheney said Democrats “have lost perspective on the war” in Iraq but again provided no response from Democrats.

As the News article reported, “Cheney stoked the partisan fires of Republican Party faithful Friday evening for 5th Congressional District candidate Doug Lamborn, urging an all-out effort to win in the campaign's final days.” The News also noted that “Cheney's pep talk reflected Republicans' concerns. They trail badly in the race to retain the governor's office and risk losing one or two Congressional seats, including the stronghold 5th Congressional District centered in Colorado Springs.”

This is not the first time the News has repeated the Bush administration's attacks on Democrats without providing a Democratic response. As Colorado Media Matters noted, an October 5 News article about President Bush's appearance at a fundraiser in support of Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Beauprez reported Bush's attacks on Democrats but did not include any comments from Democrats.

From the November 4 Rocky Mountain News article by Dick Foster, “Cheney rallies GOP for Lamborn”:

Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Jay Fawcett has made the race so close, drawing even some disaffected Republicans to his side, that Republicans brought in Cheney as an 11th-hour deal-closer for the party.

But Cheney also used the rally to urge support for U.S. Rep. Bob Beauprez, who is trailing Democrat Bill Ritter in the race for governor.

Cheney accused Democrats of supporting tax increases on everyone, including families and said they “have lost perspective on the war” in Iraq.

“The question is whether or not this nation is serious about fighting the war on terrorism,” he said.