Michelle Malkin » Robert Reich, quote doctor

Robert Reich, quote doctor

By Michelle Malkin • January 27, 2009 12:33 PM

You’ll be interested to know that Professor Bob has shut down his comment section on his “Open Letter” blog post to me and other critics of his color-coded stimulus earmarks.

Perhaps in response to his bogus, Media Matters-echoing accusations that we were twisting his words, someone posted a link to this 1997 Slate piece exposing Reich’s own serial penchant for quote-doctoring. (hat tip – Ed Driscoll) An excerpt:

Again and again, Reich offers zippy dramatic dialogues culminating in pithy and revealing quotes. For instance, he has Robert Michel, R-Ill., who was House minority leader at the time, telling him this about Newt Gingrich and friends: “They talk as if they’re interested in ideas, in what’s good for America. But don’t be fooled. They’re out to destroy. They’ll try to destroy anything that gets in their way, using whatever tactics are available.” Reich may believe Michel said this, but Michel says he knows otherwise. “That’s not my quote, no,” he says. Michel says he probably complained about the decline of comity and bipartisanship. But “I would never say that–that they’re out to destroy. I’d never say anything like it.”

Reich says that on March 18, 1993, Democratic Rep. Martin Olav Sabo of Minnesota, House Budget Committee chairman, told him this about congressional Democrats: “We’re owned by them. Business. That’s where the campaign money comes from now.” But Sabo says that he could not have spoken with Reich on March 18 (they did talk on March 2) and that, in any case, he neither said nor believes that Democrats are owned by business. Reich “certainly does not capture the substance of any conversation I ever had with him,” Sabo wrote to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Reich also reports a conversation in which he tells Rep. David Obey, D-Wis., his theory about blue-collar hostility toward Clinton. The vignette ends with Obey saying: “You’re either a genius or you’re nuts. If I were you, I wouldn’t share that theory with anyone else.” Obey says, through an aide, that he’s sure he never said that, since he was talking up a similar theory himself–though he says the rest of the conversation seems accurate. Former head of the AFL-CIO Lane Kirkland, whom Reich portrays unsympathetically in several private dialogues, protested in a recent letter to Reich: “I did not, in fact, utter the words that you attribute to me in various places, in direct quotation marks, as though you were repeating my words verbatim.”

Asked about these denials, Reich said, “Our recollections differ.” And it’s certainly true that, in Washington, quote-denying is endemic. But some of Reich’s dialogues are checkable, and turn out, when checked, to be inaccurate in ways that serve Reich’s rhetorical ends.

Like I said yesterday: Pot. Kettle.

***

Related: Noel Sheppard sees an Obama-Limbaugh-Malkin-Reich-Media Matters Connection.

Posted in: fiscal stimulus

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#603611

On January 27th, 2009 at 12:39 pm, Craig said:

Professor Bob ‘Don’t Call Me Third’ Reich
#603616

On January 27th, 2009 at 12:42 pm, Bill Grant said:

You’ll be interested to know that Professor Bob has shut down his comment section on his “Open Letter” blog post to me and other critics of his color-coded stimulus earmarks.

You’re welcome.
#603617

On January 27th, 2009 at 12:43 pm, sonofdy said:

Robert Reich, grow a thicker skin.
#603623

On January 27th, 2009 at 12:46 pm, Rogue Cheddar said:

This guy is well overdue for the noogy ambulance, or, at least an atomic wedgie
#603625

On January 27th, 2009 at 12:47 pm, irving said:

Hmmm. A liberal academic who isn’t honest about his sources?

I wonder what he lied about in his PhD thesis?

I mean, do they really give those degrees to idiots?

Warning: This post contains sarcasm.
#603627

On January 27th, 2009 at 12:48 pm, b-cat said:

No one likes it when you can prove beyond any shadow of a doubt that they have no idea what they’re talking about.
#603628

On January 27th, 2009 at 12:49 pm, Dexter Alarius said:

Again and again, Reich offers zippy dramatic dialogues culminating in pithy and revealing quotes.

Zippy. That’s a good nickname for the little guy.
#603631

On January 27th, 2009 at 12:52 pm, Socky said:

Again and again, Reich offers zippy dramatic dialogues culminating in pithy and revealing quotes.

Must.

Not.

Make.

Lollipop Guild.

Joke.
#603632

On January 27th, 2009 at 12:52 pm, wighttrasch said:

I’m still waiting for my construction job offer…I’m a woman & I wanna work outside.
#603633

On January 27th, 2009 at 12:53 pm, bear1909 said:

Napoleonic complex meet the Big Dawgz of the blogosphere.

It’s a wild and wooly world out there, Lil Bobby.

Call your Mommy.

ROFLMAO
#603634

On January 27th, 2009 at 12:53 pm, Hangfire said:

Reich: “Tell me about the bunny rabbits, George. I want to hold him and squeeze him and call him George………”
#603644

On January 27th, 2009 at 12:56 pm, RTater said:

If plagiarism is ok for the VP, denying his own recorded words should be ok for this colostomy bag.
#603652

On January 27th, 2009 at 1:02 pm, Dexter Alarius said:

Asked about these denials, Reich said, “Our recollections differ.”

Translation from the Liberalese: I lied. So, what? I made my point and no-one will care that I lied.
#603656

On January 27th, 2009 at 1:05 pm, Socky said:

Robert Reich attacks Will Farrell.
#603659

On January 27th, 2009 at 1:08 pm, ArizonaNeanderthal said:

Colostomy bag works 2 RTater
#603662

On January 27th, 2009 at 1:11 pm, sonofdy said:

Robert Reich attacks Will Farrell.

He is an angry elf isn’t he???

LOL
#603666

On January 27th, 2009 at 1:12 pm, b-cat said:

Thanks, Socky!
#603669

On January 27th, 2009 at 1:14 pm, rambler said:

Since liberal ideas don’t work very well, conservatives have to be silenced so that liberals don’t feel stupid. When the liberals cause the total colapse of this economy, it will be the conservatives who will rebuild it.
#603680

On January 27th, 2009 at 1:22 pm, hatfield said:

Boss, the plane, the plane!!!!
#603682

On January 27th, 2009 at 1:23 pm, monad888 said:

Translation from the Liberalese: I lied. So, what? I made my point and no-one will care that I lied.

Bingo.
#603694

On January 27th, 2009 at 1:39 pm, cpodug said:

Translation from the Liberalese: I lied. So, what? I made my point and no-one will care that I lied. Besides, now I can blame somebody else for this stupid idea.”

Fixed it.
#603695

On January 27th, 2009 at 1:40 pm, AlohaGuy said:

I wonder what he lied about in his PhD thesis?

I mean, do they really give those degrees to idiots?

Warning: This post contains sarcasm.

Me too.
Yes.
I don’t see any.
#603700

On January 27th, 2009 at 1:43 pm, tarpon said:

Riech is a Communist. Read his early works and see for yourself.
#603701

On January 27th, 2009 at 1:44 pm, ArizonaNeanderthal said:

We finally broke down and bought a flat panel HDTV (Super Bowl gift to/from me) and it is being delivered today. We are going from 32″ boobtube to 50″ boob tube. Will that make BobbyR look bigger or smaller? As it will be hooked up to my stereo will that whiny voice be more or less irritating?

Oh I wish I were better on this tech stuff. If I was I could fix my 8 track.

1% ers rock Rush.
#603703

On January 27th, 2009 at 1:47 pm, JT said:

What a wuss.
#603704

On January 27th, 2009 at 1:49 pm, judybeth said:

Just a reminder from the YouTube Link (below)that underscores Obama’s idea of “reparations/redistribution of wealth so
called jobs creation” Plan…? Rangle and Reich should finally motivate every American to call their local or DC Reps offices and express their opinions!
Finding a job in the coming years under the Obamalamadingdong Administation will be easy unless you are skilled, experienced, middle class (”not paying attention”)and white plus your Governor does not have a backbone! I am incensed! jb

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opxuUj6vFa4&e
#603711

On January 27th, 2009 at 1:55 pm, Hangfire said:

On January 27th, 2009 at 1:44 pm, ArizonaNeanderthal said:

Oh I wish I were better on this tech stuff. If I was I could fix my 8 track.

Psst. Don’t tell anyone. I have an 8-track recorder from Panasonic. I am copying CD’s onto blank 8 track tapes so I can listen to them in my ‘77 LTD. How dumb is that?
#603713

On January 27th, 2009 at 1:56 pm, bradley said:

Reich might be the only three foot tall liberal in the world that looks down on half his country.
#603717

On January 27th, 2009 at 1:59 pm, PKAmmoTroop said:

Imagine a tome co-authored by Robert Reich and Joe Biden. It would be an academic black hole – how do you misquote through plagiarizing?
#603719

On January 27th, 2009 at 2:00 pm, flmom said:

Reich might be the only three foot tall liberal in the world that looks down on half his country.

Funny!
#603751

On January 27th, 2009 at 2:25 pm, wighttrasch said:

ArizonaNeandsaid:

1% ers rock Rush.

‘…he knows changes aren’t permanent/but change is…’
#603780

On January 27th, 2009 at 2:45 pm, docflash said:

How can he say it was taken out of context what he said about white men workers when it is right there on video(in color)for the whole world to see?
#603798

On January 27th, 2009 at 3:04 pm, flmom said:

docflash said:

Because back in the day before internet, youtube, etc. this was the playbook for the left.
#603816

On January 27th, 2009 at 3:11 pm, vladtheimp said:

Looks like the democrats have already adopted Reich’s discriminatory approach to funding projects:
FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION HIGHWAY INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT Highway Infrastructure Investment Recovery Funding: $30 billion The Department of Transportation’s 2006 Conditions and Performance Report indicated there is an annual investment gap of $8.5 billion to maintain our current systems and an annual gap of $61.4 billion to improve highway and bridges. Furthermore, the recent report of the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission recommended investing $225 billion annually from all sources over the next 50 years to maintain, upgrade, and expand our transportation networks. These funds will be used for ready-to-go, quick spending highway projects for which contracts can be awarded quickly. Twice last year, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) surveyed State transportation departments and reported on the number and dollar value of additional highway projects that each State could undertake quickly if supplemental Federal funds were made available. The results of AASHTO’s December 2008 survey showed that all 50 States combined had over 5,100 projects totaling more than $64 billion that could be under contract within 180 days after enactment of Federal economic recovery legislation. These projects would include resurfacing and pavement preservation projects, traffic signal system upgrades, bridge projects, and intelligent transportation systems. Research indicates that highway investments deliver broad, substantial and lasting benefits to the economy. In the short term, money spent to improve and maintain highways supports private businesses with employment and the purchase of goods and services. Investments in the highway system provide benefits to commuters and travelers, including time savings, safety improvements, and vehicle operating cost reductions, and contributes to industry productivity growth, national economic performance, and international competitiveness. Funds are distributed by formula, with a portion of the funds within each State being suballocated by population areas. Set asides are also provided for: Indian reservation roads; park roads and parkways; on-the-training programs focused on minorities, women, and the socially and economically disadvantaged; a bonding assistance program for minority and disadvantaged businesses; and environmentally friendly transportation enhancements. According to the FHWA’s job model, this investment will create approximately 835,000 jobs across all sectors of the economy.

See: http://readthestimulus.org/index.php
#603838

On January 27th, 2009 at 3:28 pm, Rogue Cheddar said:

On January 27th, 2009 at 1:55 pm, Hangfire said:
Psst. Don’t tell anyone. I have an 8-track recorder from Panasonic. I am copying CD’s onto blank 8 track tapes so I can listen to them in my ‘77 LTD. How dumb is that?

Not dumb at all. Everyone knows that CD’s are just a fad. Analog all the way, baby!
#603840

On January 27th, 2009 at 3:30 pm, Rogue Cheddar said:

On January 27th, 2009 at 3:04 pm, flmom said:
Because back in the day before internet, youtube, etc. this was the playbook for the left.

Hmmm. That must be the book that BHO is carrying around! The old Democrat playbook!
#603906

On January 27th, 2009 at 4:34 pm, chapoutier said:

Everyone knows that CD’s are just a fad.

You luddites still use CD’s?
#603911

On January 27th, 2009 at 4:43 pm, RabbidSquirrel said:

Analog all the way, baby!

Amplitude is the answer – nobody wants to be sampled and clipped
#603947

On January 27th, 2009 at 5:20 pm, RabbidSquirrel said:

You luddites still use CD’s?

Well, I am still getting ~4.5% until the market returns to strength. Are you recommending any other financial instruments in the meantime?
#603994

On January 27th, 2009 at 6:13 pm, BayStateRepublican said:

Again and again, Reich offers zippy dramatic dialogues culminating in pithy and revealing quotes.

Reich = Zippy

Zippy = Pinhead

Reich = Pinhead
#603996

On January 27th, 2009 at 6:15 pm, reshas1 said:

Typical libtard, they dish it out, but can’t take it.
#604094

On January 27th, 2009 at 8:34 pm, Marc said:

Professor Reich does not like to talk about his wife’s lawsuit against a prominent university that made her a rich woman. You can have lots of nice homes if you sue universities, scream about sexism and get the university to quietly surrender and toss in hundreds of thousands of dollars. Money that could have gone for scholarships for needy working class kids instead goes to a yuppie professor from Hades.
#604113

On January 27th, 2009 at 9:15 pm, zorro said:

Professor Bob

His students probably need to attend Special Ed classes after a semester with lying crackpot.
#604205

On January 27th, 2009 at 10:53 pm, WarEagle82 said:

I suppose they have to get Lil Bobby Reich out to make Joe “Foot-in-Mouth” Biden look “more Vice Presidential.”