Liberal Media Scream: PBS anchor falsely claims ‘no evidence’ of Walz’s stolen valor – Washington Examiner
The article discusses the controversy surrounding Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s military service and allegations of “stolen valor,” particularly in the context of his role as a Democratic vice presidential candidate. A PBS segment features anchor Amna Nawaz, who claims there is “no evidence” supporting the allegations against Walz. The piece contrasts this treatment with the extensive scrutiny a Republican figure, like Senator J.D. Vance, would face if accused of similar fabrications about military service.
Critics, including Eliana Johnson from the Washington Free Beacon, argue that there is substantial evidence suggesting Walz has inflated his military resume, specifically regarding his decision to retire from the National Guard under circumstances that some believe were misleading. The article notes that these claims have been a recurring issue throughout Walz’s political career, and questions the media’s handling of accusations against him. The segment highlights a broader discussion on media biases in addressing political narratives related to military service.
Liberal Media Scream: PBS anchor falsely claims ‘no evidence’ of Walz’s stolen valor
Imagine if a Republican military hero, say, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH), lied about the high points of his career in the U.S. Marine Corps while running for vice president.
The media would be looking at every word he spoke on his career and displaying his misstatements and lies on the front pages of every newspaper.
But with Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN), the Democratic vice presidential pick, the media have decided to look past his long list of fake claims about serving in “war” and Afghanistan while in the National Guard.
What’s more, some even claim that there is no evidence of his fabrications.
This week’s Liberal Media Scream features PBS New Hour anchor Amna Nawaz in the no-evidence camp. On Friday, for example, she said Vance has “no evidence” of his claims against Walz despite nonstop postings by amateur fact-checkers on social media.
She said, “This is so reminiscent of that swiftboating attack on John Kerry back in 2004,” noting that former President Donald Trump’s campaign manager, Chris LaCivita, was behind the swiftboat attacks. She asked, “Why run with these attacks when there’s no evidence for what they’re saying right now?”
Guest Eliana Johnson, editor-in-chief of the Washington Free Beacon, countered, “There’s no question Tim Walz has padded and inflated his resume.” To which Nawaz demanded: “In what way specifically?”
From Friday’s PBS News Hour, in which Johnson was joined by Jonathan Capehart, associate editor of the Washington Post:
AMNA NAWAZ: While we’ve seen Mr. Trump continue with personal attacks and kind of veering way off message, we’ve also seen from Sen. Vance focusing now on Tim Walz’s military career. This is a new line of attack we’ve seen open up from Republicans. We know Mr. Walz served in the Army National Guard for 24 years before retiring. And we’ve heard Vance attack him in this way from time to time.
SEN. J.D. VANCE: I did it honorably, and I’m very proud of my service. When Tim Walz was asked by his country to go to Iraq, you know what he did? He dropped out of the Army and allowed his unit to go without him.
AMNA NAWAZ: Eliana, this is so reminiscent of that swiftboating attack on John Kerry back in 2004. We know the same man is behind it. He’s running the Trump campaign now, Chris LaCivita. Why run with these attacks when there’s no evidence for what they’re saying right now?
ELIANA JOHNSON: Well, I do think there’s some evidence for what they’re saying, but let’s look at it in two parts. One is the issue on the merits, where I think there’s no question Tim Walz has padded and inflated his resume. And the second is his military resume.
NAWAZ: In what way specifically?
JOHNSON: Well, J.D. Vance mentioned that the timing of his retirement is suspect, and I think it would take a little bit longer to talk about the timeline of that. But the —
NAWAZ: He’s alleging that he retired because his unit was being deployed.
JOHNSON: Right. He knew that they were going to be called up. He had gotten a warning that they were going to be called up, and he said in a press release for his campaign, if called up, I have a duty to serve. He didn’t do that.
It’s clear he has — he’s inflated this, and he’s made it a part of his biography. By the way, this has been an issue in every single one of Walz’s campaigns. But, separately, I think there’s a question of how significant is this going to be down the road? You mentioned the swiftboat veterans. Those attacks were effective, but they were levied against the presidential nominee of the Democratic Party, John Kerry, back in 2004 —
NAWAZ: They were also discredited.
JOHNSON: — which is, which is different.
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Brent Baker, vice president of research and publications for the Media Research Center, explained our weekly pick: “Nawaz illustrates what is so wrong with the modern media in how they reflexively take sides at the very moment they think they are acting as tough journalists getting at the truth. Instead of pursuing those in the Harris-Walz camp to determine the truth about Walz’s military record, she presumes the Republicans are in the wrong and so their supposedly false claims must be discredited. It proves which side of the political divide she sits.”
Rating: FOUR out of FIVE Screams
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