Gibbons flip-flops; Young just flops

This Review-Journal story on Friday's night's gubernatorial debate up yonder is chock full o' fun stuff, absolutely none of it, of course, having to do with the debate itself. Well, one line from the debate is pretty good, wherein Gibbons says that "Good judgment comes from also helping serve others." That's a stark contrast ... no, a flip-flop ... from what he told police last Saturday: "I learned an important lesson: Never to offer a helping hand to anybody ever again."

But speaking to reporters after the debate, Gibbons said he doesn't carry a breathalyzer in his pocket (he's just happy to see you), and he wasn't lurking in shadows waiting for anybody. Or as he told the AP, "I wasn't there waiting for that woman." Yet another great Gibbons campaign slogan. Anyway, clearly, there's only one explanation for the lost 20 or 30 minutes between the time he left the bar and the time Chrissy Mazzeo left the bar -- it was swallowed up by a rift in the time-space continuum. RGJ has a story too.

Meantime, get a load of Sheriff Bill Young in the Sun. Apparently he's the only person in Metro with the investigative skills to locate Jim Gibbons, even from 2,500 miles away, and even though Mazzeo told police where Gibbons was staying.  Also, in the course of reiterating his fervent political support for the failed congressman, Young implores "every Southern Nevadan to consider the political ramifications of this case - and the timing." The timing? Sounds like somebody's trafficking in conspiracy theories, and it ain't the evil liberal blogs.

Comments

[Not Bob]

Don't leave out the Sun story in the Sports section wherein the columnist tests Gibbon's theory that he could have "crawled" to his hotel from the restaurant.

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/commentary/2006/oct/21/566636187.html

[Not Bob]

Even better: Ralston defending himself for having bought Rogich's early spin.

[IronJawed]

Young is disgusting.

[TruthToPower]

Here's a riddle: who's the bigger whore, Ralston or Young? Answer: Rogich, but not by much.

By the way, the R-J mentioned in today's story how Gibbons and his "adviser" were in the restaurant. Is that a sign that Sig has decided to throw the Gibber over the side by the R-J not using his name?

[mc]

That Sports story in the Sun is hilarious

[KidFromVegas]

A friend from Carson City, who came down for a visit said "I can't believe it is such a big deal down South...well I guess putting a drunk into car to drive home is just a good ole boy Northern Hospitality. The slamming a woman against a wall...well that's just Tail-Hook Hospitality!

[TruthToPower]

It also doesn't help that the Reno-Gazette Journal actually is a worse paper than the R-J. But while the R-J's news coverage reflects S.F.B. Mitchell's right-wing views, the G-J doesn't even bother to cover news if it can help it.

[CollegeStudent]

Knatowski's piece is the best thing I have read about this debacle, so far.
It nice to know that there are journalists with the guts (and the knees) to look at this story from a new angle.

TtoP- You are absolutely right about the RGJ. Its only saving grace was Anjeanette Damon, but with her in Harvard all year, the level of political journalism in Reno has fallen way off.

OK, this is really silly but was the RJ making its own attempt at damage control/ change the subject/ neutralize the issue by putting a story about bodybuilder/accused murderer Craig Titus on the front page?

Do they perhaps expect readers to wonder if Craig Titus is her husband/brother/etc?

And how long until they misidentify Titus' actual husband as Mazzeo's attorney?

[b]

I had exactly the same thought when I saw the alleged-killer-bodybuilder Titus story so prominent on the front page. Silly? Do you think for a second this was coincidental? Like that's some huge story right now? You may wonder about where the R-J staff learned about "journalism", but its manipulations of both news and opinion are pretty durn easy to see through.

[TruthToPower]

While I wouldn't expect the R-J to do that, if you read Shermie's column today, you know from The Man himself that Gibson would have been a better candidate. I suppose that means the R-J would have just favored Gibbons on the grounds that he's a Republican instead of on the grounds that he's a Republican and a man. If Gibson had had boobs, the R-J would have been all over him.

[lisa]

If Gibson had boobs, Gibbons would have been all over him, too!

[TruthToPower]

Thank you, Lisa. It's a terrible thing to put a straight line out there and not get a good line in response. You saved me!

[VegasFirst]

Ralston was pure self-damage control on Nevada Week in Review, which is barely ever worth watching as it is. Is there ANY doubt now about his slavery to Rogich, Young and the other local/state holders of the inside info he needs to write, and needs to maintain by doing their bidding by defending their spin control in his columns.

Sig, of course, wants to keep up his access to expensive GOP political accounts; the lame duck Young is likely looking at a future appointment from some Republican, like a Gov. Gibbons.

Ralston's SUN column on Friday was too late to salvage his credibility.

And the R-J's use last week of tiny, nearly unreadable agate type to print the police statements of Gibbons and his accuser was totally about that paper's continuing effort to control the damage on Gibbons.

[Truth to lisa's boobs]

Hugh-- when are you going to post the comments about the recorded (and aired on Channel 3) phone conversations between Mazeo and Titus regarding the Gibbons incident? Will Titus record that transaction on her campaign money register? Who else counted the number of chins Dina was flaunting on the Sun front page Molly Ball piece? I think there were 4. Waddle Waddle.

:) I kid.......I kid.

[Not Gibbons]

Vegas First, when did Ralston have any credibility to salvage? If he had it, it's so long ago that I don't remember it.

[Johnathan L. Abbinett]

Here are my EARLY VOTE, Pre-Election Day, predictions:

Of course, Shelley Berkley will win overwhelmingly - that's a no brainer.

Dina Titus is going to win big! Remember, years ago a 10% point margin was considered a land-slide, now 5% is considered a clear butt-kicking victory!

Jill Derby, will win by a smaller margin due to the high number, and large margin of registered Republicans in CD #2 - but, Jill will successfully close the margin and win!

Tessa Hafen will win, too - maybe not by much (due to Porter's cash reserve and massive negative ad campaign) - but, Tessa will win - and a "W" is still a WIN!

Jack Carter, will win - and the pundits will call it "A Miracle!" Just as they did in the Primary between Titus and Gibson, the pundits will be saying "Wow, I didn't see that coming - where did all those voters come from?"

The answer, of course, is from everywhere - especially the Grass Roots and the Net Roots!

Mark my words, "The Tide" is just now starting to swell and slowly rise - and we have 15 days left!

[galaxyquest (GQ)]

I like your optimism, Abbinett. But you really are a wing-bat. Get a grip on reality. Democrats will lose in every race you mentioned, except, of course, Berkeley. The democratic party is finished in Nevada.

[The Penguin]

Wow GQ, who peed in your coffee? You gotta lay off that right-wing joy juice; it's preventing all your synapses from firing properly.

Johnathan is guilty only of over-enthusiasm. I can see Derby (barely) and Berkley (in a walk) winning, but I do not share his optimism about Carter or Titus (though, yes, I will vote for them). As for Hafen, that may be too close to call, tho I am afraid Porter may yet pull that one out of his arse. So we're not completely dead, contrary to your most deep-seated wishes and HRH Harry Reid's overwhelming "support" for his fellow Dems.

And after four years of Gibbons, we'll see how the Dems fare next time around for the gubbernership.

[The Penguin]

Kantowski's piece was brilliant. And to think, it took a sports columnuist to come up with that angle.

[galaxyquest (GQ)]

I guess I can't completely disagree with you, Penguin.

[ttlb]

If Titus wins, I'm leaving Nevada. I want Tessa to win, but so far, the people I have backed have lost--mostly because they have morals and integrity--two qualities that have no place in the Democratic party. \

[Johnathan L. Abbinett]

Dear Galaxy Quest,

You dare to call me a "wing-bat" - what is that? If you think I'm a partisan - you REALLY do NOT know much about me!

Would you like to make a little wager? You know, put your money where your mouth is? Yeah, I thought NOT - it's easy to talk trash for FREE!

I'm basing my predictions on every thing the pundits usually look at AND what I'm hearing on the streets, in the grocery stores, the pubs, at the gas station - THE PEOPLE ARE FED UP!

Mark my words - the tide is just now begining to swell...it will slowly rise...and a larger number of people will vote this mid-term cycle (not a whole lot more, but more) - and HOW they are voting will tell the tale!

Lot's of moderate Republicans will be voting across party lines!

Lot's of radical right-wing Republicans are going to stay home!

And lots, and lots of Independents, Non-Partisans and Libertarians are going to vote for CHANGE!

RUN JACK RUN! TITUS IS ON TOP! HAFEN HAS PORTER HUFFING! DERBY IS GOING TO "BOOT 'EM!" BERKLEY CAN'T BE BEAT!

Now, if you want to call me a "Half-Crazy Vet!" That's O.K. (I've got papers from the VA certifying that condition) - but, a "Wing-Bat!" What is that?

[galaxyquest (GQ)]

Relax John--maybe I sounded a bit harsh, but I speak the truth. Republicans will win each of the previous races that I mentioned becuase your own "supreme leader", Harry Reid, failed to help any of the democratic candidates. Do you have any idea what he could have done for these candidates? And especially this year? And i mention all of this without even intentionally initiating a conversation about a possible agreement between Gibbons and Reid to secure the Governor's seat for the Republicans. That's the rumor on our side of the isle. I can imagine you've heard it on yours. I don't speak out of hate for the democratic candidates, but out of factual observation of Reid's incolvement in this election cycle. He cares about Hafen, and none other. The democrats will be left with another fours years of "if only". That's my guess based on what I've seen so far. Republicans RULE!!!! Literally.