How Obama’s Laugh Turned Into Part of a Smear Campaign

How Obama’s Laugh Turned Into Part of a Smear Campaign

How Obama’s Laugh Turned Into Part of a Smear Campaign

The workings of a build-up to a fake-scandal over President Obama’s laughter on 60 Minutes.

Media Matters for America
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Over forty minutes of interview with Steve Kroft of 60 Minutes, President Obama discussed the economy, torture and terrorism yet the day after the special aired the media began to focus on the least of these items–the president’s demeanor. The construction of the smear began immediately following the piece and provided grist for the scandal machine for the rest of the news cycle.

—Gabriela Resto-Montero

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Media Matters for AmericaMedia Matters for America is a Web-based, not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) progressive research and information center dedicated to comprehensively monitoring, analyzing, and correcting conservative misinformation in the U.S. media.


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