GOP loves to hate Michael Moore

Posted: Friday, July 13, 2007 3:19 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Republicans

From NBC's Mark Murray and Chuck Todd

Want to stir up GOP voters? Just say the names Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, or John Edwards. But lately, Republican presidential candidates have turned to someone who isn't even a politician (past or present) to fire up their supporters: filmmaker Michael Moore.

Just today, the Giuliani campaign sent out a research document comparing Hillary Clinton's statements on health care with Michael Moore's -- in his new documentary, "Sicko." The headline on the document: "Bad Medicine: It's enough to make you Sicko." And it includes this quote from Giuliani (via last night's Sean Hannity Show): “[M]ichael Moore and Hillary Clinton want to make our [health care] system like the systems nobody goes to ...”

Earlier this week, Huckabee said, per the AP: "Frankly, Michael Moore is an example of why the health care system costs so much in this country. He clearly is one of the reasons that we have a very expensive system. I know that from my own personal experience." Ouch.

And, of course, there's that YouTube of Fred Thompson calling out Moore. "Mental institution, Michael," he says. "It might be something you ought to think about."

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Comments

Fred - just because you have access to healthcare the rest of your life courtsey of the tax payer does not make you an expert. Try to live without insurance for awhile, like your good buddy Don Sundquist tried to bankrupt the Tenncare system in Tennessee (and almost did it). It's the insurance company Stupid! They are the problem, and not once in your entire life have you ever voted to shut them down or at least rein them in - shameful Fred, just Shameful.

Union Baby (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 3:42 PM)

Just wondering: You too busy to post any graph discussing Moore's side of things?

Even FoxNews gave Sicko a great review?! Weird, reactionary stuff from the GOP...

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,273875,00.html

Gary, Des Moines, IA (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 3:43 PM)

I don't think it helps their image for a presidential candidate to attack a film maker when there are more serious issues at hand. Instead of scoring political points with the base, let Hannity and Rush do the ususall dirty work. It's similar to Edwards getting in a tussle with Coulter. It'd be interesting to see if Romney engages in this as well.

CJ (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 3:46 PM)

Did I miss something...is Moore running for President? Attack the messenger, but take campaign money from drug and insurance companies. Are the Repubicans even credible on this subject?

Al, KS (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 3:48 PM)

Being bad-mouthed by these clowns would be a compliment.

Scott in South Texas (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 4:12 PM)

Gigolo Rudy is so sleazy he will say anything to get on the side of the religous right and neo-cons. Why do you not focus on family values....LIKE RECONCILE WITH YOUR KIDS. Don't you love that all these Republicans are getting busted on lewd and lascivious behaviors and drug charges...HAHAHAHAHAHA!GREATEST HYPOCRITES OF THE WORLD!!!!!!!!

juan,ft lauderdale,fl (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 4:17 PM)

Do they even give a care about health care? That is the real issue.

Russell in Maryland (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 4:29 PM)

Oh boy, I can see where this is going. All the MM detractors will start screaming about how 'fat and ugly' he is and attempt to connect those to the healthcare issue. Wow, that's quite a stretch!

All right. A bit on the side but nevertheless... Here's the question I've been dying to ask. Explain the relationship between someone being 'fat and ugly' and their capacity for intelligence and veracity. Let's have it, folks. Oh, and back up what you say with FACTS, not emotionally-based name-calling, ad hominems, and other worthless rhetorical 'devices'.

M. Boley (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 4:31 PM)

We should nationalize health care so it runs just like the Post Office.

Jamie Downs (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 4:46 PM)

Yes, my cable news network is MSNBC which includes "Tucker" (the one show that keeps the network really fair and balanced). He interviewed someone last night, cannot remember who..sorry. But the point is the guest who I believe was a Republican tried to discuss the content of "Sicko" but all Tucker, the devout administration lover, wanted to discuss was Moore's weight since part of the movie which I haven't seen yet talks about the health of American citizens. This is the level of intellect that Tucker and his kind (usually from Fox) have left to discuss since to really get into issues would leave him with little to say, at least with a straight face. Tucker, isn't it time for you to move on to the 24/7 ad for the Whitehouse, Fox news?

Carol (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 4:57 PM)

"Fatso"--A movie

Dorothy (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 4:58 PM)

I'll take the post office over the current health care system. Have you experienced the horrors of not being insurable because of a pre-existing condition? This topic is too serious for smart-mouth comments like that. very thoughtless.

Sarah, Columbus, OH (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 5:01 PM)

I like the way you liberals are picking on one of your own (Giuliani)! As for Republicans being busted for lewd acts; it works bothways Juan! The liberal press loves' to show a bad Republican. What about the Clinton's? They have great morals! Stop being a sheep!

SO FAR TO THE RIGHT; TED NUGENT WOULD BE A LIBERAL,TEXAS (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 5:03 PM)

So, I haven't seen the film yet, but Im guessing that it talks about health care. What I want to know is how much both sides are talked about in the film. I mean, just because health care sucks in this country DOES NOT mean that it is at the fault of the republicans. Does anyone remember the shape it was in during the Clinton administration? You should, because I believe Hillary decided to do something about it... and failed, MISERABLY! So, before you go attacking republicans for bad health care, look at everyone that sits in the senate and the house! They are the ones, COLLECTIVELY, that allow our country to operate without healthcare... not just the republicans.

Also, has anyone ever realized what would happen with the free healthcare that I hear so much about? Go to Cananda and tell me how pristine their hospitals are... cuz guess what, many of the elite doctors from Canada actually come to the States are go elsewhere where they can be paid more. You want good treatment from good doctors? Well, it wont come with free healthcare, I can guarantee that!

Nick in Seattle (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 5:03 PM)

It'a amazing how the richest country in the world can't provide health care for it's seniors and poor. We USE taxpayers dollars to subsidize the oil companies the corn farmers, the pentagon, the war and the rest of the world. Let's take care of our own first and provide universal health care.It's the right thing to do.

john scalamonti, old bridge, nj (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 5:04 PM)

Moore is a Canadian and should stick to his countries politics; or become a U.S. citizens. Throw out the illegals- starting with Moore!!!!

SO FAR TO THE RIGHT (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 5:05 PM)

Like Mos Def said in a spoof on BET: "Fool-iani, you ain't foolin' nobody. All you wanna do is bullsh*! and party!

Nadiyah in San Diego (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 5:06 PM)

Well, the Post Office runs a lot better than George Bush's War on Terror (Al Qaeda back to full strength), his idiotic adventure in Iraq (4000 dead Americans and counting, not to mention many thousands of Iraqis), and his promise to secure our borders (12-25 million illegal aliens, depending on your source, and growing by thousands daily).

While we're busy beating up Michael Moore, lets not forget that pharmaceutical lobby which lines the politicians pockets and makes damn sure you pay 2-3 times more than your Canadian counterparts.

And let's not forget Bush's vetos of anything to do with stem cell research. Lord knows we wouldn't want our science to compete with the rest of the world and risk offending James Dobson and the rest of the Christian right.

Paris Hilton does more time than Scooter Libby and you Republicans look the other way. Where is your shame?

T. Wallace (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 5:07 PM)

Why should Republicans be afraid of Obama? Obama should be afraid of Hillary! Look what happened in the White Water Affair!

SO FAR TO THE RIGHT (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 5:07 PM)

My only real problem with Michael Moore has little to do with the fact that I'm a Republican and more to do with being a fan of the TRUTH. Michael Moore has openly admited (although not to loudly or often) to editing both his facts and footage to force people to respond the way, and towards the political side he wants them to. The real shame is that he won an academy award for "Best Documentary" with his method for "Bowling for Columbine" (I guess they don't have one for "best propaganda film". As much as I hate the healthcare system and the insurance companies, I'm not going to jump on his jingoistic bandwagon just because this time I happen to hate who he's going after. His footage is both doctored and edited out of sequence, while his facts are often outright lies, by his OWN admission. Go ahead and go after the Healthcare Industry, the War in Iraq, or Guns if that's the way you feel America, but don't do it BECAUSE of anything Michael Moore tells you. READ the FACTS not the BLOGS. Don't just "Rock the Vote" but get informed first by non-profit oriented sensationalist-biased neutral third parties, and ALWAYS question how and where your statistics come from.

Kurt Kriz (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 5:10 PM)

Baaaaa Baaaaaa Sheep!

SO FAR TO THE RIGHT (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 5:12 PM)

Moore is from Michigan, which is close to Canada. Way Far Out Right's brain isn't close to reality, STFU stupid.

Philly, Melbourne, Florida (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 5:17 PM)

so far to the right,
as usual, you bushies bring up history nearly 10 years old and only one person. The GOP has had several others more recently than Bill - Mark Foley, Bob Allen, Vitter, Newt's affair during Clinton's impeachment, Bill O'Reilly's sexual harassment settlement. Typical right wing hypocrisy...and where do you get Moore is Canadian? He grew up in Flint, MI per several Google sites.

Mark Y; Westlake Village, CA (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 5:22 PM)

Yep, mention Michael Moore and the right-wingers- (SO FAR TO THE RIGHT) come out. Case closed. Michael Moore, for you information, was raised in Flint, MI and watched first-hand what corporate mis-management can do to a town. As far as the healt-care system goes, I think people should look at all the facts. The truth is we have a great emergency and trauma health-care system but the rest, frankly, sucks. Almost nowhere else in the western democracies do people have to make the choice between eating or going to the doctor. Of course, some people do eat too much, including myself at times, but that does not mean I wouldn't deserve good health care if I needed it. What a crock. Maybe Michael should do a film called "fatso" about those who eat at the public trough for billions of dollars and turn around and complain about someone getting less than a thousand of month to live on because they are sick or disabled. Huckabee has just proven exactly why I would never vote for him. By the way, Michael Moore-haters, how many things did he say about Bush and the Iraq War were BS; tell me that.

Robert Catalano, Salem, OR (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 5:23 PM)

Tucker, it is time to leave. A 99:1 libs:cons ratio is too much to bear for the MSNBC crowd.

Hector Cruz (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 5:23 PM)

I agree totally with Kurt Kriz you have exactly the right idea and your comments are very compelling. And my opinion of Michael Moore is too horrific to type out what exactly I think of the creep. The fact that is a liar and a big fatso and is making money off of idiots who buy into his lies is appalling to say the least!!

lover of right (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 5:23 PM)

"The Great Uniter" has taken our country to such polarized extremes, with the help of "fair and balanced" journalism that is nothing short of the Jerry Spring Show, that most Americans can only parrot whatever Rush Limbaugh or Fox News regurgitates.

Look how many people attacked Michael Moore's movie before they ever saw it, simply because it was Michael Moore!

Hopefully the neocon movement will drown in its own pitard - sooner rather than later.

Mike Smith (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 5:25 PM)

I agree with Al from KS. Amazing. Michael Moore makes a movie and attacks a totally inadequate health care system, and the GOP conservatives go nuts with personal attacks on Michael Moore. Rush Limbaugh attacks every Democrat from time of birth to the present, and liberals and moderates basically say to themselves, "Typical comment. Consider the source."

Point being--when the facts are too pointed and too indefensible, GOP defenders attack the messenger.

Think about the legacy of this administration--Iraq, lousy health care, out-of-control immigration, loss of manufacturing jobs in USA, declining world image,
and the only thing the GOP can rail about is Michael Moore? That is an ostrich-type approach to solving America's problems.

Bruce, Springfield, IL (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 5:26 PM)

So far to the right....when will you neo-cons get over the fact that Bill Clinton had an affair and lied about it.....since when is the president the moral authority? It's so naive to think that ALL of the politicians (and probably Hillary too!) are NOT getting "favors". Grow up! It's reality, and it's none of your business.

Republicans: the epitome of hypocrisy. Bush is lying to us on a daily basis and that's just perfectly OK!

Blue Blooded, Las Vegas, NV (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 5:26 PM)

"Well, the Post Office runs a lot better than George Bush's War on Terror"

So are you agreeing that health care should be run like the post office, or disagreeing that health care should be run like post office?

Jamie Downs (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 5:28 PM)

Whatever Moore's shortcomings, I'd rather have someone present and discuss a REAL issue than be forced to discuss fake issues by the media. The presidential campaigns are much more lively and make more sense when the candidates are forced to discuss issues that affect the electorate like healthcare, guns, and foreign policy. So to attack Moore for merely bringing this heinous situation to light is "sicko". Why don't Guiliani and the other GOP lightweights just discuss the issues?

Kachies, St. Louis, MO (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 5:31 PM)

I find it amusing that "they", can take cheap shots at Moore(yes sometimes he set himself up) but; never really discuss the issue of health care. The other day on Foxx (yes I was somewhere, where I had no control over the TV - I wouldn't watch that crap by design) Wolf or one of the other "alleged news people", made a brillent statement about Hillery. Quote - Well you know she wants Universial Health care, the dems want to raise taxes and use that money for their social programs. Unquote. Now I understand how dare they try to use our money to help "US". Much rather spend it on an bogus war, so Billionair Bush can be a multi-Billionair. And while we make him and his gang of thugs richer, we should dread the day anyone in our family gets sick. Makes perfect sense. Who are these people???

Tina Bensley, Baltimore, Maryland (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 5:34 PM)

Regarding other countries "free health care", yes they pay for it with their taxes. At least their taxes are going to something positive versus ours which are going to kill people in foreign countries. Health care should be non-profit which doesn't necessarily mean run by the govt.
greed based health care will always be obscene! It should be a service and the people who provide it paid a reasonable wage, including doctors, nurses, mid levels, technicians, etc. I would rather pay for someone else's operation than another humvee in iraq.

merry beyeler (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 5:35 PM)

I think it is important to note if you haven't seen the film that it isn't a political film at all. It isn't about left or right, it is simply comparing our health care system to that of other countries and honestly when you see the difference, it is quite scary. Our system compared to some 30 other countries is severely lacking. I do consider this a must see for educational purpores, period.

Slightly Left, Edwardsville IL (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 5:38 PM)

Mchael Moore is a professional liar. However, there are problems with the healthcare system in this country. I don't know the answer but a Government Program is NOT the answer.

Tom, Chicago area (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 5:39 PM)

Kurt - If you're a fan of the truth, how is it you support this administration? Really, please answer without bringing up Clinton or some other democrat that has lied.

And, "lover of right" you might want to chime in, Since you think MM is a liar. Tell us how you can defend the LIAR in Chief? If lying is the impeachable offense, why are Bush & Cheney still in the White House?

Blue Blooded, Las Vegas, NV (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 5:40 PM)

To all of you who love to eat up the media hype and the lies they feed us about the GOP and our President, get real. Read and listen to both sides and make an opinion that is actually one of your own. Stop ragging on the far right because they stand for christianity and have some morals. Bill Clinton couldn't tie his own shoes w/out the help of his manwife. What a joke he made of our nation when he was in office but oh, everyone forgets about all the costs and lies told to us by the Democrats, HOW CONVENIENT!!!!! grow up!!

lover of right (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 5:43 PM)

One thing I truly despise about Republicans is the fact that everything to them is black and white. And yes, Gary in Des Moines, zebras ARE reactionaries!

LongOne (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 5:45 PM)

Time and again I read about the "bad healthcare" in places like Canada and England. Which kinds of begs the point since "bad healthcare" beats "NO healthcare" any day in my book!

Whether you love Michael Moore or hate him he is still right about the basic problem....healthcare for profit and politicians on the take!

Rob Ferris, St Louis, MO (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 5:52 PM)

errrrr...i'm not even a michael moore fan, but it drives me nuts that this 'news' blotter page lists some republican disses on the guy, pronounces 'ouch' as if they are going to hurt the credibility of the film, but then give no context for me to judge for myself whether the criticism should be accurate. i need to know what is being misrepresented in the film, i need to know where they stand on our current system which FRIGGING SUCKS (yes, compared to Canada where I have also received (very good) treatment), how they are going to defend it, and how the moore camp responds....plus, and this is unrelated (sort of, but not really) i am peeved at the way the guliani "swiftboaters" are compared to the kerry swiftboaters. at least the firefighters have some factual basis to lodge their complaints. i thought that the kerry critics were proven to be mere political hitmen...why are these two camps being compared as if they are the same thing?

chris (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 5:52 PM)

Lover of right....seriously, don't assume that we aren't listening to the opposition. I listen to Rush, Savage & Hannity, and occasionly try to sit through the FOX news....you must know your opponent. Why don't you try it? Obviously you aren't listening to either side if you don't think Bush is lying to you.

Blue Blooded, Vegas (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 5:55 PM)

Romney better stay out of this one.
He's got a $10 million home - and well - several homes - at least as many as Rudy has had wives.
And the media bashes Edwards for a $5 million home??
Oh wait - none of the OTHER millionaire candidates are advocating for the working poor. Bingo!

Lisa, Douglas, GA (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 5:58 PM)

a) Moore's movie is not about republicans, it is about the health care industry.

b) the health care industry is much much larger than Hillary Clinton, with deeper pockets than all of the billionares on the planet combined. she was in a steep up hill battle on wet clay, and was destined to fail.

c) canadians love their system, any comments to the contrary is right off the EIB broad cast network and has no basis in reality. Besides, there are better examples of National Healthcare: see Germany and Japan. In fact, there are literally dozens of other systems to learn from, as the US is the only industrialized nation on the planet that doesn't have it. BTW, we spend 64 times more per patient than Cuba, and we get the same results.

d) the poor in this country do have insurance, and it's loads better than the insuarnce they offer at IBM. It's name is Medicade, and it's the best insurance in the country. What we have to worry about are the middle class with "insurance" and the upwardly mobile clerks at the insurance company that get promoted based off of denying you procedures that doctor who spent 15 years in higher education and intership says you need.

e) it's funny to hear people bemoan "governmet run" insurance. You certainly wouldn't bemoan "government run" defense. Seriously, if privatization is the end all be all cure, why don't we privatize the police, firemen, and defense? Things that make you go "hmmmmm".

Joe the Man, panama city, FL (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 5:59 PM)

Those who oppose government health care are the very ones benefiting from the system, like drug companies and doctors and all the ancilary services that provide money to lobbyist to gauge the public. I can't believe health insurance cost a family of 2 or more, for HMO coverage as much as $10,000 or more just for the policy. Then you are not certain what else you will be asked to pay anytime you go to the doctor. Is this the way a system is supposed to work?
Cost more and get less? What is wrong with the voting public? Look at what the health care industry charges...where is the justification?

Pat Duncan (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 5:59 PM)

Antelopes are missionaries

Russell in Maryland (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 6:00 PM)

John Edwards has successfuly fought for the little guy and WON! - against the powerful Insurance and Pharmaceutical industries - corporate sponsors of the corporate media!
So that's it! I wondered why the corporate media was always smearing him.

annefrank (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 6:02 PM)

Why would anyone with a brain care what Michael Moore says about Healthcare ...or anything else? For the record, I am a Republican and proud of it. I've had many years in my life when I did not have health coverage, but it was never the responsibility of the government to use other taxpayers money to take care of me. Why doesn't the looney left ever want people to take responsibility for themselves and their children?

Gloria, La Honda CA (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 6:03 PM)

It's all plain simple folks. Vote out all the so-called republican. END OF STORY

mo (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 6:08 PM)

This movie was great, we need more people like Moore to stand up for us. I ask all of you, go to a person from Europe and ask them if they would trade there way of lift with ours. The first thing that they say is Our health care sucks, College cost are out of control and our child care in not attainable with out help. They see us as traped in a blackhole of Corporation control. Corporations run our country and we are their pods. In Europe the people come first and the people keep it that way. It's time to get ride of the people who scratch each other backs to destory our lives. Wake up people, only the poor people want to come here to USA, but they also want to go anywhere that gives them more options in life. Ask how many of them in Europe, if they would come here to America.

John Rodgers, Aliso Viejo, Ca (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 6:12 PM)

For you backwards neo-cons that think Republicans are the only ones with "morals" and religious beliefs, you have to know deep down that Jesus was a LIBERAL. If the word offends you, you don't know what it means! I am so sick of Democrats being tagged with the immoral and hethan labels. Again, it's so ignorant and simplistic. Like calling MM a fatso..... it's 3rd grade mentality.

Blue Blooded, LV (Sent Friday, July 13, 2007 6:14 PM)

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