MSNBC Apologizes for Reporting Faulty Romney Klan Connection
- Posted on December 14, 2011 at 6:16pm by
Christopher Santarelli
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MSNBC daytime anchor Thomas Roberts reported today on a blog post from the progressive site Americablog.com linking Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney to a campaign ad with the slogan “Keep America American.” As Roberts notes, the phrase was used as a rallying cry for the KKK during the 1920s:
However, it appears MSNBC and the progressive blog both missed the final 5 seconds of the “ad” which clearly reads “Mitt Romney does not actually support this ad.“ Not to mention the youtube channel that the blog reports the ”ad” to have originated from is not from the Romney campaign but kdipark, whoever that is.

The blog only presents two examples of Romney using the phrase, which at face value does not sound too different than any other campaign rhetoric, and there is no evidence that the candidate was attempting to hark on the particularly ugly nativist sentiments espoused by the Klan. While the blog is entitled “Romney adopts KKK Slogan: ‘Keep America American,“ the Romney campaign slogan has long been ”Believe in America.”
After the incendiary MSNBC report went viral, an NBC insider spoke with Mediaite that reports “NBC News President Steve Capus addressed this story this morning at an editorial meeting, and stressed the need for accuracy, fairness, and caution before proceeding. Capus is reportedly furious at the way the story was handled, and MSNBC is in the process of apologizing to the Romney campaign.”
Chris Matthews on MSNBC’s Hardball tonight apologized on behalf of the network for the report, calling it an “irresponsible” and “incendiary” attack on Mitt Romney.
The anchor who first acknowledged the blog report, Thomas Roberts, is the same MSNBC host who said the GOP presidential candidates would like to go back to a time when women couldn’t vote and “slavery was cool.”



















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Comments (159)
theduchessofkitty
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 7:20pmSorry. The horse is out of the barn. The ship has sailed. The train has left the station. Elvis has left the building…
How else to tell MSNBC that the damage has been done?
Report Post »BMartin1776
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 7:34pm~^~v~~^~~v~^~
Let me tell you something they don’t care. They don’t check their facts they got wind of something and got greedy. Its all about FTJ: “Fueling the Jet”. Be the first one on air with something, get the web traffic and tv ratings up = higher revenue from advertisers. In this case its even worse b/c they are an arm of the White House’s propaganda machine and after the political assassination done to Herman Cain these idgets are on a roll.
Im not coming to Romney or any candidates defense but its just BS at this point of how the left is constantly allowed to get away with murder. You know they were all salivating to no end and just had to get this out. Destroy an individual at all costs even if it isnt true. I contend as you say Kitty it doesnt matter b/c they knew and know once the info is out the damage in this day and age cant be undone esp when the media is dominated by hardcore leftists.
The only way any of these so called journalists and media outlets are going to get the message that the American people are tired of this is when the media and these individuals who propagate this drivels wallet takes a huge hit! Question is what are you prepared to do to make them feel it? http://SavingtheRepublic.com
Report Post »paperpushermj
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 7:41pmAgreed
Report Post »decendentof56
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 7:44pmBased on everything else MSNBC does that is “irresponsible and incendiary”, you would have to reach the conclusion that this was done intentionally.
Report Post »That is a fair conclusion to reach, and certainly as fair the conclusions that progressive MSNBC reaches with regards to any of its “enemies.”
Yes, the horse is out of the barn, and MSNBC opened it!
agameofthrones
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 7:47pmThey are the kings of knee-jerk reactions. They are worse than old ladies gossiping. Why would anyone even watch them?
Report Post »swenk
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 7:49pmThis is all by the Dem./Lib. playbook… hit and run… the damage is done and then whoops we didn’t really mean to spew malicious falsehoods.
Report Post »teamarcheson
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 7:53pmMillions of Americans heard this claim this morning on the way to work. Few if anyone will hear the half-witted retraction. Why won’t Beck claim that Obama has over one hundred gay lovers and then retract it as a mistake in the evening. Harry Reid a Mormon has three different wives and three separate families that the Senate is paying for. Beck can then retract the story in the evening as a journalistic slip.
Only the TEA can save us now.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 8:11pmThe Zombies have bitten the people and ate the brains. Nothing to do now but doubletap.
Report Post »bowtome
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 8:20pmThis is only one of the times they have been wrong.
http://politicalbowl.com – Political Videos
Report Post »West Coast Patriot
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 8:22pmThis is the least of Mitts worries. Yesterday Fox News , yes Fox News, did a poll asking if the Iowa cauvuses were held today which candidate would you vote for? Paul won, they took the poll off. Today another poll asking if the Presidential election was today who would you vote for> Coices: Obama, Gingrich , Romney and Other. Other wins with 81.09%!!! I suspect the other is mostly for Paul! Go Ron Paul, people are waking up.
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 8:40pmWill MSNBC also apologize to Willard Mitt Romney for their support for Barack Hussein Obama Jr?
Report Post »AhLeahIris
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 9:05pmThere’s no reason to lie about Romney. The truth is bad enough: http://wp.me/p1HGwx-1Ip
Report Post »rock-n-roll-rebel
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 9:18pmIt is impossible to explain things to people that live in a delusion, sorry bout that.
Report Post »cantbelieveallthisgarbagecouldhappenwhodoislap
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 11:00pmabsolutly,fact! one none truth told and carried by lamestream = truth for the hard working Americans.Once again people trust media ! again it was twisted. News was what it was, how do you expect real people to really find the facts to care for there country and family.
Report Post »GOD bless America and my fellows.
The thing that gets me!
These things were writen about along time ago.I still get p=ss-d
Miami
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 11:28pmSo MSNBC also know as the “Marx Sympathetic Neurotic Boorish Commune” is backing off an outrageous statement about a candidate? I thought that’s was the whole objective of their charter. To purposely distort the conservative view point as arcane and obsolete even bigoted. So to see them reverse coarse on a candidate makes me wonder what their intent is and it’s not just them but the New York Times has done the same. It makes me believe that there’s a game afoot.
Why will good people not run for the office? Has our country grown so corrupt…?
And as for you all Paul a trons, please he puts the Liberal in Libertarian
Report Post »Constantine Ivanov
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 11:57pm“How else to tell MSNBC that the damage has been done?” you asked. Huh? To tell? What for? They did it intentionally, not by a mistake. It’s like you say to a robber: “why are you robbing this bank?” and he answers: “Oh, sorry, I meant just to deposit my check.”
Report Post »SgtB
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 9:59amI don’t give a damn if this does hurt Romney. They pull this kind of BS on Ron Paul everyday. They even do it in nationally televised presidential debates. Romney is Obama Lite and will bring us ever larger gov’t. He might say that he’s going to get rid of a few executive branches, but like Reagan, after that he will increase spending and I fear that he will commit us to another war because we cannot live as a nation without being at war somewhere.
And don’t even get me started on the 2nd amendment backstabbing, anthropogenic global climate change believing, UN Agenda 21 supporting, adulterous, fraudulent, lobbying Newt. Whoever thinks he is a good choice has neither a brain nor internet access.
Report Post »DrFrost
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 11:13amThat‘s the whole point isn’t it? Do the damage as loud as you can during prime time with ample air time and then apologize in 5 seconds at 3 am. Truth is not part of MSNBC’s agenda. It never has been. It never will be.
Report Post »JPDevuyst
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 11:41amI wonder if MSNBC reported that the Klan sprung from the democratic party?? Or that the democrats legalized segregation? Hmm…
Report Post »smithclar3nc3
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 12:50pmMaybe everyone should refer to the KKK as the democratic KKK party as the referenced themselves as. Everytime anyone refers to the KKK include the party that represents it.
Report Post »VoteBushIn12
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 2:07pm“MSNBC Apologizes”
That says it all. You know what title you would never see?
“Fox News Apologizes”
Even though they are wrong on ALL the hot issues. And by wrong I of course mean lying.
Report Post »Laus Deo
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 7:19pmmsnbc needs to apologize for being a phony news source.
Report Post »Furrystoat
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 7:18pmConsidering that the Klan was founded as, and always has been a DEMOCRAT organization, it‘s unfortunate that MSDNC gets its own history wrong but that’s to be expected. The Left will say and do absolutely anything to retain power and prop up their failed Golden Child.
Report Post »PKama
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 3:28amHere’s a little fact for the idiots at MSLSD and any stupid progressive that think that the Republicans or Tea Party are racists.
Founded in 1866, the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) extended into almost every southern state by 1870 and became a vehicle for white southern resistance to the Republican Party’s Reconstruction-era policies aimed at establishing political and economic equality for blacks. Its members waged an underground campaign of intimidation and violence directed at white and black Republican leaders. Though Congress passed legislation designed to curb Klan terrorism, the organization saw its primary goal–the reestablishment of white supremacy–fulfilled through DEMOCRATIC victories in state legislatures across the South in the 1870s. After a period of decline, white Protestant nativist groups revived the Klan in the early 20th century, burning crosses and staging rallies, parades and marches denouncing immigrants, Catholics, Jews, blacks and organized labor. The civil rights movement of the 1960s also saw a surge of Ku Klux Klan activity, including bombings of black schools and churches and violence against black and white activists in the South.
Report Post »SgtB
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 10:06amTo be fair, the only reason the KKK is “democrat” is because Lincoln was a Republican. However, it is more important to note that Lincoln pissed on our Constitution and didn’t give a damn about the slaves. He only used them as a pawn so that the “Union” could continue to tax southern ports, which is where the majority of tax revenue came from during the months when northern ports were closed with ice.
I’m not for the KKK or slavery, I’m just anti-Lincoln. In fact, the practice of slavery was already on its‘ way to the grave and would have ended on its’ own without the war. It turns out that tractors are far more efficient and easier to maintain than slaves.
Report Post »TexanRon
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 7:14pmYou can’t unring the bell.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 7:30pmBut you can ring my beeeeeeelllllll, ring my bell.
Hey, Texanron, you support racist. Texas was a southern state, therefore you support racist.
Oh, my bad. I take that back, but let me do it very quietly to the 3 idiots that watch my news channel. Oh wait, it doesn’t matter, because the 3 people that watch me are brain dead zombies.
I think you hit that one with a ringing applause Texanron.
By the way, does anyone really watch MSNBC, or is it they just put that channel on in places where no one can change the channel and are virtually hostages, like the DMV, Prison, Dr’s Office, or in Ed Shultz’s bedroom (that would be an actual hostage).
Report Post »nobull14
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 7:13pmIt figures MSNBC always report false statement and all out lies !!!!! Bad reporting and even worse Reporters and news anchors ? I think they should be fined at least 6 figures and have it taken from there pay checks
Report Post »lel2007
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 7:09pmThe classic attack tactic. Spread the S’hit, then apologize.
Report Post »brntout
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 7:09pmWait a minute,does not actually support this add?Really there’s a clue.
Report Post »Jenny Lind
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 7:07pmJerks, nough said.
Report Post »Donald
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 7:06pmPerfect—At first I thought eddie broke the story.
Report Post »lodgerat
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 7:57pmI can‘t stand eddie and I’ve only seen him once
Report Post »mattmo79
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 7:05pmThat’s how it works, come up with a complete disgusting lie and then retract it after a few days. Half the idiots that aren’t really paying attention now thing Romney has clan connections. So, what’s the next pile of dung PMSNBC is going to make up?
Report Post »drattastic
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 7:09pmStandard operating procedure for liberals
Report Post »paleoman
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 7:04pmThomas Roberts is a racist.
Report Post »BQI
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 7:01pmDon’t have time to offer a comment on this. Al Sharpton is coming on….got to go….MSNBC is the best…………joke.
Report Post »wordweaver
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 7:00pmThe FCC needs to pull the plug on these clowns.
Report Post »Andy Cooper
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 6:43pmI’ll bet $10,000 that MSNBC forgot that they want Romney against Obama in the general election.
Report Post »flatbroke
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 6:41pmyeah! sure! put something out there, then say OH! i am sorry made a mistake. right like that appoligy is believable.
Report Post »NewLife56
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 6:37pmHow in the world does Microsoft remain a part of this stupidity? How does MSNBC even remain on the air? And how can NBC news ever want to have it’s name on this brand?
It’s time for MSNBC to go.
Report Post »packsack54
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 6:35pmYou have seen nothing yet in this election, it only will be much more dirt and untruths yet to come by MSNBC.
Report Post »geonj
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 6:32pmand why isn’t this roberts losing his job? isn’t this the type of action, along with this loon’s history, that should get an unobjective reporter fired?
Report Post »PaulAnn
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 6:31pmI bet they never lobbed any KKK connection at Al Gordo….His daddy was so far up the Klan’s posterior that he voted against the Civil Rights bill. Another was Robert Byrd. Did the liberal media talk about his connections with the KKK. Geroge Wallace….Democrat. Segregation was the baby of the Democrats. No matter how far and fast they run, they history lives. Just trying getting the MSM to use it.
Report Post »YepImaConservative
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 7:13pmJus‘ sayin’….
Ron Paul told MSNBC’s Chris Matthews that he would not have voted for the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The Ron Paul “militia encampment” claims that he recieves more money from the “Military” than any other Republican candidate, but what the “ militia encampment” fails to mention is that Ron Paul also recieves the most money from White Supremacist groups (Neo-Nazis etc.). I’ve already shown in the past where the “Military donation” claim is as bogus as Ron Paul “on-line poll” wins. Manipulation by Paul’s over-zealous mini-me’s is a common practice of the desperate.
Report Post »THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 7:29pm@Yepimatroll,
You are a first class liar! Where is the proof to back up your claims? Even if white supemacists did give more to his campain how is he suppose to know? Second dont you think if they did it was because they want the Constitution preserved so they can march? Even if we say they are stupid it is their right…and by the way here is my proof you are a first class troll paid by the nwo shills…
http://vimeo.com/6445068
Report Post »YepImaConservative
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 7:41pmLmao > TRUTH? Your writings sound hysterical TRUTH. Prove me wrong. Btw, aren‘t you the dedicated Paul supporter agreeing with China and it’s war on drugs, eh? You even went as far as to CONGRATULATE China on it’s EXECUTION of Chinese women just trying to make some extra bong bank, lol.
Knowing the TRUTH about Ron Paul (and who you lay in bed with) will REALLY set you free TRUTH. Not the wishful thinking kind of TRUTH… but the really real TRUTH… LOL.
Report Post »West Coast Patriot
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 8:29pmYepimacommie, Yep, Yep, Yep, we have to prove you wrong? You’re as bad as MSNBC you commie jerk. You are as UnAmerican as I have seen on this site. Fox News had a poll yesterday online that when Paul was winning, they took down. Today they tried to be a little sneakier and put up another poll with just Romney, Gingrich, Obama and Other. Other wins with over 81%! I should be thanking you as you are helping by bashing Paul the way you do. You get more people to research the idiotic things you say and they are finding the truth. The truth shall set you free!! That is Ron Paul, the truth!
Say hi to your family for me.
Report Post »West Coast Patriot
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 8:39pmGotta go Yep, I will tangle with you later. Feel free to post more lies and help Ron out. Thanks for all your efforts.
Again, say hi to your family for me.
Report Post »YepImaConservative
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 8:58pmThis is what I love about you Ron Paul supporters. Your Liberal-like tourettes and Liberal-like childishness when confronted with someone who knows EXACTLY what you are and what you represent… not to mention who your Reagan, Republican and Conservative insulting Texas Jack-Wabbit beds down with (Lew Rockwell, Neo-Nazis, extreme racists and ant-semites) and doesn’t refute. Don’t give me that Horse-Shiite that Ron Paul represents “Freedom , Liberty, Constitution and the American way” blah-blah-blah BS. Ron Paul represents a new type of chaos for this country, while being enthusiastically embraced by the some of the worst that America has circling around the toilet of society… just like Obama. Ron Paul is no Conservative and neither are his supporters. You may want to think you are, but with the exception of a couple economic bulleyes… you and Paul subscribe to the worst that Liberalism offers this country… just like Obama.
Report Post »YepImaConservative
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 9:09pm> WESTCOASTLIBERAL. Btw, did you see the Ron Paul for President signs at La Raza rallies? I did, hmmmm, lol.
Report Post »rock-n-roll-rebel
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 9:36pmRon Paul is going to win Iowa, ha ha.
Report Post »YepImaConservative
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 9:47pm> ROCK. It could very well happen. Iowa is an isolationist state, lots of young and naive college kids who like his leftist Liberal foreign policy, anti-war and drug message, lol. I think he will come in 3rd. Wanna’ bet $10,000.00 I’m right? Lmao! Newt, Romney then Paul.
Obama/Paul
Report Post »2012, lol
West Coast Patriot
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 5:00amHey Yep, You just make a fool of yourself over and over and over again don’t you. C’mon, you have to see that you are completely off your rocker, right? Everyone on here knows it, but you just cannot see it. How many times do you get positive feedback vs. negative feedback? Duh! Maybe you should just find another site that caters to your ramblings without question. Like I said before, you are probably more responsible for turning people onto Paul than I am. Keep up the good work. The more you come up with these ridiculous viewpoints bashing Ron, the more people flock to his site. Once they actually research his policies, the more that come to our side. The truth shall set you all free. Just do as Glenn say’s, do not take my word for it, do your own homework, research yourselves and you will find the truth. All you Paul bashers forget that. Why, if we were actually wrong, would we even ask you to research yourselves? If we were wrong, that would be an idiotic thing to ask. We do it because we know that Ron Paul is right. He has been right for thirty years, but everyone, including myself, did not want to hear the truth. Wake up and research Ron Paul. Please, before it is too late.
By the way, say hi to your family for me.
Report Post »YepImaConservative
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 6:32am> LMAO WESTCOASTLIBERAL. I don’t measure my comments here by negative or positive feedback. Not looking for it, nor do I care. I’m here to post comments for myself and the topic, not for whomever may respond or to give me a narcissistic high. What DOES give me a woody though is that I know each and every Ron Paul leftist here reads what I write and it pees them (you) off to no end. That in of itself gives me satisfaction. You always seem to find time to post WESTCOASTLIBERAL. Lol.
He77, I didn’t know I had that kind of power with my “ridiculous viewpoints” to make people “flock” to Ron Paul. or to anyone else. Lmao at the wishful thinking of Paul supporters to get new acolytes. If anyone does “flock” to Ron Paul in any way shape of form, I just see them as misguided, and that’s probably a birth defect from the get go, lol. They and you can‘t be helped no matter what little ’ol me writes. Ha! Nice try though with today’s newest spin… leftist.
Obama/Paul
Report Post »2012, lol.
West Coast Patriot
Posted on December 15, 2011 at 5:36pmYep, Second poll; Who do you think will win tonights debate? Paul 83.1% Gingrich 12.12% Romney 2.83% all the rest < 1%. Looks like all you Progressives are getting your as*es handed to you.
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 6:25pmwe think it sounds great: ” let’s KEEP AMERICA AMERICAN!” great bumper sticker.
Report Post »scuba13
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 6:29pmMSNBC should apologize for being on the air.
Report Post »GeorgieJo
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 6:40pmMSNBC should apologize for being FULL OF HOT AIR
TO: Chrissy/RevySharpo/SgtSchultzee/RamondMaddcow/CuppaJoey/MeekaBee/AndreeFEDMitchell/FChuckFingerTodd/AlRoasted/SavanahGoAwayGutherie/MikeyBostonBarnfill/WillieGiester/DavidKorndog and LARRY SOCIALIST O’Donkey
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Report Post »Now go blow up some balloons you bunch of MOONBATS!!!
seeker9
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 6:58pmGeorgie got most of the clown show included in that post, but missed the Bashir guy..
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 6:24pmit was deliberate. they cannot unring a bell. time to start telling the world about those unfortunate gay young black men that were executed in Chicago, all friends of obama and were members of obama/wright’s anti-American anti-semitic BLT church, one of their mothers were standing screaming for vengeance against obama right out front of the church: no media reported it. they were murdered to silence them when obama began to campaign for 2008 ‘president”. why would GAY MEN be murdered so they could not talk about their relationships with barack obama.
Report Post »chips1
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 9:01pmDid Obama swallow the evidence? Somethings not human about that guy!!!
Report Post »LVMerrily
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 6:22pmWhy on earth shouldn’t MSNBC be allowed to say whatever they please and truth be damned? The truth is so inconvenient to these guys. Tell this story instead of the Hezbolla-Drug Cartel story. Who needs to know what is factual?
Report Post »HKS
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 6:28pmLooks like another stroke for that stellar credibility over at NBC, makes one want to believe everything that they say and liberals do. Pitiful, they have no clue what planet their on.
Report Post »tifosa
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 6:34pmYou must be a Fox viewer. They argued the very same thing and won. http://message.snopes.com/showthread.php?t=23679
Report Post »IMPEACHBHO
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 6:22pmI guess when you were at the meeting you just thought you saw someone that looked like him…
Report Post »Welcome Black Carter
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 6:21pmThe damage is done. Their goal achieved…
Report Post »YepImaConservative
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 9:57pmHave to admit… your screen name veddy, veddy, accurate, lol. Funnier than the time Carter was attacked by a “killer rabbit” while in a row boat fishing. Seriously.
Report Post »cantbelieveallthisgarbagecouldhappenwhodoislap
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 11:15pmTrue!! for the working no time having family loving people,with no time to find the truth.
Report Post »No way I would vote for him,but ! Him vs omooch. him!
TRONINTHEMORNING
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 6:18pmHey, no sweat MSNBC, no one heard it anyway. NO ONE WATCHES YOU PEOPLE!
Report Post »TX_45_ACP
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 6:54pmLOL. Yeah, I doubt it will hurt their ratings in any way.
Report Post »brntout
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 7:13pmSorry TRON, did you catch the not actually endorse this message?
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