Paddykraska's diary "The Echo chamber vs. CNN's Mike Ware" provides an excellent birdseye view of how the wingers go about creating a controversy out of thin air.
This morning, around 7am, I was able to catch Mike Ware's live response to claims that he heckled Senator McCain during a press conference this weekend. Below the fold is a "Tivo-Transcript" of Ware's response:
Soledad: Let me ask you a question. There was a report that said you were heckling and you were laughing during the Senator's press conference. Was that true?
Ware: Well, let's bear in mind that this was a report that was linked by an unnamed official of some kind to a blog, somewhere on the internet. No one is going to put their name forward. We certainly haven't heard Senator McCain say anything about it, or has any of his staff come forward to say anything about it.
I did not heckle the Senator, indeed I did not say a word. I didn't even ask a question. In fact, when I raised my hand to ask a question, the press conference abruptly ended. So what I would suggest is that everyone that has any queries about whether I heckled, watch the video tape of the press conference.
BTW...Drudge's "developing story" contains to be developing, some 17 hours later.
**UPDATE** I have been trying , in vain, to find a full video of the Press Conference where Drudge claims Ware heckled McCain. I can't find a thing. The Associated Press does have clips of McCains statements, but not the full presser. I've looked on CNN (How about backing up your reporter???),CSpan, and both McCain and Graham's websites. I've also looked at the DOD website, and even Fox news. No one seems to have it posted. If you find a link, please post it here in the comments. In the meantime, I have sent a tip to Media Matters...they might be better at using "The Google" than I.
***UPDATE #2**** Media Matters is now following this, and has noted that the Washington Times also reported Drudge's story.
***UPDATE #3***** Little, in a comment below, informs us that Raw Story has video of the Q&A portion of the Press conference in question. (I"m having trouble loading and playing it, for some reason). Also of note, Drudge's story is no longer on his front page- which, I think, is his special and unique way of issueing a correction.