In December 2003, Senator John Kerry used the 'f'-word on the record in a Rolling Stone interview (see it at http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/clips/news_2003_1202a.html). Although Rolling Stone magazine is accessible to anyone who cares to read it, Kerry's obscenity received minimal media attention or rebuke, especially at the left-friendly Los Angeles Times. A search of the archives at latimes.com for "+Kerry +'Rolling Stone'" returns zero results pertaining to Kerry's language lapse.

        However, on June 22, 2004, when Vice President Dick Cheney directed the exact same obscenity to Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) during a private exchange on the Senate floor, the Los Angeles Times published no less than four news and/or commentary articles on Cheney's curse in the ensuing days.

        1. "Cheney curses at Leahy: The vice president uses an obscenity on the floor of the Senate," June 25, 2004, p. A 21.

        2. "Cheney has no regrets about cursing senator," June 26, 2004, p. A 13.

        3. "Incivility Infiltrates the House, Senate: Encounters between members of the two bodies aren't new ...," June 27, 2004, p. A1 !

        4. "VP Is Just Following Bleeping Tradition," July 2, 2004, p. B13. (commentary)

        Is there a double standard at the Los Angeles Times in throwing the spotlight on Republicans' transgressions while giving Democrats a pass?

       

TheMediaReport.com says ... yes.