FLAGRANT USE OF FABRICATED QUOTES AND DISTORTION OF STREISAND'S COMMENTS

A conservative Republican candidate desperately tying to unseat respected Democratic Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy made a last-ditch effort to gain some name recognition by devising ads in which she blatantly misquoted Barbra Streisand. The Advertisements fabricated outrageous quotes and completely misrepresented Ms. Streisand's deep opposition to the Iraqi dictator, Saddam Hussein. An Associated Press correspondent brought the ads to the attention of Ms. Streisand's representatives Tuesday, October 15, requesting comment.

Content of Marilyn O'Grady for Congress ad (as reported by Associated Press):

THE LIE:

"Barbra Streisand defends Saddam Hussein and then rips George Bush as a frightening dictator. The Post calls her Baghdad Babs, but Carolyn McCarthy calls her a contributor. After she voted to slash defense by two billion dollars, Streisand wrote her a fat check. Now McCarthy is silent as her liberal pal bashes our President. Marilyn O'Grady fully supports the Bush war on terrorism. Carolyn McCarthy doesn't."

THE TRUTH:

Following is the reply sent to Associated Press correspondent Frank Eltman:

This is another example of the Republican way of trying to discredit the messenger before the public can get the message. Ms. O'Grady's deceitful radio and tv ads put egregiously fabricated words in Ms. Streisand's mouth. The O'Grady assertion that "Barbra Streisand rips George Bush as a frightening dictator" is simply fantasized. In Ms. Streisand's remarks at the recent Democratic National Gala, she spoke of having seen President Bush on television saying jokingly.. and these are the President's words, not Ms. Streisand's.. "If this were a dictatorship, it would be a heck-of-a-lot easier, just so long as I'm the dictator."