Does CBS See Itself as Part of the Kerry Campaign?
There was some small debate a bit ago in the discussion forum on whether or not the media was really liberal. PowerlineBog.Com points to this story which in many ways goes to the heart of that question. The highlights (emphasis added),
Joe Lockhart denied any connection between the presidential campaign and the papers. Lockhart, the second Kerry ally to confirm contact with retired Texas National Guard officer Bill Burkett, said he made the call at the suggestion of CBS producer Mary Mapes.
“He had some advice on how to deal with the Vietnam issue and the Swift boat” allegations, Lockhart said Monday, referring to GOP-fueled accusations that Kerry exaggerated his Vietnam War record. “He said these guys play tough and we have to put the Vietnam experience into context and have Kerry talk about it more.”
Lockhart said he thanked Burkett for his advice after a three to four minute call.
. . .
Lockhart said Mapes asked him the weekend before the story broke to call Burkett. “She basically said there’s a guy who is being helpful on the story who wants to talk to you,” Lockhart said, adding that it was common knowledge that CBS was working on a story raising questions about Bush’s Guard service. Mapes told him there were some records “that might move the story forward. She didn’t tell me what they said.”
What in the hell is a CBS producer doing acting as a conduit between an anti-Bush partisan and the Kerry campaign? Burkett has made it clear that he was angry that the Kerry campaign hadn’t returned his calls. Did he reach a quid pro quo with Mapes to contact Lockhart on his behalf in exchange for cooperation on the “60 Minutes II” piece about Bush’s National Guard service? Enquiring minds want to know.
Imagine the outrage if it were revealed that Fox’s Brit Hume had last year suggested that someone in the Bush administration given Swift Boat Veterans for Truth’s John O’Neill a call because O’Neill was being helpful on an anti-Kerry story?
This is apparently what passes for “good faith” at CBS.
Source:
Kerry Aide Talked to Retired Guard Officer. Associated Press, September 21, 2004.
Tags: CBS
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Sep 20th, 2004
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