Begala vs. Garrett?
Paul Begala writes about the FNC report that said that he was joining the Hillary Clinton campaign. The stunning part of the story though is the email exchange between Begala and Major Garrett, which Begala includes in his story. Including email exchanges in a story when the other side doesn’t know you’re going to do it (and I assume that is the case here) is always a dicey proposition.
Update: Garrett addressed this yesterday on his blog…
The sourcing on the story is impeccable and its been confirmed through other, external sources very close to the Clinton campaign. The story has always said this is a matter that has to be finalized in a shake-down meeting tomorrow after what is expected to be a bruising Clinton loss here in New Hampshire.
The final decision is due tomorrow but the current intention, as The Bourbon Room first reported, is to bring Begala and Clinton on board as day-to-day strategists on a volunteer basis.
One of the realities of political coverage, is denials fly until the press release is out. There’s no press release on this. It is in development and that’s always the way The Bourbon Room has reported it.
I don’t have an ounce of a problem with him including the email because they prove that Garrett simply believed Begala was lying to him.
“You also know, or should know, that I’m careful and don’t have a reputation for pulling stories out of my ass. I’m not now. The sourcing is strong, very strong, or I wouldn’t go with it.”
That is, ‘I’ll believe my source on what you’re going to do before I’ll believe YOU on what you’re going to do.’
Comment by Arthur — January 9, 2008 @ 1:19 pm
“My worry is that if this is what one of Fox’s best and most respected reporters is doing, what are the hacks up to?”
WOW! Now this is what I’m talking about! Complete with JUICY emails! WOOOOOOOO! Oh, before I forget, I don’t really care for Begala or Garrett.. but think Garrett and by extension FNC should be awfully ashamed over this one.
Comment by Terance — January 9, 2008 @ 1:38 pm
Someone played MG like a fiddle…and he allowed it….
Comment by wenchie — January 9, 2008 @ 2:01 pm
Wow - I agree with Arthur again!
I was watching yesterday on and off, and Fox kept pushing this story. Each time Garrett stated that he had his “sources” about the story, with him then stating that he had e-mail from Begala contradicting the news. It is exactly as Arthur characterizes above - “I’ll believe my source on what you’re going to do before I’ll believe YOU on what you’re going to do.”
When I first heard this, I thoought they must have just had a false lead, and since Garrett himself was there to clear things up, they’d immediately drop the story. But they did not! They went on many other times repeating this same scenario, each time tossing to Garrett who also gave his “he is but says he isn’t” account.
It was almost as low as them leaving Duncan Hunter out of the discussion group this weekend!
Comment by Missy — January 9, 2008 @ 2:16 pm
Anybody wanna take bets that before this campaign is all over, both Begala and Carville will be working for Hillary (if not covertly advising her already)?
Comment by Ira — January 9, 2008 @ 2:24 pm
Ira, you’re right on that. Maybe the story was just wrong regarding the timing.
Comment by Missy — January 9, 2008 @ 2:37 pm
You are right again, Ira.
These two guys know where the levers are and who the players are. They will, one day, be on the Clinton campaign.
Comment by Cella — January 9, 2008 @ 3:02 pm
Perhaps it’s just because I don’t trust the Clintons… but I wouldn’t be surprised if Ira is correct. What if MG found out something he wasn’t supposed to find out… that the duo is actually advising them, while at the same time working for CNN. That would allow them to have a hand in controlling the media from the inside, while advising the campaign behind the scenes.
Could be some real devious stuff.
Comment by ImNotBlue — January 9, 2008 @ 4:03 pm
Or it could be simply that Major Garrett’s source was wrong.
Comment by myview — January 9, 2008 @ 4:24 pm
… or MG’s source has an unrevealed agenda…
Comment by Arthur — January 9, 2008 @ 5:23 pm
That’s a possibility also.
Comment by myview — January 9, 2008 @ 5:28 pm
Blue: I also wouldn’t be surprised if Dick Morris is covertly working for somebody, perhaps Huckabee.
And wouldn’t it be a kick if Morris is secretly working for Hillary!
Comment by Ira — January 9, 2008 @ 7:53 pm
And here I was complementing Garrett on his professionalism just the other day on one of Spud’s other posts. This episode is making me think otherwise.
Comment by STP — January 9, 2008 @ 8:19 pm
Conservative talk-show host Mark Levin noted on National Review Online’s blog, “The Corner,” that Morris and Newt Gingrich are working for Huckabee.
Comment by chalmers — January 9, 2008 @ 8:20 pm
Gingrich working for Huckabee? Gingrich is much more intelligent and seems a lot more “presidential”. What’s that all about?
Comment by Missy — January 9, 2008 @ 10:29 pm
I don’t know why FNC continues to use Dick Morris.
He is a snake oil salesman. Creepy!
Comment by Cella — January 9, 2008 @ 10:54 pm