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Great Call: In Emails To Sanford's Office, Right-Wing Media Dismissed Missing Gov Story
The State newspaper of South Carolina has used a public records request to obtain emails sent to and from Governor Mark Sanford's office during the hectic few days last month when he had gone missing. It's not surprising that the emails underline the utter confusion that beset the governor's hapless aides as they tried to ward off inquiries about their boss's whereabouts, without themselves having any idea where he was.
But they also show something even funnier: an effort by the right-wing media to curry favor with Sanford's office by dismissing the story as a storm in a teacup created by the liberal media. It's fair to say that, as news judgments go, it would be hard to find one that turned out worse than this -- given the subsequent revelations about Sanford's Argentinian liaison and his abandonment of his post.
Let's look at the details:
In an email to Sanford press secretary Joel Sawyer, Brendan Miniter, an editor of the Wall Street Journal's OpinionJournal.com, called out his own paper's first-day coverage (sub. req.) of the story, writing: "Someone at WSJ should be fired for today's story. Ridiculous."
On June 23rd -- by which time Sanford had been missing for five days and his staff had offered unconvincing explanations about his whereabouts -- a Fox News Channel correspondent wrote to Sawyer:
Having known the Governor for years and even worked with him when he would host radio shows for me -- I find this story and the media frenzy surrounding it to be absolutely ridiculous! Please give him my best.
And a Washington Times staffer at one point wrote in an email to the governor's office:
If you all want to speak on this publicly, you're welcome to Washington Times Radio. You know that you will be on friendly ground here!
In fact, it may have been a "conservative," rather than a conservative, who went furthest in dismissing the story to Sanford's office. Stephen Colbert, himself a native South Carolinian, wrote a friendly email to Sawyer on the 24th, in an effort to get Sanford to come on his show:
As you may know, I declared myself Governor of South Carolina last night. I went power mad for abut 40 seconds before learning that Gov. Sanford was returning today.If the governor is looking for a friendly place to make light of what I think is a small story that got blown out of scale I would be happy to have him on. In person here, on the phone, or in South Carolina.
Stay strong, Stephen
Neither Miniter of the Wall Street Journal, nor Washington Times executive editor John Solomon immediately responded to a call from TPMmuckraker requesting comment.
But we hear that The State plans to publish more of the emails it has obtained later today or tomorrow, which may shed further light on the issue. So we'll keep you posted.
Late Update: Washington Times executive editor John Solomon responds, telling TPMmuckraker that the email was sent not by the paper's newsroom staff but by a marketing employee doing booking for the radio show.
Solomon admitted that describing the show as "friendly ground" for Sanford was a "poor choice of words," adding: "We don't view ourselves as friendly or unfriendly, we view ourselves as fair."
But he said that the employee was reminding Sanford's office that the governor had recently appeared on the show, rather than implying that he would receive favorable treatment.
And Solomon pointed out that the paper had subsequently broken the news that Sanford had admitted to other extra-marital liaisons. "I think our journalism stands on its own. That we not only treated the story fairly, but aggressively," he said.
Josh
Zachary
I love the sound of the other shoe dropping....
July 14, 2009 12:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
I love the "liberal media."
July 14, 2009 1:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
I love the sound of breaking glass.
July 14, 2009 2:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
I need the noises of destruction
When there's nothing new
July 14, 2009 3:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Kudos for the Nick Lowe reference!
July 14, 2009 3:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Great stuff. Always good to know that the conservative media are as objective and impartial in private as they are in public.
July 14, 2009 1:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Happy Trails to you, Right Wing Media, Appalachian Style.
July 14, 2009 1:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just wondering what liberal media. Most major papers in SC are conservative including the "The State"
This Governor has no idea what he has done to himself and the state. To him it is like nothing happened.
Even "The State" newspaper originally call for him to stay in office because Sanford was considered a better governor that the Lt Governor would be, they have since changed their mind.
July 14, 2009 1:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
In an late 60s movie about newspapers called "Gaily, Gaily" set in 1900, the crusty old editor asks the rookie reporter "Do you know what a sex maniac does? He sells newspapers!"
July 14, 2009 5:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Since conservatives can't tell Colbert is sending them up, does this mean Colbert does want to be governor? Will the Republicans nominate him?
Will Democrats refrain from laughing until after Colbert is elected? I promise to try.
July 14, 2009 1:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
priceless with Colbert.
this show go all the way to broadway, or olbermann, anyway.
July 14, 2009 1:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
OK, so it's funny in a not so funny way. Let us not forget that the press is supposed to play a pivotal role in a functioning democracy. They bring the truth to light and provide objective anyalysis. They are trained to be objective and stay above the fray. Of course this is difficult if not impossible but it is the implicit goal of journalism.
"Having known the Governor for years and even worked with him when he would host radio shows for me -- I find this story and the media frenzy surrounding it to be absolutely ridiculous! Please give him my best."
Yip, he pretty much reveals the entire problem right there, doesn't he? Moreso than he realizes, I'm sure.
I know, I know. I'm naive to think this but it still makes me sick.
July 14, 2009 1:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
You're confusing the Murdoch-owned WSJ editorial board, Murdoch-owned Fox News and the Moonie-owned Washington Times with actual journalism. It's an easy mistake to make, because they claim to be journalists, often resemble journalists, and sometimes make journalist-like sounds. But don't be fooled - they are merely mimics, like this creature:
http://conservationreport.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/dead-leaf-butterfly.jpg
July 14, 2009 1:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Great photo! But, those cold sores are some of the worst I have seen.
July 14, 2009 2:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
I love it when animals mimic dead things. Kind of reminds me of today's Republican party.
July 14, 2009 3:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
What are the odds that "media critic" and right-wing concern troll Howard Kurtz touches this? Someone that does the Twitter should ask him.
July 14, 2009 1:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Kurtz is too busy being shocked that a lefty-type said the word "blowjob" on basic cable:
http://twitter.com/HowardKurtz/status/2619416491
Quick, get the fainting couch out and pass Howie the smelling salts.
July 14, 2009 1:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am sure the "Fox News Correspondent" will say this was just a way to get a nose under the tent to do an interview to find out the real truth, har har, but I think TPM should do a contest:
Who was the "Fox News Correspondent"?
It was identified by The State as a "Fox News Channel correspondent" and not a News correspondent for a local Fox News affiliate--a big difference in my book. So it has to be a Fox guy at National.
My mad money is on Carl Cameron.
July 14, 2009 1:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
I read on some other blog that it was Rick Santorum who got the e-mail from Hampton on Fox News and decided not to help Hampton. It was first reported that Megan Kelly received the plea for help from Hampton but then it was later traced to Santorum. Don't know if that is true or not.
July 14, 2009 3:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well Lars, he was indeed trying to put his nose somewhere, but I don't think it was under a tent.
July 14, 2009 10:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
So, today it's Sanford's turn. Tomorrow it will back to Ensign, and probably Palin will sneak her way in there at some point...oh wait, she already has an op-ed in the Post today.
Sanford, Ensign, Palin. Sanford, Ensign, Palin. Lather, rinse, repeat, until 2012.
July 14, 2009 1:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
With extra emphasis on the lather.
July 14, 2009 5:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh my does this confirm a vast right-wing conspiracy?
This metaphor for a cultural war continues to be shown as something very real, from the secret government run by Cheney and Addington to this direct involvement in news events.
There will be much bigger direct lines and then they will still scream that they are the ones up against a liberal conspiracy.
July 14, 2009 1:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
The best part is how the "real" media people who contacted the Guv's staff sound identical to Colbert.
These guys satirize themselves, with no help from Colbert!
July 14, 2009 1:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
or it shows how perfectly he mocks them, even in private emails. he knows how to speak to these idiots in their own tongue
July 14, 2009 2:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Remember the Ensign scandal?
Doug Hampton sends his incriminating info to FOX? And FOX sits on the info?
This is not a coincedence.
July 14, 2009 1:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
They have a good excuse...their masters told them to.
July 14, 2009 2:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
It shouldn't be a surprise that, even when confronted with naked facts, journalistic rightwing hit-men like John Solomon would simply throw another person under the bus and deny the truth.
The depths of depravity these types exhibit make a soulless ghoul look like mahatma gandhi.
July 14, 2009 2:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dear Josh,
I love your "family of websites" and the work that you and your staff do. Now, please tell me what I can do to help keep the hacks in the so-called Mainstream Media from being nothing but mouthpieces for every corporate interest and every crooked politician in America.
Stay strong,
Dan
July 14, 2009 3:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
ROTFLMAO! Oh man, that's a good one. I can't stop laughing.
Now seriously, what did Solomon really say?
July 14, 2009 4:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
I do enjoy reading about all the Republicans getting caught with infidelity issues. What makes it even better is when they are the very ones who stand on a soapbox and preach "ahem, ah Family Values." On the other hand the democrats are on no better ground when the Massachusetts senator (BF -what does you think the BF in Barney Frank stands for - promotes his vision of Family Values with his dick up someones butt. It's not a case of double standards, it is rather a case of no standards.
July 14, 2009 5:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Even leaving the adultery morality tale out of the story, still not a word from them on the fact that the governor went AWOL from his job. That alone was supremely irresponsible. Any regular Joe would be fired.
But in the inverted reality of today's GOP and their media toadies, going AWOL or quitting altogether is considered service to a higher calling.
July 14, 2009 5:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not having seen all the e-mails, it's hard to conclude that the news organizations themselves have shown fealty to the governor. The examples show individual players within those groups showing some sort of deference. TPM needs to do a better job of presenting such information. That's all.
July 14, 2009 9:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Vincennes,
TPM did a great job on this. I used to write for a national newsweekly, a Hearst newspaper and a national West Caost paper. This type of insider trading goes on all the time. The editors put the pressure on everyone to get the story ... NOW. "I don't care what you do, just get it." I'm guessing these editors wrote the emails after the reporters failed to come up with anything and used the "Hey I'm your buddy" tactic to loosen them up. Had one of the staffer said "He's gone! I can't find him" and the right wing papers buried it, then that would have been a much bigger deal.
July 14, 2009 10:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Didn't someone decide there was no liberal media?
There is truth and there is sewage.
When that term first evloved ??10-15 years ago it was mainly an excuse to say "if you don't like our lies, you must be liberal".
But who says liberal media anymore and has active brain cells?
Probably not so bad if you run off for a few days to get sex. If you are a gov it may show drunken stuper or maybe something else.
Don't gov's usually have a go-to guy/girl to cover for them?
Maybe not.Just remembered that gov from ak
July 15, 2009 7:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
I never heard a thing about him going missing till he came back and admitted to the affair... what I want to know is did he get caught because her took off or did he take off because he knew he was about to get caught.
Oh Stephen Colbert.. you are still the Governor of South Carolina in my heart.
July 16, 2009 12:20 PM | Reply | Permalink