Monday, June 04, 2007
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Giuliani Campaign Hits the 'Mormon Issue'
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Posted by:
Matt Lewis at
3:03 PM
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Breaking what many consider an "unwritten rule" of political journalism, NY Sun blogger Ryan Sager has published an email from a Giuliani staffer, meant to spread what some might consider an anti-Romney story.
The email draws "attention to an article from today's Salt Lake Tribune tying Mr. Romney to a disavowed Mormon prophecy of a "White Horse" that will ride onto the national stage to save the Constitution."
Until now, it was unclear whether this story was being pushed by the McCain campaign, the Giuliani campaign -- or was merely spreading organically. Sager's revelation demonstrates that the Giuliani campaign is pushing the anti-Romney story.
This may be the first time a rival campaign has highlighted Romney's religion, but it is not the first time a political operative's email has been published. Earlier this year, Politico's Jonathan Martin published a less embarrassing email from a Romney operative (in this case, the email was directed to conservative activists -- not any particular blogger).
In general, until a reporter (or blogger) agrees to go "off the record," any communication with them is "on the record." But by the same token, it is tacitly understood that emails from political operatives -- to bloggers -- are meant to be, at least, "on background." However, in both cases cited, the email has been forwarded to bloggers by someone else, thus, creating an even greater ethical dilemma.
What's ethical, here? The nascent medium of the blogosphere is still working out the kinks.
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Ryan Sager isn't betraying the trust of Katie Harbath because Giuliani's deputy eCampaign director wanted him to identify her as the source, whether they explicitly agreed that he would or not. They both saw the benefits.
They both know the Salt Lake Tribune story has so little merit MSM outlets can't pay much attention to it without looking silly or bigoted.
But, they also know publicizing her effort to bring religion into the campaign will be considered genuine news.
And they're doing it now with the hope of injecting it into the New Hampshire debate that's about to take place.
To be sure and give the story legs without hurting Guiliani, NY Sun ran this in an update about the former mayor's apology:
"The Giuliani campaign declined comment as to whether any action would be taken internally regarding the staffer who sent the email."
It's not hard to see through. Why doesn't Sager just go work for the guy if he likes him that much?
Oh yeah, I forgot. He's more valuable to Guiliani's campaign pretending to be an objective journalist.
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As long as everyone understands this is folklore it is not much of a problem. However, much of the anti mormon diatribe is an attack on Mormon folklore or thier interpretation of folklore and a lot of people think it is Mormon Doctrine.
If the Baptist or Catholic Church had to defend every ruse, legend or rumor about them for the last 150 years as if it were their doctrine they would have a very big problem. |
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...for every bit of far-fetched Catholic-centric folklore that gets passed around? Or is somehow only Mitt responsible for the goofy legends and rumors that incidentally get built around his religion? (Just as they form around every religious tradition.) |
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forgets that there are no conservative Democrats! But there may very well be plenty of conservatives in the third party camps before it's over! |
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Matt Lewis wrote,
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"...meant to spread what some might consider an anti-Romney story."
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So, as a McCain supporter, Matt has decided to spread it !
What's even more dishonest is how Matt tries to absolve himself from responsibility of spreading it, by asking, "What's ethical, here?"
But by spreading it, he's already answered his own question.
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We're supposed to believe that a one-sentence e-mail is a Mormon-Bash?
This could be the most inane blog-story ever. Talk about wasting ones time. The story that is linked is online at a major city daily newspaper.
That e-mail could have been sent for a score of reasons including humor, irony or simple a recollection from a previous conversation.
It's apparent townhall will do whatever it takes to derail the campaign of Rudy Giuliani and prop up Mitt Romney. All that plus socialist, moveoners like jessicalange here have an orgasm because Republicans are bashing each other. She may be right. It's just another reason for conservatives and Republicans to battle each other.
I find few here at townhall worthy of even mentioning Ronald Reagan, considering they're breaking Reagan's 11th Commandment, "Thou shalt not speak ill of any fellow Republican."
Matt, Dean, Hugh and many of you should take that into consideration. Stop ripping Rudy, Mitt, McCain and the rest of them. The quicker we stop the infighting, the better off we'll be in 2008. The more idiotic blog-stories like this, the quicker President Hillary Clinton will espouse her socialist views on all fo us.
Shame on everyone.
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While I disagree with the use of Gov. Romney's religion to attack him, much as I would disagree with the usage of Rudy's Catholicism and failure to adhere to its tenets regarding life to attack Rudy, I am concerned about the Constitution and if it takes a Mormon to restore it - well then I'm ok with that.
As to religion, when is someone going to demand that Evangelical Christian candidates give speeches that they will pledge to make decisions free of any influence from Colorado Springs or the Southern Baptist General Assembly? |
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It is important for this blog to make the Romney supporters aware of the various whisper campaigns and who is behind them.
Thanks for bringing this to our attention. |
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The so called White Horse Prophesy is a well circulated myth. More than 30 years ago the First Presidency of the Mormon Church officially denounced the so called Prophesy as an urban legend. Further, it has no relationship to Romney whatever.
Before Rudy staffers start emailing garbage they could at least check with a few Mormons before what they write blows up in their face. |
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As a blogger-journalist, I sometimes supply information to other journalists associated with major print or electronic outlets. I continue to provide information about what I believe is public corruption by Congressman John Murtha and several of his associates. I do not provide this information on background or surreptitiously. If I have such information, I do not try to hide the fact that I'm providing it. Public corruption in my area of the country (western Pennsylvania) mainly involves Democrats (and I am a conservative Republican), but when something stinks, it smells equally bad irrespective of Party.
Would I pass on something like the "white horse" story? I wouldn't waste my time. I'm not a Romney fan, but I believe bits and pieces of anyone's religion can be "leaked" to make him (or her) look bad, and it's not a good tactic.
steve |
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So why are you still blogging about this? You're just as guilty of spreading the anti-Romney story as McCain or Guiliani are.
Oh, I forgot. You're a shill for McCain.
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