Texan Involved in CBS Report Tried to Help Kerry Campaign

New York Times ^ | 9/16/04 | DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK and JIM RUTENBERG

[MagnumRancid]

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Cleland is now on record confirming that he spoke with Burkett and referred him to the Kerry campaign.
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True. He was also incredibly dismissive.

[dalebert]

They are trying to concoct some story to account for fake memo's. I think this stuff has been around since the gore campaigne.

[wildbill]

You wonder how Burkett feels?

I wonder how Rather, Mapes and all those closeted liberals at CBS feel about it since they HAD TO KNOW those memos were fakes.

They miscalculated because they never thought anyone would question mighty CBS (Clearly Bull Shix)

[Steven W.]

that's a good reminder!

[Shermy]

"I couldn't swear to it whether he used the term documents or information," Mr. Cleland said. "It was some kind of stuff, some kind of information he wanted to get to the campaign, or something, regarding Bush's National Guard service. I referred him up to somebody in the campaign."

Sounds plausible. SOP.

Campaign officials said Mr. Cleland had referred Mr. Burkett to someone at the campaign who passed his message on to the research department, where the message was set aside amid the deluge of other calls.

Yeah...sure...Someone mentions "national guard" and "Texas" and they don't get all tingly? Doubt it...

Remember the American Prowler article that came out quickly once the scandal broke? the one that reports Kerry campaigners had the documents but some had doubts? Maybe there was something to that story...

[Paul Atreides]

Ollie North was on Hannity the other day, and flat out called Rather a liar. It was refreshing to hear someone say it.

[Shermy]

The date on the article should be "september 18", not 16.

[Socratic]

"It was refreshing to hear someone say it."

Yeah, I was getting tired of hearing myself say it so frequently.

[mass55th]

Could it be that Burkett hooked up with Cleland and Rassman when they made their special trip to Crawford, Tx. to delivery his letter to President Bush on August 25th?

[cyncooper]

And Cleland and Rassman did that "letter delivery" stunt in Crawford on August 26. I wonder if Burkett helped them dream up that idea.

In the Washington Post story Cleland says they had a cell phone conversation. YaYa123 pointed out that not just anybody has Max Cleland's cell phone number. When he says he gets lots of phone calls are they to his cell phone?

And hang on, going back to read this article, it says he did contact the campaign:

Campaign officials said Mr. Cleland had referred Mr. Burkett to someone at the campaign who passed his message on to the research department, where the message was set aside amid the deluge of other calls.

Hmmm, "who" at the campaign said Mr. Cleland referred Mr. Burkett to "someone"? Who is that "someone"? Who in the "research department" took the message? It says it was "set aside". Was it ever picked up?!

[MagnumRancid]

This is getting as good as Clancy, Ludlum, or Forsythe. So much is so far over the top this campaign season. I've got to find things to have fun with or laugh at. If I don't my head will explode.

[OkiMusashi]

Cleland delivered the letter on August 25th

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/08/25/cleland.swiftboat/

[Mike Fieschko]

It's got to really burn Rathers that all these Nixon and Watergate association are being made.

Someone photoshopped his face into the picture of Nixon by the helicopter when he was leaving after resigning.

When will we have the 'You won't have Rather to kick around anymore, because, gentlemen, this is my last press conference.' ?

[Mo1]

Campaign officials said Mr. Cleland had referred Mr. Burkett to someone at the campaign who passed his message on to the research department, where the message was set aside amid the deluge of other calls.

He Max .. Who did you pass this information on to???

[sdkhaki]

He also told ABC News that he planned to vote for Mr. Bush.

How typical. I wonder if the NY Slimes has ever identified Ben Barnes as a Kerry campaign co-chairman and top fundraiser.

[cyncooper]

He was also incredibly dismissive.

Yes, so dismissive he referred him directly to the Kerry Kampaign.

[Cicero]

This is a curious article. On the one hand, they appear to have actually picked up the phone and called Burkett, which is a lot more investigating than the new New York Times usually bothers to do these days.

On the other hand, they refer to the whole affair as a "mystery." The correct term is "forgery."

[Bushruffneck]

Has anyone emailed Drudge about this?

[P-Marlowe]

I wonder how Burkett feels tonight, sitting there watching HIS story suck all the oxygen out of the Kerry campaign. Watching HIS handiwork make the public fed up with his pal Rather. Watching HIS vendetta help the undecideds start to turn toward Bush.

I'd be willing to bet that over at DU they are postulating that Burkett and Rove are the same person.

Denial, thy name is democrat.

[Shermy]

"Cleland delivered the letter on August 25th"

Oh, yeah. Someone might create a timeline of Kerry's responses to the Swift Vets, the calls to Bush to stop them, the complaint to the FCC, etc.