ABC refuses to name clients of 'DC madam'...

Drudge Report ^ | 6 May 07 | Andrew Buncombe - Matt Drudge

[SkyPilot]

There was an almost audible sigh of relief in parts of America's capital this weekend after a TV network said it would not reveal the identities of scores of clients of the alleged "DC madam" because they were not well enough known to be "newsworthy".

[Gone_Postal]

I wounder how times is Billy boy on the list
that Hillary signed the check

[Diogenesis]

Like the hundreds of stolen (and not prosecuted)FBI files
the purpose is now POWER, and CONTROL.

[the invisib1e hand]

Yep. The list must have been mostly liberal democrats

Sure seems like it's the protected species list.

[Mr. Bird]

I don't know, you would have to ask the attorney. If the client's name and number appeared in the DC Madame's phone records, it doesn't prove anything other than a phone call occurred. If it was innocent or lawful, I would think that ABC may be risking a defamation or libel suit.

Only if ABC reported that the names on the list had done something untoward. If they were to simply report the names on the list (as gathered through the FOIA), no harm no foul. I would tend to believe (at this point) that the decision was due to the lack of players on the list.

I assume (yeah, yeah, never assume) anyone here is free to plow through the records and report out; how could ABC or any other venue get exclusivity?

[shoedog]

Nah, it will come out, just closer to elections and just Republicans

[Liz]

O-o-o-o-o-——I wanna see “dem” names.

[Radix]

"Must have been too many Democrats on the list and not enough Republicans....."

Must have been a few ABC Correspondents on the list.

[television is just wrong]

You are probably right. Otherwise it would have been plastered everywhere.

[Shermy]

“Deborah Palfrey’s alleged prostitution ring were senior business executives, Nasa officials and at least five military officers.”

In other words, nobodies.

And she’s not much of a “DC Madam”

Or if she’s the tops,

All our congressmen are faithful, law abiding sorts,

and I find that impossible

to believe.

[mware]

If the client's name and number appeared in the DC Madame's phone records, it doesn't prove anything other than a phone call occurred. If it was innocent or lawful, I would think that ABC may be risking a defamation or libel suit.

Actually I think you have the reason they did not release the names. On Friday during the special they mentioned that they called a member of a conservative think tank several times because his number was on the list. The guy insisted he was not one of the clients.

When they checked the numbers again they found the same number, with a different area code. Apparently the dc madam got the area codes mixed up.

ABC only has to be wrong once for them to get a major libel suit.

[Hattie]

Too far before the election. Reps will be named just in time; Dems will not be named.

[madison10]

Must have been too many Democrats on the list and not enough Republicans.....

My thoughts exactly. Maybe some big-time media execs, too.

[Fitzcarraldo]

Probably because some ABC execs are on the list.

[Anti-Bubba182]

Well, we know Karl Rove isn’t on the list.

[K-oneTexas]

All the rest were high ranking, influential and DEMOCRAT.

[Hot Tabasco]

In other words, if it wasn't a life worth destroying, it wasn't worth the effort.........

Scary stuff.....

[longtermmemmory]

OOOORRRRRRRRRR perhaps the lawyers reminded the ABC liability carriers that accusing a person of a criminal act is defamation (defamation is published, slander is said).

Truth may be a defense but how will abc prove a criminal deed? He said/ She said?

Unless the person confessed, ABC was going to buy a liability nightmare.

[Rb ver. 2.0]

It’s too far from the 2008 election to release any names.

[longtermmemmory]

They get more traction by NOT showing the low levels of the names.

Now the lunatic conspiracy theorists can say Rove has an assembly line of gorgeous pleasure girls which make hugh hefner look like an amature.

[Rb ver. 2.0]

“Saving it for an October surprise???”

Winner!