http://www.therightsideoflife.com/?p=1703
Sounds as though Klein got a good look at the ratings for Dobbs’s show and changed his mind about scrubbing the BC issue.
Asked if CNN would take any action if Dobbs continued airing the birther theories, Klein said No: “I think no good journalist would ever say that a particular story will never be covered again. Every day brings new facts, new pegs.”
He backed off saying the story is dead and no mention of Hawaii destroying original documents. Hmmm...
http://www.therightsideoflife.com/?p=1703
In addition to any political motives, this whole approach is just good marketing for CNN. They can try attract conservatives to their “Lou Dobbs†brand while keeping the “Nutty Birthers†marking approach alive for their other brands. Win/Win from a $$$/audience attraction stand point.
Klein was aware of Dobbs' ratings down to the 100th percentage point before the memo, and he issued it anyway. This attempt by Klein to sound even-handed comes only as a result of the crack-down memo having been leaked, which he didn't expect.
I have a question about a statement in the article. It states: Klein sent a private memo to Dobbs staffers yesterday saying the birther story is “dead” and questioning its legitimacy, but Dobbs has continued to discuss it on the air, anyway. Anyone know if this is accurate? As far as I know, Dobbs did not address the issue since Klein's memo.