2009.07.07
What were they thinking?
I was shocked by news that The Washington Post got caught attempting to sell access to public officials and high-level reporters by sponsoring dinners at Publisher Katherine Weymouth's home. I was thoroughly unconvinced by Weymouth's mia culpa.
Now Talking Points Memo is reporting that such efforts to sell access are hardly unique. The publisher of The Atlantic has been hosting such events since 2003.
I know revenues are tight, but some money-making schemes should never make it off the drawing board. Media credibility is in a precarious enough state without adding fuel to the fire.
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It's not about revenues, Dan. It's about proving your influence.
"Sollozzo: Bene. Don Corleone. I need a man who has powerful friends. I need a million dollars in cash. I need Don Corleone and all of those politicians that you carry around in your pocket like so many nickels and dimes."
Comment by Henry — July 7, 2009 @ 5:00 pm
It's about revenues, Henry. What color is the sky in your world?
Comment by Art Hill — July 7, 2009 @ 5:29 pm
It's "mEa culpa".
Hint: it's pronounced "May-uh Cul-pa", not "Mee-uh Cul-pa", which will help you spell it correctly, not like "Mia Farrow".
Comment by sunny — July 8, 2009 @ 7:31 am
More hilarity from the WashPost. It wasn't their fault. Katharine Weymouth didn't even know about the party at her home. It was the fault of a "rogue planner".
http://www.nypost.com/seven/07082009/postopinion/opedcolumnists/washpost_scandal__they_got_caught_178213.htm
Comment by Henry — July 8, 2009 @ 9:23 am
I think Clinton was doing this at the White House long before this with renting out the Lincoln bedroom for $X amount of campaign contributions and morning coffees with the POTUS (if the price was right).
I can't imagine this is all that new....
Comment by BobH — July 8, 2009 @ 10:53 am
Access for money? I am shocked, shocked I tell you! The nerve, the idea, the old boys network, the crass truthiness of it all, and gee it only goes back to Clinton, eh BobH? How old are you, or was that just too self serving to resist?
Comment by Sandi Saunders — July 8, 2009 @ 11:13 am
Sandi,
I am 53. I suspect access has been for sale for some time but Clinton's renting of the Lincoln bedroom was unprecedented.
But, that is the point. This is nothing new.
Kinda like the line from "Casablanca"- I am shocked to see that gambling is going on here (as his winnings for the night are handed to him).
Comment by BobH — July 8, 2009 @ 11:23 am