A hireling, a fraud and a prostitute by Sidney Blumenthal

[BrklynLiberal]

Bush's agent in the press corps has given spin a new level of meaning

The White House press room has often been a cockpit of intrigue, duplicity and truckling. But nothing challenges the most recent scandal there.

The latest incident began with a sequence of questions for President Bush at his January 26 press conference. First, he was asked whether he approved of his administration's payments to conservative commentators. Government contracts had been granted to three pundits, who had tried to keep the funding secret. "There needs to be a nice, independent relationship between the White House and the press," said the president as he called swiftly on his next questioner.

Jeff Gannon, Washington bureau chief of Talon News, rose from his chair to attack Democrats in the Congress. "How are you going to work - you said you're going to reach out to these people - how are you going to work with people who seem to have divorced themselves from reality?"

For almost two years, in the daily White House press briefings Gannon had been called upon by press secretary Scott McClellan to break up difficult questioning from the rest of the press. On Fox News, one host hailed him as "a terrific Washington bureau chief and White House correspondent". Gannon was frequently quoted and highlighted as an expert guest on rightwing radio shows. But who was Gannon? His strange non-question to the president inspired inquiry. Talon News is a wholly-owned subsidiary of a group of Texas Republicans. Gannon's most notable article had asserted that John Kerry "might some day be known as 'the first gay President'".
<snip>

more..
http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1416370,00.html

[Erika]

1. Talon/Gopusa news

certainly aren't credible. They are about as credible as Jeff's credentials.

[NV Whino]

2. It has just hit me...

It took two years for someone to out this guy with his softball questions? TWO YEARS?
Hellooo, as they say.

[BrklynLiberal]

9. Mike Malloy said that perhaps some of the media people were

partaking of "Jeff Gannon's" favors and that is why there was no big rush to expose his fraudulant position in the White House Press room...and in fact, that is exactly why he was placed there by KKKarl Rove: as a tool to keep the press in line. Who knows, perhaps some of the FAUX News talking heads know Gannon better than they would like to admit.

[calimary]

36. Which kinds of favors, I wonder?

The obvious ones - the gay escort stuff - or the I'm tight with Scotty-boy, you wouldn't believe the documents he just showed me. Wanna see? I mean, the last time he was out there (Ooops! So to speak...) with that-guy-whose-name-rhymes-with-Vanity he was struttin' and swaggerin' like the "straight-shooter" "tough guy" "hot-shot journalist" he claimed to be. Gee, I just realized something - SO much of what you have to say in describing this guy winds up set off by quotation marks. Anyway, he was not above bragging about his status and his "achievements." So it wouldn't surprise me if he pulled a few "I know something you don't know" with some select prospects in the press room who were dying for some scoop or inside dope. THAT can be whoring, too.

[NNN0LHI]

26. About the same time all the cable news channels stopped showing the...

...daily White House briefings in it entirety and replaced the time with reports about Michael Jackson, Prince Charles, and Kobe Bryant. What a coincidence?

Don

[Lindacooks]

42. Hey! You forgot Scott Peterson!!

;-)

[David__77]

37. In all fairness...

...there are other "non-mainstream" media representatives in White House news conferences. For instance, the LaRouche people send in people who occasionally get called on and ask questions that no one else would. But the key here is the appearance of coordination with the White House.

[KT2000]

3. FOX=quasi-official state TV

what a great quote from Blumental:

"The administration has its own quasi-official state TV network in Fox News; hundreds of rightwing radio shows, conservative newspapers and journals and internet sites coordinate with the Republican apparatus."

[AlCzervik]

4. The more that comes out the deeper it gets

it's not really about Gannon/Guckert at all anymore. The Bush adm is like Nixon on super steriods.

[tsuki]

12. I like it. With permission, I intend to use it :-)

[AlCzervik]

27. sure, be my guest.

[rainbow4321]

5. Maybe they can dig shit up on him in Austin...

If he <or anyone who is currently in the WH> has a history of trolling any clubs, etc.. down there, surely someone in Austin knows a LOT about his/their past or who he was hooked up with...Austin is a very blue city in a blue county...not a shrub-friendly area.

[Liberty Belle]

8. Do those gay bars have security cameras?

It would be something if they had a tape.

[rainbow4321]

14. McClellan's mama was a 3 term Austin mayor...

so he had to have been sliming around the city, also...this was back when she called herself a dem. BTW, rumors are that she may be running for TX gov..so probably anything allegedly/remotely incriminating may either be getting shredded or taped over unless someone from our side already has it locked away somewhere. I keep thinking he will use that as an excuse to step down before more shit hits the fan..you know, the "I am going back to Texas to help mom campaign" line followed by a shrub line of "thank you for your service".

[zann725]

15. Sandra Bullock bought a town in Texas about 10 years ago. Was it Austin?

I thought it was? Interesting...

[Cooley Hurd]

20. Sure you aren't think of Kim Basinger and Braselton, GA?

:shrug:

[Liberty Belle]

44. Dems need to find a new "friend" for Scotty...

In the sense that Diane Tripp "befriended" Monica--before turning over tapes to Ken Starr.

[flyarm]

6. i have lots of stuff about perry of austin..if anyone wants the stuff

pm me...i have kept this stuff in my files for over a year!!

here is a little..i can not give link as i dont have on at this point ..its old!

February 20, 2004
Gov. Perry Stuff

I first posted on the Gov. Perry story last Friday more as a curiousity than anything else. I had heard rumors about Perry from three random, well-connected sources within the past 24 hours, so I figured that there might be something to it. Now, of course, the issue has exploded. I don't like reporting on rumors, scandals and speculation, but I find it hard to believe that this is all just an accident. I know that the mainstream media is aware of what is going on with Rick Perry, but no one has enough information to publish anything (probably until there is an actual divorce filing). But anyway, here's everything that I've accumulated to date.



On Sunday, Jim D. posted that a Carl Whitmarsh's (Democratic activist in the Houston area) morning roundup (email listserve) suggested that the relationship may have involved Secretary of State Geoff Conner. Around this time Buzz Flash did an analysis of the rumors which they cite "creditible sources" that Rick Perry is about to be handed divorce papers and that he's working furiously to cover up the mess.

Next was my post that was picked up by Atrios and Counterspin regarding my conversation with a Republican legislative staffer on Tuesday night who told me that "All hell is about to break loose" regarding the Perry situation.

Bart Cop posted this on the story.

D Magazine Blog has also posted on this here and here (my remarks on it are here).

In the past several days, I've received a barrage of emails with information on this story. Today I received an email from a news station that said that they are following details of a possible affair by Rick Perry, but are waiting for the story to hit the AP wire. I've also received several emails from various local and state media organizations wanting more information.


Also, reported in this comment thread (yeah, it's an internal link), was a link to a story on the Data Lounge which reports that Anita Perry has hired an attorney:



--Anita Perry has hired Becky Beaver, the most notorious ballbreaker divorce attorney in Austin, to represent her. She will be filing for divorce on grounds of adultery, naturally.

--Sec. of State Jeff Connor (Gov. Perry's lover) used to work at Akin Gump (very large law firm) and was well-known among his colleagues as being gay. They were surprised that Perry picked him for the position given his sexual orientation, in fact. Now, of course, they understand why.


And..


I heard back from both. One refused to comment, the other said they're well aware of the story but don't want to print anything on it until they get some sort of official confirmation, since the governor's office is "vigorously denying" the whole affair right now.


fly

[flyarm]

7. here's another from austin!!

http://austin.indymedia.org/newswire/display/15577/index.php

snip:

Gov. Perry Sex Scandal Brewing

18 Feb 2004
Modified: 10:13:01 PM

Source #1: "I attended a political meeting this morning at which it was reported that Governor Perry's wife has left the Governor's Mansion in Austin. The alleged reason was that she found the governor in bed with another man. If true, discussions of gay issues are likely to take a higher profile in Texas in the coming weeks."

Source #2: "I did not want to say anything until it hit the mainstream press, but I have known about that for more than a week."

Source #3: "...the rumors about Perry and Secretary of State Connor (the alleged paramour) have been "swirling" since January. The governor's office is being very evasive."

[chalky]

13. I was wondering it this would stir the Perry stuff up again...

Between Scotty's little forays into the Austin gay scene and his connection to Carol Keeton-McClelland-Rylander-Strayhorn-Whatever-the-Heck-Her-Last-Name-Is-Now, it was just a matter of time.

Back in April when the rumors were getting really (and I mean REEEEEALLY) loud about that around here, the Perry camp held quite the media blitz to kill it. Perry's beard....er, I mean WIFE... appeared on all the local stations to give a "Lies, dirty lies!" speech, while he stood by with a suitably wounded expression on his face. It was quite a sight to see.

From the Guardian article above:
"On Fox News, one host hailed him as 'a terrific Washington bureau chief and White House correspondent'."

Anyone know who that host was?

[Bridget Burke]

16. I heard that the Perry rumors may have come out of Carol's camp...

For non-Texans, our Comptroller--& possible Republican candidate for Governor--has changed her last name(s) several times in recent years. One of those good-family-values Republicans with several husbands under her belt (as it were) & numerous names at her disposal.

Heh, heh. I said "camp."

[BR_Parkway]

17. InSannity

[calimary]

39. It was that guy-whose-name-rhymes-with-Vanity.

And, BTW, do we EVER see or hear stuff about HIM out with some pretty girl on his arm? I mean, we've seen photos of limbaugh with his various ex-wives and with Daryn Kagan. They make the social scene every so often and they're famous, so they get their picture in "People" or "US" magazine from time to time. NEVER our Vanity friend, though. Various PR people are always making such a big deal about how good-looking and photogenic and camera-friendly he is. So where are the girls then?

Just asking...

[oasis]

43. Kick for a good thread. Post #7 interesting. Hmmmmm.

[DoYouEverWonder]

24. Did you know that one of GOPUSA's board members

a fellow named Richard Powell, was Gov Perry's policy adviser? Small world that these closet Repug gays live in, isn't it?

[BrklynLiberal]

10. kick

[LynnTheDem]

11. bush & the rethugs, "bringing back integrity to the WH". Guess that's why

even our "allies" the Brits, of whom 70% dislike us, are laughing at us.

How bloody embarrassing. bush has brought nothing but shame onto America.

[leftchick]

18. Sindey is just THE best!...

THIS SHOULD BE FRONT PAGE NYT!!!

~snip~
Thus a phony journalist, planted by a Republican organisation, used by the White House press secretary to interrupt questions from the press corps, protected from FBI vetting by the press office, disseminating smears about its critics and opponents, some of them gay-baiting, was unmasked not only as a hireling and fraud but as a gay prostitute, with enormous potential for blackmail.

The Bush White House is the most opaque - allowing the least access for reporters - in living memory. Every news organisation has been intimidated, and reporters who have done stories the administration finds discomfiting have received threats about their careers. The administration has its own quasi-official state TV network in Fox News; hundreds of rightwing radio shows, conservative newspapers and journals and internet sites coordinate with the Republican apparatus.

Inserting an agent directly into the White House press corps was a daring operation. Until his exposure, he proved useful for the White House. But the longer-term implication is the Republican effort to sideline an independent press and undermine its legitimacy. "Spin" seems quaint. "In this day and age," said press secretary McClellan, waxing philosophical about the Gannon affair, "when you have a changing media, it's not an easy issue to decide or try to pick and choose who is a journalist." It is not that the White House press secretary cannot distinguish who is or is not a journalist; it is that there are no journalists, just the gaming of the system for the concentration of power.

[pokercat999]

19. Don't hold your breath. nt

[ElectroPrincess]

21. You're probably correct, but I choose to be thankful that there

are Journalists in this world with courage and moral standards.

We all need to get OUTRAGED. Not that Gannon was gay but ONLY (and this is big) that he was a prostitute in the white house press corps without any valid credentials. The above and his ties to the Republican machine in Texas are enough to express TURE "moral outrage."

We have to get all stirred up ... just like the Republicans if we wish to get any attention from the cowards in the USA Media.

"Paging Dr. DEAN and the few Democratic representatives with morals and true concern for their constituents."

[calimary]

40. YES. WE. DO.

I have this image in my mind of this big pressure cooker on the stove. The bloggers and other "non-pro" investigators and diggers, and the few Conason-types and others who are digging into this, and people like us out there who are screaming and complaining and (I HOPE) calling the Washington Post

Washington Post:

How can I contact Washington Post writers?: http://washingtonpost.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/washingtonpost.cfg/php/endu... *&p_li=

How do I submit a letter to the editor?: http://washingtonpost.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/washingtonpost.cfg/php/endu... *&p_li=

How do I submit an Op-Ed piece?
http://washingtonpost.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/washingtonpost.cfg/php/endu... *&p_li=

How do I contact the Ombudsman?: http://washingtonpost.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/washingtonpost.cfg/php/endu... *&p_li=

The Washington Post
1150 15th Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20071
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

Ombudsman’s office phone: (202) 334 - 7582 Monday through Friday 7a - 6p


and Newsweek


NEWSWEEK-MSNBC:
Newsweek.MSNBC.com

Editorial questions and comments: [e-mail]
For questions about the website: [e-mail]

Newsweek Domestic Edition

Letters to the Editor for the U.S. print edition: [e-mail]
Mailing Address:
Newsweek
251 W. 57th St.
New York, NY 10019


...are what's inside the pot, boiling and bubbling on high heat. The so-called "Mainstream Media" is the lid, desperately trying to stay in place and keep the pot from boiling over.

If we just keep boiling, we'll reach critical mass. Either the pot WILL boil over and overwhelm the "Mainstream Media's" attempts to contain this story, OR the pot will boil dry, and the metal will start melting, which means you could have an entire kitchen on fire in a few minutes...

I think they're just DESPERATE to keep this contained, because there is HELL TO PAY if they don't.

So, guys, let's ramp up the pressure and turn up the heat, 'eh?

[leftchick]

25. Well it isn't front page but the NYT pleasantly surpried me today!

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/20/arts/20rich.html?pagewanted=1

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/17/opinion/17dowd.html?hp=&pagewanted=print&position=

Maureen Dowd and Frank Rich do what journalists are supposed to be doing today!!

[area51]

22. "Gannon" said: "the first gay President"

Yeah, he just got the name wrong: we have GW Hoover, who is the 1st gay prez.

---

"Prosperity is just around the corner." -- Herbert Hoover
"The economy has turned a corner." -- GW Bush

Herbert Hoover = GW Bush

Neither man cared about the Depression their economic policies created.

[0007]

23. This sure makes a person wonder


Are these guys part of the Talon News that are owned by a group of Texas Republicans?

[skippythwndrdog]

28. A very helpful thread.

I've been confused about this whole Gannon thing for some time. I'm glad for this thread. Thanks, all.

[Just Me]

29. Our country seriously needs a scandal like this to blow the neoCONs,...

,...out of office.

I swear, this neoCON cabal are so freakin' corrupt!!! Now, they appoint Negroponte, a WAR CRIMINAL, to head our national intelligence!!!

Crooks, corporatists and criminals are running our country!!! Such leadership is completely consistent with every fascist regime in recent history.

[brentspeak]

31. The Democrats better not blow this opportunity

The Dems need to get on message about this James Gannon/Gucket. Press conferences, interviews -- anything to remind/inform the public that the White House gave press credentials to this weirdo.

[xxqqqzme]

38. I think it is spelled

Krooks, Korporatists and Kriminals!

[brentspeak]

30. Has Gannon/Guckert ever been on Hannity?

I'd be interested to know if Hannity ever called Gannon a "great American".

[AlCzervik]

32. Literally???

just kidding. I dont know but they have the freerepublic guy on sometimes and Gannon was their boy, tons of articles over there by him.

[brentspeak]

34. The Freepers are trying to dismiss this as a "non-story"

In an ironic twist, it appears the freepers turned out to be the ones "divorced from reality".

[AlCzervik]

35. or in freeperspeak "outside of the mainstream"

[calimary]

41. Yes. And Mr.-name-rhymes-with-Vanity lauded him as a

great reporter and Washington bureau chief. Didn't see it but I've read the quotes many times (in fact, I think they may even be in, or paraphrased in, this thread somewhere - but CERTAINLY they're elsewhere here on DU) and it smelled like they were angling to state reasons for hiring him at the Pox "news" network.

Or maybe Mr.-name-rhymes-with-Vanity (I hate giving him a plug by name) was interested in certain "services" and "extracurriculars" of said "Jeff Gannon" when they got off the air.

After all, do you remember the story here awhile back from a gossip page in the NYPost, I believe, wherein there was an unnamed Pox anchor (NOT Mr.-name-rhymes-with-Vanity - it's presumed to be Shepard Smith) who hit on one of the reporters in a gay bar? And identified himself cryptically only as "working for News Corporation" (the parent company of the Pox network)? So the same - uh - shall we say - er - "vibrations" run through THERE, too. And I NEVER see Mr.-name-rhymes-with-Vanity photographed in "People" magazine or any of those outlets - out on the town with some pretty girl on his arm, either.

Just saying...

[DU GrovelBot]

33. ## PLEASE DONATE TO DEMOCRATIC UNDERGROUND! ##

==================
GROVELBOT.EXE v3.0
==================



This week is our first quarter 2005 fund drive. Democratic
Underground is a completely independent website. We depend almost entirely
on donations from our members to cover our costs. Thank you so much for
your support.