The Bizarre Gannon Affair - David Corn, the Nation

[AllegroRondo]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=2281&ncid=742&e=1&u=/thenation/20050215/cm_thenation/32196

There is something about the fuss over the White House reporter formerly known as Jeff Gannon that makes me uneasy. No, it's not the sexually explicit photos of him that accompany what appears to be ads in which he offers himself as a gay prostitute for clients seeking a military type. (These photographs were discovered by blogger John Aravosis. Click here--but not if you are faint-hearted.) These photos are an issue because the Bush White House granted Gannon--whose real name seems to be James Guckert--entry to press briefings conducted by press secretary Scott McClellan and press conferences with George W. Bush. Gannon/Guckert, who wrote for the conservative Talon News service (which is run by a Republican activist), was awarded such access even though he did not qualify for a congressional press pass--the standard press pass in Washington. It is legitimate to ask why the White House permitted a fellow with a spotty past and questionable credentials to become part of the press corps. Did he get special treatment because he was a conservative? After all, this whole to-do started when Gannon/Guckert at a January 26 press conference aked Bush a softball question in which he characterized Senate Democratic leaders as "people who seem to have divorced themselves from reality."


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Is the MSM finally taking notice? Lets hope so.

[AussieDave]

1. I went and had a look at the photos

- now as a gay man, been there seen that. But if this is the sort of "family values" that the Bush White House allows into its press room, then hypocrisy must be the most treasured value of all. I wonder how long this will run for in the media ??

[Nimrod]

3. Indeed

There was nothing particularly shocking about the photos (I personally wouldn't do him with a borrowed dick, but I know lots of people who would consider him remarkably tasty).

Again, the focus is how many high ranking people involved themselves in criminal activity with this individual. My own theory is he's got something to hold over a LOT of people which is how he got such preferental treatment.

[AussieDave]

4. I think you're right - but it just seems so bizarre

what on earth were these people thinking to let Gannon (or whatever his name is) get away with it unless he's doing a Heidi Fleiss (male division). Time will tell I guess.......

(I can't stop giggling over "wouldn't do him with a borrowed dick" - what a hoot)

[Nimrod]

5. ::grins::

Even I'll admit that's a personal taste issue. Doesn't even have anyhing to do with his party affiliation believe it or not.

[King Coal]

2. My theory about Gannon

is that he will be used to help the right-wing bastards say that Plame was not outed by the Novak because even a manwhore knew about Valerie.

[Jack Rabbit]

6. That wouldn't work

By the time we know that Gannon knew anything, Ms. Plame had been outed. Of course he about her by then. Thanks to Robert Novak and his sources, so did you and I.

The question is still: Who told Novak? Gannon still doesn't figure in that. He was probably of little value to Mr. Fitzgerald's investigation.

Why somebody in the WH would trust Gannon with sensitive information is another matter and something that needs looking into as well. However, compared to the Plame outing itself, it is of little concern.