On Palin "Watch Your Backs, My Friends" (Josh Marshall)

[kpete]

Real Story on Schmidt's War

From an insider and longtime friend of the site ...

Campbell Brown isn't the story - people are underestimating her, as they always have. No, the story is that Tucker Bounds went on national television without material to answer what is maybe the simplest, most straightforward follow-up question any reporter can ask: "What's your evidence for that assertion?" And I suspect that the reason they canceled Larry King is not to punish CNN (it doesn't work that way) it's that they still couldn't come up with an answer to the question by the time his show aired.

Now look at this comment from McCain honcho Steve Schmidt to Katie Couric last night: "Members of this campaign went to off-the-record lunches with reporters today, and they were asked if she would do paternity tests to prove paternity for her last child. Smear after smear after smear, and it's disgraceful and it's wrong. And the American people are going to reject it overwhelmingly when they see her."

First of all, that's the first time I've heard anyone in the campaign/political press throw out the notion of paternity tests. So Schmidt is to blame for bringing that issue into the mainstream. If anyone is smearing the candidate, it's Schmidt. This is as cynical a tactic as I've ever seen in politics.

Secondly, how can it be a "smear" if it was during an off the record lunch with McCain campaign aides?

Thirdly, hey, colleagues, you're on notice: Steve Schmidt does not respect "off the record." Watch your backs, my friends.

more at:
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/212778.php

[liberal N proud]

1. If I understand that correctly...

It looks like they were swiftboating themselves so they could accuse the "librul" media of smears.

[JuniperLea]

4. That's how I read it too

Someone in the McCain/Palin camp is addicted to the InterTubes... this isn't the first time we've seen Palin react to something posted on a left leaning site... mark my words! They are going to try and get us all shut down!

[BeyondGeography]

2. This is all part of the meltdown; once the media sees McCain is losing, they'll turn on him good

[Native]

3. I think they're doing the turning now. Schmidt was really freaking out about this in the interview.

He seemed genuinely pissed off AND surprised. The list of questions he was asserting were asked was quite long & "focused." Much more damaging than what I've read here (or at least it sounded that way). He seemed so sincere, I was actually thrilled to think the media was going after them like this. Plus, Schmidt sounds like a complete moron in every interview. The campaign chairs can't even keep their stories on the same page. Doubt he has the finesse to turn this into anything other than moral outrage he hopes will be shared by others. Sorry to bust your bubble Schmidt, but the public loves a feeding frenzy.

[Overseas]

5. Yes I think the Republicans will make up some more insults to Palin

to exaggerate how "mean" those demonic lefties have been to the little darling.

Was Schmidt with Rove when he bugged his own office to garner sympathy for his client?

And yes, I do hope Democratic reporters can hold their tongues, even in seemingly "off the record" conversations.

[damndude]

6. that's where their going with this i think as they have nothing else to offer

as is desperately trying to make a diamond from coal through public sympathy. i question though whether anyone has sympathy left for republicans

[Cha]

8. Yeah, we have to constantly keep in mind that we're

not dealing with a full deck here. They're insane and will do anything to win..nothing is out of bounds. Nothing.

[Cha]

7. That's what I was thinking yesterday..

Is there some other reason mccain isn't going on larry king? Not just showing the world he's a coward who can't take the heat?