The Politico's Editors Respond Over Dan Gerstein Flap: We Committed A "Misdemeanor"
March 7, 2007 -- 2:35 PM EST // //
Since this blog spent so much time hectoring The Politico for letting Dan Gerstein write a piece attacking Joe Lieberman's high-profile critics without disclosing that he was on Lieberman's payroll at the same time, it seems only fair to note that The Politico's editors have finally responded.
In the course of a very spirited public debate The Politico is now having with Media Matters, Politico bigs John Harris and Jim VandeHei, along with Politico writer Ben Smith, all weighed in on the Gerstein flap. The response, in essence, was to concede that they'd screwed up, while maintaining that their good intentions were revealed by the fact that they'd noted a less direct link between Lieberman and Gerstein. As Harris puts it, this was a "misdemeanor."
Anyway, their full responses are here. Here are some excerpts.
Jim VandeHei:
On Gerstein: Yes, we muffed it. We should have clearly stated Gerstein is a paid adviser to Sen. Joe Lieberman. It was wrong to assume our readers would know Gerstein is not only a Liebermaniac but a paid one at that!
John Harris:
As long as we are talking about the left's critique of Politico, we'd be remiss in not addressing the criticism we are getting, mostly from liberal blogs, for running Democratic operative Dan Gerstein's attack on the left-wing blogosphere without saying that the former communications director for Sen. Joe Lieberman happens to STILL be on his payroll...On the misdemeanor charges, we all are looking for a plea bargain. Yes, we messed up by not disclosing Gerstein’s financial arrangement.
Ben Smith:
Second, and less important, it might have been worth mentioning that Lieberman was a client, as Gerstein's piece continued and amplified a running battle between him and his/Lieberman's enemies. I say this was minor, despite the criticism from Greg Sargent and several others, because we did disclose the central point -- that he is a Lieberman partisan.
And that, dear readers, is truly the last you'll hear about this. Barring future developments, of course. (Kidding.) Incidentally, the whole battle between Media Matters and The Politico is worth a read. Media Matters' critique is here. The Politico's response is here.
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