Bush asks editors for silence on Rove case

***Exclusive, must credit Politburo *** which has obtained the following email from gbush@whitehouse.gov, that he sent confidentially to major newspaper editors on the Rove case.
The Plank

The RNC media people have already forced corrections at Slate and LA Times. There has been some serious overreach by the few outlets that picked up this story (which as I mentioned before has been shopped around). It was interesting how this one piddly-ass story was used to try and smear Rove, me, AND the GOP.

So the only paper to run this as a news story is the disgraceful LA Times. Others who picked up on it have had to backtrack from their original sensationalistic claims.

I am exploring legal options against some of the liberal bloggers who are claiming I’m syphoning oil money into consultants and my own pockets. Note how Dan Froomkin is fueling it with his typical passive aggressive, “I don’t think it’s a big deal, but let me provide links to everyone who thinks this is THE BIGGEST STORY EVER!”

And Karl’s case, if it could be aired out, is a non-story (he was a poor government employee at the time so he settled because he had no money). Karl can’t talk about it now since the case is not fully closed. But once it is, he’ll go on the offensive. That should be a couple of months off.

This story will percolate in liberal circles until then, but I haven’t gotten a single serious media call about it yet. Not one. So far, this story isn’t making the jump to the traditional media, and we shouldn’t do anything to help make that happen.

My request to you guys is that you ignore this for now. It would make my life easier if we can confine the story. Then, once Karl can speak and defend himself, then I’ll go on the offensive (which is when I would file any lawsuits) and anyone can pile on. If any of us blog on this right now, we fuel the story. Let’s starve it of oxygen. And without the “he said, she said” element to the story, you know political journalists are paralyzed into inaction.

Thanks, W

Comments

  1. kat wrote:

    Steve, having read your schtick over the past many years….this is one of your best.

    Posted 22 Jun 2006 at 10:08 am

  2. KM wrote:

    It might’ve worked, had it not been for the tireless efforts of Byron York at National Review.

    Posted 22 Jun 2006 at 12:13 pm

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