February 18, 2004
Mud-slinging works
Chris Suellentrop thinks that the rumor, which despite the blackout by the decent media was all over the airwaves, probably accounted for Kerry's worse-than-expected finish in Wisconsin. Throw enough mud, some of it will stick.
I was there when Clark spoke, and just to make sure I didn't miss anything, I've also checked with other reporters who were there. Since it was off the record (sort of), I can't get into what Clark actually said (let's just say it was not his finest moment on the campaign trail), but I can report that the quote Drudge attributes to him--"Kerry will implode over an intern issue"--is not accurate. He never said that.
If I were Clark, I'd authorize Lizza to break the "off the record" and report exactly what it is that I said. But of course it wouldn't do any good. No one will bother to correct, and everyone will now remember that Clark said what he didn't say.
