So is that what Cleland really went to Texas for? Did he meet with Burkett during his time there a few weeks ago?
1. Burkett calls Cleland and offers the docs. Cleland says he'll get back to him, does, and they coordinate the release of the memos with the release of the Dems Fortunate Son material and anti-Cheney ads.
2. Burkett calls Cleland and offers the docs. Cleland says he'll get back to him and never does. Frustrated as Kerry sinks in the polls, Burkett decides to take matters into his own hands and call CBS. Hearing about the upcoming 60 Minutes broadcast and believing Burkett might actually have something, the Dems decide to strike with Fortunate Son while the iron is hot.
Here's the fun part: Even if option 2 is the truth and the Kerry campaign wasn't working hand in hand with Burkett, we already have a "web of connections" between him and the Kerry camp with as many strands in it as the "web" connecting Bush-Cheney 04 with the Swiftees. Further investigation will only reveal more.
Check it: Swiftee to Bush "connections:"
Rich GOP Texas donor (What was his name, Rick Perry?)
Ken Cordier worked for the campaign and was in the "Sellout" ad.
Minor campaign lawyer also worked for Swiftees.
Burkett-Kerry-CBS web:
Burkett contacts Cleland about memos, and tells other Dems Cleland is interested.
"Killian's secretary" is a Bush-hating Dem.
Ben Barnes is a Kerry campaign Vice Chairman.
Rather raises money for Texas Dems.
Fortunate Son debuts right at the time the memos are used by CBS.
And some may not call this a "connection," but:
CBS ignored several people close to Killian and several of Dubya's squadron mates to run this story, and they did not employ a single accredited document expert. This means that they were going to run the story ASAP and without caring much about the facts. That means to me that they are de facto Kerry campaigners whether there is real coordination or not.