Posted on 09/20/2004 5:29:07 PM PDT by BCrago66
Edited on 09/20/2004 5:40:15 PM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]
AP: Lockhart admits to calling phony memo source Burkett at CBS producer Mary Mapes' behest three days before show aired Details to come......
MORE:
Kerry Aide Talked to Retired Guard Officer
NEW YORK (AP) -- At the behest of CBS, an adviser to John Kerry said he talked to a central figure in the controversy over President Bush's National Guard service shortly before disputed documents were released.
Joe Lockhart denied any connection between the presidential campaign and the papers. Lockhart, the second Kerry ally to confirm contact with retired Texas National Guard officer Bill Burkett, said he made the call at the suggestion of CBS producer Mary Mapes.
"He had some advice on how to deal with the Vietnam issue and the Swift boat" allegations, Lockhart said Monday, referring to GOP-fueled accusations that Kerry exaggerated his Vietnam War record. "He said these guys play tough and we have to put the Vietnam experience into context and have Kerry talk about it more."
Lockhart said he thanked Burkett for his advice after a three to four minute call.
Lockhart said he does not recall talking to Burkett about Bush's Guard records. "It's baseless to say the Kerry campaign had anything to do with this," he said.
CBS News apologized Monday for a "mistake in judgment" in its story questioning Bush's Guard service, claiming it was misled by the source of documents that several experts have dismissed as fakes.
Burkett admitted this weekend to CBS that he lied about obtaining the documents from another former National Guard member, the network said. CBS hasn't been able to conclusively tell how he got them, or even whether they're fakes or not.
Kerry ally Max Cleland, a former Georgia senator, also said he had a brief conversation last month with Burkett, who told him he had information about Bush to counter charges against Kerry's Vietnam War service. Cleland said he gave Burkett's name and phone number to the campaign's research department.
Kerry spokesman David Ginsberg said nobody in the campaign's research department followed up on Burkett's offer of information.
Lockhart said Mapes asked him the weekend before the story broke to call Burkett. "She basically said there's a guy who is being helpful on the story who wants to talk to you," Lockhart said, adding that it was common knowledge that CBS was working on a story raising questions about Bush's Guard service. Mapes told him there were some records "that might move the story forward. She didn't tell me what they said."
This is hugh.
More = mole.
Hugh = huge : )
This is big.
here we go
I want Kerry buried!!
Massive link to kerry if AP comes through. kerry will sink extremely fast...........
I think it is very important also, because it shows the DNC/CBS smear co-ordination. However, I don't see how it gets the undecided or the few relatively sane Dems excited, so I don't see how it changes the election dynamic.
like Watergate the old drip drip drip until the dam breaks...
Notice it is a CLINTON HACK that is driving the knife into the heart of the Kerry campaign.
He better spill because that Burkett guy isn't going to sit quiet and take a beating alone.
Lucainne.com = lucianne.com
I would like some agreement that Mary Beth Cahill called Burkett on the night of the CBS expose.
I'd rather be lucky than good.
info at foxnews.com.
What the HELL is a 60 Minutes producer doing calling Lockhart? Mapes is sooooooooo done! She is definitely going to be the "fall gal" for CBS.
This also looks really bad for the Kerry campaign. Somehow I suspect Lockhart will be gone asap.
bttt
How far do the dots go?
Did Lockjaw type the memos? Does he know who did?
Release the snowball - look out below!
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