'Dirty tricks' allegations dot Ehrlich's past

Baltimore Sun ^ | 02/11/05 | Michael Olesker

[conservative in nyc]

ON THE DAY Official State Dirtball Joseph Steffen admitted spreading stories to humiliate Mayor Martin O'Malley and his family, Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. appeared on WBAL-TV news, where he was asked by reporter Dave Collins, "Have you known about this rumor?"

"No, absolutely not," said Ehrlich with a straight face.

Imagine the effort that must have taken. Imagine the faith in people's sheer childlike naivete to stand in front of a TV camera and say such words in an effort to distance yourself from this disgrace.

If the governor of Maryland did not hear the rumors about the mayor of Baltimore's alleged extramarital sex life, and the alleged breakup of his marriage, then Ehrlich might be the last living adult in the entire state not to have heard them.

---SNIP---

So we know now a source of many of these rumors. But the question remains: Who else took part? And who else had knowledge?

In e-mails to The Washington Post, Steffen had written: "A lot of the reason that everyone knows [O'Malley's] history is because of what has gone on beneath the surface. ... A few folks put in a lot of effort to ensure the story got some real float."

A few folks?

Asked by the Post whether he was part of an organized effort to disseminate the rumors, Steffen said: "No comment."

[conservative in nyc]

This is posted on the main discussion thread here:
Scandal Puts Focus On Role of Bloggers (WaPo on FR and NCPAC).
I've posted it as a separate thread so other FReepers don't miss it.

We don't know whether Olesker is merely a sloppy columnist (from some of kvcl's posts on the main thread, his work seems sloppy and he has an ax to grind against Governor Ehrlich) or he just admitted the WaPo has been engaged in a conspiracy to frame NCPAC. This doesn't excuse NCPAC's rumor mongering - for which he has resigned (or been fired) and apologized. Either way, though, something's starting to smell in this whole O'Malley affair.

[stockpirate]

I'll bet research will show that they were just as tough on Bill Clinton when he uttered that, "I did not of sex with that woman, Monica Lewinski." */scarasm off

[Badray]

Not to excuse NCPAC if he did knowingly spread false rumors (and I don't know whether he did or not), but that was my reaction too. How did this guy report on clinton's bald face lies?

[conservative in nyc]

Courtesy Ping.

[Elkiejg]

We don't know whether Olesker is merely a sloppy columnist

Olesker is possibly sloppy but very definetly a biased left-wing columnist and has been for years. He does seem to love Balto., but he's never met a Dem that he doesn't love with blind devotion.

[Elkiejg]

Not to excuse NCPAC if he did knowingly spread false rumors

You need to read all the posts on this story - NCPAC did NOT spread the rumors - they've been around in Balto for almost 2 years.

[kcvl]

Why doesn't the dumb*ss, Michael Olesker, of the Baltimore Sun ask O'Malley if the rumor is true or not? Unless, of course, he already knows the answer! Maybe they should use some of the "investigative zeal" to find out the truth instead of leaving it up to Internet posters to find out.

[GVnana]

Olesker is the real dirt bag.

[kcvl]

How did this guy report on clinton's bald face lies?

If he is like the rest of the lazy ignorant "reporters" they didn't "report" on Clinton AT ALL. That's how we ended up with him for eight LONG years. And they are planning on helping Hillary too. Count on it!

[Jimmy Valentine]

1. Olesker is as sloppy with his writing as Bill Clinton is with blue dresses.

2.The Baltimore Sun is a lefty rag containing no news content excepting shipping news.

3. O'Malley can't keep his mouth shut and has been saying some of the stupidest things ever to appear in print about every one and everything.

4. The rumours started areound O'Malley and his rock band who played regularly at an Irish Bar in Baltimore. You do not have to go looking for trouble in one of those; they hand it to you as you go in the door.

Whisper who dares, but too much investigation may find a lot of skeletons falling out of the walls.

Regards,

[YOUGOTIT]

For a left-wing anti-American like the mayor I would believe anything that is said. He supports the enemies of the American people as indicated by the enemy supporting bile running from his mouth.

[Samurai_Jack]

Whisper who dares

To echo the shadow of another post Ive seen...
If this was Mayor O'Malley (R-Balt) The Sunpaper would be digging through phone records looking for the mistress. But since he carries a (D-Balt) he is immune and they instead are digging for the source of the rumors.

Said source not being anyone here on FreeRepublic, but that is what they will say anyway even if it is not true. That is where the trouble will commence if they start digging. They will trace the rumor into the Baltimore Sun forum and the incestual nature of this issue will be uncovered along with the frivilous nature of the 'rumorgate hearings™' they are trying to hold.

If Earlich is smart he will let the d-rats hang themselves over this issue.

[bad company]

ON THE DAY Official State Dirtball Joseph Steffen admitted spreading

Mike Olesker would have to stand on his mothers shoulders just to kiss Joseph Steffens A$$.

[conservative in nyc]

Hmmm... The Baltimore Sun changed the headline. It originally was "How could the governor not have heard the rumors?" Now, let's see if they change the text.

It still says:

In e-mails to The Washington Post, Steffen had written: "A lot of the reason that everyone knows [O'Malley's] history is because of what has gone on beneath the surface. ... A few folks put in a lot of effort to ensure the story got some real float."
(Emphasis added)

[advance_copy]

In e-mails to The Washington Post, Steffen had written: "A lot of the reason that everyone knows [O'Malley's] history is because of what has gone on beneath the surface. ... A few folks put in a lot of effort to ensure the story got some real float."

The WaPo reported that message from NCPAC to MD4BUSH as a "private conversation" (i.e. FR-mail not posted on the public forum). Here, the foul BalmSun columnist says that was "e-mails to the Washington Post". Is Olesker claiming that MD4BUSH is a WaPo insider? Did MD4BUSH post that private message on a public forum? Or did they find some other way to intercept the private conversation from NCPAC? If someone from the MSM has hacked a private e-mail by a resident of Maryland, they should take a look at this:

href=http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1340900/posts?page=327#327

[muawiyah]

There are two levels of journalistic corruption in the Baltimore/Washington corridor. One is set by the Washington Post, and that's pretty bad. To start with they have issues with the First Amendment ~ thier flakey billionaire owner thinks he's the only one to which it applies. However, they look pretty good compared to the Baltimore Sun which has demonstrated time and time again that it has no integrity at all.

Best leave both of these newspapers ignored and alone.

[sgtbono2002]

The Dems are using a dirty trick to start their own dirty tricks. And believe me they are a lot better at it because they have more experience.

[skinkinthegrass]

HA!..consider the source...more B.S.

[Badray]

You need to read all the posts on this story - NCPAC did NOT spread the rumors - they've been around in Balto for almost 2 years."

Elkie, I did say IF , and I did say I don't know if he did or not. My point was about the reporter doing his job fairly.

But it really doesn't matter if the rumors were around for two years. IF he repeated rumors, he did spread them, But I DON'T KNOW IF HE DID.

[Badray]

And they are planning on helping Hillary too. Count on it!

Oh, I know. It's a never ending battle for the truth.