"This may be tantalizing but vague," said the Washington Post scribe. "I don't think the nanny or household tax problems and so forth are over for the Obama administration..."
Matthews pressed ever so slightly for more information, but Woodward did not oblige: "I say it's not over."
It was the type of gossip ginning, insider reporting that makes D.C. journalism what it is. But it wasn't without a glimmer of irony. Earlier in the week, Matthews had shut down similar banter on Hardball when the New York Daily News' Liz Benjamin noted that the unconfirmed rumor mill was saying that Caroline Kennedy had an "affair issue."
"Well, how about let's stick to journalism," Matthews said, over her. "I don't do that here, Liz. Liz, if it's just blogging, let's drop it, OK?"
It was a somewhat controversial segment. But Matthews had his share of defenders. On CNN's Reliable Sources this Sunday, Sally Quinn said that such unsubstantiated gossip had no place in journalism and complimented the MSNBC host for "cutting it off."
Woodward's tip may end up being correct. But it didn't seem to meet the standard of reporting that Matthews set for Benjamin and Quinn seconded. Quinn, it should be noted, is married to Woodward's longtime editor, Ben Bradlee.
(lol personified to Mr. Tingle Leg)
Matthews had no compuctions about gossip and rumors aired on his show about GW and other Republican biggies.
Now, all of a sudden, since the gossip was about the Camelot Princess, he says, "Let's stick to journalism. I don't do that here, Liz".
We're going to nominate you for the Mother Theresa Award, Tim, because you're suddenly on a holy journalism crusade to do what you should have been doing during the former GOP administration.
You're so clean and proper now, my man, aren't you.
Leni