Did Hewitt and Hogue Stage Interview?

Today I was contacted by Joe Masters of the LA Times. Seems that there is "someone" reporting that Hogue, Hewitt and Hedgecock had to answer a few qualifiers before we could welcome Arnold onto our shows.

There is an email traveling around from a "someone" talk show host who was contacted by Arnold's Camp - but he didn't want to submit to the Arnold interrogation tactics. Here is the context of the email:

An unknown talk show host offers this transaction from his conversation with the Arnold Press Consultant attempting to set up an interview...

Today, in response to a request for interview, "we need to know what your personal party affiliation is, what your program's "slant" on Arnold, "are you a conservative talk show host?" "Have you ever talked to Tom McClintock....?"

What would your slant be on Arnold in an interview? I said EXCUSE ME? We are not interested. Thank you for your call. "You mean...you won't interview Arnold?" "Uh, not at this time, thank you."

I know this seems like "Urban Legend", but it caused the LA Times to call me tonight and ask if this is the way it went down for me too. Someone is trying to sour talk show hosts who interview Arnold Schwarzenegger...or we have some radio management people jealous of 'small, podunk radio stations getting the interview before the "Big News/Talk Stations" in the market...hmmm.

Let me set the record straight, I was contacted by Rob Stutzman of the Schwarzenegger campaign. Rob asked if I had time for Arnold in the morning. I said I would make the time. He asked for a later hour of the show, like 8:30AM - I said no problem. Rob asked for no callers, just an interview with me and Arnold 'this time'. I agreed.

Before we ended the conversation, Rob asked what I wanted to know, I assumed he was implying from Arnold. I said I want to tackle Arnold's announced fiscal conservative agenda - I want to make sure he is what he says he is when addressing the budget and the finances of California. Rob said, "no problem, I'll have him call you during the news at 8:30AM".

That is it folks, I submitted no questions and offered none of my questions - I had none at the time, I was picking up my daughter from school! The next time we talked was when Rob greeted me at 8:31AM during the news with Arnold on the phone ready to go. Before we went on the air I asked how long I had and Stutzman stated, "take your time...we have time to talk right now".

No controlled interview here folks. I have never done so and I never will!

...I know this seems like "Urban Legend", but it caused the LA Times to call me tonight ...

LA Times!

You mean it came straight from Beijing?

This is series.

Rob asked for no callers, just an interview with me and Arnold 'this time'. I agreed........

........I asked how long I had and Stutzman stated, "take your time...we have time to talk right now".

OK let me get this straight, no callers, but we have plenty of time to talk with the host now that we know what's on the host's mind....

Sounds to me like Arnold has not fully completed his prep classes.

As your first caller after Arnold fled the scene I would have loved to have asked him a question or two...so would Tom McClintock if he ever gets the chance to debate.

Seems that there is "someone" reporting that Hogue, Hewitt and Hedgecock had to answer a few qualifiers before we could welcome Arnold onto our shows.

I very much doubt that Roger Hedgecock would let his arm be twisted in that manner just for the "privilidge" of interviewing another politician. This little story has a Mullholland stink about it.

"Big News/Talk Stations" in the market...hmmm.

I don't know if there is a connection or not but..

KFBK's afternoon guy said today that "Oh, yeah, well they called me first and I said 'No!'" Not an exact quote, but close.

Then he launched into a tirade against those hosts who find time for quicky interviews citing examples of how the Clinton White House flunkies used to ask him for ten minutes here and there to spin. He just ignored their calls and they stopped calling.

KFBK's evening guy has Arnold tonight. He'll likely claim his was the first Sacramento interview of Schwarzenegger. He used to alternate bewteen trashing the recall and claiming that his show started the recall.

Both of these guys are good especially the evening guy. They do a great service. Why they are so sensitive to what the "little, biddy" station is doing I'll never understand unless corporate management is encouraging it.

Of course there is no proof that either of them or KFBK had anything to do with it. I do know that the Dems' manure spreader, Bob Mulholland, listens to KFBK a lot. . . .

Mr. Hogue does and an outstanding job without question!

"This little story has a Mullholland stink about it."

I think one reason that Arnold held off so long, before entering the fray was the certainty of the dirty tactics, about to follow.

Certainly from dems, possibly from fellow Republicans.

Timing is interesting. Midweek. The next day, after a major poll shows him trouncing the dem.

The LA Times called!!! That's all I need to know. End of story. Parley

I'm curious: Did the LA Times caller ask vanilla, "what happened? is there anything to this rumor?" questions, or was it more like an agenda being served?