'Kerry scandal woman reveals all to TV station'(Division of "ABC" was investigating)

Evening Standard, ^ | 02/16/04 | James Langton,

[KQQL]

The young woman at the centre of the sex scandal allegations against presidential hopeful John Kerry has recorded a tell-all interview for an American TV station.

Reporter Alexandra Polier is said to have given the interview with a major US network before Christmas - but the channel has held back from showing it until it can verify that her claims are true.

It was reported last week that the TV news division of ABC was investigating the 27-year-old's alleged relationship with Senator Kerry, who is said to have pestered her to join his campaign team.

The channel has refused to say if it is working on the story.

[arasina]

If Ms. Polier went to anyone or any station affiliated with ABC, this story won't see the light of day...

I wouldn't be so sure about that. They may hold their noses, but if it brings ratings, they'll air it (though probably a soft-focus softball interview).

This is from an article talking about Barbara Walters stepping down from ABC's 20/20:

The "get," the grab of a celebrity interview subject, is an increasingly important part of network news operations and Walters, along with ABC News colleague Diane Sawyer and NBC's Katie Couric, has been among the fiercest competitors.

Among Walters' major "20/20" interview subjects were Cuban President Fidel Castro, Christopher Reeve after his riding accident, a post-indictment Martha Stewart, Sen. Hillary Clinton about her autobiography, and Patricia Hearst.

Her March 1999 interview with Monica Lewinsky drew a staggering 48.5 million viewers.

[Aquinasfan]

Does Kenya honor such contracts?

Don't know. Good point.

[AmishDude]

Actually, from what I've read, Teresa is a very emotional person and the death of her husband -- not a phrase she uses reflexively for Kerry -- hit her very hard. She reminds me of my grandmother. My grandmother was always a pretty nasty person, but when my grandfather died, nobody was there to keep it in check.

[Republican Red]

I keep thinking about Teresa's children with Heinz. I saw an older son proudly introducing Kerry in with an "Arnold" accent at a rally in New Hampshire.

I wonder how this guy feels about Kerry screwing around on his mom?

[CedarDave]

The question I have is whether it is better for this to come out now or wait until after the primaries. With his very, very liberal track record I see Kerry as the easier candidate to beat than Edwards (Crazy Howie would be the Pubbies dream candidate). Of course Hillary would be formidable also, but the hated of her in this country is so high I doubt she would win against W now, maybe in 2008 against another candidate. So I feel it be better for this to drag on for a while -- keep it just below the surface and later in the spring let it explode.

[Petronski]

Someone should archive those cartoons, lest the disappear down the memory whole around the time of the Boston convention.

[Petronski]

Ach! Of course, it's 'memory hole.'

[Eva]

A 55 year-old man in Kerry's position doesn't marry a woman 5 yrs. older for the 'great sex'. Theirs is an 'arrangement'. He needed the money... she craved the notoriety. These women don't give a rats ass who their partners screw... it's just business don't you know.

I think you're right, this was a business arrangement. Read Theresa Heinz Kerry, bag woman for the radical left .

[Prodigal Son]

Aye, you're right. I thought I had remembered saving them when I bookmarked them all. Apparently not. I'll have to do that. Hopefully, I can even find some more.

I was thinking about writing it up as a vanity article and posting it during a busy part of the day at FR. But I truly believe one of the most offensive images would have to be displayed so it would have a graphic impact.

I'll have to talk to JimRob about that. He mightn't like it being displayed.

[mewzilla]

ABC/NBC/CBS/PBS/MSNBC/FNC/BBC....

What's the difference?

[mewzilla]

Oops, forgot CNN. How could I leave out Clinton News Network.

[AmishDude]

IIRC, the Heinz kids don't like their mom all that much. One of them is estranged from her. I don't think its for political reasons, none of the kids seem terribly active, politically.

[AmishDude]

You know, this could be unrequited, too. Pretty reporterette flirts with powerful Senator. Senator thinks he's hit the jackpot and flirtatious reporterette now gets creeped out at the whole thing.

[Libertina]

ABC: Mr. Kerry, sir, are these charges true?

Kerry: Absolutely there is nothing to this.

ABC: We suspected as much! Let's move on then. Now, what do you think about the evasion of MR. Bush when in the National Guard? Can you contrast that with your brave service as a medal winning hero in Vietnam, Sir?

[Tall_Texan]

Why can't Democratic leaders keep their peckers in their pants?

Same reason they break laws, raise taxes, etc. They know they can get away with it and nobody will hold them accountable. When you have a whole party that's anti-God, is it surprising that "anything goes"-type politicians keep bubbling to the surface?

[randita]

I find it odd that she hasn't issued a statement already. If there's nothing to report, as Kerry claims, surely she would've sent an email or something saying the same thing by now. She has to know she's all over the news. If she wants to continue being a journalist, she's got to know her professional career might be on the line.

She may have had an agreement with ABC to ot talk publicly about the issue. It's only been a couple of days since the story broke big time, so she also may be consulting lawyers, advisers, etc. about the best way to respond to it without damaging her personal life or career. It's also possible someone somewhere has offered her a bundle of $$$ to keep her mouth shut from here on out, but since she apparently already talked to ABC, seems like that would make little difference now.

[cyncooper]

This propertius freeper in Kenya knows (apparently) who made the 'nastier than reported' remark. Eventually, if nothing else, that person is going to spill the beans to a reporter.

I'm pretty sure one article named the friend. I have to leave for a bit, but I'll try to look later if nobody else has come up with it yet.

[mewzilla]

Well, here aree some questions I've got: When did Polier leave the US? Who made her reservations? Who paid for her ticket? How long will she be gone? How's she earning a living? How long as she been "engaged" ? Why did her mom call Kerry a "sleazeball"? Why did she tape an interview before she left? Who set that up? When was the last time she talked to Kerry or someone from his campaign? Inquiring minds want to know..

[randita]

Re: Post 198. All good questions. I'm certain that at this very moment reporters from major news organizations are knocking each other aside in their haste to find the answers (yeah).

[wadeintothem]

hey good one.. it made the cut! (like i'm picky)