Scandal Puts Focus On Role of Bloggers (WaPo on FR, NCPAC and MD4Bush)

Washington Post ^ | 02/11/05 | David Snyder and Matthew Mosk

[conservative in nyc]

The Web site began as a sort of Internet boutique for like-minded conservatives and libertarians, suspicious of federal power and angry at President Bill Clinton.

Started in 1997 by a reclusive California conservative, freerepublic.com saw its membership blossom with Clinton's impeachment and the election of George W. Bush. Attention to the site reached a zenith last fall, when a "freeper" -- the group's moniker for its bloggers -- first discussed flaws in documents CBS News used in a report critical of Bush's National Guard service.

---Snip---

One participant working under the handle MD4BUSH, whose identity is unknown, drew Steffen into a private conversation and appeared to coax him to share more details about his role in spreading the rumor. Copies of those chat room e-mails were later provided to The Washington Post.

The Oct. 18 conversation began with MD4BUSH complimenting Steffen and saying how obvious it was that the rumors about the mayor were true. Steffen, writing under the name NCPAC, replied:

"I don't look for the MO'M [O'Malley] story to hit for a little bit yet. . . . However, a lot of what everyone knows about MO'M is because of work that has occurred. It's been a wild ride."

MD4BUSH later probed further:

"Your saying that my dentist knows [about the rumors] because of work you did? Wow, I must say, I'm impressed. I mean really, everyone knows -- how did that happen?"

[bad company]

That's quite possible, but who is MD4Bush? He needs to come forward, one way or another.

An IP address might be narrow down the search.

[Prophet in the wilderness]

Could they have embellished the facts ? naaaaaaaaaaa ? could they ?

[Dr.Zoidberg]

If true.

A lot of people aren't able to comprehend actions have consequences. Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum probably aren't capable of reasoning out the crapstorm they are facing.

Only time will tell.

[conservative in nyc]

Let's give MD4BUSH a chance to defend himself before we jump to any conclusions about who he is. He very well may have posted the full exchange in order to make sure it was available here when the WaPo selectively quoted from it. (As I'm writing this, MD4BUSH's account has been suspended, so this might not happen).

The underlining of incriminating passages is admittedly suspicious. The first Freepmails were posted on a now pulled thread at 11:05PM on 2/8. The underlining was put in a response to that same thread at 11:13PM on 2/8.

[MEG33]

I think the copy should be deleted as the other thread has just been pulled.

[Mo1]

The fact is, MD4Bush actually started (or at least voluntarily repeated) many of the rumours concerning O'Malley. Here is a post from him dated 8 October 2004:

Gee .. wasn't that nice of him to do that and then have a story written in the Washington Post blaming someone else so they would lose their job ... /sarcasum>

[Dr.Zoidberg]

Um, o.k.

If I get your gist, I agree with you.(?)

[kcvl]

TIPP Tracking poll 10/15/04 Bush 47% Kerry 44, Bush 47%-43% 2 way.
Posted by NCPAC to MD4Bush
On News/Activism 10/15/2004 11:57:39 AM PDT · 25 of 26

Haven't had the chance to read all the posts yet.

Perhaps we've met?


******

Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies

TIPP Tracking poll 10/15/04 Bush 47% Kerry 44, Bush 47%-43% 2 way.
Posted by NCPAC to MD4Bush
On News/Activism 10/15/2004 10:33:37 AM PDT · 23 of 26

"She had to tell him three times not to lie."

I guess three times wasn't enough.

[conservative in nyc]

Let's not jump to conclusions. MD4BUSH could be a Washington Post reporter sting. He or she could also be a Democrat dirty trickster who leaked to the WaPo. Or even an innocent bystander caught in a keystroking dirty trick.

One moral of the story is that your anonymity isn't guaranteed on the Internet. Don't post anything you think will come back to bite you in the butt. The same goes for FReepmail and e-mail.

And everyone should remember that the WaPo and rest of the mainstream media IS lurking here. Please think before you post.

[MEG33]

He's dead, that thread is pulled..but the deed is done...Nobody knows WHO is on the internet unless you have personally met them...

[Smokin' Joe]

The only way private e-mail should have been available is if one of the parties made it so.

[NormsRevenge]

Thanks. I saw that little nugget earlier..

[kcvl]

'I opted out'

Steffen's O'Malley postings were made on the conservative Web site www.FreeRepublic.com under the handle "ncpac." A posting Tuesday night under that name read: "If I were to hide, that would only hurt a Governor I've known and admired for a long time. ... Given the volatility of the situation - and knowing the blowback potential on the Governor - I opted out rather than letting him bleed further at the hands of O'Malley."

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/bal-te.md.steffen10feb10,0,6372246.story?coll=ny-leadnationalnews-headlines

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

I was wondering about that - is there a way to find out who he is?

[Rokke]

"So-called reporters from the Washington Post seems to be trolling websites alot lately"

It's the last gasp of a dying empire. They know their days are numbered, so their only hope is to pull the whole house of cards down with them as they go. But it won't work. For every MSM reporter being paid to generate news, there are 1000 Buckheads and TankerKC's able to discern fact from fiction without MSM help, and they contribute to sites like this for free. And the fact that this site exists through voluntary contributions alone, means it will not be influenced by the same influences that buy off the old media. As long as FreeRepublic remains true to its charter, it will continue to be funded by average folks looking for real information. And the dollars that used to roll into newspaper and news magazine offices will continue to dry up until the old media no longer exists.

[GeronL]

If these were private "e-mails" (e.g. FR private mail messages) that were intercepted

More likely MD4Bush could be a deep troll trying to find dirt for the media

[MEG33]

Good bye.... and I hope you get all you deserve in life.

[Kay]

Dear Jim,

Since MD4BUSH broke his agreement with FR, are you allowed to let the rest of us know who she/he is? After all, the contract was broken, wasn't it?

[conservative in nyc]

I don't think anything should be deleted, since you probably can get it from the Google cache or the Wayback Machine anyway.

But whatever the Admin Moderators want to do is fine with me. I don't own this place.

[moonpie57]

Hmmm...Free Republic is not a blog OR a chat room...chat rooms are used for real time chats, not emails..ya gotta wonder if these writers have any idea what they are talking about...lol