Over a recent nine-day period, my research assistant sent six emails to Ms. Kristy Campbell at the Jeb Bush organization requesting copies of the speeches Gov. Bush had given in 2014.
The first two emails went unanswered. After the third email Ms. Campbell wondered: “what is this for?”
Gov. Bush apparently wants to be president of the United States, and he has an aide who asks why someone wants to see copies of his speeches?
Ah, Ms. Campbell, Mr. Oliver has run clean out of kitty litter.
My research assistant (whose name in the copies of the emails below I have changed to that of Raymond Chandler’s famous private eye — they share capabilities) told her I was the former chairman of the board of National Review. He also said that I didn’t want to rely on what the media reported about the governor’s speeches, but wanted to be able to read what the governor had actually said.
Still, what difference does it make who asks for copies of the governor’s speeches? Or why?
Perhaps Ms. Campbell is just a doe-eyed college sophomore doing her mid-winter intern program at the Bush headquarters? Actually, she’s not.
She has been, according to her website profile, Deputy Communications Director for Romney for President, Communications Director for Foundation for Florida’s Future (Jeb Bush’s think tank), and even Press Secretary in the Executive Office of Governor Bush for a year.
It is true that I wrote a piece recently entitled “Jeb Bush’s Toaster Problem,” in which I said that if the governor couldn’t articulate some truly conservative proposals he risked being regarded as just another Mitt Romney — without the dog on the car roof.
Given that Ms. Campbell has worked for both Mitt Romney and Jeb Bush, that might have offended her. But are we to believe that only friendly reporters get copies of the governor’s speeches? That is not presidential behavior.
Read the emails and marvel.
And remember that last week, Gov. Bush accepted the resignation of a young assistant who had been hired as chief technology officer, but who had made what the same Kristy Campbell called “regrettable and insensitive comments.” Perhaps he and Ms. Campbell should start their own firm together.
The emails:
From: Philip Marlowe <PhilipMarlowe@yahoo.com>
To: “kristy@jeb.org” <kristy@jeb.org>
Sent: Monday, February 2, 2015 4:52 PM
Subject: Jeb Bush speeches 2014 transcript/texts request
Hello, Miss Campbell ~
My name is Philip Marlowe. I am a researcher for Daniel Oliver, the former Chairman of the Board of National Review. We are trying to get the transcripts for Jeb Bush’s 10 latest speeches. Here are the ones I have found for 2014 (it appears, indeed, he only gave 10 speeches in 2014). Out of these, I have found three videos (pasted below). But, for the other ones, there are no transcripts or texts available.
I am imagining that perhaps you would have them available? We are operating on deadline and I would really like to get this information as soon as possible.
If you can’t proffer the texts, please let me know. Also, if I am missing any speeches listed below, please by all means don’t hesitate to inform me of which ones I have left out. Thank you very much for any help/assistance here!
Best,
Philip
PS Feel more than free to ring me on my mobile @ XXX-XXX-XXXX anytime!
=========================
From: Philip Marlowe <PhilipMarlowe@yahoo.com>
To: “kristy@jeb.org” <kristy@jeb.org>
Sent: Thursday, February 5, 2015 1:22 PM
Subject: Fw: Jeb Bush speeches 2014 transcript/texts request
Hello, Kristy,
Did you get this message?
I have noticed that sometimes my e-mails — because it is a Yahoo account — go straight into the Spam box.
Philip
=========================
From: Philip Marlowe <PhilipMarlowe@yahoo.com>
To: “kristy@jeb.org” <kristy@jeb.org>
Sent: Friday, February 6, 2015 12:47 PM
Subject: Fw: Jeb Bush speeches 2014 transcript/texts request
Hello, Kristy,
Did you get my message??
Philip
=========================
From: Kristy Campbell <kristy@jeb.org>
To: Philip Marlowe <PhilipMarlowe@yahoo.com>
Sent: Friday, February 6, 2015 1:07 PM
Subject: Re: Jeb Bush speeches 2014 transcript/texts request
Philip, what is this for?
Kristy
Kristy Campbell XXX-XXX-XXXX
=========================
From: Philip Marlowe <PhilipMarlowe@yahoo.com>
To: Kristy Campbell <kristy@jeb.org>
Sent: Friday, February 6, 2015 3:28 PM
Subject: Re: Jeb Bush speeches 2014 transcript/texts request
As I understand it, it is for an article on Jeb Bush’s outlook, and is to be based off of these 2014 speeches. He does not want to go off of what the media reports said about each speech, but what the speeches actually do say.
=========================
From: PhilipMarlowe@yahoo.com
To: kristy@jeb.org
Sent: Tue, Feb 10, 2015 11:01 AM EST
Subject: Fw: Jeb Bush speeches 2014 transcript/texts request
Hello, Kristy,
Just called/txt’d. Any word on this?
Thanks for any assistance!
Philip
=========================
From: Philip Marlowe <PhilipMarlowe@yahoo.com>
To: kristy@jeb.org
Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2015 3:46 PM
Subject: Fw: Jeb Bush speeches 2014 transcript/texts request
Hello, Kristy,
So it’s nearly been two weeks now… I know you are busy, but eventually we have to go to print. I take it you are not going to proffer the transcripts of the speeches? That’s what I am going to mark down, unless I hear otherwise. I don’t know how difficult this task is but I am sympathetic, but this is a total blackout on your end.
Again, these speeches are important so we can see what was actually said and not the media’s interpretation.
It is very important I get these speeches/ transcripts but I understand you cannot help.
Best wishes,
Philip
Daniel Oliver is Chairman of the Board of Education and Research Institute and Senior Director of White House Writers Group in Washington, DC. In addition to serving as Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission under President Ronald Reagan, he was Executive Editor and subsequently Chairman of the Board of National Review. Email Daniel Oliver at Daniel.Oliver@TheCandidAmerican.com
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