‘My Bad’: Leftwing Politico Admits Chelsea Clinton Offered Interview Questions In Advance

Because pretty much everyone in the DC Media almost certainly does the same for Democrats, the leftwing Politico has already gotten away with what would be a major scandal if the DC Media operated in anything resembling an ethical world. But they don’t, so the fact that Politico offered Hillary Clinton’s daughter Chelsea a puff interview where she would receive the questions in advance, is either being played down in the media or outright ignored.

Also being downplayed and ignored is Monday’s admission by the leftwing publication that it did indeed offer the presidential daughter those questions in advance. Couched in a dissembling word salad that is equal parts admission and apology, the specific offerer in this case, Politico honcho Mike Allen, buried the following in his daily email newsletter:

MY BAD! You may have missed a Gawker post last week that rightly took me to task for something clumsy I wrote in an email to Philippe Reines in 2013, seeking an interview with Chelsea Clinton at a POLITICO brunch. In the email, I said I’d agree to the questions in advance. I have never done that, and would never do that. POLITICO has a policy against it, and it would make for a boring event. As you know from attending our events (or can tell by clicking on any of the videos on our website), they’re spontaneous, conversational and news-driven. Without stunts or grandstanding, we challenge guests to address newsworthy topics, and to be original, relevant and revelatory. A scripted back-and-forth would be a snore.

We didn’t do the interview with Chelsea Clinton, and would never clear our questions. But the email makes me cringe, because I should never have suggested we would. We retain full, unambiguous editorial control over our events and questioning. My bond with readers and newsmakers is built on knowing I don’t pull punches. So I wanted to share my take on this, and make sure our policy is clear.

Translation:

“It’s not Politico’s policy to offer interview subjects the questions in advance but I did it anyway. Nevertheless, I will pay no price at Politico or from our so-called competitors in the DC Media because when it comes to electing Democrats, we all do it, we all know we do it, and if anyone comes after me I will expose them. In short, Democrats sure got it good.”

 

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