the kicker

Sometimes When You "Flush The Toilet," It Overflows

From one of those three A1 New York Times Palin pregnancy stories today: Mr. McCain’s campaign, which has shown itself adept at handling the news media,...
September 2, 2008

From one of those three A1 New York Times Palin pregnancy stories today:

Mr. McCain’s campaign, which has shown itself adept at handling the news media, tried to influence coverage of the [pregnancy] disclosure by releasing it as Hurricane Gustav was slamming into the Gulf Coast. (The Palin news was not mentioned on the “CBS Evening News” until 15 minutes into the newscast). It was also by every appearance tucked into a series of problematic tidbits released about Ms. Palin’s past, including news that her husband, Todd, was arrested for driving while impaired in 1986.

“We are going to flush the toilet,” said Tucker Eskew, who is a senior adviser to Ms. Palin, describing the campaign’s plans for Labor Day, when much of the nation was busy with family and social activities.

Telling the New York Times that your “campaign’s plans for Labor Day,” when “the nation” is distracted, are “to flush the toilet” (whisk away in a rush of cleansing water, before Americans return from the beach and take notice, any potential, um, crap out there on your candidate?) doesn’t strike me as evidence of a campaign “adept at handling the news media.”

Who is this Tucker Eskew? Maybe he’s new?

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Liz Cox Barrett is a writer at CJR.