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The kid – Tyler Crotty
(AP Wideworld/Craig Litten) |
Earlier today we posted our interim verdict on the Dave Letterman vs. CNN vs. the White House brouhaha. On Monday, Letterman played a clip of a Bush campaign rally featuring a kid directly behind the president looking bored and sleepy. On Tuesday, CNN stated that it had been contacted by the White House, who had told them the clip was doctored. Then, later that day, the network told Letterman “the anchor woman misspoke, they never got a comment from the White House.””
Letterman, however, contends that “an undisputable source, a very high-placed source,” as he put it Wednesday night on “The Late Show,” told him that the White House did contact CNN. Thursday afternoon, CNN apologized to Letterman for reporting that the tape had been doctored, asserting that the White House never called the network concerning the videotape.
So what’s going on? Thursday morning’s Washington Post suggested that Letterman had been joking when he said he had sources telling him that the White House had called CNN: “Last night on his show, Letterman recapped the story and joked that he’s hearing that maybe the White House did speak to CNN about ‘George W. Bush Invigorates America’s Youth.'” (Emphasis in original.)
However, it appears as if Letterman was far from joking.
Campaign Desk has learned that on Thursday night’s show Letterman will stick to his story. Letterman tells his audience, “I’m pretty sure the White House contacted CNN.” He goes on to offer his own “conspiracy theory” as to why, he alleges, the White House intervened.
Campaign Desk sought an explanation from CNN in response to Letterman’s continued assertion that the White House had in fact called the network, but CNN did not return phone calls requesting comment.
While the White House did return our calls, it could not provide comment at this late hour.
The Washington Post did not return phone calls requesting comment as to why the paper reported Letterman’s comments as a joke.
When we do find out what’s going on, you’ll be the first to know.
–Thomas Lang
Thomas Lang was a writer at CJR Daily.