‘Let me tell you where I’m gonna put this, Rupert.’Judith Reagan, Bernie Kerik’s former inamorta in an adulterous relationship, just sued her ex-boss, Rupert Murdoch and News Corp. She’s definitely got an ax to grind since he fired her over the O.J. Simpson book deal. But where it gets really interesting is that she’s ready to sing on Bernie and all that News Corp. was willing to do to protect Rudy’s presidential aspirations. In this case, it involved–or so she alleges–attempts by News Corp to encourage her not to cooperate truthfully and fully with an FBI background check on Bernie when he was up for Homeland Security chief. If the charge has any truth it sounds like tampering with a federal witness which is a pretty serious charge. This draws in Rupert and Roger Ailes, Rudy’s political guru in delightfully embarrassing ways.
Being the flamboyant figure she is it’s hard to know how much truth there is to any of this. But I hope there’s just enough to make it interesting for Rudy and Rupert.
On a slightly separate issue: Rupert got the best of both worlds. If Rudy wins he’s got Roger Ailes’ best buddy in the White House. Imagine how much Rudy could help News Corp as president. And if Rudy flames out and Hillary gets the presidential nod, he’s got his bases covered. He’s got his Dem babe in the White House. Nice work if you can get it, Rupert. He’s got it made either way.
I think Rudy’s campaign is a real comment on just how low the US political discourse has suck.
Seems to me – in a sane world – by this time Rudy would have had to drop the campaign, that public opinion would be outraged by the dirt that he accumulates.
That editorials would be written, that people would be calling for him to drop it.
Yet, scandal after scandal emerges, and he goes on.
There was an interesting interview yesterday on npr ‘To the Point’ with Ken Silverstein, whose work you know Richard. Most of the hour was about Rudy. Ken was saying how Rudy’s advisors constituted the ‘AIPAC dream team.’
After Ken, someone from PEW foundation was interviewed. He was asked to account for Rudy’s popularity. According to their surveys, the big attraction was “his manliness” – he’s strong. He’s a leader, etc.
Sigh – what have we come to. very depressing.
ellen
oops – that should be “sunk” not suck, altho maybe both apply