NPR: Clinton Campaign Keeps E-Mailing Reporters

Clinton Campaign Keeps E-Mailing Reporters

Don't just spin behind the scenes! Announce it publicly!

Over the course of the night, the Hillary Clinton camp has repeatedly sent e-mails to political reporters containing its talking points. Those are the consultant-crafted, focus-group-tested, easily digestible assertions that a candidate's big-name supporters repeat robotically for the benefit of every cable channel and radio station and newspaper columnist. They either boast of infallibility or explain away losses.

NPR's Mara Liasson says she received those talking points five times tonight — five times! Usually, they are closely guarded by the campaigns, even though they're ultimately relatively easy to discern — but these e-mails strip the process unusually bare.

Was it a mistake? The Los Angeles Times sure thinks so, but Liasson argues (and I think persuasively) not — she says the Clintonistas want people in the press to know precisely what they're thinking — or at least, what they say they're thinking...

We reproduce an example of the talking points below. This one is about the state of Missouri, shortly after Clinton was projected to have won the state:

MISSOURI

Barack Obama outspent Hillary by $300,000 in TV ads in Missouri.

He also benefited from the endorsements of high-profile surrogates across the state such as Representatives Carnahan and Clay, and Senator McCaskill, all of whom actively campaigned for him and appeared in ads on his behalf.

Despite these challenges -- and with the help of Kansas City Congressman Emanuel Cleaver and Former Majority Leader Dick Gephardt -- Hillary Clinton won this important toss-up state.

Remember, Hillary Clinton had an important win, against the odds, says objective observer Hillary Clinton.

-- David Folkenflik

Update: Did she speak too soon? The Associated Press has pulled back from its projection of a Clinton win in Missouri, and several of the TV networks are now calling the state for Barack Obama. NPR is holding back until we can get a more accurate count of the returns. Stay tuned.

Another Update: This was the subject line from a message Obama spokesman Bill Burton sent to reporters at 12:44 a.m. that forwards the talking points from Hillary Clinton taking credit for winning Missouri:

"Subject: a press release the Clinton campaign wishes it hadn't sent out"

12:56 AM ET | 02- 6-2008 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

"Despite these challenges -- and with the help of Kansas City Congressman Emanuel Cleaver and Former Majority Leader Dick Gephardt -- Hillary Clinton won this important toss-up state."

DEWEY BEATS TRUMAN!

Sent by Blue Leaf | 1:06 AM ET | 02-06-2008

I think sending out your "corporate speak" is revolting, and just shows how unauthentic and scripted her campaign is. I would hope that reporters would ignore them

Sent by Katie Delahaye Paine | 1:11 AM ET | 02-06-2008

So when are you going to publicly admit that Obama has beat the odds and WON Missouri????

Sent by Robert Mueller | 1:30 AM ET | 02-06-2008

So when are you going to publicly admit that Obama has beat the odds and WON Missouri????

Sent by Robert Mueller | 1:30 AM ET | 02-06-2008

Looking at undecided New Mexico makes me cringe. I forgot to register to vote after changing state residency from Texas to New Mexico. Had I voted it would have been for Hillary Clinton. This decision is based upon personal observances in European leadership. Tony Blair???s youth, inexperience and naivety played into the Bush governments hands. I am too afraid of the parallel I see between Blair and Obama. Blair made too many bad decisions for his country. Currently looking at the wonderful job Angelika Merkel is doing in Germany also leads me to choose the female leadership card. Plus Margaret Thatcher was also a great leader which tends to make me think that I shouldn???t discredit Hillary Clinton based upon sex.

Sent by AL Husarich | 2:30 AM ET | 02-06-2008

Tom -
The Clinton campaign isn't the only campaign sending out messages. Ask the reporters and report the facts. I have heard several reports that the Obama campaign blackberries reporters continually throughout the day. Somehow, though, the media only object when it is done by the Clinton folks.

Seriously, you guys HAVE to get your act together. You are sounding like a large Obama ad.

Sent by Eric | 6:42 AM ET | 02-07-2008

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