March 13, 2008 2:28
Do Not Joke With The Political Press
Earlier today, Eric Woolson, the former Iowa campaign manager for Mike Huckabee, sent out an informal email to some people, including a bunch of reporters. He had meant it as a funny thing that we would all keep private. But he made a horrific error. He got funny. To wit:
It comes as no surprise to most of you who know me: My office is a mess. The problem is, it's my company office, not a campaign headquarters, and that big stack of Huckabee for President T-shirts is one reason why. So, to make sure we find good homes for all those shirts in short order -- and my office space gets back to normal -- we're having a blowout sale this week only. All Huckabee for President T-shirts in my office are now just $5 plus $1 for postage and handling. (You can't even buy two gallons of gasoline for that price -- and think how much longer this wonderful souvenir of Governor Huckabee's campaign will last.)Members of the media: I have a SPECIAL OFFER for you! All shirts are just $35.00, $7.50 postage and handling. Just kidding! You receive the SAME GREAT DISCOUNT as everybody else. I know you can't wear one in public, no matter how good your heart is -- and I know you all have very, very good hearts. But you will want one of these high-quality, comfortable white 100-percent cotton T's with that familiar campaign logo you know and love as a cherished keepsake of your time covering the the campaign you loved best.
Check out this great review from a satisfied customer: "My Huckabee T-shirt took me on a roller coaster ride of emotions. I laughed. I cried. It was better than 'Cats.'" -- Mr. C. Saltsman, Memphis
OK, I made that up. Order today because even though that stack of shirts seems big, quantities are LIMITED. And after this, they really will become collector's items and I will start charging $35 per shirt.
C. Saltsman is a reference to Chip Saltsman, Huckabee's campaign manager. When I emailed Woolson back to ask if he minded if I posted his email, he seemed to panic, “NO!!!” he wrote me. “It is just for a few friends. Honest. I'm only trying to clear out my office. Of course, if it starts a bidding war ... hmmmmm.... whaddya think? I could use top dollar for them.”
But it was already too late. The Associated Press began working on a story, and the New York Times posted the email online. And the rest is history. Just before noon, Woolson emailed that he had moved 22 t-shirts in the previous hour. “Well, the inventory is moving, at least,” Woolson wrote. “So, we know humor sells. Fortunately for everyone involved, I did not have to resort to selling with sex.”
To that, I will agree. Quit while you are ahead, Eric.
About Swampland
Ana Marie Cox is the founding editor of Wonkette and the author of the novel Dog Days. Read more
Joe Klein is TIME's political columnist and author of six books, most recently Politics Lost. Read more
Karen Tumulty is TIME's National Political Correspondent and has also covered the White House and Congress. Read more
Jay Carney is TIME's Washington bureau chief. He has covered the Clinton and Bush 43 White Houses as well as Congress. Read more
Jay Newton-Small has covered the Bush 43 White House and Congress since the DeLay era. Read more
Michael Scherer is a TIME Washington bureau correspondent covering the 2008 presidential campaign. Read more
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Reader Comments (12)
Do Not Joke With The Political Press
...for they are Subtil and quick to Blog?
Posted by Paul Daniel Ash, can I be "that one" now?
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March 13, 2008 3:14 PM
He got funny
Where?
Posted by fedupwithswampland | March 13, 2008 3:19 PM
How very cute, and it's doubly cute coming on the heels of another cute video courtesy of Scherer.
Meanwhile, those who want real reporting are going to have to do it themselves. For instance, all during the many months he was campaiging, not a single MSM hack asked Huck about a highly questionable deal he pushed that benefited corrupt ChickenProcessors and the corrupt MexicanGovernment and that may have broken state law:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=1KxDhesWutc
But, he's a nice guy, and not scary like those other evangelists. So, what's a little possible law-breaking and corrupt behavior between friends?
Posted by NoMoreBlatherDotCom
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March 13, 2008 3:30 PM
That's a humorous and non-offensive email. Certainly Woolson didn't expect to be reading it on several high profile blogs, but I don't see why he would panic at having it published. Now having his email published, so the trolls who frequent this comment train could send his foaming-at-the-mouth critiques, now that would be something to panic about.
Posted by Peter
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March 13, 2008 4:03 PM
No More Blather, why does everything you talk about have to involve Mexicans in some disparaging fashion?
Posted by Yoshi | March 13, 2008 4:16 PM
Hilarious e-mail, by the way. Thanks for posting!
Posted by Yoshi | March 13, 2008 4:17 PM
I thought it was quite funny and anyone who would find it offensive would have to work pretty hard. While I wouldn't support Huckabee I would like to have a beer with his staff if they drank.
Posted by Kathryn | March 13, 2008 4:40 PM
Yeah, Yoshi, NMB is hilarious and would be even more so if I wasn't pretty much exactly the same way about FISA.
Speakin' o' which: WTF is up with the lack of FISA posts today? The House goes into secret session and we're reading about T-shirts, for cripes' sake?
Get on the ball! Joe's apparently out sick, so you don't have to worry about him telling you you don't have the "legal background..."
Posted by Paul Daniel Ash, can I be "that one" now?
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March 13, 2008 4:53 PM
Yoshi: the MexicanGovernment isn't the same thing as other things with Mexico/an in their names. And, since I've written thousands of posts about the general imm. topic over the years, believe me, I'm quite precise on the language I use. Let me suggest asking a few smart friends to help you work through what I wrote above.
Posted by NoMoreBlatherDotCom
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March 13, 2008 4:55 PM
Okay, seriously NoMoreBlatherDotCom, I clicked on that youtube link and WTF? The video slams Huckabee for asking for a Mexican consulate in his state and then draws a bunch of wild extrapolations about national security and the Mexican government "profiting" off illegal immigration. Huckabee is long out of the race and that's what you get worked up about? Maybe he just had a lot of Mexican nationals in his state and thought it would be nice to have a consulate to handle their issues and ease the burden on the state government.
Posted by Peter
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March 13, 2008 7:33 PM
Peter: you might notice that there were several links in the video description. If you had taken the time to follow them and look into this matter (assuming you aren't just a kneejerk apologist for something or other) I'm sure you'd have a different opinion.
So, for instance, you do know that Mexico gets (IIRC) over $20 billion/year in money that's sent home from various types of workers outside Mexico, right? You do realize all the very many steps they take to make sure that that cash infusion keeps coming back home, right? Surely, you must have done your research, right?
Now, obviously, I can't copy and paste years worth of coverage into this post, but surely you must be intellectually honest enough to know what you're speaking about before speaking, right?
Posted by NoMoreBlatherDotCom
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March 13, 2008 11:05 PM
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الجاسوسات
Posted by b | July 12, 2008 7:58 PM