Sunday, April 24, 2005

Gannon/Guckert: A "Special" Relationship with the White House?

The story that just keeps on giving.

In response to a FOIA request by Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY) and Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), the Secret Service has issued documents showing that the erstwhile male prostitute cum* White House correspondant frequently visited on days when no press briefings were held or scheduled, and also frequently failed to check in or out with the secret service.

G/G made over 200 White House appearances during his 2-year career as a "journalist" for on-line "newspapers" GOPUSA and Talon News, a remarkable number for a reporter there on a day pass. But

[p]erhaps more notable than the frequency of his attendance, however, is several distinct anomalies about his visits.

Guckert made more than three dozen excursions to the White House when there were no scheduled briefings. On many of these days, the Press Office held press gaggles aboard Air Force One—which raises questions about what Guckert was doing at the White House.

On at least fourteen occasions, Secret Service records show either the entry or exit time missing. Generally, the existing entry or exit times correlate with press conferences; on most of these days, the records show that Guckert checked in but was never processed out. - [From Raw Story]
According to other WH correspondents, such laxness is unusual and is especially remarkable post 9/11.

Which once again raises the obvious, and still unanswered question: How did G/G get so much unobserved access. What was he up to on his after hours, "unofficial" visits? Given the closeted nature of the WH and G/G's predilictions and resume, is it too ridiculous to suggest that he was using his God given assets (allegedly 8' cut) to advance his journalistic ambitions? And with whom did he do his advancing?

Inquiring minds want to know.

[UPDATE-For an in depth look at the whole tawdry affair try John Aravosis, for a completely irresponsible intimation of the identity of G/G's main client go here. ]

I distort, you decide. (And thanks to Atrios for the heads* up)

*All puns intentional

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