Kelley Defends Book On Bush In Second NBC Interview
On NBC's Today Show, Matt Lauer interviewed author Kitty Kelley this morning, in the second of three interviews on her new book on the Bush family. Asked about Sharon Bush's denial that she was a source for Kelley's claim that President Bush had used cocaine at Camp David, Kelley said, "I have three independent witnesses to what was said to me and Sharon Bush. That's good enough for a court of law. It should be good enough for you and me. It was good enough for the four sets of lawyers who vetted this book." Asked if she had "any concrete evidence that would indicate that George W. Bush did not fulfill his obligations to the Texas National Guard," Kelley said, "For the first four years, he had a solid, good record. Starting in April, 1972, no records. There is a huge gap. He made his last flight in April, 1972. And Lt. Col. Robert Rogers told me the reason for that gap, that is when the Air Force and the National Guard started random drug testing." Lauer: "But you have no evidence of any positive drug test for George W. Bush in the Texas Air National Guard?" Kelley: "I didn't say that. No, I don't. All he has to do is release the flight board inquiry record, because those are the medical records. They have not been released." Kelley recounts the story told by former National Guard member Bill Burkett, who alleged that while he was Governor, Bush aides sanitized his National Guard records. Pressed on Burkett's credibility, which was questioned in a Houston Chronicle article, Kelley said, "This isn't the first time that the White House, the Bush White House has tried to trash the messenger who is bringing the message." Lauer added, "By the way, Bill Burkett's name has now came up with possibly being connected to the 60 Minutes report last week, where some of the documents' authenticity are now in question."
Kelley Claims Non-Partisanship, But Her Record Suggests Otherwise.
In yesterday's NBC's "Today Show" interview of Kitty Kelley about her new book, NBC began by honing in on a potential political motive behind the book, but Kelley argued there is none as she supports both Republicans and Democrats. A review of her record, however, indicates she is a registered Democrat, has worked for a Democratic Senator, and has donated to Democrats and liberal causes.
NBC's Matt Lauer asked Kelley this morning who she voted for in 2000. Kelley responded, "I voted in 2000. I'm registered in the District of Columbia. I vote for Republicans. I vote for Democrats. And I used to give money to both. In fact, probably the last campaign contribution I made was to the Republican Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison." Asked who she would vote for in 2004, Kelley dodged the question, saying she will vote not for just a person but rather "for principles that I believe in." Lauer pressed ahead by saying, "It gives people perspective about what is contained in the 600 pages." Kelley responded: "This is not a partisan book. I come from a red, white and blue Republican family. My father was behind George W. Bush Sr. and Jr. He had a problem with Barbara." Lauer ignored the Barbara reference and asked, "What about the timing of this book? You have been working on it for four years. Why release it before a hotly contested election?" Kelley: "Why not?" Lauer: "I am asking why?" Kelley: "Why not." Lauer: "Do you want people to read this and do you want it to influence their choices as they go to the polls on November 2nd?" Kelley: "Matt, I want them to read this book. It's an important book. There are relevant themes here. Is it going to change an election? No."
Kelley sold herself today as a non-partisan, but her record indicates she's anything but. Kelley's resume simply states she worked "four years as a press assistant to a U.S. Senator," but that Senator was Democratic presidential candidate Eugene McCarthy. The RNC reports Kelley is registered as a Democrat in the District of Columbia and, according to FEC records, has made six donations to Democratic candidates totaling $4,250 (Louise Slaughter, Max Baucus, Jim McDermott, and Ed Garvey three times) and none to Republicans. Kelley has also played a role as a host for other Democratic fundraisers and liberal events, and she donated $1,200 to the Gay And Lesbian Victory Fund. And in one of her first public events for her new literary work, Kelley is expected to attend a Washington book-signing party to benefit a political wing of Planned Parenthood.
White House Calls Allegations In Kelley Book "False," "Trashy."
According to USA Today, the Bush Administration and the GOP have "launched a vigorous campaign to discredit Kelley as a Democratic partisan and discourage coverage of her 733-page book. 'The gossip writer's allegations are false and so trashy that even the tabloids should cringe,' said Claire Buchan, deputy White House press secretary. She denounced the book's 'politically motivated timing.'"
"New Media" Urged To Ignore Kitty Kelley And Her Book.
Conservative talk radio, TV and print outlets are being urged to ignore Kelley, author of The Family: The Real Story Of the Bush Dynasty. "Don't give Kitty Kelley air time," says a memo from the conservative and influential PR firm Shirley & Banister Public Affairs. The memo was sent as NBC's Today Show was set to interview Kelley over three days."
