Breaking the Law for McCain: Who Placed the Story about Obama's Aunt?

[NYCGirl]

I'm tempted to put the word "Aunt" in quotes, as he obviously barely knows her.

From Josh Marshall

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/241682.php

You may have noticed that the AP is reporting that Barack Obama's aunt (who he does not seem to have a relationship with) was denied asylum in the US four years ago and is now living illegally in Boston. Convenient timing, ain't it?

The real story, though, is down in the third paragraph of the AP story ...

"Information about the deportation case was disclosed and confirmed by two separate sources, one of them a federal law enforcement official. The information they made available is known to officials in the federal government, but the AP could not establish whether anyone at a political level in the Bush administration or in the McCain campaign had been involved in its release."

That's about as transparent a red flag as an outfit like the AP is usually willing to give. And there you have it. Quite likely working in concert with the McCain campaign, a Bush administration official is leaking details on an immigration case to try to help McCain three days before the election. It's shades of Bush I's riffling through Bill Clinton's passport files just before the 1992 election in a desperate last minute gambit as they were swirling down the drain.

Late Update: Note too that the story first got leaked to the Times of London, a Murdoch paper with a history of taking planted stories from Republicans for siphoning back into the US media.

[no_hypocrisy]

1. This story has as much legs as the story re. Jackie O.'s aunt and cousin,

(the two Edie Phelans) living in poverty in their ramshackle Mansion in East Hampton replete with a leaking roof, fleas, and racoons in the attic during the Seventies.

People, esp. celebrities, are not responsible for the welfare of every single member of their family.

Ask Jimmy Carter if you have any doubt.

[NYCGirl]

3. I certainly remember Billy Carter (and Roger Clinton). Both were much closer

family members than Obama's half-aunt.

[mr poe]

2. What's funny is...

this is the pre-election-weekend surprise? This is the best attack they've got? :D

[Overseas]

4. K&R to highlight Republicans breaking laws for political gain again. //nt