DNC consults lawyers after Drudge Report story on Dean

[cal04]

Sorry guys. Last update
The Democratic National Committee consulted its attorneys Monday after a story posted by online heavyweight Matt Drudge claimed that DNC chairman Howard Dean intervened in New Orleans' recent mayoral race, RAW STORY can reveal.

In an exclusive Sunday evening, The Drudge Report claimed that Dean threw his support behind mayoral candidate and sitting Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu (D-LA) over sitting mayor Ray Nagin. DNC Communications director Karen Finney said the report was "absolutely false."

Finney told RAW STORY Monday she had just gotten off the phone with Joe Sandler of Sandler, Reiff & Young, the committee's attorney, and says the DNC is exploring legal options. A second DNC staffer confirmed the account.

"I have called our lawyer to see what if any legal actions we may have," Finney remarked. "The DNC does not as a policy get involved in Democratic primaries."

Finney seemed stunned by the Drudge claim. The Committee's involvement in the New Orleans race, she said, was limited to get out the vote efforts and placing poll watchers to ensure residents got an opportunity to vote. The DNC also set up a toll-free 800 number to help displaced residents locate their polling area.

"We did have poll watchers out to make sure people weren’t disenfranchised but it wasn’t on behalf of any candidate," she remarked. "It’s completely outrageous."

"The only thing that the DNC did was a campaign helping ensure that displaced voters had an opportunity to vote," she added. "It wasn’t in support of any candidate or frankly any party... We focused on helping people find out where they needed to get out to vote."

Ironically, the DNC's effort may have actually increased support for Nagin -- those who voted by absentee ballot were more likely to support Nagin than Landrieu. An email to Matt Drudge was not immediately returned.

http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/DNC_consults_lawyers_after_Drudge_Report_0522.html

[Kagemusha]

1. Doubt there's much they can do

Drudge's citing "SOURCES" which can lie all they want. He has 1st amendment protection to print virtually anything he believes to be true that he likes. So as long as he decides that Dean's a low-life and the story is believable, his own credulity is his best defense.

[Stinky The Clown]

7. I'm not sure that's true

I recall a spate of lawsuits against the National Enquirer (or maybe some similar rags) by celebraties. I recall most were won by the celebs.

I'm not a lawyer and don't try to play one.

[Hubert Flottz]

2. Get him boyz!

I hope they nail that POS good!

[rocktivity]

3. He "intervened" by supporting the candidate who eventually lost?

I thought that was politics as usual!

:shrug:
rocknation

[OzarkDem]

9. He didn't intervene - read the article n/t

[xultar]

4. If they can nail Drudge's ugly ass to the wall I hope they do.

I'm glad no one will ask me to site sources to prove that Drudge it UGLY. :rofl:

Although I can prove he is ugly and provide sources to that effect. BUHWAWAWAWA!

[Initech]

5. Sue the asshole for slander.

Really, take that human piece of pond scum for every penny he's got. That douche should have been put out to pasture a long time ago.

[cally]

6. Sue him even if there's little chance of winning

That's what Dems have to do to fight back against the media lies. Go Dean!!! :bounce: If Kerry had filed suit against the swift boat liars right after it hit the MSM, that would have added a new spin on the story that would have made them back down a little. Or at least, the media might have reported that Kerry had filed a slander suit. The voters would have heard that and realized Kerry was accusing them of lying.

[Catrina]

8. I absolutely agree with you! Drudge is part of the rightwing pipeline

that spreads the smear campaigns of Karl Rove and his rightwing cohorts. Drudge, FR, Rightwing Radio, not to mention their email campaigns, various phoney 'news' blogs etc. It's a coordinated effort and they all report the same smears and now is the time to stop it, imo.

The DNC may not win, but Drudge will for once, have to TELL THE TRUTH when under oath, and if he doesn't well, that's a Federal Crime.

What would come of a lawsuit, is a retraction, and it should be a BIG ONE! And each time they do this, sue them. If you have not told a lie, you have nothing to worry about Drudge.

My guess is that his 'source' is Karl Rove. That's who is source usually is.

He lied about Kerry having an affair also, and Kerry should have sued him over that.

The SBV liars should and could still be sued. That they weren't gave them credibility.

[OzarkDem]

10. So glad they're finally doing this

Dems have needed to stand up to GOP lies since before Clinton was elected. Its the only tactic that works with these thugs - hit them in their pocketbook.

[shance]

11. Good for DNC. This is how to respond to the Republicans abuse and lying.

Or else Repbublicans/power abusers in general will continue to spread lies and misinformation until they are stopped.