Clinton Call Leak Sabotaged Kerry

[obby]

Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2004 9:40 a.m. EDT

Clinton Call Leak Sabotaged Kerry

Panicked presidential candidate John Kerry had every reason to believe that the conversation he had with ex-president Bill Clinton on Saturday – where the two discussed how to rescue his flagging campaign – would be kept confidential.

But that expectation went up in smoke on Monday when Kerry and his campaign aides found explicit details from the Clinton strategy session splashed all over the New York Times and other media.

Among the most damaging details to surface: Clinton's strong recommendation that Kerry abandon the crown jewel of his presidential campaign – his service in Vietnam.

Kerry himself was plainly mortified over the leak, desperately trying to downplay the significance of the Clinton call by describing the ensuing press coverage as "the most overblown thing."

So, who was responsible for the loose lips?

The Times cited only "officials with knowledge of the Clinton conversation."

The Washington Post was no more helpful, sourcing "those familiar with the conversation."

What is known is that "those familiar with the conversation" include just three individuals: Clinton, Kerry and former Clinton press aide Joe Lockhart. And Lockhart later told reporters he wouldn't comment.

But somebody commented – and whoever it was certainly didn't seem to have Sen. Kerry's best interests at heart.

While we don't pretend to know exactly who it was who spilled the beans, one tidbit that crossed our desk last week offers a clue.

The day before Mr. Clinton entered the hospital for heart bypass surgery, the Associated Press reported:

"With the national political conventions out of the way, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton embarks Friday on a two-day swing with her husband, the former president, that has the trappings of a personal campaign kickoff.

"Sen. Clinton is gearing up for a 2006 re-election bid seen by many as a prelude to a run for president in 2008 should John Kerry fail in his bid for the White House this year."

Perhaps Sen. Kerry ought to think twice about answering the phone next time Mr. Clinton calls with fresh advice on how to save his campaign.