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MEMOS TO GORE WARNED OF ‘STRETCHING TRUTH’

Source: Drudge
Published: Oct. 6, 2000 Author: Matt Drudge

RELEASED: MEMOS TO GORE WARNED OF ‘STRETCHING TRUTH’; FULL TEXT MADE PUBLIC

**Exclusive**

The DRUDGE REPORT on Friday released memos written to Al Gore by his staff that warned of Gore's impulse to embellish.

Published reports earlier this year quoted from the memos, written in 1987 and 1988 by Gore campaign staffers. The full text is now released.

Staffers warned then-Senator Gore that a tendency to "stretch" the truth could get him into serious trouble.

MORE

TO: Al

FROM: Mike [Mike Kopp, the campaign's deputy press secretary]

RE: Attacks on your credibility

9/9/87

We’ve been hearing an increasing number of remarks from members of the press corps (national, and regional) about your tendency to go out on a limb with remarks about your campaign. It is clear that at least one of the other campaigns, Gephardt’s, has picked up on this and is helping to fan the flames.

In the past few reporters cared if you stretched the truth to make a point or as an applause line. But gone are those days. Because of your steady climb in the polls and Nunn’s departure, we are becoming increasingly scrutinized, particularly by the national press.

Your remark on Face the Nation is a good example of how one comment can generate a behind-the-scenes attack by one of our opponents, in this case Gephardt. Granted that our relationship with Post reporters is not great, by Maralee Schwartz was on the kill armed with your comment from Face the Nation that you had campaigned more extensively than all the other candidates put together in the South. That comment is not easy to defend. Fortunately it came out in the press in August, and was dismissed by several reporters I spoke to (Kevin Sack; Mike Pigott; Howard Fineman; Strobe Talbot) as inside the Beltway news. But Maralee told me, during the course of our numerous lengthy conversations that day; that you have a growing reputation as a politician who “stretches the truth to suit a political moment.”

Your remark in Texas which was widely circulated by AP outside of the state that you intend to campaign more days than all the other candidates combined in that state did not go unnoticed. Kevin Sack brought it to my attention (though he did not write anything about it) and I’m certain he’s filed it away.

This impression that you stretch the truth (or say something one place and something different elsewhere) reared its ugly head in Portland with your remarks about women staffers in your campaign, and in your Administration. You know the problems that created for you at the news conference that followed your remarks to the group, but you should be aware that press clips I am still getting from contacts on the West Coast indicate it was widely reported. As you know Gephardt’s staff told Howard Fineman to ask you about it when he interviewed you for the mini-profile last week.

p.2

On a related note, Jim O-Hara and Bruce Dobie (Nashville Banner and Tennessean reporters), asked me why you felt compelled to switch ribbons on the cattle for a photo opportunity at the Iowa State Fair. I mention that only to make a point that even the smallest action on your part is not going unnoticed. They may not write about it at length, but they are talking among themselves, and your credibility suffered as a result of it.

The point of all this is to caution you about your press image, and how it may continue to suffer if you continue to go out on a limb with remarks that may be impossible to back up. And to point out to you that the other campaigns are also watching this closely, and will continue to seize on opportunities to zing you as you continue to rise in popularity.

The burden is not all on your shoulders. We have got to be more aggressive with the media on all levels. Arlie’s help should help make the difference. _______________________________________________________________

February 15, 1988

 

TO: AL

FM: ARLIE [Arlie Schardt, campaign press secretary]

This is very important.

As I’ve mentioned to you the past couple of days, Nolan Walters of Knight-Ridder has been nosing into your past. He thought he’d uncovered a scandal re your 1969 loan from the Production Credit Association to buy 20 acres of your Dad’s farm. Todd Campbell gathered all the relevant documents and we have now let the wind out of his balloon on that one.

However, Walters is continuing to pursue diligently a story in which he wants to discredit your resume, primarily as it concerns your claims to be or have been (1) a farmer and (2) homebuilder.

Walters is making the Texas trip with you this week. He will be asking you about the above. He has made many calls to people in Tennessee and plowed through lots of records. He is therefore very familiar with your past activities and will undoubtedly ask you about them in hopes of catching you in an exaggeration.

re [sic]

Therefore, /above, do not overstate your degree of involvement as a farmer or former homebuilder.

POINTS RE HOMEBUILDER ROLE

Walters questioned Walter Robinson extensively. He also questioned the owners of the homes in Tanglewood. Walters is trying to establish that you could not really have been active in the housing development when you were also going to school and working as a reporter.

Answer: I had a long talk with Robinson to ascertain Walters’ line of questioning. Walters was openly skeptical of your role in the development. Robinson countered with the following:

-Robinson told Walters that it was your project, that you put it together, but of course you needed the help of many people to make it a success (same as any other businessman).

-Robinson told Walters that you personally sold 2 or 3 of the lots. Also that you, Robinson, Tipper and your Dad all met from time to time to plan the development and decide what kinds of houses to build. Robinson says “It was Al’s business. He was conducting it.”

-BOTTOM LINE: You should say “I didn’t drive all the nails or pour concrete, but I did put together that business venture. It was up to me to see that it was a financial success, because if it wasn’t, I was the one who would lose his money.”

The main point is to be careful not overstate your role.

(MORE)

Page 2

Nolan Walters Interview

2/15/88

RE YOUR ROLE AS A FARMER

1. Your staff has never exaggerated your role as a farmer. The campaign bio we distribute everywhere says only “He owns a small livestock farm near Carthage where he and his family reside when Congress is not in session.” Your Senate bio says the same.

2. No one except you can really establish how much you’ve worked as a farmer, or how much you can be described as a farmer in terms of income or time spent.

You did say near the end of the Iowa race (in the flap over your not taking part in the farm debate a few weeks ago) something like “I’m the only farmer in this race.

But I suggest that you say that such phrases are a way of establishing your familiarity with farming, your knowledge of farming. In that same vein, you’ve had fun having your picture taken holding a steer at a state farm. Big deal, Nolan.

Conclusion: As I see these 2 subjects, your main pitfall is exaggeration. Be careful not to overstate your accomplishments in these 2 fields.

YOUR CAMPAIGN FINANCES

Walters is also trying to demonstrate that you received some illegal funds in your first race for Congress. He questioned Robinson about this, since Robinson was your finance manager. Here is what Robinson told Walters:

When Al got into the race it was very sudden, because of Congressman Evans’ retirement. He needed money quickly, and where else could he turn for help but his family? Then as the campaign got underway, Robinson began to study the newly established federal financing rules and discovered the limit of $1,000 per person. The amounts in excess of $1,000 per person were promptly returned.

Walters counters that the returned funds were returned to you personally. Robinson says the only relevant point is that your Congressional Committee returned the funds. If you parents chose to give you a personal gift, that’s their business.

cc: Fred Martin

Todd Campbell

END

-----------------------------------------------------------

Filed by Matt Drudge

Reports are moved when circumstances warrant

http://www.drudgereport.com for updates


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