Following Hastert's cancellation of his fundraisers, Media Matters suggests some questions for the media

Written by Simon Maloy

Published


On the October 5 edition of MSNBC News Live -- as originally flagged by the weblog Think Progress -- NBC News correspondent Chip Reid reported that House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-IL) has canceled all of his fundraisers for the next two weeks, following allegations that he and the House Republican leadership ignored -- or even covered up -- reports of emails allegedly sent by Rep. Mark Foley (R-FL) to underage male former congressional pages. According to Reid, Hastert had been “bragging” that he was going to appear at fundraisers for more than 30 different Republican candidates in the course of one month.

Word of Hastert's cancellations was preceded by reports that Rep. Ron Lewis (R-KY) canceled an event at which Hastert was scheduled to appear. The media will presumably pursue further with Hastert the matter of his canceled campaign fundraisers. Media Matters for America offers some suggested questions for the media to ask Hastert regarding these canceled campaign events:

  • Why did you cancel these appearances?
  • Other than Rep. Lewis's cancellation, did you receive any indication that other candidates no longer wanted you to attend their events?
  • Why only cancel the fundraisers for the next two weeks? Do you feel the scandal will have completely blown over by that point or have information that the House investigation will be completed by then?
  • On whose behalf were you scheduled to appear over the next two weeks?
  • What impact do you think your absence will have on those races?
  • On whose behalf are you still scheduled to campaign beyond the next two weeks?
  • Will you cancel those appearances as well?
  • Have any of those members of Congress contacted you asking to reschedule?

For the candidates:

  • Before Speaker Hastert's cancellation of the event on your behalf, did you give any indication to the speaker or his staff that you would prefer that he not attend?
  • When you were notified of the cancellation, did you ask to reschedule?
  • For those whose appearances with Hastert are still scheduled: Do you intend to go forward with Speaker Hastert's appearance at your event?

From the October 5 edition of MSNBC News Live:

REID: Then, what we're seeing, as Hastert said today, they have canceled -- he has canceled all of his fundraisers. You know, he was bragging recently that he was going to hit -- I think it was 34 districts in 30 days to do fundraisers. He has canceled all of his fundraisers for this week and for next week. That is big. That's a lot of money, and that's going to mean some trouble from people out there who are also going to be separating themselves from him.