Oh, the love-to-hate affair I have with the Times‘ Adam Smith! On one hand, I readily admit that he is the straw that stirs Florida’s political coverage. On the other hand, he sure can be a stubborn son of a bitch, trapped in the trappings of old world journalism, which dictates that if it isn’t said to a reporter’s favored sources, well, then, dammit, it just didn’t happen.
Back in May, I wrote about the secret negotiations taking place between the camps of Charlie Crist and NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, writing:
“…preliminary plans call for Bloomberg to offer not only his endorsement and financial support, but the direct assistance of his political team, which would be welcomed by a Crist campaign that, despite enthusiastic support from some of the governor’s long-time supporters, is still working to build a credible statewide political operation.”
Smith promptly took the bait — not fully understanding that my posting of the story was my effort as a loyal Democrat to flush out the story and keep Bloomberg sidelined — and reported that:
NYC Deputy Mayor Howard Wolfson told the paper that rumors Bloomberg would endorse Crist were “false” and the chances of the mayor helping Crist out were “zero.” Wolfson said: “Mayor Bloomberg was very disappointed that Gov. Crist vetoed an excellent education bill and has no intention of endorsing him.
But not so fast. Politico reported last week that, for the second time in as many months, a Bloomberg ally would be joining the Crist campaign to take on a major role. First, Bloomberg’s new media team, SKD Knickerbocker was brought in and now Danny Kanner, a veteran of David Yassky’s campaign for city comptroller last year who’s been working at the Bloomberg administration’s Department of Education, is departing for the Sunshine State to be press secretary for Charlie Crist’s U.S. Senate run.
But, truth be told, you wanna know why I’m peeved at Smith, at least why I am peeved at him today?
Dude sends me this direct message:
alex forwarded your voice mail re weinstein. u really have to accept the shocking reality that SPT staffers dont constantly monitr yer blog
after I left a voice mail for Times reporter Alex Leary asking why, of all the dozens of state and national publications who mentioned it on their blogs, why Leary and the Times couldn’t throw a hat tip my way for discovering this hilarious video from Rep. Michael Weinstein’s campaign.
Before I discovered this YouTube video, which had been lying out there for over a month, the video had been seen a total of 16 times. Then I posted it on my site, which Jordan Raynor linked to, which then helped it go viral. But along the way, whether it be Abel Harding of Death, Taxes, Politics or frekin’ Andrew Sullivan, one of the most prominent bloggers in the world, the re-posters threw a hat tip back to ol’ Saint Petersblog.
But not Adam Smith.
Dude never when he’s wrong.
