New leaked Clinton emails show that reporters from both CNN and Politico conducted favors for Hillary Clinton's team and compromised their journalistic integrity in doing so.
CNN global affairs correspondent Elise Labott took guidance from then-Secretary of State Clinton's senior adviser about what to post on Twitter during Clinton's Jan. 23, 2013 testimony on the Bengazhi terrorist attacks in Libya, according to the emails published by Gawker.
During Clinton's Senate testimony, Clinton aide Philippe Reines instructed Labott, who is currently suspended for violating CNN's editorial guidelines, to tweet an inflammatory remark criticizing Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul for asking Clinton hard questions about Benghazi.
"Are you sure Rand Paul wasn't at any hearings," Labott asked Reines, appearing to pick up on a previous conversation with Reines, reports The Daily Caller.
Moments later, Labott sent the tweet and messaged Reines to inform him that "This is what I tweeted."
The tweet read: "Sen Paul most critical on committee of Clinton, but a little late to the #Benghazi game. Not sure he was at many of the 30 previous briefings"
Sen Paul most critical on committee of Clinton, but a little late to the #Benghazi game.Not sure he was at many of the 30 previous briefings
— Elise Labott (@eliselabottcnn) January 23, 2013
Later that day, Reines emailed Labott telling her that he had suggested another good tweet over the BlackBerry PIN-to-PIN messaging system, according to The Blaze.
Eleven minutes later, Labott had posted the tweet and responded, "Done." The second tweet seems to reference the Accountability Review Board that Clinton appointed to investigate the Benghazi attacks, according to The Daily Caller.
Clinton: I tried to be transparent. I could have joined the 18 ARBs, kept it classified and then said goodbye. That is not who I am. — Elise Labott (@eliselabottcnn) January 23, 2013
Another unrelated email from earlier in the month shows that Reines suggested yet another tweet for Labott.
"Nice doing business with you," Reines wrote. "You should Tweet something like 'Feb 1st looking like Hillary's last day' and link to the story."
And again, another email exchange with Reines shows that Labott seemingly lied to several news networks to protect the Clinton team from questions about the then-secretary of state's health.
"even though that's not entirely true." pic.twitter.com/kNcTs2HMX1
— Phil Kerpen (@kerpen) November 25, 2015
In a separate series of leaked emails from Gawker, Politico's Chief White House correspondent Mike Allen attempted to secure an interview with Chelsea Clinton by promising Reines a "no risk...no surprises ... something she would like" interview where all the questions would be agreed upon in advance, reports Breitbart.
Allen wrote in one email: "This would be a way to send a message during inaugural week: No one besides me would ask her a question, and you and I would agree on them precisely in advance. This would be a relaxed conversation, and our innovative format (like a speedy Playbook Breakfast) always gets heavy social-media pickup. The interview would be "no-surprises": I would work with you on topics, and would start with anything she wants to cover or make news on. Quicker than a network hit, and reaching an audience you care about with no risk."
And in another:
"Will def. write Matt if that's what you recommend. I was just hoping for your confidential advice on what topics they're most interested in - what might maximize chances. I think this is something she would like: a way to send a message on a big weekend, but in a no-risk way, since they know I would stick to topics we agree on."
Chelsea Clinton ultimately declined Allen's interview offer, according to Gawker.
