I'm Starting to Like Jeff GannonAt first I just felt sympathetic towards him because the folks arrayed against him are an assortment of knuckleheads like Kos, Atrios and Oliver Willis. But I was somewhat turned off by his websites and the appearance that he might have engaged in prostitution.
But his
responses to Aaron's questions were intelligent and well-thought out, and he's not excusing himself or attempting to lie about his problematic past:
I have never asked anyone to defend my personal behavior, that is my responsibility and I will fully deal with that at some point in the future. But for now, I have work to do. I'm bruised but not broken, and I'm ready to get back in there. I think this has moved the ball down the field and look forward to being in the game.On his blog, Jeff has
some similar thoughts.
Criticism of my work and my journalistic background is fair game, but the intensive scrutiny into my personal life, especially things from the past have startled many in the journalistic community. Now Democrats in Congress are demanding that the White House do more thorough investigation into the personal lives and sexual histories of reporters. Is this what they want, to give the Bush administration a mandate to make this kind of information relevant to the vetting process for journalists? What kind of reaction would there have been if the White House has announced such a plan two months ago?Indeed. One story that never loses favor in America is the guy who's been beaten down, but then rises again. Jeff Gannon looks to me like somebody who's got a second act inside him.