Jessica Yellin's record

By: Jennifer Foster | Opelika Auburn News
Published: June 17, 2008 | 0 Comments | Post a Comment

One more thing: I think CNN's Jessica Yellin set a new record for anonymous sources in a single story with that piece on the Solis Doyle hire. Let’s count ’em. Yellin’s anonymous/shadowy/guess-who-we-might-be sources include:

“A longtime adviser,”

“A top campaign staffer;”

“Several major donors;”

“An aide to Obama;”

“One former staffer;”

“One former aide” (we have to assume these are different people, since she didn’t refer to the person as “the staffer” on second reference);

“Others;” and

“A top Democrat close to Solis Doyle.”

Well, I was wrong. We can’t count them. But surely since the headline of the post is “Unhappiness in Clinton camp over Obama hire,” she got SOMETHING along those lines from SOMEONE on the record! Let’s see:

Clinton spokesman Mo Eleithee: Yellin notes that Eleithee’s statement “contained no criticism of the hire.” To the contrary: “Patti will be an asset and good addition to the Obama campaign,” the statement said.

Um, that’s it. Eleithee is the only named source in the post.

So, just to clarify, the only named source in the post provides information that directly contradicts the title of the post.

I’m not saying Clinton’s people aren’t upset. I’m sure they are. But that’s why it would be nice to hear it from someone – ANYONE – on the record.

This isn’t national security, people. Has proper sourcing really become that difficult? Are we now reduced to whispered rumors in the hallway between study hall and geometry class?

Shadowy anonymous source #1: “Psst! Jessica! Did you hear? Hillary’s people are really mad that Patti’s hanging with Barack. Don’t tell anyone I told you.”

Shadowy anonymous source #2: “Yeah, everyone’s talking about what a slap in the face it is. But you didn’t hear that from me.”

Jessica: “No problem. The producers don’t even make us use names anymore. Unaccountable reporting is, like, all the rage. Everybody’s doing it – even the New York Times.”