Monday, June 27, 2005
Hillary Pressures Networks to Cancel Klein
In what may be an unprecedented act of media censorship, several major TV and cable networks – including NBC, ABC, CBS, MSNBC, Fox and CNN - have cancelled planned appearances of the author of the new, red hot book on Hillary Clinton.
(See Photo)
Edward Klein's sizzling new biography "The Truth About Hillary: What She Knew, When She Knew It and How Far She'll Go to Become President" has caused a storm of controversy after Sen. Clinton lashed out at it.
Though the celebrated author was scheduled to appear on more than a half dozen major TV network shows, all have cancelled except one, Fox's "Hannity & Colmes."
However, conservative host Sean Hannity did reveal that he was under immense pressure to cancel the program.
"I've had more political pressure than I've ever had in all my years in radio," Hannity said to Klein during a radio interview. "Do you know the number of requests I've had to cancel you and not have you on this program? I've never in the history of this program had more demands to cancel the guest."
Several shows apparently expressed a keen interest in booking Klein until pressure from the Hillary camp stopped them, among them ABC's "Good Morning America," NBC's "Today" show, and CNN's "Aaron Brown."
On the day of his only Fox News appearance, Klein's book hit the #1 spot on Amazon's coveted bestseller list, as well as top positions at online sellers like Barnes & Noble. "Truth" has also been the biggest selling book in the history of NewsMax's online store.
Last week, Klein kicked off his radio appearances on Sean Hannity's radio show, the second largest syndicated show - with 13 million weekly listeners. Since then Klein has begun a schedule of non stop interviews on major talk radio shows, including Salem Radio Network's Mike Gallagher, Westwood One's Jim Bohannon, and the Laura Ingraham Show.
But the TV cancellations are raising questions about the unusual effort by the Clinton Spin Machine to stop this book.
Last week, Fox News host Neil Cavuto told his audience, "Kitty [Kelley] was booked on shows. Ed is getting no bookings, period ... Could it be the media relished dirt on the president, less so on the woman who wants to be president?"
During his interview with syndicated radio host Laura Ingraham this past Wednesday night, Klein revealed just how radioactive he's become.
He related how a leading mover and shaker had called him to disinvite him for a dinner party in Manhattan honoring a liberal politician.
The host told Klein it wasn't personal against him. She simply explained: "Hillary will ruin the politician's career if she finds out you were there."
Klein's story underlines his central complaint that Hillary is dangerous and "Nixonian" with power. But that may be an understatement. Even Richard Nixon as President didn't have the power Hillary Clinton seems to wield today over the mainstream media.
In what may be an unprecedented act of media censorship, several major TV and cable networks – including NBC, ABC, CBS, MSNBC, Fox and CNN - have cancelled planned appearances of the author of the new, red hot book on Hillary Clinton.
(See Photo)
Edward Klein's sizzling new biography "The Truth About Hillary: What She Knew, When She Knew It and How Far She'll Go to Become President" has caused a storm of controversy after Sen. Clinton lashed out at it.
Though the celebrated author was scheduled to appear on more than a half dozen major TV network shows, all have cancelled except one, Fox's "Hannity & Colmes."
However, conservative host Sean Hannity did reveal that he was under immense pressure to cancel the program.
"I've had more political pressure than I've ever had in all my years in radio," Hannity said to Klein during a radio interview. "Do you know the number of requests I've had to cancel you and not have you on this program? I've never in the history of this program had more demands to cancel the guest."
Several shows apparently expressed a keen interest in booking Klein until pressure from the Hillary camp stopped them, among them ABC's "Good Morning America," NBC's "Today" show, and CNN's "Aaron Brown."
On the day of his only Fox News appearance, Klein's book hit the #1 spot on Amazon's coveted bestseller list, as well as top positions at online sellers like Barnes & Noble. "Truth" has also been the biggest selling book in the history of NewsMax's online store.
Last week, Klein kicked off his radio appearances on Sean Hannity's radio show, the second largest syndicated show - with 13 million weekly listeners. Since then Klein has begun a schedule of non stop interviews on major talk radio shows, including Salem Radio Network's Mike Gallagher, Westwood One's Jim Bohannon, and the Laura Ingraham Show.
But the TV cancellations are raising questions about the unusual effort by the Clinton Spin Machine to stop this book.
Last week, Fox News host Neil Cavuto told his audience, "Kitty [Kelley] was booked on shows. Ed is getting no bookings, period ... Could it be the media relished dirt on the president, less so on the woman who wants to be president?"
During his interview with syndicated radio host Laura Ingraham this past Wednesday night, Klein revealed just how radioactive he's become.
He related how a leading mover and shaker had called him to disinvite him for a dinner party in Manhattan honoring a liberal politician.
The host told Klein it wasn't personal against him. She simply explained: "Hillary will ruin the politician's career if she finds out you were there."
Klein's story underlines his central complaint that Hillary is dangerous and "Nixonian" with power. But that may be an understatement. Even Richard Nixon as President didn't have the power Hillary Clinton seems to wield today over the mainstream media.
