by Mark Silva
One of the fellows arrested and accused of trying to tamper with the telephones in Sen. Mary Landrieu's New Orleans office - the same fellow who posed as a pimp to make videotapes of ACORN workers offering advice to some apparently unsavory clients - maintains there's been "a huge misunderstanding'' here.
James O'Keefe, a 25-year-old videographer who is on the payroll of a conservative blog publisher and whose taping of talks with ACORN workers stirred congressional calls for a cutoff of federal funding for the anti-poverty agency, has made his first full public accounting of the incident in the senator's office that resulted in his arrest and the arrests of three others. He made it on FOX News Channel's Hannity, which bills O'Keefe online as "the ACORN pimp.''
O'Keefe told Sean Hannity last night that the "entire visit'' to the senator's office is on videotape.
"Actually there's two different cameras,'' O'Keefe explains - he was recording with his cell-phone and a friend wearing a telephone repairman's helmet was wired for video, too. "One was on the helmet and one was on the cell phone. So there's two... there's tapes the government has them in possession and I'm willing -- I want them to be released because they refute a lot of these claims being made by the media."
O'Keefe, however, said his visit to Landrieu's Senate office in New Orleans had something in common with his surreptitious tapings in ACORN's offices, where he presented himself as a pimp, accompanied by the woman posing as a prostitute. The couple were given tax advice.
"That this is a huge misunderstanding, I think,'' he said of the videotaped visit to the senator's office. "You know, like in all my videos, like in my ACORN videos, I'm trying to get to the bottom of something. I'm trying to expose the truth....
"I'm trying to get to the true intent about what these people think about their constituents,'' O'Keefe told Hannity. "I'm trying to show the American people what are they concerned about their constituents. And that's what I was trying to do...
"We wanted to get to the bottom of the fact -- of the claim that she was not answering her phones or phones were jammed,'' he said. "We wanted to find out why her constituents couldn't get through to her. We wanted to verify the reports."
Landrieu, of course, had won money for her state's health-care programs as part of the negotiations in the Senate that secured the votes of 60 senators for the health-care bill that passed the Senate without any Republican support. Andrew Breitbart, conservative-activist publisher of the online Breitbart.com and BigGovernment.com, who first displayed O'Keefe's ACORN work, has maintained that he had nothing to do with the New Orleans escapade - but pays O'Keefe for rights to his work, "a fair salary.''
On the question of misrepresenting themselves in the senator's office, O'Keefe said this: "Well, I mean, generally speaking, it's the people's office. ... These are representatives of our country. And we deserve to find out -- if they are accepting $300 million in money, we deserve to find out what's going on. Why the people of Louisiana couldn't get through to her."
But he denies any suggestion that the purpose of the men representing themselves as telephone repairmen - they asked to see the phone-wiring closet for the Senate office - had anything to do with an attempted bugging of Landrieu's suite.
"There is no bugging, there was no wiretapping, there was no interfering with phones,'' he said. "Not only was there no interfering with phones -- we never even thought about interfering with phones. It never even occurred to us. So all that is completely false."
"I could have used a different approach to this investigation,'' O'Keefe allowed. "And you know, I think going forward I'm going to try to be a little more thoughtful about how I approach these things...
"I think -- while I continue to do sort of undercover videos I have to be a little more careful, a little more thoughtful. And I have to sort of investigative tools I use I'll have to, you know, think about it...
"I am not taking a break,'' he added. "Right now we're hitting the ground running on more projects. We're not stopping. Our goal is to expose truth, expose corruption, until it's gone, and that's it."
At the same time, O'Keefe suggested that he is upholding a tradition of undercover investigative journalism: "I mean these are things investigative journalism have been doing for years."
"I have no complains about the way the U.S. attorney is handling this and we are cooperating with them,'' he said of the federal charges that he and the other three face, allowing that their stay at a lockup before their release wasn't too pleasant.
"Jail was - the food was terrible.''
Comments
The only "misunderstanding" is that anyone other than Schlock News takes this moron seriously.
Posted by: BC | February 2, 2010 11:28 AM
What I find interesting is that when he broke the ACORN scandal last summer, it took weeks for the MSM to cover it. When he breaks the law, the MSM is all over it.
Posted by: Terry | February 2, 2010 11:58 AM
Once Again, James O’Keefe Strips Away the MSM’s Mask of Neutrality, Revealing the Bias Below
-
http://biggovernment.com/2010/02/02/once-again-james-okeefe-strips-away-the-msms-mask-of-neutrality-revealing-the-bias-below/
-
What I’ve learned is this: the MSM is the primary force of the Democratic Party. If the MSM is lying to you, guess who else is? Someone has to feed them stories. Time and time again the MSM has been caught in a self-created web of lies, and the vast majority of these reports do one thing, and that is mask the true, ugly face of liberalism.
Why do I think the MSM and the Liberals were so perversely obsessed with the possibility of James being a wannabe “Watergate Jr.?” They lie, because despite all their money and power, they are scared. Not of the Republicans or Conservative movement, but of citizen journalists who hold truth in the highest regard. These people are at large, and on the rise. Which means some major power players have a lot to be afraid of.
Posted by: Bobby Mobbie | February 2, 2010 11:59 AM
WITHOUT "SCHLOCK NEWS" TAKING IT SERIOUSLY, ACORN WOULD STILL BE ASSISTING IN THE SETUP OF UNDERAGE BROTHELS.
Posted by: Bobby Mobbie | February 2, 2010 12:00 PM
The O’Keefe Affair: Obviously a Media Malfunction
http://biggovernment.com/2010/02/02/the-oobviously-a-media-malfunction/
hen the Christmas Day panty bomber was arrested for trying to blow up himself and the plane he rode in on, he was questioned for approximately 50 minutes before an attorney was brought in to advise him. What happened next? Mister Burning Briefs clammed up.
Contrast that with James O’Keefe, American citizen, who was denied an attorney for 28 hours after he was arrested and accused of trying to tamper with the phones of Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu. During that time, the FBI issued a press release on the arrest and leaked the criminal complaint. The mainstream media salivated, while ACORN’s Bertha Lewis scambled to appear before TV cameras.
The Christmas Day bomber was given Constitutional rights and Miranda’d within an hour of his arrest but a U.S. citizen was not given a lawyer until more than a day had passed?
How — and why — did a terror suspect get kid glove legal treatment? And as another conservative journalist asked, “Where was the ‘don’t rush to judgment’ media when someone killed innocents while shouting Allah Akbar? But at the first hint of a scandal, they crucify O’Keefe?”
Posted by: Thank GOD I'm a Conservative | February 2, 2010 12:02 PM
what's the big deal, cons? didn't your boy say that he's willing to go to jail for his "cause"? now he's getting his chance, in the grand tradition of colson, liddy, north, et al.
think of it as a rite of passage.
when he gets out, he'll sign on to Faux News, write a steamy tell-all book about his prison relationships, and sell gold. he'll be fine, after the swelling goes down.
oh, except for various the lawsuits pending against him. those could hurt.
Posted by: heartlandboy | February 2, 2010 12:38 PM
The law is pretty specific and dressing up and lying to record events in the Senator's offices is illegal. It's not journalism. The law must take it's course. meanwhile O'Keefe and his fellow arrestees are under gag order. I don't care, but usually lawyers advise their clients to be quiet. I estimate that O'Keefe will get probation and a fine, but will be found guilty.
Posted by: muffler | February 2, 2010 1:03 PM
""I think -- while I continue to do sort of undercover videos I have to be a little more careful, a little more thoughtful. And I have to sort of investigative tools I use I'll have to, you know, think about it..."
"I am not taking a break,'' he added. "Right now we're hitting the ground running on more projects. We're not stopping."
"Thoughtful," right. "Thoughtful" doesn't really seem to be one of the weapons in his arsenal of "investigative tools," does it.
But, when you've got the magic decoder ring and the X-ray specs from the back of the comic book that you keep in the shoe box under your bed, who needs "thoughtful."
Some people might have "investigated" the problem of getting through to the Senator's office by actually trying to call the office to see what happens. But that's not as fun as playing dress up and using your cool new Spy Kids gear, is it?
Maybe it's time to take some Ritalin and then enroll in a civics class.
Posted by: mrbarolo | February 2, 2010 1:14 PM
hmmm Silva one key word missing in a sentence in this article... but still the MSM overlooks the word.
“The couple were given tax advice.”
We mustn’t forget to mention “illegal” tax advice
Posted by: MAJMark | February 2, 2010 1:31 PM
SAY WHAT YOU WILL, BUT WITHOUT THIS "KID", ACORN WOULD STILL BE UP TO THEIR NORMAL SCHEMES. OH WAIT, THEY HELPED OBUMMER GET ELECTED, SO WHAT THEY DO IS JUSSSTTTT FINE.
Posted by: Bobby Mobbie | February 2, 2010 1:44 PM
Breaking the law is ok if it fits your personal politics.
Posted by: bill r. | February 2, 2010 2:48 PM
There's no misunderstanding here.
O'Keefe and his fellow college Republican Village People look-a-likes committed multiple F_E_L_O_N_I_E_S against America....period, end of story.
The only thing that's left to find out is how involved that clown Brietbart was in this stupid operation.
O'Keefe is now free to do an undercover video on how rich white boys like him survive in the Federal Pen.
I can't wait to see it!
Posted by: over do it and have a fit | February 2, 2010 3:50 PM
When I read "acorn pimp" I thought this was just another typical article from Silva praising obama.
Posted by: worsethanbefore | February 2, 2010 4:01 PM
UMMMM WHERE ARE THE MULTIPLE FELONIES? THAT'S JUST RICH, THE CROOKED LEFT LOONS GETTING THEIR PANTIES IN A BUNCH OVER A KID WITH A CAMERA. OOOOHHHH SCARY!!!!!!
Posted by: Bobby Mobbie | February 2, 2010 4:12 PM
When I read "acorn pimp" I thought this was just another typical comment from "Bobby Mobbie" praising Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin.
Posted by: worsethanbefore | February 2, 2010 4:01 PM
Posted by: Thank god I'm NOT a Conservative | February 2, 2010 4:16 PM
**********************************************
UMMMM WHERE ARE THE MULTIPLE FELONIES? THAT'S JUST RICH, THE CROOKED LEFT LOONS GETTING THEIR PANTIES IN A BUNCH OVER A KID WITH A CAMERA. OOOOHHHH SCARY!!!!!!
Posted by: Bobby Mobbie | February 2, 2010 4:12 PM
**********************************************
Right Wing Talking Bumper Sticker,
- - Entering a Federal Gov't Office under false pretenses.
- - Attempting to disrupt or munipulate a Federal gov't phone system
I'm sure there's more....
I hope O'Keefe keeps talking, the worst thing an accussed felon can do is to constantly babble on the record to the media.
Posted by: K | February 2, 2010 4:37 PM
O'Keefe and his band of right wing idiots are up a creek without a paddle.
Another Felony Charge:
----------------------------------------
* Entering a Federal gov't office under false pretenses with spying equiptment (camera).
Posted by: K | February 2, 2010 5:24 PM
"Landrieu, of course, had won money for her state's health-care programs as part of the negotiations in the Senate"...............................................................................waahaaa, thats the funniest thing that i read all day Silva! Won money for her state? You mean a bribe to buy her vote? part of the negotiations? You mean the shady backroom deals? C'mon Silva, stop surgar coating this B.S, you liberal bias is shinning through, actually it's blinding us. This blog is turning into the huff post/daily Kos on steroids.
Posted by: Dave | February 2, 2010 5:39 PM
When I read "acorn pimp" I thought this was just another typical article from Silva praising obama.
Posted by: worsethanbefore | February 2, 2010 4:01 PM
That cracked me up--- !
Posted by: heartburn | February 2, 2010 6:02 PM
THERE WAS NO DISRUPTION OF PHONE SYSTEMS, BUT KEEP DREAMING AND MANIPULATING!!!!
Posted by: Bobby Mobbie | February 2, 2010 6:14 PM
***********************************************
THERE WAS NO DISRUPTION OF PHONE SYSTEMS, BUT KEEP DREAMING AND MANIPULATING!!!!
Posted by: Bobby Mobbie | February 2, 2010 6:14 PM
***********************************************
Really?
Were you there?
Try again, Talking Bumper Sticker....
Posted by: K | February 2, 2010 7:20 PM
I say we throw these right wing domestic terrorists in Gitmo and waterboard them. And then never give them a trial.
Republicans seem to think that's the way to go with everyone they don't like so I don't see why they would have a problem with their own minions living down there with no hope of ever getting a civilian trial...
Posted by: DrainYou | February 2, 2010 7:23 PM
I'm still laughing at the fact that this O'Keefe goon and his idiot pals dressed up as the Village People and tried to pull off Watergate II.
Do College Republicans ever take any history classes (Nixon), or do they just skip all of that and go directly to the "How to Screw the Middle-Class and Poor out of their Life Savings" class?
Posted by: L. Maklin | February 2, 2010 7:27 PM
WOW LISTEN TO YOU LEFTIE LOONS: DRAIN AND L. MAKLIN!!!! BEAT THAT DRUM!!!!
Posted by: Bobby Mobbie | February 2, 2010 11:01 PM
These guys were very stupid. There are LEGAL ways of investigating improper conduct of senators. One of the guys is the son of a current federal prosecuter. They had every access to legal recourse.
That's why I wonder if there's a more serious motive to doing this. They are lucky they got caught before they published any of the information. Then again, maybe they weren't intending to expose their crime, but to sell it to the highest bidder.
Whatever, they should be jailed just for being dumb.
Posted by: giraffe | February 3, 2010 7:29 AM
There is really no connection between the Louisiana phone deal and the Acorn deal except for the person doing it. What was found at Acorn does not change regardless of what they did in the Senators office.
I guarantee you that if there were a scintilla of illegality to the Acorn films, the current DOJ or local authorities would arrest them once they were viewed... but they were not..
We need to look at the two episodes as seperate and distinct happenings.
Posted by: Carl Frobee | February 3, 2010 9:19 AM
The last I heard is that O'keefe and or Fox news still have not handed over the unedited tapes of his Acorn (investigation). Until the unedited tapes are handed over there is no proof of anything. Why are we not demanding the unedited tapes.
Posted by: no spin | February 3, 2010 10:42 AM
LOL - "manipulated" the phone means he picked it up, maybe listened for a dial tone, pressed a few buttons.
So far, all they have is these guys dressing up - good gried - the Salehi's entered under false pretenses, and you don't see them thrown in jail. O'Keefe has already said why he was there - to find out if Landriau's phone was working.
These charges won't stick.
Posted by: Same rules for everyone | February 3, 2010 1:45 PM
O'Keefe is really great.
he used an awesome idea for that.
Posted by: sell gold in tampa fl | May 24, 2010 5:28 AM