RSS Feed MenuSo at the end of a day of reporting, we have good news and bad news. Sean Hannity has not billed a charity for his planes or hotel suites or other extravagant expenses. He is not helping himself out of money intended for wounded soldiers. That’s the good news.
Now the bad news: As we investigated the charges this morning, it became evident that almost nobody except us and American Spectator’s John Tabin was working this beat. Granted: it’s a busy day, with the great battle raging over healthcare reform. Yet Schlussel’s charges were important, they were facially credible, and they got wide pickup on the left-hand side of the blogosphere. You’d think the conservative world would want them investigated, if only to be debunked.
Our friend John Guardiano tweeted this afternoon: “Earlier today @DavidFrum asked why conservatives were “ignoring” the charges against Sean Hannity. Now we know why: because they were bogus!” The charges were indeed bogus. But sadly, that’s NOT “why” they were “ignored.” The people who ignored the charges did not know the charges were bogus, and in almost no case did they make any effort to find out. If conservatives now know the charges against Hannity are bogus, it’s because we at FrumForum asked on their behalf.
Freedom Alliance put out a statement earlier today. But that statement was not fully responsive to the charges. And while we appreciate Freedom Alliance’s willingness to invest the time to answer our questions, too often they seemed to take for granted that their plain statement should suffice to dispose of all concerns.
Conservatives rightly demand accountability from government. We need an accountability culture within our own institutions too however. We’re delighted to report that Sean Hannity has not betrayed his fans’ trust. But remember that old Reagan saying about needing to verify as well as trust? More of that please.
MSheridan // Mar 19, 2010 at 8:11 pm
So, Mr. Frum, just to be clear, are you asserting that Sean Hannity paid, on his own dime, for the travel and lodging expenses he incurred at these events or are you claiming that his travel and lodging expenses were covered by event coordinators, not Freedom Alliance and were reasonable in scope? Because what I read above was that he didn’t bill a charity for anything. That’s great and all, and if true does factually refute what Debbie Schussell has charged him with, but you and I both know that if he was living high on event proceeds (events billed as charity events, moreover) while a tiny fraction of the money actually went to Freedom Alliance (of which another fraction actually went to services), the difference between that and her accusation is going to be largely lost on the American public.
nwahs // Mar 19, 2010 at 9:17 pm
I don’t think the investigation was that good, but with bothers most is the way the caveat that only 10% or less of a ticket price goes to charity, was cleverly worded. Why does you investigators feel a need to cleverly word this and dismiss this. That simple fact that only 10% or less of the ticket price goes to charity leaves an enormous amount of room for misrepresentation or fraud.
ltoro1 // Mar 19, 2010 at 9:18 pm
Where was everyone? Maybe they downloaded a copy of the 990 and decided there was nothing to talk about.
ltoro1 // Mar 19, 2010 at 9:20 pm
“Everyone” could have also downloaded a copy of the 990 and decided they needed more time to look over everything and were witholding judegement until they felt comfortable making a firm conclusion.
TerryF99 // Mar 19, 2010 at 9:22 pm
Where was everyone? Maybe they are actually doing a decent investigation instead of taking things at Ollie North’s word!
Maybe they are not ignoring the $35 missing from each ticket sold which does not appear in the charity accounts. Maybe they are doing a decent job of this and not just covering up.
MSheridan // Mar 19, 2010 at 9:47 pm
TerryF99, surely, you are not implying that Oliver North’s veracity is questionable, that he might lie to the American people? Even a progressive could surely not go there?
ltoro1 // Mar 19, 2010 at 10:08 pm
However this plays out, I think Frum and crew have displayed a great deal of incompetance on this subject today. If they had not been so judgemental to some others, including but not limited to the Tea Party crowd, I would be more willing to show some more grace. However, considering they have been quite willing to throw stones, I don’t think it’s too rude of me to point out their glass house.
sdspringy // Mar 20, 2010 at 11:15 am
Where are you guys? Your kidding, a political game on par with a 10.2 earthquake is happening and you post this crap.
Some little lefty points a crooked finger at Hannity while some of the dirtiest dealing is happening in Washington and you, David provide this idiot with a forum.
Trying to figure out who is the largest fool concerning this points a finger at you David.
akw // Mar 20, 2010 at 11:53 am
Quit digging, Frum. You were at the bottom of a huge hold yesterday.
akw // Mar 20, 2010 at 11:53 am
Quit digging, Frum. You were at the bottom of a huge hole yesterday, and it’s filling up with water already.
Gramps // Mar 20, 2010 at 4:53 pm
MSheridan // Mar 19, 2010 at 9:47 pm –TerryF99, surely, you are not implying that Oliver North’s veracity is questionable..”
Surely you must be jesting or just funnin’ us, MS?
Ollie would still be in Leavenworth today; had the Senate not granted him immunity for lying in his testimony before the Iran-Contra Investigation, committee…!
MSheridan // Mar 20, 2010 at 6:00 pm
Just joking, Gramps. Sorry, figured it would be obvious. Even for the people who respect Oliver North (and I am not among their number) honesty is not generally at the top of the list of positive traits attributed to him.
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