I’m hearing about a possible mole in the Bush campaign that fed Gore’s campaign information.
I’m not trying to start a political debate or want to hear cries of ‘everybody does it’. If this istrue, would it be against any campaign laws? Are the potential ramifications of this political or legal for Gore?
I’m Canadian and neutral. Some questions,
Where did you hear this story?
What would Bush’s campaign be hiding?
Do your elections have a secret ballot?
Unless there is a written employment or confidentiality agreement in place anybody can be a “mole”. Without a written agreement the most Bush can do is dismiss someone for “actions detrimental…” I don’t see much scandal potential here.
Apparently a (now suspended) Gore campaign staffer, Michael Doyne, had told a friend in media that the Gore campaign had a “mole” on the Bush campaign staff and when said friend revealed such (to whom I don’t know, at this point), Mr. Doyne was questioned and issued a denial. Subsequently an e-mail from him to the friend advising said friend to be quiet about the mole was said to have been discovered. ABC has interviewed the friend.
Recently a videotape of Bush practicing for the debates with Gore was mailed to a Gore confidant. While the Bush campaign would not necessarily be hiding any damaging information, they are engaged in a campaign to wrest the White House from the Democrats and would presumably, quite innocently, prefer that their tactics and strategy not be made available to the Gore operatives prior to the actual debates. I presume the same can be said of the Gore camp.
Legal liabilities are unknown at the moment - the staffer, Doyne, is said to have issued a sworn statement denying such a claim. I don’t know what that really means, but if he “misspoke” the worst based on that alone is small potatoes. Not a Watergate yet.
Yes.