Error in WaPo and NYT transcripts of Clarke testimony [View All]

There appears to be an error in the transcripts at both washingtonpost.com and NYTimes.com - and if this is an error, it is a big one.

They have the Clarke-Thompson exchange as:

= = =

THOMPSON: But you will admit that what you said in August of 2002 is inconsistent with what you say in your book?

CLARKE: No, I don't think it's inconsistent at all. I think, as I said in your last round of questioning, Governor, that it's really a matter here of emphasis and tone. I mean, what you're suggesting, perhaps, is that as special assistant to the president of the United States when asked to give a press backgrounder I should spend my time in that press backgrounder criticizing him. I think that's somewhat of an unrealistic thing to expect.

THOMPSON: Well, what it suggests to me is that there is one standard of candor and morality for White House special assistants and another standard of candor and morality for the rest of America.

THOMPSON: I don't think it's a question of morality at all. I think it's a question of politics.

CLARKE: Well, I...

(APPLAUSE)

THOMPSON: I'm not a Washington insider. I've never been a special assistant in the White House. I'm from the Midwest. So I think I'll leave it there.

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In fact, it was Clarke who said "Its a question of politics, not morality" and Thompson who got cut off by applause. Interesting error. Perhaps we should gently correct them?

http://billmon.org/archives/001266.html#comments
(scroll down to the post from 'Josh A.')

Here's are some newspapers that got this part of the transcript RIGHT:
http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&edition=us&q=politics+morality+clarke&btnG=Search+News

= = =

(Updated) Please contact the ombudsmen at The New York Times and at The Washington Post and ask thim about this:

Daniel Okrent
public@nytimes.com


Michael Getler
Ombudsman, Washington Post
ombudsman@washpost.com
(202) 334-7582

The Washington Post
1150 15th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C., 20071