Collins' Office Responds To Conflict-of-Interest Charges
Yesterday we told you about an alleged conflict of interest at a major newspaper in Maine, the Bangor Daily News. The executive editor is one Mark Woodward, who not only used to serve as a press secretary for Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), but his wife Bridget is currently a staffer at Collins' Bangor district office.
Thus, it seemed suspicious to us that the paper had been editorializing against the campaign of Collins' Democratic opponent, Congressman Tom Allen, for sending a tracker to videotape Collins' public appearances. After several days of attempting to contact Mark and Bridget Woodward and hear their side of the story, we ran a post.
Now Senator Collins' office has responded.
Senator Collins' press secretary, Jen Burita, tells us us that a 2008 loss by Collins wouldn't actually affect Bridget Woodward's employment as a district caseworker for the Senator. "Bridget is going to be retiring in September," Burita said. Thus, there is no direct financial conflict of interest on the part of the Woodward couple.
And interestingly, Burita brought it to our attention that family connections run both ways at the Bangor Daily News. In fact, Congressman Allen's cousin Tim is the news editor there. Given the nature of small-state politics, Burita explained, there are bound to be people at any major newspaper who have personal connections to both camps.
On the other hand, this doesn't affect the possibility that Mark Woodward might prefer to see his wife's boss — his own former boss — win the race, or the idea that he can exercise some power there as the executive editor. Indeed, we are still waiting on a return call from Mark Woodward himself. The Woodwards have yet to take the time to actually communicate their side of things to us.
Comments (11)
JNagarya wrote on August 30, 2007 4:34 PM:Because Woodward's wife will be retiring means he will no longer be editorializing in behalf of Collins?
Who does Collins think we are -- backwoods downeasters?
His cousin? Oh, please. Yeah, that's the same thing.
za wrote on August 30, 2007 9:40 PM:Uh, Susan? Huge difference between a news editor and an executive editor, no? I mean, there's SUPPOSED to be anyway (right Fox?).
Anyway, I say we all put little post-its on our calendars to make sure Susan ain't lying about this.
Jim Conlin wrote on August 30, 2007 9:46 PM:The population of the city of Bangor and Penobscot county are about 31,000 and 147,000 respectively. It should be no surprise that those who are interested in politics and government all know one another . Cut some slack.
Bill Riphan wrote on August 30, 2007 10:39 PM:No sweat.
The BDN had been a Republican rag for at least the two decades I've lived here. Nobody pays attention to their political reporting or editorials. We just check the high school basketball scores, see what's playing at the movies, and look for neighbors in Police Beat.
Oh, and it's nice to read about the latest gift Steve and Tabby King have given to a local good cause. Around here, the only thing scary about King is that he might not live forever.
moondancer wrote on August 30, 2007 11:34 PM:After vacationing in Maine for the last 3 weeks, my informal polling sees Collins in a place shes not going to enjoy.
Penobster wrote on August 31, 2007 1:00 AM:It is bizarre to say that Mark Woodward has a confilict of interest because his wife works for Sen Collins. Mark himself used to work for Sen Collins. Prior to that Mark was the editorial writer for the Bangor Daily News. Not a secret in Maine by any means. The owner of the newspaper and his wife are very respectful of Susan Collins and her public service for the state. One might suspect that Mark's interests could be somewhat conflicted if he were not similarly respectful.
When you are stumbling around in the muck, be careful you don't step on your rake--could pop up painfully.
Penobster ... maybe you were up to late when you wrote the post. "Bizarre" that his wife's employment with the Senator could be a conflict ... because he himself used to work for her? He can't be biased in Collins' favor because he - and the paper's owners - respect her?
Which side are you arguing?
Anyway, as usual, the best and simplest solution is disclosure. Wheneve he editorializes about Collins or her opponent,he should note that his wife works for the Collins and he used to, as well.
gonzone wrote on August 31, 2007 8:19 AM:Damn liberal media!
RPasley wrote on August 31, 2007 10:19 AM:A simple but ethically critical disclaimer that "my wife works for Sen Collins" is what's appropriate here, and in every case where Mr. Woodward writes editorial commentary on Collins.
Is that too much to ask? I would certainly expect the same from any other similarly situated "liberal" editorialist.
horatius wrote on August 31, 2007 10:30 AM:Maybe they think Mainers are just like them Texans.
