Fly on the wall

Jim Camden’s story today on Cathy McMorris was no doubt an exclusive, because he was able to listen in on an impromptu strategy session between the congresswoman and Idaho Sen. Larry Craig.

Camden dialed in early to a phone-in “town hall meeting,” and after he was connected, the operator muted Camden’s connection. He could hear everything that was going on, but no one could hear him. Camden was fairly certain he was the only journalist to dial in to the meeting.

It was during this period that Camden overheard McMorris discussing with Craig how tough the race is and asked for his help emphasizing her record on veterans. Craig obliged:

Over the next half hour he repeatedly emphasized that record amounts are being spent on VA programs and described those government hospitals as some of the best in the country.

Camden dutifully took notes, but was unable to announce his presence. “I’m on mute, so I can’t say ‘hey guys, glad to hear you’re talking about this,’” he said.

When he asked a McMorris campaign spokeswoman about what was discussed, she didn’t have an answer. The spokeswoman had been placed on hold while this was going on, and all she could hear was music.