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April 6, 2005
Schiavo Memo Author Fesses Up, Resigns

After two weeks of guesswork and poorly sourced media releases, the Washington Post's Mike Allen reports tonight that the author of the idiotic Schiavo talking-points memo has confessed to his authorship of the document. Brian Darling, legal counsel to GOP Senator Mel Martinez of Florida, tendered his resignation along with his confession, both of which Martinez immediately accepted:

The legal counsel to Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.) admitted yesterday that he was the author of a memo citing the political advantage to Republicans of intervening in the case of Terri Schiavo, the senator said in an interview last night.

Brian Darling, a former lobbyist for the Alexander Strategy Group on gun rights and other issues, offered his resignation and it was immediately accepted, Martinez said.

Martinez said he earlier had been assured by aides that his office had nothing to do with producing the memo. "I never did an investigation, as such," he said. "I just took it for granted that we wouldn't be that stupid. It was never my intention to in any way politicize this issue."

Quite frankly, based on the poor presentation of this memo -- with its typographical errors, mislabeled Senate bill number, and the inept political approach it took -- it's difficult to understand why Brian Darling ever got a job in anyone's political office, let alone that of a US Senator. Darling didn't do Martinez or the GOP any favors by staying silent about his role, either. Had he owned up to writing the memo the first day it became controversial, it would have disappeared from the headlines as quickly as it rose. His resignation should really have been rejected; Martinez should have insisted on firing him instead.

John Hinderaker of Power Line also notes that the discovery only partially explains the poor reporting of the memo's origins. ABC and the Post initially insisted that the memo came from GOP party "leaders", which Darling and Martinez -- a freshman GOP Senator with all of three months' seniority -- hardly qualify as being. He still wants an explanation from Allen about these questions, and will post a reply if he gets one.

UPDATE: Read Michelle Malkin for the best distillation of the excesses on both sides of this issue.

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Posted by Ed Morrissey at April 6, 2005 9:47 PM

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» Oliver And Memos from The Politicker
ISOU and Captain's Quarters both bring news of the "Schiavo Memo's" author being reveiled to be Brian Darling. [Senator] Martinez said he earlier had been assured by aides that his office had nothing to do with producing the memo. "I... [Read More]

Tracked on April 7, 2005 12:28 AM

» Hmmmm.... Just who has egg on their face? from ISOU
I was doing my usual evening reads when I caught this on the Commissar's site tonight: I have a neologism, "sollience," which is defined as "the silence of Oliver Willis when one of his favorite topics has blown up in... [Read More]

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» Fake Memo Origins from Air Force Voices
The source for the fake memo to GOP leaders has been named. [Read More]

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» Washington Post fingers Martinez counsel for memo. from Expertise's Politics and Sports Blog
At least that brings a much needed answer as to where the memo came from and who wrote it. However, another question pops up, as the Post explains how it got into Democratic hands: [Read More]

Tracked on April 7, 2005 5:42 AM

» SCHIAVO MEMO: REAL AND ACCURATE from Right Wing Nut House
Brian H. Darling is a legal counsel for freshly minted Florida Senator Mel Martinez. He's also a certifiable idiot: The legal counsel to Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.) admitted yesterday that he was the author of a memo citing the political advantage... [Read More]

Tracked on April 7, 2005 7:47 AM

» Lessons From The Schiavo Memo Fiasco. from WILLisms.com
The mystery of that "GOP talking points memo" on Terri Schiavo became far less mysterious today. The author of the memo has stepped forward to claim responsibility, Mike Allen of The Washington Post reports: The legal counsel to Sen. Mel... [Read More]

Tracked on April 7, 2005 10:22 AM

» Mad Mel Strikes Again! from pekin prattles
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» Good Riddance to a fool from The Anchoress
I never say this about anyone, but I have to say it here: What an asshat! Not only did Sen. Mel Martinez' counsel admit to penning the shameful "Talking Points Memo" (I can no longer refer to it as a "Document of Dubious Origin," -sigh) full of missp... [Read More]

Tracked on April 7, 2005 12:13 PM



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