Earlier, I reported that the Massachusetts “executive committee” met and decided to put the Barr/Root ticket on the ballot. George Phillies has refuted this claim on Last Free Voice, saying there is no executive committee and no such meeting has taken place. After double checking my source, a correction is in order: The alleged meeting was not of the “executive committee,” but of the presidential electors. Here is what my source says:
Sean Haugh told me it was a meeting of the electors, including George Phillies himself.
Dr. Phillies also cast doubt on the report that he was attacked by an armed gunman, insinuating that it was IPR, or me in particular, that propagated that report.
UPDATE: Paulie Cannoli has an in-depth report at Last Free Voice.
UPDATE #2: I just got off the phone with George Phillies. In no uncertain terms, he says there was no such decision made by the electors. The original information reported was in error. My apologies to the Massachusetts party and IPR readers.
11 responses so far ↓
1 Mass. LP will put Barr/Root on the ballot // May 31, 2008 at 3:34 pm
[...] Comments G.E. on Mass. LP will put Barr/Root on the ballotGeorge Phillies refutes IPR report on Mass. LP will put Barr/Root on the ballotAustin Cassidy on Libertarian Party: Is the name the [...]
2 Ross Levin // May 31, 2008 at 3:42 pm
So how did that original post find its way onto IPR?
3 Jeff Wartman // May 31, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Sources never confirmed.
Every detail of story completely false.
I’m wondering the same thing myself, Ross.
4 G.E. // May 31, 2008 at 3:49 pm
George Phillies knows who my source was and says he doesn’t blame me for running the story. Mea culpa, guys. Jeez…
5 Jeff Wartman // May 31, 2008 at 3:54 pm
I am not used to this conciliatory, logical and reasonable version of G.E.
I suspect some kind of alien abduction
6 G.E. // May 31, 2008 at 3:57 pm
I’m trying to be professi0nal, Jeff! At least in the capacity of this Web site. Besides, when Susan Hogarth tells you that you need to chill out, it’s a wake-up call.
I feel bad that this story turned out to be a mess. But at the same time, it isn’t going to be appropriate to call people every time before posting a story. Should I call John McCain and ask him if he’s really vying for the IP of NY ballot line? George Phillies was not a principal in this story, originally. If he ever is in the future, I will definitely call to confirm. I made a mistake in posting this story, and it is at the expense of IPR’s credibility. Enough of those mistakes, and we will be a “cesspool” like you said. So I apologize to all of our readers and especially our staff. SORRY! I’ll do better in the future.
7 Jeff Wartman // May 31, 2008 at 4:04 pm
I have faith that you will. One wrong story does not hurt your credibility…a chronic misrepresentation of the truth does. I have full faith and confidence that you and the rest of the contributors are doing your very best for the truth.
8 Steve Perkins // May 31, 2008 at 9:01 pm
What the hell was that “armed gunman” thing all about, anyway? I heard people talking excitedly about that rumor on the voting floor, but then things got crazy with the nominations and I forgot about it afterward.
Err… I don’t mean “excitedly” in the sense of thinking it’d be cool for George to get shot. I just mean excitedly in the sense of being a crazy occurrence.
Was there ANY grain of truth that got blown out of proportion, or was this 100% fabrication altogether?
9 Fred Church Ortiz // May 31, 2008 at 9:18 pm
Steve: this comment might clear that up.
10 G.E. // May 31, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Steve – I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who forgot all about the rumor in the heat of the convention. I even forgot to ask Dr. Phillies when I had a five-minute conversation with him, one-on-one, in his suite. But I did ask him about it today on the phone, and the link that Fred provides is on the money.
11 Arthur Torrey // Jun 1, 2008 at 1:31 am
See my comments in the responses to the original story – Since I seem to be the topic of some discussion I thought I should respond. I also supplied what I know (from being present) about the NON-attack by the only *suspected* to be armed “gunman” – fortunately it was mostly a non-event as it turned out, but if there HAD been a problem George was sitting where he might have been at risk, along with the other candidates present, but he was closest.
ART
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