Washington Post Killed Eason Jordan Story

Blogger Michelle Malkin, whose telephone interview with Representative Barney Frank confirmed some details of CNN exec Eason Jordan's Davos remarks about US troops targeting journalists, has now spoken to David Gergen, who was also at the conference. Not only does Gergen support Frank's account of the remarks, but he says that the Washington Post actually interviewed him last week, but killed the story.

First, Gergen confirmed that Eason Jordan did in fact initially assert that journalists in Iraq had been targeted by military "on both sides." Gergen, who has known Jordan for some 20 years, told me Jordan "realized as soon as the words had left his mouth that he had gone too far" and "walked himself back." Gergen said as soon as he heard the assertion that journalists had been deliberately targeted, "I was startled. It's contrary to history, which is so far the other way. Our troops have gone out of their way to protect and rescue journalists."

Gergen says he has been contacted by four mainstream media outlets, including the Washington Post, about the controversy. He noted that the Post was going to run a story last week but did not.

Update: Michelle Malkin has been given a statement from a spokesman for Senator Chris Dodd:

Senator Dodd was not on the panel but was in the audience when Mr. Jordan spoke. He – like panelists Mr. Gergen and Mr. Frank – was outraged by the comments. Senator Dodd is tremendously proud of the sacrifice and service of our American military personnel.

Three damning interpretations of Jordan's comments, all at odds with his own explanation, indicate an ominous trend. Jordan may be toast.