POLITICS

Clinton super PAC offers ‘off the record’ news tips

Emilie Teresa Stigliani

Burlington Free Press

Hillary Clinton’s super PAC has tried to “flag” stories about Bernie Sanders, but the group does not want its name attached.

Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton (L) and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) participate in the Democratic Candidates Debate hosted by NBC News and YouTube on January 17, 2016 in Charleston, South Carolina. This is the final debate for the Democratic candidates before the Iowa caucuses.

Daniel Wessel, Correct the Record press secretary, contacted the Burlington Free Press by email and phone to offer "off the record" story pitches.

The Free Press first attempted to contact Correct the Record officials while writing about the super PAC paying for a poll that named Clinton winner of the Nov. 14 Democratic debate in Des Moines, Iowa.

Sanders camp questions poll showing Clinton won debate

While the organization did not respond to the initial request for comment, Wessel emailed the Free Press in early January to point out that Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy "hit Bernie on guns today."

Wessel offered to send more information on Sanders' record if the paper was interested in the story.

When the Free Press asked Wessel by email why he was providing off-the-record tips, Wessel asked to have a phone conversation.

During a Thursday afternoon phone conversation with Wessel, the Free Press declined to take off-the-record tips.

Wessel said that his organization prefers to be named only when speaking about Republican candidates. He offered to have his organization named in certain cases if the Free Press requested permission. The Free Press declined to agree to Wessel's terms.

This story was first posted Jan. 21, 2016. Contact Emilie Stigliani at (802) 660-1897 or estigliani@freepressmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/EmilieStigliani.