Frist aides rebuke press over HCA stock-sale questions

December 14, 2005

Frist aides rebuke press over HCA stock-sale questions
By Jonathan Allen and Elana Schor

Tired of questions about their boss’s stock dealings, aides to Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) angrily confronted an Associated Press reporter in the Senate chamber and in a nearby hallway yesterday after a question-and-answer session on the floor.

Frist’s top aide, Eric Ueland, took exception to Jonathan M. Katz’s line of questioning during the “dugout,” loudly chastising Katz as reporters filed out of the Senate chamber and into the hallway.

“It’s ticking me off because it’s offensive,” Ueland said in an exasperated tone.

The testy exchange demonstrates sensitivity among Frist’s aides to both the legal and political questions posed by the timing of the majority leader’s divestiture of HCA holdings just before a sharp drop in the company’s share price. Frist is widely expected to seek the presidency in 2008, but the story could jeopardize his political viability.
(snip/...)

http://www.hillnews.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/121405/frist.html

Note: I don't know what DU'ers think about this source, but the story is interesting.

If that's what you mean. And if not well, let's just wait for the other ones to debunk this then.

You can read the item at

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/

Apparently Ueland did indeed give a young reporter quite a dressing down over impertinent questions asked of His Imperial Doctorness. To Mr. Ueland, I say that what's really offensive is a powerful politician using his office for personal financial gain. Or interfering in a family's private matter based on little more than his own agenda. That's offensive.

And if Dr. Frist has nothing to hide, why does he get so prickly about honest questions touching on what looks like insider trading and naked corruption?

How quaint. Yes it is quite offensive isn't Ueland? Your boss profiting from insider trading and serving as a public servant and being asked a question about his criminal activity. Pretty fucking offensive. Why don't you do the republican thing and take the reporter out and have him shot.

"Frist is widely expected to seek the presidency in 2008 ..."

That shipped has sailed, Billy-Boy! (Besides, it's damned near impossible to run a viable campaign from prison.)

politicians make BIG mistakes.

Pulitzer time for the scribes of the meltdown!