RIGHT OF CENTER: OFF-THE-RECORD AND BIG-TIME JOURNALISM

America this week witnessed what passes for investigative journalism when CBS leaked an off-the-record remark whispered to Connie Chung by Newt Gingrich's mother.

In an extended interview for the TV program, "Eye to Eye," Chung asked Mrs. Gingrich, "just between you and me," what her son thought of the president's wife. When the mother of the new speaker of the House of Representatives balked, Chung pressed: "Whisper it in my ear," she urged.

Mrs. Gingrich broached that her son thought Hillary Rodham Clinton was a "bitch." Oh my.

Let's examine the shocking revelation. By all measures of journalistic fair play, the comment never should have seen the light of day, and Rep. Gingrich is correct in demanding an apology from CBS -- a demand that was ignored.

First of all, CBS leaked the comment, which by journalistic rules ought to have wound up on the cutting floor of the "Eye to Eye" editor, for one reason only: ratings. Create a whirlwind of controversy and everyone tunes into your Thursday night program, right?

When interviewing a woman not accustomed to the media spotlight, the rules of attribution are somewhat clouded. When a reporter asks for a response that is "just between you and me," the novice subject of the interview is liable to think her answer will be just between her and the reporter.

Of course Chung, with her perpetually furrowed brow, isn't one to abide by journalistic rules, let alone common courtesy, when it comes to information that can further stain the awful Gingrich Khan of the GOP.

It was Chung, if you remember, who humbled Jimmy the Greek by exposing his insensitivity after a chat in a restaurant from which "the Greek" had procured a few too many drinks. Jimmy's crime was remarking about biological differences between black and white athletes in what most would have thought was an informal conversation with an off-duty reporter

At20least the Greek's was a direct quote. I wonder if Congressmen Gingrich truly used the "B" word. Imagine if you were in the same situation as Mrs. Gingrich. Almost everyone in America -- including the reporter -- knows Newt Gingrich and Hillary Rodham Clinton disagree on every consequential matter of import.

It was a stupid question. No one ought to be surprised that Newt Gingrich doesn't have high praise for Hillary. But when Chung presses, Mrs. Gingrich decides to concisely synopsize her son's feelings with a word that plainly conveys his opinion: "He thinks she's a bitch." Whether that was his exact words or not, the word accurately expresses his disposition.

Chung, who probably was searching for something exceptional or astute, likely was let down by the comment, which, although crude, was hardly surprising. But at some point, someone at CBS decided the confidential remark was news.

Even if it was Newt's own words, so what? If Chung was able to get the first lady to divulge -- and then had the audacity to air her response -- what she thinks of the new speaker of the House, I'm certain she could come up with something no less offensive, particularly given Hillary's well-known penchant for four-letter obscenities.

Hillary's a strong, independent-thinking and outspoken woman. When her husband was elected president, she ruled over a secretive task force that devised a national health-care scheme. She rejected requests by media and elected officials to learn what was being drafted and who was involved in the effort. When she was asked about the possible negative impact her proposal might have on small businesses, she responded, in essence, "that's their problem."

That alone qualifies her as a "malicious woman" -- the definition of the slang and, to a shrinking segment of society, vulgar version of bitch -- in more than a few person's eyes. She probably wears the label as a badge of honor in some circles, and I doubt she was terribly offended. Most people don't expect their enemies to adore them.

The greatest impact Mrs. Gingrich's revelation will have is on the old-guard media, which finds its image eroding in the eyes of an increasingly contemptuous public. The general public wasn't shocked by the remark. It was appalled at the cheap shot taken by CBS for reasons that were purely political.

~Jay Eastlick is the news editor of the Southeast Missourian.