A few notes from my interview with @nytimes editorial page editor James Bennet about the Times' decision to publish the anonymous article today from a "senior official" in the Trump administration: MORE...
Bennet declined to provide further information about the writer’s position or identity, but said the newspaper received the article before news about Woodward’s book broke on Tuesday. He said the Times “would not have been able to publish” the article w/o grant of anonymity MORE
“We thought it was an important perspective to get out,” Bennet said. “Our preference is not to publish anonymously and we seldom do it. The question is, do we think the piece was important enough to make an exception? We feel strongly that it was.” MORE
Among the takeaways, he said, was the writer’s explanation of why he/she was working for the admin despite deep concerns about the president: “The writer believes in the president’s accomplishments, but is very concerned about the president’s mercurial behavior.” MORE
As for Trump's reaction to the piece, Bennet said, "I would say it wasn't hard to predict [it]. I can't say I'm surprised he's upset." --30--
