Romney v. Shirish

It seems the publicity over Mitt Romney's allegedly extra tough campaign/security staff has fueled some words between Florida's team Romney and S.V. Date of the Palm Beach Post (Pictured near Romney here). Check out this e-mail exchange:

Hi Kristy,   
Is the security person who stopped the NYT reporter in NH the same individual who tried to keep me out of the Senate Office Building and its elevator during Gov. Romney's visit here?   Thanks. SVD

Shirish,
You mean the time you practically knocked over Mrs. Romney? You were so aggressive and rude, Governor and Mrs. Romney actually stepped off the elevator to allow you to go ahead of them. No one kept you out of the Senate Office Building or the elevator. You attended Governor Romney’s entire meeting with members of the Florida Senate, as did several reporters that witnessed your behavior that day.   
Hope you are doing well. Talk to you soon. Thanks, Kristy

Date fires back full force. That e-mail is in comments.

Comments

[Adam C Smith]

Dear Ms. Campbell,

While I await your answer to my original question, I decided I needed to respond to this fully.

One lesson I have drawn from my experiences with Jill Bratina and Alia Faraj is that misrepresentations need to be dealt with immediately, and not allowed to become conventional wisdom.

I believe you need to apologize to me and to call and explain to anybody else to whom you may have suggested that I was "aggressive and rude" and "practically knocked over Mrs. Romney" what actually happened that day, as there are plenty of witnesses.

The only person who was rude or aggressive was the gentleman accompanying the governor who wore the ear bud and the lapel pin. He physically blocked me off as I attempted to enter the Senate Office Building, and then again when I entered the elevator. I reminded him on both occasions that this was a public building. I was nowhere near either the governor or Mrs. Romney.

That you would insinuate otherwise, however, does not surprise me, given your own history. Do you recall when you attempted to prevent me physically from asking further questions of Gov. Bush? I sure do. It was the last day of the 2006 legislative session. Gov. Bush had finished showing off his multi-colored spreadsheet of all the successful legislation he'd gotten passed and was leaving the gaggle via the stairs in the Capitol just outside the Senate chambers on the fourth floor. I followed him through the doors, when you turned around and, like a lineman in football, put your arms up to block me from proceeding down the stairs. The whole thing was so absurd, all I could do was roll my eyes and laugh.

So, as my children would say, whatever. When you guys have won the nomination and have real Secret Service protection and the lapel pins are genuine, I suppose you will be able to treat the press the way you would prefer to do so. Until that time, however, I will continue to stand up for my ability to move about a public area like any other American. I trust you will not find that too inconvenient.

I hope you, also, are well, and that you have a great day and a fantastic week.

Shirish Date

geee, thuggery by the piggies?
whoda guessed?

geee, lies from the piggies' thugggs?
whoda guessed?

"what, you expect me to answer questions?
what kind of fool are you?
i have my script!!"

Why is the times posting the exchange between the palm beach post reporter?

Everyone knows shirish is the most biased reporter out there... he hates all republicans and especially bush and any one affiliated with him - his perspective is not just skewed it is off the reservation...

Unbelievable... Shirish you are so far out of line. Your actions that day were deplorable and anyone who has witnessed your behavior in the past will quickly discount your recollection.

Kristy described it accurately and succinctly. Learn respect sir-- Your interactions with folks will go much, much smoother.

God forbid someone call Shirish on the antics he pulls - way to go Kristy!

2:14 you couldn't be more right! I was there and Kristy described it exactly how it happened!

I hope Romney loses and still think that Shirish was way out of line!

Shirish the answer to your question is: "No one kept you out of the Senate Office Building or the elevator."

It is there in her email but you can't see it through your preconceived notions and assumed answers....

[GOPFL]

I'm not a bit surprised if, despite his denial, S.V. Date did try to knock Mrs. Romney over while entering an elevator. It seems that he is still upset that Governor Bush wouldn't waste time answering all his questions. Jill Bratina, Alia Faraj and Kristy Campbell are all professionals who served Governor Bush well.

I've known Kristy and Shirish since the 2004 hurricanes and Kristy has always been response, helpful and gotten me everything I needed - quickly

Shirish has been - well... exactly as reflected above.

what a bizzare exchange.

Shirish and the Palm Beach Post go hand-in-hand.

He's a frustrated little man.

[WhatNerve]

A public building is a PUBLIC building and any member of the public is entitled to walk in any public portion of the building within the bounds of common sense and decency. Anyone in a position of authority who denies access to a member of the public on the taxpayers' property takes on the role of a jack-booted thug. Private property is an entirely different matter. But when you are on public property, you better be prepared to deal with the public on the public's terms. Otherwise, you have no business being in PUBLIC SERVICE.

So, is it the same person or isn't it?

WhatNerve, thanks for making Kristy's point. I hope you will include reporters in your PUBLIC SERVICE title

[Crusader]

Informal poll: Do you think the HBO series Big Love helps or hurts Romney?

when did all of this take place?

I'm sorry he is accusing the romney folks of keeping him out of a meeting when there is a picture of him at the meeting?????????

Shirish is everything stated above and more, but.....about this exchange...who cares?

2:02 - go crawl back under your rock. The fact that you would take the crap that Shirish spews shows that you don't have a clue about the type of reporter he is and the way he tries to manipulate situations.

My dealings with Shirish go back to 1996 and he has always practiced "gotcha" reporting. Whether he was standing outside of the Wharf with a photographer during Session or telling legislators to provide him with detailed records of every meal and bottle of water they consumed during Session, he has always been out to achieve one goal: disparage those who choose to serve while promoting himself.

To say that he is biased against Republicans is the understatement of the year.

Thank you Kristy for standing up to little Shirish!

So WhatNerve, I can go into any legislator’s office any time I like? How about the Governor’s office? Can I also rife through their drawers since they are obviously public documents? Nobody has the ability to control the flow of traffic? What if there is a capacity issue? Does the Fire Marshall not have the authority to restrict access?

WRONG! It is a public building, but that doesn't give you unfettered access and you can still be booted and restricted from access.

Way to go Shirish... You brought 99% of the bloggers together and against YOU! Not even Charlie Crist can unite such a group!

Well done!

Let's see, if I had to guess who was telling the truth here, the very first OBVIOUS question I'd ask is:

Why is this a story in the St. Pete Times about a Palm Beach Post reporter?

Could it be... a slow news day?

Kristy Campbell is one of the brightest, talented and honest professionals in Tallahassee. Gov. Romney has a valuable asset in her.

Date's revulsion for conservatives is well known. I witnessed it the first time I met him at a press conference in Tallahassee.

Date writes:
" and like a lineman in football put your arms up to block me;" You sir are the RUDE one. How dare you!

Way to go Kristy.

The Romneys are first class. I believe her, hands down.

Amen 2:53!!! LOL

Shirish or S.V. Date (whatever you are these days)...didn't you push two, of then Speaker Feeney's, aides following a press conference in 2002 resulting in you being banned from from the House Floor for the rest of that session?

Wow, nothing has changed.....

[WhatNerve]

2:46 -- Don't be an idiot. Note that I said public portions of public buildings. Stairways, hallways, elevators, rotundas: Those are all public areas. You cannot deny a member of the public access to those areas. Former Gov. Romney is private citizen and has just as much of a right -- but not one whit more -- to be in the public portions of the Capitol as a journalist does.

Kristy Campbell rules.

Hey Shrish, if everyone in Tallahassee hates you, it isn't them, its you.

So, is it the same person or not? I don't care about the rest.

[Chili Palmer]

What's with all these anonymous responses putting down the reporter? All the same person? Coward. Or spin control from Romney's camp.

I don't know the reporter since I live in Orlando, but having read about the incidents with Romney's "guard" it sounds like SVP could be entirely correct, and all these anonymous posts on here are the Romney campaign's attempt at "Spin Control". Hmmmm.

Crusader:
Big Love could help with many men that desire multiple women, could hurt with women themselves tho. It could Swing either way! hahaha

The problem with Shirish is he is rude and thinks everything is a conspiracy against him. Get a clue… people are rude to you because you are rude to them.

I am an aide in the Senate and I witnessed the exchange… it happened as Kristy said it did AND there was a conversation that ensued with other members of the press corp who saw it the same way. The impression I got was that Shirish did not even know who Anne Romney was when he pushed her out of the way… at which point Mitt stepped off the elevator to stay with his wife.

All of Dean's campaign workers apparently need something to do. It is laughable to hear from these annonymous "I was there" sources. I wasn't there nor do I give my name, but who is right, given the tendency of the R's to only allow "freedom from Gov't" to those voting for their ideas, remains to be seen.

Look at all the support for Ms. Campbell in electoral rich Florida!!

Campbell for VP, you go Kristy!!

[Chili Palmer]

Wow, Kristy sure does seem to have a lot of "friends" online all at the same time... can't believe how many posts popped up in the 5 minutes it took to write my above post!

What's all this beef about a WPB reporter doing on a Tampa paper blog anyways?

Chili - Maybe it is just that SV Date is that way.... It is Tallahassee after all and friends are hard to find in this town...but critics abound.

3:02 If you're an aide to a senator, you wouldn't be in town. If you are in town, you'd be Senator Lawson's aide and could easily be identified. If you're a Senate staffer, you'd be crazy to use your public computer to post. Lier - or what's your phone number?

3:13 - the incendent being described happend back in April during the regular session when Romney visited Tallahassee. All the Senate aides were in town.

The exchange that Mr. Date wrote about happened during session 3:13 and I'm pretty sure that Senate aides have computers in their districts... Amazing, absolutely amazing...

I cant stand Romney. But Shirish (or SV) is a clown.

Shirish has made more contributions to the development of renewable energy than he will ever know. His books went from production, distribution, then back to being burned in the municiple waste facility to create clean energy for thousands of people! All but the 3 of them that sold, that is.

[Chili Palmer]

Still at it I see... I keep coming back here for laughs. Anonymous Poster, your postings might mean something if you put your name to them. Otherwise, it looks like the same angry poster over and over again.

In my opinion, a political reporter hasn't done his job if he hasn't pissed some people off... politicians don't like it when you dig up corruption and bad behavior from them. Now I want to go and read all his reporting! Must be something there -

The reporter asked Romney's press person a question. So, what is the answer?

classic republican blame the media. Don't like the news? it's the reporters' fault! couldn't be anything wrong with the jerks we have on staff!

ha ha, 3:46. we ARE winning the war and the surge IS working. Don't believe CNN, NY Times, MSNBC, USA Today, Wall St Journal, Fox, etc. They only report the people being blown up in Iraq's largest city every single day, not how are clearly winning this endless war. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

And having a handle of "Chilli Palmer" somehow gives you room to talk? Post your real name and then I will respect you. Otherwise you're no different from any other poster, with or without a name.

3:45 she did answer ... no one pushed him...perhaps he should have asked a different question if he was hoping for a different answer

Typical dem standing up for a reporter regardless of what a jerk he is

"Chili" must be Shrish.

Chili [Shrish (S.V.) Date] Palmer

Shrish is a such a frustrated nobody. He is constantly trying to draw attention to himself so he does things like write silly fiction books, and distribute petty little email battles.

If so many others, including other reporters, saw it, why aren't they coming forward with the real story; until then, all the Date bashing is worthless. At least he is not in love with the Bush's and CC (although the latter remains to be seen, given that he flew to Israel with CC)

The most inexcusable part of all this?

Any news media giving any space/time to this story. Newspeople are suppossed to report news. Not BE news or use the power of the media to vent their petty grievances.

Date: Biased, frustrated little man.