How to Do Journalism, By James O'Keefe (Not!)

'Journalist' O'Keefe

​Memo to the "liberal media" and their critics: Even ex-Seattle journalist Michelle Malkin - myopic conservative commentator but a once-trenchant writer for the Times - has to wonder about that strange semi-break-in at Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu's office down in N'lans. Too early to know what's behind this poor man's Watergate burglary, led by so-called journalist James O'Keefe, she says. "But for now," she blogs, "let it be a lesson to aspiring young conservatives interested in investigative journalism: Know your limits. Know the law. Don't get carried away."

O'Keefe's a conservative Michael Moore wannabe whose prostitute-posing filmwork led to government funding cuts for Acorn. The alleged phony entry to Landrieu's office appears now to have been a plan to cut off her communication lines rather than tap them. As O'Keefe himself Twittered last night - possibly in violation of a court gag order: "Govt official concedes no attempt to wiretap."

But just how badly bungled was the Louisiana stunt? Even the pride of Mount Vernon, Glenn Beck calls it "insanely stupid." The NY Times quotes one of O'Keefe's college friends recalling that "James always said, 'Journalism is putting a camera in someone's face until they do something stupid.'" Or as Seattle media blogger Michael Hood puts it, "Here's what 'conservative news gathering' looks like."