The Weiner campaign had a fresh scandal on Tuesday, and it wasn't even about him! An aide lambasted a former intern in profane terms.
The Anthony Weiner scandal got even juicier.
Former Weiner intern Olivia Nuzzi wrote a less-than-flattering account of the Weiner campaign in the aftermath of its latest scandal, including details of multiple departures and many underpaid staffers. That post was followed by a Daily News cover featuring Nuzzi explaining that people went to work for the Weiner campaign as a way to connect with his wife, Huma, and by proxy, Huma’s friend and mentor Hillary Clinton. In response to these stories, Communications Director Barbara Morgan had some colorful words for the college student–among them, “slutbag,” “bitch,” and several that are unprintable.
Morgan told Talking Points Memo that Nuzzi “sucked” at her job and that she “begged to come back” after Morgan fired her. She called her a “stupid f—ing intern” and threatened to sue her. “See if you ever get a job in this town again,” she said.
Late Tuesday night, after a social media storm erupted from the TPM story, Morgan released an apology. “In a moment of frustration, I used inappropriate language in what I thought was an off the record conversation,” she said, “It was wrong and I am very sorry, which is what I said tonight when I called and emailed Olivia to apologize.”
While the last thing the Weiner campaign needed was another scandal, the shift in media focus is probably welcome. The media can now clamor about Morgan’s mouth rather than Weiner’s…problem–at least for a little while.