Sirota, corresponding via e-mail, shares an August 31 note sent to his producer, John Turk, by Pauline Herrera Serianni, communications director for the Denver Office of Cultural Affairs. In the message, on view below, she asks if Hickenlooper could appear on Sirota's program between 7:20 a.m. and 8 a.m. on Friday, September 10 -- today -- to discuss the One Book/One Denver program, which this year is urging locals to read Kathryn Stockett's The Help.
Herrera Serianni followed up this e-mail with another one on Tuesday, September 7, reiterating Hickenlooper's availability "at 7:45, 7:50 and 7:55 this Friday." Turk immediately replied that the 7:50 a.m. slot would work. But the following morning, Herrera Serianni responded that Hickenlooper was "booked for that time and all of the others at this point. I apologize."Wha? Here's Sirota's theory about the quick switch.
"My guess is that what probably happened is that a municipal employee is doing her job on the One Book program, and then Hick's political people intervened, knowing they don't want him to come on our show," he writes. "Remember, the last time he was on the show, he got reamed in the press for essentially saying that the recession is just a psychological issue à la Phil Gramm.
"What's so funny about this is the Cultural Affairs office NAGGING us to book him, then suddenly saying he has absolutely no time to be on our show. It's pretty hilarious." In this view, "I think it shows who seems to be calling the shots, and what a Rose Garden campaign really looks like."
Page down to see the e-mail exchange between Turk and Herrera Serianni:
From: Herrera, Pauline M. - DOCA Sent: Tuesday, August 31, 2010 5:19 PM To: '[email protected]' Subject: Mayor on morning show 9/10? Importance: HighHi John,
I'm e-mailing to find out if you'd like to have the Mayor on your morning show sometime between 7:20 and 8 a.m. on Friday, 9/10. He would be on to discuss this year's One Book, One Denver program.
The Mayor will be unveiling the 2010 One Book, One Denver selection tomorrow at a press conference at 11 a.m. (see attached advisory). I've also attached an embargoed release to give you more info on the program.
Let me know what you'd like to do.
Best, Pauline
Pauline Herrera Serianni, Communications & Marketing Director Denver Office of Cultural Affairs Wellington E. Webb Municipal Bldg. 201 W. Colfax Ave., Dept. 1007, 6th Fl. Denver, CO 80202 (720) 865-4309 ph (303) 803-2639 cl (720) 865-4315 fx [email protected] www.denvergov.org/DOCA ____________________________________________
From: Herrera, Pauline M. - DOCA [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tue 9/7/2010 10:58 AM To: TURK, JOHN T Subject: FW: Mayor on morning show 9/10?
Hi John,
I'm resending the e-mail with the final version of the press release attached. The Mayor is still open at 7:45, 7:50 and 7:55 this Friday. Please let me know by 2 today if any of these work for you.
Best, Pauline ____________________________________________
From: TURK, JOHN T [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, September 07, 2010 11:02 AM To: Herrera, Pauline M. - DOCA Subject: RE: Mayor on morning show 9/10?
We could do 7:50
John Turk Producer Clear Channel Denver "David Sirota Show" Am 760 Progressive Talk www.am760.net/pages/DavidSirota.html work: (303) 713-8698 cell: (720) 290-5301 ____________________________________________
From: Herrera, Pauline M. - DOCA [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wed 9/8/2010 9:24 AM To: TURK, JOHN T Subject: RE: Mayor on morning show 9/10?
Sorry, John. As it turns out, he's booked for that time and all of the others at this point. I apologize. Attached is the release with the info on the program. We would appreciate any promo you could give us. I could also go on in place of the Mayor, if you'd like that.