Katie Kilkenny at The Hollywood Reporter reported a surge of female support among NBC News colleagues for Tom Brokaw in the wake of former NBC correspondent Linda Vester's allegations of sexual harassment in the mid-1990s. "A cadre of female journalists including Rachel Maddow, Andrea Mitchell and Maria Shriver have signed a letter characterizing the veteran journalist as "a man of tremendous decency and integrity."
Brit Hume tweeted, "But they don't dispute the allegations." They see that perhaps you don't always believe the woman? Or are they trying to have it both ways? "He's great, she's great, we don't know?"
A conservative cynic might respond "Many female colleagues of Clarence Thomas came forward in press conferences and congressional testimony to support the integrity of Thomas, but I think we know how NBC treated that....as a lame attempt at public relations against Anita Hill." Brokaw's angry note to colleagues about being "ambushed and then perp-walked" could be seen as comparable to Thomas decrying a "high-tech lynching." Is turnabout fair play, NBC?
The letter reads:
As professional women, we fully endorse the conversation around abuse of power in the workplace. In the context of that conversation, we would like to share our perspectives on working with Tom Brokaw.
We are current and former colleagues of Tom’s, who have worked with him over a period spanning four decades. We are producers, correspondents, anchors, directors, executives, researchers, personal assistants, editors and technical staff.
Tom has treated each of us with fairness and respect. He has given each of us opportunities for advancement and championed our successes throughout our careers. As we have advanced across industries — news, publishing, law, business and government — Tom has been a valued source of counsel and support. We know him to be a man of tremendous decency and integrity.
Other prominent names on the list include Kelly O'Donnell, Stephanie Ruhle, Anne Thompson, and Kristen Welker. Mika
Brzezinski tweeted "Add me to the list."
I think we can safely bet no one will make savage Tom Brokaw jokes into a mike at the White House Correspondents Dinner.
