For anyone wondering what it might be like to be approached by veteran newswoman Barbara Walters for an exclusive interview, the answer is here.
In a trove of past email correspondence by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush — the messages were made public recently by the state — is an exchange with Walters.
The email from Walters is a pitch for an interview with Bush and presumably his wife, sent Jan. 1, 2003.
It contains everything a polite media request would, and it’s impossible to read it without hearing Walters’ unmistakable voice.
The full email:
Dear Governor Bush,
First, my congratulations on your re-election.
I know this must be a very busy time for you, but I am taking the liberty of e-mailing you a letter I sent you on December 9th and another letter I am about to send to Mrs. Bush. Would you be kind enough to take a look at them, for I feel such an interview with you and Mrs. Bush would be extremely valuable to parents and children all over the country.
Warmest wishes,
Barbara Walters
Walters’ approach is a classic example of a journalist who wants something: a formal greeting (“Dear Governor Bush”), an acknowledgement that she is asking for Bush’s valuable time (“I know this must be a very busy time for you…”) and flattery (“…such an interview with you and Mrs. Bush would be extremely valuable to parents and children all over the country…”).
Of course, any run-of-the-mill reporter would probably have to work more magic than that to get an interview with a sitting governor. But this is Walters.
And yet, she was actually rebuffed. “I am not a big fan of the national limelight,” Bush replied, according to the Wall Street Journal. “I am really only interested in serving my state. I appreciate your interest in interviewing me but I will have to take a pass. I will pass on your regards to my parents.”
Walters, now in semi-retirement, has never interviewed Bush.
