Another Palin Smear and Run

Last week the National Enquirer ran a thinly sourced piece suggesting Todd Palin had engaged in sexual relations with a prostitute. The story seemed of a piece with the never-ending smears of Sarah and her family, and naturally the usual suspects promoted it despite the suspicious nature of the “sources” and the weak links in the claim. Notes the Enquirer:

4.30 pm est 1/21/11: Since the first hours of this breaking story ignited a firestorm of controversy key mainstream media The New York Daily News, Vanity Fair magazine, Yahoo News, The Huffington Post and Forbes Magazine, among others, have cited The ENQUIRER’s bombshell investigation into the Palin cheating scandal.

Last night, when attention was focused on the SOTU speech, the National Enquirer published an update indicating the Wasilla police contest the representations in the smear. Let’s see if those willing to spread the original  are following up on the backtrack:

LATEST UPDATE 1/25/11 : posted 9:15 PM EST
The Anchorage Police Department have issued the following press release:

Shailey Tripp Investigation
The Anchorage Police Department investigation and arrest of Shailey Tripp has recently been mischaracterized in internet blogs and in a National Enquirer article. Several errors regarding the investigation and arrest were reported in the Enquirer article (printed and internet versions):

None of the physical evidence examined by police showed any connection to Wasilla resident Todd Palin and his name did not appear in any of the records seized by APD.
The investigation of the prostitution operation was initiated by Anchorage Police Department’s Vice Unit responding to internet advertisements, not through information developed from any tips or other persons.
No rolodex was seized and taken into evidence.
The National Enquirer has not contacted Anchorage Police Department Public Affairs Unit to fact check its story so their reported “call to Anchorage Police Department” could not have been returned.

“Bloggers” have had no access to the evidence seized so their llinking of evidence in police custody to any other person is incorrect.

Keep an eye on Yahoo, Vanity Fair, the New York Daily News, the Huffington Post and Forbes magazine. Inquiring minds want to  know if they do a follow up.

UPDATE. The NY Daily News walks back the cat.