Michael Ware: Drunken McCain Heckler?

Or not?

For anyone who missed it, Drudge issued this post:

During a live press conference in Baghdad, Senators McCain and Graham were heckled by CNN reporter Michael Ware. An official at the press conference called Ware’s conduct “outrageous,” saying, “here you have two United States Senators in Bag[h]dad giving first-hand reports while Ware is laughing and mocking their comments. I’ve never witnessed such disrespect. This guy is an activist not a reporter.”

Drudge went on to note that Ware tries to stay drunk as often as possible while in Iraq. All in all, pretty damning stuff - if its true. The charge is fishy because there is no footage of the heckling, only an unnamed source.

Ware appeared on TV w/ Soledad O'Brien, and had this exchange:

O’BRIEN: Let me ask you a question. there was a report that said you were heckling and you were laughing during the senator's press conference. Is that true?

WARE: Well, let's bear in mind that this is a report that was leaked by an unnamed official of some kind to a blog, to somewhere on the internet. No one has gone and put their name forward. We certainly haven't heard Senator McCain say anything about it or any of his staff have come forward to say anything about it. I did not heckle the senator. Indeed, I didn't say a word. I didn't even ask a question. in fact, when I raised my hand to ask a question, the press conference abruptly ended, so what I would suggest is that anyone who has any queries about whether I heckled, watch the videotape of the press conference.

Raw Story has footage from the press conference. There is no evidence that Ware heckled McCain in any way. The whole thing reeks of bull shit. This is how many politicians - especially reeps - crush their opponents, with innuendos and outright lies.

Michael Ware get my utmost respect. He is no stenographer to power. I hope the rest of the press corps rises to his defense.