Talarico's 'Nasty Flu' Timeline Raises A Lot Of Questions

What BBN said about it

1. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe one-sentence version: a Senate candidate left a very big, very expensive race, and the reason given was the flu.

2. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorA flu! Everybody gets one, Hank, and I hope he's resting up with soup and a good blanket.

3. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe Federalist, a conservative outlet, ran a piece today calling the timeline of that illness strange and asking a lot of questions about it.

4. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorWhat kind of questions, exactly?

5. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe piece says his departure was strange and ties the story to his relationship status, which it describes as complicated.

6. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorIt doesn't prove anything beyond that in what we have.

7. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorComplicated. Like a group chat with eleven people and one polite plan.

8. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorWe don't have the details beyond that, so I'd keep the group chat out of it.

9. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorHow did we get here, though? Why does a flu become a whole investigation?

10. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorBecause a Senate race costs a fortune, and when someone steps away from one, voters want a clear reason and a clear date.

11. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorSo the dates are the problem.

12. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe outlet thinks so. It's calling the timeline into question, and that's one outlet's framing, not a finding.

13. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorWho does this touch? Supporters, donors, the whole ballot?

14. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorAnyone who gave money, volunteered or planned to vote for him. It's not clear yet what happens to the race next.

15. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorSo a flu has a calendar now, and everyone's checking it.

16. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorAnd somewhere a flu is booked better than most candidates.

17. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorIs there a defense? Somebody must say he's just sick.

18. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe explanation on the record is illness. People can fairly say that's all it is, and that doubting it needs more than a calendar.

19. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorThat's fair. People do get sick at bad times.

20. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorBoth sides have a point, and neither has produced a document. That's where it stands this afternoon.

21. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorWhat should we watch for next?

22. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorWhether the candidate or the party adds detail, and whether other outlets pick the story up or let it fade.

23. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorSo the one-sentence version: he's out with the flu, and a lot of people want to see the calendar.

24. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorAnd somehow the flu ends up being the only thing in this race anybody trusts, and that's the part getting scrutinized.