Following up on my post about Dianne Feinstein’s apparent conflict of interest while serving on the Senate Committee that approved billions in government contracts to her husband’s companies, several people (myself included) have emailed Feinstein’s hometown newspaper, the San Francisco Chronicle.

Michelle posted an email exchange with “Joe S.” in which Mr. Kershner appeared ready to defend the paper’s lack of coverage… while adding a little journalistic snarkiness.

But when it came time to respond to my email, it appears Mr. Kershner is no longer in the mood to be such a smart ass, as he turns from the “yeah, so” attitude to the “hey, you got the wrong guy” tail-between-the-legs posture.

Sent: Monday, April 02, 2007 1:00 PM
To: vk@sfgate.com
Subject: Dianne Feinstein coverage

Ms. Mr. Kershner,
I’m curious whether you see a potential story in the fact that Senator Dianne Feinstein, while sitting on the MILCON committee, approved billions of dollars in awards to contractors owned by her husband? Have you assigned this story to one of your investigative reporters? Have you received any comments from Feinstein’s camp? Do you find it ironic that Feinstein remains on the Senate Ethics Committee despite this apparent conflict of interest on her part?

Basically, I’m just curious whether your paper sees a story here at all. I’m sure if this had been a Republican involved, your paper would’ve done much more investigation on much less evidence. How do you defend the appearance of bias?

Her response:

From: Vlae Kershner
Sent: Monday, April 02, 2007 3:04 PM
Subject: RE: Dianne Feinstein coverage

I’m just the editor of the website — we don’t have any online-only reporters. Maybe you should redirect that question to Dick Rogers, the Chronicle’s reader representative, at readerrep@sfchronicle.com

Somehow, I just picture his hands flying in the air as if to say, “whoa, I’m not involved, I’m innocent I tell ya!”

Except Kershner is a little more than the “website editor”. He’s the News Director.

Oops.