XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX TUE MARCH 29, 2005 11:03:27 ET XXXXX
FORMER CHENEY AIDE SIGNS CHENEY DAUGHTER TO BOOK DEAL
**Exclusive**
A former senior adviser to Vice President Dick Cheney has signed Cheney's daughter to a book deal, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned.
The curious and bold first acquisition of former Cheney adviser Mary Matalin in her new position at publisher SIMON & SCHUSTER is valued in the mid-six figures, top sources reveal.
A top executive at VIACOM, parent of SIMON & SCHUSTER, who asked not to be named, was initally alarmed the deal would be seen as a "Thank You" from Matalin to the Cheneys.
"It's so not the case," said a SIMON & SCHUSTER insider. "This was a great opportunity to secure a great political story. Period."
Mary Cheney, who during the 2000 and 2004 presidential campaigns served as a top aide to her father, will write from her unique perspective as both a campaign senior staffer and as a daughter. Her book will offer a behind-the-scenes look at the high intensity world of political campaigns. It will also offer her account of what it was like to become an issue in the 2004 presidential election.
The deal was sealed with DC power lawyer Robert B. Barnett of Williams & Connolly, sources tell DRUDGE.
Matalin, editor in chief, said about her inaugural acquisition: "Mary Cheney was smack-dab in the middle of every major event at the highest level on the last two national campaigns."
No need for a fact-checker on the project. Matalin, herself, was there too.
Developing...
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Filed By Matt Drudge
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