Two full years before New York magazine reporter Gabriel Sherman published a book about Roger Ailes, a book-length memo about him made the rounds inside Fox News.
It has all the markings of “opposition research” about a political enemy — which is precisely how Ailes viewed Sherman.
The memo, obtained by CNNMoney from two anonymous sources, is a stunning display of Ailes’ campaign-like strategies. It includes, among other things, property records, voter registration information, and a note that the researchers could find no criminal record for Sherman.
A printout from the Westlaw database contains his past and present addresses and details of his mortgage.
Another part of the briefing book, dated January 18, is a 41-page “Internet dredge” of notable tweets by Sherman, blog comments about him, and a New York Times write-up of his wedding.
Still another part, titled “Gabriel Sherman Hit List,” is a detailed look at Sherman’s reporting and commentary about Republican power brokers, media personalities and Fox News personnel.
