Libertarians + Twitter + Jake Tapper = Scoop!

Jake Tapper, the Twitter-addicted senior White House correspondent for ABC News, wrangles a frightening number of scoops and under-reported stories. He’s also, arguably, the mainstream media reporter most beloved by conservatives. One reason for that is that Tapper chases down stories that bubble up from the conservative media or establishment that other reporters might sit on.

Here’s an interesting example. The Competitive Enterprise Institute, a libertarian think tank with funding from the energy industry, filed a Freedom of Information Act request for Treasury documents that suggested a cap-and-trade program would cost taxpayers more than the Obama administration claimed. Earlier today, CEI’s communications director Christine Hall needled Tapper via Twitter to report on the think tank’s findings.

a $1,761 tax from the American people while also wondering if the Treasury Department is being as forthcoming and transparent as President Obama’s campaign promises would suggest.” He quoted CEI’s “Chris Holder” making the point. Hall tweeted to correct him: “@jaketapper – Horner. Chris Horner.”