Whatever the underlying motivation, the message to every other host and producer on the payroll is the same: sharing confidential editorial strategy with outside political figures will get you fired. No matter how close you are to the audience or the administration.
"We figure out what people should be paid. We figure out what they can be paid if they went somewhere else. Because we don't want them to go somewhere else, we want them to work here."
This same strategy can apply to a story that may pre-date your time in the market where you’re hosting your show. Study up, but lean on those who know.
Whatever the underlying motivation, the message to every other host and producer on the payroll is the same: sharing confidential editorial strategy with outside political figures will get you fired. No matter how close you are to the audience or the administration.