Comments on: NY Times Bashes Obama’s HuffPo Question As “Staged,” But Hailed Bush’s “Mission Accomplished” Moment http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/political-media/ny-times-bashes-obamas-huffpo-question-as-staged-but-hailed-bushs-mission-accomplished-moment/ Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:20:22 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: absent observer http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/political-media/ny-times-bashes-obamas-huffpo-question-as-staged-but-hailed-bushs-mission-accomplished-moment/comment-page-1/#comment-31747 absent observer Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:03:53 +0000 http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/?p=9204#comment-31747 I was struck by Chuch Todd's expression when the President called on the HuffPost reported. If you watched on CSPAN, you would see Chuck Todd immediately grimace and throw his head into his hand. I was amazed. It was transparent that he was enraged about the HuffPost being #2 in line. Then Obama later tells him, "You're on a 24-hour news cycle; I'm not. That's the difference." I was struck by Chuch Todd’s expression when the President called on the HuffPost reported. If you watched on CSPAN, you would see Chuck Todd immediately grimace and throw his head into his hand. I was amazed. It was transparent that he was enraged about the HuffPost being #2 in line. Then Obama later tells him, “You’re on a 24-hour news cycle; I’m not. That’s the difference.”

]]> By: George Kaplan http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/political-media/ny-times-bashes-obamas-huffpo-question-as-staged-but-hailed-bushs-mission-accomplished-moment/comment-page-1/#comment-31714 George Kaplan Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:26:27 +0000 http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/?p=9204#comment-31714 Dear MSM: Please, whine less. Report more. Thanks. Dear MSM: Please, whine less. Report more. Thanks.

]]> By: Harkadahl http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/political-media/ny-times-bashes-obamas-huffpo-question-as-staged-but-hailed-bushs-mission-accomplished-moment/comment-page-1/#comment-31635 Harkadahl Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:12:40 +0000 http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/?p=9204#comment-31635 If the White House Press Corps, through 8 years of the most criminal adminstration in living memeory, had bothered to ask ONE pertinent question or taken ONE seriously investigative line of enquiry, or even delivered ONE killer follow up question, then there would be little need for outsiders to do their work for them. As it stands, the WHPC have shown themselves to be utterly supine in the face of authority, overawed by the trappings of high office and seemingly incapable of curiosity for the relevent things. They suck up all the glad-handling and "access" and bon-homie that the Whitehouse can muster, they hold hands with their supposed adversaries at embarrassing annual bashes and ultimately they have exchanged credibility for comfort and vanity. In short, the WHPC deserted their countrymen and their proffession when they were most acutely needed and they all need to be flushed away. Except Helen Thomas. If the White House Press Corps, through 8 years of the most criminal adminstration in living memeory, had bothered to ask ONE pertinent question or taken ONE seriously investigative line of enquiry, or even delivered ONE killer follow up question, then there would be little need for outsiders to do their work for them. As it stands, the WHPC have shown themselves to be utterly supine in the face of authority, overawed by the trappings of high office and seemingly incapable of curiosity for the relevent things.
They suck up all the glad-handling and “access” and bon-homie that the Whitehouse can muster, they hold hands with their supposed adversaries at embarrassing annual bashes and ultimately they have exchanged credibility for comfort and vanity. In short, the WHPC deserted their countrymen and their proffession when they were most acutely needed and they all need to be flushed away. Except Helen Thomas.

]]> By: pikaomega http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/political-media/ny-times-bashes-obamas-huffpo-question-as-staged-but-hailed-bushs-mission-accomplished-moment/comment-page-1/#comment-31632 pikaomega Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:04:55 +0000 http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/?p=9204#comment-31632 Press adopts "Tantrum" business model; spoiled children everywhere rejoice In a effort to bolster a dwindling audience and sagging profits, the White House press corps news conglomerates have unveiled their new business strategy: "Hold Our Breath Till We Die And Then You'll Be Sorry." When asked about the drastic about face, an unnamed Associated Press spokesman said "We have all witnessed the success of this tactic during trips to the mall and it is our opinion that this is the most effective route for us at this time. Additionally, it has been well reported that the primary consumers of print and television media are aging, and we see this as a great way to introduce ourselves to the coveted 2-16 demographic." When asked about the possibility of this new model alienating the established media consumer, he said "We all know that if the seniors stop breathing, it's not because of a hissy fit." The response of youngsters to this unexpected victory was one of triumph. Caston Nichols, age 6, said this of the turn of events, "I said TWO scoops of ice cream! You're so stupid. I hate you Grandma." Caston's mother, Rebecca Nichols, insists that she has always known that her son was special and would be influential, but admitted that this victory came as somewhat of a shock. "Oh, he's my angel...Caston, put that down. We have always known that with his brilliance he would be a...Caston, honey, no...a great success in life. In fact, when he asked us to apply for bailout money and I said 'not until you finish your pizza,' we just HAD to fill out the paperwork so that he wouldn't throw another cat through the plate glass window." Press adopts “Tantrum” business model; spoiled children everywhere rejoice

In a effort to bolster a dwindling audience and sagging profits, the White House press corps news conglomerates have unveiled their new business strategy: “Hold Our Breath Till We Die And Then You’ll Be Sorry.”

When asked about the drastic about face, an unnamed Associated Press spokesman said “We have all witnessed the success of this tactic during trips to the mall and it is our opinion that this is the most effective route for us at this time. Additionally, it has been well reported that the primary consumers of print and television media are aging, and we see this as a great way to introduce ourselves to the coveted 2-16 demographic.”

When asked about the possibility of this new model alienating the established media consumer, he said “We all know that if the seniors stop breathing, it’s not because of a hissy fit.”

The response of youngsters to this unexpected victory was one of triumph.

Caston Nichols, age 6, said this of the turn of events, “I said TWO scoops of ice cream! You’re so stupid. I hate you Grandma.”

Caston’s mother, Rebecca Nichols, insists that she has always known that her son was special and would be influential, but admitted that this victory came as somewhat of a shock.

“Oh, he’s my angel…Caston, put that down. We have always known that with his brilliance he would be a…Caston, honey, no…a great success in life. In fact, when he asked us to apply for bailout money and I said ‘not until you finish your pizza,’ we just HAD to fill out the paperwork so that he wouldn’t throw another cat through the plate glass window.”

]]> By: Men http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/political-media/ny-times-bashes-obamas-huffpo-question-as-staged-but-hailed-bushs-mission-accomplished-moment/comment-page-1/#comment-31502 Men Fri, 26 Jun 2009 02:34:47 +0000 http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/?p=9204#comment-31502 Obama did not know what the question was going to be so how could it have been staged? Interestingly a story on the world last night referred to Pitney as a representative and not a reporter of huffpost Obama did not know what the question was going to be so how could it have been staged? Interestingly a story on the world last night referred to Pitney as a representative and not a reporter of huffpost

]]> By: James http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/political-media/ny-times-bashes-obamas-huffpo-question-as-staged-but-hailed-bushs-mission-accomplished-moment/comment-page-1/#comment-31436 James Thu, 25 Jun 2009 23:57:05 +0000 http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/?p=9204#comment-31436 @sbj, I know about call-on lists because I have a friend in the bidness who did a stint at the White House. This friend was offered a question to Bush a week before the presser in question, because the event was relevant to my friend's expertise. So we had the discussion and my friend was like "meh" it happens all the time, no biggie. Obviously, I have no link for that. But the excellent journo Peter Baker, who did WH duty for the Washington Post, writes an interesting bit: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/26/us/politics/26baker.html . Baker makes a good point, that due to the extreme narcissism of the WHPC, the flap has taken the focus away from the content of the question, which the mainstream media refuse to reprint.. Personally I think it is more because the WHPC is miffed because Obama wouldn't suck up to them. "You guys are on 24-hour news cycle. I'm not." That hurt their widdle feelings, so they have to throw a widdle tantrum. That's what's going on here. @sbj,
I know about call-on lists because I have a friend in the bidness who did a stint at the White House. This friend was offered a question to Bush a week before the presser in question, because the event was relevant to my friend’s expertise. So we had the discussion and my friend was like “meh” it happens all the time, no biggie. Obviously, I have no link for that. But the excellent journo Peter Baker, who did WH duty for the Washington Post, writes an interesting bit:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/26/us/politics/26baker.html
.
Baker makes a good point, that due to the extreme narcissism of the WHPC, the flap has taken the focus away from the content of the question, which the mainstream media refuse to reprint..
Personally I think it is more because the WHPC is miffed because Obama wouldn’t suck up to them. “You guys are on 24-hour news cycle. I’m not.” That hurt their widdle feelings, so they have to throw a widdle tantrum. That’s what’s going on here.

]]> By: hotspur http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/political-media/ny-times-bashes-obamas-huffpo-question-as-staged-but-hailed-bushs-mission-accomplished-moment/comment-page-1/#comment-31432 hotspur Thu, 25 Jun 2009 23:45:39 +0000 http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/?p=9204#comment-31432 Hear, hear, Mrs KB, I have been thinking the same thing: Obama *announced* that he and Nico had discussed a question in advance of the presser. There was zero attempt to pull the wool over anyone's eyes, as there was with Gannon-Guckert, Male Prostitute. That makes this different not in degree but in kind. And it is really something to think of all the journalists in that room asking questions that stressed a need for the President to take a more active approach to Iran -- and completely missing the fact that he did so, right there, in front of them all. Hear, hear, Mrs KB, I have been thinking the same thing: Obama *announced* that he and Nico had discussed a question in advance of the presser. There was zero attempt to pull the wool over anyone’s eyes, as there was with Gannon-Guckert, Male Prostitute. That makes this different not in degree but in kind.

And it is really something to think of all the journalists in that room asking questions that stressed a need for the President to take a more active approach to Iran — and completely missing the fact that he did so, right there, in front of them all.

]]> By: seliant http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/political-media/ny-times-bashes-obamas-huffpo-question-as-staged-but-hailed-bushs-mission-accomplished-moment/comment-page-1/#comment-31431 seliant Thu, 25 Jun 2009 23:44:05 +0000 http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/?p=9204#comment-31431 i think more than anything the white house was trying to give credit pitney and the huffington post for being very ahead of everybody else on this story. pitney has been blogging essentially 30 hours a day since this started. so the WH giving him some credit was appropriate. i think these journalists are nervous about the state of their industry and are threatened by the power of the so called "blogosphere" especially in terms of the Iran story. all aside, props to pitney for doing an A+ job. i think more than anything the white house was trying to give credit pitney and the huffington post for being very ahead of everybody else on this story. pitney has been blogging essentially 30 hours a day since this started. so the WH giving him some credit was appropriate. i think these journalists are nervous about the state of their industry and are threatened by the power of the so called “blogosphere” especially in terms of the Iran story. all aside, props to pitney for doing an A+ job.

]]> By: Mrs. K8 http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/political-media/ny-times-bashes-obamas-huffpo-question-as-staged-but-hailed-bushs-mission-accomplished-moment/comment-page-1/#comment-31396 Mrs. K8 Thu, 25 Jun 2009 22:28:15 +0000 http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/?p=9204#comment-31396 Another point which needs to be emphasized. President Obama announced to the world what he was doing in asking Nico to give him a question from his (Nico's) Iranian contacts. And the Iranian's question was no softball made to fluff the Pres. I don't remember George W. Bush announcing out loud to God and the world that the next question(s) would be coming from his good pal Jimmy/Jeff, who had spent numerous overnights staying at the White House during times when no press conference was/had been/would be taking place. Nor were Jimmy/Jeff's questions in any way remotely challenging. They were ALL fluffers. Nor was the Bush administration ever challenged by main-stream press to explain Jimmy/Jeff's numerous overnight stays (documented by the Secret Service) at the White House. Those who in any way compare Nico's question to the way the Bush administration handled press conferences are either deeply deluded, wilfully ignorant, or still in love with the world of the Bushies. Another point which needs to be emphasized. President Obama announced to the world what he was doing in asking Nico to give him a question from his (Nico’s) Iranian contacts. And the Iranian’s question was no softball made to fluff the Pres.

I don’t remember George W. Bush announcing out loud to God and the world that the next question(s) would be coming from his good pal Jimmy/Jeff, who had spent numerous overnights staying at the White House during times when no press conference was/had been/would be taking place. Nor were Jimmy/Jeff’s questions in any way remotely challenging. They were ALL fluffers. Nor was the Bush administration ever challenged by main-stream press to explain Jimmy/Jeff’s numerous overnight stays (documented by the Secret Service) at the White House.

Those who in any way compare Nico’s question to the way the Bush administration handled press conferences are either deeply deluded, wilfully ignorant, or still in love with the world of the Bushies.

]]> By: Mrs. K8 http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/political-media/ny-times-bashes-obamas-huffpo-question-as-staged-but-hailed-bushs-mission-accomplished-moment/comment-page-1/#comment-31391 Mrs. K8 Thu, 25 Jun 2009 22:20:02 +0000 http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/?p=9204#comment-31391 So sorry -- the word "agle" is a typo. Should be "ANGLE." So sorry — the word “agle” is a typo. Should be “ANGLE.”

]]> By: Mrs. K8 http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/political-media/ny-times-bashes-obamas-huffpo-question-as-staged-but-hailed-bushs-mission-accomplished-moment/comment-page-1/#comment-31389 Mrs. K8 Thu, 25 Jun 2009 22:18:56 +0000 http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/?p=9204#comment-31389 I remember the "call-on" lists very well, indeed, back in the old days of Eschaton. A photographer had gotten a shot of Bush at the lectern, from an agle behind Bush. The paper Bush was reading could be seen in the shot. Upon having that piece of paper digitally enlarged, it was quite easy to read the names of reporters, in the order in which they would be called-on. It's important to note that GWB was not WRITING during the press conference (in other words, he was NOT making a simultaneous note of the questioners for future study/review [ha! AS IF he cared!] -- he was READING the prepared paper.) This item should be in someone's archives, but I don't have time now to go digging. I think Tena would remember [-- hi Tena, long time no see!!! Hope you are well!] I remember the “call-on” lists very well, indeed, back in the old days of Eschaton. A photographer had gotten a shot of Bush at the lectern, from an agle behind Bush. The paper Bush was reading could be seen in the shot. Upon having that piece of paper digitally enlarged, it was quite easy to read the names of reporters, in the order in which they would be called-on. It’s important to note that GWB was not WRITING during the press conference (in other words, he was NOT making a simultaneous note of the questioners for future study/review [ha! AS IF he cared!] — he was READING the prepared paper.) This item should be in someone’s archives, but I don’t have time now to go digging. I think Tena would remember [-- hi Tena, long time no see!!! Hope you are well!]

]]> By: JM http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/political-media/ny-times-bashes-obamas-huffpo-question-as-staged-but-hailed-bushs-mission-accomplished-moment/comment-page-1/#comment-31355 JM Thu, 25 Jun 2009 21:13:34 +0000 http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/?p=9204#comment-31355 <i>And why in the hell is Obama doing the same?</i> He isn't. Does that help? I guess it would help if you knew that it wasn't a softball question, which is what Bush used that whore for. And why in the hell is Obama doing the same?

He isn’t. Does that help?

I guess it would help if you knew that it wasn’t a softball question, which is what Bush used that ***** for.

]]> By: rachelvandongen http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/political-media/ny-times-bashes-obamas-huffpo-question-as-staged-but-hailed-bushs-mission-accomplished-moment/comment-page-1/#comment-31346 rachelvandongen Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:57:34 +0000 http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/?p=9204#comment-31346 hey guys-really, really sorry re the para breaks and all the tech trouble in general. we ARE on it. it's just a little harder to fix than everyone anticipated. has something to with a blog being integrated into a wiki site. too complex for my non-techie head. but hopefully, the "posting too fast" issue is over. bear with us...we really appreciate it. -Rachel (editor, whorunsgov.com) hey guys-really, really sorry re the para breaks and all the tech trouble in general. we ARE on it. it’s just a little harder to fix than everyone anticipated. has something to with a blog being integrated into a wiki site. too complex for my non-techie head.

but hopefully, the “posting too fast” issue is over.

bear with us…we really appreciate it.
-Rachel (editor, whorunsgov.com)

]]> By: Turgenev http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/political-media/ny-times-bashes-obamas-huffpo-question-as-staged-but-hailed-bushs-mission-accomplished-moment/comment-page-1/#comment-31345 Turgenev Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:57:20 +0000 http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/?p=9204#comment-31345 I think, from now on, Obama should give Nico the first question in every subsequent briefing or conference, just as a big "eff ewe" to the jerks who spazzed out over this. I'm as sceptical of the "blog revolution" as anyone, but when journalists act like jealous pricks they shouldn't get a pass for it. I certainly don't. I think, from now on, Obama should give Nico the first question in every subsequent briefing or conference, just as a big “eff ewe” to the jerks who spazzed out over this. I’m as sceptical of the “blog revolution” as anyone, but when journalists act like jealous pricks they shouldn’t get a pass for it. I certainly don’t.

]]> By: sbj http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/political-media/ny-times-bashes-obamas-huffpo-question-as-staged-but-hailed-bushs-mission-accomplished-moment/comment-page-1/#comment-31339 sbj Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:47:51 +0000 http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/?p=9204#comment-31339 @James: I don't know if what you say is true. I Yahoo'd and could find no references to a Perino "call-on" list so please provide references as I find it interesting. (Even as you descfibe it it does not sound analogous.) The NY Times article indicates that what happened with this fellow was unusual - perhaps you should ask them for a clarification as I was only quoting from the paper. @James: I don’t know if what you say is true. I Yahoo’d and could find no references to a Perino “call-on” list so please provide references as I find it interesting. (Even as you descfibe it it does not sound analogous.) The NY Times article indicates that what happened with this fellow was unusual – perhaps you should ask them for a clarification as I was only quoting from the paper.

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