Who's the coward?

[whell]

There have been myriad posts on this forum taking Ms. Palin to task about granting interviews only to "friendlies": Fox, talk radio, etc. If we're being consistent here, then we must also take the Prez to task for, as ABC news calls it: "...demonstrating an unprecedented ability to broadcast its message through social media and the Internet, at times doing an end-run around the traditional press."

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/presi...ry?id=12913319

Further: " 'The administration has narrowed access by the mainstream media to an unprecedented extent,' said ABC News White House correspondent Ann Compton, who has covered seven administrations. 'Access here has shriveled.' "

"Members of the press have always had quibbles with White House media strategies, calling cut-backs in access an affront to transparency, even as administration officials insist they're simply taking advantage of new technologies.

But some say the current dynamic is different, and dangerous."

So, the technology is now there, and apparently this Administration is intent on using that power, to bypass the Fourth Estate. Its one thing for a private citizen such as Palin to pick and choose how she might avail herself to the press. I think its quite another for politicians, and in particular the President, to limit access to the press, particularly when a campaign promise was providing "transparency".

Should the press become complicit in this, and not press for additional access or write openly about the closed nature of this Administration, one of the themes of Orwell's Animal Farm may be the result.

[noonereal]

where do you come up with this nonsense?

[whell]

Originally Posted by noonereal

where do you come up with this nonsense?

ABC News. You can take it up with them if you like.

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by whell

There have been myriad posts on this forum taking Ms. Palin to task about granting interviews only to "friendlies": Fox, talk radio, etc. If we're being consistent here, then we must also take the Prez to task for, as ABC news calls it: "...demonstrating an unprecedented ability to broadcast its message through social media and the Internet, at times doing an end-run around the traditional press."

Didn't Obama just have a nation-wide interview on Fox, of all places, just prior to the Superbowl?

As for the President not talking to ABC, NBC, CBS or Fox, I say good. All of these morons just dumb down the news anyway. They'd spend a half hour dissecting the meaning of his tie's color.

[piece-itpete]

Well isn't this a switch.

Pete

[merrylander]

What has Compton got her knickers in a twist about, he was giving a press conference this morning and it was on TV. This has happened several times lately, maybe because I am at home all day I see these press conferences.

[doucanoe]

Your right on the money here whell. How someone like Sarah Palin or whomever decides how they wish to present their message or allow press access to them is their affair. Quite a bit different kettle of fish when it comes to Obama and his administrative body. If he really feels that this will help him reach his "people" then great, I have no issue with that. To do so with the intention of controlling the questioning by individuals he feels put him at risk is weak at best. Saul would love have loved this move though.

We were speaking about Reagan in another thread. I'm sure that if Ronnie is looking down from the heavens watching this unfold, is smiling, shaking his head and uttering "pussy" under his breath.

Transparency is gov. eh? Clearly an attempt at pre-election damage control.

[whell]

Originally Posted by finnbow

Didn't Obama just have a nation-wide interview on Fox, of all places, just prior to the Superbowl?

Yup. The focus of the interview was on the weighty national issue of the Superbowl Game.

[Fast_Eddie]

Originally Posted by finnbow

Didn't Obama just have a nation-wide interview on Fox, of all places, just prior to the Superbowl?

Nobody watches that.

[merrylander]

I still say Compton is full of it, I see plenty of press conferences, he does have a country to run, WTF does she want - a seat in the oval office?