Very Polite(?) Press Takes Another Dive At W. Conference

The New York Observer ^ | April 23, 2004 | Joe Hagan

[EllaMinnow]

When President George Bush’s live TV press conference last Tuesday, April 13, was done, Terry Moran, the 44-year-old White House correspondent for ABC News, had some regrets. He had asked Mr. Bush if he cared to explain how it happened that we had gone to war based on "false premises," a pretty direct inquiry—and yet Mr. Moran went away feeling … complicit.

"We need people who are not polite," he said. "We need to be more representative of America.

"I am what I am," he said, "a Midwestern Catholic boy whose mama raised him to be courteous to Presidents, nuns, sales clerks, doormen …. I don’t holler, because it would be fake for me. But I sure wish someone did in there."

Mr. Moran then said the White House press corps was sorely lacking someone like his predecessor on the beat, former ABC News White House correspondent Sam Donaldson, whose wild-man behavior and raucous, crazy-eyed bark had once been 120-grit sandpaper to Presidents Carter, Reagan and Clinton.

"I just wonder if our generation of White House correspondents has that grit and that character," Mr. Moran said. "I don’t think you can expect the reporters in that room to fake it. I think that’s the worst thing you can do. But the more diversity, the better. It would throw the public official off-balance a little more. If they had to come to grips with a number of different voices, that would help extract information."

Considering the reams of damning new information at hand that night in the East Room—from former counterterrorism chief Richard Clarke’s published revelations, to the findings of the 9/11 commission, to the news of escalating violence in Iraq—Mr. Moran said the press had taken a dive. Mr. Bush did his thing—he filibustered, deflected, stonewalled, recycled the company line—and the press watched, silent, as if afraid that if they showed bad manners, Karl Rove would never schedule another press conference. After all, the White House has effectively controlled the press by limiting televised news conferences—the fewest of any Presidency in history—which has had the effect of charging the one on April 13 with a certain high-noon theatricality. That night, each question had to be sweated over as if it was a rare event—since it was. But that very tension led partisans to react as if the press were a bunch of liberals playing "We Got Bush."

But Mr. Moran said the Washington press corps’ social makeup—he called it mostly white, suburban, upper-middle class—reflected a genial group for whom noisy, baiting, choleric behavior didn’t come naturally. And others have brought up mass professional ambition as the grease that keeps the Washington press corps from getting too loud.ÊAs in: The squeaky wheel doesn’t get the story.

[EllaMinnow]

They don't get it - they STILL don't get it.

[sauropod]

Terry Moran has his head up his a**!

[cyborg]

But Mr. Moran said the Washington press corps’ social makeup—he called it mostly white, suburban, upper-middle class—reflected a genial group for whom noisy, baiting, choleric behavior didn’t come naturally.


***What does he mean by that? Hmmmmmm

[EllaMinnow]

and there's more, like this doozy...

"A year ago, in May 2003, Dana Milbank, the White House correspondent for The Washington Post, complained that the press had lost its misanthropic edge in a time when it needed it most. He told an audience at Yale, his alma mater, that "about 40 percent of the Washington Post newsroom … is now taking some form of antidepressant." He called it the "Prozac Newsroom."

Now Mr. Milbank said that "a lot of our trade has lost some of its rough edge," but was waking from a long slumber. And, he said, there was at least one maverick left: "David Gregory, who will shout out a question."

Mr. Gregory, the NBC White House correspondent, declined to comment.

Helen Thomas, the former U.P.I. correspondent who is the dowager among all White House curmudgeons—and who last year called President Bush the worst President in American history—agreed with Mr. Milbank. She said the press had become "much more intellectual" since she started in 1961. "I think they’re better educated," she said. "A lot more finesse—but I don’t think they’re better reporters." But she also said of the April 13 press conference, "Well, now they’re coming out of their coma, they’re getting much tougher. I thought they did a good job at the news conference. I don’t know what has made them wake up, but I think they’re better now than they were."

[Onelifetogive]

But Mr. Moran said the Washington press corps’ social makeup—he called it mostly white, suburban, upper-middle class—reflected a genial group for whom noisy, baiting, choleric behavior didn’t come naturally.

Two things....

1) Mr. Moron thinks that non-white, non-suburban, non-upper-middle-class people tend to naturally exhibit "noisy, baiting, choleric behavior." How racist!!!

2) Mr. Moron is free to give up his job in deference to a "non-white, non-suburban, non-upper-middle-class" person. Why hasn't he?

[KJacob]

Nothing maddens me more then self-righteous journalists illustrating how important they think they are. Too many think they are part of the story instead of just outsiders.

[WOSG]

They were extremely rude and hostile to Bush. This is hysterical revisionism.

I ask you - 8 years of Clinton Press Conferences - did they once ask Clinton "What mistakes are willing to admit to us? Come on, out with it, tell us something you did wrong."

[EllaMinnow]

President Bush came out of that press conference smelling like a rose, and the media came out looking like a bunch of jackals...and they think it's because they were too polite? Sheesh!

The worse they are, the better GWB looks. I was afraid that they might be catching on to this, and might change their approach, but now I see no need to worry.

[EllaMinnow]

David "Stretch-the-Truth" Gregory and Company Ping.

[OldFriend]

LOL.....truth be told the entire puss corpse was so true to form that they made the president all the more heroic.

They just don't know how to get him, but they'll keep trying.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

As much as I dislike Sam Donaldson he really nailed Xlinton with the Juanita Broaddrick question.

[cyncooper]

What color is the sky in their world?

[LibLieSlayer]

His head IS his *ss!

LLS

[cyncooper]

As much as I dislike Sam Donaldson he really nailed Xlinton with the Juanita Broaddrick question.

You bring up exhibit A that these reporters aren't out to expose any old politician. They are out to get Republicans, period.

With Clinton, Sam asked so they could say it was asked and "answered" and it was time to "move on". Compare that to the press conference at issue here where the theme "ADMIT YOU MADE A MISTAKE" was repeated ad nauseum.

[Jeff Gannon]

But none of them address the idea of intellectual diversity. I am one of the only conservatives in the regular White House press corps.

They have become more aggressive in direct proportion to the intensity of the election.

How many times have you heard one of their questions begin, "John Kerry says..." or "Wesley Clark says..."?

[what's up]

How many times have you heard one of their questions

True...they're probably afraid the President's answer will nail Kerry and they wouldn't want that...

[TEXOKIE]

btt

[cyborg]

You are a White House press reporter? Wow. No there's not much intellectual diversity to begin with so how can they discuss it! :)

[alnick]

Earth to Terry Moran...

[cyncooper]

I will NEVER forget the insane behavior exhibited toward Scott McClellan at the height of the questioning of GWB's National Guard service.

What the hell is Moran babbling about with his representations that they are all too polite, while ceding Gregory may have a little spark in him. Moran has become completely untethered from reality.

I know you know. I'm just venting.

[Southack]

"Now Mr. Milbank said that "a lot of our trade has lost some of its rough edge," but was waking from a long slumber. And, he said, there was at least one maverick left: "David Gregory, who will shout out a question."

Check out the two names above. Milbank, on MSNBC this morning, ran with the "Why is GWB meeting the 9/11 commission with Cheney" talking point...refusing to ask why President Clinton met the 9/11 commission with Sandy Berger...in order to give the false appearance that it was somehow unusual for President Bush to meet with the 9/11 commission with allies in tow.

Gregory, back when President Bush transited through France on his way to sign the LARGEST NUCLEAR REDUCTION TREATY IN WORLD HISTORY, failed to ask either Chirac or President Bush why the French *anti-nuclear* protestors were out protesting GWB in France. Instead, he spoke in French first, then switched to English to ask why the French hated GWB.

Anti-nuclear protesters...protesting the signing of the largest nuclear reduction in world history...and the reporters on the scene couldn't even comprehend the magnitude of the story that they missed.

[Badeye]

The fact remains they choose to repeat slightly different versions of the same question seven times.

And failed to ask one question about the economy.

Gee, wonder why.....

[Jeff Gannon]

Sure am - where you been? I even have a Demo-nut website devoted to my removal!

[cyborg]

LOL... wow I'm talking to a celebrity! What website is that?

[Jeff Gannon]

http://webdems.blogspot.com/

check out my site also:

http://www.jeffgannon.com

[Spotsy]

The reporters at the April 13 presidential news conference squandered their opportunity to ask hard-hitting questions about the issues of the day.

Instead, the reporters sounded like they were working for MoveOn.org or the Jersey Girls.

Then they have the nerve to complain that Bush took up too much of the hour with his prepared statement; Bush doesn't answer questions; Bush is a dullard, we are his intellectual superiors . . .

Perhaps if these reporters weren't so self-important and impressed by their own proximity to power, they would have the attention span and depth of knowledge to formulate more constructive questions.

Mr. Gannon - you must have nerves of steel to move in those circles.

[Porterville]

What a bunch of self proclaimed "elitist"... there is more class in my septic tank than in the press corps

[Jeff Gannon]

You are most kind. Fortunately I am largely shunned by the elites.

Its doesn't take nerves of steel, just an ability to bite one's tongue.

[Spotsy]

I am largely shunned by the elites.

A true badge of honor!

Their loss, Free Republic's pleasure.

[LucyJo]

"What does he mean by that?"

That they're a bunch of panty-waisted elitists??
What an admission.

[N. Theknow]

Interesting...

A reporter shows he has no brains and then admits he has no balls.

[farsighted]

More importantly Clinton brought along his FIXER, Bruce Lindsey. What's up with that? Why isn't the press in an uproar about that?

[LucyJo]

"I am one of the only conservatives in the regular White House press corps."

God bless you, and may your tribe increase! :-)

[Jeff Gannon]

Not likely! There are many obstacles for admittance.

And thanks for you good wishes.

[EllaMinnow]

You've got a good fan base here, Jeff. We really appreciate what you have to deal with.

[Jeff Gannon]

You are kind. It helps to keep me doing what I do!

[Spotsy]

A reporter shows he has no brains and then admits he has no balls.

LOL!! That's Terry Moran for you.

[LucyJo]

"There are many obstacles for admittance."

I can imagine that there are many obstacles considering the uniqueness of the position, not to mention your lack of leftist credentials. I'm thankful to know that you are a regular there.

I've added your website to my Favorites, and look forward to spending some time there.

[Watery Tart]

Soooo....let me see if I have this right: Clymer Moran is complaining that he isn't a BIGGER Clymer....and it's all President Bush's fault?

"Journalists"--The Other White Meat.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

"You didn’t have the right-wing media structure you have now. Nobody is stopping Mr. Moran or any of them except, probably, their bosses. You don’t want to look like Sam Donaldson now. All of the media now—and on every story—they’re looking over their right shoulder and asking if they’re being too liberal. Never do they look over their left shoulder and ask if they’re being too conservative."

Never do they look over their left shoulder and ask if there's anyone to the left of themselves.

[Psycho_Bunny]

You know, It's not natural for a person to think "Wow, I acted like an asshole.  I wish I were a bigger asshole."