White House Correspondents Criticize Alleged 'Softball Thrower' -- and Jeff Gannon Fires Back

Editor and Publisher ^ | 02/02/05 | Joe Strupp

[Pikamax]

White House Correspondents Criticize Alleged 'Softball Thrower' -- and Jeff Gannon Fires Back credit: Aya Kawano

By Joe Strupp

Published: February 02, 2005 4:20 PM ET

NEW YORK Who is Jeff Gannon, why are some White House reporters saying terrible things about him, and why did the group that handles credentials for Capitol Hill correspondents turn down his request last summer, as E&P has learned?

Gannon, the White House correspondent for Talon News, a pro-conservative Web site linked to GOPUSA.com, has drawn attention recently among those who cover the president for what many consider to be an especially partisan approach. He is known for inserting blatantly pro-Bush statements in his inquiries at televised press briefings.

"Would they let Joe Lockhart or someone who works for the DNC [Democratic National Committee] come in and do that? I don't think so," Edwin Chen, who has covered the president for the Los Angeles Times, told E&P. "They ought to get legitimate members of the fourth estate, not political hacks on either side."

White House reporters say Gannon has regularly attended daily press briefings for more than a year. Then, during President Bush's televised press conference on Jan. 26, the president called on him for a question, bypassing dozens of far more experienced reporters.

"I think Jeff's questions suggest he has a pretty strong partisan bent that is at odds with the mission of White House correspondents who go to those meetings on behalf of the public," said Bob Deans, who has covered the White House for seven years for Cox Newspapers. "That is not the point of White House briefings."

GOPUSA.com and TalonNews.com both have ties to the Texas Republican Party, according to a report today in The Boston Globe. Gannon "has virtually no journalistic background ... and routinely reprints long passages verbatim from official press releases as original news articles on his website," the Globe charged.

His question to Bush at last week's press conference: "Senate Democratic leaders have painted a very bleak picture of the U.S. economy. ... Yet, in the same breath, they say that Social Security is rock solid and there's no crisis there. You've said you're going to reach out to these people. How are you going to work with people who seem to have divorced themselves from reality?"

But Gannon told E&P this afternoon that he had no political affiliation and had never contributed to a political campaign. "Which is more than I can say for some of my colleagues," he added.

He would not discuss Talon News's ties to Republican groups. "I write a news story, I post it, and anything having to do with GOPUSA, I don't know about." Added Gannon, "I'm not the '60 Minutes' producer with the Kerry campaign on speed dial."

Gannon would not reveal his age and was vague about his educational background. He said he had been writing for Talon News for two years.

Some veteran White House reporters said Gannon's questions at press conferences show he is trying to make Bush look good -- or providing a "life line" -- instead of demanding answers. "I've heard people grumble about it," said Terence Hunt, an Associated Press White House correspondent for 20 years.

Gannon's credibility was first called into question last spring by The Standing Committee of Correspondents, a group of congressional reporters who oversee press credential distribution on Capitol Hill. Julie Davis, a reporter at The Sun of Baltimore and a member of that committee, said Gannon approached the group in April 2004 seeking a Capitol Hill credential for Talon News, but he was refused.

"We asked for evidence that they were an independent news organization," Davis told E&P. "That they were not connected to a political organization, and they could not provide that, so we denied them their credential." She also said Talon News could not prove it carried paid advertising or paid circulation, two other criteria for approval.

Because Talon did not receive a congressional press credential, it was unable to obtain a White House "hard pass," the permanent press credential that allows White House reporters regular access, Davis said. Instead, she said, Gannon has had to get a daily press credential, which is much easier to get but must be issued each day.

The White House Press Office has not responded to several requests for information on Gannon's credential status or why he is given daily press passes.

When asked about being denied a Capitol Hill credential, Gannon told E&P, "I understand their criteria, and I can see where their questions weren't fully answered. But I think their rules do not reflect the reality of a changing media."

Ron Hutcheson, president of the White House Correspondents Association, has covered the president for Knight Ridder since 2001. He also believes Gannon's actions are a concern. "I see it as a problem," he said. "It wastes a lot of time, and it is an abuse of the forum."

At the White House, unlike on Capital Hill, the Correspondents Association does not oversee credentialing. That has made the group reluctant to lodge any formal complaint with White House officials who hand out the press passes, Hutcheson said. "We don't get into credentialing and we really don't want to," he added. "It is a judgment call. Just because [Gannon] comes in here with a different political view, is that wrong?"

Hutcheson pointed to Helen Thomas, the former UPI White House correspondent who now writes a column for Hearst Newspapers and still attends press briefings as sometimes doing the same thing from the left. "Her questions have changed since she switched from a reporter role to a columnist role," he said. "Often all she is trying to do is make a political point." But Thomas works for a major news operation with a wide and diverse audience.

Judy Keen, a USA Today White House reporter whose tenure dates back to the first President Bush, said Gannon was always cordial with her and may not be the only reporter with a political angle. "I do have some questions about whether he is a legitimate journalist," she admitted. "But, if you start jerking people's credentials based on who they work for, that is a dangerous road to go down. He is not the only one who occasionally includes a personal opinion."

But Gannon's actions have drawn an angry response from Media Matters For America, a Web site run by David Brock. On Monday, Brock posted a letter that he had apparently sent to White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan urging that Gannon's credentials be revoked. "Mr. Gannon's conduct during your briefings, as well as presidential press conferences, further suggests that his true role is that of a partisan operative rather than an independent journalist," Brock's letter stated in part.

The Talon News reporter has also received criticism from several online watchdogs, including Dan Froomkin of The Washington Post's Web site, who has called Gannon "the softball thrower of the White House briefing room."

In his conversation with E&P today, Gannon admitted having a conservative viewpoint, but said most of the White House press corps "have liberal leanings that are reflected in their questions and their news stories. I don't think anyone in that room is free of bias. They all reflect their own personal views or the editorial policy of the organizations they represent. I think I am no more or less partisan than any of my colleagues."

"The story isn't me, the story is that it doesn't seem that there is room for a single conservative in the White House press corps," he added.

Gannon believeds many of the questions from White House reporters are unnecessarily hostile and picking on everything Bush says: "Every single word he says, they jump on and make it a headline."

[BenLurkin]

For eight years the WA press corp slobbered on their knees in front of Slick Willy. They've got no room to beef about this now.

[abnegation]

Oh yeah, right. Like Helen Thomas ever threw Klintoon a hardball question.

[anniegetyourgun]

Added Gannon, "I'm not the '60 Minutes' producer with the Kerry campaign on speed dial."

Love it. Looks like the politics of personal destruction is underway here. However, seems Gannon may be a fighter, not a quitter.

[andyandval]

"I think Jeff's questions suggest he has a pretty strong partisan bent that is at odds with the mission of White House correspondents who go to those meetings on behalf of the public,"

WHAAAAAT?

[marty60]

Igf the White House press corp wasn't so pathetic this would be funny. They are as dillusional as the Dumocrats.

[andyandval]

However, seems Gannon may be a fighter, not a quitter.

He's also a FReeper, no?

[llevrok]

and not to mention Sam "da rug" Donaldson tossing spitters to Ronaldus Magnus.

[keithtoo]

Gannon to the Press-weenies 'you cant handle the truth'.

Lefties are all control-freaks at heart.

[madprof98]

These guys have one and only one question they consider legitimate: WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO APOLOGIZE???

[YaYa123]

"I'm not the '60 Minutes' producer with the Kerry campaign on speed dial." "

Now THAT's funny!!

It's soo funny when you think of it...that according to the standards of the White House Reporter Gatekeepers, George Stephanopoulis, Tim Russert, and Chris Matthews shouldn't be able to get passes either.

[Michael.SF.]

Would they let Joe Lockhart or someone who works for the DNC come in and do that?" Edwin Chen...told E&P. "They ought to get legitimate members of the fourth estate, not political hacks on either side."

Speaking of political hacks:

George Stephanopolous

I guess this means they will ask for Georgie boy to resign?

[andyandval]

To: Mo1
I'm still here! Thank you all for your kind words of support.



419 posted on 01/26/2005 3:49:45 PM EST by Jeff Gannon (Listen to my radio show "Jeff Gannon's Washington" on www.RIGHTALK.com)
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[catpuppy]

"I think Jeff's questions suggest he has a pretty strong partisan bent that is at odds with the mission of White House correspondents who go to those meetings on behalf of the public," said Bob Deans, who has covered the White House for seven years for Cox Newspapers.

Now there's a real impartial observer. One Atlanta radio personality advertises his show on a station not owned by the highly partisan Cox media by saying "We're not Cox." It is right on the money.

[tet68]

"I think Jeff's questions suggest he has a pretty strong partisan bent that is at odds with the mission of White House correspondents who go to those meetings on behalf of democrats," said Bob Deans, who has covered the White House for seven years for Cox Newspapers.

Right, we know that the Cox empire has no ties to democrats,
and is only interested in the public good.

Yep.

[digger48]

And a smarmy, condescending, David Gregory breathlessly demanding the President admit he did something, anything wrong, is a legitimate question?

[MJY1288]

You made some waves Jeff :-)

[austinmark]

The WH press Corp doesn't throw "softballs",
They gently "Toss slightly chewed-up Spitball questions" to ANYBODY who is a Liberal or a supporter.


.

[cardinal4]

"Would they let Joe Lockhart or someone who works for the DNC [Democratic National Committee] come in and do that? I don't think so," Edwin Chen, who has covered the president for the Los Angeles Times, told E&P. "They ought to get legitimate members of the fourth estate, not political hacks on either side."

Thats a laugh! Liberal members of the fourth estate are the quintesential political hacks!

[Alia]

Jeff Gannon has provided the nation, the world, with a perspective NOT AT ALL covered by the "elite" WH usual correspondants. I would have kicked Helen Thomas' patooty many times, but Ari didn't. She was utterly offensive; and utterly protected from any scrutiny by so-called "WH MEDIA" WATCHDOGS. I don't think this "scrutiny" has anything to do with so-called credentials, as the chargers are trying to make anyone believe.

And nor does this have to do with anything other than the MSM frantically trying to maintain their MONOPOLOY on what gets out, who gets heard, what gets opined.

I, citizen, want to hear more from Jeff Gannon, than I do the usual "monopoly players" at WH press conferences. I'm tired of being treated as some slave savant by these dolts who think waiving around their papers entitles them to abuse what is news. For too long in my life had I had to go OUTSIDE THE US TO GET UNBIASED NEWS ABOUT THE US.

And this is why they are picking on Jeff Gannon -- he isn't playing into their monopoly.

I don't give a rats arse whether he's considered a Pro-Bushie or not.

The WH "pressies" have held their lobby over the "news" for so long. I just, well, frankly, don't give a damned, Scarlett.

[One Dight]

I like this Gannon guy. He asked the question that I was hoping one of those press people would ask.

[winner3000]

"I think Jeff's questions suggest he has a pretty strong partisan bent that is at odds with the mission of White House correspondents who go to those meetings on behalf of the public,"

Doesn't Jeff know that the mission of White House correspondents is to throw the kind of questions at the White House that would make George W look as bad as possible?

[Freee-dame]

Eight years of Mr. President-tell-us-about-the-wonderful -things-you-did-today? but now there isn't supposed to be a single person asking anything but attempts at Gotcha? disgusting

[Willie Green]

Gannon would not reveal his age and was vague about his educational background.

The WH press corps are a bunch of clymers...
but just the same, I think reporters should be more forthcoming about their background.
Frankly, I don't think much of a "reporter" who gets his/her talking points straight out of the WH press office, no matter which party is in power.

[Tanniker Smith]

You know, it took Stuttering John from the [REDACTED] Show to ask Gennifer Flowers if she had practiced safe sex with Bill Clinton.

TS
(Yes, I redacted his name on purpose.)

[CyberAnt]

Well .. I wouldn't call her stuff "hardball" .. but I would classify them as hard left - bordering on KOOKIE.

And .. I believe that because of her hostility to the WH - she has lost her front row seat ..?? Or she did for awhile.

[1rudeboy]

Hutcheson pointed to Helen Thomas, the former UPI White House correspondent who now writes a column for Hearst Newspapers and still attends press briefings as sometimes doing the same thing from the left. "Her questions have changed since she switched from a reporter role to a columnist role," he said. "Often all she is trying to do is make a political point." But Thomas works for a major news operation with a wide and diverse audience.

So an agenda is ok as long as you work for a big operation?

[MisterRepublican]

When the "journalists" who are owned by the Democrats start asking "hardball" questions of Bill Clinton, Hillary Rodham-Clinton, John Kerry, Ted Kennedy, et. al., I will take this story seriously.

[deaconjim]

Hutcheson said. "We don't get into credentialing and we really don't want to," he added. "It is a judgment call. Just because [Gannon] comes in here with a different political view, is that wrong?"

Oh, so the rest of the room has a different political view? Nice of you to admit that. So much for their opposition to Gannon.

[tgslTakoma]

You must be doing something right, to be pissing off so many of the mainstream left-wing media in the White House press corps.

Salud!

[trustandobey]

Thanks to Jeff Gannon for truly one of the best questions ever submitted to a President! What a joy it would be if every Presidential Press Conference was covered by eloquent journalists.

[Wild Irish Rogue]

" Then, .....on Jan. 26, the president called on him for a question, bypassing dozens of far more experienced reporters."

Experienced in what exactly- distorting and lying ??
When will this White House come into the new millennium and recognize the legitimacy of the on line and talk radio reporters ?
Maybe one day, this WH will hold a press conference just for the on line journalists or perhaps open the doors of the White House press room and permit more of the new media to join in the questioning.
It would be refreshing to hear legitimate questions asked by people who are not motivated solely by the desire for a gotcha soundbite or quote.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

"They ought to get legitimate members of the fourth estate..."

Gag! Can these "reporters" be ANY more full of themselves?

[Spiff]

Weird. Talon News has been responsible for some VERY uncomfortable questions asked of the White House Spokesman. I specifically remember a very pointed questions about the White House's inaction towards the Invasion for Dummies guide printed and distributed by the Mexican government.

[Mad Mammoth]

What we are seeing in this pompous indignation from the liberal unintelligentsia that make up the majority of the White House Press Corps, is the same thing we witnessed when Fox News came along to clean the clocks of the alphabet networks. Fox was called every name in the book, why?

Because they actually presented news with BALANCE, and because America had been subjected to decades of left-leaning pablum from the talking heads in the lamestream media, the balanced coverage from Fox was seen as being positively right wing.

Same principle at work here with Jeff Gannon. His peers in the WHPC cannot stand the fact that there might be (*gasp*) among them someone who does NOT grind a liberal axe each and every day, who does NOT go into a press conference with anti-administration talking points freshly faxed from the DNC, and THAT is why they are up in arms about Gannon.

If Scott McClellan was to revoke ANY credentials from ANY correspondent, it should be for that hatemongering, terrorist-sympathizing Lebanese troll Helen Thomas. Her hatred for President Bush knows no bounds, and quite frankly if I were running the White House Secret Service detail, I would *demand* that she be banned from any presidential function. I would not put it past her to try and attempt a suicide/assassination bombing attempt.

She's that crazy. And she is a security risk, IMHO.

[Cboldt]

Hutcheson said. "We don't get into credentialing and we really don't want to," he added. "It is a judgment call. Just because [Gannon] comes in here with a different political view, is that wrong?"

A bit of a slip there, Mr. Hutcheson. What do you mean, "different" political view?

[maica]

Hutcheson said. "We don't get into credentialing and we really don't want to," he added. "It is a judgment call. Just because [Gannon] comes in here with a different political view, is that wrong?"

---

Oh, so the rest of the room has a different political view? Nice of you to admit that. So much for their opposition to Gannon.
*****


The gatekeepers of the "truth" are beginning to fail. The dam is going to burst soon. Jeff Gannon is to be commended for getting the White House Press Corps to expose themselves as having a particular political view!!!

Great work, Jeff!

[Edit35]

"I think Jeff's questions suggest he has a pretty strong partisan bent that is at odds with the mission of White House correspondents who go to those meetings on behalf of the public."

They forget that Freepers, in addition to other conservatives, are also members of the public.

If the Washington press corps had their way, all Republicans would hide their heads in shame and let the "real" opinion makers run the entire show.

[cksharks]

You mean of course the union thugs that you are always supporting with strong ties to the MAFIA. That kind of background info rrriiiiggghht!

[Enterprise]

He made waves big time - LOL. I would have been meaner. I would have pointed out that these people were divorced from reality, and they were dysfunctional. There is tons of things that can be written about this, but Limbaugh has said it all.

[Willie Green]

Here's some help for you.

[frannie]

They were good questions, but his lead up was just statements from Dimwits and they were in opposition . I can't remember how he stated it but it went something like this.

The economy was in the dumps, I believe it was Reed who said we would soon have soup lines, then they try to tell us the Social Security is secure for 50 years. One was a quote from Hillary, there is no way the economy can be as bad as they say and tell us Social Security is fine.

That is about how it came down. They didn't question his statement but why would this be a soft ball question. How can the truth be soft ball?

[MississippiMan]

Lemme get this straight: They single him out for "incorporating his beliefs into a question" but they see no similar problem with Helen Thomas?

Please excuse me while I go hurl.

MM (vomiting edition)

[trustandobey]

Thanks for filling me in, we don't have television, so I missed out on a lot of what happened, other than catching a little of Rush.

[gaspar]

Note the people interviewed: Edwin Chen, Terence Hunt, Julie Davis, Ron Hutcheson, David Brock. Every one a left wing Republican-hater. Now there's real balance.

[sauropod]

I've had the occasion to meet Gannon personally at one of our WHCA FReeps. He seems like a straight-up guy.

[sauropod]

yes.

[trustandobey]

Some veteran White House reporters said Gannon's questions at press conferences show he is trying to make Bush look good -- or providing a "life line" -- instead of demanding answers

Brings to mind Carole Simpson's suck up interview of the impeached one or the real hard hitting, "boxers or shorts, Mr. President?"

[nopardons]

bttt

[Fido969]

I like Talon news. Sure, I know that they are to the right, but they also give us stories that need to be told that the lefties at the MSM just won't run.