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Rep. Slaughter Calls on President Bush to Explain Emerging White House Briefing Room Scandal
http://www.louise.house.gov/HoR/Louise/News/Press+Releases+By+Date/2005+Press+Releases/WH+Briefing+Room+Scandal.htm ^

Posted on 02/09/2005 11:10:04 AM PST by hipaatwo

Washington, DC - Rep. Louise M. Slaughter (NY-28), long time champion of media reform and Ranking Member of the House Committee on Rules, sent a letter to President George W. Bush today asking him to explain how discredited "reporter" Jeff Gannon was credentialed as a member of the legitimate media by the White House.

The letter follows: Wednesday, February 9, 2005 The Honorable George W. Bush President of the United States 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington, DC 20500 Dear Mr. President: In light of the mounting evidence that your Administration has, on several occasions, paid members of the media to advocate in favor of Administration policies, I feel compelled to ask you to address a matter brought to my attention by the Niagara Falls Reporter (article attached), a local newspaper in my district, regarding James "JD" Guckert (AKA Jeff Gannon) of Talon News. According to several credible reports, "Mr. Gannon" has been repeatedly credentialed as a member of the White House press corps by your office and has been regularly called upon in White House press briefings by your Press Secretary Scott McClellan, despite the fact evidence shows that "Mr. Gannon" is a Republican political operative, uses a false name, has phony or questionable journalistic credentials, is known for plagiarizing much of the "news" he reports, and according to several web reports, may have ties to the promotion of the prostitution of military personnel.

Several weeks ago when it was revealed that radio/TV host Armstrong Williams had received payment from your Administration in exchange for his vocal support of the 'No Child Left Behind' initiative, I was stunned. For years now I have been leading the fight in Congress for fairness and accountability in the media; the Williams revelation only underscored the need for a media that has integrity, is balanced and expresses the local interests and concerns of its consumers. Since that time, two more members of the media have been found to have received money from your Administration in exchange for their vocal, yet undisclosed support of Administration policies. And just this morning we have learned that "Mr. Gannon" has resigned his post at the, so called, Talon News amid growing concerns over his controversial background and falsified qualifications. In fact, it appears that "Mr. Gannon's" presence in the White House press corps was merely as a tool of propaganda for your Administration. Mr. President, I am sure we both agree the White House Press Corps is an honored institution in America that should be beyond the scope of partisan meddling, and that a free and independent media is the cornerstone of our success as a democracy.

Likewise, I am sure we can both agree the American people have the right to expect that journalists who question their President everyday are experienced, independent, and perhaps most importantly, unbiased in their approach. I was already concerned about what appears to be an organized campaign to mask partisan propaganda as legitimate news by your Administration. That we have now learned this same type of deception is occurring inside the White House briefing room itself is even more disturbing.

That is why I am asking you to please explain to the Congress and to the American people how and why the individual known as "Mr. Gannon" was repeatedly cleared by your staff to join the legitimate White House press corps? Mr. President, your Administration has driven the so-called "values" debate in this country. But the most important value for those of us in public service should always be honesty and integrity, particularly when considering the manner in which we conduct our affairs of state.

I would appreciate your prompt response on this matter. Respectfully, /LMS Louise M. Slaughter Ranking Member, House Committee on Rules

From the Niagara Falls Reporter on Monday, February 7, 2005 AN OPEN LETTER TO LOUISE SLAUGHTERDear Rep. Slaughter, As a small newspaper located in your district, we are asking for your help. It has come to our attention that an individual who calls himself "Jeff Gannon" has been credentialed by the White House to attend press briefings and presidential news conferences.

He is affiliated with an organization called Talon News, and is frequently called on by White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan and President Bush. This individual has no background in journalism whatsoever, and his "syndicated column" appears solely on his personal Web site, www.jeffgannon.com. According to the Philadelphia Daily News, "Jeff Gannon" isn't even his real name. In his biography at the Talon News site, where he holds the title of "Washington Bureau Chief," he claims to be a graduate of the "Pennsylvania State University System" and the Leadership Institute Broadcast School of Journalism. While the 23 schools in the Penn State system award diplomas, the system itself does not, and the Daily News investigation has thus far failed to turn up a "Jeff Gannon" who holds a degree in education from Penn State, as this person claims he does. Furthermore, the Leadership Institute Broadcast School of Journalism is a right-wing diploma mill where anyone with $50 and two days to waste can receive a degree. As for Talon News itself, it seems to consist solely of a Web site that links directly to a Republican site called www.gopusa.com.

Both Talon and GOPUSA have the same mailing address, a private residence in Texas. It isn't clear whether anyone at Talon News is paid, as one portion of its site asks, "Want to join the Talon News team? Click here to find out more about being a volunteer reporter for Talon News." Looking at the staff biography section of the site, none of the 10 individuals listed appear to have any training or previous experience in journalism, although all list credentials as Republican activists.

We respectfully ask your office to look into how a partisan political organization and an individual with no credentials as a reporter -- and apparently operating under an assumed name -- landed a coveted spot in the White House press corps. Sincerely, Bruce Battaglia, publisher, Mike Hudson, editor in chief, Rebecca Day, senior editor, David Staba, sports editor, Bill Gallagher, national correspondent, John Hanchette, senior correspondent, Frank Thomas Croisdale, contributing editor, Bill Bradberry, contributing editor, Niagara Falls Reporter.


TOPICS: Extended News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: blahblahblahblah; clueless; crybabies; gannon; howaboutterrymoran; jeffgannon; newmedia; rats; slaughter; sorelosers; uglybeeeyeitch; voiceofnewmedia; wench; whenlibsattack
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1 posted on 02/09/2005 11:10:05 AM PST by hipaatwo
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To: hipaatwo
We respectfully ask your office to look into how a partisan political organization . . . landed a coveted spot in the White House press corps.

I agree. CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, the LA Times and the NYTimes should be immediately eliminated from the White House Press Corps.

2 posted on 02/09/2005 11:12:55 AM PST by ModelBreaker
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To: hipaatwo

And I ask why Helen Thomas is credentialed.


3 posted on 02/09/2005 11:13:09 AM PST by Dog Gone
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To: hipaatwo

Is it me or did I miss her going after Dan Blather.


4 posted on 02/09/2005 11:13:40 AM PST by hipaatwo
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To: hipaatwo

First I've heard of this *emerging scandal*. I must have been in a cave, last week.


5 posted on 02/09/2005 11:13:56 AM PST by 7.62 x 51mm (• veni • vidi • vino • visa • "I came, I saw, I drank wine, I shopped")
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To: hipaatwo

Rep. Louise M. Slaughter

Unfortunate name.


6 posted on 02/09/2005 11:14:17 AM PST by AVNevis (You are never too young to stand up for America)
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To: hipaatwo

Well - that is the difference between Republicans and Democrats. We have to pay the media to get our message across. The dems don't - the media recites their talking points for free.


7 posted on 02/09/2005 11:14:18 AM PST by RtWngr (Being tolerant of the intolerant is pretty stupid actually.)
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To: hipaatwo
long time champion of media reform and Ranking Member of the House Committee on Rules

Why hasn't this Slaughter inquired about Helen Thomas?

8 posted on 02/09/2005 11:14:50 AM PST by b4its2late (Warning: Dates in Calendar are closer than they appear.)
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To: 7.62 x 51mm

It's only an "emerging scandal" in their fevered imaginations.


9 posted on 02/09/2005 11:15:16 AM PST by Publius Scipio
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To: AVNevis

Mush ado about NOTHING. The dummos are desperate for ANYTHING that might cast a shadow on W. Truly pathetic people!


10 posted on 02/09/2005 11:15:46 AM PST by Jazzman1
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To: hipaatwo

I agree with Rep. Slaughter. As a matter of fact, I think the Bush Administration should engage in a comprehensive check of ALL White House reporters and make the results known to the public.


11 posted on 02/09/2005 11:15:47 AM PST by AppyPappy (If You're Not A Part Of The Solution, There's Good Money To Be Made In Prolonging The Problem.)
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To: Howlin

Looky here!


12 posted on 02/09/2005 11:16:01 AM PST by mystery-ak (Jack's Back)
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To: AVNevis
Rep. Louise M. Slaughter ... Unfortunate name.

Yeah. I heard she's thinking about changing her name to Alicia....

13 posted on 02/09/2005 11:16:01 AM PST by r9etb
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To: 7.62 x 51mm

In their little universe, it is...

Of course, these are the same people who thought it was "no big deal" when it was alleged that Clintoon raped women and had his political opponents murdered.


14 posted on 02/09/2005 11:16:30 AM PST by ambrose (...)
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To: AVNevis

For an unfortunate rep.


15 posted on 02/09/2005 11:17:21 AM PST by anniegetyourgun
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To: ModelBreaker; dirtboy; JohnHuang2

Oh, waah.

And you're exactly right. If Gannon is going to be fingered, EVERY presstitute should be examined.

DANG I hope the WH is aggressive on this. It's a PERFECT moment for it, given Rathergate and Toysoldiergate and Easongate.

Dan


16 posted on 02/09/2005 11:17:57 AM PST by BibChr ("...behold, they have rejected the word of the LORD, so what wisdom is in them?" [Jer. 8:9])
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To: hipaatwo
"According to several credible reports, "Mr. Gannon" has been repeatedly credentialed as a member of the White House press corps by your office and has been regularly called upon in White House press briefings by your Press Secretary Scott McClellan, despite the fact evidence shows that "Mr. Gannon" is a Republican political operative, uses a false name, has phony or questionable journalistic credentials, is known for plagiarizing much of the "news" he reports, and according to several web reports, may have ties to the promotion of the prostitution of military personnel.

WTF? These are serious charges and they are made in the typically Dem infantile, sophomoric fashion. If anything there is not true this guy has certain grounds to take action. "Prostitution of Military"? What is that.

17 posted on 02/09/2005 11:17:59 AM PST by drt1
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To: hipaatwo
HEY LOUISE....TALK TO THE HAND:


18 posted on 02/09/2005 11:18:23 AM PST by anniegetyourgun
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To: hipaatwo

Wow, I didn't realize Terry Moron and Helen Thomas were fair and balanced.


19 posted on 02/09/2005 11:19:11 AM PST by highlandbreeze
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To: hipaatwo

bahaahahaaahwwwhhahhahaaha.... this is the best 'scandal' they can cook up on our President? geesshh... At least we had truth in the scandals that were 'drudged' up in the last administration...


20 posted on 02/09/2005 11:19:18 AM PST by Cate
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