White House Correspondents Want No Role in Credentialing (Jeff Gannon)

Editor & Publisher ^ | 2/28/05 | Joe Strupp

[finnman69]

NEW YORK The White House Correspondents Association announced Monday that it would not seek changes to the White House press-credentialing process, despite complaints from several members that controversial former reporter James Guckert had been able to gain the same access as any other reporter for two years.

Ron Hutcheson, WHCA president and a Knight Ridder White House correspondent, said the decision occurred during Monday's meeting of the WHCA board. It was the first such meeting of the board since Guckert, who uses the name Jeff Gannon, drew attention with his partisan questions and questionable past.

"The board felt like none of us were happy about Gannon being in the briefing room, but we all view it as the price we pay for a system that favors inclusion over keeping someone out," Hutcheson told E&P. "While not perfect, [the current system] is geared toward letting people in."

[finnman69]

When asked if his view would change in the event that there was a sharp increase in the distribution of day passes for bloggers, writers affiliated with obscure Web sites, and those with obvious partisan leanings, like Guckert, Hutcheson said such a scenario could require a new look. "I do have that concern that we could end up there," he said. "I'll never say never. But I have no idea what the tipping point would be."

He also added that none of the board members at the meeting believed that Guckert was "a plant" by the Bush administration to insert "softball" questions into the daily briefings.

--also---

interesting analysis here related to bloggers:

James Guckert Update

Let's unbury the lead in the latest from Editor and Publisher, which covers the Monday meeting of the White House Correspondents Association:

He also added that none of the board members at the meeting believed that Guckert was "a plant" by the Bush administration to insert "softball" questions into the daily briefings.

No changes are planned to credentialing procedures:

"The board felt like none of us were happy about Gannon being in the briefing room, but we all view it as the price we pay for a system that favors inclusion over keeping someone out," Hutcheson told E&P. "While not perfect, [the current system] is geared toward letting people in."

..."The bottom line is that none of us are comfortable with Jeff Gannon posing as a journalist," Hutcheson stated. "But none of us are comfortable with changing the system to keep him out."

This is in line with what we were told on Feb 15:

"I'm not sure we need to do anything," Hutcheson told E&P. "I'm not comfortable in passing judgment on who is a journalist and who isn't. My overriding view is that if I am going to make a mistake, it is going to be on letting people in rather than keeping people out."

Someone please be sure to let me know when this scandal is over.

MORE: Good news for bloggers:

When asked if his view would change in the event that there was a sharp increase in the distribution of day passes for bloggers, writers affiliated with obscure Web sites, and those with obvious partisan leanings, like Guckert, Hutcheson said such a scenario could require a new look. "I do have that concern that we could end up there," he said. "I'll never say never. But I have no idea what the tipping point would be."

When Patrick Sullivan and I are arm-wrestling three chaps and a gal from the Daily Kos while Scott McClellan waits for a question, the tipping point will have arrived.

February 28, 2005 | Permalink

[river rat]

I'll bet this shuts up the screaming leftists - who have been bitching NON-stop about Gannon getting credentialed..

< /SARCASM>

Semper Fi

[MisterRepublican]

The White House Correspondents Association is obviously being threatened (or blackmailed???) by Rove into taking this position!!!-Gannon Underground (the web forum formerly known as Democratic Underground)

[motherof 3]

Not a plant by the White House--someone better tell Maureen Dowd. She is obsessed with this story.

[gov_bean_ counter]

Once upon a time any Tom, Dick or Harry with a printing press was in the newspaper business. We are returning to the days of the citizen reporter.

and that's way it is (sorry Walter).

[SkyPilot]

Gannon received a temporary daily pass, which almost any journalist can get. Ann Coulter reported this already. Dowd's whole premise for her poison filled column was a lie--she claimed that Gannon received a permanent press pass. He never did.

[rwfromkansas]

"He also added that none of the board members at the meeting believed that Guckert was "a plant" by the Bush administration to insert "softball" questions into the daily briefings."

I don't really have much to complain about what the guy said.

Appears the board made a reasonable decision; no changes, but if blogger credentials become a problem, maybe need to look at some changes in the day-to-day passes (sure hope that doesn't happen though...it would be a great experience as a reporter to get in even for a day).

[skinkinthegrass]

Why would they? ...he was asking honest questions, while the liberal WH press-(whores :) Corp were throwing cr@p @ GWB.

[JesseJane]

Gannon / Joe Strupp ~ping~

FYI...

When clicking over to read the full article, the page does not load... ; I'm not sure if the rules allow posting the full article.. but if anyone does get in, would you please post to me?? Thanks very much.

After all this *itching over Gannon's credentials, I am surprised they would not approve of a full and complete questionnaire to begin the vetting process./s

[JesseJane]

Jeff,
If you are reading this thread, I hope to see you again in another WH presser. Perhaps a question about the statements made by Eason Jordan at the WEF, about our military targeting journalists, and whether the WH has pressed Barney Frank and Chris Dodd to look into the accuracy of the war coverage in CNN's foreign markets. We need answers to Jordan's allegations, and change within CNN to stop acting as an anti-American propaganda machine. When it is clear that THE MAINSTREAM press can not be trusted to report the truth, WHY are they even allowed in a WH press conference in the first place???? WHY, did ABC, CBS, NBC, ignore the allegations made by Mr. Jordan?? Why didn't they follow the story.... We MUST have answers to all of those questions.

Lastly, Frank and Dodd have an OBLIGATION as Congressmen to fully investigate the allegations made by CNN. Just because Jordan did not hand over documentation, does not exempt them from their duty to this country. This is serious, and it must be addressed.
Get'em Jeff!!