CBS' Plante: "Dick Cheney Wouldn't Tell Us if Our Shirts were on Fire"

The Early Show/NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

[governsleastgovernsbest]

by Mark Finkelstein

February 14, 2006 - 07:33

Imagine you're a member of the media, and in your heart you believe that a major official wouldn't mind seeing you burn to death. Think that might affect the way you cover him?

A comment this morning by veteran CBS reporter Bill Plante, while perhaps intended to be light-hearted, pulled back the curtain on just how antagonistic the White House press corps believes VP Cheney to be toward them. But more importantly, it suggests how antagonistic they likely feel in return.

The topic was the Veep's accidental shooting of hunting partner Harry Whittington, and more particularly the very contentious press conference yesterday between the White House press corps and presidential spokesman Scott McClellan.

Plante claimed that:

"It's not about us, it's not about the reporters. It's about the fact that the White House is expected to disclose any information about what happens to the President and the Vice-President as soon as they can. In any other White House that I've covered, and that's several as you know, the Vice-President would never have this kind of power [to control the flow of information."

Plante then added his zinger:

"But if it were up to Dick Cheney, he wouldn't tell us if our shirts were on fire, for heaven's sake."

Back in New York, Harry Smith broke into nervous laughter, perhaps aware that Plante had let the cat out of the bag on just how much the White House press corps disdains the Vice-President of the United States.

[No Truce With Kings]

"Why should he?"

Because most Washington correspondents are so clueless that they would not know their shirt was on fire unless they were told it was by a senior White House official, and had the report confirmed by AP, UPI or the NY Times.

[beyond the sea]

Bill Plante is a CBS dingleberry. He just hangs on...and on.

......... and he might want to get some new teeth.

Just another old lingering, light-witted See-bs-asaurus.

[R. Scott]

Plante then added his zinger:

"But if it were up to Dick Cheney, he wouldn't tell us if our shirts were on fire, for heaven's sake."

He probably needs someone to tell him if his shirt’s on fire. Some people are just to dumb for the real world.

[cricket]

Where was all this indignation when Hillery, Nussbaum, and Maggie Williams were keeping the police out of Vince Foster's officer while they "sanitized" it?

And let's not forget Newsweek. . .

. . . HAVING the story of 'Monica' but choosing to 'sit' on Issikof's story. . .until forced out of hiding by Drudge headlines. . .

[beyond the sea]

GREAT PICS!

Thanks, I love that guy.

[joesnuffy]

Well maybe Dick wouldn't tell 'you' if your shirt were on fire....but even as an enemy he would still happily p*#s down your back...and while saving your sorry hide...probably tell you 'it's raining' just too also amuse himself and his friends at your expense...

Whadda ya want?...egg in your beer?

[savedbygrace]

"But if it were up to Dick Cheney, he wouldn't tell us if our shirts were on fire, for heaven's sake."

If that were to happen, it would be part of a National Security operation, and by law the Vice President is forbidden to reveal Top Secret information.

;-)

[NCLaw441]

By the way, does anyone know the name of the woman reporter at the White House who asked Scott McClellan "Would this be a bigger story if he had been killed?"

Can there ever have been a more ignorant question from a reporter?
***

The proper response to such a question (as well as the question about whether Cheney would resign over this) is: Do you actually get paid to ask such stupid questions?

[roses of sharon]

The DNC/MSM smear machine is precisely why we have so little choices of real men running for office for the last 30 years.

The caliber of candidates has declined to the point of danger to our republic.

A monopoly of liberal/elite clustered in NY have been running this country for too long.

[wagglebee]

It's about the fact that the White House is expected to disclose any information about what happens to the President and the Vice-President as soon as they can.

Did they tell us when BJ was playing hide the cigar with an intern?

Did they tell us when BJ was sexually assaulting women in the Oval Office?

Did they tell us when BJ was renting out the Lincoln Bedroom?

Did they tell us when BJ was lying under oath?

[Overtaxed]

Kewl! I made number 3!

You forgot AlGore staring down the barrel of a rifle.

[bray]

And I wouldn't piss on you to put it out!

Pray for W and Our Freedom Fighters

[sausageseller]

"It's not about us, it's not about the reporters. It's about the fact that the White House is expected to disclose any information about what happens to the President and the Vice-President as soon as they can.

Billy Plante:

It is not the WHs job to be reporters.

Remember Billy "what goes around come around" !

[beyond the sea]

"Ted Kennedy and I are going hunting this weekend. He's driving and I'm riding shotgun." ........... "I took my wife hunting with me. She was scared out of her wits but decided to stay after Teddy offered to drive her home."

Those are great.

****

Attorney and old buddy, Whittington, sitting up and joking in his hospital bed said to the nurse, "No big deal, this was just Dick's first attempt at tort reform."

[DCPatriot]

There was no controlling legal authority requiring VP Cheney to inform the press

LOL! Good one!

[Republican Red]

My favorite lines so far were comments on:

http://exposetheleft.com/2006/02/13/huntwithcheney/

If Cheney had accidentally shot John Kerry, but only winged him, would Kerry apply for yet another Purple Heart?

If Cheney had accidentally shot Al Gore, and the hospital reported they had removed 100 pellets from Al’s ass, would Gore demand a re-count?

[DCPatriot]

Nor would I p*** on your shirt to put out the fire.

Oh, I would..but you must know, I'm 60...with an enlarged prostate.

May take a few minutes. ;^)

[beyond the sea]

"The DNC/MSM smear machine is precisely why we have so little choices of real men running for office for the last 30 years. The caliber of candidates has declined to the point of danger to our republic. A monopoly of liberal/elite clustered in NY have been running this country for too long." ---

****

So true. Dangerous times.

I could never explain the depth of my disdain (hatred) for most of the media. They hold a great responsibility, and they take that responsibility and CONSCIOUSLY destroy the nation. They are not all stupid, many add small and evil to their list of "qualifications".

[School of Rational Thought]

Dick Cheney reports to us (the press)

[beyond the sea]

LOL!