Tony Snow: 'Thank God for Blogs!'

NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

[governsleastgovernsbest]

"Thank God for blogs," said White House Press Secretary Tony Snow this afternoon, commenting on the Bush administration's communications efforts. The comment came in the course of conference call for bloggers in which I participated, conducted by Snow and Brett McGurk [pictured here], the National Security Council's Director for Iraq, giving a preview of President Bush's speech of tonight on Iraq.

Snow described the problem with the traditional media - generously I would say - not in terms of bias but as a function of the "if it bleeds it leads" tendency.

In any case, it's clear that the White House sees blogs such as NewsBusters playing an important role in cutting through the MSM clutter. Snow also described the frustration of military people in Iraq with media coverage that does not comport with the reality they experience in the field. Snow predicted that service people would begin using their own video cameras and sites such as YouTube and LiveLeak to get the word out. Along those lines, I can say that one of the most empowering aspects of my recent trip to Iraq was the ability to put video up on NewsBusters, at times within an hour of events in the field, as with this report on a training exercise of Iraqi soldiers on the Euphrates river in Anbar province.

Among the encouraging details emerging from the conference call was the plan to have combined Iraqi and US forces remain in Baghdad neighborhoods "24/7" once they had been pacified, to ensure that security gains would be enduring.

Those interested in an advance look at what the President will be discussing tonight are encouraged to review this Q & A on the speech released this afternoon by the White House.

Finkelstein was in Iraq in November. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net Tony Snow: 'Thank God for Blogs'

[bnelson44]

Thank God for Tony Snow!

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Governs-conference-call-with-Tony-Snow ping to Today show list.

[samadams2000]

Hey Tony do something for us for a change!!!!

[My2Cents]

the problem with the traditional media - generously I would say - not in terms of bias but as a function of the "if it bleeds it leads" tendency.

There's also, probably, a factor of laziness. Reading some of the MSM's reporting is like reading a "rip-and-read" version of DNC talking points. I wonder how many reporters don't actually do the work of investigating a story, but rely upon the latest propaganda dump from their allies on the left?

[jazusamo]

Ping for Tony Snow.

[Bahbah]

the "if it bleeds it leads" tendency.

Tony would be too diplomatic to point out that if it doesn't bleed enough, we'll make some up.

[Bahbah]

I meant "they'll" make some of, of course.

[beyond the sea]

Tony is doing as well as he can in this job.

I am so proud of him!

[roses of sharon]

Does someone at the WH actually read blogs, or FR, to get a feel of what we are thinking?

Or do they just give you info and such?

I hope they do take our opinions and ideas to heart.

[jazusamo]

Tony Snow ping.

[george76]

"Thank God for blogs,"

[pinz-n-needlez]

Bump for Tony. My tagline says it all. :-)

[SuziQ]

Snow predicted that service people would begin using their own video cameras and sites such as YouTube and LiveLeak to get the word out.

Stryker cams!

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Tony mentioned that he reads all of the blogs that were represented in the conference call.

[Lancey Howard]

Great post BUMP!

[jazusamo]

Great tagline, I've noticed it before. :-)

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Thanks, Lancey - glad you enjoyed it.

[Windcatcher]

Bloggers aren't afraid to tell the truth:

LEFTISTS DON'T WANT TO WORK.

They want free health care, free food, free college education, free housing free clothing, and with all of those things, they don't have to work. The screaming college chanters can remain perpetual professional students and the perpetual "victims" in our cities (you know who you are) can sit and wallow in their self-inflicted misery. And the poor saps who DO work get to pay for these parasites. Ann Coulter nailed it when she pointed out that whenever leftists have a temper tantrum they call a "boycott work" day. It's comes natural to them.

I don't want to work either, but I do. The difference is, I save as much as I possibly can so I can retire early. I don't scream, pout, and throw temper tantrums like a spoiled child.

Society demands an incentive to work. For eight thousand years people have "worked", whether it was performing tasks in the village, hunting, farming, or producing valuable goods. The incentives were many: food, shelter, clothing, etc. Perhaps these can be alleviated for the truly destitute, but there must be something. Leftists don't have to like it -- they can decide not to care for themselves and perish if they wish -- but society must not cater to the slothful.

[California Patriot]

The blogs are a drop in the bucket. They influence the handful of people who read them. They do not influence the vast herd of sheeple. The Big Three networks and the big newspapers are still the name of the game, and that's why the liberals still rule.

[syriacus]

If Baghdad cannot be cleaned up, I think Iraq should chose another city as it's capital.

Some world-class countries have moved their capitals -- the U.S., Germany, Brazil

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Let's not forget France - Vichy ;-)

[syriacus]

it's = its

[CremeSaver]

I think that the one thing that this last election showed was that the media is still as powerful as ever. Very distressing.

[syriacus]

Let's not forget France - Vichy ;-)

I'd completely forgotten.

[okie01]

I wonder how many reporters don't actually do the work of investigating a story, but rely upon the latest propaganda dump from their allies on the left?

Almost all of them.

Their editors are no better. Perhaps worse.

On a national level, nobody in the journalism business is promoting things like legwork, research, investigation...or even the need for accuracy.

Instead, it's all about making the story fit into their template and serve their agenda.

[westmichman]

A lot of people have left Michigan but it hurt us a lot to lose Tony. He is making us proud though.
Thanks Tony!!
WMM

[Chena]

I've got nothing but respect and deep appreciation for Tony Snow. We really needed him and he is serving all good Americans very well. Thank you, Mr. Snow!

BTTT!

[Chena]

Hey Tony do something for us for a change!!!!

Tony is doing something for us all, every day of the week. The MSM must really hate him because he doesn't let them get away with their attempts at spinning truths, loaded questions, and downright lies. He is a gifted communicator and smart as a whip.

[Alia]

And thank you, Mark Finkelstein and NewsBusters.

[Gosh I love this neighborhood]

The blogs are a drop in the bucket. They influence the handful of people who read them. They do not influence the vast herd of sheeple. The Big Three networks and the big newspapers are still the name of the game, and that's why the liberals still rule.

That is the exactly right. I can see that in my own family and it is so frustrating. Whatever they see and hear on the MSM is what they all repeat word for word all the time.

[My2Cents]

Well-said. They'd never get away with it if most Americans weren't so gullible.

[MonicaG]

I would much rather hear it directly from our forces - they could report accurately, directly and regularly. The story would be told, and automatically cross-verified; readers could discern for themselves how things are going. Our guys should get massive raises, too, for doing the extra reporting job above and beyond the most excellent jobs they already do. Then all the talking heads could spiff up their resume's and see who else would hire their b.s.

The current MSM has no shame. It's astonishing.

[pinz-n-needlez]

Thanks I've thought about changing it, to keep it fresh, but I'm really counting on faith in Tony to get me through the next 2 years. ;-)

[Txsleuth]

Thanks Mark!

[fish hawk]

Tony works for the President. Just what,exactly would you have him do for you? just asking

[mewzilla]

A little blast from the past on the subject of news watching....

Dems and the "she" vote

...University of Pennsylvania researcher Kathleen Hall Jamieson said, "The perplexing finding that women do not perform as well as men on political knowledge still persists in the year 2000." Jamieson found women more ignorant than men, irrespective of age, race, income, education, marital status, or party identification! Why? Women, more so than men, get their news from local television. "Local news-watching makes you dumber," said Jamieson.

I'll take blogs any day.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

It's our pleasure - thanks for your comment.

[DCPatriot]

Among the encouraging details emerging from the conference call was the plan to have combined Iraqi and US forces remain in Baghdad neighborhoods "24/7" once they had been pacified, to ensure that security gains would be enduring.

IMO, if they're going to be doing police work, why not practice in cities like Baltimore, Detroit and Washington DC?

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Thank you, Tex!

[IrishMike]

Bush ... 2 great votes
Snow .... a great choice

[Alia]

The blogs are a drop in the bucket. They influence the handful of people who read them. They do not influence the vast herd of sheeple. The Big Three networks and the big newspapers are still the name of the game, and that's why the liberals still rule.

I disagree. Blogs contribute much more than a 'surge'. More like a rising tide..

[mware]

Does someone at the WH actually read blogs, or FR, to get a feel of what we are thinking?

As a matter of a fact they do. Tony Snow was a FReeper before he took his WH gig.

[McGavin999]

Life has sure become better since Tony moved to the WH. If we would have had someone of his calibre in there for the last couple of years we might be looking at a whole different situation now.

[LexBaird]

Tony works for the President. Just what,exactly would you have him do for you? just asking

Since you ask, how about bitchslapping Helen Thomas and Dick Gregory, just before pulling their WH credentials for good?

[maxwellp]

If I were a Republican President of the USA, I'd read FreeRepublic every day. FreeRepublic is highly informative and its posters are very intelligent and savvy. And best of all, they are very patriotic and pro-America.

[California Patriot]

They're an enjoyable toy, but not much more than that.

[Alia]

Well, golly. There's a ton of personal blogs; and then there's ones that are actually contesting the so-called facts of the MSM. Let's see, I do believe, FreeRepublic which is not a blog but a forum did have something to do with exposing the fraudulent left and Dan Walters.

Michelle Malkin and Eason Jordan? Powerline, NewsBusters, Sweetness & Light, JVeritas, oh shucks, the list is huge..

It's just so amazing that the MSM would refer to these bloggers in the news articles. In recent newspapers a Duke Academic has even referred to bloggers digging up facts concerning the Duke La Crosse players as..."BLOG HOOLIGANS"! Can you imagine that?

Have fun with your toys!

[mewzilla]

They're an enjoyable toy, but not much more than that.

www.littlegreenfootballs.com

:)

[California Patriot]

There are feature stories about all kinds of unimportant things. No surprise that there should be some about blogs.

Blogs are important in one VERY limited respect: They are the main way in which some of the most politically sophisticated (or politically obsessed -- there's a difference) conservatives keep in touch with each other and share ideas. Also are probably the main news source now for some of these people -- myself included. But that hasn't made conservatives any more effective than they were. It's just hastened the speed with which they can react -- among themselves -- to the latest liberal outrage. There is no evidence that they have converted any liberals or moderates, or that they have had a real impact (except in a couple of isolated cases) on either the MSM or Republican politicians. Also, it's far from a uniquely conservative tool. The leftists have plenty of blogs too. In fact, these blogs are generally regarded as having much more impact than ours on the political process, because they're more oriented toward activism.