Thompson: Political Reporters Lack 'Fire in the Belly'

Scrappleface ^ | 01/02/08 | Scott Ott

[Yaelle]

2008-01-02) — Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson today questioned whether political reporters covering the race for the White House have enough ambition for the job.

“Most of these journalists seem to lack what you might call fire in the belly,” said the former Tennessee senator. “When’s the last time you read an in-depth story about what the presidential hopefuls actually believe, or have accomplished? How often have you seen a reporter place a candidate’s views in the context of the Constitution, the sweep of American history, the intricacies of global geopolitics, economic theory or even basic political philosophy?”

Mr. Thompson said most reporting on the race fits one of three categories: 1) Results of the latest opinion poll. 2) Embarrassing gaffes and nasty remarks. 3) Reaction to one of the above.

“I’m not sure if it’s laziness, lack of ambition, or just apathy,” said Mr. Thompson, “But the American people need to know that the reporters whom they entrust with this solemn responsibility have a burning desire to fulfill the obligations of the Fourth Estate. That means you need to hustle, do your homework, ask tough questions about significant issues, put quotations in context, filter out your own natural bias, and place more value on accuracy than on speed, more on integrity than on your own petty celebrity.”

[9YearLurker]

Ha! Perfect! And oh, so true.

[NeoCaveman]

Dammit.

I believed/wanted this to be true.

[SlowBoat407]

If you want to believe it, it must be Scrappleface.

[tcostell]

Yeah .. .nothing gets the press on your side like reminding them that they are the actual problem and not you. A substantial portion of the problem with Fred was that the media just wouldn't take him seriously. I'm not sure why that was exactly when it seemed to me that he was the only guy out there with serious things to say.

It's a nice comment, but it won't help. (And that's coming from a Fred supporter)

[Yaelle]

Man, it sure could be true!

[tcostell]

Duh ... I should read more carefully ....

sorry Fred....

[LucyJo]

LOL! That is hilarious, and right on target too.

[Reaganesque]

Many reporters do have a fire in the belly but, luckily for them, modern medicine and years of psychotherapy can cure ulcers.

[PeterPrinciple]

How often have you seen a reporter place a candidate’s views in the context of the Constitution, the sweep of American history, the intricacies of global geopolitics, economic theory or even basic political philosophy?”

---

Wish Fred had said this..............

[ichabod1]

punk’d

[Yaelle]

Oh, me too: you know he is thinking it!

(Actually, this morning he is thinking less nice things about the media... For prematurely reporting his political death!)

[Servant of the Cross]

Scrappleface on its game again.

[longtermmemmory]

however I bet the internet reporter emails will leave a mark.

How many newsrooms will get this as a “real” email to see reporters fall for it as real?

[truthluva]

This is great. Everytime I see something I just love I look up and see Scrappleface as the source. Shoot. I wish Fred had said all of that!!

[NeoCaveman]

Quick, someone blast fax this artiole to Reuters, the AP, BBC, and the wire services.

Someone will fall for it and run with it.

[HerrBlucher]

Ha Haaaaaaaaaa Fred sticks it to the idiot press.....gotta love the Fred!

[HerrBlucher]

Oh its scrappleface....still very believable anyway...

[toddlintown]

Scrappleface.

[Rick.Donaldson]

“I’m not sure if it’s laziness, lack of ambition, or just apathy,” said Mr. Thompson, “But the American people need to know that the reporters whom they entrust with this solemn responsibility have a burning desire to fulfill the obligations of the Fourth Estate. That means you need to hustle, do your homework, ask tough questions about significant issues, put quotations in context, filter out your own natural bias, and place more value on accuracy than on speed, more on integrity than on your own petty celebrity.”

A truer mouthful has never been spoken.