Stay Tuned for More of 'The Obama Show' (Washington Post roasts Obama)

washingtonpost. ^ | Wednesday, June 24, 2009 | By Dana Milbank

[dennisw]

President Obama preempted soaps (but) viewers shouldn't have been disappointed: The president had arranged some prepackaged entertainment for them.

After the obligatory first question from the Associated Press, Obama treated the overflowing White House briefing room to a surprise. "I know Nico Pitney is here from the Huffington Post," he announced.

Obama knew this because White House aides had called Pitney the day before to invite him, and they had escorted him into the room. They told him the president was likely to call on him, with the understanding that he would ask a question about Iran that had been submitted online by an Iranian. "I know that there may actually be questions from people in Iran who are communicating through the Internet," Obama went on. "Do you have a question?"

Pitney recognized his prompt. "That's right," he said, standing in the aisle and wearing a temporary White House press pass. "I wanted to use this opportunity to ask you a question directly from an Iranian."

Pitney asked his arranged question. Reporters looked at one another in amazement at the stagecraft they were witnessing. White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel grinned at the surprised TV correspondents in the first row.

The use of planted questioners is a no-no at presidential news conferences, because it sends a message to the world -- Iran included -- that the American press isn't as free as advertised. But yesterday wasn't so much a news conference as it was a taping of a new daytime drama, "The Obama Show." Missed yesterday's show? Don't worry: On Wednesday, ABC News will be broadcasting "Good Morning America" from the South Lawn (guest stars: the president and first lady), "World News Tonight" from the Blue Room, and a prime-time feature with Obama from the East Room.

[aragona]

Dana nailed the insanity of the WH press corp. Don’t they see how disrespected they are by OB and his team???

[dennisw]

Read the whole article.

Pretty funny. But half of it is a reporter getting upset at how 0bongo manipulates his news coverage. Dana Milbank probably still loves 0bongo’s policies

[jersey117]

Kudos to Milbank for telling it like it is. Finally, a journalist with guts.

[Sacajaweau]

Was pretty certain the questions were KNOWN because Obama was reading from notes most of the time.

[Right Wing Assault]

WAPO is just jealous that obi didn’t invite them to set up their printing presses in the WH so they could print and distribute the news from there.

[jimfree]

Dana Milbank was not a pubbie shill but rather went the extra mile to be critical of the Bush administration. This is a very welcome indicator that more are seeing fraud in the White House press.

[dennisw]

0bungle trying to look hip and with it by having the HuffPost give him a question for an Iranian blogger

Does 0bungle have a twitter page yet?

[silverleaf]

“White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel grinned at the surprised TV correspondents in the first row.”

[devane617]

I keep saying it guys, and y’all keep denying the possibility, but here it is again—The WH press, and the MSM, will eventually turn on Obama. It is coming, and maybe faster than even I thought. It’s going to be a good show.

[dennisw]

Kudos to Milbank for telling it like it is. Finally, a journalist with guts.

He just joined Major Garrette on the White House sh!t list

[silverleaf]

zerO at his press dinner last week referred to them as man-whores sharing his bed. ha ha ha

THAT is the level of respect he has for them.

[Volunteer]

This is from the Washington Post? But wait, didn’t they invent President O? How can they be shocked at the relentless PR campaign?

[KansasGirl]

[The use of planted questioners is a no-no at presidential news conferences, because it sends a message to the world — Iran included — that the American press isn’t as free as advertised.]

Here is the kicker and Republicans should make an issue of this. A big issue. This is supposed to be the most transparent administration ever.

[b4its2late]

I hope you are right, b4its2late.

[ClearCase_guy]

Don’t they see how disrespected they are by OB and his team???

I've worked with journalists. Most of 'em aren't very bright.

[Drango]

During the eight years of the Bush administration, liberal outlets such as the Huffington Post often accused the White House of planting questioners in news conferences to ask preplanned questions. But here was Obama fielding a preplanned question asked by a planted questioner -- from the Huffington Post.

SLAP!

[dennisw]

I keep saying it guys, and y’all keep denying the possibility, but here it is again—The WH press, and the MSM, will eventually turn on Obama. It is coming, and maybe faster than even I thought. It’s going to be a good show.

Let's hope Iran was a turning point. Plenty of liberals are disgusted. I'll bet Huff Post has had plenty of Iranian uprising posts and comments that were anti-0boma

[Londo Molari]

“White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel grinned at the surprised TV correspondents in the first row.”

Josef Goebbels would be in awe of Emanuel

[USA means Freedom]

I agree, the press will turn on him because he can’t help himself by stepping on some of them for his own needs, i.e. using ABC-( I am sure NBC is feeling snubbed, after all the leg tingling going on!)

But what is REALLY pathetic is this- He actually had to plant someone on his side from Huffpo. Are you kidding me? What the hell? He has had the media in his pocket for a very long time. What makes him think he had to plant someone? I think the string is getting pulled and the fabric will soon be coming apart.

Remember...The media is just as self-serving and narcissitic as he is. They are ALL selfish whining liberals. Hell hath no fury then a whiney baby liberal not getting their praise and accolades- The media and Obama.

Soon I will get the popcorn.