Chuck Todd: The White House Bubble (MSM waking up?)

MSNBC ^ | February 13, 2009 | Chuck Todd

[2ndDivisionVet]

Obviously, I'm one of the newbies here in the White House press corps, so maybe I'm unfamiliar with the ways of how this place works. I have to say, nothing is more frustrating than covering an actual event here at the White House if you at all believe in anything remotely having to do with the First Amendment.

For instance, today, the president gave a speech in the East Room to the business council, an audience of dozens of CEOs and major business leaders in America. As per usual, we're allowed to watch the event behind a ropeline. Ok, standard procedure for any event for any candidate, let alone a president. But unlike public events, here at the White House, when the event ends, we get no access to the audience unless the audience happens to amble up to the ropeline and chat with the press.

Today, it was so bad that we were kept behind closed doors so that these CEOs and other business leaders could leave without accidentally mingling with us poor press peons. Once the CEOs were clear and escorted downstairs, then we were let out of our East Room pen. And it's not like we could rush over to the east side of the White House and find anyone left to interview about their role on this business council. By the time, a member of the press leaves out the one exit they can come in and out of, those guys and gals would be history. I'm sure most of them had cars at the ready to quickly get them to their next meeting.

[what's up]

The MSM can’t expose BO. They expose BO, they expose themselves

Very, very true.

If it gets out that O-Liar said, for example he would take public funds for his campaign but ended up with $750 M instead the public will say to the MSM, "Didn't you know?" (of couse they did) and "Why didn't you tell us."

The MSM doesn't like the Liar, but if they expose him too much they risk a Repub juggernaut with a possible Palin in a leadership role and they don't want that.

[Doogle]

and the 911 families
Rush told a story today about an Aunt of one of the 9/11 victims that was invited to attend the briefing about closing Gitmo....she happen to be “in favor” of closing it because of torture.....meanwhile the man's two brothers were not invited...they just happen to want Gitmo to remain open and the prosecutions to move forward. The Aunt according to Rush was a distant relative...
There is absolutely no end to what this group will do to use others to achieve their results

[FTJM]

Chuck Todd is on his knees for Obama, now he’s pouting because Obama forced him to swallow.

[DoughtyOne]

*** UPDATE, RESPONSE TO COMMENTORS: "This isn't about us not having access, this is about ANYONE having access... if it's NOT us, it's the public!...Beat us up all you want, but this isn't about us whining, it's about us not even being able to do the job you want us to do and that is be the people's questioner here. But, of course, having a respectable debate on this issue with some is impossible. The irony, of course, is that many of you would be just as upset about the lack of access as I am if the occupant of the White House were someone else.

Are you (the writer) fricken kidding me? What unmitigated bull stuff! This guy thinks I'm upset because he won't get access to ask the questions I wish he could? No, I'm angry that he wouldn't ask the quetions I would like to see asked, if he did get access.

He and his buds in the press corp can cry crocodile tears until hell freezes over for all I care.

Obama's staff is too stupid to know that these folks would grovel at their feet to have access. They aren't going to out themselves for backing him in the first place.

[dynachrome]

You can leave a comment at the article. Mine won’t be published.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

But...but...this can’t be... (Cue gay man crying)

[mrsmel]

You’re correct. I say that the media is a wing of the rat (marxist) party. There is no liberal party anymore such as it is historically defined in American politics. There is a marxist party.

[bruinbirdman]

"First of all, the phrase “finally waking up”"

Chuck Fraudd is making excuses for his failure to report on the meeting.

yitbos

[JennysCool]

Actually, in the days since these scribes saw Helen Thomas, the Huffington Post, and that blowhard Ed Schultz in the front row at the Obama presser, I’ve detected a change in their formerly-fawning attitude.

[dynachrome]

“I’ve detected a change in their formerly-fawning attitude.”

Too late, you obama leg humpers. The messiah will just not invite you next time. Michael Moore-on in the front row, next?

[La Enchiladita]

Cry me a river, chuckster, eh?

[SoCalPol]

Chuck has been in the tank for Obozo from the get go.

Looks like brown ring on Chuck’s nose might be wearing off.

[rocksblues]

Message control is something every White House wants but sometimes when a White House attempts to control a message too much, they can irritate the press to the point that we all stop even paying attention to their message of the day. Just ask the previous occupant.

I call bull=h^t Chuck!

[Batrachian]

OK, so this person is part of the White house Press corps, but nothing prevents him from tracking some of these people down and interviewing them on his own time, which any enterprising journalist would think of doing, but clearly he isn't one. He has his cushy job at the White House and if the victims don't come to him for interrogation then he certainly isn't going to go chasing them.

Stagecraft and management of the press will certainly be hallmarks of the Obama regime. They know it, and mild complaints of this type are just for form.

Republicans should take careful note of how it's done in the unlikely event that we ever have a Republican president again.

[budwiesest]

They are one of the organs of our destruction and are a fundamental part of “the enemy within”.

Ab-so-tively. But, for the life of me, I can't figure what's in it for them. Will they become our Pravda and be alloted dachas along the shores of Lake Tahoe and other scenic resorts where they can sip their vodka and pound down caviar?

Every media enterprise must 'sell' advertising to someone. I suppose if they create a monopoly, advertisers will have no one else to buy advertising from except them? Is that it?

Baghdad Bob could probably sell a few used cars, but I'd rather spend my money on the Sham-Wow guy.

[OrangeHoof]

Show your displeasure, Chuck. Throw a shoe...

[loreldan]

Chuck Todd and these press people are like puppies. Love their master, but beg for crumbs, hoping that the master will pay attention to them, turn them over and rub their belly.

[Joe Boucher]

I’m not interested in some butt kisser like Todd.
I want the journalist who has a line on bambis stool, sex life and a line on his bank accounts.

[Oatka]

When your candidate lip-syncs his way through 2 years of a campaign they’re certainly not going to start revealing the recording process.

I always liked the epithet that claimed that Obama was "The Milli Vanilli of politics."

[anniegetyourgun]

But then, you do have those rose-colored glasses on! ; )