Right on cue, the White House press awakens from its Bush slumber »
Posted By berkeley 11 months, 1 week ago in Political News
When contrasting the early Clinton and Bush coverage, I noted it would be deeply suspicious if, in 2009, the press managed to turn up the emotional temperature just in time to cover another Democratic administration. But wouldn't you know it, the press corps' alarm went off right on time for Obama's arrival last week, with the Beltway media taking down off the shelf the dusty set of contentious, in-your-face rules of engagement they practiced during the Clinton years and putting into safe storage the docile, somnambulant guidelines from the Bush era. In other words, one set of rules for Clinton and Obama, another for Bush. One standard for the Democrats; a separate, safer one, for the Republican.
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berkeley
If tyranny and oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. Of all the enemies to public ...
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berkeley11 months, 1 week ago
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"Do reporters deserve to get straight answers at the White House? Yes. Was Henry's query a legitimate one? Absolutely. But when the non-answers came from Bush spokesmen and women, the working press corps seemed to shrug it off. On Obama's first day, though, an unsatisfactory response was suddenly worthy of discussion on cable television. Why? From the press' perspective, Democratic administrations are supposed to answer all questions. They're supposed to grant carte blanche access to the press. Republicans could do whatever they wanted to the daily briefing and defang the process to the point of irrelevancy. But Democrats? Sorry, a different set of rules apply."
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anyone with a memory can validate this story.
we don't have to generalize it to all democrats or all republicans, just the last few presidents.
the corporate press is disgusting.-
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mesodude11 months ago
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Pheww...Thanks for this. Was beginning to think I was just being paranoid. My antenna or the hair on the back of my palms or my spidey sense or gaydar or whatever always go off when I suddenly see stories like those regarding the release of GITMO detainees (uhh...why are we just now hearing about people released in 2007 being confirmed "terrorists" just as Bush is walking off into the sunset?) now that Obama is talking about closing it.
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Someone needs to keep a watchful eye on FOX, Washington Times, Rush and the Murdoch media because, I'm telling you, these people will sleazily and slyly grease the wheels and before we know it, the GOP will be like an army of filthy cockroaches crawling from between the floorboards--trying to steal their way back into power. -
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gamahuche11 months, 1 week ago
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It may seem a slightly surreal point of view but I'm inclined to read this in exactly the opposite way!
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The press corps gave up on Bush in contempt, knew that they were never going to get a straight answer on anything but they are holding Obama to a much higher standard.
Is that not in fact a distinct mark of respect - and won't Obama win the greatest kudos if he treats it that way - rather than bending under pressure, asking for special consideration or - even worse - embarking on some kind of tit-for-tat scenario?
Good post b! It made me put my thinking cap on!
BTW I won't have a nervous breakdown if every single post ftom here on down mocks and abuses me! [But better not offend the TOU or I'll tell on you :)]-
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berkeley11 months ago
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since i'm not personal friends with anyone in the WH press corps, i can't claim to know if your theory is more accurate.
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sure, in one sense, the press gave up on bush, but since they still printed his lies on a regular basis, it looks highly suspicious, especially since they did the same thing to clinton.
obama's press people have a choice about how to deal with it, and what that will be remains to be seen.
some of the world will be watching. -
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mesodude11 months ago
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On a personal sort of a side note, until recently, I'd been doing a fairly good job of not getting too absorbed in all the pomp and circumstance associated with electing a new President. But when I saw the press corp members all rise to their feet for Obama that first time and the humbled look on his face, I got a little choked up. How overused is the phrase "That was awesome" but...that was TOTALLY awesome. ;-)
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Spadecaller11 months ago
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Great story! I don't think the press "gave up" on Bush. They were intimidated. Their jobs were on the line and the corporate leaders made it clear to everyone what they would permit... What happened to Dan Rather is a perfect example.
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Except for a few, these reporters are mostly cowards and bootlickers who do no want to rock the boat, which is owned by General Electric and a few other corporate monsters.
This obvious double standard is the direct result of a media that is owned by the same corporations that lobby are representatives.
As soon as Obama's presidency began, the press grew balls. Why? -
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Charlson11 months ago
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Since the main line medias are mostly in control by corporations bent to the right, of course they'll be more diligent during a Democratic administration while giving Bush almost a free ride for two thirds of his administration. But, they won't have to worry about incompetence from Obama, so, they'll have to resort on trivial faux pas.
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