by Mark Silva
The White House press corps has, in its time, faced withering criticism for its failures -- remember those "weapons of mass destruction'' that made the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq so essential, and how about that $700-billion financial market bailout?
Even within its own ranks, reporters have sometimes challenged the tenacity of the press corps that takes a seat, day in and day out, in the West Wing of the White House for a daily doseage of administration spin, with the seasoned dean of the press, Helen Thomas, all but crying, 'Cowards,' at her colleagues for the hollowness of their questions.
As someone who has worked those halls, it's important to note that the televised press briefings are only the broadcast segment of a day of reporting that starts before dawn and ends after dark for the most dilligent of the press, who put plenty of pressure on the administration to fess up about what's going on around there.
But now Robert Gibbs, who steps to that press podium most days to defend the Obama administration, steps up with his own grade for the press:
"I'd give them a strong A, Wolf," Gibbs told CNN's Wolf Blitzer today.
"You guys watch everyday'' Gibbs says. "There are tough questions each and every day and they're looking at and trying to find the stories in this administration.
"I think the job they have to do everyday is to get up and go to work ask tough questions and cover for the American people the job that this administration is doing. I think they're obviously doing a tough job particularly well."
Gibbs' comments will be aired on The Situation Room today today at 4 pm EDT, and CNN will run its full interview of the press secretary on Countdown to the CNN National Report Card: A Situation Room Special, at 6 pm EDT on Saturday.
(Photo of Robert Gibbs at the podium today by Gerald Herbert / AP)
Comments
Wow...did this blog lurch from Obama slobbering droolfest to self-deluded parody? If the White House spokesman gives you an "A," that's hardly a ringing endorsement of your objectivity. Instead, it is an obvious tell that the media is doing the bidding of the White House. Please, Silva, stop embarassing yourself.
Posted by: Bemused | April 24, 2009 3:13 PM
I'd give Helen Thomas an A.
Not too sure about the others.
I can remember when Dan Rather actually confronted Nixon at press conferences about the goings on in Watergate.
Helen Thomas is the only one around now tough enough to do that.
That's why she doesn't get called on, I guess.
Posted by: ornery | April 24, 2009 3:33 PM
The A is for Asking Assinine questions, eh?
Posted by: Flo | April 24, 2009 3:47 PM
Bemused, not every administration views the Press as the primary enemy like your Republican friends do. Some Administrations actually respect tough questioning. I know that comes as a shock to a prerson like you who demands absolute and utter deference from the press toward the piliticians you admire like Sarah Palin.
Posted by: Liz | April 24, 2009 3:49 PM
What else would Robert Gibbs give the Washington press corps? The Obama sadministration and the Washington press corps are all part of the same PR machine. I could count on one hand the tough questions asked of Gibbs by the White House press. And, Silva gets his talking points and pre-written Swamp items direct from the White House and the DNC too!
Posted by: John D | April 24, 2009 7:27 PM
"A" equals uh!. His english is terrible.
Posted by: Paul | April 24, 2009 7:29 PM
The WH press corps questions affirm only their bias for Obama. Few, if any, tough questions. Follow-up questions? Duh! Press conferences are a TelePrompTer sham. If Gibbs represented a Republican he would be mocked as a imbecile. The press has lost their collective will to represent an independent voice and knowledgeable Americans know this. The liberal newsprint and media orgs. are all tanking as folks seek the truth through alternatives.
Posted by: bubba Porter | April 25, 2009 5:15 AM
And what "tough" questions might those be, Liz? It's so patently true that not even the mainstream media will deny that they are absolutely in the tank for Obama. There are no tough questions, and when during the campaign George Stephanolous asked Obama tough questions, the ABC reporter received death threats from the squadron of peace and hope. Don't peddle that inane nonsense, Liz - you look sillier than Silva doing so. And as to Gov. Palin, I have defended her from the obscene attacks she has received, this is true. What I do admire about her is that she actually reformed state government in Alaska - a far cry from Obama's support of Daley, Blagojevich, and Stroger. So, if you find it appealling to support a corruption enabler, please continue your admiration for Obama. But I do find it fascinating how Obama people constantly refer back to Gov. Palin even when she hasn't been brought up. But, oh, we all know the media has been much easier on her and her family than on Obama. Good bye, Liz.
Posted by: Bemused | April 25, 2009 4:58 PM
Ornery:
Can you post the date of the last time President Bush called on Helen Thomas during a press conference? Near as I can remember, he never took a question from her in the 8 years he was in office.
Posted by: BC | April 26, 2009 11:55 AM
Bemused, read your own posts. You are so biased, so completely blinded by your prejudices and preferences that you can see no good in Obama, ands no flaw in Palin. Really, I can't even begin to take you seriously. I know the only question you would consider yough enough to Obama would be "Why are you completely and utterly evil? Are you Satan?", and the only question you'd find fair to Palin would be, "Can you please tell us all the ways in which you are perfect? Please bless us with your divinely inspired wisdom and guidence, oh perfect Goddess."
May Saints Hillary and Srah Bless you Bemused and protect you from the evil one, Barack.
Posted by: Liz | April 27, 2009 10:46 AM