No Lock-Out Coverage for Obama in NY Times, But Bush's Door Flub Was Front Page News
President Obama arrived home to the White House on Wednesday from his five-day trip to Latin America and found himself locked out of the French doors to the Oval Office, as captured by several news organizations.
My Media Research Center colleague Tim Graham reminded me that back on Nov. 21, 2005, the New York Times published on its front page a photo of President George W. Bush making a face after trying to leave a press conference in Beijing through a locked door, accompanied by an article that mentioned the gaffe. Former CBS reporter Bernard Goldberg wrote a letter to the editor at the time to complain:
The Times published a four-panel picture on Page 1 that extended over two columns and ran some 12 inches from the masthead more than halfway down the page showing President Bush trying to exit a meeting with reporters in Beijing -- through a locked door....Did it occur to anyone in charge -- and for that matter, does it occur to anyone at The Times even now -- that this is precisely what gives your critics ammunition?....on Page 1, whatever your editors' intentions, it sure looks like an editorial posing as news.
Yet not only has the Times not put an image of Obama’s flub on the front page, a nytimes.com search indicates that as of Friday afternoon Obama’s lock-out has neither been shown or even mentioned by the Times, either in print or online.
- Clay Waters's blog
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Comments
Isn't telling the truth
Submitted by Ashrak on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 4:55pm.
so much fun?
Hypocrites ... oh wait, it's
Submitted by woody1973 on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 5:05pm.
Hypocrites ... oh wait, it's the Times.
They showed Bushs door lock CONSTANTLY!
Submitted by brutony1 on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 5:13pm.
The news, comedians, late night talk shows, SNL, etc replayed it as if it was the Zapruder film! Not to mention how many times other shows may have included it in a line or spoof! Wonder how many times Oblubbers will be?
When will liberals WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE! -Me
I'd say there are some key differences
Submitted by OffTheLows on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 5:28pm.
Bush's door move was immediately after a televised press conference before an assembled audience, there was some force to attempting to pull the door open, then there was the turn towards the cameras, the sheepish grin towards the camera pool, and proceeding in the opposite direct. This was twisting a knob, no audience, not looking back at the camera, and proceeding on in the same direction. Bush though it was funny, and it could be argued it was beneficial, showing a human side to a president, any president, "in the bubble".
There's plenty of serious issues to complain about regarding Obama and media bias, this in my opinion isn't one of them.
The point, again, of NB's---
Submitted by matthewdean on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 5:51pm.
is to demonstrate the difference between liberal media coverage of an event featuring a lib, versus the coverage given a non-lib in a similar or identical situation.
Bias is bias, regardless of the size, seriousness, or comedic component of the event being covered.
MD
Seriousness, etc., matters
Submitted by eis271828 on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 6:20pm.
The complaint here is that no coverage was given to this incident, but there was coverage of Bush's incident. The size, seriousness, and/or comedic component of the event matters a great deal as to whether each incident is newsworthy at all. I watched the video of Obama and did not see any funny face, extra effort made to open the door, nor any other newsworthy aspect to his reaction. Any news agency is free to make a story on this, but I believe it would make for a very boring story. Bush making a funny face was evidently not entirely boring, though of no particular interest to me, either then or now.
There are also much larger stories happening right now, whereas November 21, 2005 appears to have been a relatively slow news day. Thus, it is unsurprising that Obama's brief lockout wasn't covered. Not even by Fox News, by the way: http://www.foxnews.com/search-results/search?&q=obama+locked+out&sort=date
Cmon, tell me you didn't find the nonchalant whistling funny
Submitted by SickofLibs on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 6:28pm.
.
eis271828---
Submitted by matthewdean on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 7:09pm.
unsure where you are coming from.
Is your post a defense of the liberal media with a specific reference, saying FOX News didn't cover the event either; or are you maintaining there is no liberal media bias, based on that fact?
Or---?
MD
I think I get it now Matthew
Submitted by Rukus on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 7:14pm.
Covering Bush trying to go out a locked door = Slow news days
Barry can't find the keys to the People's House = Barry flailing around with Libya not knowing what the hell he's doing.
Natch!
Rukus, it's
Submitted by UpNorth on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 1:54pm.
"his" house. He's said so. Or, maybe, it's just party central now?
Both? Neither?
Submitted by eis271828 on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 9:58pm.
I'm not defending any particular media, liberal or not, directly. In this case, I just don't see ignoring this non-story as an example of media bias. It seems to be a bias against boring stories, if anything. I brought up Fox News because it definitely does not have a liberal bias. Fox also ignoring the story supports the non-boring bias theory.
Ok, eis man,---
Submitted by matthewdean on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 10:28pm.
that seems reasonable.
Main point, I think, as far as media bias, though, was that Bush 43 was hammered over a door incident and Obama was not.
FOX ignoring the story may well be because FOX is not biased; at least when compared to the rabid lefties, anyway.
MD
Not showing up on Fox News?
Submitted by ThisnThat on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 10:06am.
That's strange, because that's exactly how I learned of this. Next time, you need to get better facts together, eh?
__________
“Didn't win the Medal of Honor? Didn't even serve? Then lie about it. We'll support you." — 9th Circuit Court
If it ain't important
Submitted by Denny Crane on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 2:31am.
Why are you bothering with it?
You might have a point if FOX did a bunch of stories on Bush in 2005. And then Fox ignored this. But if FOX ignored the Bush gaffe, and they ignore the Obama gaffe, it's a different situation.
We Are The 53%
I disagree.
Submitted by SickofLibs on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 6:04pm.
IMO it perfectly demonstrates the extraordinary depth of bias on even an inconsequential thing such as this.
Wasn't there a mention
Submitted by Rukus on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 6:58pm.
... about a user name with lots of numbers after it? Hmmmm... seems to scream troll or plant. At least I think I remember something about that.
That is always a possibility, Rukus,---
Submitted by matthewdean on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 7:12pm.
maybe we will get a better sense of the eis man if he replies to my query.
MD
eis271828
Submitted by eis271828 on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 10:02pm.
Euler's number, symbolized using 'e' in mathematics, is approximately equal to 2.718281828459045. Thus, e = 2.718281828459045. Most usernames aren't allowed to have periods or spaces or equal signs, so I replace the '=' with 'is' and remove the spaces and period. I also shorten it because it's a pain to type that often. I am not interested in trolling, or anything other than the occasional intellectual conversation.
So...
Submitted by Rukus on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 10:57pm.
Pi = troll. OK, we get it, thanks. : )
"Intellectual" conversation
Submitted by ThisnThat on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 10:12am.
uh-oh. Here we go. Listen up, everyone -- be on your best behavior, lest you fail to meet certain "intellectual" standards, here.
BTW, I've never, ever heard a conservative say something like "I want to engage in intellectual conversations" -- but it seems to be a particularly sore point with liberals. Always pointing out how "smart" they are. But I always wonder -- how come their "smartness" isn't self-evident? Why do they always have to point it out, instead? Seems to me if they were so "smart and intellectual", there wouldn't be any question whatsoever. Just wondering. Maybe I'll get an answer some day.
__________
“Didn't win the Medal of Honor? Didn't even serve? Then lie about it. We'll support you." — 9th Circuit Court
True, TnT
Submitted by ant on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 10:30am.
Sometimes they're even MENSA members and usually 'military veteran' is thrown in for good measure.
Yes, it is!
Submitted by brutony1 on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 9:29pm.
Once again, an apologist for the Doofus-in-chief! This was about the double standard! I know that the White House staff still thought Barry was on one of his daily vacations so they locked the doors! Gee, too bad the Presidents party doesnt have a way to communicate to them that hes home! He just flubbed one-too bad, hes not infallible-did that break your bubble?
When will liberals WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE! -Me
This is why you aren't on the masthead
Submitted by Denny Crane on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 2:29am.
If it's not important to you, you don't have to read it, comment on it, or even think about it.
Clay thought it was media bias, and since he is a contributor, that's what counts.
We Are The 53%
I'd say there are some key differences
Submitted by tiger20 on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 4:42pm.
OfftheLows,
It's the same goddamn thing no matter how you try to spin it for Obama.
Neither wvent was newsworthy, let alone front page material. Goddamn it if you are going to show it for a Republican president thenit needs to goddamn be shown for a Democrat president> Why is it so hard for you liberals so see the goddamn f*ing hypocrisy in the media. The country is sick of it.
This isn't the first time.
Submitted by dave_worrell on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 5:36pm.
Somebody check some archives. This isn't the first time this has happened. I remember early on in his presidency President Obama had the same thing happen. Might have been the same door even. I'm almost sure I saw it here because, frankly, where else would I have seen it?
Found it!
Submitted by dave_worrell on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 5:42pm.
It wasn't a locked door, he mistook a window for a door.
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/warner-todd-huston/2009/01/30/how-lesson-le...
Hmmmm....
Submitted by Rukus on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 7:06pm.
Found himself locked out... maybe a hint?
That or Meeeechele is keeping his keys locked up with his nads.
Hold That Thought!
Submitted by miss911ninja on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 8:55pm.
Wouldn't it have been great if the door had been locked AND his bags had been packed for him, and placed outside? Hold that thought!
If only we could lock him out permanently
Submitted by Dave. on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 8:51pm.
:-)
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
Headline: Obama not flustered!
Submitted by Radical1979 on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 8:55pm.
Even the brief mention in the link provided by NB says the Commander in Chief "didn't miss a beat". Did they expect he would throw a tantrum? Actually, maybe that isn't so far off the mark...
Locked Out?
Submitted by THBarb on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 9:14pm.
Wait! So President Bush meets a locked door when he is a guest in a foreign country and that is funny? But President Obama, the "Master" of the house, gets locked out of his residence and that is not worth mentioning?
If these libs weren't so dangerous, this could be funny.
Back Door Man?
Submitted by miss911ninja on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 9:43pm.
That's exactly what I was thinking! How was President Bush supposed to know his way around in unfamiliar territory? And shouldn't there have been a Marine or someone acting as "doorman" for BHO? Or is that just at the FRONT door to the White House?
One problem...
Submitted by Patriot II on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 10:51am.
They don't let oblahma IN the front door lol.............shouldn't let him in ANY door!! imo
Please tell me....
Submitted by awffp1890 on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 9:15pm.
Please tell me you are not surprised.
Yes, hes the Master Bater,,
Submitted by brutony1 on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 9:34pm.
Master of the house, doling out the charm
Ready with a handshake and an open palm
Master of the house, keeper of the zoo
Ready to relieve 'em of a sou or two
When will liberals WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE! -Me
Wait until Monday to discuss with us?
Submitted by jcpenny on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 10:25pm.
Anyone else see the correlation between the NCAA tournament and his belated explaination about Op O.D. to the people he serves? Yet another glaring statement about the pretender in chief's view of his responsibilities to, "support and defend..."
jcp
Kimmel joked about this last night
Submitted by OffTheLows on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 3:59am.
Jimmy Kimmel Live - America's Funniest Presidents Not Being Able to Open Doors
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjkVJFxdmZk
Not The Brightest Light Bulb On The Sign
Submitted by Increase Mather on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 9:15am.
A Harvard Law graduate who thinks "corps" is pronounced "corpse"?
Fifty-seven states?
10,000 killed by a tornado in Kansas?
None of this came even be mentioned in the Obama MSM.
Remember...He is the Messiah.
Hes a Harvard Law graduate?
Submitted by brutony1 on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 9:18pm.
Prove it! Show us your college diploma, transcripts, proof, ANYTHING this dumbass even VISITED a college campus-except to protest a war, policy, or anything else during "the Evil, Reagan-era times he had to endure?" Yeah, hes a real man,,man of Ivy!
When will liberals WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE! -Me
Farside
Submitted by sentry_99 on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 10:11am.
I'm sure some of our photoshop masters can do something with this.
funny
Submitted by almostacowboy on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 10:54am.
.
the door was shut on Bush.....
Submitted by Patriot II on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 10:44am.
but it was opened.....let's hope, they shut the door on the communist muslim from mumbasa and NEVER open the door!!!
It's because...
Submitted by almostacowboy on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 10:53am.
Obama's awesome! (I think I just threw up in my mouth) :-p
Oh, yeah, Obama is awesome!!
Submitted by motherbelt on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 11:20am.
Jonah Goldberg has a hilarious video on this very subject.
I Don't Care, Obama Is Awesome!
"More important things..."
Submitted by sherlock1 on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 11:15am.
are always occurring, especially when you point out a particularly clear-cut example of the incessant media campaign to make Republicans look incompetent, or failing that, evil. My liberal relatives play this game all the time.
First of all, using a simple example to illustrate a larger truth is a perfectly valid debating technique, and is clearly being used here.
Secondly, it is obvious that if the intent is to de-legitimize some people or their philosophy, thousands of repeated lies (each of which is "unimportant") can work even better than a few significant lies that will attract rebuttal precisely because they are "important". Nobody doubts this is true about racial bigotry, for example, and it is just as true about the political bigotry of the media.
But I have to say that the media's favorite tool is lying by omission, because it works so well. Take the NPR value proposition for example - "We will let you continue to believe that your liberal-leftist politics are honest, peaceful, and working on behalf of the people, despite all the evidence to the contrary... because we won't expose you to a single drop of it!"
I miss GWB
Submitted by Spiker on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 11:26am.
At least Bush has a sense of humor and could poke fun at himself. Also, remember Bush pulling the secret service agent out of the crowd, I believe while on a trip to Chile? I could NEVER picture Lord Obama doing something like that.
Bush door flub
Submitted by slegnaz on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 1:57pm.
The fact is that Bush's gaffe's were funnier.
What's so funny about getting locked out of the White House? Americans have been locked out for decades.
But, really, there is no basic difference between Bush and Obama when it comes to bombing folks and torturing them.
Theres nothing funny about Obama!
Submitted by brutony1 on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 9:19pm.
They probably locked the door on purpose-as long as they dont let him in!
When will liberals WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE! -Me