That, incidentally, does not normally happen at parties – even at the White House.
The Robert Roast was, of course, in reference to the recent spate of staged White House press events. The White House press corps, apparently, do not enjoy heavily produced events, such as the “town hall” meeting with DNC volunteers and union members. However, Carl Bernstein, appearing on the July 2 Morning Joe, did not take kindly to the gentle press-corps broiling:
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BERNSTEIN: In fact, I think that it's much more effective to go into Gibbs' office as Gibbs suggested rather than do what Helen did, which is to create this great hubbub that makes us look as if we're petty. This is an internal matter. It's not a matter of national policy.Hold on just one hot second. The (ostensibly) independent White House press corps and the White House Communications Office should conduct an internal discussion of the White House’s extreme aversion to dispensing un-canned information?
Does that not imply (rather strongly, in fact) that the White House press corps is part of the White House Communications office?
Chuck Todd, MSNBC’s chief White House correspondent and political director, disagreed strongly, for obvious reasons:
TODD: And I want to disagree with Carl. I do think – in the press briefing with Gibbs, it is certainly an appropriate place to bring that up. I don't think it's appropriate to bring it up to a President or something like that, but that is – Robert's job is to interact with us and I think --Now that Gibbs’ somewhat dense response is plastered all over the internet, it must be difficult for Bernstein to disagree.
BERNSTEIN: That's fair.
TODD: Put him on the spot. Because I'll say this. You will get one answer, put him on the spot in public. Make him defend the decision to coordinate with a questioner in public because, as you know, Carl, you will get one answer to that question when there's no camera. You'll get another when there is a camera and, you know what, it's interesting to see how they react when the camera is on.
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Carl would rather work it
July 2, 2009 - 17:30 ET by Dan DiegoCarl would rather work it out during one of Rahm's daily talking point calls, maybe they'll let Helen sit on the stage during the briefs.
Bernstein's fire for finding
July 2, 2009 - 17:31 ET by d1carterBernstein's fire for finding the truth must have died sometime around Jan. 20, 2009.
"Now that Gibbs’ somewhat
July 2, 2009 - 18:06 ET by ckc1227"Now that Gibbs’ somewhat dense response is plastered all over the internet, it must be difficult for Bernstein to disagree."
On the contrary....that's exactly why he has a problem with what Chip and Helen did.
One of the President's men.
July 2, 2009 - 18:09 ET by tomchrisCan you image what one of those "internal" Q&A's that Bernstein wants would sound like?
Bernstein: Hey Rob! What's with all these phony press functions? I mean, we're all in the tank for your side. Do you have to play us like a cheap violin?
Gibbs: Well, er, er, we, er, the President feels that, er, our relationship should be relative to the concerns of our policies.
Bernstein. Ok. What time is tennis?
Carl is pathetic,always has
July 2, 2009 - 18:11 ET by bigtimerCarl is pathetic,always has been... I saw him the other day, he was absolutely infuriating, I can't even recall the subject matter, I think it may have also been on MJ, but he was put on the spot then too.
Yep he's a winner alright.
He always looks foolish in my eyes, yet the majority of the msm treat him as some kind of wise man....always will because of Watergate and Deep Throat...tells you all you need to know right there.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Re Pathetic
July 2, 2009 - 18:46 ET by slickwillie2001Yep, Woodward as well as Bernstein; they had one big story handed to them on a platter and have been coasting ever since. Their name gives them access that most writers don't get, and allow them to write third-rate books that sell because of their name.
That is called
July 3, 2009 - 09:46 ET by doug1950the "Halo effect". Someone does something one time noteworthy and from then on until the second coming they can do no wrong. Even when they are obviously wrong minded others will fist fight you in the parking lot because of the ONE thing they did right way back when. Problem is, they too begin to believe all their press and think they can do no wrong and every word that spills from their mouth is from Mount Olympus.
Carl Bernstein -- he of the
July 2, 2009 - 18:28 ET by ThisnThatCarl Bernstein -- he of the Washington Post -- believes the White House and Independent Press Corps should get together in private, eh? Boy -- would I ever like to have access to that off-the-record get-together between the press and high-level white house officials.
Wait a minute! I can get access. All I have to do is sign up to the Washington Post's $25,000 per person "off-the-record dinner and discussion" that was planned for an "exclusive opportunity to participate in the health care reform debate among the select few who will actually get it done." The "few" include Obama administration officials, congressional leaders and Post reporters and editors.
I wonder if Berstein was actually reflecting recent WaPo thinking about how the free press is supposed to operate in this country? Certainly not how I learned about it in school.
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Liberals constantly demand that we accept a glaring falsehood as truth; Obama's elimination of the word "terror" will make terrorist acts less terrifying
Duplicate ________________
July 2, 2009 - 18:42 ET by ThisnThatDuplicate
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Liberals constantly demand that we accept a glaring falsehood as truth; Obama's elimination of the word "terror" will make terrorist acts less terrifying
More and more...
July 2, 2009 - 18:43 ET by jdlybrand...it seems to me that Bernstein's role in Watergate was akin to a blind squirrel finding a nut.
Internal matter????
July 2, 2009 - 19:09 ET by motherbeltgo into Gibbs' office
as Gibbs suggested rather than do what Helen did, which is to create
this great hubbub that makes us look as if we're petty. This is an
internal matter
THIS IS AN INTERNAL MATTER???????
The press complaining about the administration orchestrating "town hall meetings" is an internal matter???
WTH?????
It almost sounds like Bernstein is saying that they (meaning the press and the administration) shouldn't be airing the dirty laundry....they should be keeping it to themselves.
Oh, yeah, professional journalism is dead.
I didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows. -Bart Simpson
Yep...deader than a door
July 2, 2009 - 19:13 ET by bigtimerYep...deader than a door nail.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Bt - But wasn't it a hoot to watch Helen & Chip go!!! Now if
July 2, 2009 - 20:44 ET by Cape Conservativethe rest of the press corps can dig their backbones (and other body parts) out from under the bus where they were deposited at the beginning of the Obama campaign, we may just have some press conferences that will be worth watching! Shall we start up a pool for when Chip or Helen will be called upon next?!?
Best of all, however, was having it ALL on YouTube so we can watch and watch and watch again as Gibbs appeared as the born-again Iraqi Minister of [Mis]Information or whatever he was called ;-)
All of this would be really funny if it were not so darn tragic! And all we can do is sit and watch - or attend Tea Parties - or call or write our congressional reps...none of which seem to be very effective. However, I REFUSE to give up - this is MY COUNTRY 'the one' and his minions are trying to destroy!!!! I will be a part of the great switchboard burnout once again if need be!
May God Bless America & protect her from those who wish to destroy the greatest country on earth!!!
This comment comes from a proud Tea Party attendee, otherwise known as a RWRE!! It is no dishonor to be in a minority in the cause of liberty and virtue ~ Sam Adams
CC... A hoot
July 2, 2009 - 20:53 ET by bigtimerCC...
A hoot indeed....really surprised me...wished it would last, I fear things will revert to normal though...then again, you never know...what's really funny to me the most is that girlish giggle Gabby Gibbs has when he's confronted.
Baghdad Bob is the guy you're thinking of.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
bt-thanks! I knew he had a 'name' just couldn't remember ;-)
July 2, 2009 - 21:31 ET by Cape ConservativeAlso, I can't remember if he used quite as many errs and uhhs as our boy Giggles does ;-)
This comment comes from a proud Tea Party attendee, otherwise known as a RWRE!! It is no dishonor to be in a minority in the cause of liberty and virtue ~ Sam Adams
CC... Now that I
July 2, 2009 - 21:35 ET by bigtimerCC...
Now that I mentioned his giggling and you put it that way...I like that title for him...Giggling Gibbs...or some-such.
Just call him Giggles.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
tired of liberal
July 3, 2009 - 00:33 ET by stunnedtired of liberal lies
Helen Thomas's politics which she wears on her sleeve have annoyed me for 30 years. But she was a damn good reporter in her day and by finally speaking up she earned my respect for today by not sitting their and happily spoonfeed us the phoney townhall show. I'm not holding my breathe that this challenging truth to power will continue for long.
Bernstein
July 3, 2009 - 09:51 ET by doug1950didn't feel that way when he and his sidekick were investigating Watergate. They could have saved the country millions of dollars and the embarrassement if they had just gone to Nixon and revealed what they had behind closed doors and allowed Nixon to clean up his mess quietly.
The grilling
July 2, 2009 - 20:48 ET by BufordYep, I must say that that trip to the woodshed was a thing of beauty. Helen may be an old crone at times but she still knows how to bring it.
I'll keep my freedom my money and my guns, you can keep the "CHANGE".
And it's certainly about time for someone in the press corps
July 2, 2009 - 21:27 ET by Cape Conservativeto say ENOUGH!!!!! Good to see there's still fire in the belly of Ms. Helen ;-)
This comment comes from a proud Tea Party attendee, otherwise known as a RWRE!! It is no dishonor to be in a minority in the cause of liberty and virtue ~ Sam Adams
I don't really know my neighbors.
July 2, 2009 - 21:31 ET by big.league.sliderMy house (in so. Calif.) is on a street with about 20 other houses. I prefer to keep to myself and don't really know the other residents of my street very well. But in the last few weeks, I've noticed that at least two trucks and one SUV are now sporting the same bumper sticker: "My idiot neighbor voted for Obama!". Since I live in a beach city, I'd always just assumed most of my neighbors were libs. Maybe they all know each other, or maybe the bumper stickers are just a happy coincidence. Either way, it's beginning to look like the previously quiet discontent with Obama is beginning to take on a more vocal tone.
"Fascism is rightly seen as the merger of the Corporation and Government." -B. Mussolini
bls... Hey, you are
July 2, 2009 - 21:38 ET by bigtimerbls...
Hey, you are giving me hope...for a change.
At least for the mid-term election for the time being.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
I would be looking for that sticker
July 2, 2009 - 21:39 ET by general company"My idiot neighbor voted for Obama!"
You sure they dont mean you?
My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
It's why I haven't removed
July 2, 2009 - 21:43 ET by Radical1979It's why I haven't removed my McCain sticker. He wasn't my first choice, but BO was my last and I want everyone to know it.
I disagree, the press corp
July 2, 2009 - 22:38 ET by nadadhimmiI disagree, the press corp LOVES pre arrainged events. Perfect example is Obamas Denver speech, It was heavily influenced by Leni Reifenstahls Nazi Propaganda film, "Triumph of the Will", and the press LAPPED IT UP. The msm is still protecting Obama, make no mistake about it.
jessieH
July 3, 2009 - 12:26 ET by jessieHjessieH It would be sweet to watch Gibbs get hammered again, only harder. Between mr. obama's policies & Gibbs' assinine personality, WE can't get a straight answer.
Gibbs and His (In)Effectiveness (per the White House)
July 4, 2009 - 09:06 ET by BondPlainBondRobert Gibbs' behavior is usually bizarre. The man always seems totally confused. I've watched the White House Press Conferences often, and many times, for at least ten minutes, during back and forth between Mr. Gibbs and the press, there were long pauses in the discussion while Mr. Gibbs reviewed his notes. It did not appear that he was able to process the information on his notes for lengthy periods of time; he would flip the notes and then stop flipping without ever saying anything more from the notes. I, quite a few times, have thought Mr. Gibbs might be experiencing some type of medical event, perhaps a mini-stroke or series of mini-strokes. I was concerned for his health watching as his face brightened to beet red, sweat pouring from his forehead and upper lip, constantly stuttering and stammering, licking his lips. Once he finished his presentation, he was unable to engage substantively with the press on any questions they raised; he simply argued that what they were saying was not the case.
Over an extended period of time, we have all observed how Robert Gibb's effectiveness as White House Press Secretary has significantly diminished. Without a Press Secretary who can focus time and energy on areas of greatest import to our nation, we are hampered in effectively understanding the plans and policies of the White House. My concerns became paramount after an event in July involving the full press corps that caused the press corps, collectively, to question Mr. Gibb's ongoing ability to carry out his duties. As a result, the entire press corps unanimously asked Mr. Gibbs to convey their concerns to the White House. I would support the President's decision to remove Mr. Gibbs as White House Press Secretary, but not with Bill Burton as the replacement (who suffers us even more difficulties than Mr. Gibbs).