As NewsBusters has been reporting for a number of weeks, more and more media members seem to be losing that loving feeling for presumptive Democrat presidential nominee Barack Obama.
A rather stunning example came Thursday from Gabriel Sherman of The New Republic who suggested the Obama campaign's arrogance towards journalists has gone so far "that reporters [may] be emboldened to challenge his campaign ever more aggressively."
His article, "End of the Affair: Barack Obama and the Press Break Up," boldly addressed strongarming of media members by the junior senator's campaign, and how it's beginning to backfire (emphasis added throughout, photo courtesy TNR):
Around midnight on July 16, New York Times chief political correspondent Adam Nagourney received a terse e-mail from Barack Obama's press office. The campaign was irked by the Times' latest poll and Nagourney and Megan Thee's accompanying front-page piece titled "Poll Finds Obama Isn't Closing Divide on Race," which was running in the morning's paper. Nagourney answered the query, the substance of which he says was minor, and went to bed, thinking the matter resolved.
But, the next morning, Nagourney awoke to an e-mail from Talking Points Memo writer Greg Sargent asking him to comment on an eight-point rebuttal trashing his piece that the Obama campaign had released to reporters and bloggers like The Atlantic's Marc Ambinder and Politico's Ben Smith. Nagourney had not heard the complaints from the Obama camp and had no idea they were so steamed. "I'm looking at this thing, and I'm like, 'What the hell is this?' " Nagourney recently recalled. "I really flipped out."
Later that afternoon, Nagourney got permission from Times editors to e-mail Sargent a response to the Obama memo. But the episode still grates. "I've never had an experience like this, with this campaign or others," Nagourney tells me. "I thought they crossed the line. If you have a problem with a story I write, call me first. I'm a big boy. I can handle it. But they never called. They attacked me like I'm a political opponent."
So much for "Obama Love."... Reporters are grumbling more and more that the campaign is acting like the Prom Queen. They gripe that it is "arrogant" and "control[ling]," and the campaign's own belief that Obama is poised to make history isn't endearing, either. The press certainly helped Obama get so far so fast; the question is, how far can he get if his campaign alienates them?
Yikes. But there's more, as Sherman crescendoed to an ominous conclusion:
As tensions escalate, the risk to Obama, of course, is that reporters will be emboldened to challenge his campaign ever more aggressively. At the same time, McCain has demonstrated a longstanding ability to deftly manage the press. After all, it wasn't long ago that McCain, short on cash and trailing in the Republican primaries, re-launched his campaign in New Hampshire by courting the press, "my base," as he once proudly put it. In June, the McCain camp unveiled its redesigned campaign plane, a Boeing 737 that recreates the Straight Talk Express bus, so reporters can assemble with McCain and shoot the breeze.Now, Obama may be handing McCain a shot at winning back his "base." Of course, making ads that paint the media as Obama's stooges may not be the best way to accomplish that. But the press wants to put its love somewhere, and, right now, that love is up for grabs.
If Sherman is right, and media actually begin challenging the Obama campaign on its missteps, flip-flops, and policy vagueries, voters might actually see what lies beneath the veneer the media have helped install over the plywood.
Wouldn't that be a shame?
Read the whole thing.
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters.
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Jump the Shark
July 25, 2008 - 10:09 ET by allanfObama's foreign trip, capped by an inane speech before a crowd warmed up by a Rock Concert may be his "jump the shark" moment for the Press.
Members of the press are beginning to realize that they are viewed as witless dupes and laughingstocks by much of the nation.
Inane!!!!
July 25, 2008 - 15:35 ET by docbHe was humble, addressed the differences, spoke to the common good of all citizens/nations and did not embarass us. It is the people who come to see him and the critics who rush to tear the message down. Policy or politics- either way he could not win with those who truely want to trash his candidacy or are still trying to enable hrc and her failed campaign, as is the author!
He presented to the middle east a realm of possibility for opportunity and colalesence.
The press just wants more access to keep the story going...If they can not get it..they have been known to eat their own!!!
There may be a few disenchanted ones here and there
July 25, 2008 - 10:12 ET by Dee Bunkbut for the most part they are all still in love. Love isn't logical and he can treat many of them like crap and they'll still adore him. Most who he disses will try and see what they can do to get back in his good graces.
Most press people are people who crave attention and popularity. Obama is popular and they want to be with the "in crowd" Hollywood would need to become disenchanted in order for many in the media to turn on him and that isn't going to happen
Osama Bama: A legend in his own mind!
July 25, 2008 - 14:46 ET by goldenthroatThis is exactly what I blogged about yesterday! The infatuation of and fascination by the MSM toward Lord Obamessiah is beginning to head straight into the dumper.
His arrogance and high-brow attitude is now turning off even the most liberal of the darlings in the media as his quasi-excellency holds them at arm's length and declares himself 'untouchable'.
And now he was called by a German who heard his speech "the new Messiah"! Doesn't THAT just about say it all? Anyone noticed that Osama isn't denying or rebuking that designation?
The "coronation ball" is over. The "O-Force One" may be on the verge of turning into a Piper Cub! And Obamamoron will have no one to blame but himself!
"How can you be in two places at once when you're not anywhere at all?" - Firesign Theatre
Noel
July 25, 2008 - 10:13 ET by shawn228Your right he is quite the diva. As you know a driving force for my vote in November is free speech. I don't think it traitorous for the msm to disagree with Bush and offer and different opinion and I usually take a different opinion that most on this site.
This story is the opposite, I hate it when politicians cry over what the press writes and Obama sounds like he is whining, but McCain is taking it in stride. What a baby.
Some folks can dish it out but cannot take it
Jump the shark? I think
July 25, 2008 - 10:14 ET by sshuffield70Jump the shark? I think the shark ate them. Even the shark knows the press was in the tank for Barry.
If only it should be so
July 25, 2008 - 10:14 ET by expatriotI don't trust the press as far as I can throw them. That being said it is possible that the "Maverick" might just be able to reingratiate himself with the press and start to get the spot light off of Obambi. What a fitting result that would be. Obambi lost in the woods, his father killed by an evil hunter who needed to feed his starving family and provide clothing for his small children. His mother off with the rest of the herd abandoning him to the harsh realities of nature where he either survives or does not. Without mommy press I see him going down pretty quickly.
Prince Of The Forest
July 25, 2008 - 10:26 ET by SickofLibsYour Bambi analogy is perfect!
Hmmm... who would be Flower the skunk?
Hmm
July 25, 2008 - 10:41 ET by expatriotA certain reporterette comes to mind. Then again Chrissy M could audition for the part. I am not sure we could stand too much of the leg tingling thing though.
No, Chrissy would be
July 25, 2008 - 20:17 ET by AJSHOPENo, Chrissy would be Thumper. His leg thumps so much because he's got the tingle.
funny
July 25, 2008 - 14:22 ET by Dr_Libertyfunny
Obama
July 25, 2008 - 10:31 ET by shawn228If he is such a Diva with the press now, I wonder what he will be like if he is the POTUS
Some folks can dish it out but cannot take it
Noel, you give BO too much credit...
July 25, 2008 - 10:36 ET by bradbenj5952If you were to look under the veneer I think you would find something that resembles "chip board". You know, the kind made of sawdust that falls apart when it gets wet. Plywood is pretty tough stuff by comparison.
"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." Acts 16:31
Blasphemy
July 25, 2008 - 10:34 ET by acumen"...the press wants to put its love somewhere, and, right now, that love is up for grabs."
Blasphemy.
Analogies
July 25, 2008 - 10:49 ET by KC MulvilleMy analogy for the same dilemma is that the press is the Beast, and you have to Feed the Beast, otherwise the Beast will simply start chewing on whatever's available and nearby.
Obama only has worn-out liberal policy or already-spit-out liberal ideology to use to Feed the Beast. Until now, he's been able to get away with feeding them his personality. But his arrogance now means he's "above" all that. If he doesn't feed them something, and he hides behind a wall of campaign aides ... the Beast is going to start chewing anything and everything. They're doing it now.
It ain't love that's up for grabs, it's food. Remember: If you feed them, they will come. If you don't, they will destroy. The media's true loyalty is to themselves ... they have deadlines to meet, and you have to give the J. Jonah Jamesons of the world what they want.
The Media
July 25, 2008 - 10:37 ET by GothampcWhat? The media honestly reporting political news instead of their opinion? Is it a cold day in hell? Are pigs flying?
Obama better choose a VP that is a media darling, otherwise it's Hillary Clintonville for him. They'll criticize everything from his pantsuit to his using his daughters as political props. The only good interview he'll be able to get is on Fox News.
So I'm thinking his VP should be one of the following:
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt
Oprah
the four women from Sex and the City
Simon Cowell
Simon Says
July 25, 2008 - 11:20 ET by Dr_LibertyDespite that I despise the whole concept of "American Idol"*, Simon Cowell would be a good veep.** He actually is very direct and blunt in his advice to people who really need blunt and direct advice.
* I don't particularly like reality shows that feed on people's vanity and desire for fame. While I put substantial blame on the contestants, I still like to see people being lifted up rather than being intentionally put into embarassing or conflictual situations. AI at least does lift some people up, but you know they are on the look out to find people who are seriously bad to create embarassing moments. I hate the reality shows that intentionally try to create conflict. It is perfectly legal to do this, and the participants are often to blame themselves, but I hate to see us "celebrating" the worst in human nature.
** Unfortunately he is not a natural born American citizen. However, it does seem that Europeans may now be allowed to vote if the MSM has any say in it.
<insert witty signature here>
Democrats - We Are The World
July 25, 2008 - 12:32 ET by Gothampc"Unfortunately he is not a natural born American citizen."
That no longer matters to the Democrats (except if they can use it to question John McCain's citzenship). The Democrats have a "We Are The World" mentality. They would love to see the United States become exactly like the United Nations. They would love it if court cases could be tried at The Hague. It's all part of their sick fantasy that the US has to be liked by the world.
It goes back to character?
July 25, 2008 - 11:28 ET by ChuckM from PAI think it goes back to Obama's character, something the MSM doesn't seem to want to delve into. BUT, when you surround yourself with radicals (Wright) and terrorists (Ayers), it rubs off on your subordinates and they turn into arrogant thugs.
Pretty Arrogant
July 25, 2008 - 11:03 ET by AndyRIt is pretty arrogant for Obama's campaign to act this way towards the press when their biggest opponent only "suspended" her campaign. This so reminds me of Gore in 2000 and Kerry in 2004. The press already annointed them President before the conventions even took place. Difference this time is Obama isn't 30 points up in the polls on McCain.
This is a red herring.
July 25, 2008 - 11:05 ET by jdhawkThis is a red herring. The press is in love with this stupid liberal dimocrat. If that weren't the case, then they would be scrutinizing his positions on a host of areas that are damaging to the United States. His relook of NAFTA, his stance on taxes, his stance on opening up our energy rich lands to exploitation, etc. On all of the above positions, the drive by media feel as he does.
bambi (aka 57 states) could spit in their eye and they would still support him. Take the last guy, clintoon. He was screwing a young women near the same age as his own daughter and they supported him to the hilt - telling us that a blow job wasn't sex! clintoon was accused of rape and they did not investigate the charge; they castigated the accuser.
Noel -- bad link
July 25, 2008 - 11:14 ET by Dr_LibertyNoel,
I clicked on the "End of the Affair" link near the top of the story and it took me to the home page for "Madmen" on AMC TV.
Are you trying to expand my viewing habits beyond westerns and Japanese game shows?
<insert witty signature here>
DL
July 25, 2008 - 11:35 ET by Noel SheppardDL,
That's too funny. I sent that link to my family last night because I wanted to recommend they start watching that program. How that got into an embed here is beyond me. Thanks. ns
Wait and see
July 25, 2008 - 11:29 ET by NorthCoasterif this tiff with the press continues. If past history is any prediction. these issues will be ignored and Obama will continue to be the darling of the Press until his ascension to the seat of power.
I am sure the press and
July 25, 2008 - 11:39 ET by msh1973I am sure the press and Obama will kiss and make-up, one cannot exist without the other.
MEDIA DONATIONS ARE 100 TO 1 DEMOCRAT
July 25, 2008 - 11:52 ET by reelman46Read this article from Investor's Business Daily...
then IF you still think the mainstream media is not biased, not socialist and not so corrupt you should avoid it...you are in denial... and not very bright.
http://www.ibdeditor...
Doug Schexnayder, Ph.D. (theconservativecrawfish)
reelman46, Who are you
July 26, 2008 - 14:06 ET by msh1973reelman46,
Who are you calling "not very bright"? I was being sarcastic in my comments...of course the msm is liberally bias. Haven't you ever read any of my other comments?
Not at all. Just a lover's tiff
July 25, 2008 - 11:58 ET by c5thenThey will soon make up and all will be as it was.
The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic. Let's get it back! Alan Keyes '08.
I just don't buy it. I
July 25, 2008 - 12:12 ET by buddycI just don't buy it. I think they are in panic mode becuase their Obama parade reports have not influenced polling numbers yet. They fear the "press is in the tank for Obama" story and this "break up" is the FAKE story to try to address that polling problem.
They are in the tank for any liberal no matter how dishonest and/or incompetent.
Don't let them fool you.
I'm not buying it.What
July 25, 2008 - 12:15 ET by MassConservI'm not buying it.
What you've got here is a guy who's "girlfriend" dumped him the day before the dance to go with some jock. Now he's ticked off and scrawling nasty stuff about her on the boy's bathroom wall.
Now that's funny, I don't
July 25, 2008 - 12:36 ET by expatriotNow that's funny, I don't care who you are.
Mr. Nagourney, welcome to
July 25, 2008 - 13:41 ET by motherbeltMr. Nagourney, welcome to Obama 2008....if you disagree with him, it doesn't matter who you are or what your job is...you ARE a political opponent.
They are showing the same kind of thin skin and "war room mentality" that the Clinton team had: Strike fast; strike hard. Don't let a negative go unanswered even for one news cycle.
A lot of us think that Obama's arrogance is going to be his downfall.
I didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows. -Bart Simpson
Differences between Obama and McCain?
July 25, 2008 - 13:54 ET by kj.444http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=aXLIlaf_2bbhd2AIUDxZkkIA_3d_3d
Vacation Troubles
July 25, 2008 - 16:28 ET by Chris NormanI think reports of this "breakup" are greatly exaggerated. Obama and the MSM will get some couples counseling and everything will be back to the blissful honeymoon between "snookums" and "flower pot" - that they enjoyed before they went on vacation together. Besides, I think the media is just saying this to defuse the undeniable conclusion that they are, indeed, part of the Obama campaign apparatus
McNotObama '08
Sorry but I'm not buying it
July 25, 2008 - 18:07 ET by DaMavThis is the press coming up with some petty items to say "We are not in love with Obama!".
Actions speak a lot louder than words. I think this is an article to try to blow smoke over the way Obama is being handled. I doubt that there will be any real change.
Let's see. Will the media put out the contradictions over Obama blowing off the wounded vets in Germany? Will that be a big story? Obama stiffs troops because he can't do photo-ops with them? I wouldn't hold my breath.
Well - it is almost July,
July 25, 2008 - 21:26 ET by FastEdwhich means there a few months befor the October surprise.
I'm still thinking that Mr. Change, will find a big change from the media, come October, and then we can let the crying begin! When the suit is empty, loaded with "ums", believes in socialism, eventually the truth will come out.
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
Meda Barack split?
July 26, 2008 - 00:15 ET by Cool ArrowMedia leave Barack? Not a chance. Wouldn't that make them racist?
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
"...reporters [may] be
July 26, 2008 - 02:26 ET by Cortillaen"...reporters [may] be emboldened to challenge his campaign ever more aggressively."
Objection, Your Honor! Assumes facts not in evidence! The defense has yet to show that reporters currently challenge The Man With No Middle Name's campaign at all, much less that they will do so more in the future.
www.rhjunior.com Great comics with a hefty dose of Christian and anti-nutjob goodness.
"With your mind as high as Mt. Fuji you can see all things clearly. And you can see all the forces that shape events; not just the things near to you." -Miyamoto Musashi