Imagine for a moment John McCain had won last November, and Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, or Laura Ingraham were seated in the front row of his first primetime press conference.
Think the media would have gone completely nuts?
Well, as the Washington Times reported, liberal radio talk show host Ed Schultz and Huffington Post reporter Sam Stein were both accorded such an honor during President Barack Obama's presser Tuesday:
Seated in that prime front row, though, were some newcomers. Along with reporters from NNPA and BET were Sam Stein of the archly liberal Huffington Post and Ed Schultz, star of the "Ed Schultz Radio Show," an unabashedly liberal talk-show host, who boasts 3 million listeners dubbed "Ed Heads."
Asked how he garnered the piece of prime real estate, Mr. Schultz said with a shrug: "I don't know. They told me it was a random thing."
"But it's not bad being up front," said Mr. Schultz, whose book "Straight Talk From the Heartland," is touted on his Web site as having "laid a road map for the progressive wave that's sweeping America."
Wow!
Just imagine the media firestorm if "President" McCain, or even former President George W. Bush, had placed Limbaugh and Hannity in the front row.
Think any press members other than conservatives will find Obama's seating arrangement curious?
Stay tuned.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
saw that
February 10, 2009 - 10:56 ET by SQL_SamI wasn't surprised though, Liberals have no decency, and dont know the difference between news and propganda.
Ed...
February 10, 2009 - 10:58 ET by Prester John...who??
Who?
February 10, 2009 - 11:13 ET by CANCON1cancon1 . I thought this was classic stuff! Noel, can I be at the next snooze fest? What about that cadaver with him? Are they dating? So called war on terror. Somebody please .....wake me up when it is over.
The List
February 10, 2009 - 11:10 ET by GothampcI'm not so concerned where they sit. What I thought was strange was that Obama had a pre-determined list of who was going to ask questions and he didn't even try to hide the fact that there was a certain order. Several times last night he said "Uhhh, where's so and so?"
Ari Fleischer
February 10, 2009 - 11:24 ET by KC MulvilleOn the post-game show on Fox, Ari Fleischer said that the purpose for the chart (and by the same token, Obama's list) is that if you didn't control it, it would reward reporters who shouted the loudest. While he didn't give Bush a list, Fleischer did create a seating chart, and told Bush not to take questions from the bad section.
You can't point out things
February 10, 2009 - 12:06 ET by Hunter12You can't point out things like this. It will burst Keith and Chrissy's bubbles. President Obama's eloquence might appear to be the result of having plants in the pressroom, and having practiced the answers to pre-determined questions, instead of a vast intelligence.
"An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last." - Sir Winston Churchill
Thats because they couldn't
February 10, 2009 - 11:11 ET by AcrosThats because they couldn't fit the two men under Obama's podium.
That spot is reserved
February 10, 2009 - 11:42 ET by Dan DiegoThat spot is reserved for Chrissy & Queef.
Boortz, who actually is
February 10, 2009 - 11:18 ET by R D HelmBoortz, who actually is friends with Ed (go figure) was talking about this earlier on his show today.
LOL-I detected a little jealousy on Neal's part.
-Dave
Our clueless political leaders are about to drive us all over a cliff. The time to HITM is now-before we go over.
Why should we be surprised?
February 10, 2009 - 11:18 ET by gopcongressAir America, CBS, Washington Post, Democratic Underground, MSNBC, Huffington Post, New York Times...
They are one and the same to me. Why bother worrying who sits where?
While desperately
February 10, 2009 - 11:30 ET by HelenSWhile desperately channel-surfing last night, trying to find a safe place to land that wasn't Obama-infested, I happened to catch the HuffPo zit ask his pathetically snide little question.
Do these places hire middle-school pukes to do their dirty work for them?!
I did see BO basically tell Helen to shut up as he skipped over her heading for someone younger and more attractive. Quite entertaining.
And I actually winced when BO dumped Biden with his off-hand slam.
(OK, so I spent more than a few desperate moments on the news-conference but only because I could not always wrest the controls away from my fascinated-by-the-train-wreck watching husband of mine. I will say that the floundering and make-it-up-as-you-go-along aspect of the press conference was painful and embarrassing to watch)
Me - "The libs/dems of today are the Quislings of former years - the cowards who would vote a fraud into office in exchange for handouts from the devil."
I must have missed the best part
February 10, 2009 - 11:41 ET by SouthJersey1953I gave up after about 5 questions. I missed the Helen question (or brush off) and I also missed the Biden comment. Please tell me, I really don't want to have to go read the entire thing....I might not be able ot hold down my lunch!
--looking for a good tagline--
I think Drudge and
February 10, 2009 - 12:07 ET by HelenSI think Drudge and Foxnews.com both have the Biden brush-off. In fact, they both asked if BO had thrown Biden under the bus. They may have that part of it so you don't have to wade through the whole sewer of a transcript.
The Helen thing came just as she stood up to ask a question and BO basically made a scornful-looking sweeping movement with his hand and pointed to some snivelling little punk to take his question instead. BO didn't even say anything, just swept her out of the way, figuratively, and moved on.
Me - "The libs/dems of today are the Quislings of former years - the cowards who would vote a fraud into office in exchange for handouts from the devil."
→ Too kind, Helen
February 10, 2009 - 12:11 ET by Cool ArrowThat was no brushoff, that was a slam.
Obama was looking for some cred in acknowledging he doesn't listen to his signifying monkey, Joe Biden.
What disturbed me was the
February 10, 2009 - 12:20 ET by HelenSWhat disturbed me was the fact that BO seems to be such a suck-up to his adoring audience that he'll do anything, say anything, sacrifice anyone, to get a laugh or amp up the a$$-kissing. He is a total performing fraud and has no integrity or standard of morals or even an established position so everyone is fair-game and a dupe to be thrown under the bus for the sake of his disgusting ego-rush.
Me - "The libs/dems of today are the Quislings of former years - the cowards who would vote a fraud into office in exchange for handouts from the devil."
No Thanks
February 10, 2009 - 11:37 ET by DingbatYeah, but his seat was next to Igor Thomas...don't think I could take that.
Hmmm ...
February 10, 2009 - 11:58 ET by mytwocentsI thought Helen Thomas WAS the seat!!
Well, Bush had Jeff Gannon,
February 10, 2009 - 12:13 ET by balboaWell, Bush had Jeff Gannon, so how bad could it be to have Ed Schultz around?
Here's a generic question
February 10, 2009 - 12:28 ET by HelenSHere's a generic question for the general public: when will BO and his sycophants grow up and realize that he is the Prez, now?
The buck stops with him, now. His mommy or a suitabble substitite, is not here to run interference for him. HE has to make the decisions. HE has to take the blame. He is the man. So grow up!
He is going to have to wake up to the fact that "he won" and not just say that with his prissy little hissy-fit. He won. So be in charge. Take charge. Do what presidents do - govern and lead and decide.
So BO and your blind followers, stop squirming around pointing at Bush all the time! Get over it!
Bush is not in charge, now, so BO needs to figure out what he can or should do and man up to the job he scratched the eyes out of the competition to obtain.
Me - "The libs/dems of today are the Quislings of former years - the cowards who would vote a fraud into office in exchange for handouts from the devil."
→ Here's a generic answer
February 10, 2009 - 12:33 ET by Cool ArrowAlmost, maybe, but sometimes, hardly never.
That should clear things up.
Ah yes ;o) Me - "The
February 10, 2009 - 12:40 ET by HelenSAh yes ;o)
Me - "The libs/dems of today are the Quislings of former years - the cowards who would vote a fraud into office in exchange for handouts from the devil."</
Helen, here's a story which
February 10, 2009 - 12:45 ET by celatorHelen, here's a story which sort of sheds light on why Obama is in campaign mode, even now.At least it helps me see it better.
An acquaintance of mine, a consultant, was hired years ago to work with the Red Sox to try to help them win enough games to get to the World Series. He did a number of things with them, visualizing winning, visualizing playing in the world series. That sort of thing.
Sure enough, they began winning enough games to get to the World Series. But they kept losing games once they were there. We all know the story of the old Red Sox doing well in the early part of the season, and not so well later on, or when they got to the Series.
What the blue blazes was going on?
My friend figured out that they were visualizing the wrong goal. They should have been visualizing what they should be doing once they made it to the Series--i.e., winning the Series, not just playing in the Series. So........
Obama=becomes POTUS. Then......Post-winning POTUS=not a clue. Hadn't thought that through in detail (beyond broad goals). He does have an agenda, but can't figure out how to make it happen without going into his now very awkward "campaign-mode", which got him the POTUS goal.
Make sense?
For liberal Democrats and the Old Media, everything is crisis, chaos, calamity and catastrophe. That justifies stealing your property and liberties.
It actually does make
February 10, 2009 - 12:54 ET by HelenSIt actually does make sense. I really do believe that the reality of the job - the hours, the grind, the attention, the expectations - are going to take their toll quickly because this reality is not the glamorous, hands held out in benediction, that he fantasized about.
This is the real world and this is a real job. In fact, it is one of the hardest jobs in the world and not usually the one someone wants for their first real job. Starting in the mail room at least gets you used to the hours.
I absolutely do believe he has bitten off much more than he could even imagine chewing.
I wonder if a president has ever quit? Handed in their two week's notice and said they didn't realize the work was so hard?
Me - "The libs/dems of today are the Quislings of former years - the cowards who would vote a fraud into office in exchange for handouts from the devil."
Helen...Yes, it is a very
February 10, 2009 - 15:57 ET by celatorHelen...Yes, it is a very tough job. The Old Media was convinced he could and should do it. It will take a long time for them to settle back into reality. If they ever do.
Beyond all the usual traits an effective leader ought to have, I believe there are two that are critically important:
1. To be well grounded and, frankly, in love with the American experience--history, what the Founding Fathers were trying to do, our very generous role in the world, our exceptionalism. Obama gets an F on all these.
2. The President must have a very long view of where the country is moving, the role he can play to make this country the light on the hill, a shining example for all to see and emulate. Our country was founded as the result of a 5,000 year human search and struggle for liberty, individual opportunity and hope for all who are willing to work hard and dream. Obama gets an F on all these, as well.
For liberal Democrats and the Old Media, everything is crisis, chaos, calamity and catastrophe. That justifies stealing your property and liberties.
Stephanopolis would have
February 10, 2009 - 12:44 ET by ThisnThatStephanopolis would have been there, instead, but he was too busy with the White House strategy sessions.
Does Obama know the meaning of the term -- inbred?
___________________________________
The challenge is to follow a consistent plan despite inconsistent prices - Sarah Palin, State of the State of Alaska speech
big brother controling
February 10, 2009 - 12:47 ET by JIMMY1660big brother controling everything. you wanted it you got it.
the front row was just the luck of the draw.horsepucky. hard tough questions will never get the call.
Communist Bastards.
allow me to Love America
big brother controling
February 10, 2009 - 12:47 ET by JIMMY1660big brother controling everything. you wanted it you got it.
the front row was just the luck of the draw.horsepucky. hard tough questions will never get the call.
Communist Bastards.
allow me to Love America
big brother controling
February 10, 2009 - 12:48 ET by JIMMY1660big brother controling everything. you wanted it you got it.
the front row was just the luck of the draw.horsepucky. hard tough questions will never get the call.
Communist Bastards.
allow me to Love America
Who is that anyway?
February 10, 2009 - 13:57 ET by slickwillie2001Is that Yassir Arafat in drag? I knew he was gay but didn't know about the lipstick business.
→ On the far right
February 10, 2009 - 13:59 ET by Cool ArrowThat guy on the far right. Isn't that the PC guy from the Apple commercials?
Why is a clown allowed at these events?
February 10, 2009 - 15:42 ET by notinstl..and now there are two! ms? thomas serves no useful purpose and can't possibly be good for the environment....is everyone afraid to tell her she isn't a reporter and shouldn't be there?
HT
February 10, 2009 - 18:06 ET by easygoerHelen Thomas: "the so-called terrorists"
HT
February 11, 2009 - 09:49 ET by btjunk00Maybe because I wasn't paying close attention to what he said, but I believe Obama disregarded the "so-called" part of the cadaver's question. (And no, I am not an Obama/Pelosi/Reid supporter by any stretch.) The real issue is when they start putting all those adjectives into their articles and then it's taken as gospel.
They are not 'Terrorists'...
February 11, 2009 - 09:58 ET by Sergeant ROCK.. but rather 'fireworks enthusiasts'.
"I ask, Sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people. To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them."
George Mason
Bolton/KEYES 2012
Helen & Ed Thomas...
February 10, 2009 - 18:09 ET by AMR1960Shultz looked so pathetic, and servile sitting there next to Helen Thomas. Oh MY!!! He sort of looked like Helen's younger sister in a man's suit
Long Live...THE REPUBLIC !
Front Row Ed
February 10, 2009 - 20:43 ET by brain trustHard to believe that a little over 5 years ago he was to the right of Rush. He is just a dog shooting, money chasing, talk show host wanna be.
Before we have a government that can supply us with everything we will have a government that can provide us with nothing.
Now, guys, let's not be so
February 10, 2009 - 20:45 ET by TheBigBNow, guys, let's not be so hard on ol' Ed. He's come a long way from the now infamous Whiskey Bottle incident.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Schultz
".....And as we look at the News at 10 time-lapse SkyCam, we see as the sun goes down it gets dark."
Sigh .... Don't you know
February 11, 2009 - 00:46 ET by AizlynneSigh ....
Don't you know by now that it's okay because it's them!
Hey, liberals live by a
February 11, 2009 - 07:30 ET by msh1973Hey, liberals live by a complete different set of rules than lowly conservatives...don't you know. Liberals are hypocrites.