Is ABC's Jake Tapper the White House press corps' next David Gregory or journalism's anti-Chris Matthews?
Such questions were raised Tuesday in an interesting column about Tapper by the Daily Beast's Rachel Sklar.
Unlike virtually all the Obama-loving media, Tapper during last year's presidential campaign was very often a refreshing impartial voice willing to take shots at all the candidates including those with a "D" after their names and The One which was the object of so many's affection.
Tapper appears not only cognizant of the disgraceful sycophancy of colleagues like MSNBC's Chris Matthews, but also dismissive (h/t TVNewser):
There’s another chair that Tapper may be trying to fill: David Gregory’s. No less than three separate Washington political reporters spontaneously compared him to Gregory, who made his name being a thorn in the side of various White House press secretaries. “I think it’s safe to say that he's calculated, meaning that if he's being tough, it's likely because he sat down one day to say, ‘I want to be this administration's David Gregory,’" said one colleague on the D.C. political circuit. (Note where Gregory ended up.) Others have also compared him to Sam Donaldson, whose scrappy briefing-room questioning is still legendary. “[Tapper] works really hard, he's really smart, and he does have good questions that you just can't dismiss as showboating,” said another D.C.-based political reporter who has known Tapper for years. And while more than one other person also used the word “showboating,” a briefing-room colleague was a little more Zen: “It's too early to judge anyone... And I wouldn't get too worked up over the press briefings. Judge all of us on the reporting, analysis, and packages.” [...]
What does Tapper say? Though he declined to comment specifically on the Gibbs exchange, he did reply via email that he took his job very seriously, in part as a reaction to the rather permissive press corps of the last administration: “There's a big lesson for all of us—not just reporters, but the nation—in the need for a vigilant press that questions the decisions our leaders make, whether going to war or spending $800 billion on a stimulus package. I don't always live up to that lesson, but I try.” He also said that the job “still feels daunting and intimidating”—even if he doesn’t show it.
Tapper’s not the only toughie in the briefing room—there are cameras there, you know—but so far, he’s the one pushing the hardest. And if that makes Gibbs’ job tougher, oh well. Says Tapper: “I certainly don't think that it's the job of any journalist to make the presidency work.”
Was Tapper taking a swipe at Matthews with that comment? You decide:
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.
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Could it be...?
February 11, 2009 - 11:06 ET by dborschjr68It may definitely be way too early to tell, but, and I am smiling as I type this, could Mr. Tapper be a light in the darkness that is the MSM universe? Mr. Tapper, we shall be watching, sir. Here's hoping.
"Liberate tutume ex inferis, liberal puppets." Me.
too good to be true?
February 11, 2009 - 11:52 ET by buzzyboopWhen I first started reading blogs Tapper wrote, he was somewhere to the left of the Daily Kooks. But since he started on the hard news reporting side, he has been playing it virtually down the middle. Although I do believe his philosophy still leans heavily left, Jake has done a good job being objective and playing an equal opportunity 'devil's advocate.' Good for him.
Cheers, Frank
Government is the only enterprise in the world which expands in size
when its failures increase. -- DC Circuit Judge Janice Rogers Brown
I'll be watching for Jake Tapper
February 11, 2009 - 11:07 ET by QueenMumGibbs is emminently unqualified for his job. It won't take long for the likes of Tapper to have him looking for more suitable employment.
Definitely
February 11, 2009 - 11:29 ET by klchadwickGibbs is definitely unqualified, but has anyone made Gibbs look good? I think every question he answers amplifies his inadequacies.
Gibbs is emminently
February 11, 2009 - 11:42 ET by Jack BauerAgreed QM. So what job would he be qualified for?
Gap Store Greeter? Car Valet?
Jack... A bell-ringer for
February 11, 2009 - 13:18 ET by bigtimerJack...
A bell-ringer for the Salvation Army would be best...at least he would be doing something worthwhile for once in his louse-bound life.
Trust no more
February 11, 2009 - 12:05 ET by iveseenitallBarry better be careful. Millions of people see through Matthews and his ilk. The more they fawn over Obama, the more they turn people off to him. Trust is gone in America. There is no trust left for the government, Wall Street, or the media. The right wants nothing to do with the left, whom they correctly see as incompetent fools, and the left despises and condecends to the right (check Chucky Schumer's latest comment about "the chattering classes"). Millions are frustrated by lack of input, and having whatever they say ignorned by the arrogant fools we call our "representatives". In board rooms, in pressrooms, in classrooms, lying and corruption are rampant (expected and accepted as "normal"). Tax cheats and sundry other lawbreakers now sit in the highest government seats. The welfare state we fought so hard to eliminate is back, stronger than ever. Modern "liberalism" is on steroids and poised to lead America to its' doom. We are in deep soup, folks.
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
The sad story here is that Tapper
February 11, 2009 - 11:37 ET by JTPis being made an issue of in the first place. All of the press corps should be on the same page and just do their job. You don't have to be nasty or nice. You just have to ask the questions that convey to us the news and policies that can only be discovered in that room.
"I need more cowbell!" SNL
JTP
February 11, 2009 - 11:42 ET by iveseenitallYou are so right, JTP. Unfortunately, it is impposible for the modern "liberal" to act in the rational manner which you suggest. It's like expecting a rattlesnake not to strike. It's not in their nature.
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
Bob
February 11, 2009 - 11:45 ET by cvgbuckeyeWhat was that goofy guys name that was, I think, the minister of information for Suddam Hussein, leading up to the Iraq war? The one that always denied everything no matter how big the lie. I think then he turned himself in after the occupation but no one wanted him.
That would be the good job for either Chris Matthews or Olbermann.
Baghdad
February 11, 2009 - 11:58 ET by UpNorthBob, " I can state unequivacally, there are no American tanks at Baghdad International Airport, oops, gotta go, there's tanks coming". That goofy guy? He's more qualified to be the Zero's press secretary than Gibbs.
Thanks upnorth
February 11, 2009 - 12:47 ET by cvgbuckeyeThat was him; Baghdad Bob; Yep!
They could give that job to Matthews and rename him "Kiss-A$$-Chris". How about "Pinnochio Keith Who Lies Through His Teeth"
Whadaya think?
I really
February 11, 2009 - 19:52 ET by UpNorthlike "Kiss-A$$ Chris". That describes him to a tee. And wouldn't he look just so sweet in a beret and green utilities? Hat-tip to Blackfive, I found a pic of Olberdork, he was found in Iraq the other day by the US Army. Paste the link and check it out. Or, maybe it was Murtha as the caption says.
http://www.blackfive...
→ Tapper
February 11, 2009 - 11:48 ET by Cool Arrow"it's likely because he sat down one day to say, ‘I want to be this administration's David Gregory"
Say What???
More likely, he sat down with a cup of morning coffee and thought to himself
Gibbs is the new McClellan
February 11, 2009 - 11:50 ET by krendlerGibbs is every bit as bad as Scott McClellan. Like Obama, Gibbs doesn't answer the question asked. He just goes off on all sorts of tangents, inserting as many colloquialisms and platitudes as possible (e.g., "Look, the American people want change", "we need to fix the mess that was created by the policies of the past 8 years..."). "Look! I'm talking! For minutes at a time even. Therefore, I answered your question, thoughtfully and exhaustively and brilliantly."
(I don't think we'll ever see another Tony Snow. He was exceptional in every sense of the word) .
As far as Matthews goes, I used to like him a long time ago. Then he started spiraling downward and came completely unraveled during the election. Like a lot of "reporters", he decided at some point that it was his job to 1) be part of history by getting a black guy elected 2) blame Bush and Cheney for everything, starting w/ Katrina.
To Matthews credit, he's the only talking head I know of who has actually came out and admitted what everyone already realizes about 95% of the on-air staff at CNN and MS-NBC.
My fave in the Bush
February 11, 2009 - 12:00 ET by QueenMumMy fave in the Bush administration was Ari Fleischer. That man never let them see him sweat. And he had a great sense of humor which often caught the liberal press off guard. McClellan never seemed to be prepared. And Gibbs is even worse. Makes me wonder if the Dear Leader prefers that his spokesperson be incompetent. That way he won't seem unreasonable when he has to throw him under the bus when Gibbs gets caught straying from the lies. By the way, I think the Obama administration will soon have to get a new bus. All those bodies under the current bus will have broken the axles by now.
I used to like Mattthews too
February 11, 2009 - 11:59 ET by grasshoppermany years ago and I read his book 'Kennedy and Nixon' which I thought was very fair to Nixon (without covering up his failings). However Matthews lost it back in 2003 in the run up to the Iraq war and started spewing at the mouth over 'neocons' etc. What would he think if another journalist said "My job is to make this presdiency (Bush's) work"? I also think that Matthews is a raging alcoholic.
→ Matthews
February 11, 2009 - 12:07 ET by Cool ArrowMy daughter and I watched Hardball every day during Slick Willie's dalliance with Monica. He was at the top of his game then.
I don't know what tipped him completely to the squishy side, but he and Arianna Huffingpoo used to be good analysts.
Matthews / Clinton
February 11, 2009 - 16:39 ET by nandrelliI watched Matthews all the time back then as well, and as much as he blasted Clinton it was a surprise to find out that he was a Democrat (and had actually worked for Carter - was the author of the "Malaise" speech, I believe).
He went off the deep end with the Joe Wilson / Valerie Plame case, as well as his comments about Presidents with "f***ing ranches". But in the era of the Bash Bush newscycle, the libs forgave him his sin of criticizing Bubba and just came to love him.
good for Tapper
February 11, 2009 - 12:00 ET by candanceI remember back last year he wrote that blog about how Obama's campaign bus had a bad smell and how the campaign's organization seemed to be all over the place. Since this came on the heels of Obama bragging that managing a campaign was as hard as being a governor, it stood out as an interesting observation.
JTP is right though - it's sad that one intelligent reporter who decides to be impartial is such a novelty.
But acts of kindness and generosity must be free and voluntary; no man has a right to compel another to follow his conscience. This is a concern which lies between a man and his God.
-Richard Fuhrman, pro slave advocate, 1823
A Brit Hume in the making?
February 11, 2009 - 12:26 ET by Chris NormanPerhaps even some liberal reporters, like Tapper, are affected by the disgracefully biased behavior of their peers .Well, if it doesn't work out for him at ABC, there's always Fox News...
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
Chris... LOL..yeah, maybe
February 11, 2009 - 13:21 ET by bigtimerChris...
LOL..yeah, maybe eventually he could replace BOR.
At least someone could get a word in edge-wise once in awhile, I am sick of seeing BOR beat his chest.
bt, Same here, same here.
February 11, 2009 - 14:30 ET by Chris Normanbt,
Same here, same here. I resent O'Reilly even more for what his show could be with a different host. I've always said it has the best guests and mostly the best topics and issues, it just lacks a decent anchor. O'Reilly's grotesquely over-sized ego and self-importance has destroyed his show for me.
I like Hannity a little better in his new format, but his show has a canned quality who's too regular features are already wearing thin (his "Liberal Trans-la-tion" feature is just dopey). Hannity is just too repetitive - he gets a fact, a quote, or a line memorized in his mind and just keeps repeating them over and over again - until they all pile up - and he's about as subtle and sly as a train wreck.
Fox News was once my little sanctuary island in a liberal sea, but I find it's sinking and shrinking. Gurgle gurgle...
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
Chris... I tell you what,
February 11, 2009 - 14:35 ET by bigtimerChris...
I tell you what, you and I are on the exact same path this morning.
I cannot stand the Lie-ber-al segment, it is plain immature..I am hoping with time he gets his show more refined for grown-ups...or I am going to skip the show now and then also...heck, I already do come to think of it.
For me, that leaves very little, a smattering here, a smattering there.
I suspect that somewhere deep in the Obamafuhrer's
February 11, 2009 - 13:59 ET by R D HelmI suspect that somewhere deep in the Obamafuhrer's Propaganda Ministry, there is a group of pointy-headed Goebbels wanna-be's huddled around a table, feverishly formulating a plan to find some way to revoke Mr. Tapper's White House press credentials.
Its only a matter of time.
-Dave
Our clueless political leaders are about to drive us all over a cliff. The time to HITM is now-before we go over.
Jake Tapper
February 11, 2009 - 22:01 ET by talkradio55I have always felt that Jake Tapper is one of the few real journalists left in America.