Andrea Mitchell is mad at John McCain and Sarah Palin because the McCain camp excluded the press from Palin's meetings with foreign officials this week. She is so upset that she as much as charged that John McCain's treatment of the press is as bad as that of the dictatorial ruler in North Korea, Kim Jong Il.
On Tuesday's Rachel Maddow show (MSNBC), Mitchell said that excluding the press when Palin met with foreign leaders was not "standard practice" and mentioned that in oppressive countries like Sudan and North Korea the press is often excluded. Mitchell also added that The State Department has a "standard practice" of making sure the press is included in meetings even in foreign countries. But Obama also excluded the press in his meetings with leaders in Europe this Summer, yet this fact didn’t even rate a mention by Mitchell tonight.
Maddow asked Mitchell if allowing at least one member of the press into such meetings was "standard practice."
Maddow: You have covered these sorts of high-level meetings with foreign dignitaries and getting at least one editorial staff member in the room to represent the entire network is standard practice right?
Mitchell: It is standard practice. It's standard for the White House, for the State Department. And often we are in foreign countries where it is not standard practice, like in Pyongyang or in Damascus, and usually the State Department insists upon it and then we are at risk for whatever happens. In Sudan... we were pushed and shoved and thrown out by the Sudanese, but that's not by American officials and certainly not by Republican campaign officials running a national election here in the United States."
(See this Huffington Post for video)
I find this whole snit that the press is throwing pretty amazing for its hypocrisy. After all, when Barack Obama went over to Europe this Summer to burnish his non-existent foreign policy credentials, he met behind closed doors with Europe's biggest leaders without the press allowed into the room. I don't recall Andrea Mitchell getting all upset then. Nor did she seem to remember it happened with Barack when she was discussing Palin with Maddow.
As NewsBuster Ken Shepherd reminded us all, when Barack met behind closed doors without reporters the Old Media barely even noticed.
Obviously, Mitchell is quick to scold John McCain and Sarah Palin but has no interest in reminding viewers that Barack Obama did the exact same thing. And let us remember that Obama is running for the top job, here. Palin is not. Yet, Andrea Mitchel and her compatriots in the press completely ignore the similar actions of Obama only to come out swinging at Palin.
In the tank much, Andrea?
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
They work for DNBC
September 24, 2008 - 21:11 ET by well99It is to be expected that they have selected memory.Double standards are acceptable.That is why Dems can make racist remarks and is ok.
When is Andrea going to
September 24, 2008 - 21:21 ET by d1carterWhen is Andrea going to retire?
Yeh, And when she does, I
September 24, 2008 - 21:55 ET by needleYeh, And when she does, I want to be invited!
Impunitas semper ad deteriora invitat.
Its "private" stupid!!!
September 25, 2008 - 01:06 ET by wdhorningAndrea does not understand the meaning of the words "private meeting."
She is also a poor excuse for a journalist, since she was unable to report that Obama also had "private meetings" with world leaders and with no reporters present either.
Of course we all know the leadership of NBC has "left the planet."
»→ Horning
September 25, 2008 - 01:10 ET by Cool ArrowHow can you call the wife of Ben Bradley, stupid.
Don't you know how hard she worked to get where she is?
"Don't taze me bro" - Joe Biden
Read Palin's Lipstick - Palin is not seeking MSM Approval
September 24, 2008 - 21:29 ET by JayTeeHow soon the MSM forgets Palin's first speech.
Obama is not "seeking" MSM Approval either . . he just gets it. . sort of a rubber stamp "approval" of anything he does.
Meanwhile, Andrea gets ONE vote and we know how she is voting . . don't we ? we recognize an unhappy Democrat when we hear one.
The Republican Revolution will not be Televised
Palin is not seeking MSM
September 24, 2008 - 21:47 ET by BDPalin is not seeking MSM Approval, and that is the real sin in their eyes. The MSM expects candidates to suck up voraciously. Palin does not and it galls them.
And after how the MSM butchered their responsibilities in the first week after Palin was picked, how do they dare to assume she would deign to provide them material?
One thing Andrea is good for
September 24, 2008 - 21:37 ET by stratmanOne thing Andrea is good for - making OBlabla into a post turtle.
To be fair, Warner, she did
September 24, 2008 - 21:52 ET by motherbeltTo be fair, Warner, she did grumble just a little bit about Obama.
Here is Andrea talking about Obama's trip (emphasis in original NB posting):
MITCHELL: Let me just say something about the message management. He
didn't have reporters with him, he didn't have a press pool, he didn't
do a press conference while he was on the ground in either Afghanistan
or Iraq. What you're seeing is not reporters brought in. You're
seeing selected pictures taken by the military, questions by the
military, and what some would call fake interviews, because they're not interviews from a journalist. So, there's a real press issue here.
However, she followed that with: Politically it's smart as can be. But we've not seen a presidential candidate do this, in my recollection, ever before.
So while she was not happy with that situation, and it hadn't been done before, she "clearly" (I'm stealing one of Andrea's favorite words, LOL) thought Obama was brilliant for doing it.
But that was then; this is now. I don't see her giving Gov. Palin kudos for her political savvy!
And she
September 24, 2008 - 23:34 ET by Warner Todd HustonDid not bring this up when talking about Palin. She acted as if Palin's situation was unique.
She's not being honest.
September 24, 2008 - 21:57 ET by CobraMan"It is standard practice. It's standard for the White House, for the State Department."
She's not being honest. It is most definitely NOT "standard practice" as most "high level meetings" between heads of states, or even department heads, are CLOSED to the press, even here in America (although a single photographer may be present for part of the meeting). This is why they usually have a press conference AFTER the meetings have taken place. This is to prevent the PRESS from "leaking" any information that may be discussed during a meeting and to reduce the risk that a resolution of an on-going discussion will be affected by public perceptions or misconceptions, and subject to manipulation by the press themselves, BEFORE an agreement is reached or a discussion concluded.
Obama: My job is above my pay grade
Blondie's always got a case
September 24, 2008 - 23:25 ET by suzycreamcheeseBlondie's always got a case of selective amnesia.
Was it a "blond"
September 25, 2008 - 00:30 ET by jdhawkWas it a "blond" moment?
Was it a "senior" moment?
or
Was it just a stupid liberal skank trying to get bambi (aka energy problem: tune up and a tire check - next question) elected and journalistic integrity be damned.
I think we already know the answer . . .
No forgetting here
September 25, 2008 - 06:35 ET by Blogger Guy00001She didn't forget. She did it with full awareness and knowledge.
No Shame
September 25, 2008 - 08:35 ET by NotafraidAndrea Mitchel has no shame. At one time she had credibility and a reputation for being a real journalist. She and NBC have sold their souls. Sad.
I could't agree more. It
September 25, 2008 - 09:31 ET by SeashellI could't agree more. It is truly sad.
Pardon me, Ms. Mitchell, but
September 25, 2008 - 10:22 ET by CortillaenPardon me, Ms. Mitchell, but have you and your family been shot recently for insulting the government? No? Well, then, may I suggest you head right over to NK or PRC and give it a try? You might actually appreciate how well you are treated here after that experience. Of course, you'd never get the chance to express any knew feelings gained from the experience, but at least you wouldn't come across as an ignorant blowhard.
www.daybydaycartoon.... Proving that conservative comedy is very real.
"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