American Spectator: Bush bullies the press corps with impunity

[grasswire]

http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=7692

Important matters of state aside, yesterday's presidential press conference was noteworthy for the easy contempt Mr. Bush displayed for the Washington press corps. I'd hate to be a mule on his ranch! Bush no longer feels the need even to pretend to be courting any of these critters. If looks could maim, there'd not be a single Washington pressy walking steadily these days.

<snip>

To make matters worse, Bush called on several reporters whose questions could only have come from the White House communications office. Most famously, Jeff Gannon of the openly Republican Talon News mocked recent comments by Democrats Harry Reid and Hillary Clinton before asking Bush how was he "going to work with people who seem to have divorced themselves from reality?" Did Ronald Reagan ever enjoy such a friendly query?

Of course, some of the old guard tried to get in some licks, not that it did them any good. As usual, the intensely prissy Terry Moran took top prize. ABC's man at the White House appears to hate Bush as much as John Kerry and Al Gore do. Naturally, in keeping with his network's highest standards, Moran tried to sandbag Bush yesterday, informing him that

"Last month in Jordan, a gentleman named Ali Hatar was arrested after delivering a lecture called, "Why We Boycott America." He was charged under section 191 of their penal code for slander of government officials. He stood up for democracy, you might say. And I wonder if here and now, you will specifically condemn this abuse of human rights by a key American ally. And if you won't, sir, then what, in a practical sense, do your fine words mean?"

Oooh, can't you just feel the contempt? "You might say." "If here and now." "If you won't, sir." "What ? do your fine words mean?" Would he ever use this tone on his boss Peter Jennings? Better yet, Moran equates standing up for democracy with boycotting America. What good is democracy if it's not anti-American?

[zbdent]

1. What, they're just now noticing?

We knew this from say, February of 2001?

[grasswire]

4. well.......

....since American Spectator is the rag that tried to take down the Clintons, financed by Richard Mellon Scaife, it is notable that they are openly talking about this and praising Bush for the bullying.

[quinnox]

2. Yep, the bald reporter is a total freeper

I have seen him before ask the white house approved questions. And there was another reporter too that did the same thing, a question that seemed to be the type that Bush got on his "Ask the President" propoganda press tour during the election.

[glitch]

3. Geez, such atrocious spelling. It's "press corpse". Has been for years. nt

[leftynyc]

17. Actually - even calling them the press is wrong

Nothing but stenographers.

[glitch]

18. Sadly true. nt

[blm]

5. Bush doesn't RESPECT them the same way a john doesn't respect his hooker.

He's used them so much, he's bored with them. They're just occasional target practice for him now. He does still enjoy the groveling.

[cenflrd]

6. That one of the only things I like about Bush!

I'm not a fan of the media. My nephew is in politics and in the news sometimes. The media is pretty much a pain in the butt. Nine times out of ten, the questions are retarded and the reporters are only whoring to get on TV before eveybody else. I'd treat the media the same way Bush does. I don't respect him and don't consider him my president but I love the way he screws with the media. Makes me laugh.

[NYCGirl]

8. Unfortunately, the only real losers in the WH/press relationship

are US, the people.

[grasswire]

12. well........

...you ought to be working to improve the media, not "mess with them."

Considering the fact that it is only members of the press who stand between the people and tyranny, perhaps you could put some thought to solutions for a weak press?

Hm??

[Blue_Tires]

13. please understand

when bush "screws with the media" he screws with EVERY american citizen...and that is anything but funny

[Blue Wally]

14. I never elected any of the "news media" to represent me/watch out for me

[moggie12]

7. I think it's good that American Spectator is talking about it

It seems like they're pointing out how Bush & Co. have gotten so expert at manipulating the debate (e.g., when they pointed out that a "reporter" from a RW rag asked a totally loaded question).

[Hugin]

9. Whenever anyone says...

Media and Bush in the same sentence... I just turn up
my "Lovefool" (by the Cardigans) CD and tune out. ;)

[iwantmycountryback]

10. Yeah that Moran's a real scumbag

Trying to get the President to stand up for what he said and make him be accountable. That dirty rotten...

[Supersedeas]

16. freedom is an ideal/a vagary/abstract concept-don't expect * to know facts

standing up and taking a stand -- only when the script writers call for it.

Talk about casting a major defeat/flat fall on the face/total bomb into a glowing victory...have faith: up really is down, black really is white, 2 + 2 = 5, we are at war with EurAsia and the Press Conference was Bush at his bestest, vanquishing idiotic reporters with fell words and adept terminology.

Pathetic RW tripe...feed it to freepers

[AlCzervik]

11. "Sandbag Bush" give me a break!!!!

It was a good question, isn't chimpoleon supposed to be the war on terrah president? He should have known this already.

[tsuki]

15. You cannot respect those whom you have bought and paid for. eom

[Elidor]

19. Uh…American Spectator? Scaife's rag?

I'm all confused.

[AnnInLa]

21. me too, Hardhead,

Are they bragging about the contempt? My God, these people are so over the top...they have no decency/shame at all.

[NVMojo]

20. * the hypocrite just talked about freeing people from "tyranny", what an

arsehole!!

[Robbien]

22. Jeff Gannon works for Bruce Eberle who spearhead the Florida 2000

GOP effort. Through Millions for America he had over 300,000 petitions collected and delivered to Sec. of State Katherine Harris urging her to Certify the Bush Victory in Florida.