NBC, ABC, and CBS News Anchors going to Europe and Middle East to cover Obama's trip next week

[TeamJordan23]

“Barack Obama’s upcoming swing through Europe and the Middle East is now guaranteed to be a major media event, certified by the presence of the three network anchors.”

“Obama has been quite adept at working the media. He is on the cover of this week’s Newsweek, again, after star turns on Us Weekly, “Access Hollywood” (with kids) and, not so happily, the New Yorker. And the contrast with the coverage of John McCain’s campaign has been striking.”

“The Obama trip was already likely to dominate the news. (We’re starting to see headlines like this one in the L.A. Times: “Europe Awaits Obama with Open Arms.”) With Brian, Charlie and Katie along, it’s a slam dunk.”

“Sources in both television and politics confirmed that the Williams, Gibson and Couric interviews will be parceled out on successive nights in different countries. That means the Obama camp will have drawn the anchors halfway around the world by offering access. (Correspondents could have done the interviews instead, but a certain competitiveness sets in once one or two anchors agree to go.) “

http://thepage.time.com/excerpts-from-kurtzs-anchoring-obamas-trip/

[no_hypocrisy]

1. Let me guess. If Obama wants good press, he'll have to feed them.

[book_worm]

26. of course that's how it always is

[mikelgb]

2. If it's done right, you can use thier own system against them

[tishaLA]

3. this is great news

it means he will dominate the media cycle. and i think his staff is smart enough to make sure that these events are well-choreographed

[SuperTrouper]

4. Watch which VP-wannabe goes with him on this trip

because whomever goes with him will not be the nominee. The VP nominee will stay home. So if Nunn, Bayh, and Biden go with him, then cross them out of your Veepstakes. Just my gut feeling. I think it will be Sebelius.

[gateley]

7. It's been announced that it will be Hagel and Reed accompanying him. nt

[NattPang]

14. Only to the Iraq/Afghanistan. Hagel and Reed will no do the European leg of the tour.

The press is going to see if they can "find" a "gaffe".
That is their job above all else.

[CTyankee]

11. While I like Sebelius a lot, that would be a jab in eye to Hillary supporters.

I just can't believe that Obama would want to alienate them further, after all the unity stuff. In an ideal world, Sebelius would be great tho.

[gcomeau]

23. No, it will only be a jab in the eye...

...to any idiot who thinks there is only one person in the entire country who is allowed to be on the ticket without having a pair of testicles. "Hillary Supporters" doesn't exactly correlate with that group 100%.

[CTyankee]

24. Well, I'm talking about the Hillary to Obama supporters. I am one of them.

And so is my husband and my daughter. We have NO trouble transitioning to Obama at all. WE are all good Democrats.

The point I was making was one about sensitivity. Hillary supporters see her as the BIG candidate in this campaign. She did, after all, win 18 million votes. That's pretty impressive, doncha think?

Personally, I don't feel that a Sebalius pick would be an insult to Hillary. But I am sensitive to those who MAY feelthat way.

Ithinkit should probably go to a governor (practical) but I really don't know what is best...

[Pirate Smile]

5. Here is the Wash Post article.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/16/AR2008071600758_pf.html

Anchoring Obama's Trip

By Howard Kurtz
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, July 16, 2008; 9:45 AM



Barack Obama's upcoming swing through Europe and the Middle East is now guaranteed to be a major media event, certified by the presence of the three network anchors.

The Washington Post has learned that Brian Williams, Charlie Gibson and Katie Couric will travel overseas next week, lured by the prospect of interviews with the presumed Democratic candidate. That means the NBC, ABC and CBS newscasts will originate from stops on the trip and undoubtedly play it up.

Sources in both television and politics confirmed that the Williams, Gibson and Couric interviews will be parceled out on successive nights in different countries. That means the Obama camp will have drawn the anchors halfway around the world by offering access. (Correspondents could have done the interviews instead, but a certain competitiveness sets in once one or two anchors agree to go.) The Post is withholding the scheduled locations for the interviews for security reasons.

Obama has been quite adept at working the media. He is on the cover of this week's Newsweek, again, after star turns on Us Weekly, "Access Hollywood" (with kids) and, not so happily, the New Yorker. And the contrast with the coverage of John McCain's campaign has been striking.

When McCain, in March, visited Britain, France and Israel and met with their leaders, no network anchors tagged along. NBC and ABC sent correspondents; CBS did not. McCain's trip to Colombia and Mexico two weeks ago was barely covered, although NBC and ABC sent correspondents.

The Obama trip was already likely to dominate the news. (We're starting to see headlines like this one in the L.A. Times: "Europe Awaits Obama with Open Arms.") With Brian, Charlie and Katie along, it's a slam dunk.

[Imagevision]

6. Obama should drop by Israel while in the neigborhood...

[gateley]

8. I would love that - Lieberman would have a stroke! nt

[nsd]

12. He is planning to go to Israel.

I think he's scheduled to go there right before the European wing of his trip.

[gblady]

28. can you point me to somewhere....

that tells what Barack's schedule is for his trip...
I've tried his site, and google...

[NattPang]

16. That is on the schedule. As well as his meeting with Palestinian

Prime Minister.

[gateley]

9. It will be interesting -- and telling --

to look at the faces of the troops in the crowds. I'm guessing they will be filled with hope and excitement (kind of like at his rallies) and contrast those shots to the faces of the troops when McCain and Lieberman visited.

[RDANGELO]

10. So, why isn't Fox doing that?

Oh, thats right, Fox is the propaganda department of the Republican Party. I forgot.

[Drunken Irishman]

13. Because FOX News is cable.

This is for the nightly newscasts, which FOX Network (the television state) does not have.

[HerbieHeadhunter]

15. Great. Sounds like more good news then for Rudy Guiliani....

somehow.

[tridim]

17. Good, more cameras means more safety.

I don't trust Blackwater at all.

[Barack_America]

18. Wow. They certainly love to hate him.

:eyes:

This could be either a very good thing or a very bad thing. We shall see.

[crimsonblue]

19. but yet the networks want to cut back on DNC coverage?

How about they don't go overseas, and then BAM, they have money to cover the convention properly.

[NattPang]

20. quality of media coverage

never has anything to do with money.
it has to do with an agenda.
Remember that.

[still_one]

21. gee, isn't that special. where were the pricks the last five years? /nt

[Cha]

22. The three anchors...will there be any among them who

aren't giving a hostile interview?

We know gibson from the "they're turning on me" as in the job he did along with george in moderating the primary debate on abc.

katie even gave a hostile interview to the Edwards' that was beyond disgraceful..and brian williams loves him some rush limpbaughs.

They are the top mediawhores afterall.

[my3boyz]

25. Of course Barack would go to Europe the day after I leave. Ughhhh... oh well...

I will get to see him when he returns to Virginia again.....

[DeepModem Mom]

27. Awesome! nt