Our cowardly press: NBC's tough David Gregory v. stenographic David Gregory

[DeepModem Mom]

WP, "White House Briefing"
by Dan Froomkin

David Gregory v. David Gregory

In my Tuesday column , I noted that press secretary Tony Snow, in a podcast conducted by right-wing Power Line blogger John Hinderaker, astutely noted the dramatic difference between NBC News reporter David Gregory's combative questions in the briefing room and his on-air reports which, Snow said, do "an effective job of laying out our point of view."

Here's tough, skeptical David Gregory yesterday at the press conference : "So why shouldn't the American people conclude that this is nothing from you other than semantic, rhetorical games and all politics two weeks before an election?"

Here's stenographic NBC Nightly News David Gregory on the air yesterday: "With political pressure over the war bearing down on this White House, the president was somber today as he acknowledged the public anxiety and anger over Iraq. But at the same time, he was also insistent that U.S. losses in Iraq are worth it."

The only skepticism in his report: a 10-second sound bite from Democratic Senator Joseph Biden.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/blog/2006/10/26/BL2006102600725_pf.html

[fooj]

1. Don't trust Gregory...

I NEVER have.

[KoKo]

3. He plays both sides against the middle...and appears on Imus way too

often. As much of a cutey as he is...there's just something about David that knows how to play the game.

l

[fooj]

7. There's something weird about David, period.

Can't put my finger on it...

[burythehatchet]

2. I posted this long ago....

General Electric.

Gregory's role is pretty obvious to me - raise the temp early in the press conference so the rest of the room naturally feels like the "major issue" has been covered and when its their turn they really can't go after Scotty. (Except Helen, of course).

I don't believe that Gregory and Scotty's exchanges are honest.

[grasswire]

4. Scotty? (eom)

[Justice Is Comin]

5. Which has a bigger audience, MSNBC or C-Span?

He's always more marshmallow on MSNBC. Has to give that appearance of unbiased reporter. The old days are gone.

[leftchick]

6. I would be curious to know

if his nightly reports are heavily edited by GE before he reads them on air.