Obama rewarding local stations in battleground states with biggest ‘get’ in TV news

[alp227]

...as Obama keeps the White House press corps at a distance, he has sat for more than a dozen interviews with their colleagues from local TV stations — with unpredictable and sometimes illuminating results.

One Miami reporter Obama recently invited to the White House was still so nervous when the interview was over that she stood to leave before removing the wired microphone from her lapel. Obama called out to stop her. “We don’t want a wardrobe malfunction,” he said.

An anchor from the ABC affiliate in Cincinnati swiped paper towels embossed with the presidential seal from a White House bathroom, “just to prove that I really was there.” Of course, she had additional proof of her visit: an interview with the president that aired on television. Nonetheless, she held up the towels for the camera in a live shot from the White House lawn.

A veteran anchor from Philadelphia’s ABC station used the opportunity to grill an irritated-sounding Obama on the hot topic of the day, telling the president his statements on U.S. military action in Libya had been confusing.

Full story: http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obama-rewarding-local-stations-in-key-states-with-biggest-get-in-tv-news/2011/03/24/AFitvclB_singlePage.html

[Clio the Leo]

1. I love these....

.... one on one .... Obama at his best.

[rpannier]

2. There are paper towels embossed with the presidential seal

That's weird. Not necessarily surprising.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

10. At least they didn't try to swipe

a pair of the president's (or first lady's) undergarments. :shrug:

[ekelly]

3. I think it's wierd, unnecessary and surprising.

[Drunken Irishman]

5. Uh why?

Most Americans get their news from local nightly news and their local newspaper.

You find it 'wierd' why? What's so weird about giving interviews to local news people?

If anything, it opens him up to more people in important states. People who probably wouldn't watch him give an interview to CBS News or CNN.

[jberryhill]

6. Gee... if a cheesy diner can have imprinted napkins, I think the White House can handle it

Heck, a lot of folks get them for wedding receptions, too!

[Davis_X_Machina]

4. This is an old GOP move....

...the first Reagan campaign perfected it, though Nixon in '66 and '67 seems to have thought it up, for use during the "New Nixon" roll-out.

[Keith Bee]

7. Good strategy

[Lasher]

8. I'll bet the White House press corps doesn't like this.

Good move.

[JoePhilly]

9. Smart.

[krawhitham]

11. way to stay classy Cincinnati