The Press Gets Its Victory Bash

I'd be less concerned over the media standing for Obama but not Bush if they weren't continuing to lie down on the job just as they did in the campaign. Maybe there's hope now that they have their not so private little victory party out of the way. This rationalization by CBS' Mark Knoller is so contorted, it qualifies as part of the media circus around Obama.

When some reporters stood up for President Obama last Friday, they forgot about the needs of their colleagues in the back of the room as well as the less formal atmosphere of the briefing room. Certainly it was a sign of respect for the president, but not one of disrespect for his predecessor.

Actions still speak louder than words for most of us. The fact that the media didn't stand for Bush points to a level of respect that is less than what it has for Obama. Saying it simply wasn't disrespect falls well short of the impartiality we're told they bring to their work. Obviously, they aren't impartial at all.

Why not just be honest and say they were thrilled to finally get a chance to celebrate their victory alone with the Big Guy, as it were, and get on with the show? The media blew it in November and with a few notable exceptions, hasn't done a very good job of acquitting itself since. They don't deserve to be let off the hook.

Comments

[Tully]

They kept the camera at shoulder level to conceal the bowing and scraping.

[Lala]

They snapped to. Like automatons.

They were standing at attention like the good soldiers of O that they are.

[templar knight]

They had to stand up, Dan, they had a tingle running down their legs. Lighten up on them a bit. They are still trying to sober up.

[Jack is Back]

What's with Mike Emanuel's explanation of when Bush was President you had to watch for all the cables and stuff on the floor but not now? You mean even with the addition of a teleprompter there are now less cables and stuff so you can now stand up with out fear of tripping and falling down? Give me a break. How naive do they (including now, Fox) think we are?

[Paul in NJ]

Yes, actions speak louder than words. Perhaps an enterprising blogger (in the absence of enterprising journalists) will keep an eye on this issue. When they STOP rising for Obama, let us know.

[Mary Jo]

So in love with him it's a surprise they did stand up, er, rise, er...

[nishna]

Gee, look, they stand for Bush too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZkKTTZuxO8

[ron nord]

They stood up like the good soldiers they are in Obama's new Propaganda Corps. Is there any lie they won't tell or any fact they won't shade or any misstep or crime they wouldn't conceal if their master asked. They stood with the smiles of simpletons and some if you watch the actions actually bowed like Obama did with Abdullah. When the country needs the vital information that a press can give them, they line up to join the "Ministry of Truth."

[IslamoLlama]

It's a conspiracy and the media is in on it!

[Lala]

Lame-o is finally seeing the light!

[Jim T]

Obama and company are so sure of their loyalty, they even threaten people with the wrath of the White House Press Corps, isn't that special? We know one thing for sure, the success of the Democrats, in 2006 and 2008 depended a great deal on the support of the media. There is little doubt that they had that and continue to have it (just look at the coverage of the tea party protests). Most people are beginning to figure out there's no sense in watching the network news, especially if you're looking for the truth.

[mark l.]

this is like a made for TV presidency.

personally, I'm dying to see the first "official" obama movie. I'd avoid using Dennis Haysbert in the role, unless they want to make obama look competent.

(no word if there was a teleprompter asking those in the press to stand if their company needs a bailout)

[BK]

They were enchanted.

[Swamp Rabbit]

OsamaHusseinIslamObama 2012'
(the terrorist/pirates/medias choice)
-It's never to early to campaign-

That is all for now.

[Melvin Winter]

On the subject of Obama-worship, check out this Onion-style parody:

http://optoons.blogspot.com/2009/03/photographer-disciplined-for-snapping.html

[rrr]

Nishna must hope nobody really follows the link. The press reluctantly get up, most only 3/4 rise, and then are all seated before Bush gets to the podium. Yet Nishna's messiah has to tell the reporters to sit down. So, I'll concede, on Bush's VERY LAST press conference they stand, grudgingly. But only in the mind of a true believer is there any but the most superficial connection in the press' response. Keep looking in that mirror and telling yourself how wonderful you are, Nish, to have exposed how the press loved Bush as much as they love messiah. You and your messiah will go far that way. I wonder Nish, if you could dig one out from one of Bush's early pressers. Nah, might be damaging to your true faith . . .

[PA]

This will end as soon as they see next years tax bill and find out that they're all considered "rich" now.

[mark l.]

May 1-press gives standing "o"...(was the appearance scheduled? part of the "standing" might be attributable to a rxn to surprise appearance of the messiah)

May 4-Thomas Lauria has told ABC News that, "Steve Rattner, the leader of the Obama administration's Auto Industry Task Force, threatened one of the firms, an investment bank, that if it continued to oppose the administration's Chrysler bankruptcy plan, the White House would use the White House press corps to destroy its reputation."

May 5-death threats are being reported to have occurred against the investment group Lauria represents. (napolitano to the rescue?)

This will end badly. I don't see the press backing off the 'paid program level of audience wonderment' style of reporting. the strategy only works if news remains sunny. Rainy days come, and everyone will start bitching at the weathermen and the weather in general. There are too many polices with less than 50% national support that barry is pushing up the hill. If the press stops helping him with the pushing, the weight will collpase on obama.

It would help if he had stronger advocates, but just looking at the level compared to bush, obama is on his own.
Ridge&Chertoff/Napolitano
Cheney/Biden
Ashcroft/Holder (although it would be a draw if compared to gonzales)
Rice/Clinton
Thompson/Sebilius
O'Neill/Geithner

while one may be critical of the policies of team bush, for the most part thye were on the same page and had to stand up on their own. Any level of scrutiny near what team bush encountered and team obama would crumble like a cookie. 100 days in? ehhh...

I'll wait 700 to pass judgment.

[mark l.]

"This will end badly."

tales of death threats against high ranking executives is bleeding thru the sub rosa(the freddie mac suicide had a guard, AIG/Lauria death threats). while we may be out a recession soon, the level of unemployment is still going to rise, producing angry people with half the retirement gone and no near term job prospects at previous pay levels.

Holder should be obligated to address this matter, if for no other reason than to save the federal govt money...
this type on environment will produce thousands of 'minor cases' of death threats across state lines, which would require federal investment of time, money, and resources to investigate and prosecute each case. The primary danger is that if a disgruntled individual does in fact carry out an attempted murder, the spillover from the more modest crimes of 'threats' will keep federal prosecutors tied up for the rest of obama's admin. This is something they really need to get out in front of.

[nishna]

Yeah, Team Bush, AKA as The Team That Got Everything Wrong.

As for Thomas Lauria, seeems he embellished his story just a bit. Even his old employer says he's full of it:

"A Perella Weinberg Partners spokesperson told ABC News on Sunday that “The firm denies Mr. Lauria’s account of events.”* The spokesperson would not elaborate."

[mark l.]

so nishna...
you knew about the bodyguards on freddie mac execs, before the guy killed himself?

"seeems he embellished his story just a bit."
just curious, how many other execs, working for the govt, have been given govt protection. The most similar case I have heard of is from Mexico, where govt officials are under govt protection from the mexican cartels. Obama is playing fast and lose with the populist rhetoric...no chance he would address the fact that the US is now providing security for execs, or more importantly, why.

[nishna]

You're delusional.

[LOL]

This is perhaps the dumbest fauxtrage yet.

They didn't stand for Bush in that clip because they would have obscured the camera angle on him. There is plenty of video of the press standing for Bush.

[JustOneMan]

Gee...most of the time when King Barry is standing in front of a reporter the reporter is ususlly on their knees...doing...um....er....well you know....giving him an oral report!

[Lala]

I hear Andrew Cuomo is being told to lay off on his pension probe shenanigans as it's spreading all over the US. Rattner involved.

[SacTownMan]

"Gee...most of the time when King Barry is standing in front of a reporter the reporter is ususlly on their knees...doing...um....er....well you know....giving him an oral report!"

Sorry but I think you have Xerxes confused with the previous Democratic administration, though the Dems in power do seem to have a problem controlling their libido.

Who needs marriage vows anyway? Well besides Perez Hilton!

[Shawn]

Actually, this story is one that finally made sense to me. Look at the 'new media' guys who are in the WH press room (including BET). I am not surprised that these newbies didn't know the standard and stood up. As much as it pains me to say this -- I think it's probably right. Freshmen in the room leads to screwing the cameramen.