Barack Obama may be forging a unique identity for himself. Our analysis shows more media outlets are beginning to question the President’s control over his media perception.
U.S. News and World Report says the media had its feathers ruffled and eyebrows raised after it was revealed that Press Secretary Robert Gibbs had compiled a list of reporters to call on during conferences.
“Some reporters were surprised and troubled that White House officials arranged for Obama to call on Nico Pitney of the liberal Huffington Post website…but the arrangement seemed too scripted for many members of the press corps.”
Before a townhall meeting on health care which took place in Annandale, VA yesterday, Press Secretary Gibbs, and White House Correspondents Helen Thomas and Chip Reid had this combative exchange of words concerning the ways Obama’s administration filters the media.
Reid “Even if there's a tough question, it's a question coming from somebody who was invited or was screened, or the question was screened.”
Thomas: “It's a pattern of controlling the press.”
Gibbs: “How so? Is there any evidence currently going on that I'm controlling the press--poorly, I might add.”
Thomas: “Your formal engagements are pre-packaged.”
Gibbs: “How so?”
Reid: “Well, and controlling the public—”
Thomas: “How so? By calling reporters the night before to tell them they're going to be called on. That is shocking.” (C-SPAN)
The questions for Obama’s town hall meeting yesterday were pre-selected. This clip from CNN has media talking and some question Obama’s motives.
“I’m just trying to figure out how I’m going to make it nine years until I’m qualified to get my regular social security now that I have a new tumor and I have no way to treat it.”
“Come on over here. We’ll get your information and we’ll see how we can help you. I don’t want you to feel alone.”
“Wouldn’t you just like to think that the President just decided to hug this woman and comfort her?...“you come to the point where you look at this and you’ve got Helen Thomas going ‘This is shocking what you’re doing. We can’t even believe that this is an authentic and serious hug.’”
The Korea Times offers a neutral international perspective and turns the table declaring an economic decline in media to be the heart of Obama’s ability to control it.
“Newspapers that would never have dreamed of letting a president go uncovered are now nowhere to be seen, leaving a vacuum to be filled by online reporters with only a smidgen of experience or understanding.”
Has the media become a pawn of Obama’s by manipulation?
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