Gannongate: It's worse than you think - Salon.com 2/23/05

[Al-CIAda]

Gannongate: It's worse than you think
Bush's press office gave Jim Guckert access, even knowing his only credentials were from the blatantly partisan group GOPUSA.

- - - - - - - - - - - -
By Eric Boehlert



Feb. 23, 2005  |  When the press first raised questions about why Jim Guckert had been awarded access to the White House press room for two years running while he worked for Talon News, critics charged that Talon, with its amateurish standards and close working ties to Republican activists, did not qualify as a legitimate news organization. It turns out the truth is even stranger: Guckert was waved into the White House while working for an even more blatantly partisan organization, GOPUSA.

White House press secretary Scott McClellan originally told reporters that Guckert was properly allowed into press briefings because he worked for an outlet that "published regularly." But that's when the questions were about Talon. More recently McClellan offered up a new rationale. Asked by Editor and Publisher magazine how the decision was made to allow a GOPUSA correspondent in, McClellan said, "The staff assistant went to verify that the news organization existed." (Emphasis added.)

That, apparently, was the lone criterion the press office used when Guckert (aka Jeff Gannon) approached it in February 2003 seeking a pass for White House briefings. Not yet working for Republican-friendly Talon News, which came into existence in April 2003, Guckert, using an alias and with no journalism experience whatsoever, was writing on a voluntary basis for a Web site dedicated to promoting Republican issues. To determine whether Guckert would gain entrance to the press room, normally reserved for professional journalists working for legitimate, recognized and independent news organizations, the press office simply logged on to the Internet and confirmed that GOPUSA "existed," and then quickly approved Guckert's access. In a White House obsessed, at least publicly, with security and where journalists cannot even move between the White House and the nearby Old Executive Building without a personal escort, Guckert's lenient treatment was likely unprecedented.

Yet, if there's one other person who did manage to receive the same type of kid-glove treatment from the White House press office, it was Guckert's boss at GOPUSA and later at Talon News, Bobby Eberle. A Texas-based Republican activist and a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 2000, Eberle founded Talon News after he became concerned that the name GOPUSA might appear to have a "built-in bias." With no journalism background, he too was able to secure a White House press pass, in early 2003, on the strength of representing GOPUSA, dedicated to "spreading the conservative message throughout America."

-----

To obtain a day pass during the Clinton administration, a reporter "had to make the case as to why that day was unique and why had to cover the White House from inside the gates instead of outside," Lockhart says.

So the mystery remains: How did Guckert, with absolutely no journalism background and working for a phony news organization, manage to adopt the day-pass system as his own while sidestepping a thorough background check that might have detected his sordid past? That's the central question the White House refuses to address. And like its initial explanation that Guckert received his press pass the same way other journalists do, the notion first put out by White House officials that they knew little or nothing about GOPUSA/Talon News, its correspondent Guckert or its founder Eberle has also melted away. Instead, we now know, former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer personally spoke with Eberle about GOPUSA, so concerned was Fleischer that it was not an independent organization. (Eberle convinced Fleischer that it was.) Additionally, Guckert attended the invitation-only White House press Christmas parties in 2003 and 2004, and last holiday season, in a personal posting on GOPUSA, Eberle thanked Karl Rove for his "assistance, guidance, and friendship."


Con't-

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2005/02/23/more_gannon/

[98geoduck]

1. Time magazine devoted a whole 1 inch piece on the story

Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2005

The mysterious tale of JIM GUCKERT continues to unfold on the Web two weeks after the White House reporter (using the nom de laptop Jeff Gannon) resigned. THE DAILY KOS and other blogs forced the issue--prompted by two years of Guckert's asking outrageously slanted questions--by drawing attention to his dubious credentials as an employee of the G.O.P.-aligned Talon News site. Blogs like AMERICABLOG last week gleefully dug up gay-escort sites that feature Guckert, and former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer admitted off-line that he looked into Guckert's partisanship as far back as two years ago.

From the Feb. 28, 2005 issue of TIME magazine

I really like how they state "Blogs like AMERICABLOG last week gleefully dug up gay-escort sites that feature Guckert"

[Erika]

4. Gannon is/was a WH pimp

No more, no less. I watched all of his questions posed as shown by MSNBC.

[Tuttle]

19. Is that on their site?

I'd like to see that.

Tut-tut

[stanwyck]

14. Yes, a tiny "comic" blurb

on the Gannon story. I think they're attempting to cover their ass so if/when Gannon's benefactor becomes known, at least they can say they printed something. Although what they did publish is laughable. Gannon seems incidental to their blog focus.
The White House having a prostitute using an alias breeze past all security in a post 9-11 world and gain unprecedented access is a legitimate news story. Not a cute little humorous sideline. TIME should be ashamed.

[llmart]

15. Time is a rightwing rag that whores for Bush......

as much as Gannon did. I wouldn't wipe my ass with that magazine.
(One of my late father's phrases.)

[coloradodem2005]

2. Whoa what a tangled web we weave.

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

3. Gannon couldn't secure a Capitol Hill pass

snip

...in the past, a reporter seeking a permanent White House press pass has had to first secure credentials to cover Capitol Hill. Without those, the White House would not submit the application for a background check. But even though Guckert failed to secure Capitol Hill credentials, the White House waved him into press briefings for nearly two years using what's called a day pass. Those passes are designed for temporary use by out-of-town reporters who need access to the White House, not for indefinite use by reporters who flunk the Capitol Hill test.

---------------

I'm glad Eric Boehlert is covering this story. His investigation uncovered paid shill Michael McManus. Who knows what else he'll find...

[burrowowl]

5. And Helen Thomas is

relegated to the back seat!
SHAME ON THE MSM! SHAME ON BU$H AND CO! SHAME ON SPINELESS DEMOCRATS!

[Sivafae]

6. ^Exactly what I think. N/T

[burrowowl]

8. Welcome to DU, Sivafae!

:toast:

[Paradise]

20. Amen! n/t

[0007]

22. Shame shame shame ...........

My God! 0rganized crime is ruining our country

[DearAbby]

46. Helen Thomas being shoved to the back is shameful actions by the Right

She has paid her dues, being in the white house press corps for years. The shameful acts of these people, just one of many that get sucked into the black hole what is today called "News"

Why does the public just sit, thus allowing it and more to happen? The press today has failed the public...Next time the FCC announcement for comments on the station's performance...should be a national call, to all to comment on their failures. We should demand free and unbiased News. Until that time, my TeeVee remains off. Cable disconnected. I will not pay for propaganda.

[demo dutch]

62. I don't think the media enjoys being duped, hence they're

finally jumping on it. See Gannon's interview on the Today's Show, it wasn't exactly flattering

[DulceDecorum]

7. Do you think that the neo-cons set this whole thing up

once they found out that the FBI was trying to bust them for espionage?
It really does cast a lot of doubt on the ability of the FBI to conduct a proper investigation, don't you think?

[sendero]

17. I really doubt..

... if the FBI was ever asked to look into this guy. Trust me, they are not that incompetent.

I'm still not sold on the idea that Gannon was "on purpose". They just got caught doing something stupid, not the first time, nor will it be the last.

Their arrogance makes them thing they can get away with anything, and if you look at the record, its not hard to understand why. If you can sell a bogus war to the American public, how hard can it be to sell a Gannon.

Also, if WH pimping is involved - I'll bet dollars to doughnuts that Dems are also involved and that is why they are not worried about it. They did not really consider the blog factor.

[demo dutch]

63. I agree, remember how they goofed on the Homeland Security

nominee Bernard Kerik. FBI was never asked to check-out Gannon, because obviously he got clearance by someone in the Whitehouse. Anyone see the Bill Mayer's piece with Leslie Stahl (6o min) she seems pretty motivated to get to the bottom of this. Other then the obvious reasons, I think the press is motivated to get the rest of the Gannon story because they hate getting duped. We will get to the bottom of this!

[oasis]

9. We're riding Gannon all the way to the frontdoor step of 1600 Pennslyvania

Avenue. Fasten your seat belts.

[zann725]

10. Yahoo!

n/t

[ClintonTyree]

38. It's pretty much there.............

As to how Eberle got a press pass himself, let alone Gannon, the article links to GOPUSA's own website. This is from last year's Christmas "issue";

"In particular, I'd like to thank Terri Hillhouse and the entire GOPUSA team for their drive, dedication, and support. I'd also like to send a special thank you to all those who personally provided me with their assistance, guidance, and friendship, including Kathleen Eberle, Bruce Eberle, Mike Hiban, Don Stewart, Paul Teller, Tim Goeglein, Stuart Richens, Matt Smith, Jen Ohman, Bob Johnson, Liz Sheld, Julie Cram, Phillip Stutts, Chuck Muth, Grover Norquist, Karl Rove, and G. Gordon Liddy."

"In 2005, we will continue to move forward by bringing you new features, a redesigned web site, and the quality news, commentary, and discussions you have come to expect".

http://www.gopusa.com/misc/christmas_2004.shtml

So it appears that all of these wonderful scoops and unfettered access, as it pertains to the White House, came from the only White House employee listed there, Karl Rove. Mighty fine of you, Karl, you beady eyed, pudgy little turd.

[UKCynic]

60. G. Gordon Liddy

Now that's a name I remember. This has potential. Shame the Washington Post isn't still interested in investigative journalism.

[chomskysright]

48. KICK IT!!!!

[FuzzyDicePHL]

11. kick

:kick:

[leftchick]

12. God, I wish we had a real media to work this over...

I LOVE Joe Lockhart and would give anything to see him on tweety's show talking about this....


~snip~
This is not how the White House press office has traditionally worked. "When I was there we didn't let political operatives in. It was completely contrary to what the press room should be used for," says Joe Lockhart, who served as White House press secretary to President Clinton during his second term. Asked what would have happened if a reporter from a clearly partisan operation, say "Democrats Today," had requested a White House press pass, Lockhart said that if the chief of the Democratic National Committee were attending an event at the White House, then perhaps the Democrats Today reporter might be allowed in for that one day. "But to be admitted as a reporter and sit in a chair and act like a reporter" for months on end the way Guckert did? "No," said Lockhart, "that's not within the realm of what proper."

[Disturbed]

13. The Whore Media is emberassed because...

a blogger lead the way to this scandal. Also, the Whore Media knows how complicit they have been with the Bush Junta and they don't want an investigation of them.

[Rockholm]

29. A Television Reporter I Know Basically Confirmed This.

Speaking with him yesterday, I asked him why his local channel and network were not covering this story. He said that this was started on the Internet and that is where the networks want it kept.
In addition, he said that their reporting on this story would make Gannon "legitimate."
His final thought was that there is some "code" amongst journalists that they do not report on each other. He referenced the Jason Blair/NYT "scandal." I totally contested each of his assertions. I think I got my points across.

Folks, the media IS the PROBLEM here. We all know this. Actually, BushCo is the problem. Why the Fuck can't someone, some NETWORK, stand up to these people. The bloggers have made it pretty clear that you don't need WH access to report on Washington.
Does anyone think for a second that a WH correspondent who flies on Air Force One can report on Bush critically? NO WAY. He/she would be escorted off the plane and would be banned. I saw David Gregory (who I used to like) shilling for Bush the other day on CBS. What a sham and what a shame.

[in_cog_ni_to]

30. The reporters do not report on each other? Oh really? DAN RATHER???

What was he? Chopped Liver? They selectively report on other reporters. It all depends on who the WH or KKKRove told them to report on.

[Rockholm]

31. You are right.....The key is "Selectively."

For the most part, the media lets the following have a free ride:
Rush, Hannity, Coulter, "Congressman" Joe, O'Reilly.
Librul media indeed.

[Tsiyu]

37. Can you say, "So scared they may pee their pants."???

What a bunch of wimps American journalists are.

The more I see the way people compromise everything right and good just to get another paycheck, the happier I am to be unemployed. What will it take for journalists to realize they are screwing themselves along with everyone else in this country?

[demo dutch]

61. Gannon was on the Today Show, seems Media is finally

jumping on it. Let's face the media doesn't like to be duped, so maybe they'll run with it.

[Up2Late]

43. Isn't Salon is the "Real Media/" I though the WP just bought them?

Or was that Slate? Who owns Salon?:shrug:

[dbt]

16. Eric Boehlert ROCKS!

His revelations about Clear Channel and "independent" record promoters a few years back were brilliant, to the point of forcing CC to stop the relationships, IMO. Somebody in the Media Borg must have seriously pissed him off somewhere along the way!

He needs to hear encouragement from all us DUers. Salon couldn't have put a better bulldog on this story!

:bounce:
dbt

[Name removed]

18. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Callboy]

21. Need more intensity. The Repubs would be squeezing

way more juice out of this.

[BobbyinPortland]

23. What can we do?

What can we do to help get this story out.

I'm not part of the news media, I don't know anyone that can do anything, so what can an everyday citizen do to help facilitate the fall of the Shrub?

I'll do whatever I can, just someone tell me what that should be?

[myrna minx]

25. Welcome to DU, BobbyinPortland.

:hi: You can start by writing a letter to the editor in your local paper expressing your outrage of the news blackout of this story. Do you have a weekly paper, like the http://www.citypages.com/? If so, you can email all of the info that you have collected to them. Hopefully they will write an article that will reach tens of thousands. These are just a couple of suggestions that can empower the American citizen that is outraged. :-)

[janetle]

32. Geez! I feel the same way--so frustrating!

[rasputin1952]

33. The firs thing you can do is e-mail rhe MSM and your local media...

by being courtewous, oyu can explain why this affects ALL of Journalism. The MSM wants to know why they are losing the News battles...here it is on a silver platter...They don't do their jobs.

This particular situation is a slap in the face for anyone who considers themselves a Journalist. Ifv they want to cover it up, they will lose even more respect and they will be the element of their own demise. If they cab\n't figure out that honesty in Journalism is the single most important position they can take, they NEED to go the wy of the dinosaur.

Just aly it on the line to every news organization you can...I've been writing to everyone, right down to my local paper/radio news station...:)

[skypilot]

24. Could someone tell me....

...how to get to the Salon Premium article AFTER I finish watching that damned Verizon ad? I can't figure it out to save my life. Thanks.

[Misunderestimator]

26. Directly under the graphic "Now Playing on Your Phone" is "Enter Salon"

link. It shows up after the ad is finished (only about 15 seconds) and is above the link for "Difficulties viewing this page? Click here."

[ArchTeryx]

27. How-to...

Just wait for a little while. A link will appear beneath the ad for you to enter Salon. If it doesn't follow the 'trouble viewing' link, and try again.

Unlike most Salon ads, this one isn't animated so it's hard to tell when it's 'over'.

[skypilot]

28. Misunderestimator and ArchTeryx

Thanks to you both.

[Hamsta1]

34. RED ROVER

Additionally, Guckert attended the invitation-only White House press Christmas parties in 2003 and 2004, and last holiday season, in a personal posting on GOPUSA, Eberle thanked Karl Rove for his "assistance, guidance, and friendship."

-Guckert simply gave Rove a reach-around.

[Danascot]

35. If anyone still has any doubt

that someone like JimmyJeff could gain access without explicit WH authorization, take a look at this real reporter's story about his difficulties in gaining access.

"They are the most diligent people on earth when it comes to finding out where genuine reporters are and what they are doing."

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-gleaner,1,1375290.story?coll=chi-news-hed&ctrack=1&cset=true

[Norquist Nemesis]

36. Timeline...

2000 - Eberle at RNC convention as a delegate

July 9, 2001 - GOPUSA issues press release announcing Board of Directors

February 2003 - Guckert/Gannon asks and receives day pass

April 2003 - Talon News launched by Eberle

May 19, 2003 - Ari Fleischer announces resignation (told Bush on previous Friday)
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/19/politics/19CND-SPOK.html?ex=1109307600&en=230efeec82b7d54b&ei=5070

Time to dig a little deeper into that 2000 to July 2001 period.

[McCamy Taylor]

39. Good job!I thought Salon had lost it, but I guess they found it again!

:headbang:

[Name removed]

40. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Mr. Sinister]

41. Jeff Gannon deserves way more than $200

if he could 'do' Karl Rove. I can't imagine
how much viagra would have to be consumed
to withstand the libido-crushing presence
of that repulsive pile of pale jelly. I'm
just saying....

[Blue Gardener]

55. Welcome to DU Mr. Sinister

Your post made me chuckle.

[Mr. Sinister]

56. Thanks, BG!

I've lurked forever but I'm feeling more chatty
these days. Perhaps it's the 'barrel over the
waterfalls' sensation of W Pt.2.

[opihimoimoi]

42. What to do with a Gay loving Administration which projects anti Gay

shit to make the Dems the Gay Party while they themselves are no different than the rest of us.....?

Expose them for what they are....wanna be's..

Peter Clones and Position Whores.... the scourge of any civilization

[riverwalker]

44. email list for entire WH press corp

for your files ;)

http://www.takebackthemedia.com/press-corps.html

[Southsideirish]

45. I wish Larry Flynt would offer Guckert $1,000,000.00 to tell the world

who his WH contact was.

[not fooled]

47. Great Idea!

I wish Larry Flynt would offer Guckert $1,000,000.00 to tell the world"

Of course, Flynt would also have to provide a lifetime of "Witness Protection" or JimmieJeff would no doubt turn up seriously deceased before long.


:scared:

[ClayZ]

49. Head lines GOOGLE NEWS Google Jeff Gannon in the News section

Google < Jeff Gannon > in the News section:

Look what comes up first right now!


Jeff Gannon, GOP Pedophilia & Male Prostitution


That will frost some cookies! YIKES! THE SHIT HITTETH THE FAN!




:toast:

[Mist]

50. Gannon/Guckert should talk sooner rather than later

or he WILL end up dead. Once he's talked, it might look too suspicious for him to "suicide."

[pokercat999]

59. Look for Jimmy/Jeff to

OD on smack or have a fatal car/small plane accident if this story continues to gain strength. If the story dies down look for him to contact HIV/Aides. One way or the other this dumb bastard is gone.

[Nomadic]

51. Media Matters for America is now podcasting

"Podcast: Media Matters for America" - http://mediamatters.org/etc/podcast.html

[BrightKnight]

53. Podcasting is a great idea.

I just sent an email to AAR requesting that that they look into the idea. I imagine that iTunes and Real Rhapsody would be willing to distribute the program for a small download fee.

[lovuian]

52. Hey lets all get a website and go get a pass to the Whitehouse

Eberle and Rove = buddies

[texasdem99]

54. That's a great article

We need to make sure we keep this story alive.

[aureolinus]

57. Great article indeed.

[Judi Lynn]

58. This is outrageous. From the article posted above:

Just how blatantly the White House press office looked the other way in regard to Guckert and his dubious status as a legitimate reporter comes into stark relief when examining his attempt to secure a similar press pass to cover Capitol Hill. Guckert submitted his application in December 2003 to the Standing Committee of Correspondents, a press group in charge of handing out credentials. In April 2004, the committee denied Guckert's request. Writing to Guckert, committee chairman Jim Drinkard outlined three clear deficiencies in Guckert's application:

1) "Committee guidelines require that on-line publications 'must charge a market rate fee for subscription or access, or carry paid advertising at current market rates.' You have not demonstrated to the committee's satisfaction that Talon News has any paid subscribers, that paid client newspapers publish Talon News stories, or that it is supported by advertising."

2) "The application for accreditation to the press galleries states that 'members of the press shall not engage in lobbying or paid advertising, publicity, promotion, work for any individual, political party, corporation, organization, or agency of the Federal Government.' Talon News has not demonstrated to the satisfaction of the committee that there is a separation from GOPUSA."

3) "Gallery rules and the application state that the principal income of correspondents must be obtained from news correspondence intended for publication in newspapers or news services. The committee feels that paying a single reporter a 'stipend' does not meet the intent of the rule."
(snip)

Why should _Bush's administration get by with this? WHY?

Thanks for posting this article.