Boston Globe editorial examines the change in the Press Corp

[Killarney]

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2004/02/11/the_honeymoon_is_over_mr_bush/
The honeymoon is over, Mr. Bush

Bush has gotten a friendly press, until lately, for several reasons. First, the working press in the 2000 campaign experienced Bush as a nice, likable guy, while they experienced Al Gore as a stiff. Minor inconsistencies in Gore's statements got a working over, while more serious lapses by Bush were indulged. This friendly treatment carried over into his presidency.

Just when the press was getting skeptical, Bush benefited immensely from 9/11. There was a natural coming together behind the chief executive, and criticism of the president seemed almost unpatriotic. Bush's political operatives exploited this sentiment ruthlessly. Also, the White House staff works systematically to isolate reporters who do ask impertinent questions by denying them access.

Finally, Bush has had the advantage of a closely allied right-wing press, ranging from Fox News to The Wall Street Journal's editorialists, the Washington Times, The Weekly Standard, and the talk radio ditto-heads. There is no comparable propaganda machine among his critics.

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It goes on to say that the tide is turning and that the reporters have had a "bellyful" and independent reporting is back. They also said that "Once a president loses a docile press, he seldom gets it back." That's why yesterday's WH Press meeting is FANNYTASTIC because it shows that the tide has turned with the press and now we're going to get some real reporting. :) :toast:

[Loonman]

1. The Press is actually starting to do their jobs

Nice.


Now if wolf Blitzer would stop taking stacks of $100 bills from Karl Rove.....

[Kahuna]

4. LOL! Wolf is in it for the long haul.

He's such a dunce.

[skippysmom]

2. I was listening to part of the press briefing this morning

The corps smells blood.

Just hope it lasts...

[Kahuna]

3. That drubbing of McClellan was a nice start. I've never..

seen a bush press secretary worked over like that. Even David Gregory, who loves bush worked him over.