Press conference

[Nightjock]

I thought I was pretty astute about the political world and than I found this wonderful website and discovered there are quite a few people who know more than me.

But I am VERY troubled and would appreciate a bit of input from those of you who live, breath and eat politics.

I am looking forward to President Selects press conferance tonight because I feel he will expose himself for the moron he is and it will only help to pry him out of the White House.

But as I eat my lunch and sort through some posts here I am becoming alarmed.

Is it REALLY possible that he could pre select reporters and questions as some of you are claiming???!!!
I cannot fathom he could get away with that!
Those reporters left out would scream bloody murder....wouldn't they?

I know there are some alarmists and conspiracy theory people here (and for good reason) BUT PLEASE TELL ME BUSH DOES NOT HAVE THIS WHOLE THING TONIGHT STAGED LIKE SOME BAD PLAY! (?)

Please tell me it's not true.

[Cocoa]

1. it will not be staged

all the important questions about how Bush's faith guides him will be asked.

[kanrok]

2. I'd LOVE to tell you that it's not gonna be staged!

But then, I'd be lying. Did you happen to catch his "press conference" just after the invasion? If that wasn't staged, I'm a conservative. He will surely have the questions fed to him, and a seating chart. Helen Thomas will NOT be allowed to ask him anything. Book it.

[anarchy1999]

3. Sorry for disillusioning you. The "red pill" can be hard to swallow.

Last press conference was a staged event. Any of you have links to help Nightjock?

Helen Thomas was a lock out. Was that one really the last one? I don't remember another since, but I must be wrong.

[Nightjock]

8. I feel sick to my stomach

Is it even worth watching tonight?

Is it possible that (with all that is happening right now) he can pull this off?

Is there any chance I can see him melt down in front of the world like the Nazi's at the end of "Raiders of the Lost Arc"?

[arcane1]

4. he's had scripted press conferences before

I even have a video clip at home of Bush reminding reporters that it's scripted, and the reporters are chosen in advance...

sad but true

[MsUnderstood]

6. Want to know what is saddest of all

The fresno bee, my hometown newspaper wrote an article saying how wonderful it will be that the president will hold a press conference and the newspaper hopes that "the questions will be penetrating, and that the president will not try to get by with answers long on homilies and short on detail." http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/story/8432381p-9266513c.html

That made me laugh and cry all at the same time. The paper hopes their brethren will throw out PENETRATING QUESTIONS (isn't that the job of the press to investigate--why do we have to hope for it?) and that the president will not try to get by with hokey answers (ha, when have we seen different).

IMHO, this press conference is a staged event for Bush's election. He is gonna bring up issues that he feels will get him an election: gay marriage, the "strong economy" and his tax cuts. People dying in Iraq? Well that is their job. Don't let those evil doers stop us from doing my job.

(edited to add link)

[arcane1]

10. can almost envision the Bee editors laughing when they wrote that

but you are right, this conference is really nothing more than a campaign sound-bite generator

:evilfrown:


Still, would love it if "stretch" or someone hits him with a good one. I want to see that "who are you talkin' to?" asshole Bush that most of 'Murika doesn't see...

[radfringe]

5. it may not be "staged"

but you bet your booties that it will be scripted

bush* will have a list of "friendlies" that will be allowed to "ask" questions.. any reporter/journalist in there that has ever shown anything but big-time-butt-kissing WON'T be called on to ask a question

Cheney is in China -- so he won't be there to hold bush*'s hand, but hiding in the wings with a transmitter connected to bush*'s ear will be Rove, whispering the answers and telling him who to call on next

this whole thing is a campaign stump speech in an effort to salvage bush*'s polling numbers

So yes it will be scripted, controlled and choreographed right down the "friendlies" being protrate in front of bush*

[jackstraw45]

7. Read this USA Today article from 3/03

http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2003-03-09-media-mix_x.htm

Bush has media walking a fine line

As the potential for war against Iraq grows stronger, the White House press corps faces a delicate challenge: how to balance its obligation to hold President Bush accountable while respecting the challenges he faces at a critical time in history.

(cut)

Nowhere was that more apparent than last week, when Bush called a rare prime-time news conference, which networks and cable outlets covered.

There, Bush made two unprecedented moves that could signal the way he and his administration plan to handle — some say intimidate — the media during wartime.

(cut)

[salin]

9. There was a press conference within the past year

in which bush slipped up and the staging became apparent. I can't recall the details - something about how he called on someone (maybe said something like isn't such and such next... but not while looking up and calling at random on reporters - or did he start answering the question before it was asked?) Someone should either remember the details or have the video clip.

It is also well known that even back in his Dad's Whitehouse the press corps was selected (who could and could not attend) based on the previous coverage by both the reporter and the news source. For a clue as to whether or not this has continued... guess who played an active role in scouring media coverage and setting out the "black list" (those to not give access too)... it was the president's son (at least during the 1988 campaign - and I believe into the presidency)... W.

This seems to be supported by the oft repeated story where W is drunk (just before he sobers up) and approaches WSJ writer Al Hunt, his wife Judy Woodruff, and their kids... and curses at Al Hunt based on something Hunt had written about Poppy.

There is no question that there will be a degree of scripting with tonight's press conference. Be it just selection of reporters, down to determining who will be allowed to ask questions and in what order. Can't say whether or not there will be scripting of particular questions (be it presubmitted questions, or giving reporters parameters of what can be asked before the event.)

[arcane1]

11. He read "John King" as part of his frikkin ANSWER

because King was next on the list to be called on.. Bush is answering a question and finishes it with "blah blah blah John King" and then gets a confused look.

so he mumbled that this conference was "a scripted...."

[salin]

13. hehe... I knew someone would recall the details

it was not one of his better moments.

[arcane1]

14. I have the vid clip at home on the other pc

and in moments of masochism I watch them :silly:

[salin]

15. would you have any way to post it (after you get home)

- send it to someone who has a server from which it can be uploaded to DU? Would be a sort of funny juxtaposition to the show we will see tonight.

[arcane1]

16. I would be delighted to

do you know anyone who could post it? I don't have any space for it :(

[salin]

17. bet a new thread would get several offers

[arcane1]

18. good idea

the sad thing is I won't even get home until after it starts :evilfrown:

[Bridget Burke]

12. It will be staged, but he's a bad performer.

Even with all the advanced coaching, selected reporters & possible pre-taping, it won't be easy for him.

He'll still be sweating & looking stupid. Just think, if one slightly hard-hitting question made it through, he'd be in deep doodoo.

So, watch it with these reservations & hope for flubs.