MSNBC's Chuck Todd complaining that the Obama WH isn't giving enough access

[sabra]

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/02/13/1794356.aspx

The White House bubble
Posted: Friday, February 13, 2009 11:18 AM by Chuck Todd


From NBC's Chuck Todd
Obviously, I'm one of the newbies here in the White House press corps so maybe I'm unfamiliar with the ways of how this place works. I have to say, nothing is more frustrating than covering an an actual event here at the White House if you at all believe in anything remotely having to do with the First Amendment.

For instance, today, the president gave a speech in the East Room to the business council, an audience of dozens of CEOs and major business leaders in America. As per usual, we're allowed to watch the event behind a ropeline. Ok, standard procedure for any event for any candidate, let alone a president. But unlike public events, here at the White House, when the event ends, we get no access to the audience unless the audience happens to amble up to the ropeline and chat with the press.

Today, it was so bad that we were kept behind closed doors so that these CEOs and other business leaders could leave without accidentally mingling with us poor press peons. Once the CEOs were clear and escorted downstairs, then we were let out of our East Room pen. And it's not like we could rush over to the east side of the White House and find anyone left to interview about their role on this business council. By the time, a member of the press leaves out the one exit they can come in and out of, those guys and gals would be history. I'm sure most of them had cars at the ready to quickly get them to their next meeting.

When asked about why we were kept from mingling with the CEOs, the White House press office said it was simply a crowd issue, they didn't want us and the CEOs to be bumping into each other. Yes, there's a possibility that we could hold each other up from moving, creating some hallway gridlock. But we're all grown-ups and it's not like we're a crowd of thousands or even hundreds.

Seriously, is this the picture the White House wants? CEOs who come to the people's house and then get rushed out so they don't have to deal with press questions?

This beat has a lot of limitations; security takes precedent over access to much of the inner-workings of this place and it's understandable in many instances. But public events like the one the president held today ought to allow the press a tad more access to these guests who are apparently involved in some of the people's business of the day. Just because a previous admin has "always done it this way" doesn't mean it's the way things should continue to be done.

Message control is something every White House wants but sometimes when a White House attempts to control a message too much, they can irritate the press to the point that we all stop even paying attention to their message of the day. Just ask the previous occupant.

:eyes:

[Clio the Leo]

1. Oh, go fellate a pen Chuckie. NT

[ClarkUSA]

2. Where was his complaints about the First Amendment during the reign of Bush II?

He worked for National Journal Hotline founded by a Republican prior to his MSNBC gig.

What a whiny-ass Chuck Todd has been from the get-go of his WH gig.

[liberal N proud]

3. Did Chucky make the comparison to the bu$h White House?

After all the secrecy of the bu$h regime, he has the nerve to complain about access to Obama?

:grr:

[Thrill]

4. Because we saw what happens when they let you talk to them. Tapper yesterday

trying to get the CAT CEO to contradict Obama.

[firedupdem]

5. Go away Todd

You've shown how much of a newbie you are asking dumb ass questions. Get some journalistic integrity and perhaps you will be given more access. Stop spinning everything into a negative and maybe you'll be shown more respect. Until then, scurry around like the rat you are!

[skeewee08]

6. OK I am going to say it this guy SUCKS!

[Uzybone]

7. Nothing stops the Toad from hopping over and questioning the CEOs

when they leave the premises.

[Barack_America]

8. Do the Press Corps not have PHONES?

Or any means of setting up legitimate interviews with these people?

It certainly sounds to me like Chuckie T. is miffed that the WH isn't catering to him so he can do his job with the least amount of actual work possible.

[Fleshdancer]

12. LOL! That was my point too

How lazy and presumptuous does one have to be to assume the WH should provide ALL your sources for you? :rofl:

[Barack_America]

40. You said it better.

LAZY.

That's the word I was looking for.

What a tool. :eyes:

[LiberalFighter]

34. DUH!!! Of course Todd is a neophyte when it comes to being a reporter.

And does he really want to interview a source with others within earshot? That would put a damper on what the person might say.

[eleny]

9. Chuckles is getting to be an embarrassment with this whining

[Renew Deal]

10. It's a fair point

There's nothing wrong with what he said except the little threat at the bottom. But if Chuck feels like he doesn't know how things work, he should ask his predecessor.

[ErinBerin84]

24. yeah, that's the part of it that really cracked me up.

Just the tone of it....it's like he's saying "THIS NEW JOB SUCKKKKS!" Haha..



I read on another thread (obligatory Morning Joe thread) that Chuck Todd had an awkward moment with ANdrea Mitchell this morning where he interrupted her and basically told her that her reporting was WRONG, and Andrea gave him a strange look. Anyone catch what it was in reference to? White House leaks or something?

[Fleshdancer]

11. So he was at the event, but is upset that he didn't talk to the audience?

and the audience could have approached the media, but didn't so now this means the WH is controlling the message? That's a stretch.

Chuck, pick up a phone and call these CEO's if it's that important to you. :shrug:

[Dinger]

13. He's Still Got His Tit In A Wringer Over The MTP Gig

What am ass

[Phx_Dem]

14. Waaaaaaaaaaaa!!

If you "reporters" could ever get your facts right, someone might want to talk to your sorry asses.

:cry:

[City Lights]

15. Poor Chuck E. Toad.

:nopity:

Maybe Chuckles would be happier working the ball pit at his local Chuck E. Cheese, where he'd only be in up to his neck rather than in way over his head with GE-TV.

[ErinBerin84]

16. Jeeze

It may be a legitimate issue/question, but this post seems kind of strange to me. Like....do firstread readers really care that the press gets "irritated"? It is legit to ask about access, but again.....do we fucking care if they get so irritated that they don't report the other news? The whole thing just sounds a bit, um, complain-y. I feel like Chuck Todd doesn't like this job. Go figure, last night, Ed Henry was saying that Obama came to the press section of the plane to talk to them (remarks about Gregg), and noted that Bush NEVER did that.

[jaxx]

17. Go back to crunching numbers Chuck,

at least you were good at that. Your whining is just plain funny!

[opihimoimoi]

18. Signs of a closet Pub...whining and pouting....not solving....pointing blame

its what Pubs do

[Skidmore]

19. Closet?

When he's sucking up to Joey the Scar, it's pretty obvious.

[opihimoimoi]

51. LOL...I wuz trying to be coy....:o)

[Proud Liberal Dem]

20. Has he already forgotten about "Free Speech Zones"

and "loyalty oaths" at Bush's rallies, speeches, etc? WTF has HE been during the past 8 years?
:eyes:

[Vinca]

21. What the heck does Chuckie want? A sleepover?

He must think it's the Bush years and he's Jeff Gannon.

[Captain Hilts]

23. I clicked on this to make a Jeff Gannon joke. I should not have underestimated you. nt

[RFKHumphreyObama]

22. Is it any wonder that America's MSM is so bad

When you have bloviating, egocentric, self-centred, half-brained, shallow pricks like Chuck Todd in any position of responsibility? Go Cheney yourself Chuckless

[Aloha Spirit]

25. Best comment from "Nashville Fan"

I read a few comments, here's the best one so far
"The only person who has signed up for and consented to be hounded by the press for the next for years is the Obama Administration.
I could imagine how it would be uncomfortable it would be to have to swim through a sea of journalists if all you really wanted to do was attend the event in question.
Perhaps in the future, the Administration could give White House guests the OPTION and OPPORTUNITY to speak with the press if THEY WISH TO.
But let's not act like you have a Constitutional Right to interrogate every person invited to the White House. You don't. "

[sabra]

26. Chuck responds to those making comments:

*** UPDATE, RESPONSE TO COMMENTORS: "This isn't about us not having access, this is about ANYONE having access... if it's NOT us, it's the public!...Beat us up all you want, but this isn't about us whining, it's about us not even being able to do the job you want us to do and that is be the people's questioner here. But, of course, having a respectable debate on this issue with some is impossible. The irony, of course, is that many of you would be just as upset about the lack of access as I am if the occupant of the White House were someone else.

[ErinBerin84]

28. oh my god!

That's hilarious....again, it's not even that he doesn't have a fair point, but touchy much? The people's questioner? hehe...

[rvablue]

43. I cannot even begin to explain how unprofessional this is.....10 years ago he would have been fired!

[zbdent]

27. it's surprising that Chuck Todd can't get access ... if it were Bush, all he'd have to do

is set up a gay dating service web site ...

[Fleshdancer]

29. HAHA! ***Update posted***

*** UPDATE, RESPONSE TO COMMENTORS: "This isn't about us not having access, this is about ANYONE having access... if it's NOT us, it's the public!...Beat us up all you want, but this isn't about us whining, it's about us not even being able to do the job you want us to do and that is be the people's questioner here. But, of course, having a respectable debate on this issue with some is impossible. The irony, of course, is that many of you would be just as upset about the lack of access as I am if the occupant of the White House were someone else.

:eyes:

(btw, I found the update when I clicked the First Read banner and scrolled down)

[ErinBerin84]

30. I kind of feel sorry for him...

But, did he ever really care that Sarah Palin was being all but shielded from the public? I seem to remember him saying that working women wanted her to success and that women were flocking to her, hehe.



Again, I don't think he likes his new job. It's not even that he doesn't have a fair point, but the tone is hilarious. Though maybe I would go mad too if I had to talk to Morning Joe every morning. I wonder if he would be any better or worse than Gregory is now on MTP....I certainly don't think he's (Gregory) been acting like "the people's questioner".

[Fleshdancer]

37. He seems to think he has full access to all WH visitors

I'm not sure why he would think this. Now if the WH told the reporters they are to never contact the CEO's, then he would have a point, but no one is stopping him from picking up a phone.

[ErinBerin84]

39. yeah, I don't really get it....

And If he wants to REALLY be the people's questioner, he should have us submit some good questions, because his have been, um, lacking.

[KoKo]

50. Maybe instead of bloviating on "Morning Joe" he could take some time to phone those CEO's

he wanted access to. That's the way "real reporters" used to work. But, Chuckie T just wants to sit on his butt and smooze with Joe and Mika and preen figuring he's next in line for Russert's job when Gregory loses his contract.

He's truly disgusting.

[Renew Deal]

31. I get his point, but when he says that he doesn't know how things work

Then he should talk to his predecessors before whining.

[ErinBerin84]

32. maybe he hates Stretch for getting MTP

so he doesn't want to ask him? Haha, just kidding. Though I do wonder about the dynamic at that network.

[Renew Deal]

33. Actually, I think you're right

I think he wanted that job, but the people at NBC knew he was too new.

[ErinBerin84]

35. I remember his reaction

to getting white house correspondent was something like "I just never thought of getting that job before....it never crossed my mind. This isn't a knock on the job, but it just never crossed my mind."

[Renew Deal]

36. He looks lit

But whatever. I don't think he has figured it out yet.

[RFKHumphreyObama]

52. And you Chuckless

Would not even be complaining about this if the occupant of the White House was someone else

[Parker CA]

38. Now he's on babbling about how Obama was in the wrong by suggesting CAT would be hiring back

employees due to the stimulus, and how tough the Gregg situation is on them. He needs to choke on the pen cap he's sucking on and STFU.

[Cha]

41. I hope your whining gets you

nothing, chuckiet.

[ericgtr]

42. I've always liked Chuck but he asked a very stupid question last time

Saying the economy was in peril because people stopped spending. Obama quickly corrected him and pointed to the housing collapse. I don't know much about the economy and even I knew that much and was surprised at Todd for such a dumb statement.

Was he even around for the last eight years? WTF is he even talking about, they have more access in the last month than they have for the last eight fucking years. Wake up Todd.

[Iggo]

44. That's his job.

[SanchoPanza]

45. Shorter Chuck Todd:

"When Republicans don't give us access, the obvious course of action is for us to kiss their collective asses until they're nice to us and let us play on the jungle gym. When Democrats don't give us access, its most likely a sign of their poor bipartismanshippiness and they better be careful, or we'll say mean things about them at recess."

[traxster]

46. The press corps has a tendency to act like the paparazzi.

They have a right to cover a story, not to completely invade an event. And ofcourse, some of them don't have the tact to simply ask a question, they want the story so bad they can get a little too aggressive.

I don't blame them for allowing some order.

[underpants]

47. Chuck, how many press conferences has HE given to date?

Even before he was inaugurated he gave more press conferences (Himself) than Bush did in the first 6 years of his (p)Residency and that includes before he took office (1).

[grantcart]

48. Frankly Barack and Plouffe are overwhelming me with access

I keep getting emails all of the time.


So its not really about access Chuckie - we are getting the straight info - we just don't get it from you.


Chuck if you do get a chance to talk to the President please tell him to go a little slower on the emails - I am getting a bit backed up.

[zulchzulu]

49. Will you get more access when you're reporting "Is the Obama honeymoon over?"

The Obama folks know that the MSM tends to spin things rightward and don't have an ounce of journalism in their blood, so why the hell would they get more access than they need?

:shrug: