NPR Turns Down Bush's Interview Offer

[kpete]

NPR Turns Down Bush's Interview Offer

The Washington Post reports that National Public Radio turned down President Bush's offer to do an interview with analyst Juan Williams to mark yesterday's 50th anniversary of school desegregation in Little Rock.

NPR explained they felt the White House shouldn't be selecting the correspondent, implying they wouldn't have sent WIlliams, noting that "the only interview Bush has granted NPR during his tenure was also with Williams" and "that ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN and Fox have all had their anchors interview Bush and that NPR has been requesting such a session for seven years."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/25/AR2007092502258.html?hpid=artslot

[groovedaddy]

1. Yeah, and that interview with Williams on NPR

was pure softball.

[KharmaTrain]

2. Good On Them...About Time

Has the beltway grown a pair? Maybei it's the residuals of Rove being gone...this regime seems to be having problems "getting their message out". Condi gets bumped for Hillary and now boooshie can't pick his own stenographer (and the questions)...are we starting to see the Mighty Wurlitzer starting to crank out clunkers?

I almost view most of the stenographer pool in the beltway as victims of Stockholm syndrome...they've been dominated and controlled by the Repugnicans and the booosh regime for so long they have become a part of that regime themselves. Looks like a few are starting to see how bad they've been played.

Awww poor Juan Williams...gets dumped on again. Now he'll go cry on Bloody Bill Kristol's shoulder.

[bunkerbuster1]

7. We crack wise at the expense of "Nice Polite Republicans" here at DU, but...

Truth is, it's the closest thing to actual independent, principled broadcast journalism most Americans get to hear. I know to filter the obviously pro-corporatist stuff, and to read between the lines when they seem cautious about a particular story.

In short: Good for NPR.

[KharmaTrain]

10. NPR Does Get Short Shrift

The fact the network carries Garrison Keilor every Saturday is their salvation as far as I'm concerned. It's such a pleasure when driving through crimson red areas where the only chatter on the radio is right wing bile to pop on a local NPR station and either catch PHC or BBC News or even Talk of the Nation can be worth a listen.

We all must be our own filters and windows when listening and watching the media...just as we must in the blogosphere. I have faith that many do that...and are able to separate the fat from the meat. I am seeing a shift in mood and tolerance for talking points and spin...people are starting to ask questions and the answers they used to get just aren't cutting it.

Cheers...

[bunkerbuster1]

12. For the longest time I had no idea NPR was supposedly "liberal"...

Honestly, I used to simply watch PBS' NewsHour or listen to Morning Edition / All Things Considered because I couldn't stand the slickness and commercials of the other broadcast news. It wasn't like I was looking to have my own political viewpoint massaged.

And I still don't really need that, not when it comes to getting actual news, as opposed to news analysis. It is shocking to me how many people can't seem to tell the difference between the two.

[Clark2008]

8. No - it's that they realize Bush won't be there in 1.5 years.

They're preparing to pander to the next power structure.

[BOSSHOG]

3. Did they offer to provide the questions as well?

I'd pick Juan to be on my fantasy softball team. As the pitcher.

[bunkerbuster1]

4. Jeez, Juan...

Anyone get to this part of the story?

"It makes no sense to me. President Bush has never given an interview in which he focused on race... I was stunned by the decision to turn their backs on him and to turn their backs on me."

It's all about you, right, Juan?

[Iris]

5. maybe he'll move on - I hear the White House might have an opening for a new suck ass.

[Kolesar]

11. Juan Williams works for NPR and Fox "News" Network

Williams' reporting on NPR during the bush "cult of personality" has been pretty poor, republican, and not insightful.

[Jim__]

6. I wish the rest of the media would stand up to him. - n/t

[rodeodance]

9. good for them. A little ray of hope is a good thing early in the am.