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Obama's Waffle Controversy

By Jeralyn, Section Elections 2008
Posted on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:01:43 PM EST
Tags: Barack Obama (all tags)
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Update: More from CNN on Obama refusing pressers for ten days or more and how the campaign teased them about it.

Barack Obama got cranky with a reporter today when asked a question at a diner about Jimmy Carter meeting with Hamas.

As Sen. Hillary Clinton was preparing to campaign here today, Sen. Barack Obama was meeting with voters at a diner and apparently pretty hungry. "Why can't I just eat my waffle?" he said, when asked a foreign policy question by a reporter at the Glider Diner.

What's the big deal? Why is this news? Because, as Jay Newton-Small at Time's Swampland explains, Obama hasn't given a press conference in 10 days and the reporters had no other opportunity to ask him.
Journalists in general don’t relish asking politicians questions in awkward situations, like on a golf course or over a waffle. But sometimes our hands are forced: Obama hasn’t given a press conference in 10 days and the questions, some of them -- like Hamas -- rather important, are starting to build up. If he wins the nomination he'll be running again John McCain, whose philosophy is to give the press total access to the point of saturation; Obama might consider holding avails with a little more regularity. Then, maybe, reporters would let him to eat in peace.

Like Kevin Drum says, this is baffling.

Obama just doesn't give the press much access, sometimes shutting them down for weeks at a time. Why? Does this make sense to anyone else as a campaign strategy? I'm baffled by it.

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    Obama's Waffle Controversy | 205 comments (205 topical)

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    Continuity (5.00 / 6) (#2)
    by AnninCA on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:03:58 PM EST
    He has none.  He's a personality figure.

    Not a real statemen.
    That means.....gotta keep the press away so they don't catch onto to the anomolies.

    what is mean about it? (5.00 / 1) (#140)
    by Salo on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 08:03:36 AM EST
    Obama is tightly controlling his media exposure.

    It reminds me of someone special.

    [ Parent ]

    What credentials justify Obama's (5.00 / 2) (#178)
    by sancho on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 08:36:34 AM EST
    candidacy? That he lived in Indonesia as a child? That he wins questionable elections? Also, isn't he, in a sense, running on the singularity of his name, the uniqueness of being the one and only "Obama" candidate?

    [ Parent ]
    Chucklng (5.00 / 1) (#191)
    by AnninCA on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 08:52:53 AM EST
    I think you summed it up.  He's the one we've been waiting for, eh?

    [ Parent ]
    The point is that, as a candidate for President, (5.00 / 3) (#193)
    by sancho on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 08:58:25 AM EST
    Obama recalls Jimmy Carter but w/o the experience. He's also backed by some of the same people (Brzezinski, most notably) who backed (chose?) Carter. Quite likely his relationship with Brzezinski (whose daughter is Scarborough's partner on MSNBC) is analagous to Bush's with Cheney, Rumsfeld, et. al. Obama was at Coulmbia when Brzezinski was there and that's another subject he won't take questions on. Anyway, you are not voting for Obama, you are voting for the people he is "fronting" for (which includes the people who helped destroy his other oppenents in his other "elections"). It's not a cheery group (Goolsbee, his financial advsier, likely does not want to keep social security) and the story of Obama's rise, upon closer inpsection, is a little scary.

    [ Parent ]
    Twice with the Clinton name (1.00 / 0) (#199)
    by Cream City on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 09:12:07 AM EST
    as the "fundamental premise" for her campaign gets a 1 for ignoring her own and remarkable resume.

    [ Parent ]
    No, it's not an "I disagree" button (none / 0) (#219)
    by Cream City on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 02:28:43 PM EST
    It's a "this is offensive" button.


    [ Parent ]
    don't feel sorry for me. (none / 0) (#166)
    by Salo on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 08:25:11 AM EST
    feel sorry for the country if he is.

    [ Parent ]
    Where you can really see "mean" (5.00 / 1) (#171)
    by andrys on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 08:29:01 AM EST
    I have to wonder if your standards for this attribute would change and your tolerance for meanness higher when you see what happens to Clinton (rather than Obama) in an example like the HuffPost comments to their story on the Keith Olbermann interview with Clinton.

      It turns out that Obama declined to do interviews or send surrogates for serious interviews last night with

      Keith Olbermann, Larry King, and others.

      He declined due to being too busy.

      When you consider he hasn't even talked with the press assigned to him, for 10 days, one can wonder at the lack of confidence that shows in how he might say something 'wrong' ...

    - Andrys


    [ Parent ]

    spit-balls? (none / 0) (#221)
    by andrys on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 06:48:04 PM EST
    I'm stating facts, that Obama had avoided, for 10 days, press conferences for press that travels with him.

    And he decided not to do Olbermann's show nor to send a surrogate.  Same with Larry King.

    Make of that as kindly as you want what you will, but that is not spitballs though you evidently want to think so.

    Are we to refrain from criticizing Obama here too, in your book?  

    - Andrys


    [ Parent ]

    "Being so mean" (5.00 / 3) (#185)
    by joanneleon on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 08:43:20 AM EST
    You can't be serious.

    Can I make a suggestion?  Could you go and read comments and diaries about Hillary Clinton in the left blogosphere over the last few months and then come back and tell us about being mean to Obama?

    Unbelievable.

    [ Parent ]

    High metabolism (none / 0) (#169)
    by 1jane on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 08:27:30 AM EST
    He needs to eat. Sheesh. Non issue.

    [ Parent ]
    IT IS THAT OBAMA ARROGANCE REARING ITS (5.00 / 2) (#4)
    by PssttCmere08 on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:09:21 PM EST
    UGLY HEAD....he doesn't get it, but his art of bamboozling seems to be quite polished and at some level he must think he doesn't have to give no stinkin' interviews... :)

    BTW, have they stashed Michelle somewhere?  I prefer not to have to see her, but was just wondering.

    I bet he's been a shit head (none / 0) (#164)
    by Salo on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 08:23:47 AM EST
    to reporters all along but now they are reporting how he's telling them to eff off.

    He's been telling them to eff off and buzz off for months but they've been letting him get away with it.

    So he built up a bad habit and he's never been called on it.

    [ Parent ]

    Press Corps (5.00 / 1) (#184)
    by AnninCA on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 08:43:06 AM EST
    Someone else posted the examples.  He's been this way all along.  It was reported by the press travelling with him that he's aloof, rarely talks to them.  The time when he got upset over the questions was with the "real" press.  He was shocked they asked him hard questions.

    He doesn't do well with questions.  Just like in the debate...                        

    [ Parent ]

    guessing now. (none / 0) (#188)
    by Salo on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 08:49:37 AM EST
    He's probably been told by proprietors and senior editors that the reporters are open season and can be ignored and there will be no consequences in the columns.

    [ Parent ]
    No Foul Language (none / 0) (#203)
    by waldenpond on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 09:27:22 AM EST
    Go read the rules.  It messes with the filtering software.

    [ Parent ]
    Not baffling... (5.00 / 10) (#5)
    by oldpro on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:10:03 PM EST
    not up to speed on emerging issues because you're too busy campaigning?  Avoid reporters until you can get your spiel straight.  Fewer chances for mistakes, gaffs, screwups and at this stage that is to be avoided at all costs.

    He seems a little testy about it tho...and in public and in camera range...not good....

    Obama not familiar with Hamas???? (5.00 / 4) (#114)
    by Saul Goode on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 06:22:25 AM EST
    not up to speed on emerging issues because you're too busy campaigning?

    If he doesn't have an opinion of his own yet regarding one of the most important political dynamics in the region, he has no business being anywhere near the White House...nor the Senate, for that matter

    [ Parent ]

    Obama doesn't do well extemporaneously-- (5.00 / 1) (#207)
    by jawbone on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 10:45:54 AM EST
    Hes, haws, ums--says things which need repeated WORMing.

    So, if he hasn't been programmed recently, had his updates installed and tested, he just shuts up and sticks to situations where he can use the older, tested versions.

    [ Parent ]

    Well....there ya go! (none / 0) (#210)
    by oldpro on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 10:53:56 AM EST


    [ Parent ]
    Baffled by it, or Waffled by it? (5.00 / 2) (#6)
    by Key on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:11:18 PM EST
    Obama waffled the question (paused or held back in uncertainty or unwillingness), which makes me a bit waffled (frustrated and perplexed by someone's decision to a waffle rather than answer a question).

    Where is Michelle? (5.00 / 7) (#10)
    by Stellaaa on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:12:14 PM EST
    Pssst, if they want Hillary to hurry up and quit, do they think this guy will be up for the GE competition in 7 months?...I forget as a child he took care of foreign policy.  

    Yes and that's how he handled it then (5.00 / 6) (#22)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:17:46 PM EST

    Reporter:  Answer me a foreign policy question

    5 year old Obama: Can't I eat my waffles?

    And he's been doing the same thing effectively ever since.

    [ Parent ]

    Stellaaa (5.00 / 1) (#62)
    by cal1942 on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 12:43:32 AM EST
    absolutely classic.  Now I have to dry off my keyboard and the top of my desk.

    On a scale of 1 to 5.  That's a 6.  

    [ Parent ]

    Leave Obama Alooooone (5.00 / 2) (#121)
    by wasabi on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 07:08:54 AM EST
    What's he ever done to the press?

    Leave Obama Alooooone!

    [ Parent ]

    But . . but . . .he's so open and honest (5.00 / 4) (#11)
    by myiq2xu on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:12:30 PM EST
    and eloquent and stuff!

    Wait, the W.O.R.M. says he wants to avoid the "gotcha" politics.

    Yeah, that's it!  It's the media's fault!

    Not just cranky... (5.00 / 4) (#12)
    by k on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:12:47 PM EST
    Kind of snotty, too.  From CNN:

    ...

    Later that afternoon while taping an interview for "The Daily Show," a reporter tried to ask Obama about a new Clinton ad and the Obama ad that came as a response. According to a pooled report, the White House hopeful asked the reporter if she was "supposed to be" asking a question then. He added that he would consider answering but that it would depend "on how well behaved you are." In the end, he did not take the question.
    ...

    Right (5.00 / 1) (#119)
    by flyerhawk on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 07:05:44 AM EST
    While taping an interview for the DAILY SHOW he was being snotty?  

    You guys will latch onto anything.

    [ Parent ]

    Shades of Bush (4.90 / 10) (#107)
    by kempis on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 05:58:35 AM EST
    Obama's showing some alarming similarities to George W. Bush the longer this campaign goes on: by turns thin-skinned and petulant (remember how he pouted and doodled through the Texas debate?) and manipulatively charming, being "cute" with citizens and the press corps.

    That kind of behavior, when I see it in a political candidate or a coworker, signals someone who'd rather coast--indeed feels entitled to coast--rather than do his homework. It's behavior that signals "I'll bite if you push me and if you don't, I'll be nice."

    For all the conventional wisdom that Hillary is some kind of a bitch, I've been impressed with her even-tempered fielding of whatever is tossed at her in this long, arduous campaign. Yeah, you get the impression sometimes that the laugh is a way for her to take a brief, internal break and say "you @*&^!#" to herself before continuing :), but for the most part, she's game. Ask her a question, and she'll answer it--usually better than just about anyone could imagine answering it.

    [ Parent ]

    Totally agree (5.00 / 1) (#129)
    by Lil on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 07:42:26 AM EST
    but it did get Bush to the White House, but I really don't like it

    [ Parent ]
    it is Bushian media control (none / 0) (#144)
    by Salo on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 08:07:55 AM EST
    Nut he did it cause he's so effing inarticulate.

    Obama's a Harvard trained lawyer---should be excellent on the fly.

    [ Parent ]

    tone (3.00 / 1) (#36)
    by rilkefan on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:32:33 PM EST
    I've seen it claimed that the waffle tone wasn't cold - just "hey, I've got a mouthful of waffle".  I could imagine the "well behaved" bit being said jokingly.

    [ Parent ]
    Well (5.00 / 6) (#38)
    by nell on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:34:19 PM EST
    he never answered the questions and there is NO excuse, joking or not, to scold a grown woman like she is a 5 year old.

    [ Parent ]
    I agree (5.00 / 5) (#47)
    by angie on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:40:59 PM EST
    he could have said it with a pretty please and a cherry on top and it would not matter -- this woman is a professional doing her job, not a naughty child in need of a time out. He deserves a slap down from the media over this, but I will not be holding my breath.  

    [ Parent ]
    Not a funny joke when said to a (5.00 / 4) (#49)
    by BlueMerlin on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:45:13 PM EST
    woman, i'm afraid.

    [ Parent ]
    Congrats on finding (5.00 / 0) (#120)
    by flyerhawk on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 07:07:02 AM EST
    the hidden sexism.  

    [ Parent ]
    wasn't hidden that well, imo n/t (5.00 / 2) (#189)
    by angie on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 08:50:06 AM EST
     

    [ Parent ]
    It rarely is (none / 0) (#198)
    by flyerhawk on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 09:11:40 AM EST
    to those who wish to find it.

    You do realize that Daily Show interviews are mock interviews, right?

    [ Parent ]

    Not hidden (5.00 / 2) (#201)
    by misspeach2008 on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 09:17:12 AM EST
    Blatant

    [ Parent ]
    I'm sure it ... (5.00 / 5) (#68)
    by Robot Porter on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 12:59:29 AM EST
    was said jokingly, but it's a very W kind of joke.

    [ Parent ]
    Since it's Pennsylvania (5.00 / 2) (#15)
    by Stellaaa on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:13:55 PM EST
    let's use the German pronunciation:  Vaffle.  


    which just shows (5.00 / 3) (#16)
    by tarheel74 on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:14:05 PM EST
    that the press have a masochistic streak. Treat them like dogs and they will lick up to you, give them any importance and they will tear you apart. The Republicans know that, Obama learned that but unfortunately Hillary was way too nice.

    Isn't McCain a Republican? And he has them (5.00 / 4) (#48)
    by Joan in VA on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:41:48 PM EST
    over for a barbecue at his place. And treats them like bff's on the Straight Talk Express. It is just stupid for any pol to behave so arrogantly.

    [ Parent ]
    And Bush too (none / 0) (#124)
    by ineedalife on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 07:30:34 AM EST
    Supposedly the reporters on the Bush plane got all the good stuff and the Gore reporters were jealous.

    [ Parent ]
    O'Waffle image (5.00 / 5) (#25)
    by nycstray on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:18:27 PM EST
    okay, so between workin' and bloggin', I did a down n' dirty quickie logo for the Senator. Maybe I'll make a more realistic one tomorrow while procrastinating:

    http://tinyurl.com/6bsotu

    {flickr seems to be hung up at the moment,. Hopefully it will be back soon}

    that's about says it all! (none / 0) (#104)
    by kimsaw on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 05:48:30 AM EST


    [ Parent ]
    ohhh - that is funny! (none / 0) (#132)
    by Josey on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 07:50:08 AM EST


    [ Parent ]
    Wasn't it Joe Scar that said BO's the reason (5.00 / 11) (#32)
    by davnee on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:23:12 PM EST
    Republicans pray to Jesus the other day on his show?!  I believe he said that in context of the BitterCling remarks, but BO is a regular gaffe machine these days.  Could BO have picked a more perfect breakfast food to mark his little snit?  God I hope this gets play, because the waffle is just an endless source of amusement.

    In all seriousness though, if BO is melting under the pressure of the primary and already hiding from the press and ducking debates, how is he ever going make it to November with the Republicans putting him through his paces rather than a woman and fellow Democrat who is boxing him with one hand tied behind her back?

    correction (5.00 / 2) (#40)
    by boredmpa on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:35:50 PM EST
    if BO is toasting under the pressure of the primary...how is he ever going to make it...with the Republicans smearing him with butter and softening his crispened message rather than a ... fellow Democrat who is dribbling syrupy goodness around a bland doughy campaign

    No Pun Left Behind!

    [ Parent ]

    Egg-sactly! (none / 0) (#200)
    by cmugirl on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 09:14:53 AM EST
    n/t

    [ Parent ]
    Yes ... (5.00 / 3) (#67)
    by Robot Porter on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 12:57:29 AM EST
    BO is a regular gaffe machine these days.

    Perhaps that was the problem, hard to shovel down the waffles when you've got your foot in your mouth 24/7.

    [ Parent ]

    C-Span Calling (5.00 / 1) (#34)
    by dazedreamer52 on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:29:14 PM EST
    C-Span is now accepting calls from viewers.

    (202) 585-3885 For Republicans
    (202) 585-3886 For Dems
    (202) 585-3887 For Independents

    I think he sees things slipping away... (5.00 / 3) (#35)
    by white n az on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:30:59 PM EST
    and he's a bit ticked off

    That's the mark of someone who's not used to losing.

    He's communicating that he recognizes that he has lost his media darling status and the press can be a drag when they don't fawn all over you like they used to.

    More importantly...doesn't he know that politicians don't eat waffles in public during the election season?

    I agree (5.00 / 1) (#213)
    by stefystef on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 11:40:51 AM EST
    Obama has had a charmed political life.  I think he thought he could charm himself into the White House.  But he found out it's much harder than he thought.

    The mask is slipping... you can only keep the "act" up for so long.

    [ Parent ]

    Great Googly Moogly (5.00 / 8) (#42)
    by blogtopus on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:37:16 PM EST
    How many traits does he share with the Decider now? I'm sure we all have a little bit of old Scratch in us, for better or worse, but the parallels are getting more and more difficult to blow off.

    What exactly are we heading into the GE with? Someone who mimics Bush's policies vs someone who mimics Bush himself?

    Granted, Obama is no buffoon like dear leader. However, that just means he should know better. What a brat.

    Axelrod learned from BushBoy's successful (none / 0) (#208)
    by jawbone on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 10:50:01 AM EST
    presdential campaign. Choose someone with little national baggage (like votes on issues) and "brand" the candidate with Hope and Change.

    Keep as much info unrevealed as possible to allow the public to project on the candidate what they think he will do.

    Scary.

    [ Parent ]

    I will donate the max to HRC for both cycles if (5.00 / 3) (#43)
    by davnee on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:38:03 PM EST
    she shows up in NC next week to the debate as scheduled and just pulls out a box of Eggos and proceeds to debate against it.  Guaranteed the waffles do better than BO did last time out.

    <spews soda on screen> (5.00 / 2) (#53)
    by Cream City on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:56:52 PM EST
    I'll match that -- if you'll come over and wipe down my computer. :-)

    [ Parent ]
    It's called "damage control" (5.00 / 1) (#50)
    by txpolitico67 on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:47:46 PM EST
    Axelrod knows that BHO is about ready to blow his top.  It is best to keep Obama away from the press.  It's the model they have successfully adapted for one Michelle Obama  Silence is golden, or silence=death, depending on one's frame of reference.

    btw, OT, was it not too funny to see Teresa Heinz Kerry and Michelle Obama on stage together tonight?  

    Has Michelle O been kept away from the press? (none / 0) (#209)
    by jawbone on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 10:51:17 AM EST


    [ Parent ]
    Obama and the media (5.00 / 1) (#55)
    by txpolitico67 on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 12:05:59 AM EST
    Their relationship has been pretty lovey-dovey up until the ABC debate.  Since BHO "froze out" Fox News after their inaccuracies about the madrasa and using Osama instead of Obama, it alarmed him that ABC didn't tow the same line he found over @ MSNBC.  

    Obama's reactions when the media "turns" on him is like a man who gets bitten by his own dog.  It shocks him and angers him.  If he is giving local media access, well I can see that point.  But if he's being dismissive AND sexist towards reporters he needs to watch his back:  the media giveth and the media taketh away.

    BTW, the waffle thing....too easy, too easy.  The GOP could easily go from "flip flopping" to the "waffling" candidate.  

    Would this story waffling around (none / 0) (#86)
    by felizarte on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 03:18:04 AM EST
    be a sign that Obama's media darling status is gone coming right on the heels of his non-appearance on countdown and the LK show?

    [ Parent ]
    BO is Royalty already (5.00 / 1) (#56)
    by toddy on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 12:16:18 AM EST
    Later that afternoon while taping an interview for "The Daily Show," a reporter tried to ask Obama about a new Clinton ad and the Obama ad that came as a response.
    The White House hopeful asked the reporter if she was "supposed to be" asking a question at that time and added that he might answer but that "it depends on how well behaved you are." In the end, he did not take the question.

    http://tinyurl.com/3slpro

    More and more (5.00 / 1) (#88)
    by stillife on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 03:22:19 AM EST
    he's reminding me of Bush.

    [ Parent ]
    Yes, we will (5.00 / 2) (#76)
    by Prabhata on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 01:46:26 AM EST
    Hillary!
    Hillary!
    Hillary!
    http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.dbm?ID=1487
    Last Zogby tracking PA poll.  Zogby says:

    "She now leads Obama, 51% to 41%, having gained three points over the past 24 hours as Obama lost one point, pushing her beyond the poll's margin of error to create a statistically significant lead for the first time in the Pennsylvania daily tracking poll."

    I hope BO loses the kitchen sink attack. To borrow the phrase from "In Living Color": Hated it.

    Yes, this makes sense as a campaign strategy (5.00 / 1) (#78)
    by toinerz on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 02:02:21 AM EST
    It's basically how Nixon beat McGovern in 1972: very little press conferences, just a series of speeches. The proof of this strategy's effectiveness is the fact that although the Washington Post published its famous Watergate articles well before the elections, Nixon won in a 23% margin landslide. If this strategy was able to suppress Watergate, it is certainly able to suppress Obama's gaffes. The ABC debate showed what Obama's alternative would be, so that's an easy choice for him.

    I just read the highly recommended `Boys on the Bus', there are some interesting parallels between the 1972 elections and now.

    The parallels are not the same because (5.00 / 1) (#81)
    by Prabhata on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 02:17:31 AM EST
    a president can get away with no press conferences, but not a candidate who is not a sitting president.   A president can manipulate good coverage with surrogates, and don't forget there is the White House daily press briefing.  A candidate needs to stay in the news, particularly if the candidate is not yet the nominee.

    [ Parent ]
    the parellels (none / 0) (#83)
    by facta non verba on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 02:43:24 AM EST
    may not be the same but Obama may try to get away with it. Obama seems to be challenging Richard Nixon. Nixon had his Checkers speech, Obama his Reverend Wright speech. Both are disdainful of negative coverage. They both attempt to disembowel their opposition. Ask Alice Palmer (and the four others who were knocked off the ballot). Ask Jack Ryan. And then back in January Obama didn't like the commentary of Carville and Begala on CNN so he had them removed. It took three weeks before Clinton got them reinstated.

    [ Parent ]
    WaPo not much read then, and no boyz (none / 0) (#117)
    by Cream City on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 06:53:46 AM EST
    in the press got on the Watergate bus, giving the story much play, until after the election -- and then some.  I was in the nooz biz then and, at my paper, in charge of the wires, so I remember well how all alone WaPo was with this.  For many other reasons along apples-and-oranges line, parallels just aren't there with Watergate.

    But a good book, and other parallels in terms of pack journalism on the campaign trail certainly still are so.

    [ Parent ]

    Have you read (none / 0) (#149)
    by Kathy on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 08:12:00 AM EST
    The Boys on the Bus by Patrick...somebody?  About the Carter election.  Fascinating glimpse at how this stuff works, and how depressing it is that nothing has changed.

    [ Parent ]
    "It is better to remain silent... (5.00 / 3) (#79)
    by ig on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 02:07:32 AM EST
    and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt"

    LOL (5.00 / 1) (#80)
    by themomcat on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 02:13:32 AM EST
    He shouldn't talk with his mouth full.
    / "By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes." Macbeth, Wm. Shakespeare
    [ Parent ]
    Yeah it wasn't on my BFF's MySpace page either (5.00 / 2) (#96)
    by Ellie on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 04:13:48 AM EST
    I had to read about it on

    ... to name a few. But hey, they didn't beam me a jpg of what they're wearing to our daily summit in front of the Slop'n'Drool so they don't officially exist.

    Perhaps (5.00 / 1) (#99)
    by kenoshaMarge on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 05:20:06 AM EST
    when Senator Obama finishes his waffle he could try and explain to us one more time why his health care plan is better than the Clinton health care plan. And he might try to tell us the truth this time. And the poor mistreated media types might try and explain both plans honestly and completely.

    Or maybe waffles really are the most important topic. :)

    Turn the tables (5.00 / 5) (#101)
    by joanneleon on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 05:38:08 AM EST
    Yet again, can you imagine what would happen if Hillary Clinton (or John Edwards, for that matter) said "Why can't I just eat my waffle?"  First, the blogosphere would explode with three hundred diaries in the span of a few hours.  Then the photoshopped pictures would show up.  Then the press would pick up on it, and then the comedy shows.  It would become a huge campaign gaffe.

    With Obama?  Not so much.  People will talk about how righteous it is to demand to eat one's waffle.  How wonderful!  Yes, let's all eat our waffles!  Let's declare today "National Waffle Day" and let's donate five million dollars to the Obama campaign in honor of waffles.

    Giant double standard.  Yet, still, I find people saying that the GOP wants Hillary to be their candidate and that they are working towards this and helping to crossing over to vote for her.  I say, the GOP is salivating at the idea of having Obama as the candidate.  This is the candidate they want to run against in the fall because they think they can take him down.

    As for avoiding press conferences, well, I find that to be baffling and I find it to be more than a little bit like our current president.  No pressers for ten days?  Is this a temper tantrum, punishing the press for the last debate?  Or is the campaign being overprotective of their candidate because he has been off kilter lately?  Either way, it's a problem.

    BTW, where is that momey really coming from? (none / 0) (#125)
    by BarnBabe on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 07:38:16 AM EST
    He doesn[t take it from Pacs? That is a lot of nickle and dimes he got.

    [ Parent ]
    I haven't seen any analysis (5.00 / 2) (#156)
    by joanneleon on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 08:17:55 AM EST
    of where the Obama campaign donations are coming from.  The CW is that it comes from gazillions of small dollar donors.  I wonder though.  We hear about average donation, but I've never seen a breakdown of donation denominations in tiers.

    [ Parent ]
    I Belive that it . . . (5.00 / 1) (#106)
    by Doc Rock on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 05:57:27 AM EST
    . . . a calculated strategy of "gaff-avoidance."   No pressers, less opportunity to make that gaff that might give Clinton that needed boost before Pennsylvania voted.

    I didn't know Obama wasn't speaking to press (5.00 / 2) (#115)
    by stefystef on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 06:44:57 AM EST
    in the last 10 days.  That's a long time.  This is very interesting.  It is reminiscent of Bush in 2000, keeping the press at bay, creating a mystic, while giving the appearance of approachability.

    Very interesting indeed.  I told you folks, aloofness is not coolness, it's COLDNESS.  Obama is an introvert who is forced to be outgoing to win campaigns.

    The mask is slipping...

    and another thing (4.00 / 2) (#3)
    by TruthMatters on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:07:21 PM EST
    how did all the media know to report Obama says he wont win PA?

    oh yeah they got it from a LOCAL interview he gave. because thats the interviews he is giving. the MSM is just bitter because he won't give them anything to put into their news cycles.

    You shouldn't bite the hand that feeds ya. (5.00 / 3) (#46)
    by rooge04 on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:40:46 PM EST
    Twist as much as you want. It ain't gonna change that Obama is just chicken of going anywhere he doesn't already know is friendly: like going on the Daily Show and backing out of a debate.  Like back when GW used to only go on Fox and refused to debate.  Kinda like that.

    [ Parent ]
    Dance with them what brung ya (5.00 / 5) (#63)
    by dianem on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 12:45:04 AM EST
    The national media have carried Obama a long way. He may be tired of playing their games, but they expect him to keep feeding them stories. You pay to play. I think that Obama is going to be amazed at how many people have helped him get where he is. Axelrod will sort him out.

    [ Parent ]
    Axelrod will sort him out? (5.00 / 2) (#108)
    by kimsaw on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 05:58:38 AM EST
    The man is running for the Presidency and now the change maker who wants a more transparent government is running from the ones that have been dispensing his blather without investigation for over a year? He needs his campaign manager to sort him out? Who's going to sort it out for him if he's CIC? Axelrod? Michelle? That will make us so proud...probably for the first time! He's keeping his distance because there are too many questions and not enough real answers from this waffling wonder.

    [ Parent ]
    Jeralyn, (2.00 / 1) (#9)
    by AgreeToDisagree on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:12:06 PM EST
    did you even look into that claim?... he's given the press access over the last ten days.  that is factually incorrect and any internet search would yield the information...  

    Then do one (5.00 / 2) (#13)
    by myiq2xu on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:13:22 PM EST
    and get back to us

    [ Parent ]
    Shouldn't you be taking that issue up (5.00 / 3) (#17)
    by Edgar08 on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:14:06 PM EST
    With the Times Swampland writer?

    [ Parent ]
    no (4.00 / 2) (#20)
    by AgreeToDisagree on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:15:56 PM EST
    it was correct.  i read it w/o seeing the specific "conference" reference.  that is true although he's done a number of interviews.  my bad.

    [ Parent ]
    oops, sorry for my post (none / 0) (#31)
    by angie on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:21:39 PM EST
    below, I wrote it before you posted this.

    [ Parent ]
    according to Jay Newton-Small (5.00 / 2) (#39)
    by white n az on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:34:39 PM EST
    who is assigned to cover Obama, who writes here at Time's Swampland...
    But sometimes our hands are forced: Obama hasn't given a press conference in 10 days and the questions, some of them -- like Hamas -- rather important, are starting to build up.

    So it seems reasonable for Jeralyn to believe that to be accurate and no further digging necessary.

    Did you wish to call Jay Newton-Small a liar?

    [ Parent ]

    i suppose you were focused on (2.00 / 1) (#14)
    by AgreeToDisagree on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:13:49 PM EST
    press conference... if so, you can disregard.  but the post makes it seem like he's not talking to anyone, which is not true.  many members of the press have had access to him over the past ten days.  maybe no press conference.

    [ Parent ]
    So, link the videos (5.00 / 1) (#19)
    by Stellaaa on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:15:31 PM EST
    or audio interviews.  Let's see how accessible and transparent he is?   Hmmm?

    [ Parent ]
    NPR (none / 0) (#204)
    by cleek on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 09:37:01 AM EST
    for one, he did an interview on NPR yesterday.

    or maybe i was imagining it.

    [ Parent ]

    A press conference (5.00 / 2) (#61)
    by cal1942 on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 12:39:17 AM EST
    is a damned sight harder and potentially more revealing than an interview that can be framed.

    [ Parent ]
    kinda like a debate! (5.00 / 3) (#109)
    by kimsaw on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 06:01:11 AM EST


    [ Parent ]
    wow the MSM I expected (none / 0) (#1)
    by TruthMatters on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:03:51 PM EST
    but blogs come on, he hasn't given a NATIONAL media interview.

    because he is doing all LOCAL news interviews, he just gave a radio interview that I listened to today.

    she is ignoring the national media to focus on the local because they will hit more PA voters, and right now no one but PA voters matter. he needs to get to as many PA voters as possible. so what would you do?

    National CNN, or the Local newspaper and 6'o clock news.

    There is no reason not to do both (5.00 / 5) (#7)
    by ajain on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:11:19 PM EST
    Dont tell me there wasnt enough time for one presser in 10 day!

    There is a difference between the National media and the Local media. The National media focuses on a different set of questions and also tend to set the tone for the campaign. Also he is seemingly hedging from the press because of Carter meeting with Hamas and he doesnt want to get in the middle of that and the local press wont focus on those issues. And its not like he has done an incredible amount of local press.

    Makes me think that this is one of the reasons he passed up Countdown and Larry King.

    [ Parent ]

    He Was Saving Himself For The Daily Show (5.00 / 1) (#29)
    by PssttCmere08 on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:19:33 PM EST
    ...apparently he thinks he will get more bang for his buck; but sometimes Jon Stewart shows no mercy and tonight would be a great time to bring
    Obama's flaws to light.  He showed a montage of Obama's flubs in the last debate, so will be interesting to see what he does tonight.

    [ Parent ]
    he looked stoned (5.00 / 1) (#57)
    by TheRefugee on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 12:18:36 AM EST
    on the daily show.  I'm not saying he was, just that he looked that way.

    [ Parent ]
    He got an even better tongue-bath than Kristol (5.00 / 1) (#113)
    by Ellie on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 06:17:09 AM EST
    Some forehead-smacking moments:

    Stewart set up the fungo with the "Waaahhhh, why won't the Bad Monster Lady Quit?" whine, which has become so repetitive I wonder why the O-campaign hasn't grafted it onto his plan for leadership. (The Bad Economy: Why won't it quittttt???, and Sure, Iran is throwing China (and Russia) around now, but I won't deride them earnestly until they see a mouse, jump up on a chair and flash their shapely stems while comically squealing "Eek! Eek!")

    Obama then "praises" Sen. Clinton by saying that her hard-fought campaign has been like Spring Training for him. Really?!? (Entitled much?)

    I'm mean, that was beyond a slo-pitch but a frackin' static t-ball and he still couldn't hit out of the infield ... or even show a modicum of class or humility by admitting that the contest wasn't over in PA yet.

    Then Stewart attempted to hand him some easy comedic moments by asking Obama to repeat, using some of his famous inspirational wizardry, some mundane phrases. Obama repeated them with a stilted, wooden delivery to a smattering of weak random laughter from the audience.

    [ Parent ]

    sorry...typo (none / 0) (#8)
    by ajain on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:11:46 PM EST
    10 days!

    [ Parent ]
    every time he is talking to the national (none / 0) (#21)
    by TruthMatters on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:16:18 PM EST
    press, is a second that could be given to the LOCAL press who will have greater access to the PA voters.

    why would he do anything else, he doesn't need to worry about voters in Minnesota or California getting his message right now, only PA matters, he has to focus in and get all he can.

    then he will move to IN and NC, and he will focus his attention on those states, the only reason for MSM interviews is really to speak to the supers. BO doesn't worry about speaking to states down the line he will focus on them when the time comes.

    but the point of the article is misleading, it makes it seem he is NOT giving interviews. which he is.

    and already people in this diary are attacking him for. its always something

    oh he is not giving interviews, oh well he is well then I will attack him because he should give national interviews, even though strategically speaking that makes no sense when campaigning only in 1 state.

    [ Parent ]

    His press conferences are spotty (5.00 / 8) (#58)
    by cal1942 on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 12:30:22 AM EST
    because he's really not adept at answering questions that actually pertain to policy or events.

    He's a complete empty suit.  I've never seen a major Democratic presidential primary candidate that is as empty or has such a lame grasp of issues as Obama.

    Sorry TruthMatters, you're giving a WORM type presentation and also indirectly conceding that Obama is all about Obama running for office and in fear of revealing a lack of substance.

    He won't comment, in part (he REALLY doesn't want to go THERE), because he doesn't know what to say.

    It comes right back down to the point that Obama is basically a nothing.  He's taken credit where he's not due credit; in the Illinois legislature where he received credit for the work of others, in 'community organizing' where he again took credit for the work of others (the asbestos abatement matter), in the US Senate where he boasted about nuclear inspection regulations that he compromised away and then lied about both the substance of that act and the fact that even in its ineffectual final form it was never brought to a vote and never became law.

    Obama is the candidate about nothing who's really incapable of answering substantative questions.

    The media's romance with Obama is nothing more than his opposition to Hillary Clinton.

    A repeat: If Obama is the nominee the press will drop him like a one night stand and return to McCain, their everlasting love.

    [ Parent ]

    I agree completely. He's weaker (5.00 / 1) (#127)
    by MarkL on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 07:39:42 AM EST
    than any Democratic nominee in decades. I think you'd have to go to the 19th century to find someone comparable.
    All he has is that great, stumbling charisma.. kinda like someone else we know, eh?

    [ Parent ]
    Good point, but.... (5.00 / 2) (#18)
    by Key on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:14:35 PM EST
    issues like the one he was asked do have a sort of national importance to them.

    Plus, interviews can be controlled more tightly than press conferences, and one on one interviews can be a lot less revealing than press conferences.

    Finally, what's wrong with holding a press conference that invites local AND national media?

    [ Parent ]

    is there anything he (none / 0) (#24)
    by TruthMatters on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:18:08 PM EST
    needs to say? obviously if something was need he'd give one.

    but MSM has daily press calls with staffers, there is nothing they NEED to ask him, they ask the communications people on the calls.

    instead obama should be out getting votes. the MSM is just cracky because they have nothing to report.

    [ Parent ]

    You're just circling back on yourself now (5.00 / 4) (#52)
    by Cream City on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:53:41 PM EST
    like a dog chasing its tail.  It's entertaining for us to watch up to a point, and it apparently entertains you, but it's starting to make you sort of dizzy -- if you look back through this read and read straight through what you said. :-)

    [ Parent ]
    The communications staffers (5.00 / 2) (#155)
    by FlaDemFem on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 08:17:10 AM EST
    aren't running for office. It doesn't matter if they know about Hamas and Carter's trip. It does matter if Obama knows about it and what he knows and what he thinks about it are important questions for the national media to ask. The fact that he is avoiding answering questions on foreign policy, and just about anything else, says that he doesn't know what he is doing, or he doesn't want to share his views with the voters for some reason. Either way, it is not the way a job applicant should behave towards the people who are taking the applications. Don't forget, the national media, such as it is, is where the rest of us find out what, if anything, Obama is thinking. So far, he isn't doing well in terms of policy and plans for the country. Basically, he doesn't have a clue and is hoping the rest of us won't find that out until after he wins the election. Which he won't because he doesn't have a clue and people will figure that out and vote for the one who does. If we are lucky, and I hope we are, it will be Hillary, who does have a more than a clue, going up against McCain. She has a good chance of winning because she can lay out policy, explain it, say why the opposition's policy is not as good as hers and make it stick. All Obama has is rhetoric and arrogance. That won't make an effective president. Just like he hasn't been an effective Senator. He should get a work ethic before he runs again. He is sorely lacking one at the moment.

    [ Parent ]
    I wish you would honor (5.00 / 1) (#212)
    by Leisa on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 11:13:42 AM EST
    the name you choose to post under...  Truth does matter, but from what I have read of your posts, you seem to only see one side.

    Here are some examples of Obama with the media.  You can decide for yourself, but I  think that there is a clear pattern of censure of reporters that ask Obama questions he does not like.  

    Notice the photo here.  This can be interpreted anyway you like, but I see it as an other example of a pattern of behavior.   I think he is a passive aggressive pouter.  I also think that he says one thing while doing another.

    Here is an older article of what the press gets if they write something unfavorably of your candidate.

    This is a democracy and we have the freedom to express our opinions.  I just hope that we all can make informed instead of emotional decisions.  

    I see patterns of behavior in Obama that I find to be duplicitous.  His campaign has been attacking Hillary's character for months now.  We all know that her biggest negative is the perception of her trustworthiness, and he has Capitalized on that.  To have him say that he has not played dirty politics is just untrue.

    What can I think of Obama?... not much. I think he has shown me that he is a charming hypocrite that does not have the guts to stand up and answer for anything.  I do not recall him taking responsibility for his missteps and misspoken moments.  It is always the fault of others or taken out of context... Then, he has his army of followers that swarm whenever they worry that 'someone' might make him look bad.  To me, that 'someone' is Obama himself.

    [ Parent ]

    Pensylvanians don't watch national news? (5.00 / 3) (#23)
    by dianem on Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 11:17:57 PM EST
    Obama is running for President, not Alderman. In order to reach as many PA voter's as possible he has the entire media at his disposal. National, CNN, and the local news.

    [ Parent ]
    We Pennsylvanians are too bitter to watch TV (5.00 / 7) (#111)
    by kempis on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 06:13:50 AM EST
    It reminds us of what we don't have: palm trees, sunshine, thin people.

    God, just thinking about this makes me want to grab my Bible AND my shotgun....

    Seriously, I bet most Pennsylvanians have been doing what I've been doing: avoiding like the plague those local media outlets that have been utterly saturated with ads for both campaigns. I'm certain that people in Western PA are sick of both by now because they have to sit through a bazillion ads to keep up with the Penguins' NHL playoff games. :p

    Someone should do a study to see if there isn't a backlash effect of Pittsburgh Penguin fans voting en masse for McCain.

    [ Parent ]

    I do not watch the local news (none / 0) (#135)
    by BarnBabe on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 07:52:47 AM EST
    I don't even watch CNN unless something big is happening and Paris riding to the police station was not that moment. I do READ CNN news and Yahoo News and ABC News and of course, here. Use to be 'there' and MSNBC but that ship has sailed.

    I am glad Hillary was able to appear last night on two networks. At the one, with KO, she was able to talk issues and not run away from the hostile press. And the other gave her 30 mins free air time to show once again that she is not afraid. She is ready to be CIC. Let's elect her.

    [ Parent ]

    what are (none / 0) (