Some in the media are going batshit over that video I (and others) posted Sunday of WH reporters leaping to their feet when Obama entered the briefing room last Friday. Why? The video was preceded by George Bush doing the same with no standing O.
CBS's Mark Knoller: Some people noticed that many reporters rose from their seats last Friday when President Obama unexpectedly entered the White House briefing room, but the same courtesy was not always extended in the past when President Bush would make an appearance. Comparison videos were even posted on YouTube. It’s a long-standing practice for reporters to rise when the president enters the East Room for a news conference, but that hasn’t been the case in the briefing room. I checked with two colleagues who served as senior wire service reporters during the Bush Presidency and who, in matters of press protocol, the rest of us followed. “The briefing room is always a more informal place,” says Steve Holland of Reuters. But the principal reason reporters remained in their seats, he said, was not to block the shot of TV cameramen and still photographers in the back of the room who were trying to make a picture of the president’s walk-in. No disrespect was intended for President Bush and to the best of my knowledge none was taken. In addition, it only takes about three steps for the president to reach the lectern from the press room door. He’d be ready to begin and many reporters would barely be out of their seats, which used to be further complicated by swivel desks that had to be shifted out of the way. When some reporters stood up for President Obama last Friday, they forgot about the needs of their colleagues in the back of the room as well as the less formal atmosphere of the briefing room. Certainly it was a sign of respect for the president, but not one of disrespect for his predecessor. It was President Obama’s first time at the briefing room lectern since taking office and for some new members of the White House Press, it was their first time seeing a president enter the room as well.
Related: "United We Stand" CB May 3, 2009
This explanation sounds reasonable to me.
ReplyDeleteIt will only be a few months until no one will be standing for Barack either. We have a tendency of electing individuals, then using the rest of their term to belittle them. Though I surely do not agree with many of his policies, I would stand even if it blocked a camera view if I were to have the president enter the room. I'm sure I'll never have the opportunity to prove this.
ReplyDeleteAnother perspective...
ReplyDeletePerhaps someone has been passing Viagra around the press room and all the reporters are suddenly able to get it up again. Of course they need to seek help if they remain standing for 4 hours.
Very interesting insider perspective on an event that was obviously misinterpreted and blown out of proportion by outsiders. I doubt Bush the younger sits around comparing his treatment by the press with Obama's. If anyone should be upset, it's he. I don't think he is. Everyone else needs to drop it and move on. There are more than enough real issues to criticize. As Bobcat said, the worm always turns. And that applies to both politicians and journalists.
ReplyDeleteWell said, guys!
ReplyDeleteMuch ado about nothing. The press is like the kid on the playground who says....did you hear what Joe said about you? Then he goes to Joe. Did you hear what he said about you?
ReplyDeleteWhile Joe and you fight, he, the press, sits on the sideline and marvels at his intelligence and our stupidity.