Former Pressies Warn President-Elect Obama Not to Go Crazy on Web
By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers.
Technicians prepare for Monday night's seminar on Obama and the press with (from left) former Clinton aide Don Baer, former Ford spokesman Ron Nessen, former newsman Marvin Kalb, Brookings Institution author Stephen Hess, and former Bush spokesman Scott McClellan.
He used the Internet to break fundraising records and win the White House, and now President-elect Barack Obama is expected to expand his reach via a greatly enhanced Whitehouse.gov website. But before he makes any big moves, former White House press aides to several presidents have a warning: Don't become so Web-accessible that it devalues the president's message making. "There is a real challenge and risk," says Don Baer, a former Clinton-era communications boss and former U.S. News staffer.
The risk: "Cheapen the president's message." Obama has been a big proponent of Web communications, using outlets like YouTube to let Americans into his transition. And aides are expected to revamp the popular White House website to get his message out—and around the White House press corps. At a seminar hosted by Stephen Hess, the former Eisenhower aide and Brookings Institution scholar who just penned the witty book What Do We Do Now? A Workbook for the President-Elect, he, Baer, former Bush spokesman Scott McClellan, former Ford spokesman Ron Nessen, and former newsman Marvin Kalb last night reviewed the Obama press operation. First, they gave Obama a passing grade for his recent press conferences. McClellan had high praise for Obama's choice of spokesman, Robert Gibbs, saying that it appears Gibbs has the access to his boss needed to be a good press secretary. And they were high on the use of new technology by the Obama team. But that came with warnings from Baer and others. Baer, for example, suggested that using blogs, Web chats, and video conferences is a good idea, but he said that the White House has to make sure not to overdo it and thus make the president too accessible. He and the others suggested that the new president use other tools in his kit, such as regular press conferences, Oval Office addresses, and major speeches out of town. "There are some risks to familiarity," said Baer.
Tags: Barack Obama | Scott McClellan
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Reader Comments
Missile Shield Deployment
George McAvoy, I have edited and sent your sentiments to the President-elect's website, Change.Gov . I think you will find that Obama will forge a pragmatic policy based on international dialogue and common goals. I agree with your plea to de-militarize, and I think Obama shares that objective save for the hunt for Osama bin Laden.
PS. we dont need congress, either
We dont have to take a horse and buggy three days to get to Washington.
The entire ideal of REPRESENTATIVES is a throw back to another era.
We are all on the steps of the Greek ideal. We are all citizens and our voices can be heard, via the internet.
whip makers warn, dont use cars
Gosh, press people speak against using the internet. What next, oil companies speaking against alternative fuels?
Thanks.
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