Veteran Journalists: Today's White House Reporters Are Too Timid

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...the press must be skeptical so that the people don't become cynical? Truer words were never spoken. MSM failed to vet Obama
during 2008 election. They had one lousy job to do and they didn't do it. Perhaps, Obama would have been elected anyway, but at least those who voted for him would have known for whom they were voting.

jakev of AL 6:48AM May 20, 2011

I'm sorry, but Sid Davis, while correct in his criticism, is incorrect in his analysis.
White House reporters are not "too timid" -- they SUPPORT Obama and his crypto-Marxian ideas. That's why they do not pursue stories.
The 4th Estate has turned into the 5th Column
Proof? White House Correspondents dinner: "Most of you voted for me." Barack Milhaus Obama.
They ought to be ashamed, but they have no shame, so that's out.

Jack von Bauer 6:19AM May 20, 2011

so why would we expect tough questions?

Robert Hooper of VA 9:49PM May 19, 2011

35 year Veteran W.H. Reporter, Les Kinsolving, asks Gibbs (May 2010) why Obama has a SSN, ONLY reserved for Connecticut Applicants? Kinsolving is mocked by other "reporters" then Gibbs refuses to answer the question.
Google "Susan Daniels Explains Fraud"

OBAMA=FRAUD of CT 3:50PM May 19, 2011

Good school you attended- watch your thens and thans.

s gates of MI 2:36PM May 19, 2011

Reporter: President Obama, you are in fact the greatest President ever? Are you not?
Obama: I will leave that for you to decide but personally, I think so.
Reporter: (I knew it!) Thanks your majesty.
It is kind of sickening isnt it??

bill of CA 2:27PM May 19, 2011

@Jim O'Connell of CA - Having received my Journalism degree the same year as 9/11, I can honestly say the communications departments around this country are training minions for the Yellow Press. Sure, they glossed over Ida Tarbell and the other muckrakers...but merely as a whisper.
Our school was bought and paid for by the local news conglomerate - only the top suck ups landed the highly coveted position of beat reporting. I could tell then through my constant debate with the moonlighting professionals (why can't we study other publications then the MJS, "the urinal") that something was wrong. I was truly disappointed upon graduation, there wasn't a single publication out there in 2002 that was committed to true journalism "aka muckraking", and what does it say when 50% of my graduating class went on to law school.
I will never give up on my dream of being a muckraker...but for now I'll continue to be considered "fringe" because the truth lies behind closed doors. And I have known for almost a decade now why the media is what it is. Of course the Telecommunications Act of 1996 gave Yellow Journalism (and the White House) the boost to rule mainstream.

sunny of CA 2:21PM May 19, 2011

Ironic that the "veterans" define their behavior with JFK as the shining example of a press conference. Where were their questions regarding his affairs, his connections to mob bosses, even the illness he was hiding from the public? That "press" is the same as today's press: they got their liberal elected - so every effort must be made to protect him.
The true press shows up with conservative presidents. I don't bemoan the tough questions, I just want to see the press ask them to liberal president too.

Michael of KC of MO 2:18PM May 19, 2011

The "news" people and reports simply SUCK. They can't even ask the hard questions. Hell - they don't even ask the RIGHT questions.
Reports are INSANELY BIASED and THAT (alone) stops them from doing their job.
The reason nothing ever sticks to liberals and why conservitives get shafted by reporters - is because WE THE PEOPLE allow it.
WELL - ENOUGH is ENOUGH. STOP support liberal media and liberal causes.
We need another HILTER to rid the world of these SCUM

Black of FL 2:11PM May 19, 2011

Honestly now, he thinks "the golden age" of news conferences is over and his conclusion is that it's because BHO doesn't LIKE news conferences!?!?
Somehow the headline has it right while the body of the story goes in completely the wrong direction.
These aren't reporters anymore, they are propagandists.
Each in his turn is trying to be the dear leader's little pet. They want to serve him and hope that he will grace them with his presence, his attention, and maybe even a job as his next press secretary or campaign minion, or maybe they could take coveted role of royal piss-boy.
If, someday, any non-Democrat is ever elected, the little parrots will be back up on their perches, squawking loudly through the jungle to see their enemy destroyed. But for now, they feel they have won their "fight" and simply feel blessed to be in the presence of their champion.
I would bet that if any voice did speak out and truly question BHO, the rest of the press-corps would shout him down to defend their leader. And of course, that would be the last time the little dictator would ever allow that person into his little chicken coup of dutiful propagandists.

WeepingForOurFuture of WA 1:55PM May 19, 2011