A prophet in his hometown: press relations nightmare
posted at 9:25 pm on March 3, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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It’s only the first day of the Tony Rezko trial, testimony has yet to be heard, and already the press has gotten to Barack Obama. Faced with a new focus on his ties to the defendant in a corruption case and exposed missteps in his NAFTA dance, Obama stalked out of a press conference with questions ringing in his ears (via Instapundit):
Led by the Chicago press corps that has covered Obama for years, the candidate today faced a barrage of questions in what turned out to be a contentious news conference.
Questions centered on why his campaign had denied that a meeting occurred between his chief economic advisor and Canadian officials as well as questions on his relationship with Tony Rezko, a Chicago land developer and fast food magnate, now on trial for corruption charges. …
Much of the back and forth, though, between reporters and Obama was about his relationship with Tony Rezko, with reporters demanding to know why new details were emerging from the case though Obama and his staff had claimed they had been forthright with all the details.
Obama and Carol Marin, political editor at NBC5 in Chicago and columnist at the Chicago Sun-Times, tangled over how up front Obama had been about Rezko. Obama cut off her line of questioning, saying that Marin’s questions were personally motivated.
Hmmm. It appears that the local press has managed to do what the national media could not — treat Obama as a politician and not a secular messiah. They asked tough questions about Obama’s political connections to a fixer and his campaign’s outright false answers on an Obama adviser’s contacts with Canadian diplomats regarding Obama’s rhetoric on NAFTA. Instead of handling the questions calmly and patiently, Obama accused the media of having an agenda against him, and then angrily stalked off.
Compare this to the press conference John McCain held after the New York Times smeared him by accusing him of having a sexual affair with a lobbyist. Not only did McCain — whose temper has its own zip code, according to some Capitol Hill staffers — give a lengthy and reserved statement, but then stood at the podium until the reporters ran out of questions. In fact, at the end, McCain had to ask twice whether anyone had anything else to ask him before leaving the podium.
By my count, McCain answered 36 questions in this press conference. How many did Obama take before walking off in a huff?
Many people profess concern that McCain lacks the proper temperament for the presidency. Instead, they should wonder just how a President Obama would deal with the press and with the accountability that comes with the office. If today’s press conference gives any indication, it looks like Obama has some temper and judgment issues of his own — or that the questions strike a little too close to home.
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hope this takes root and people come out of the obama haze.
trailortrash on March 3, 2008 at 9:29 PM
Sweet!
Buy Danish on March 3, 2008 at 9:30 PM
Tony Rezko is a fast food magnate? Holy shiite man, the moonbats are gonna go nuts. I mean, the only worse thing he could be would be professional euthanizer down at the pound.
funky chicken on March 3, 2008 at 9:30 PM
Here is a long meandering story which ends with Obama smiting a reporter.
http://www.houstonpress.com/2008-02-28/news/barack-obama-screamed-at-me/print
ninjapirate on March 3, 2008 at 9:30 PM
A ‘prophet’ is never accepted in his home town…
SwampRat on March 3, 2008 at 9:31 PM
Very interesting piece Ed. It’s such exhibitions of inexperience and juvenility that could damage Obama over a long campaign, particularly if the heat is turned up. Mac has to exploit this as best he can, remain self-controlled, and reinforce the image of elder statesman v. inexperienced demagogue.
This Rezko sleaze has some mileage yet, I sense.
Pax americana on March 3, 2008 at 9:31 PM
Leave to the Clintons to make their hit at the 11th hour. Nice work.
pedestrian on March 3, 2008 at 9:32 PM
Led by the Chicago press corps that has covered Obama for years, the candidate today faced a barrage of questions in what turned out to be a contentious news conference.
Where in the sam hill were these people in 2004?
Obama was annointed by these very same people then.
rockdalian on March 3, 2008 at 9:35 PM
I hope there is video!
TheBigOldDog on March 3, 2008 at 9:35 PM
Clever, very clever.
SouthernGent on March 3, 2008 at 9:37 PM
Why does the Obamassiah do business with a corrupt man who kills defenseless animals and serves them to our children leading to an epidemic in obesity?
TheBigOldDog on March 3, 2008 at 9:39 PM
How many headless bodies will be found in Chicago tomorrow morning?
DaveHusseinS on March 3, 2008 at 9:40 PM
“Instead of handling the questions calmly and patiently, Obama accused the media of having an agenda against him, and then angrily stalked off.”
Maybe a window into his soul?
Seven Percent Solution on March 3, 2008 at 9:41 PM
Well, we should find out because the Media are sharks. They smell blood in the water now and at least some of those sharks are going to be tempted to feed.
TheBigOldDog on March 3, 2008 at 9:43 PM
Really?
Another question Obama needs to be hounded about - how did he hear about the Kenwood property? Was it through his real estate agent, as he claims, or was it because Michelle Obama sat on the Landmarks Commission board?
Buy Danish on March 3, 2008 at 9:45 PM
YOU DARE QUESTION THE MESSIAH!
And now for my 3rd “your mask is slipping Mr. Obama.”
Oh, is it ever slipping. :)
ThePrez on March 3, 2008 at 9:45 PM
According to the story, Obama indicated (while leaving) that he had answered about 8 questions.
Poor guy.
Midas on March 3, 2008 at 9:47 PM
My prediction: Federal indictment of one Sen. Barack Hussein Obama, he has to drop out, Democrats tarred & feathered, and America’s hero Sen. John McCain sweeps to victory.
One year later, ex-Senator Obama found a felon.
Just seems to fit.
HotAirJosef on March 3, 2008 at 9:48 PM
Or, that he thought he was above all this, given the free ride by the media and the fainting idiots, to date, that the Messiah doesn’t get questioned…
Entelechy on March 3, 2008 at 9:50 PM
Captain Kirk: “Wh-why is God angry?”
ThePrez on March 3, 2008 at 9:51 PM
No, it would be if he was connected to BIG OIL!!
CurtZHP on March 3, 2008 at 9:53 PM
I hope McCain milks this. A simple ad would do wonders:
“When the New York Times smeared John McCain, he stood and answered thirty-six questions for reporters. He even made sure they didn’t have any more. How many did Barack Obama answer about Tony Rezko before he walked out? Eight.”
Wayne Clark on March 3, 2008 at 9:56 PM
Mr. Slick not so slick on this one?
petefrt on March 3, 2008 at 10:00 PM
And this is why Hillary will most likely stay in past tomorrow. I imagine she’s hoping that if she can hold on long enough, the shine will rub off Obama’s halo and she can make a come back.
JeffC_95 on March 3, 2008 at 10:00 PM
Can we get a video of that press conference. I’d love to see Messiah do a Dan Rather.
oldguy on March 3, 2008 at 10:09 PM
Bunch of racist reporters.
a capella on March 3, 2008 at 10:10 PM
Barack Obama this…. Barack Obama that…. Barack Obama whatever… Sick of it all. Can’t this man simply retire now and spare us the second term of the Jimmy Carter presidency?
indythinker on March 3, 2008 at 10:14 PM
Yes, it was like the Pharisees grilling the Lord Jesus, no doubt.
jgapinoy on March 3, 2008 at 10:14 PM
LOL, and this guy wants to be President? He’s a joke.
j0 on March 3, 2008 at 10:16 PM
He doth protest too much, me thinks.
lorien1973 on March 3, 2008 at 10:18 PM
Wait… wait. Did he storm out or did he simply overthrow the tables and send them scampering from the temple?
Sugar Land on March 3, 2008 at 10:19 PM
Awesome! Just awesome!
lorien1973 on March 3, 2008 at 10:20 PM
Um, that’s what Morissey said in the byline.
jgapinoy on March 3, 2008 at 10:22 PM
I’ve been waiting all day for your usual posting output, Cap’n.
Its late, but you really delivered. What a day’s work. This is a beauty.
Like other commenters, I’d eat a snake to see the video. You rage!
marybel on March 3, 2008 at 10:22 PM
Perhaps Obama can’t hit a one iron either? Reality usually sets in when one three-putts from “8″ feet (questions) away.
Rovin on March 3, 2008 at 10:24 PM
Precisely what I thought also, however according to my step-daughters it won’t make a difference tomorrow….of course they can’t tell me anything he’s done in the Senate, either!!!
Vntnrse on March 3, 2008 at 10:25 PM
I’m originally from Chicago and very familiar with Carol Marin (for you fellow Chicagoans, remember when she dared say Jerry Springer doing commentary for NBC 5 was, er, idiotic?)– please! Personal?! She has a lot of respect in the Chicago area– I can’t imagine this going over well.
Pasalubong on March 3, 2008 at 10:34 PM
SECOND LOOK AT HILLARY! LOL!!!
D2Boston on March 3, 2008 at 10:34 PM
“Come on, you guys. I answered like 8 questions.”– The horror. The horror.
Pasalubong on March 3, 2008 at 10:36 PM
“Obama and Carol Marin, political editor at NBC5 in Chicago and columnist at the Chicago Sun-Times, tangled over how up front Obama had been about Rezko. Obama cut off her line of questioning, saying that Marin’s questions were personally motivated.”
Every politician in Northern Illinois has tried that tack with Carol. She is actually one of the better political reporters in the Chicago area.
LL
Lady Logician on March 3, 2008 at 10:41 PM
Marin’s questions are personally motivated? That’s a laugh. Marin is fairly solid left, judging by her opinion pieces in the Sun-Times. But she is, at heart, a reporter, and her days as a reporter showed her as at least fair. The Chosen One is grasping at straws here.
the wolf on March 3, 2008 at 10:44 PM
Nice work, BD. Very impressive grasp of the Chicago School of (Personal) Economic Development.
Jaibones on March 3, 2008 at 10:46 PM
You are being too gracious. Carol is a smart lady, but she is hard left, and partisan Dem. She is rarely fair, and I’ll bet Obama isn’t too far off base with his accusation that she’s a raging woman scorned.
But all’s fair in love and politics, and this is long overdue.
Jaibones on March 3, 2008 at 10:49 PM
He makes a good point.
Typhonsentra on March 3, 2008 at 10:49 PM
Just wait, the charges that the reporters were “racially motivated” in their question should appear at any moment.
irishspy on March 3, 2008 at 10:51 PM
Heh. Yeah, Big OIL would be worse I suppose.
funky chicken on March 3, 2008 at 11:03 PM
Give the guy a little credit, he does extremely well when things are going his way… and to be fair, he really didn’t expect to be given “real” questions to answer.
Hog Wild on March 3, 2008 at 11:14 PM
Speaking of Obama acquaintances, I think this is about everything there is out there currently regarding Obama and Bill Ayers.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1979996/posts
ninjapirate on March 3, 2008 at 11:15 PM
Obama is having a bad week. He needs to win all four states tomorrow, or his bad week turns into a rough five months.
If Clinton wins a major state tomorrow, or both TX and OH, she has no reason to walk away while Barack creeps closer to media meltdown. They have been swinging for the fences among friendly media (MSNBC) urging Hillary to give up the fight, but that is for naught if she comes through at all tomorrow. Might as well ride it out with all the pressure on the frontrunner between now and convention time. If she wins back enough momentum from even one state, she will deny him the opportunity to keep the superdelegates out of play–and they won’t vote for months. She will sit back and let him draw all the fire–a position she has been used to in this race.
Eight questions was all he could handle from media in this rare appearance? Does he think that is going to solve his little media problem? Next time they’ll be shouting louder and demanding more. He created more skeptics today, not less. Not ready for prime time. Nowhere close.
Caustic Conservative on March 3, 2008 at 11:22 PM
I recall that billy Jeff basically discontinued any contact with the press for the last two years of hsi Presidency.
Liberals don’t wanna hear any opposition.
benrand on March 3, 2008 at 11:23 PM
Somebody needs to get a straight forward answer from Obama about reparations.
Patient Conyers hopes to move slavery bill during an Obama administration
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/patient-conyers-hopes-to-move-slavery-bill-during-an-obama-administration-2007-03-12.html
ninjapirate on March 3, 2008 at 11:28 PM
nm, he’s addressed it here:
http://cbs2chicago.com/politics/slavery.reparations.cliff.2.335289.html
ninjapirate on March 3, 2008 at 11:31 PM
If any of McCains people try to run with this he’ll probably apologize.
Buttercup on March 3, 2008 at 11:52 PM
Makes it sounds like he’s in an institution.
mikeyboss on March 3, 2008 at 11:53 PM
Part of the Obama interveiw is
here
William Amos on March 4, 2008 at 12:05 AM
Excellent article by Carole Marin detailing her efforts to get Obama to talk:
http://www.suntimes.com/news/marin/356207,CST-EDT-carol25.article
dm60462 on March 4, 2008 at 12:15 AM
Can’t get video to play…just the Outback commercial. Heh. Here’s another report on Obamalamabambam via Powerline.
SouthernGent on March 4, 2008 at 12:21 AM
Nice read. I hope…HOPE!…they keep up the pressure.
SouthernGent on March 4, 2008 at 12:24 AM
and as groucho said, if thats not fast enough, you can leave in a minute and a huff
billypaintbrush on March 4, 2008 at 12:29 AM
Try the CBS site HERE
also has transcript
William Amos on March 4, 2008 at 12:34 AM
Go back one year and look at how Obama jumped all over Maureen Dowd for the column she wrote noting that the candidate has big ears — there’s definitely a temper underneath the exterior, as shown by MoDo’s accidental touching of a hot-button spot.
However, “accidental” is the key word here. The national press core, with its heavy dose of liberal white guilt always close to the surface, didn’t want to probe anywhere that might have gotten Obama irritated before this, mainly because the didn’t see the point last year of doing anything to a candidate who wasn’t going to win, and for the past three months because they were infatuated by the possibility that he could win. But since Barak is much less of a fresh new face to Chicago reporters, and the Rezko probe threatens to involve the governor as well, they’re willing to go to places the big national media outlets until now have not dared tread.
Hillary’s people have done a good job jumping on the SNL skit(s) and other recent criticism of the press’ love affair with Obama to shame the media into slightly more balanced coverage (and it helped there are still a lot of Clinton acolytes within those same big media outlets). But whether this story has legs in the coming days will probably depend in large part on what the voters do on Tuesday — if Hillary comes back and wins Texas along with holding on in Ohio, then the Rezko scandal fits into the new Clinton-supported talking point of “Hillary surges as new questions arise on Obama’s ability to handle big-time politics”.
jon1979 on March 4, 2008 at 12:46 AM
AND…the ego of reporters is just as big as politicians’.
SouthernGent on March 4, 2008 at 1:05 AM
This could be the beginning of the end.
If Obama can’t get past the temper and keeps doing things like getting visibly mad and walking out in a huff (or a huff-po, or a minute and a huff), the “shine” will go away real fast.
Merovign on March 4, 2008 at 1:37 AM
Not that it isn’t amusing to see Obama walk away in a huff with 22% of McCain’s score, but the reporters’ questions are downright absurd. Asking why more details have come out about the Rezko case despite that Barack said he’d been forthright? What do they expect the guy to do, form a private detective squad and turn the results over to the press? As for the Canada NAFTA spat, I’ve yet to hear CTV provide a credible source, and they’re the ones who started this whole mess. It does reflect poorly on Obama that he doesn’t have the patience to handle the questions, but it’s not like the press is doing its job either.
Math_Mage on March 4, 2008 at 1:45 AM
This, and the Open Letter to Obama above, prove beyond doubt that he’s not experienced or mature enough for the office of president. And the open letter proves that the messiah is not a truthful person.
waterfall on March 4, 2008 at 2:00 AM
This, and the Open Letter to Obama above, prove beyond doubt that he’s not experienced or mature enough for the office of president. And the open letter proves that the messiah is not a truthful person.
waterfall on March 4, 2008 at 2:01 AM
Looks like Obama’s playing the Race Card.
jaime on March 4, 2008 at 2:02 AM
Yeah, see? I knew we could talk about something.
Connie on March 4, 2008 at 2:02 AM
I watched some video of the press conference. Senator Obama was asked why he didn’t just release all the info that was requested by the press. He replied that the requests would become endless.
It looks like he’s a little confused by reporters who aren’t on their knees and doesn’t know how to talk to reporters actually acting like reporters.
Priceless.
snaggletoothie on March 4, 2008 at 5:38 AM
Drink the kool aid brothers and sisters! Obama is clean. This angel of kool has been cleansed and deemed worthy. Obama can do no wrong. Do not spoil the moment pharisee press. Ask the feel good questions. Be supportive.
Go with the everlasting flow! Obama is clean!
saved on March 4, 2008 at 5:57 AM
I’ve decided to take the “Rush Limbaugh strategy” on the Dem primary but with a big twist. Rush is telling Republicans to cross over and vote for Hillary. Well, I now want Obama to win here in Texas.
My reasoning? This Rezko scandal is getting bigger and bigger by the day. Bob Novak had a big column on it yesterday carried on RCP. And today, John Fund of the WSJ outlines all the aspects in the story in terms any layman can understand.
And once someone understands what really went on with Obama and the land deal, a lightbulb goes off over their heads, and they realize what a crook “Mr. Clean Politics” really is.
And now, there’s ties to Saddam Hussein. It’s alleged that a top henchman for Hussein from the UK, funneled money to (Syrian) Tonzy Rezko to underwrite the Obama land deal.
You might say, one Hussein, helping another Hussein.
We’re Day 2 in this story. Ironically, the big primaries are today. So, the story has not sunk in. Give it a few days and it will be all over the MSM.
There’s a report that yesterday in San Antonio Obama was hounded by reporters following him from “the Chicago press” on Rezko. Surely, the local yocals in Texas caught the drift after the press conference that this was a growing story.
ericdondero on March 4, 2008 at 6:10 AM
the video of the walkout is on Powerline. I think the reporter at the end is Lynne Sweet. That’s funny ’cause she’d service him in a heartbeat.
LtE126 on March 4, 2008 at 7:03 AM
If Obama becomes the Democrat nominee today, I expect the MSM to circle the wagons around Obama and bury this story deep.
And stop calling me Shirley.
Kevin71 on March 4, 2008 at 7:15 AM
Yet another vast right wing, racist, Jooooo controlled media conspiracy!
Alden Pyle on March 4, 2008 at 7:28 AM
Interesting approach.
By the way, I concede that I am a Texas “local”, but we have never considered ourselves “yocals” (or more correctly . . . yokels).
Cheers.
rplat on March 4, 2008 at 7:28 AM
“How many headless bodies will be found in Chicago tomorrow morning?
DaveHusseinS on March 3, 2008 at 9:40 PM”
When I lived in Chicago, the bodies which were found had bullet holes, but, many of the bodies had their feet encased in concrete and were not found.
burt on March 4, 2008 at 7:56 AM
Ed wrote:
Yeah, well the Chicago media understands that this guy is where he is today because Seven of Nine’s ex-husband was a pervert.
radjah shelduck on March 4, 2008 at 8:01 AM
Dude, that’s jut how they roll.
funky chicken on March 4, 2008 at 8:07 AM
Nonsense. This is going to blow up.
Jaibones on March 4, 2008 at 8:13 AM
“We’re running late”
Are we flying commercial flights?…Flights that have schedules?
jus’ askin’
franksalterego on March 4, 2008 at 8:21 AM
this is sweet indeed but it still won’t get traction in the MSM.
Nascar70 on March 4, 2008 at 8:31 AM
Since when is taking a politician at their word doing your job as a reporter?
Way to go Carol, for one day you have decided to look behind a politician’s motives and question the truthfulness of their words.
You really deserve some sort of award.
Like the negative print press on the new 10.25% Chicago sales tax (highest in the country), Barak’s negative press is a one day story. The lap dog named Carol will be back on Barak’s lap by this afternoon or looking for a job with the local Fox affiliate. : ))
Angry Dumbo on March 4, 2008 at 8:32 AM
Shouldn’t Nancy and Harry be calling for an investigation?
I mean, after all, if they have time to investigate a baseball player, on an incident that occurred 8 years after the statute of limitations ran out, they sure should be able to find the time to squeeze this in.
Who knew what?…And, when did they know it?
The opportunity for grandstanding is enormous.
oh, wait…democrazy…nevermind
franksalterego on March 4, 2008 at 8:41 AM
It must just break the Dems’ hearts to see their own pets trying to bite them. But don’t worry - whichever one of them gets the nod will immediately enter an inviolable cone of protection from further actual questioning, as the media performs its true job of getting a Dem back in the White House by savaging the Republicans.
drunyan8315 on March 4, 2008 at 8:50 AM
Hilarious thread at the DU on this subject. Had me rolling.
William Teach on March 4, 2008 at 9:02 AM
“When I lived in Chicago, the bodies which were found had bullet holes, but, many of the bodies had their feet encased in concrete and were not found.
burt on March 4, 2008 at 7:56 AM”
They’ve been doin’ lots of killin’ in here in O’Dreamy’s home town lately. Most of them kids.
LtE126 on March 4, 2008 at 9:08 AM
Great read.
One other point - Obama’s boss at the law firm where he was a Jr. partner was Allison Davis - who did work for Rezco and left that firm to work with Rezco developing properties in the Kenwood section of Chicago (where Obama bought his house).
More here.
Buy Danish on March 4, 2008 at 9:09 AM
Obama needs to resign now and save us the trouble of impeaching him later. I hear the Chicago sewer board has an opening.
NoDonkey on March 4, 2008 at 9:21 AM
Again, Obama shows his nincompoopery. Like a spoiled child that will NOT TOLERATE correction, he stalks off in a huff when the media asks an unfavorable question. If he is to be President this scenario will be his fare morning, noon and night. Get used to it Obama.
jimbo2008 on March 4, 2008 at 9:30 AM
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