Fake interviews and missing videos?
posted at 1:50 pm on July 22, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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Last night, Andrea Mitchell charged on Hardball that the interviews of Barack Obama in Iraq were “fake”. Newsbusters and Crooks and Liars have the video, but oddly enough, MS-NBC has not published last night’s exchange on its website. That seems very odd, as this exchange should be rather newsworthy:
ANDREA MITCHELL: This is message –
MATTHEWS: Yeah, go ahead, please.
MITCHELL: Let me just say something about the message management. He didn’t have reporters with him, he didn’t have a press pool, he didn’t do a press conference while he was on the ground in either Afghanistan or Iraq. What you’re seeing is not reporters brought in. You’re seeing selected pictures taken by the military, questions by the military, and what some would call fake interviews, because they’re not interviews from a journalist. So, there’s a real press issue here. Politically it’s smart as can be. But we’ve not seen a presidential candidate do this, in my recollection, ever before. …
MATTHEWS: Let me ask you about access to the troops, Andrea. A lot of African-American faces over there, very happy, delighted faces. Is that a representation of the percentage of servicepeople who are African-American, or did they all choose to join someone they like, apparently? What’s thestory?
MITCHELL: I can’t really say that. Being a reporter who was not present in any of those situations, I just cannot report on what was edited out, what was, you know, on the sidelines. That’s my issue. We don’t know what we are seeing.
NBC has gone to great expense to have Mitchell, Brian Williams, and their support staff tour the world with Obama. Why would they keep this kind of news off of its video offerings at MS-NBC’s site? Today, they have a wide selection of stories available to its viewers, with such pressing topics as a popular YouTube of a lion, a promo interview for the movie Stepbrothers, and the alleged assault by Christian Bale on his mother and sister.
If they didn’t want to report on the trip and excessive handling and isolation of Obama from the press, why did NBC send so many resources to follow him?
John Amato argues that Mitchell has it all wrong:
When she says “what some would call” I guess she means herself. Will Andrea go on a limb and say every interview on FOX News is not legitimate when Cheney, Bush or McCain appear? How about when she joins O’Reilly? Or when someone is interviewed on a blog? The Daily Show has some very interesting interviews, does that not count? Is the military not capable of performing interviews? Where does she draw the line? Saying they are “fake interviews” really goes too far.
John has a point here, although he goes far overboard; Fox is more credible than MS-NBC, especially when it comes to Obama. Since I do a number of interviews with people across the political spectrum, I’d also have to question the notion that they are “fake” because the MSM didn’t supervise them. The interviews can speak for themselves, at least to the extent of their editing — but that is also true of MSM interviews, too.
However, the larger point Mitchell makes is that Obama is being “handled” to a high degree, and that the campaign is keeping him as far away from the press as possible. They’re only allowing for controlled events and images to appear, which goes against the entire idea of “New Politics” and transparency — and it also strongly suggests that the campaign can’t trust Obama to handle himself. Mitchell raises a very serious point with her report, and MS-NBC’s sudden reluctance to republish it underscores their own lack of objectivity in this campaign.
Update: Video “found”:
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I dunno Andrea might have a point about the press conference. I did see Obama arriving and Meeting Petraeus but nowhere is the press to be seen (Other than the video taker)
AP Video here
William Amos on July 22, 2008 at 1:54 PM
I take that back in that there maybe some press getting off the plane.
William Amos on July 22, 2008 at 1:55 PM
He’s staying away from reporters like he stays away from debating McCain for the obvious reason. Without his teleprompter or a prepared speech, he doesn’t sound very intelligent.
Les in NC on July 22, 2008 at 1:57 PM
It seems fitting that a stop in Germany is in order. Maybe BHO campiagn team is doing research on Goebbels
unseen on July 22, 2008 at 1:58 PM
It’s too bad he didn’t hoist a plastic turkey or something.
That would have been a real story.
Slublog on July 22, 2008 at 1:58 PM
Here is embedd code Ed with Andrea mitchell on Morning Joe with critisims
William Amos on July 22, 2008 at 2:00 PM
She’s right. Obama’s path to the White House is through a teleprompter.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on July 22, 2008 at 2:00 PM
Unlimited money, an adoring press core performing collective fellatio and a hyper insulated campaign, and the clown is still tied with McCain today on Rasmussen.
Turd polishing and its futility.
Chuck Schick on July 22, 2008 at 2:01 PM
Apparently Obama is not Andrea’s type. Much too young. She hasn’t succumb to his charms yet.
RBMN on July 22, 2008 at 2:01 PM
Sorry had to email it
William Amos on July 22, 2008 at 2:02 PM
Why is any of this surprising? This was a marketing effort from the beginning. There is no policy rationale to this trip… we already know where he stands. the locales are just props, and our troops are just props (victims). Notice he only had pics with Black troops.
elduende on July 22, 2008 at 2:02 PM
Once you go GREENspan, you never go back.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on July 22, 2008 at 2:02 PM
This story is just too ripe. The MSM complaining about things being fake. Complaining about what is edited out. Complaining about not knowing what they are seeing.
Paging Scott Ott ….
BigD on July 22, 2008 at 2:03 PM
Grr thats not the story its said Andrea Mitchell and controversy but not the one talking here
William Amos on July 22, 2008 at 2:05 PM
Shame we aren’t getting all the video, I am really hoping to see the color of the donkey that Obama rides into Jerusalem.
Maquis on July 22, 2008 at 2:06 PM
That’s ok, once he’s POTUS and when he takes a break from stopping the rising oceans he can dismiss the current press corp and replace them with new blood more to his liking. He is, after all, the “messiah” whom we and the world have been waiting for…
sabbott on July 22, 2008 at 2:07 PM
Orwellian?
jp on July 22, 2008 at 2:08 PM
Oh my, that IS the comment of the day.
BigD on July 22, 2008 at 2:08 PM
Black troops? Everything is race. Everything. How about just troops Mr Matthews? Think they can be that? American troops. People who don’t care if what color skin the enemy has, or what color skin is in the foxhole with him. Pass the ammo, pardner.
Limerick on July 22, 2008 at 2:08 PM
Ooo! Pick me! Because they’re more in the tank than Patton ever coul- oh, that was rhetorical? Nevermind then.
token on July 22, 2008 at 2:09 PM
I believe Mitchell’s main point was that the only “press” around for Afghanistan and part of Iraq was military. Well of course the military isn’t going to ask him anything hard or anything of any consequence, they’re professionals and they have to give respect to a US senator. So yeah they were told to clap and smile and whatever and hell doing a photo op may have been better then what most of the troops would have been doing.
Zaggs on July 22, 2008 at 2:09 PM
Why would Barry be handled like a Chauncey Gardiner type?
He speaks so well!
benrand on July 22, 2008 at 2:14 PM
Ah, Mitchell’s just pissed; jilted like a 7th grade school girl.
carbon_footprint on July 22, 2008 at 2:15 PM
I’ve been on message boards where troops over there said their cameras were not allowed around Obama. He had one photog with him, and all shots were carefilly staged and managed.
pseudonominus on July 22, 2008 at 2:18 PM
Only in journalists’ dreams.
RJL on July 22, 2008 at 2:18 PM
I found the video and sent it in
William Amos on July 22, 2008 at 2:21 PM
There is a book - The Commissar Vanishes - by David King. It was about how Stalin’s apparatchiks altered photographs and paintings, in order for the “truth” [the "truth" that existed at that time] to be displayed. Of course, what was the “truth” changed, as pictures of once fine Comrades were altered, so as to coincide with their “disappearance,” either into the Gulag or because of a bullet to the base of the skull - after a show trial.
We’ve already seen how Comrades Obama and Hillary have expunged web site information, when that served their purposes.
Alas, my point - when America enters into its Socialist Utopia, expect Barack Obama and his apparatchiks to alter what has been said, or photographed, as history “demands.”
The time is near.
OhEssYouCowboys on July 22, 2008 at 2:21 PM
Here is hoping SNL does a Hillary on him.
Limerick on July 22, 2008 at 2:21 PM
Will they at least show the manger from his infant years?
Rick on July 22, 2008 at 2:22 PM
If the campaign has to isolate both Obamas to protect them from themselves, the bottom line isn’t pretty. The HA poster who referred to potty training seems to have nailed it. It really is infuriating to watch him intrude into foreign policy negotiations wih Maliki, though. A real blood boiler.
a capella on July 22, 2008 at 2:23 PM
Pelosi, Obama and others meddling to foreign policy is an outrage. However, as long as the WH doesn’t take a stand and do something about it, it is sure to continue.
carbon_footprint on July 22, 2008 at 2:26 PM
Who the heck is john amato. That whole clipping makes absolutely no sense at all. Is he a open or undercover obamacan?
peacenprosperity on July 22, 2008 at 2:26 PM
The quotes are accurate
William Amos on July 22, 2008 at 2:27 PM
Great point. The funny thing that I’ve thought of over the entire campaign is that the MSM are the ONLY ONES who keep bringing up race!!!! I know, slightly off topic.
When is somebody going to call out the MSM for their views?
HarryStar on July 22, 2008 at 2:27 PM
Go to about 5 minute mark
William Amos on July 22, 2008 at 2:28 PM
Doubt it, that might shed light on the mysterious circumstances of his
birthCOLB.Maquis on July 22, 2008 at 2:28 PM
He has no point, it’s nonsensical. barry orchestrating his entire press coverage is the same as the president or vice president requesting to be interviewed by fox on a specific subject?
peacenprosperity on July 22, 2008 at 2:28 PM
davidk on July 22, 2008 at 2:29 PM
Its stage management and the Arm Forces were used to do it
William Amos on July 22, 2008 at 2:29 PM
HOLY SMOKES!
Keep the foreign tour on the tracks Barry!!!!!!!!!!!
Limerick on July 22, 2008 at 2:29 PM
I kept looking for a soldier shaking Hussein’s hand while crossing his fingers.
Akzed on July 22, 2008 at 2:32 PM
If Obama is the Messiah, when is the Crucifixion? Otherwise, he’s just another fake, right?
Vanceone on July 22, 2008 at 2:33 PM
No, that’s a legitmite observation. I noticed it the other day, he was surrounded by black soldiers with a few white woman and a couple of white guys. My guess is that they showed up because he’s a black celebrity and no other reason. Most black military members who appear in the media seem to be fairly conservative.
peacenprosperity on July 22, 2008 at 2:34 PM
Rush has an 8 minute montage from today’s presser with obama of just his ahh, oohhh, ummmm’s and other stutters. This from a 40 minute presser. As has been noted, without his teleprompter or notes he is much less than articulate. A great orator? Nah!
dustoffmom on July 22, 2008 at 2:35 PM
Watching the video further Andrea Mitchell is complaining that the US military took the pictures and she isnt comfortable with that.
Its a fake interveiw because the military did it
William Amos on July 22, 2008 at 2:36 PM
This strange dynamic has been seen before with the Obama team. Do you guys remember early on in the primaries, that there was a story (I think I saw it on HA) that Obama was surprisingly restrictive when it came to Press access to his campaign? It was at a time when the Press had already decided to support Obama and not Clinton. I, along with others here, thought that it was very strange that Obama would be giving stiff arms to the Press when they wanted nothing more than to give him a big-ol’ hug. Does anyone else remember that story? I haven’t been able to find it since then.
Weight of Glory on July 22, 2008 at 2:36 PM
Andrea Mitchell is aligning towards Drudge and Gergen.
How about that! The line in the sand. Andrea Mitchell and Greenspan might be playing Mr. Malleable’s game on him. Want to watch who plays the cat and mouse here?
The point that every American, journalists included, must immediately address is where do you as an individual stand?
Are you just a sock puppet to be stuffed in the back of the drawer to be worn only at the whim of the Obamarx whose policy is clear? (Don’t call me, I’ll call you; no call.)
Or is there a shred of dignity to uphold to defy the absolute wholecloth MSM promotional “Egyptian Sale”? Though you’re told it’s for your own best interest, just going along doesn’t feel right since you’re actually being gagged.
The journalist who feigns integrity, the voter who just wants the Constitution upheld, the opposing candidate, we all are being gagged by the MSM. It doesn’t stop there, as the MSM uses all powers to impose intravenous inducements.
maverick muse on July 22, 2008 at 2:38 PM
Sounds like pissy Chrissy has leg tingling sensations again!
byteshredder on July 22, 2008 at 2:38 PM
I’m hoping November.
Maquis on July 22, 2008 at 2:39 PM
You are missing her entire point. She isn’t slamming the military, she’s admitting the whole barry thing is a show! She must have been sleep deprived or something to let that slip. I bet the democrat thought police have already made a phone call to her superiors. Let’s hope she doesn’t have a tragic accident now.
peacenprosperity on July 22, 2008 at 2:39 PM
I say let’s just elect him already without an election. Heck, he speaks purty, he looks purty and everyone is so excited. He is already an ace of foreign policy through osmosis. Just accept it folks, He is our Savior in Chief.
carbon_footprint on July 22, 2008 at 2:40 PM
Watch the video beyond where the above transcript ends. Andrea mitchell states she “Trusts the military to win wars and go great things but NOT to do accurate reporting.” She clearly makes that distinction.
William Amos on July 22, 2008 at 2:42 PM
This is how it works people:
“Hey Gunny! You need to send 5 troops over to the Obama thing, make sure they are squared away, keep their mouths shut and smile a lot. Tell them to stay in their grid square and not talk politics.”
“Okay roger that. So I guess anyone who absolutely can’t stand the guy should stay away.”
“Yes, anyone who skylines us on TV will pay heavily!”
“Roger, got it sir!”
gator70 on July 22, 2008 at 2:44 PM
Here is some more.
pull qoute:
Weight of Glory on July 22, 2008 at 2:45 PM
Experience in the military doesn’t count :)
“Hey! What are you two jokers doing?”
Limerick on July 22, 2008 at 2:46 PM
“No more. I’ve already answered like, uh, 8 questions.” BHO
(Actually fewer than 8 were asked, and fewer than those were answered.)
Chicago press corp taking the private flight with Obama to his connection were denied any access before the flight, during the flight and after the flight were allowed ONE question! (What do you expect to achieve?”)
Obama, “You’re asking like, uh, three questions, uh, that’s too hard for me, uh, the second one, uh, well, that’s a difficult question. Uh, that’s it for now.”
AND TO RECALL HOW MANY RIDICULED FRED THOMPSON FOR CLEARING HIS THROAT OR UTTERING “UH” BETWEEN SENTENCES! Fred’s “uhs” were NOTHING compared to Obamarx’s ‘UH’UH’UH’UH’UH’UHS’–
AND TO RECALL HOW MANY RIDICULED GWB WHEN OBAMA HAS NO COGENCY IN IMPROMPTU SPEECH AND IS A TOTAL FAKE.
There isn’t a GOP alive who would presume to manipulate the press as Obamarx or any Demogogue does today.
maverick muse on July 22, 2008 at 2:49 PM
Here’s another one, but it’s not the one I’m looking for.
Weight of Glory on July 22, 2008 at 2:50 PM
You imply that most voters actually KNOW what the Constitution stands for (See “Right to Abortion”, “Property Rights - Kelo”, etc.
If more Americans actually KNEW what the hell they were talking about, it would be over by now.
HarryStar on July 22, 2008 at 2:51 PM
Maquis on July 22, 2008 at 2:39 PM
LOL!
maverick muse on July 22, 2008 at 2:52 PM
If more Americans actually KNEW what the hell they were talking about, it would be over by now.
HarryStar on July 22, 2008 at 2:51 PM
i think you are confused. most voters know what the constitution says. It is the politicians that seem to forget.. Kelo was a right granted that isn’t in the document, same for abortion etc
unseen on July 22, 2008 at 3:06 PM
The new president of Argentina, the wife of the previous president, is a rich Socialist. She treated the media in much the same way.
How long before the media begin to understand that their handling of Obama may well result in them being treated with contempt by the Obamites.
davod on July 22, 2008 at 3:08 PM
I made it to the 5 minute mark and just couldn’t go on. Chris’s voice was like nails on a chalkboard.
Torch on July 22, 2008 at 3:21 PM
“Can’t I just eat my falafel?”
EJDolbow on July 22, 2008 at 3:26 PM
EXCUSE ME:
Haven’t we seen Republicans EXCORIATED when there is a press conference and it turns out a question was posed by an aide, or staffer, or some other non-journalist???
Let’s get to the bottom (pardon the expression) of this, and roast Obama’s … (you know what I mean)
seanrobins on July 22, 2008 at 3:27 PM
It is odd, when my son or grandson say that they bringing friends home on leave, they never mention their race. They are just their buddies.
Johan Klaus on July 22, 2008 at 3:32 PM
……….. called it weeks/months/year ago.
Seven Percent Solution on July 22, 2008 at 3:34 PM
It seems Obama is manipulating the military for personal political gain. This guy doesn’t have a core of any kind. It is really getting embarrassing to have such an empty suit running for president of our country.
volsense on July 22, 2008 at 3:43 PM
Democrats are obsessed with race.
Republicans are obsessed with less government (let’s hope).
carbon_footprint on July 22, 2008 at 3:44 PM
Regarding the soldiers at events for Barry O, it is very apparent the racial makeup. At the stops where it seems to be a volunteer type event the crowd is almost entirely black. At the events where the soldiers are standing in formation or some sort of prepared inspection style stop, it is the exact opposite.
Look at the footage and when ever you see the soliders standing in formation or a line you will notice they are at a position of At-Ease, hands crossed behind the back, indicating they are not there freely. The racial mix will be about 10 to 1 white/other to black.
That more closely reflects the current makeup of the Army. Blacks account for approximately 10 - 11%.
So yeah even African American soldiers are swept up in Obama mania but it’s roots go to say more about a sector of this society rallying around one of their own more then it does Obamas qualifications based on achievement.
Just A Grunt on July 22, 2008 at 3:47 PM
He also does not have one single consistent policy on anything. He changes his opinion constantly strictly so as to appease voters. The problem is he fails miserably to realize that regardless of how many people you try to please, you are not going to please all of them, and sooner or later, people are going to start seeing him as a typical politician who makes nice speeches, but who has no solid ground under him when it comes to standing for anything, except to win the Presidency at all costs. This is not a leader by any stretch of the imagination. This is a fraud.
pilamaye on July 22, 2008 at 3:52 PM
Yes, and his handlers know he’s a walking gaffe-machine, which is why they are working so hard to restrict media access to him. The MSM set expectations for this trip very low — so long as the crowds cheer and Obama doesn’t have a major screw-up (like getting photographed French-kissing an AQ terrorist), the media will call the trip a great success.
AZCoyote on July 22, 2008 at 3:58 PM
He doesn’t do well without a Teleprompter to read from. Gaffes are piling up on this trip(staged settings or not), and he hasn’t gotten to Israel yet. He is indecisive when interviewed live - lots of ‘uuhhhhs’ and ‘ummmmms’. As his records in state and fed senates show, he doesn’t like to be put on record.
Karmi on July 22, 2008 at 4:03 PM
Chrissy must have wetted himself when BO hit that 3 pointer. I think I heard some drool slapping on th floor. Jeez these are some real retards in the TeeVee Nuuz biz!
el Vaquero on July 22, 2008 at 4:07 PM
“The optics are very good”
Wonder why? Chrissy totally ignores Mrs. Greenpan’s comments. I like how that talk about the military’s objectivity. Frauds.
RobCon on July 22, 2008 at 4:11 PM
Mitchell lies through her teeth. The translation was handled by Maliki’s guy, she says. OK, so how come Der Spiegel had two different versions of his remarks, and New York Times had yet another? Oooops. I smell a lie being propagated.
Seixon on July 22, 2008 at 4:14 PM
He learned his lesson with the ABC interview. He can’t handle people who don’t ALWAYS agree with him. And he can’t handle people who know more about politics and foreign affairs than he does. The rest of the press corp will just have to suffer for Stephanapoulous’ lack of respect and failure to worship.
snaggletoothie on July 22, 2008 at 4:37 PM
Justagrunt….
Couldn’t agree more. Again, if you look at the >few
dustoffmom on July 22, 2008 at 4:51 PM
hmmmmm….have tried 4 times to post my comment…and only the first few words will appear. What’s up?
dustoffmom on July 22, 2008 at 4:52 PM
It’s my suspicion that OBooboo is manipulating everything. When he landed in Jordan, they showed him getting off the helicopter with a helmet and flak jacket in hand, sleeves rolled up. The Jordanians who met him wore suits ties and no guards….. of course you won’t have scads of reporters… why show OBooboo’s “Bosnian moments”
MNDavenotPC on July 22, 2008 at 4:58 PM
I chuckled at her bringing up the senior senator was the one that made the choices where to go, not the junior senator, obama. LOL!
Let’s see, my grandmother had some good advice: Believe nothing you hear and only half of what you see…and this is advice I got BEFORE the digital age.
diaphanous on July 22, 2008 at 5:24 PM
looks like they had problems getting enough white troops..
the pictures looked like mostly black troops..
We need more white people!!!
Chakra Hammer on July 22, 2008 at 5:44 PM
Your being too sensitive. Liberals always say snotty stuff like that. Because she had her feelings hurt she was letting the cat out of the bag about the barry show and taking a swipe at the military as well. Her main target was the messiah for snubbing her.
peacenprosperity on July 22, 2008 at 5:47 PM
For the sake of those required to be in the same room as chrissy let’s hope it was drool.
peacenprosperity on July 22, 2008 at 5:50 PM
Wheres all the White folks?
http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/04Af5dBd9BcT9/610x.jpg
Yo, wheres the White people?
http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/05Qu8Rq4mc4iv/610x.jpg
Find the white guy
http://www.daylife.com/photo/0bng5DMgkWgRf/Barack_Obama
Chakra Hammer on July 22, 2008 at 5:50 PM
Hmmmm…. bringing people together?
looks like the military is segregated..
Chakra Hammer on July 22, 2008 at 5:53 PM
This isn’t “The Barry Show,” it’s “Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show.” H/T to my wife, the Neil Diamond fan in the family. Even some of the lyrics are appropriate!
Room gets suddenly still
And when you’d almost bet
You could hear yourself sweat, he walks in
Eyes black as coal
And when he lifts his face
Ev’ry ear in the place is on him
Starting soft and slow
Like a small earthquake
And when he lets go,
Half the valley shakes
It’s Love, Brother Love, say
Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show
Pack up the babies and grab the old ladies
And ev’ryone goes, ’cause everyone knows
Brother Love’s show
glendower on July 22, 2008 at 6:31 PM
I do believe that you are all doing the Obamasage a disservice. He’s on your side. He knows that the MSM cannot be trusted to report events accurately, so he keeps them at bay. /
OldEnglish on July 22, 2008 at 9:32 PM
I’m not sure if anyone has posted this yet so ignore if this has been brought up already. If the plane full of journalist were not used in Afghanistan or Iraq why were they brought along? Isn’t Obambi beholding to the Al Gore ’save your trees while I cut my down’ crowd?? Isn’t this the group that is so Mother Earth friendly??? How can they justify all of the waste of jet fuel and other resources?? What of the starving children people!!!!! Sorry lost it there for a second I am on the bicycle at work. My job wanted to go green so they are making us pedal to produce power for our computers and desk lights. Never let Al Gore meet with your CEO of your company!!!
titleist123 on July 23, 2008 at 11:40 AM