Major Garrett: I was told Obama might not call on me if Fox didn’t carry his presser
posted at 7:04 pm on May 1, 2009 by Allahpundit
And indeed, he wasn’t called on. Did that ever happen with Bush? I know he skipped Helen Thomas sometimes because he didn’t like her and/or the tone of her questions, but did he ever punish a reporter because that reporter’s agency refused to give him free exposure? It turned out to be a savvy business decision by Fox, but then, in our new command economy, it’s hard to blame The One for insisting that he get his way.
My question’s in earnest, incidentally. This may be S.O.P. among president/media relations, although even if it is, the thought that Barack Obama might be grouchy because he feels he’s not getting enough airtime these days is simply mind-boggling. Click the image to watch.
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Fall on your face and worship, Major.
seejanemom on May 1, 2009 at 7:06 PM
Sounds about right for Obama. He believes he can control everything, right down to the lint in our pockets.
Typical narcissist, really. I’m still shocked 52% fell for this tripe.
BardMan on May 1, 2009 at 7:06 PM
Bend over Major.
Firebird on May 1, 2009 at 7:07 PM
3 months ago I would agree. But now……nothing seems out of the norm with Precedent Ego-narcissistic. Are we becoming desensitized to his HUGE ego in only 30 days?
portlandon on May 1, 2009 at 7:08 PM
When the pop culture drunk (small “a”) americans wake up and realize that Obama ain’t gwoin buy ‘dem no house….God help the Dems.
seejanemom on May 1, 2009 at 7:08 PM
Prima donna in Chief.
WisCon on May 1, 2009 at 7:09 PM
Essentially Major said I didn’t get called on as payback for FOX not carrying the special. In fairness, Obama does know that with FOX not carrying, he was losing the channel with the biggest audience in the country that night — with CW (IIRC) a close second, whuh?
LastRick on May 1, 2009 at 7:09 PM
Who cares Major . . . you can’t ask a serious question in that phony tingle party anyway.
rplat on May 1, 2009 at 7:10 PM
The article posits an interesting scenario. Networks are going to get tired of losing millions in ad revenue if this string of narcissistic fluff-fests continues unabated. It would be HYSTERICAL if the next Barry O’ Snooze-a-palooza were only carried on cable.
BardMan on May 1, 2009 at 7:10 PM
Look, the emperor has no clothes…
MikeHu on May 1, 2009 at 7:10 PM
RICO suit against The Precedent’s administration!
progressoverpeace on May 1, 2009 at 7:11 PM
Obama has (NMD) Napoleonic Megalomaniac Disorder. Textbook case. No known medical treatment.
Sigmund on May 1, 2009 at 7:12 PM
I doubt it, but I don’t know.
However, this type of petty vengeful behavior from Obama will get worse when his popularity declines and anyone challenges him.
He’s an ego-maniacal narcissist.
Loxodonta on May 1, 2009 at 7:13 PM
Why the long face Major?
e-pirate on May 1, 2009 at 7:15 PM
Child throws temper tantrum. Confirms already obvious.
blatantblue on May 1, 2009 at 7:15 PM
Epilogue as dialogue. He’ll talk to you after you carry his water.
Patrick on May 1, 2009 at 7:16 PM
for the previous presser –
One has to wonder what Obama wanted from them that he wasn’t already getting???
rw on May 1, 2009 at 7:17 PM
Surprise surprise. Our president is an egomaniac… who knew? Still disgusting but definitely not a shocker. It’s going to be a long, long 1300+ days.
Jockolantern on May 1, 2009 at 7:18 PM
Keeping with my search for the pony in this barn full of sh!t, I believe that this is going to come back to bite the president. People don’t want him or any president in their face constantly. At the risk of a slavery analogy, I wish I could buy him for what I think he’s worth and sell him for what he thinks he’s worth. I’d retire tomorrow.
Cindy Munford on May 1, 2009 at 7:19 PM
Hope you don’t mind if I steal that pony phrase
blatantblue on May 1, 2009 at 7:20 PM
Hey, the man has a gift…give ‘im a break already!
I don’t see how Fox News can rationally be excluded. National Enquirer, maybe (on second thought, they did break the Edwards affair story after all).
Dr. ZhivBlago on May 1, 2009 at 7:22 PM
Fox News isn’t a news organization anymore. I mean, they sponsor political events. Give me a break. They are Republican operatives.
That being said, what Obama did is petty and shows that he’s weaker than he wants to be perceived. News reporter/Fox News reporter/Rush Limbaugh/whoever… President must be able to debate policy with anybody.
radiofreevillage on May 1, 2009 at 7:23 PM
Big deal. When you have a presser 5 days a week so what if you get skipped in class. There is always tomorrow’s teach in.
moxie_neanderthal on May 1, 2009 at 7:23 PM
Pretty much pointless to play the “If Bush had done X” game. Obama has done and will continue to do much worse things than Bush, and no one outside of the rightosphere will give a tinker’s cuss. He will continue to get hagiographic coverage from everyone but Fox, and that will be more than enough to keep his approvals in the high 40s.
spmat on May 1, 2009 at 7:24 PM
Wow! The democratic operatives have arrived with their talking points!
Loxodonta on May 1, 2009 at 7:24 PM
I can understand why you might say that but he keeps on outdoing himself. His cocky talk will constantly be a source of outrage. He keeps ramping it up. After he is bounced out of office, it will get worse. We may never hear a word from our new President in 2013 because the press will still be covering and coddling Boy Wonder.
sherry on May 1, 2009 at 7:25 PM
That is a really good interview. Very interesting information.
Cindy Munford on May 1, 2009 at 7:28 PM
When is this asshat NOT on tv. Get off my idiot box and do your damn job, loser.
HornetSting on May 1, 2009 at 7:28 PM
Have at it, lots of those sayings in my life, gosh know where they come from.
Cindy Munford on May 1, 2009 at 7:29 PM
Allahpundit, thanks for posting to that clip. It was very informative on many issues, especially Obama’s statements about the Chrysler case. Where’s the thread on that? did I miss it?
This is very, very important. It concerns Obama’s temperament, equal protection, and separation of powers. No president should be using his office’s “bully pulpit” to make derogatory remarks about a litigant in a court case.
Loxodonta on May 1, 2009 at 7:30 PM
I need a new word for pathetic, its quickly losing its impact given nObamas performance.
dmann on May 1, 2009 at 7:31 PM
radiofreevilllage:
Fox is every bit as much a news organization as any of them. And Obama seems to think that everyone in this country is just supposed to kiss his behind. He is the most immature president I have ever seen.
Terrye on May 1, 2009 at 7:31 PM
Defniitely on a power trip, our prez. Shameful, really. I like the smackdown he got from Castro today. And from McCarthy. Sweet. Maybe that will knock him down a few notches.
scalleywag on May 1, 2009 at 7:32 PM
LOL, and CNN isn’t a DNC operative?
Can I have some of your mezcal?
Del Dolemonte on May 1, 2009 at 7:32 PM
Some gift.
John the Libertarian on May 1, 2009 at 7:33 PM
Although I agree that Fox News was way to visible at the tea parties, I don’t think they gave any monetary support to them. Just because the network didn’t show the presser, the news and business networks did. Kudos on the point that he should be able to make his point with anyone, he is the president of the whole country.
Cindy Munford on May 1, 2009 at 7:33 PM
Throughout the campaign coverage, I always thought Major showed bias for Obama. I mean, sometimes it seemed like he was working for MSNBC.
purgatory on May 1, 2009 at 7:33 PM
I think what you meant to say was NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN aren’t news organizations anymore. I mean, they sponsor political events. Give me a break. They are Demonrat operatives.
docdave on May 1, 2009 at 7:34 PM
Coverage of a grassroots movement in now “sponsoring”? So Fox was actually a Democrat operative when they did news coverage of code pink rallies?
Pah-lease. Fox is no worse leaning to the right than every other network leans to the left. But you libs just can’t be happy unless every network walks in lock step with your propaganda. Save the “give me a break” until you look in the mirror.
Scrappy on May 1, 2009 at 7:34 PM
EXACTLY — THANK YOU!!!
D2Boston on May 1, 2009 at 7:34 PM
Trifling. It’s big in the South.
Cindy Munford on May 1, 2009 at 7:34 PM
Yeah, what he said…
Scrappy on May 1, 2009 at 7:35 PM
DelDolemonte:
Not only CNN. George whatshisface at ABC used to be part of the Clinton administration. Chris Matthews was a Democratic operative for Chrisake.
The left thinks that makes them mainstream, but a network with high ratings that actually lets Glenn Beck do a show, is not really a news network…whatever their ratings may be.
It is called prejudice.
Terrye on May 1, 2009 at 7:35 PM
I agree. Fox has taken a hard turn to the right since the election. But Bret Baier and the All Stars still are great to watch. And Greta remains even-handed.
Lauren Sivan is a babe.
John the Libertarian on May 1, 2009 at 7:35 PM
At this point, I wonder. I can get positive, neutral and critical reporting about Obama out of Fox. The other major outlets all seem to be organs of the Obama party. They’re all functioning like the Soviet’s Pravda.
Loxodonta on May 1, 2009 at 7:36 PM
Is HuffPo still getting invites from the One?
malclave on May 1, 2009 at 7:36 PM
awl dese triflin young biatches up in da whyte houze!
blatantblue on May 1, 2009 at 7:37 PM
The thing is real news networks, would either humiliate the people at the Tea Parties or ignore them…any news organization which actually talked the protesters as if they were not freaks is sponsoring them. So says Obama and his witless fan club.
Terrye on May 1, 2009 at 7:37 PM
Government as father figure, teaching a willful child the error of his ways.
OneEyedJack on May 1, 2009 at 7:38 PM
Loxodonta:
Well, that is what I meant.
Terrye on May 1, 2009 at 7:39 PM
I think FOX stepped up coverage on the tea parties only when they realized none of the other media organizations were covering it at all. Someone had to acknowledge that thousands of people were out there protesting.
scalleywag on May 1, 2009 at 7:39 PM
You vil submit.
Branch Rickey on May 1, 2009 at 7:39 PM
John:
I don’t think Fox has gone right, they just have not kissed up to Obama with the wild abandon of most of the rest of the socalled media, I think that makes them look more conservative than they are. People like Shep Smith are no more conservative today than they were a year ago.
Terrye on May 1, 2009 at 7:40 PM
I’d have to say among the most immature Politicians. But then again, that’s a pretty big catagory when you think about Pelosi, Reid, Bawney Fwank, etc…..
R D on May 1, 2009 at 7:40 PM
You went too far. “That’s or He’s, or She’s triflin” Less is more.
Cindy Munford on May 1, 2009 at 7:41 PM
Obama’s first 100 days have occasioned a number of dispiriting moments, but yesterday’s attack on Chrysler’s bondholders represented a new low. In a speech announcing the company’s bankruptcy filing, President Obama blasted “a group of investment firms and hedge funds [that] decided to hold out for the prospect of an unjustified taxpayer-funded bailout.” That is nothing short of a lie. The consortium wasn’t holding out for a bailout. It was holding out for a bankruptcy.
The administration tried desperately to keep Chrysler out of bankruptcy court; in the process, it demonstrated exactly why that institution is so valuable. Obama’s auto task force attempted to browbeat Chrysler’s creditors into taking a terrible deal in order to spare the United Auto Workers union as much pain as possible. The large banks, which owe their continued existence to the $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), caved and agreed to take a massive haircut on their secured Chrysler debt. But a group of smaller firms, calling themselves “The Committee of Chrysler Non-TARP lenders,” refused to play ball.
In a statement released yesterday, the firms pointed out that they would be shirking their fiduciary duty to their investors if they did not hold out for the best possible deal. For them, the best deal is bankruptcy. In bankruptcy court, secured debtholders take priority over other creditors. The administration’s plan called for secured lenders to get in line behind the UAW.
For resisting this expropriation and following the law, the non-TARP lenders were publicly denounced as vicious Benedict Arnolds by a sitting American president. “I stand with Chrysler’s employees and their families and communities,” Obama said — not “those who held out when everybody else is making sacrifices.” He stands, he said, “with the millions of Americans who own and want to buy Chrysler cars.” If millions of Americans wanted to buy Chrysler cars, the company wouldn’t need the president of the United States to be its pitchman.
From the beginning, we’ve argued that GM and Chrysler should land in bankruptcy court. Instead, the Bush administration gave them a temporary crutch and sent them hobbling into the Obama administration. With their powerful unions and poor prospects, the automakers posed a thorny problem for Obama; he solved it by making the bondholders an offer they had to refuse. Now Obama has his scapegoat, and investors have another reason to mistrust the U.S. as a destination for capital.
MB4 on May 1, 2009 at 7:43 PM
No triflin’ azz bitchez?
:[
blatantblue on May 1, 2009 at 7:43 PM
Watch and learn, Republicans. The liberal msm can only continue to exist as long as Republicans cooperate and play ball with them.
Buddahpundit on May 1, 2009 at 7:44 PM
You didn’t miss it, it never saw the light of day here. You’re talking about his slam on the hedge fund people right?
Knucklehead on May 1, 2009 at 7:45 PM
You might also consider piddling.
(I’ll just leave that for others to play with.)
Loxodonta on May 1, 2009 at 7:46 PM
I think their intentions were on the money but they are going to need to back off. Beck was originally going to speak, then decided that it would make it about him but it was anyway just because he was there. I would appreciate the advertising of them but maybe have regular news folks go and not show hosts.
Cindy Munford on May 1, 2009 at 7:48 PM
Thanks! Lets see; would nObama is a trifling trivial turd accurately convey my honest assessment of our current PO
TUS. Has potential……dmann on May 1, 2009 at 7:49 PM
Good stuff. Somehow I missed the president’s interference in this matter yesterday. I swear this administration gets creepier by the day.
Cindy Munford on May 1, 2009 at 7:50 PM
We use different words, but mean the same thing. You’re okay. I’m a little odd.
Loxodonta on May 1, 2009 at 7:51 PM
Yes! I can’t even find a news report on it. Got one? Would like to read it.
Loxodonta on May 1, 2009 at 7:51 PM
When a child has a tantrum, let them have a tantrum, when they’re rude, imbecilic, selfish, uncaring, and copping an attitude….you correct the behavior, and stand them in a corner for awhile.
Obama, GROW UP!!!
capejasmine on May 1, 2009 at 7:51 PM
Well it’s your opinion but it sounds good to me.
Cindy Munford on May 1, 2009 at 7:52 PM
Thank you so much for that! Now, must read.
Loxodonta on May 1, 2009 at 7:52 PM
13 questions in 60 minutes… Don’t worry Major. Barry was never planning on answering a real question, even if one was asked…
Barry has taken the title of “Human Rain Delay” from 70′s Cleveland Indian Mike Hargrove
Barry’s press conferences are like a World Cup Soccer match without all the scoring…
phreshone on May 1, 2009 at 7:58 PM
Dude, did you hear the tone of Obama’s voice when the bondholders (you know, the guys with skin in the game that actually lost something already) wouldn’t do EXACTLY what he said? The unions bankrupted the company because they demanded outrageous contracts or else they would ‘shut down the company’. Obama stands with them. . . but not those that LOANED THE MONEY to pay for the ridiculous contracts.
I told you that his wife would be a handful when she didn’t get her way. . . but underneath it all, Obama might be one of the angry ones as well. That would all but explain his attendance at that church.
I’m not an anit-Obama, but I say what I see. . . and the tone he took describing the ‘negotiations’ was akin to a mob boss. it’s a little scary that his finger is on the button for the nukes. I almost hope he wins in 4 years because I shudder to think what he might do on his way out as an angry defeated politician.
ThackerAgency on May 1, 2009 at 7:58 PM
It’s up there in the MB4 post. I have no idea why it never got posted here, must have been a big Meg day or cops in tights or something like that, but I heard him say it live and Cavuto was all over it yesterday like stink on a monkey. He said the small private hedge fund managers had done the correct thing.
There has got be a video somewhere, I’ll search for it
Knucklehead on May 1, 2009 at 7:59 PM
Colorado Anne on May 1, 2009 at 8:01 PM
Good link MB4. It’s an outrage, and I’m trying to ration my outrage. I don’t want to go after Obama for every little thing, but that is intolerable. Between him throwing the people who protect us from terrorism under the bus, and his assaults on capitalism and the law, this is a very dangerous guy.
juliesa on May 1, 2009 at 8:06 PM
NickToons didn’t carry it either.
That explains why Spongebob Squarepants wasn’t called on.
fogw on May 1, 2009 at 8:07 PM
Where have you gone, Jeff Gannon?
benny shakar on May 1, 2009 at 8:13 PM
President TelePrompter talks about reaching out/bi-partisanship, but his attacks on his critics speaks volumes. Two friends of mine heard his snarky remarks (Wednesday, St.Louis) about “that network (Fox) that I am not too popular; people waving their tea bags”, and that was the final straw for them. My friends said “Obama doesn’t act presidential”…funny that!
TN Mom on May 1, 2009 at 8:15 PM
It’s too be expected that the president would snub organizations that don’t carry the presser, no matter who the president is.
Even so, we didn’t miss much. Major Garrett isn’t really the sharpest tool in the shed. Maybe this would matter if he consistently asked good questions.
BTW, what would he have asked if called upon?
rockmycar on May 1, 2009 at 8:15 PM
I wonder if the media were told that questions about the fly-by and unemployment and the tanking economy wouldn’t be tolerated either. Just enchanting questions only, please.
ctmom on May 1, 2009 at 8:17 PM
I think that’s what Obama was afraid of.
fogw on May 1, 2009 at 8:21 PM
Clearly he does not so much think that is President as that he is now der Furher.
Adolf Hitler had one Kristallnacht and Herr Obama is having quite a number more, albeit smaller ones, at least for now.
MB4 on May 1, 2009 at 8:21 PM
Hey idiot, why don’t go up there and listen to the video before blowing off your Axelrod talking points? It really makes you look more stupid than you really are.
If you had bothered to do that, you would have heard the question he was going to ask and it was good one to boot. One that your dear leader wouldn’t have wanted to answer.
Knucklehead on May 1, 2009 at 8:24 PM
Thanks. I’ve read MB4′s link. I also looked for video, can’t find.
Loxodonta on May 1, 2009 at 8:27 PM
I’ll grant you MS-NBC for simplicity. Which partisan political event does CNN openly sponsor?
radiofreevillage on May 1, 2009 at 8:34 PM
The Obama administration. Seriously, when you have a CNN reporter tell a tea party attendee that his state is being “given” 50 billion dollars from the Stimulus Bill, they no longer qualify as a news organization. She might have passed Hair Styling 101 but revenue sources of the federal government got past her.
Cindy Munford on May 1, 2009 at 8:41 PM
Amen. Compared to most other media outlets, Fox truly is the model of objectivity. People who want to whine about Fox’s conservative bias might want to take a look at the general tilt of the MSM. As someone said, “You might be a moonbat if you think Fox is biased, but think Job Stewart is non-partisan.”
ddrintn on May 1, 2009 at 8:47 PM
*Jon, not Job LOL
ddrintn on May 1, 2009 at 8:48 PM
President TelePrompter needs to wake up to the fact that unless he calls on reporters like Major Garrett, the WH press conferences can’t hold the level of enchantment TOTUS wants.
TN Mom on May 1, 2009 at 8:48 PM
The Obama Administration.
ddrintn on May 1, 2009 at 8:51 PM
Barry is an idiot. And the MSM is racist in the way they protect him.
anniekc on May 1, 2009 at 8:52 PM
Seems like this could only help Fox News… Now they can legitimately be the most “hard digging” news corp as they owe Teh One no favors…
Oh wait, that only works for Progressive News Corps
Upstater85 on May 1, 2009 at 8:52 PM
Major’s talk about how the government is now in the car business was incredibly clear and concise. It was simply an awesome way to explain it and much more enlightening than the snub talk. Anyway, through all of what the President has done so far, he evidently fashions himself as a ruler instead of leader.
threeCents on May 1, 2009 at 8:53 PM
Noooo… followed by the AC360 smirk ;)
Upstater85 on May 1, 2009 at 8:53 PM
I don’t know why any self-respecting journalist would want to attend those vapid “press conferences” anyway.
ddrintn on May 1, 2009 at 8:54 PM
Actually I think Major Garrett is a reasonable reporter (no Dan Rather, mind you ;) ). I’m sure he wants to attend to just maybe get a real answer.
But yes, I think I would give up. I’d rather cover Paris Hilton – less lies.
Upstater85 on May 1, 2009 at 8:57 PM
Remember that Fox News did carry the Narcissist-in-chief’s press conference, it was only the Fox Network who didn’t (you know, where American Idol and Lie to Me was broadcast that night, which happened to be during sweeps week) and thus saved themselves a ton of lost advertising revenue in difficult economic times).
Of course that concept is waay above Barack’s pay grade – he doesn’t have a clue about what it means to run a business. Come to think of it he doesn’t have a clue how to run the country either (other than having a talent for dictating outcomes), but I digress.
Buy Danish on May 1, 2009 at 8:59 PM
Now that the O knows what his question was, he’ll never get called again….poor guy.
r keller on May 1, 2009 at 9:02 PM
Major must have wanted to ask about Obama’s abs
Or maybe he just didn’t want to have a serious discussion.
Upstater85 on May 1, 2009 at 9:04 PM
The High Chancellor will not be ignored!!!!! Can this be far off?
RightWinged on May 1, 2009 at 9:04 PM
And apparently The Won is going to appear on American Idol. They are punished for making a financial decision but he is going to burnish his popularity by horning in on their best rated show. Hypocrite much?
Cindy Munford on May 1, 2009 at 9:06 PM
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