Harper tells Canadian media to get bent — and they do
posted at 10:49 am on May 25, 2006 by Allahpundit
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The left is right. Bush could learn something from Canada:
Prime Minister Stephen Harper says he’ll no longer give news conferences for the national media, after a dispute led a number of journalists to walk away from an event when he refused to take their questions.
Speaking to A-Channel in London, Ont., Harper said “unfortunately the press gallery has taken the view they are going to be the opposition to the government.”
Shocking that a conservative leader would find himself in such a position. Expect a round of books soon from Canadian liberals accusing the media of being Harper’s lapdogs because they haven’t actually gone so far as to quit their jobs in protest.
To complete the bizarro circle, while the Canadian executive acts the hard-ass, his American counterpart is using charm and humor to win the press over:
From the podium, Snow looked down at Thomas sitting in her front-row seat and noticed the veteran reporter was clutching a shiny red apple.
“By the way, that’s a nice apple,” Snow grinned.
“Here,” Thomas instantly replied, offering the new press secretary her apple.
As the press room erupted in laughter, Snow dramatically leapt from the podium and grabbed the apple, placing it front and center on the lectern. “Whoever thought that Helen Thomas would kiss up to me,” Snow said, laughing. “An apple for the teacher.”
Update: It can’t go anywhere else, so it might as well go here. Anderson Cooper: poon hound.
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I’d photoshop Helen Thomas’ face on the Wicked Witch up there, but it wouldn’t result in any actual changes to the image…
-Bryan from Sanctuary
Prophet on May 25, 2006 at 10:53 AM
I really hope Press Secretary Snow will consider eliminating live daily briefings. That’s the main problem with them, people pandering to the camera–like the Gregory monkey.
Enoxo on May 25, 2006 at 11:16 AM
Watched Tony on Bill O’Reilly last night. Used to love him when he was “independent,” but now he’s become Bush’s lap dog and I’m afraid he is spewing the same lunacy as is his boss. Expected, but I’m still disappointed.
And, joking with the likes of Helen Thomas is nearly as bad as negotiating with terrorists!
ForYourEdification on May 25, 2006 at 11:18 AM
Tony Snow has been “BUSHED”.
BUSHED….a repugnant behavior unique to the Bush family. The characteristics are betrayal of one’s own support base, please the liberals, trying to be the nice guy to the liberals while accusing their own supporters of not caring enough for the underprivileged. Pleasing Helen Thomas is a good example.
One can become “unBushed” by kicking that witch out of the White House or telling Greg to get a life.
Easy87us
easy87us on May 25, 2006 at 11:39 AM
Repeat: Why is Helen Thomas allowed in White House briefings at all anymore? She only blogs or rants on the net, has no legitimate paid media outlet (or job) and is a huge pain in the ass. Put her wrinkled old ass in the last row if she has to be there, or maybe on a chair in the hall. THAT would be perfect. Put a jar of applesauce on the chair.
clyde on May 25, 2006 at 11:55 AM
Harper said “unfortunately the press gallery has taken the view they are going to be the opposition to the government.”
President Bush, please follow Harper’s example, our biased liberal press is the enemy of America from within. It’s time you treat them as such.
Richard Davis on May 25, 2006 at 12:09 PM
Amazingly, the Bush administration still doesn’t seem to comprehend that the MSM media exists solely to smear Republicans and the White House in a nonstop propaganda campaign. Furthermore, this negative campaign DOES affect public opinion. Why else would the majority of Americans think our economy is doing poorly? You would think the Bush administration would have woken up after the 2004 election, but the “New Tone” continues.
The Bush administration DOES need to learn from Canada. How about the following attitude? “Okay, CNN, you maliciously put an X in front of Cheney while giving a speech and then broadcast the President warming up his speech solely to make him look incompetent. No interviews for one year.” And PUBLICLY state the consequence. Or “Since the MSM cannot cover the administration in a fair and balanced manner, therefore, in order to give Americans a diversity of questions we are opening Presidential conferences to alternative media and allowing Laura Ingraham, Sean Hannity, Michelle Malkin, Matt Drudge, and Ann Coulter to ask questions as well.” Why is this administration so wimpy?
januarius on May 25, 2006 at 12:38 PM
Mr. Harper is eloquent, intelligent, has convictions, which he can express in a cogent way, both in English and in French, without hesitation. He has gravitas and can put his ‘enemies’ on the spot and on their knees.
Mr. Bush, our Mr. Bush, is not eloquent, is intelligent but can’t express himself cogently in impromptu settings. He is stubborn (which is good and bad), a Texas gentleman, who speaks his version of English.
He likes to keep his ‘enemies’ close and in site. He has no illusions that they will ever like him. They never know when they will be outfoxed again…and the spectacle continues. There is something very powerful in being nice to one’s adversaries - there is no greater annoyance or punishment.
Entelechy on May 25, 2006 at 1:44 PM
Good for PM Harper. About time a chief of state told the media exactly what he thinks of them.
Abigail Adams on May 25, 2006 at 2:44 PM