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I'm disappointed in Sen. Barack Obama if this proves to be true - and I really have no reason to doubt the veracity of the story.Here's the gist: Ryan Lizza of The New Yorker wrote this somewhat unflattering piece about Barack, the story behind that outrageous cover illustration (if you haven't read the article, you should. It's a tremendous effort of reporting and writing by Lizza). The Obama campaign was reportedly "furious" at Lizza, and somewhat understandably so, given the tinderbox that is presidential politics.
With Obama set to make a swing next week through Jordan, Israel, Germany, France and England, the scramble for room on the campaign plane was competitive. Two-hundred media requests were made for the trip.
Somewhat predictably, Lizza's request was denied. Obama's campaign said it was due to limited space on the plane.
Yeah, whatever.
From a distance, the move looks petty and vengeful. Reporters who cover the presidential candidates need access and the assurance that said access will not hinge on the campaign's sensitivity to occasionally unfavorable stories. Other bloggers have pointed out the rejection seems reminiscent of the Bush administration.
I just hope it's not the start of a trend. I imagine Lizza feels the same way.
UPDATE: Lizza's not the only journalist with a somewhat legitimate complaint about the Obama campaign's handling of press demands. These sort of concerns have been building for quite awhile now - Obama was by far the least accessible of the candidates through the primary season. Doesn't seem as if that's changing now that the season of the general election is upon us.
4 comments:
The question we should be asking is HOW MUCH SPACE WAS THERE ON THE PLANE? WHO ELSE WAS EXCLUDED? and most important WHO WAS ON THE TRIP THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN?
I think we're rushing to judgement here that this was retaliatory.
PS: I didn't know people where supposed to use spell check when commenting on blogs. I'll be sure to GUARANTEE that I spell check everything from here on.
Certainly, there's not enough spaces on Obama's plane to satisfy every request. I can admit to that.
But, especially in light of their reaction to last week's story, Obama's campaign should have been extremely sensitive to the New Yorker's request. Whether it was an oversight or the rules of the game or something more sinister, Lizza should have been on the plane.
P.S. And I was just poking at you, fool. You were clowning my college. I had to step up.
SO.....If you write a story that a Pol doesn't appreciate they should be so on edge that they work to accomodate you?
I'm lost.
Absolutely. In a sense.
The Obama campaign has been notoriously sensitive to criticism throughout this run to the White House. This most recent move does not to disprove that belief.
Now, of course, Obama's campaign is free to hold grudges (or not), or showed a thickened skin (or not).
But, thus far, Obama has shown a disturbing tendency to pose obstacles to those in the media that raise important questions. That's not so different from lots of other candidates - particularly No. 43.
But Obama is supposed to be the change we believe in. Well, thus far, he hasn't shown much in the way of change as it regards to providing "sunshine" to the media.
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