Newspapers Not Endorsing Obama Kicked Off Obama Plane
The Drudge Report, one of the most visited websites in the world, reported Friday that journalists working for three major newspapers who did not endorse Barack Obama, were told to get off the campaign’s plane this weekend.
Reporters working for Dallas Morning News, the Washington Times and the New York Post were all told that their seats would be taken by others.
According to Druge, they may be replaced by documentary film-makers and / or reporters working for two ‘black’ magazines, Essence and Jet.
Although the McCain campaign has barred certain specific reporters from the campaign plane, it has not banned reporters working for specific outlets. The Obama campaign, however, now has.
The three newspapers have one thing in common: all of them endorsed John McCain for president.
Interesting is that the editorial and news coverage departments are two seperate entities within the same newspaper.
It is not for the first time that the Obama campaign decided to make life (reporting) impossible for news sources who do not support the Democratic nominee for president. Earlier, appearances at a Florida news channel were cancelled because one of its reporters had the courage to ask Sen. Joe Biden, Sen. Obama’s running mate, questions he would rather not answer.
A pattern is emerging here, and it isn’t pretty.
The Washington Times responded furiously to the campaign’s decision. “This feels like the journalistic equivalent of redistributing the wealth, we spent hundreds of thousands of dollars covering Senator Obama’s campaign, traveling on his plane, and taking our turn in the reporter’s pool, only to have our seat given away to someone else in the last days of the campaign,” said Washington Times Executive Editor John Solomon.
“I hope the candidate that promises to unite America isn’t using a litmus test to determine who gets to cover his campaign.”
That’s sooo like the Turkish prime minister Erdoğan it’s not even funny. Even his populism, everything…
“I hope the candidate that promises to unite America isn’t using a litmus test to determine who gets to cover his campaign.”
That’s obviously what is happening. Punishing the press by denying access is a Bush-like, bush league tactic. An inclusive president would welcome differing opinions rather than insisting on fawning and groveling.
You people do realize that the McCain camp has kicked the press off their plane as well, right?
lol
At least they weren’t kicked off while in flight.
Well I promise you change but will not show you some. I don’t care if the other sided kicked people off. It is what he preaches. He is loaded of instances that contradict what he preaches. It be interesting to see if he actually wins.
As usual, Drudge stretches the facts to make some money:
http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/10/the-dallas-morning-news-and-th.html
They’re not happy about it, but they’re denying it’s about the McCain endorsement.
LOL, MM come on. do you think Obama’s campaign would say -yes, absolutely!
your link just confirms the entire behaviour. Adding a second plane would not mean one less stop – the mere possibility that it would should insult the intelligence of the news crews.
Wait! it must be that Obama does not have money for a 2nd plane.
well okay back to being booted.
“You people do realize that the McCain camp has kicked the press off their plane as well, right?”
Yes, but… See… It’s both candidates who have… But the problem is… Socialism. Yes.
Are you an American Kaspar?
Michael: the dallas morning news are not. They are saying they don’t have any evidence it is. That’s an important difference. And Obama’s campaign is obviously not going to say “yep, that’s correct.”
As for the move: it’s clear that only these three newspapers were told they was no place for them now. They have only one thing in common. They endorsed McCain. 1+1=2. Perfectly clear what’s going on here.
Kaspar: that’s a lie. McCain refused certain columnists on his plane. These people aren’t columnists, however, but normal reporters. Secondly, the Obama campaign didn’t tell just specific reporters to get off, but specific newspapers.
Interested: Kaspar = Utsu I believe.
just like I figured Mvdg.
Ok, I just wonder whether a candidate should be obliged to give seats to publications that won’t endorse him? I have no problem with McCain telling a columnist to get off the plane – is there some sort of transparency that is given only to certain media providers, or is it simply a question of decency – making it easier for respectable media providers of many origins and political stances to tag along with less hassle?
I mean, would the media consumers – the most important party here – be at a loss because these media outlets were asked off the plane?