MSM/Knight Rider/WH Correspondents refuse to think Gannon a Bush plant

[papau]

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ep/20050228/en_bpiep/whitehousecorrespondentswantnoroleincredentialing

Mon Feb 28, 6:30 PM ET
Editor and Publisher
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NEW YORK The White House Correspondents Association announced Monday that it would not seek changes to the White House press-credentialing process, despite complaints from several members that controversial former reporter James Guckert had been able to gain the same access as any other reporter for two years.

Ron Hutcheson, WHCA president and a Knight Ridder White House correspondent, said the decision occurred during Monday's meeting of the WHCA board. It was the first such meeting of the board since Guckert, who uses the name Jeff Gannon, drew attention with his partisan questions and questionable past.

"The board felt like none of us were happy about Gannon being in the briefing room, but we all view it as the price we pay for a system that favors inclusion over keeping someone out," Hutcheson told E&P. "While not perfect, is geared toward letting people in."

When asked if his view would change in the event that there was a sharp increase in the distribution of day passes for bloggers, writers affiliated with obscure Web sites, and those with obvious partisan leanings, like Guckert, Hutcheson said such a scenario could require a new look. "I do have that concern that we could end up there," he said. "I'll never say never. But I have no idea what the tipping point would be."

He also added that none of the board members at the meeting believed that Guckert was "a plant" by the Bush administration to insert "softball" questions into the daily briefings.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?
tmpl=story&u=/ep/20050228/en_bpiep/whitehousecorrespondentswantnoroleincredentialing

[The Backlash Cometh]

1. The point is, that they don't have a system of inclusion. They

sealed their fate when they denied passes to legitimate journalists.

[meegbear]

2. Asystem that favors inclusion over keeping someone out ...

Translation: A system where they fear if anyone speaks up about Guckert's inclusion, they'll be kept out.

[Name removed]

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[ClintonTyree]

3. They're taking a page right out of the bush playbook................

admit to nothing, everything is just fine the way it is and they see no reason to change anything. Doing so would be an admission of "being wrong", and as we all know, the bushies are NEVER wrong.
BUT, if a horde of Liberal Bloggers wanted the same treatment that Gannon/Guckert got, they may have to revisit the procedure. :eyes:

Next, if all goes according to established patterns, these people will be given some sort of award for their meritorious service. :crazy: It makes perfect sense to me.

[Monkie]

4. this is a good thing, GOP would blame correspondents association in future

its not the media that makes the rules on propaganda and they shouldn't be put in the situation of having to make judgements on other media organisations.
i'm sure one could of pictured bush&co blaming the whitehouse correspondents association for gannon's access to the whitehouse.

[riverwalker]

5. tell them

WHCA Office
1920 N Street, NW
Suite 300
Washington, D.C.
20036

PHONE [phone]


President of White House Correspondents Association
Ron Hutcheson

[email protected]
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Address: Washington Bureau, Washington, DC 20045