The recent performances that I have witnessed from the White House Press Corps (some of which can be seen here with Laura Bush and an unidentified lady), have sounded more and more like crime interrogations, than press conferences. David Gregory, who honestly believes he is a journalist in the molds of Dan Rather and Sam Donaldson, has been one of many White House reporters that actaully think they are doing the country a service, by conducting their end of the press conference similar to a hostile cross-examination. (The Logic Lifeline has a short piece worth reading, on this very subject.)
So, imagine how refreshing it was to hear some intelligent questions put to him and asked with respect, from some members of the City Club of Cleveland, where he spoke earlier today. These were normal people that do normal jobs and contribute much more to the well-being of the nation, than any of the Press Corps could hope to do. Gone were the bitter tones and the nasty remarks that usually are so prevalent, when the President is involved in a question-and-answer session.
Even the questions from people that gave the distinct impression they did not support him, were intelligently asked, issue based, and were respectfully delivered. They appeared to be sincere and were not trying to trip the man up, for the sole pupose of spinning a quote for a story and to advance their own personal agendas.
The Press Corps was there, they saw how it was done. But what do you want to bet that they learned nothing? What do you want to bet, they probably either slept or sat there seething, because they could not be the story? I wish the cameras would have included some shots, I bet it would have been a sight to see.
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