CBS' 'Rude Little Liberal'
On Monday morning, Karl Rove stood next to President George W. Bush on the South Lawn of the White House and announced that he would be resigning from the administration at the end of the month. In front of the assembled D.C. press corp, he read a statement, and the President spoke. There was no formal opportunity for questions.
Towards the end of the appearance, as the President and his favorite pol were about to head in the direction of an awaiting helicopter, Bill Plante, CBS White House correspondent, broke the embargo.
“If he’s so smart,” said Mr. Plante, “how come you lost Congress?”
The president ignored Mr. Plante. But the bloggers did not.
By early afternoon, Mediabistro’s FishbowlDC had reported on Mr. Plante’s question, which quickly ricocheted around the Web.
Conservative bloggers were not amused.
“Besides being a rude little liberal, Plante also manages to show just how unqualified he is to be reporting on politics,” wrote Invincible Armor. “No doubt that's why CBS hired him.”
A blogger at Planetsave.com, on the other hand, gave Mr. Plante the “balls of the day award.”
Reached by phone at his home in Washington D.C. on Monday night, Mr. Plante said he wasn’t surprised by the attention. What people should understand, he said, was that the question was of less importance than the principle.
“Here’s the point,” said Mr. Plante. “It’s important that we ask questions even if some people don’t believe that they’re appropriate. They don’t have to answer them. But we have to ask them. Did I have to ask that question? That’s a point of legitimate argument.”
Mr. Plante said that if his bosses at CBS were unhappy with him, he hadn’t heard about it.
Earlier, Mr. Rove had chosen to break the news of his resignation in a hospitable forum with absolutely no threat of shouted questions—that is, in an interview with Wall Street Journal's editorial page editor Paul Gigot, a known conservative.
“That was Rove doing what he does very well: manipulating the media,” said Mr. Plante. “He chose the venue in which the story broke. It was basically a friendly one…That’s what Rove is very good at: shaping the message.”
Not that there’s anything wrong with it, said Mr. Plante.
“I’m not saying they are wrong to do that,” said Mr. Plante. “But we are not wrong either to ask questions. Sometimes they answer, sometimes they don’t. This has been going on for a long time.”
Mr. Plante, who first joined CBS’s Washington Bureau in 1976, said he seen similarly evasive tactics employed in previous administrations. “Clinton completely dried up during the time he was under investigation and under impeachment,” said Mr. Plante. “And we yelled at him too.”
Was he worried that his pointed query might subject CBS News to yet another round of accusations (see Rather, Dan) about the organization’s supposed liberal bias?
“You can have a long discussion about whether there’s some kind of structural bias in the reporters who cover Washington,” said Mr. Plante. “You can drag out the statistics that 82 percent of them voted for George McGovern, or whatever the hell that was. But I do think that the argument is most often used when you don’t agree with what the reporter is saying. If you the viewer of reader don’t agree with the point of view, you take it that the person who’s reporting that is somehow aligned with the enemy.”
No wonder The Early Show and the CBS Evening News are number one! Oh wait...
He was doing his job. What a tired old practice. First, take a word, like liberal, redefine it into something so negative it loses rationality. Then anyone that disagrees with the current talking points gets the distasteful label. At that point everything looks oh, all so obvious.
No other mainstream news organization has been as misleading and lie ridden as FOX news. You bring up Dan Rather's stupid mistake for years while FOX lies almost daily.
It is past time that someone ask Bush a real question. The White House press has been giving him a pass for years. I wonder what JEFF GANNON would have asked Bush?
I'm not a supporter of Bush Administration. In fact I think that he is a complete failure and I would like to see him removed from office. In this particular case, however, I tend to side with those critical of Mr Plante. What substantive information was he expecting to get from the response to that question? Of course the real reason that the Democrats won back Congress is because there were no WMD's in Iraq. It had nothing to do with Mr Rove's IQ. Mr Plante knows that. I would like to see all journalist be much more professional -but there's no way that's going to happen any time soon.
Hey Andy --
How do you define "professional?" From the content and tone of your post, it sounds like you mean "deferential," "courteous" or "obsequious."
We've had quite enough of that posture from the press in the past 6-1/2 years, wouldn't you say? I guess it doesn't matter to you that the results have been a disaster of epic proportions, as long as some arbitrary sense of decorum isn't violated.
For journalists, "profesionalism" should mean doing your job diligently, and that means asking questions, even -- or especially -- when the queries will make the recipient uncomfortable, awkward or even angry.
If it pains you to see our dear Bubble Boy upset by pesky questions, there's a simple solution: Stick to FOX News.
Even though CBS has been more than conservative-leaning in the past few years, I do see this question as more than just a snark emitted in a fit of pique. I'm also a journalist, and the question was legitimate and opened the door for an interesting answer. It could've ranged from a headline grabbing classless outburst, something entirely in character for Mr. Bush, who refered to one journalist during his 2000 campaign as "that asshole", to a hasty, poorly contructed extemporaneous spin that would potentially reveal more between the lines than the orator intended...Winston Churchill George ain't.
Mr. Plante asked a pointed, revealing question that needed to be asked, and there are so many others that need asking but are frustratingly absent.
This is just plain idiocy. Here is Bill Plante during the Clinton Administration:
"But Bill Plante of CBS News did not let (President Clinton Spokesman Mike) McCurry go that easily, asking why he felt he could ever "afford to remain ignorant" of something concerning the president and, even more, "Who does a press secretary work for?"
http://www.diversityjobmarket.c
om/library/politics/100298mccurry-depart
.html
Wow, so Bill Plante asked similarly pointed and (arugably) rude questions while covering the Clinton White House.
Anytime a member of the press dares ask a tough question to a republican, it's such a knee-jerk reaction to scream "Liberal Shill!"
The myth of liberal media bias. Please read and distribute:
http://www.consortiumnews.com/2002/123102a.html
Yes, Mr. Plante was right. Excellent question, but it really was rhetorical
The question was meant to anger Bush and Rove, of course. And they weren't taking questios, so no answer was expected.
As far as professionalism in journalism goes....I think it's to the point that the press is just getting tired and frustrated of covering bubble boy. George has such a thin skin that if they even look at him wrong, he won't give them the time of day. The press barred from him for the last six years...what do they have to lose?
Karl and Rove stage a cozy farewell party for the press and one disgruntled reporter sounds of a sarcastic remark. The real question should have been, "Didn't your father fire Karl twice for divulging information to the press about his political opponents, in one case to Bob Novak, if true, by genius, don't you mean he's just crafty little evil bastard?"
Bill Plante's comment reminded me of the interaction Dan Rather had with Nixon at a Press Conference during the waning days of the Watergate era. When he stood up to ask a question, the reporters applauded, and this annoyed Nixon, who was already very defensive of the sharp questioning from young Rather at all his press conferences. When the President quipped, "Are you running for something, Mr. Rather?", Dan's quick repartee was, "No, Mr. President, are you?".
Good for you, Mr. Bill Plante! That's why we send reporters to the leaders...to ask tough questions. And if those in power try to ignore hard questions by running to the waiting helicopter, such sharp comments are very much a requirement from a good reporter. You performed a good professional service to remind Mr. Bush that we live in a true democracy, where even the President dare not hide behind some mythical immunity of his office, and run away from answering serious questions.
I hope more reporters take a lead from Bill Plante and seek answers from this deceptive administration.
How Rude, the Conservative Crybabies whine. Rude is when anyone, anywhere, dares to ask the Bush administration any tough question. It was a legitimate question. If almighty "Boy Genius" Karl Rove is such a brainiac why was he predicting that the Republicans would win in 2006? Maybe not as smart as advertised? Maybe just a nasty little man whose shelf life of smears and fears has run out?
Plante thinks he's important. He is not.
Soldiers are important. Senators are important. Sanitation workers are important.
Dumbass hack reporters are 2cents for 100.
are reporters paid to ask rhetorical questions...which incidently, are really statements?
cbs' thinly disguised liberal bias is why they're not taken seriously anymore
Andy,
you said "What substantive information was he expecting to get from the response to that question? "
It's called calling officials out on their bull. Or, they can just sit their like automatons and scribble down whatever they say like good stenographers. If more of their bull was called out in the run up to the Iraq war we wouldn't be in the middle of a quagmire. Which makes me wonder why you dislike the Bush administration now? But I guess it's easier for you to dislike the media for what? being rude? instead of pushing for ANY media to shake any real usable information from officials and to throw propaganda and talking points to the side.
But its so much easier to call people libtards who disagree with the cult leader and not think. Call names like little children while the idiots grind the country into the ground, we get a draft, then just blame a group you don't like such as gays or mexicans who had no hand in the policies that drove the country into the ditch.
Andy,
you said "What substantive information was he expecting to get from the response to that question? "
It's called calling officials out on their bull. Or, they can just sit their like automatons and scribble down whatever they say like good stenographers. If more of their bull was called out in the run up to the Iraq war we wouldn't be in the middle of a quagmire. Which makes me wonder why you dislike the Bush administration now? But I guess it's easier for you to dislike the media for what? being rude? instead of pushing for ANY media to shake any real usable information from officials and to throw propaganda and talking points to the side.
But its so much easier to call people libtards who disagree with the cult leader and not think. Call names like little children while the idiots grind the country into the ground, we get a draft, then just blame a group you don't like such as gays or mexicans who had no hand in the policies that drove the country into the ditch.
No REAL questions have been allowed - or answered - by the Bushtards for the last SIX YEARS.
Bushieboy doesn't *like* lese majeste! It pisses him off.
Hey dev rios, you wrote:
"cbs' thinly disguised liberal bias is why they're not taken seriously anymore"
Now, replace the acronym "CBS" with "fox" and the word "Liberal" with "conservative" and then try to explain to me why the sentence no longer makes sense. You can do it!!!
True, the question was a little crude. I would have asked it a little different - like this:
Mr. President, you and your family interests have received over 6 million dollars from Sun Myung Moon just since you took office, including a $250,000 donation to the Bush-Cheney inaugural of 2005, a million to your brother Neil and a million to your fathers' library. Moon's base of operations and source of cash, the Unification Church, has been found responsible for swindling hundreds of millions of dollars from the Japanese, targeting widows with their scams. The highest courts in Japan have ruled as such. The group prosecuting these cases says the damages to the citizens of Japan is somewhere around 8 billion US dollars. When are you and your family going to return this swindled money "donated" to you by the conservative movement's number one sugar daddy? Or do you not even care that thousands of widows have been scammed by the conservatives' number one benefactor?
http://www.talk2action.org/story/2007/5/3/203729/4512
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/8/9/13513/46197
True, the question was a little crude. I would have asked it a little different - like this:
Mr. President, you and your family interests have received over 6 million dollars from Sun Myung Moon just since you took office, including a $250,000 donation to the Bush-Cheney inaugural of 2005, a million to your brother Neil and a million to your fathers' library. Moon's base of operations and source of cash, the Unification Church, has been found responsible for swindling hundreds of millions of dollars from the Japanese, targeting widows with their scams. The highest courts in Japan have ruled as such. The group prosecuting these cases says the damages to the citizens of Japan is somewhere around 8 billion US dollars. When are you and your family going to return this swindled money "donated" to you by the conservative movement's number one sugar daddy? Or do you not even care that thousands of widows have been scammed by the conservatives' number one benefactor?
http://www.talk2action.org/story/2007/5/3/203729/4512
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/8/9/13513/46197
True, the question was a little crude. I would have asked it a little different - like this:
Mr. President, you and your family interests have received over 6 million dollars from Sun Myung Moon just since you took office, including a $250,000 donation to the Bush-Cheney inaugural of 2005, a million to your brother Neil and a million to your fathers' library. Moon's base of operations and source of cash, the Unification Church, has been found responsible for swindling hundreds of millions of dollars from the Japanese, targeting widows with their scams. The highest courts in Japan have ruled as such. The group prosecuting these cases says the damages to the citizens of Japan is somewhere around 8 billion US dollars. When are you and your family going to return this swindled money "donated" to you by the conservative movement's number one sugar daddy? Or do you not even care that thousands of widows have been scammed by the conservatives' number one benefactor?
http://www.talk2action.org/story/2007/5/3/203729/4512
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/8/9/13513/46197
Not a tough question to answer,our journalists should take lessons from the BBC reporters.They are not afraid to ask tough questions.We have a whitehouse press corps that has been cowed for too long.
Mr. Plante received the "balls of the day" award.
I second that. "balls of the day" award to Mr. Plante. Seriously What has this so called "BOY GENIUS" done right besides screw everything up Mr. wannabe Prez? Why is he so uncomfortable to bail from the sinking ship so quick Mr. wannabe Prez?
Not even close to the kind of questions that could have been asked.
How impertinent of the reporter to ask such a question when Bush is still trying
to keep his head in the sand about his 06 defeat.
“If he’s so smart,how come you lost Congress?
And what is the answer to Mr. Plante's question ?
Kudos to Mr. Plante for asking a legitimate question. Of course none of the press corps asks them these days except for the Grand Dame Helen Thomas. Why are there so few journos who ask tough questions? I third the "Balls of the day" award. It should be balls of the week. No one every asks the questions that they should be and when one does they take heat. They should not be in the business if they won't ask tough questions. Larry King is one who should get out of the business. Every time he has Bush jr. or Daddy Warbucks or The Prince of Darkness, he never asks the tough questions. He has them captive and gives them a free pass. America needs more journos with some balls. I hope he continues to ask tough questions, that is if he doesn't have his press pass revoked. Way to go Mr. Plante. Keep up the good work. America needs more like you.
Jack, the statement does not make sense with the changes you suggest because you left in "thinly disguised". Fox's bias is right out in the open.
It's high time to throw Bush out of the White House.
Look out, Pedantic Man riding high horse on the wing no less!
Rove was dressing himself up as (oh I'm sorry Mr. Pedantic, I mean with the theater given to) a decorated hero retiring and that deception needed to be obliterated for the sake of the future.
As for IQs and losing Congress, you'd have to be a 20/20 visioned person with a seeing eye dog to "if he's so smart" that literally. It was a snarky comment which contained only the sharp edge and none of the supporting material because it was not necessary.
And one other thing, propaganda rides on theater and you sometimes need to break the fog forcefully because you can't reason with the hypnotized. You only end up preaching to the choir, professionally that is.