By Jennifer Parker

Jan 18, 2008 9:34am

Media v Pols

AP reporter Glen Johnson squares off against former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney about a questionable Romney claim.

Watch it HERE.

KGO political reporter Mark Matthews gets verbally shanked by former President Bill Clinton about that lawsuit from Clinton supporters to shut down the "at-large" precincts for casino workers in the Nevada caucus.

Watch it HERE. I personally think this is what we’re supposed to be doing, speaking truth to power, holding politicians accountable.

But what do you think?

– jpt

User Comments

These new reporters can argue with candidates, and insult them but they never seem to ask meaning ful questions.
I saw both incidents and the reporter with Romney was just trying to get Romney to lose his cool, that purposely done. On Clinton (and I hate saying this) Bill was right, votes are being taking away from people in Nevada! Thou bill did miss one thing he should of been pushing that by having the votes like that it will allow intimidation by the union leaders upon the employees to vote the union way. and also how many are Citizens? Anybody know, sine the jobs that this union covers has the highest level of illegals that fill the job!
Bill and Romney were right to get mad, the press is looking for made up issues and not concentrating on REAL issues!

Posted by: spock | January 18, 2008, 9:42 am 9:42 am

Workers having to caucus at their place of employment? Sounds like a Chicago machine tactic.

Posted by: Geevill | January 18, 2008, 9:51 am 9:51 am

The troll Johnson misses the point, which is that Mitt’s policy decisions are not impacted by long ties to entrenched Washington interests. He does have old Washington hands on his staff (which is good b/c he has to know the lay of the land to take charge) and some of them have worked as lobbyists. But there is no evidence that certain business or political interests have undue influence on how Mitt makes decisions. His assertion that this may not be the case with McCain is valid. McCain owes favors and has buddies who have his ear that do have old Washington ties. Maybe if Johnson had let Romney make his point, he would have been more clear.

Posted by: Mike | January 18, 2008, 10:01 am 10:01 am

Bravo to both reporters! Not only should reporters ask the tough questions–speaking truth to power–but they should also continue to ask those same questions or continue to follow-up with additional questions when warranted. If I had a nickel for every time I’ve heard an interviewer ask a tough question of a politician and pursue an honest, direct answer to that question, well, I’d be about ten cents richer than I am now. All too often, reporters let slide canned responses which have nothing to do with the question asked, or lob softballs to the politicians for fear of angering them. So what if Bill Clinton’s feelings are hurt? Just mention the word “Monica” to him and watch him clam up!

Posted by: chuck | January 18, 2008, 10:14 am 10:14 am

On the Romney matter, the only question is whether , as a matter of protocol, the reporter asked the question at an appropriate time. There can be no dispute that the question was right on. Romney was making a claim that was demonstrably squirrely, if not false. This is exactly the kind of thing journalists should be doing.

Posted by: DKNY | January 18, 2008, 10:15 am 10:15 am

JT – again, you’re wrong. I have no problem with this nutjob questioning Romney about a statement that he thinks is questionable — but, there is a time and a place. The guy looked like such a dipstick. Even if Johnson was right, which he’s not, in the middle of a speech, he pipes up like that under the Iron Maiden cloak of “we’re not going to take it anymore”. Challenge politicians yes, that’s part of your job. This guy was rude and indignant — aside from being flat out wrong. The individual he claims is running the Romney campaign is not running it. He was flat wrong, even though it’s true he is a lobbyist. Romney does not have lobbyists running his campaign. Beth Myers is not a lobbyist. Do lobbyists know Washington better than almost anyone? Yes. Would a political candidate these days be an idiot if they didn’t get advice from lobbyists on certain issues? Yes. Romney’s point was that he is not beholden to any lobbyist — as many of the candidates are. Romney is a Washington outsider and should be getting advice on how best to change Washington from those who know it best. Romney doesn’t even take a salary for his government jobs. The guy is the only candidate willing to put his own money where his mouth is. Ask yourself, if you had the largest business in the world in a dire situation, in need of a turnaround, which of the remaining political candidates would you choose to run it? We all know it’s Romney.

Posted by: Chuck | January 18, 2008, 10:22 am 10:22 am

Did not the mob pressure union members! And since a caucus is not secret as a primary, I wonder truthfully if this is unconstitutional.
OK anybody who thinks the Romney question was a tough question is odd!
Now for you dems/Libs: Your whole party is OWN and Paid for by lobbyists -
Definition – A lobbyist is an activist usually paid by an interest group to promote their positions to legislatures
Dem/Libs – Interest Group(s) are Move-on.org, Media Matters, Daily Kos, NY Times, GEORGE SOROS!!!!
So I really do not think the dems should be complaining about lobbyists!!

Posted by: spock | January 18, 2008, 11:20 am 11:20 am

As far as Clinton goes, it sounded to me like he was making all the points that Justice Scalia would have found persuasive in Bush v. Gore. It was pretty close how the opinion was written anyway. Ironic how things turn.
As far as Mitt!!!!! goes, you gotta keep on him. He flip and flops on just about all the issues. I think the reporter was right to call him out. He could have just put it in print without giving MITT a chance to convince him otherwise.

Posted by: The Commander Guy | January 18, 2008, 1:19 pm 1:19 pm

I am glad President Clinton is setting his own standard in this campaign. I say call them on everything! Sen. Clinton isn’t getting the free ride that Sen. Obama is getting, so fight, fight, fight. The media behaves as though they are getting him at his worst, yet we Clinton supporters LOVE IT! Sick ‘em Bill! The fact is, the casino employees have been basically told by their unions who to vote for. That is a fact, and now these voters have to go vote in front of all the other union members. Please….I don’t want to raise my hand or stand revealing who I will vote for. Well, actually I could, but a lot of people are easily swayed under social pressure, especially if your job comfort and security depend on it. Furthermore, the supporters of Clinton fighting it, Clinton criticizing it, is all fair and understandable. If the shoe were on the other foot, one would be a fool not to fight the forced vote for another candidate.

Posted by: irma | January 19, 2008, 3:05 pm 3:05 pm

When a reporter becomes the story, as Glen Johnson did when he tried to hijack the press conference from his perch on the floor, he’s unprofessional. Save it for the Q&A.

Posted by: jwarren | January 20, 2008, 3:09 am 3:09 am

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