Five Columnists Join Obama on Air Force One
EmailAlso joining the Obamas on Air Force One: five newspaper columnists, invited to join the president for an on-the-record sit-down onboard the plane.
According to one columnist, it was a very last minute invite from the White House (around 8 p.m. Thursday).
Those invited include the Chicago Tribune’s Clarence Page, the New York Times’s Bob Herbert, the Atlantic’s Ron Brownstein, and the Washington Post’s EJ Dionne and Kathleen Parker.
Page’s most recent column, about Obama, was titled "Obama’s hard-learned lessons in leadership."
Herbert’s, also about Obama, was titled "The Chess Master."
Brownstein’s last column about Obama was titled, "The Solvency Solution; For Obama, the key to recasting the stimulus debate may be a commitment to fiscal discipline."
Dionne’s last column was titled, "Lost in the Middle; When will the Obama administration learn that bland centrism achieves nothing?"
Parker’s Wednesday column about the president was titled "So Far, Amateur Hour."
– Jake Tapper and Karen Travers
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Jealus?
Posted by: Teresa | February 13, 2009, 5:48 pm 5:48 pm
Maybe Jake can get invited over to the Gibbs’ house for pizza??????
Really Page and Herbert bow to the “master” strategist (hard lessons? – no he already plays the perceptions game to a tee), and Brownstein and Dionne appear to be space cases – trillion dollar bill leads to fiscal discipline???, the problem here is too much centrism????)
Parker could say anything and get invited cause she and Baby Buckley are the Republican Judases.
Posted by: robert b | February 13, 2009, 6:05 pm 6:05 pm
A president willing to communicate with his constituents has been the norm since before FDR – it was our last president who was unusual. Nice to see a little respect being paid to the press again.
Posted by: jhw539 | February 13, 2009, 6:08 pm 6:08 pm
“Nice to see a little respect being paid to the press again”
And they deserve respect? hmmmmm
Posted by: ajax | February 13, 2009, 6:18 pm 6:18 pm
Jealus?
**************************************************
Hmm . . .That could have accounted for turning up the volume on the snarkism with Gibbs.
Posted by: kathy | February 13, 2009, 6:21 pm 6:21 pm
So that’s what Kathleen’s 5 pieces of silver look like. Hey Kathleen, those libs are gonna be nastier to you than you ever dreamed of being to Palin and the rubes (like me) who love her. Hope it was worth it.
Posted by: fiestamom | February 13, 2009, 6:23 pm 6:23 pm
Poor Jake Tapper! After he got snippy with Robert Gibbs a few days ago he gets smacked down by Gibbs again this afternoon. You’re really bush league Jake!
Posted by: roxanne | February 13, 2009, 6:30 pm 6:30 pm
According to one columnist, it was a very last minute invite from the White House (around 8 p.m. Thursday).
—————-
Thw WH has growing pains and needs someone to keep them on time and on task.
Or perhaps the last minute invtation was actually a last minute subtsitution.
Posted by: mad | February 13, 2009, 6:48 pm 6:48 pm
Gibbs Smackdown???
Allow me Jake – where do you see that Roxy
Here’s some Gibbs response
Not in ” Well, let me — let me — let me take a stab at that one” (Huh)
” statement that you just read and the statement of the president are very consistent” (Boring and deceptive)
” It would likely over time provide Caterpillar the opportunity to recall employees” (Boring, not a putdown, but really Gibbs best try at splitting the difference)
“Well, I haven’t — I haven’t seen what the congressman said” (huh, Jake just told him. Like I said, his staff could get Gibbs prepped better by reading this blog)
” I think he’ll see that it saves or creates millions of jobs” (the line gets old – the save or make dodge get more obvious by the hour
“I can’t speak to — I can’t speak to what the — what the congressman said or saw from different employees, because I didn’t hang out with them yesterday.” (Snippy if not snappy reply but not relevant)
” I can simply speak to the benefits that economists …say the bill will do. Maybe some of those guys should call him, too” (His best “zinger” but directed at Rep Schock not Jake).
Next!!?
Posted by: robert b | February 13, 2009, 6:57 pm 6:57 pm
“Parker could say anything and get invited cause she and Baby Buckley are the Republican Judases.”
Dare speak off the right wing talking point and one becomes Judas.
So nice that the right wing lunatics sent Parker death threats because she was not in awe of Palin.
Posted by: Ryan C | February 13, 2009, 7:02 pm 7:02 pm
“So that’s what Kathleen’s 5 pieces of silver look like.”
Another Judas reference just because she dared call Palin unqualified after that became apparent thru her interviews.
“Hey Kathleen, those libs are gonna be nastier to you than you ever dreamed of being to Palin and the rubes (like me) who love her.”
Parker on lunatic Palin fans:
After 20 years of column writing, I’m familiar with angry mail. But the past few days have produced responses of a different order. Not just angry, but vicious and threatening.
Posted by: Ryan C | February 13, 2009, 7:08 pm 7:08 pm
ajax: “And they deserve respect? hmmmmm”
The founding fathers granted them it (and the press back then was just as tabloid) and I have never heard anyone I respect as a thinker dispute the importance of a free press, ever. Still haven’t.
Posted by: jhw539 | February 13, 2009, 7:25 pm 7:25 pm
For Kathleen to join the ravenous wolves who had accused Sarah of witchcraft, baby swapping, and god knows what else – yeah that unhinged a few.
For a little notoriety for her column, dissed an independent woman, Western values, while letting the guy with gangsters and terrorists as buddies have a pass cause he talks a good game.
(not to mention NOONE in the mainstream media except of course our Jake shining a light on the wisdom of good ole Joe Biden)
Posted by: robert b | February 13, 2009, 8:03 pm 8:03 pm
“The founding fathers granted them it (and the press back then was just as tabloid) and I have never heard anyone I respect as a thinker dispute the importance of a free press, ever. Still haven’t.”
jhm have you ever read Safire’s Book Scandalous that came out around the time of the Clinton scandals?
Granted its fiction but its an interesting look at the fiercely partisan press of the day.
Posted by: Ryan C | February 13, 2009, 8:08 pm 8:08 pm
“Poor Jake Tapper! After he got snippy with Robert Gibbs a few days ago he gets smacked down by Gibbs again this afternoon. You’re really bush league Jake!”
Has Gibbs actually answered a single question yet?
Posted by: PD | February 13, 2009, 8:13 pm 8:13 pm
“For Kathleen to join the ravenous wolves who had accused Sarah of witchcraft, baby swapping, and god knows what else – yeah that unhinged a few.”
Of course a few became unhinged because most of you are unhinged.
That you place Parker on the same level as Andrew Sullivan is absurd.
The whole wit us or agin us mentality is frightening.
“For a little notoriety for her column, dissed an independent woman, Western values, while letting the guy with gangsters and terrorists as buddies have a pass cause he talks a good game.”
So she deserved the threats?
Posted by: Ryan C | February 13, 2009, 8:13 pm 8:13 pm
I think that Jake is realizing that the Obama’s USE their status “big time” to reward or rebut their perceived threats. It’s funny, to watch, as one who would not want either one as a friend. People are so easily persuaded. It’s a pity to watch people gravel.
Posted by: Gale | February 13, 2009, 9:43 pm 9:43 pm
no of course not.
of course I don’t think ms parker really has or needs protection
was she exaggerating for effect maybe
Posted by: rob b | February 13, 2009, 9:56 pm 9:56 pm
Allowing only journalists aboard AF1 who have drunk the kool aid and are in Obama’s tank is how he is going to “manage the public’s knowledge” ,which BO says is one of the responsibilities of the government now. Just like he says only the government can solve the financial crisis. It is not the press or business anymore, in Obama’s world (the new world order) it is the “government”. Welcome to 1984 everybody.
Posted by: Proud Texas Republican | February 13, 2009, 10:37 pm 10:37 pm
Hmmmm! And Kathleen Parker was on the plane. She need to stop writing for Townhall. She have to go.
Posted by: anonymous | February 13, 2009, 11:20 pm 11:20 pm
I dont recall Bush letting the press on Air force one,I dont recall Bush going out and talking to the American people
Posted by: Angie | February 13, 2009, 11:56 pm 11:56 pm
My sense is that Obama would like to break out of the current structure of the press corps/WH dance, possibly emulate FDR’s relationship with the press. Unfortunately, the brutal election season has made him a lot more guarded, with good reason. Quite a contrast from his early interviews.
The real problem is that the current media are obsessed with the 24-hour news cycle, and just have no long view. Just like the shriveled little GOP.
Jake, fair job so far, but maybe consider not being Matt Drudge’s little monkey for awhile. I know it makes the right wing froot loops who frequent your blog see joyful little stars and shoot off tittering emails, but really those guys are a tiny little minority. Truthfully, it’s a little disgusting listening to the snide and combative approach, after having watched the 4th estate give Bush a total pass.
Posted by: Tungsten | February 14, 2009, 12:06 am 12:06 am
Yes!!!
Hear that sound? It’s the door slamming on the GOP. The air hissing out of their little pool raft.
By voting against the stimulus package, the republicans JUST VOTED AGAINST THE BIGGEST MIDDLE CLASS TAX CUT EVER!!!!
Trust me, you haven’t heard the end of this. $282 billion over 2 years. Folks, that is the largest tax cut for the middle class IN HISTORY. Remember, the GOP only likes to cut taxes for the rich. Wow, are they in for a shellacking.
Read it and weep, short-sighted wingnuts.
Posted by: Tungsten | February 14, 2009, 12:39 am 12:39 am
Enjoy your $13 tax cut for the middle class. Reason why press should not be cozy w/ the prez…honest and objective–oh right..we lost that long ago when he campaigned! There is a place where the government clothes you, feeds you, puts a roof over your head, takes care of your medical and all the other little needs you all think you are entitled to. It’s called prison! Wake up people! These dems don’t care about you…and I was a Dem until Pelosi and Reed and The Chosen One came in. Open your eyes little sheeps–you’re being led off the cliff!
Posted by: Di | February 14, 2009, 1:47 am 1:47 am
While you guys are celebrating this huge pointless debt that will do NOTHING for this economy, try counting how many lies and broken promises your savior has already delivered. I lost count after the first two dozen and he has been the president less than a month!
Posted by: Di | February 14, 2009, 1:57 am 1:57 am
I have no problem with a man taking his wife out to dinner. But, President OBAMA USED Air Force one to spend the night at CAMP David, then back in the air again to go to Chicago, then it will be back in the air to return to Washington D.C. THAT IS THREE FUELINGS AND CHECKUPS FOR THE AIRCRAFT. NOT DISCOUNTING THE SECRET SERVICE SECURITY ON EACH TRIP. Exactly how much does it cost every time Airforce One goes airborne? Does anyone know? Although I admire President Obama immensely, I think this was frivolous spending of taxpayer’s money, just to celebrate VALENTINES DAY. It could have been done more frugally, or in only one location. A real statement of their love would have been a quiet evening spent alone at home and a charitable donation to a needy orginization. Surely they can’t be bored of living in a mansion after just one month.
Posted by: B_Strickland | February 14, 2009, 10:36 am 10:36 am
If we took the $3 trillion stilulus and divided it up amongst each household we would each get approximately $27,000. It makes the pittance of $13 per wage earner per week or approximately $52 a month look like a very small Scooby snack.
If we are going to go Socialist (Newsweek says we are), why not go all the way and just give everyone the $27,000 rather than make them funnel it through all the Congress’ pet projects?
Kathleen Parker took a chance and so far it is paying off for her. I don’t know, I stopped reading her months ago.
Posted by: StimulateME | February 14, 2009, 10:43 am 10:43 am
“Those invited include the Chicago Tribune’s Clarence Page, the New York Times’s Bob Herbert, the Atlantic’s Ron Brownstein, and the Washington Post’s EJ Dionne and Kathleen Parker.”
Presumably the REAL target is Dionne.
Interesting that The Puppet sees Valentine’s Day as sooo important to Himself, so disposable for the press.
Posted by: Human Intelligence | February 14, 2009, 12:27 pm 12:27 pm
His second vacation in 3 weeks?
Crank up the thermostat to 80 degrees it’s time for Obama to show his “Chicago Toughness”.
Posted by: sammy | February 14, 2009, 12:55 pm 12:55 pm
What a President ignores People in trouble in Kentucky and the castrophy that he says is happening to take a 500,000 plane ride to Chicago!!
Posted by: spock | February 14, 2009, 1:59 pm 1:59 pm
Okay, folks…..Obama isn’t a clerk at the local drugstore. He’s President of the United States and perhaps the most powerful man in the world. And so let’s begin to realize that his future trips back home to Chicago or those to Camp David aren’t ‘VACATIONS’. They are a break from the norm which such a person needs but the phones, certain staff, briefings and all travel with him
Posted by: jerry in colorado | February 16, 2009, 1:45 pm 1:45 pm