At the top of the news this day are the “Secret” meetings PEBO has been having with members of the media. Last night he wined and dined with those who lean conservative:
“The right-leaning attendees were largely mum over what was discussed over the lamb chops at Will’s table, pledging fealty to off-the-record ground rules and hoping that the Democrat may again extend an olive branch if he knows his company can keep confidence. They were Obama’s ground rules, but Will swore his guests to secrecy. (emphasis added)”
…And then today the great vacillator broke break and shared secrets with the “liberal” media folks:
Today’s meeting was held at the transition headquarters, and lasted about an hour and fifteen minutes. All the participants sat a long conference table. Unlike dinner at Will’s house, there weren’t refreshments.
“It was a pretty intense back and forth about a lot of stuff,” said one attendee, declining to get into specifics, since the meeting was off the record.
Isn’t this the same candidate that promised us a new way politics and a new way of doing business? A new direction where “transparency” was an integral part of the “Change.”
Manchester, NH – During a roundtable discussion with New Hampshire voters in Manchester today, U.S. Senator Barack Obama announced a series of initiatives to restore the American people’s trust in their government by making government more transparent.
“It’s no secret that most Americans think the country is on the wrong track,” Obama told the group. “But the reason isn’t just failed policies. It’s a system in Washington that has failed the American people. A system that has not kept the most fundamental trust of American democracy: that our government is of the people, and that it must govern for all the people – not just the interests of the wealthy and well-connected.
All of this “top secret” hush hush business certainly does not engender trust with me. It mostly reminds me of the incestuous relationships that the Bush administration built with journalists; some who were outed as being paid to promote the policies of the administration. Remember the Armstrong Williams debacle? It was discovered that this alleged ‘pundit’ was really a shill for the Bush administration, being paid to tout the “No Child Left Behind” Bill. This type of media manipulation certainly falls into the modus operandi of Obamanation as revealed throughout the election.
Using propoganda and faux pressure to promote the PEBO’s agenda has also been revealed as a strategy by MoveOn.org calling for the troops to swoop down on resistant legislators who seek to “deny” the Messiah his right to have his ideas rubber stamped.
We’ve already been exposed to obvious and extreme media bias throughout the election that has eroded our trust in mainstream media. These “secret” meetings with media from both sides of the political spectrum only further validate concerns that information being put forth through mainstream channels should continue to be viewed with a jaundiced eye. The media used to be the protectors of the truth. Now, in my opinion, they are the purveyors of propoganda…with their integrity purchased by the highest bidder.
Good Night…and Good Luck
Filed under: General
from below -
SOD — sorry for the slow response – boss called – hate it when that happens. E-mail me off line and we can chat. Between Puma SF, Puma Oakland, Warrior Ginny (who owns a vineyard), Carolina and myself you’ll be all set.
Secret meetings and an “army” of organizers: (from Political Wire)
President-elect Obama’s political team “is quietly planning for a nationwide hiring binge that would marshal an army of full-time organizers to press the new president’s agenda and lay the foundation for his reelection,” the Los Angeles Times reports.
“Organizers and even Republicans say the scope of this permanent campaign structure is unprecedented for a president. People familiar with the plan say Obama’s team would use the network in part to pressure lawmakers — particularly wavering Democrats — to help him pass complex legislation on the economy, healthcare and energy.”
This is a great movie (too bad an Oborg directed it…) I should watch it again.
Thanks simo!
Jmac — what’s scarey is if he really had the support of the American people behind his agenda he wouldn’t need all of these faux oppressive tactics to shove it down our throats.
Is this at taxpayer expense? If so, we are being royally screwed. This will cost a fortune. The new 4th estate. The Obama Market PR machine.
Alwaysthinking, if you are still lurking around, this is my answer to your comment in the Wednesday Q&A thread:
Alwaysthinking, there is no excuse for Dowd, Boxer, Pelosi, Steinem, etc. Not even the generational gap. More than anything it’s an economic gap.
My mother is around the same age as Dowd and Boxer but she was a single working mother. She understands that women who aren’t protected by their rich husbands and fathers need to be tough and aggressive to protect their children and survive in this world. My mother supported Hillary.
All of the women you listed are white, upper-class women who call themselves “feminists” but they have no idea what it is like for most women in this country or around the world. Hillary, unlike her white upper-class counterparts, has fought for people without a voice and she and her family have been treated like hillbilly trailer trash by the Washington elite.
The way she was treated in this election isn’t unique for many women who fight similar battles each and everyday in the workforce – it’s why women identified with her when the Obama and Edwards called her “likable enough” or waved her off as a loser in the NH debate. They identified with the abuse that became so ferocious that one of the most powerful and aggressive women in the public eye was caught off guard and became teary eyed. This is the life of most women and women like Dowd, Andrea Mitchell, or Nancy Pelosi will never understand that. When they make fun of Hillary’s downfall, to me that’s a poke in the eye for the millions who supported her and identified with her experience.
Dinner Guests Revealed
Politico has a list of attendees at the dinner of conservative writers that President-elect Obama attended last night at George Will’s home.
They were: Charles Krauthammer, William Kristol, Larry Kudlow, David Brooks, Rich Lowry, Peggy Noonan, Michael Barone, and Paul Gigot.
Meanwhile, Michael Calderone notes Obama met with the following “liberal” journalists this morning: On the list: Andrew Sullivan, E.J. Dionne, Eugene Robinson, Gerry Seib, Ron Brownstein, Frank Rich, Maureen Dowd, and Rachel Maddow.
Marc Ambinder reports Paul Krugman was invited to today’s meeting but did not attend.
Update: Andrew Sullivan on today’s meeting: “It was totally off the record and I’m a stickler for those rules. I can say, however, the following: it’s hard to express the relief I feel that this man will be the president soon. I realize that’s what I feel above all else: relief.”
this is a real late breaking AP release:
Attention-Mr Obama to announce his first original thought since birth!
Oh the lighter side Hell, Florida expecting temps to dip into the teens tonight!
Oh the original thought thingy…Just Kidding!
SOD/SIMO: I’m in late to the conversation but hell yeah. Come on, we’d love to have you. Hey, could you add our blog to your blog roll, please???
http://pumaeyes.wordpress.com/
Jmac, the only person you listed who is a liberal is Paul Krugman and he did not attend. The rest of them are either right wingers or media whores whose ignorance helped elect Bush in 00 and 04. None of these people are liberal.
Maureen was at the “liberal” one. She who cannot fawn enough while on her knees.
His entire agenda is simple geared to getting re-elected.
what discussions could / should possibly occur between and incoming president and an alleged unbiased media sworn to report the truth that could not be shared with the general public?
That’s the question
DisenfranchisedVoter> Great point at 6:10!
Sullivan felt relieved? What did Obama serve for dinner, prunes?
Wonder if KO , Shuster and Tweety will be jealous Maddow was invited.
Conservative journalists get a cozy dinner with wine and hours to chit chat and the liberal media gets 75 minutes in a conference room kinda like a press conference. I’d be pissed.
And what is this crap anyway? The president needs to have “cozy” little meetings with anybody?? This is change? This is Bushie type priviledged kinda crap? It reeks of back room deals in smokey rooms. Since when does a president of the United States feel he has to have cozy little meetings with what is supposed to be our “fourth branch of government”
Hey Sullivan I don’t feel a sense of relief I fell a sense of being had.
Tweety, Shuster, and KO did not need an invite…they were already lodged firmly up his a$$; therefore they were present.
DYB-actually It was cold in DC and stewed prunes and hot chocolat laced with Exlax-was served
the entire party was “moved” beyond belief!
Yep, I bet KO/Shitster/Tweety are living that Madcow got to press Barky’s flesh (ugh) and they have to make do with photos.
Lol, DisenfranchisedVoter.
Not “living” – LIVID!
The media socializing with the people they are paid to report on is bad enough, but when they agree to keep secrets they are commiting malfeasance.
See my comment downstairs about the media.
To get any ideal of the truth now you will have to go to foreign newspapers they at least still try.
America’s media have become half a dollar hookers.
They sold the country out and are just stenos and not journalists any more .
WOMEN WITH INTELLIGENCE AND EXPERIENCE, MEN WHO SUPPORT THEM AND COUNTRY BEFORE PARTY
PUMAS, BUBBAS, AND THOSE PEOPLE RULE
Andy Sullivan is a Log Cabin republican-with “Rock hard Glutes”
Cops and crooks don’t go to the same picnics.
amen myiq — my thoughts exactly
Ugh, those liberal media attendees no more represent me than my children’s pet mice do.
fuzzy> I don’t know, I’ve seen Sulli on TV and nothing looks “rock hard” on him.
Obama – Bush III
According to Sun-Times columnist and long-time Chicago journalist, Carol Marin, journalists at Barack Obama news conferences have come to realize that Obama has pre-picked those journalists whom he will allow to ask him questions at the conference and many of them now “don’t even bother raising” their hands to be called upon.
Is this a self portrait or did Sullivan pay someone to paint this?
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1327/1243989108_0f5a12c938_o.jpg
The only thing more disgusting than Sully discussing Sarah Palin’s anatomy is someone discussing Sully’s anatomy.
Here is another one: http://bigheaddc.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/andrew.jpg
DYB-I guess it is his irritable bowel syndrome from all the rich fried food he has been eating he is technically a “Bear” now but I do not claim him.
sorry Myiq2xu-I will never again mention Sully’s Glutes which if DYB is correctnow have the consistency of cottage cheese!
Why is GaryChapelHill’s site no longer under the blogroll? Was there some falling out? Also, Falstaff-falstaff is a good blog to add to the list. It used to be up there too.
You know what?
I’d be a little bit more impressed with Obama’s meetings with the press if they weren’t, quite conveniently, split by ideology.
I think we know what really went on in those meetings: Obama made one set of promises to the righties, and another to the “lefties”. Since all the promises were off the record, who’s to be wiser?
After seeing how Obama did a complete 180 (and a step backwards, of course) between 1996 and 2008 on the issue of gay marriage, not to mention all his other about faces, who might imagine that anything else might have gone down?
Of course Obie had dinner with the press. How else was he going to pay them, buy a network?
Off the record, under the table, the “Chicago Way” the wheels on the bus…
Fuzzy:
Can you pass me that bucket?
hat with all the $$$ he dropped on media ads during the primaries and the general, he did buy the networks.
“What” not “hat”
networks, magazines, newspapers… everyone but the American public
Served for dinner:
Soup-Cream of arugula soup
Appitizer-Mock Tofu rumaki (se my riff on passive agressive appitzers a few threads back)
Entree-Kobi Tufu Steakes in the shape of the seal of the office of the president ellect.
Salad-Arugula salad with hearts of progressive articholes and a obamabot whine vinegrette
Desert-Stewed Prunes in brandy sausc Flambe’
Conversation topics were for good taste limited to what to: 1) name the new first dog, 2) Michelle’s Coronation ball dress and 3) the triumph of CDS
Sigh — so much for transparency… He is a jerk
Take a look at that pic of Teh One on Politico — Doesn’t he look guilty walking into ol’ Will’s splendid house?
Nah, he wouldn’t have gotten a twinge of conscience at this late date. Must just be the lighting.
Ok Myiq- here it is
(fuzzy passes his favorite vomit bucket…be cause he only shares his very best)
SOD: Obama’s tactics are not faux oppressive, they’re just plain oppressive!
MoDo’s column this morning made me want to shred the paper. All of these panderers in cahoots with BO should be fired. He is the most duplicitous, despicable, disgraceful PE ever. As Angie might say, a lying liar and a cheating cheater. These media meetings make it clear that there will be no transparency, just more bought and paid for infomercials about the new messiah.
If we don’t fight against this somehow, our country will be down the tubes.
Actually George Will and Pampers were plotting a trip to Catherine Grahams Grave where they would each drink a six pack and then hose it down real good!
For old Times sake!
Of course, he’d be obliged to invite Eugene Robinson, the f-er who first started the Clintons are racists and Bradley effect crap.
Makes me sick reading about this – buying people over to his side because that is the only thing he really knows; trying out the “uber-cool” look, all these media whores eating out of his hand because he strokes their ego and they stroke his in turn. He’s already looking at 2012. Its going to be a long four years.
Maybe his separate, secret meetings with the liberal and conservative media was to announce his candidacy for 2012 and beyond.
where is Angie I need a hug?!?
Why am I in moderation for commenting about the possible relationship between secrret meetings and BO’s plans to keep his election group in place for 2012 and beyond?
myiq2xu said: “The media socializing with the people they are paid to report on is bad enough, but when they agree to keep secrets they are committing malfeasance.”
You are absolutely correct. The press ought to be the implacable antagonist of power, working to ferret out the truth, whatever it is and wherever it leads. The failure of the so-called 4th estate is disastrous for a democracy whose citizenry depends upon the reporting of news in order to make informed political decisions. Conservative, libertarian, liberal, or whatever all deserve and must insist upon a press that is “free.” When the press is not free, but rather an instrument for the state and politicians to inflame, inspire, or inform according to their own whims and agendas, then it has failed. Not only have they failed but they have betrayed their nation and are in a very real sense of the words traitors to the name “journalist.”
I care not whether the administration in power is Republican or Democrat, liberal or conservative, progressive or libertarian. Whatsoever it be, let the press that reports on it, and on the issues facing our nation be free and un-bought, unfettered by corporate allegiances and uncorrupted by privilege of access to those in power. We should blush to critique or judge the state owned propagandistic media in modern Russia or communist China while our own fawning media confesses its role to be that of apologist, marketer, and salesman for the regime in power.
Things have grown steadily worse as news has turned to entertainment, and corporate interests vie for the increasingly shrinking share of advertising dollars to shore up their failed enterprises. There is no loyalty to the journalistic ethic and no accountability for the sycophantic writing that passes for reporting today. If I were not already numbed by the ongoing degradation of discourse in the public square, I would be revolted and nauseated by the overt nature of this collapse. I hope for the day when reporting returns, tough questions are asked and persistent pestering inquisitiveness becomes the order of the day in place of the current prostituted posture of those who have anointed themselves our informers as they remain bowed before the altar of prestige and privilege that comes with the access they’ve been granted.
Nope ABG but these are the media and when you meet with them “privately” it ain’t exactly change.
I need a hug too
this is chilling
there has to be a coalition opposing Obama, and it has to be a machine just like his.
there is also a possibility that this will implode
higher powers help us!
oh so we are tossing term limits for the imposter and pampers n chief out the window?
hey catrina(waves)
{{{{catrina}}}}
But the question is, did he give them nicknames?
djmm
How are we supposed to know what our public servants are doing if the media won’t tell us?
Myiq2xu-
welcome to the Mushroom Nation-
where the people are kept in the dark and fed bullsh*t
It’s stunning – he meets with the press and they are mum. Just what was he willing to discuss with them that American public doesn’t get to know? Something’s up that people are gonna be p!ssed about and he wants the media to frame it (whatever it is) in such a way as to make him look good. Of course being the suck-ups they are, feeling flattered to have been chosen, they’ll be happy to participate in keeping the rest of us in the dark. We need to raise some holy hell.
Oh, “good” news. Osama’s got a new hit single.
And, bad news: Ricardo Montalban’s passed away at age 88.
Fantasy Island, you will be missed.
Fuzzy, I love that — “Mushroom Nation” !!
thanks fuzzy
spammy is messing with me
Well-stated, elderj.
Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.
You wanna know what the epitome of desperate is?
When Lambert does a post mocking another blog and the other blog tries to drag us into it, hoping to pump up their stats with a blog war.
KHAN!
the Obamanazis better wake up and help PUMA stop this madman.
We’ve known the media hasn’t been trustworthy for quite some time. They’re corporations, after all, and they care about profitability and not much more. Particularly in these financially hard times. That NPR is cheerleading as well gets my last nerve.
OK color me easy but I do not see a major problem with the PEBO having a background dinner with different and conflicting corners of the media. I have a problem if this is the usual and customary way of media communications but I do not see this if it happens at the beginning, before the inauguration and there is outreach to conservative, liberal and middle of the street media folks—nor do I see a big problem with it off the record. All presidents have done this—probably more to their side of the street guys. Obama is probably somewhat more upfront about it. I think there are more important things to twist our shorts over.
OK now cream me.
Ooohhh, another blog war! The last one lasted less than 24 hours – after the other side surrendered. We could take these new losers – whoever they are.
My world is spinning — American Idol is in Kansas City!
lions share
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/no-we-wont
right now, me darragh and RD
You know the media has a big to do with Prez and VP every year and it’s off-the-record.
I see your points in general but I just don’t see a dinner that is publicized as what it is as worthy of all the noise. If it happened and was hidden, covered up—then I would see it differently.
{{{fuzzy}}} Sorry I’m late!
Which post was it, MyIQ?
Don’t forget get us!
KB:
“Nice Boys”
Ah…yes they do meet wit the media. But the degree and separation of ideologies plus the “sworn to secrecy” issues are disturbing in light of Obama’s record with media manipulation.
Other off-the-record meetings were not done in similar fashion. Go back and look. I did.
Wow, that post and the comments made no sense to me at all.
(Edited to add that I’m referring to the Post at Corrente that MyIQ mentioned.)
Taylor M. thinks it was a grand idea also:
“When someone is opposing you, disarm them. Charm them. Give them your ear. Let them get to know you so that the person they’re critiquing isn’t some far off detached subject. It’s much harder to slam someone when you’ve met them. Besides, Obama knows he’s got the liberal punditocracy no matter what he does.”
She forgot to read Krugman. Unless she thinks that, like PUMA, Krugman is no longer liberal.
KB:
That’s because you are a mature adult.
SOD
the moveon.org information is very disturbing.
The propaganda machine that helped Obama steal the election plans to continue it’s activities.
they have people and funds
we’ll never get rid of Obama
MyIQ if you saw me now, watching American Idol, you’d probably re-think that last comment!
Taylor M ? Oh, you mean the one who had such grandiose dreams of having her own show on Air America that she literally begged her readers to lobby for her ? Heard she had trouble hitting even 200 in those weblog awards…
and jangles…Obie promised us CHANGE. We’ve pis$ed and moaned about how Bush did similar things. What about change? what about transparency?
katiebird — PumaSF has requested her blog to be added to the blogroll:
http://pumaeyes.wordpress.com/
can you do that?
Jangles, I have a problem with the fact that it was supposed to be secret, but it was leaked. I thought the Obama team was such a crack team they were leak-proof.
Maybe it’s what happens with every incoming administration and they keep their mouths shut about it. I find it self serving of Obama to leak it like it’s something totally new if, in fact, every other new administration does the same thing.
Jmac, Taylor Marsh is no better than the media whores Obama met with last night. Taylor WANTS to be one of those people someday (likely not going to happen). She admires them and is willing to do the same to get ahead. I pity her because it must be hard watching these millionaire ass hats get rewarded for lying and betraying the public’s trust for the last two decades while she has nothing but a declining website and the ability to post for free at HuffPo.
Stateofdisbelief, It’s done.
I’ve never heard of Gerry Seib, listed as one of the liberal journalist. He’s Washington editor for the WSJ. I didn’t know any editor at the WSJ could be called liberal.
Whatever happened to the REAL journalists? Y’know..the ones that ferreted out and reported the truth. The only secrets they kept were their confidential sources.
Who is now on our side? That is the real question. The level of bias revealed in this election by the media was sickening. I think it is only a shadow of greater controlled messages to come.
Thanks KB!
DisenfranchisedVoter – I know. I came here from TM. I just check her out once in a blue moon because she does still post about Hillary.
I clicked on the link for the blog SOD posted and PumaSF has the article about Obama being in theaters around the country on inauguration day. All I can think with the theaters and the media adoration and meeting with reporters is he can get anything he wants.
SOD, no one working for corporate interests or who wants to get ahead in the mainstream media is on our side. Bob Somerby was one of the few (former) journalists who told the truth most of the time last year but even he wasn’t completely free of the kool-aid.
KB: Can I be added to the blog roll, please? *puppy eyes*
What about the journalists that weren’t invited? Or the ones who don’t get called on at press conferences? Might this not backfire and cause the excluded journalists to actually investigate and report?
Jmac, even though TM is a hack she is unfortunately one of the better ones if you want to stack her up against the truly awful ones at MSNBC, CNN, and the editorial section of the NYTimes. To her credit, she has never dissed Hillary and still supports her (even though she joined the majority of Hillary supporters unwilling to help Heidi Li and Marc demand a roll call vote at the convention). Ironically, if TM had done things differently she might have become the next big thing. She would’ve been hated by HuffPo but it would’ve given her more attention and a larger readership than she has now along with respect from those of us who would’ve stood by her and supported her with donations and ad revenue. Once you turn your back on what is right to reluctantly join in with the hateful blogger boyz, you lose.
Regency, what’s your link?
regencyg.livejournal.com – One Day a Woman Will Be President
The difference is the media gave O a free pass through the entire election cycle. They attacked Hillary, then McCain, then Palin while kissing O’s feet. If they had actually been balanced, I wouldn’t think anything of it, but their hero worship was and still is sickening. Neither he nor they have given me any reason to trust them. Some might call it paranoia – I call it paying attention.
KB:
If you ever bragged about the size of your penis I’ll be really shocked.
I think Joanibone will be too
Regency! don’t forget to G-chat!
Angie…??
SOD:
You made me almost cry with the Murrow clip, except I’m so full of ennui I can’t seem to shed a tear.
Also, what bothered me the most about TM was not that she supported BO but that she pissed on PUMAs and Heidi Li – the people who only months earlier were tuning in everyday to her radio show and sending her donations. You never ever piss on the voters.
It is expected for the blogger boyz hate us because they are misogynists who cater to a large group of mostly young white men who love hating women as much as they love jerking off to them. But women bloggers looking to make it big made a mistake by joining the hate bandwagon. Jeralyn of TL and TM have lost credibility which is why they are now getting fewer blog hits than The Confluence.
It’s time for women, gays, and men who support us to wake up and start building our own successful and profitable community on the web and in publications like Ms. because the blogger boyz will never truly accept any of us or treat us as their equal.
NEW POST – if you want to read it…
That bit about MoveOn is hilarious. “Obama’s plan under attack”….? As if Obama ever seroiusly cared about health care, green jobs or clean energy. Obama’s only “plan” was to get elected. Period. Now he has nothing, which is why he packed his cabinet with Clinton administration veterans. Somebody’s got to know what the heck they’re doing, and it isn’t going to be the President, just as it hasn’t been for the past 8 years. Apparently, the more things “change” the more they stay the same.
(shudder) MyIQ, after watching the movie, Open Waters, today and reading this comment of yours, I think I’m doomed to have another nightmare tonight.
Thank you so much!
SOD: Already there.
Catching up late, but I just want to add that the media is the epitome of the Village. One of the conservative guests said he was “honored” to be there. Are they all so special and part of the inner circle? That’s all they care about. It has nothing to do with their duty to the American public to investigate the truth and expose the facts objectively. It’s all become like a Hollywood club. Shame on them all–both conservative and liberal.
fif, you’re right. The media relates to Obama because they are all the same. They are all opportunists who will switch positions at the flip of a dime. It’s no longer about reporting the truth or standing up for certain principles whether you are conservative or liberal. It’s all about them and being able to fit into the exclusive club and laughing about us “bitter” hoi polloi who will never be as good as them. I’ve never been so disgusted with the media and our nation’s leaders and that says a lot after having to live under the Bush regime for 8 years.
[...] excellent points of this at the Confluence These “secret” meetings with media from both sides of the political spectrum only further [...]