Click the Smoke Thank you, JoeProBono
He's cute and tiny
But they grow up so fast
Become a monthly donor and kill the FReepathon dragons
Sponsors will contribute $10
For each new monthly sign-up
Posted on 02/08/2012 1:13:06 PM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
Mitt Romney's decision to avoid confrontations with the press since his victory in Florida last month -- and since his "very poor" comment on CNN -- has become a source of frustration for national reporters already wary of the campaign's strict scheduling and tight message control.
But it is angering local press as well. Especially in Colorado, where one reporter from Denver's local Fox affiliate is suggesting that Romney's decision to spurn reporters could cost him should he return to the state in the general election.
"[Y]our brand is now significantly tarnished in a critical swing state, one you seemed to have in your grasp," Eli Stokols, a reporter at Denver's local Fox News affiliate Fox 31, wrote in an open letter to Romney posted on the station's website.
"When it came to talking to the Denver media, you gave us the silent treatment," he wrote. "Sure, we showed up at your rallies anyway and heard you spouting the same, tired talking points again and again."
Stokols says that the Romney campaign did not respond to multiple requests from Fox 31 for an interview.
Romney did take questions from some members of the local media in Colorado Springs on Saturday, but the campaign did not alert the traveling press, who only found out about it after the fact. In fact, Romney's last true press avail took place on a flight from Tampa to Minneapolis on February 1, and cost each reporter $4,000 to attend. His last on-land press avail took place in Florida on January 31, more than a week ago.
The candidate held no press avails in Nevada, Missouri, or Minnesota.
"You'd think someone campaigning to be leader of the free world could handle questions from local reporters, as, say, Rick Santorum did whenever we and our competitiors approached him here over the past week," Stokols wrote.
"Congratulations, though, on saving Gov. Romney the potential embarrassment that might have arisen from -- gasp! -- an unscripted moment."
And this just in, as I publish... Romney will reportedly hold his first press avail in Atlanta today, on an airport tarmac.
Maybe Obama will let him borrow one of his Tubby Teleprompters.
What the media is doing to the GOP candidates now is likely NOTHING compared to what the coverage in the election will be. And if Romney can’t handle a routine question now, he’s gonna get creamed as the nominee.
I sure do wish I knew what the folks who claim Romney has the advantage of being ‘electable’ have been smoking and/or drinking of late.
“I sure do wish I knew what the folks who claim Romney has the advantage of being ‘electable’ have been smoking and/or drinking of late.”
They’re either living in delusion or they secretly want BHO to be re-elected. I mean, it’s so obvious (at least to all of us here) - Romney’s a punk and a loser. He’s no good at “unscripted moments” which both the general election AND the Presidency will be full of, and BHO’s much more skilled with teleprompters than Mittens is.
I’m glad Rick beat Romney in all three races last night - but Newt’s the master at thinking on his feet, debate and Q&A, both from the press and from the people.
FauxRomney complains to Willard: “Give us something to work with! How are we supposed to make you look good?”
$4,000 to attend a press conference?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.