Posted on 02/23/2015 12:31:59 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum
Jonathan Martin of the New York Times targeted Scott Walker on CNN's New Day on Monday over his "gotcha game" attack on the media." Martin contended that Governor Walker "doesn't want to answer these kinds of questions – which is problematic, but it also gives him an opportunity on the right." He added that "it's all kind of a depressing, cynical exercise, frankly, because...Walker doesn't want to play the game, and by not playing the game, he then gins up sympathy on the right against the media." [video below]
CNN's John King brought on Martin and NPR's Juana Summers for his regular "Inside Politics" segment on the morning newscast. King used the controversy over Rudy Giuliani's recent remarks about President Obama as a jumping-off point to talk about the Wisconsin governor: "He [Walker] was asked over the weekend by Dan Balz and Robert Costa of the Washington Post about the Giuliani controversy. He was also asked if he thought the President was a Christian. And he said, look, stop asking me these questions. Here's what's Scott Walker Tweeted out on Saturday: 'Enough with the media's gotcha game. We started our American Revival' – that's his PAC – 'to talk about big, bold, ideas.'"
The journalist then turned to Summers and asked, "If you're going to run for president, is it a gotcha game; or is it, hey, you want to be president?" The NPR reporter underlined that Walker exposed an apparent weakness by his unwillingness to address the issue:
JUANA SUMMERS, NPR: To a degree, I think Govenor Walker has a point, but if the question is one you don't like, you can always not answer it.
Here's what's really interesting about Scott Walker, I think, is that he is incredibly accessible to the media. If you look at after the comments that Guiliani made, he gave a slew of interviews – including the interview you mentioned to the Washington Post. Many kind of changed tack, and decided to – when faced with questions about the President's religion – say, you know, I'm going to steer away from that. And I think that shows just how different running for governor is – even though he had, obviously, the very high-profile recall election several years ago – from the scrutiny that comes with a presidential race, and that's something that he and his advisers have to keep in mind. There is nothing like the scrutiny you get. There's nothing like the media attention that you get – and that we were part of back in 2012. And I think that he, perhaps, is not as road tested as, perhaps, he thought he was. And I think that's what we're seeing really here.
King followed up by spotlighting how the potential Republican presidential candidate was "getting a good ride actually" for his reply on the Giuliani controversy, and cited a "Red State posting here from Erick Erickson this morning: 'Bootlickers still pretend Obama is a Christian.'" The CNN journalist continued by asking Martin, "What do you make of this?" The New York Times journalist responded with his "depressing, cynical exercise" answer:
JONATHAN MARTIN, THE NEW YORK TIMES: Scott Walker is nobody's fool, and he doesn't want to answer these kinds of questions – which is problematic, but it also gives him an opportunity on the right – which by posting a link to his PAC to, sort of – you know, get some pop out of this, he's taking advantage of. I mean, it's all kind of a depressing, cynical exercise, frankly, because – you know, Walker doesn't want to play the game, and by not playing the game, he then gins up sympathy on the right against the media – which enables him to raise more money. And it's all a very circular deal.
Earlier in 2015, Martin blasted another potential GOP presidential candidate – Mike Huckabee – for becoming a supposed "cheerleader of artery-clogging calories and conservative traditionalism."
He’s obviously living rent free in their heads! Go, Walker!!
Destroy these Fifth Columnists totally and completely !
Scared! Very scared -— of Walker. GO WALKER!!!
Judge a man by the enemies he makes. :-)
They hate it when the fish don’t bite.
He will gain the respect and admiration of many, as he continues to foil the medias feeble attempts at controlling the narrative.
I will NOT click on the play button.
The sound of leftists spewing garbage literally makes me sick.
I can’t imagine why anyone to the right of Stalin would be “cynical” about the media...
My guess is that the first GOP candidate to run all out against the MSM instead of his opponents will get the nomination, RINO and amnesty or not.
Good answer: "Who cares, and why is that even an issue to you Democrat reporters?"
“it’s all kind of a depressing, cynical exercise, frankly”
NYT and MSM reporters are depressed and upset because people see through their phony attacks on Scott Walker. These reporters are scum.
Walker is right not to answer their questions.
The minions are stirring. They are poking every which way to can, but with trepidation and caution, when it comes to the formidable Walker. They’ve been burned by him before. It’s way too funny and fun to watch. They have made themselves so b^tt naked exposed for their obamination that you can see their every move and action, the poor wretched bastards.
Ancient military strategist Sun Tzu wrote,
“Be extremely subtle, even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious, even to the point of soundlessness. Thereby you can be the director of the opponent’s fate.”
It looks like the 'uneducated' Governor Walker is a lot better educated than his opponents in the press, and is beginning to direct their fates.
But, but, but how can he be smart enough to give an honest and logical answer to our trap question and not end up snared? He didn’t even finish college much less attend Harvard!
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.