Jeff Gannon Saga Won't Change White House Credential Process

The National Ledger ^ | March 1, 2005 | CK Rairden

[Coastal]

Neither the Jeff Gannon nor James Guckert saga is going to cause the White House Correspondents Association to seek any changes in the White House press-credentialing process. It appears that everyone involved in the process is very uncomfortable in attempting to define exactly what a "journalist" is. And that's a very good thing.

WHCA President Ron Hutcheson said on February 15, "I'm not comfortable in passing judgment on who is a journalist and who isn't. My overriding view is that if I am going to make a mistake, it is going to be on letting people in rather than keeping people out." Press Secretary Scott McClellan says the he is not involved "in daily credentialing and does not wish to be more involved."

[Zacs Mom]

It appears that everyone involved in the process is very uncomfortable in attempting to define exactly what a "journalist" is.

I noticed none of these buttheads had any problem defining/labeling/pigeonholing Gannon as a fake/imposture/illegitimate journalist!

Perhaps they will (as good journalists would) all write retractions of their now admittedly bogus attacks on Gannon's journalist status.