Posted on 05/17/2005 3:22:34 PM PDT by Brian Mosely
XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX TUE MAY 17, 2005 18:02:22 ET XXXXX
REVENGE OF THE PRESS: WHITE HOUSE REPORTERS RIP SPOKESMAN OVER NEWSWEEK MESS
Mainline reporters moved into battle-mode today during a White House press briefing -- as one of their own outlets continued to hemorrhage over a now retracted story!
Afghanistan's government said Tuesday that NEWSWEEK should be held responsible for damages caused by deadly anti-American demonstrations after the magazine alleged U.S. desecration of the Quran.
The White House said the United States' image abroad had suffered irreparable damage by the story.
But it was the press's turn to fight back as Bush spokesman Scott McClellan opened his briefing to questions.
[Joined in progess]
Q With respect, who made you the editor of Newsweek? Do you think it's appropriate for you, at that podium, speaking with the authority of the President of the United States, to tell an American magazine what they should print?
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm not telling them. I'm saying that we would encourage them to help --
Q You're pressuring them.
MR. McCLELLAN: No, I'm saying that we would encourage them --
Q It's not pressure?
MR. McCLELLAN: Look, this report caused serious damage to the image of the United States abroad. And Newsweek has said that they got it wrong. I think Newsweek recognizes the responsibility they have. We appreciate the step that they took by retracting the story. Now we would encourage them to move forward and do all that they can to help repair the damage that has been done by this report. And that's all I'm saying. But, no, you're absolutely right, it's not my position to get into telling people what they can and cannot report....
Q Are you asking them to write a story about how great the American military is; is that what you're saying here?
MR. McCLELLAN: Elisabeth, let me finish my sentence. Our military --
Q You've already said what you're -- I know what -- how it ends.
MR. McCLELLAN: No, I'm coming to your question, and you're not letting me have a chance to respond. But our military goes out of their way to handle the Koran with care and respect. There are policies and practices that are in place. This report was wrong. Newsweek, itself, stated that it was wrong. And so now I think it's incumbent and -- incumbent upon Newsweek to do their part to help repair the damage. And they can do that through ways that they see best, but one way that would be good would be to point out what the policies and practices are in that part of the world, because it's in that region where this report has been exploited and used to cause lasting damage to the image of the United States of America. It has had serious consequences. And so that's all I'm saying, is that we would encourage them to take steps to help repair the damage. And I think that they recognize the importance of doing that. That's all I'm saying.
Q As far as the Newsweek article is concerned, first, how and where the story came from? And do you think somebody can investigate if it really happened at the base, and who told Newsweek? Because somebody wrote a story.
MR. McCLELLAN: I think Newsweek has talked about it. They took it --
Developing...
The biggest enemy we face is in our own backyard.
Who is the reporter in the exchange?
But there is no media bias, and Newsweek was set up.
At least they are removing their masks.
I was just reading about this. I didn't see the press conference but if it happened like this...I wish the WH would get rough and tough with the press. I remember Clinton shaking his finger at them and he had a way of putting them in their place. They don't show respect for the office so why should the WH respect the press.
The White House press core is composed of animated scrotal tissue.
Something for the mullahs to tell their followers. This crap is insane.
The Imams in Afghanistan threatened yet another holy war if the U.S. didn't turn over the offending parties in the Qu`ran incident. Since the whole thing has been proven false, I think we ought to send them the writing staff and editors of Newsweak instead.
Because they were birds of a feather, Clinton said "Jump!" and the press asked "How high?"
Freedom of the press includes a responsibility to present information accurately and honestly. Otherwise they are no better than the tabloids. And freedom of the press doesn't protect the tabloids from libel suits if they publish false stories that damage someone's reputation or career.
Who is Elizabeth?
So the WH Press thinks the White house is supposed to investigate Newsweak's botched stories, hoping to salvage their reputation? Hahahahahaha! They've got to be kidding.
The MSM has one mission, and that is to destroy President Bush at any, and all, costs.
Closing ranks.
My guess: liberal skank Elisabeth Bumiller of the NY Times.
She really got up on her high horse, didn't she?
Imagine how kissy they would be if this were Clinton & Co. Well, the bogus story would have never seen the light of day, first of all.
Q With respect, who made you the editor of Newsweek?
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.