CBS' Plante: "Dick Cheney Wouldn't Tell Us if Our Shirts were on Fire"

The Early Show/NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

[governsleastgovernsbest]

by Mark Finkelstein

February 14, 2006 - 07:33

Imagine you're a member of the media, and in your heart you believe that a major official wouldn't mind seeing you burn to death. Think that might affect the way you cover him?

A comment this morning by veteran CBS reporter Bill Plante, while perhaps intended to be light-hearted, pulled back the curtain on just how antagonistic the White House press corps believes VP Cheney to be toward them. But more importantly, it suggests how antagonistic they likely feel in return.

The topic was the Veep's accidental shooting of hunting partner Harry Whittington, and more particularly the very contentious press conference yesterday between the White House press corps and presidential spokesman Scott McClellan.

Plante claimed that:

"It's not about us, it's not about the reporters. It's about the fact that the White House is expected to disclose any information about what happens to the President and the Vice-President as soon as they can. In any other White House that I've covered, and that's several as you know, the Vice-President would never have this kind of power [to control the flow of information."

Plante then added his zinger:

"But if it were up to Dick Cheney, he wouldn't tell us if our shirts were on fire, for heaven's sake."

Back in New York, Harry Smith broke into nervous laughter, perhaps aware that Plante had let the cat out of the bag on just how much the White House press corps disdains the Vice-President of the United States.

[JimRed]

Let's see now; I screw up, I should announce it to those who hate me so they can bust my chops with it? Nah, theyll find out anyway; let's give 'em one more thing to whine about!

[cricket]

. . .pulled back the curtain on just how antagonistic the White House press corps believes VP Cheney to be toward them. But more importantly, it suggests how antagonistic they likely feel in return.

The truth here is in the reverse. . .it reveals just how antagonistic the press corps is towards Cheney; and why he has responded in turn. . .

. . .his sin or response being. . .nothing more than reporting this hunting accident first to the local media; rather than the arrogant MSM honchos.

Antagonism at it's worst! And they are determined to have him pay for it as well. . .

[snugs]

I agree this is the image I always think of for the VP

Rather different than the LSM portray

[dmw]

You are right, the msm are total retards! By the way, Scott's response to the reporter's idiotic question was, "That's absurb!"

[beyond the sea]

I should tell you more often.

Today in this country we seem a little more apt to criticize others rather than complimenting them.

[cricket]

Bill Plante can now be referred to as either Skeet or Clay.

Easier than figuring CBS's. . . 'dumb. ..dumber or dumbest'. . .

[The Sons of Liberty]

CBS' Plante: "Dick Cheney Wouldn't Tell Us if Our Shirts were on Fire"

Hey Dickie, I wouldn't pi$$ on you to put you out if you were on fire!

[Designer]

"..perhaps aware that Plante had let the cat out of the bag.."

At long last we finally now know that the press corps doesn't like Cheney! Who'd o' thunk it?

[beyond the sea]

Let me be the first to volunteer to light David Gregory up in front of the VP's office, just to test this hypothesis. ----

****

ROFL ...... that's a classic.

[magslinger]

Can there ever have been a more ignorant question from a reporter?

Yes. I can't imagine what it could possibly be, but I know that some reporter will ask a more ignorant question. Reporters' ignorance knows no bounds.

[zook]

Bill Plante is one of those fictive journalists who believes his class is above all critique. He was one of the reporters booed by the audience at that famous Dan Quayle public news conference back in 1988. He was outraged!

[beyond the sea]

They must be nervous that of course they overplayed their hatred hand once again. I despise them, they the cover the VP as if he wasn't even human.

Very true. I despise them too.

[cricket]

And...lest we forget...John Kerry, #1 hero from Viet Nam, pictured with a dead Canada goose in one hand and his shotgun in the other.

And MSM never challenging HIS safety procedure knowledge - as he was walked (like an idiot) with gun pointed down. . .

[The Sons of Liberty]

Billy, Dickie, who cares what a lying reporter is named?

[beyond the sea]

Hey Bill, not only would Dick Cheney not tell you that your shirts were on fire, he wouldn't walk across the street to piss on you if you were on fire. Nor would I. ----

****

LOL

[freema]

Those are great, please add algore's? pic- looking down the barrel.

Just for the record, I'd piss on them, but not on the fire.

[Ramcat]

Pull

[Petronski]

I don't think Plante has to worry about a shirt on fire.

[litehaus]

"I p*** on your shirt to put out the fire."

Gotcher ticket to Ol Slick's funeral? LOL.....

[freedom9]

"A Class Alpha fire is one involving organic material such as paper or wood and is extinguished with water or foam. A Screaming Class Alpha fire is put out with a .45.

You shouldn't play with fire then, eh?