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CBS' Plante: "Dick Cheney Wouldn't Tell Us if Our Shirts were on Fire"
The Early Show/NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

Posted on 02/14/2006 4:39:05 AM PST by 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.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: cbs; cbsnews; cheney; earlyshow; harrysmith; harrywhittington; mediabias; plante; shooting; whittington
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To: Overtaxed

The sheer silliness of this whole thing is blowing me away (probably a poor choice of words!) I know quite well how to handle a shotgun, how accidents happen, and how terribly excited non-shooting liberals are about this accident.

I have started a Best Of comments about the MSM's desperate attempt to capitalize on this non-event. So far, we have:

1. Best comment I've read...from another FR thread:

"Miss Kopechne could not be reached for comment"
12 posted on 02/13/2006 6:02:31 AM CST by saveliberty ( :-) I am a Snowflake and Bushbot.)

2. LOL. How bout these lines for Cheney's next press corps dinner speech;

"Ted Kennedy and I are going hunting this weekend. He's driving and I'm riding shotgun."

"I took my wife hunting with me. She was scared out of her wits but decided to stay after Teddy offered to drive her home."
32 posted on 02/13/2006 6:33:09 AM CST by Callahan

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

Do they need someone to tell them their shirts are on fire?
9 posted on 02/14/2006 6:44:50 AM CST by Overtaxed (One of them deals....)



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.

Was it Super Hero Kerry, #1 hero from Viet Nam, who shot the Vietnamese guy IN THE BACK?

No offense to anyone...just the irrationality of the current MSM and the glee they seem to be finding in this whole thing. I'm amazed that most of them can even read their scripts...much less find toilet paper to wipe...AH! never mind!


41 posted on 02/14/2006 4:55:14 AM PST by Maria S
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To: bad company

Sorry that was aimed towards Bill.


42 posted on 02/14/2006 4:55:32 AM PST by bad company (There is no devil but Allah, and Mohammed is his porkchop.)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
...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...

There you have it. It's all about POWER.

They are elitists and how dare you not cede power to them.

Why else do they try to find scandal after scandal among our goverment officials and industry?

Everyone is afraid of the press and they love it.

43 posted on 02/14/2006 4:55:42 AM PST by FReepaholic (As far as I'm concerned, lawyers are ALWAYS in season.)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
But if it were up to Dick Cheney, he wouldn't tell us if our shirts were on fire, for heaven's sake.

Cheney must be moving up in reporter's esteem. On any other day, they'd insinuate that he'd like to tie them down and set them on fire. Today, it's just more of an accusaction of laissez fair.

44 posted on 02/14/2006 4:56:06 AM PST by kevkrom ("...no one has ever successfully waged a war against stupidity" - Orson Scott Card)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
Dog On Fire Hydrant He would too tell them. He would even put the fire out for them. Stupid "journalist".
45 posted on 02/14/2006 4:56:25 AM PST by EmilyGeiger
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
"But if it were up to Dick Cheney, he wouldn't tell us if our shirts were on fire, for heaven's sake."

We ought to poll this as a question for the American people.

46 posted on 02/14/2006 4:56:44 AM PST by Raycpa
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

Imagine you're a member of the media, imagine you're an idiot. But then I repeat myself.


47 posted on 02/14/2006 4:56:54 AM PST by FerdieMurphy (For English, Press One. (Tookie, you won the Pulitzer and Nobel prizes. Oh, too late.))
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To: N. Theknow

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

Ok, you get the credit for the post of the mornin. Please sort it out. Is Plante Clay or Skeet? You must assign the other to Gregory.

I prefer Skeet Gregory and Clay Plante but you should actually make the call for posterity and emailing to Gregory.



48 posted on 02/14/2006 4:57:20 AM PST by bert (K.E. N.P. Slay Pinch)
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To: Overtaxed
""Do they need someone to tell them their shirts are on fire?"

While no one should take this thread literally and a person being burned should not be found humorous . . .

I really do think some people need to be informed that their efforts to hide the fact that their pants are on fire are in vain.

49 posted on 02/14/2006 4:57:47 AM PST by freedom9
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
"But if it were up to Dick Cheney, he wouldn't tell us if our shirts were on fire, for heaven's sake."

But he would urinate on you if you were on fire.

50 posted on 02/14/2006 4:57:51 AM PST by FerdieMurphy (For English, Press One. (Tookie, you won the Pulitzer and Nobel prizes. Oh, too late.))
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

Heck, given the way that the press has covered the whole event, you'd have thought that VP Cheney had shot one of their own...

In response to the statement, if I was VP Cheney, I'd try to put out the fire with gasoline!

I'm so sick of the media in general. I'm almost ashamed to say it, but I have gotten to the point that when I hear of a reporter who gets injured or killed in the war, I have no real feelings about it. I'm always far more concerned and upset when one of "our boys" (including the female ones) get injured or killed.

Then it hits me... The reason for the difference is that I don't feel that the vast majority of the press happen to be "our boys." There are times where it seems that they're openly rooting for the enemy, and it's times like that when I hear of a reporter buying it, I think "good riddance," but then I feel bad about it.

Mark


51 posted on 02/14/2006 4:58:11 AM PST by MarkL (When Kaylee says "No power in the `verse can stop me," it's cute. When River says it, it's scary!)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
This is stupid. The MSM is as bad as the Muslims rioting over a cartoon. Everyday they dig a deeper hole for themselves.
52 posted on 02/14/2006 4:58:22 AM PST by Dallas59 ((“You love life, while we love death"( Al-Qaeda & Democratic Party))
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
Hypocrites, I would just start snapping pictures like the media does if one of them was on fire. Can't get involved in the story, just cover the event.
53 posted on 02/14/2006 4:58:41 AM PST by BallyBill (Serial Hit-N-Run poster)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

I wouldn't tell you either. In fact, I'd distract you even more until it was too late. Cheney knows how much you hate his guts. I don't blame him a bit.


54 posted on 02/14/2006 5:01:46 AM PST by Buffettfan
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To: Pete'sWife
I wouldn't tell you, either, Mr. Plante.

Nor would I p*** on your shirt to put out the fire.

I see it this way; While their shirts are on fire, Cheney would be p***ing down their backs, but he'd be telling them it's raining.

55 posted on 02/14/2006 5:02:15 AM PST by GreenAccord (I move for a bad trial thingy!)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
"But if it were up to Dick Cheney, he wouldn't tell us if our shirts were on fire, for heaven's sake."

Why should he? You media people dont listen to Cheney when he speaks about pressing issues - instead you criticize and tear him up!

56 posted on 02/14/2006 5:02:23 AM PST by texianyankee
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
"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."

These little bitches. On Saturday the VP accidentally shoots a fellow hunter who stepped out of line without notifying the others. The hunt takes place on a remote Texas ranch, probably in the hill country. The victim is taken to the hospital and his wounds are tended too. By Sunday night the whole media knows about it.

These pusses are just mad that the President or VP doesn't call them up immediately to inform them of everything. Of course if it was Bill Clinton the media would do the cover up for him and Rush Limbaugh would be making smart ass jokes about it.

One problem is that these pansies have never hunted or been around hunting. I heard one guy say "Oh, if you want to hunt go out and take these animals on with your bare hands tough guys."

I wish someone would say, "Why don't you go kill a 2000 lb bull with your bare hands dumb ass, if you eat beef that is."

57 posted on 02/14/2006 5:02:49 AM PST by normy (Don't hit at all if it is honorably possible to avoid hitting; but never hit soft.)
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To: All

Apparently the sheriff was immediately informed and was on the scene within the hour. I wasn't aware one was obligated to call the press when an accident happens. Typically one calls the police. Gee, maybe we should call the press next time we have a fender bender in order to keep them happy.

This situation, like Katrina and everything else that happens, is exacerbated by the dead stream media. Very tiresome.


58 posted on 02/14/2006 5:03:13 AM PST by kedd
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

The proper turn of phrase is, "If our hair was on fire, Dick Cheney wouldn't bother to pee on our legs". These reporters can't get anything right!


59 posted on 02/14/2006 5:03:39 AM PST by gridlock (eliminate perverse incentives)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

Plante is Dan Rather reincarnated!!!


60 posted on 02/14/2006 5:03:43 AM PST by KenmcG414 (wHAT'ST)
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