Who is Barbara West ( The UNPROFESSIONAL reporter who dared to challenge Joe "Plugs" Biden)

wftv ^ | 10/26/08 | Me

[jessduntno]

I was curious about the "unprofessional" label slapped on Barbra West. I found this:

Barbara West

For the past 16 years, I have served as health reporter and anchor for WFTV's news at noon and 5:30.

I have covered stories of people, politics and medical breakthroughs. My work has taken me across the country and around the world. From Washington, D.C. I covered the inauguration of President Bush and the impeachment of President Clinton.

When Hillary Clinton attempted to reform our health care system, I traveled to Canada to examine the Canadian national health care system as a possible model for the U.S.

From the heart of Ukraine, I was the only Western reporter to broadcast from inside the nuclear reactor building at Chernobyl on the 10th anniversary of the nuclear disaster there. I also uncovered the long term toll in increased incidence of cancer that the disaster had on the surrounding population.

Before relocating to Florida, I worked as the principal assistant to Peter Jennings during his years as the anchor for ABC's World News Tonite in London. I helped Peter cover such stories as the Royal Wedding of Charles and Diana and the hostage crisis in Iran where 52 Americans were imprisoned by their captors for more than 400 days.

I was given the 2002 Summit Award for community service by the Central Florida Women's Resource Center and was voted Best Health Reporter in an Orlando Sentinel newspaper poll. I also received an Emmy award for my reporting on women fighting breast cancer.

My work with Channel 9 and the Central Florida Fire Chiefs Association helped raise nearly 2.5 million dollars for the September 11th Fund which went directly to the families of the firefighters, police and Port Authority officers who lost their lives in the disaster. The City of New York Fire Chief noted it was the largest single contribution from any city or region in the country, including New York and L.A.

I have been active in helping the Central Florida Blood Bank raise blood donations. The twice-a-year blood drives here at the Channel 9 studios have helped raise an estimated 50 thousand units of blood.

Prior to working in television news, I was an assistant professor at the University of Vermont and represented Vermont in the Miss America Pageant. I hold a Master's Degree from the University of Vermont.

I am married to Wade West, an international media consultant to politicians, professionals and organizations. Together we often serve as auctioneers at various fundraising events throughout the state.

[jessduntno]

"From the heart of Ukraine, I was the only Western reporter to broadcast from inside the nuclear reactor building at Chernobyl on the 10th anniversary of the nuclear disaster there. I also uncovered the long term toll in increased incidence of cancer that the disaster had on the surrounding population."

Yep. She's not a professional. She's a consummate professional. Unlike these hacks at the Obomber campaign.

[pnh102]

If WFTV wants its broadcasting license renewed, they better hope for McCain winning.

[Enterprise]

Once again, the Obama campaign shows they are afraid of a girl!

[perfect_rovian_storm]

Drop her a thank you email:

barbara.west@wftv.com

I sent one yesterday. With all the heat she’s taking, she should know that some of us are grateful for what she did.

[KoRn]

This lady was the first reporter during the ENTIRE campaign that asked the Hussein campaign a REAL tough question.

It took two years, and we see it a week before the election...

[SumProVita]

“Once again, the Obama campaign shows they are afraid of a girl!”

...gender-phobic...(and repelled by the truth)

;-)

[WorkerbeeCitizen]

I have sent a thank you to Mrs. West - I’m sure she needs friends about now.

[SumProVita]

I believe several freepers emailed her already to congratulate her on her professionalism. ;-)

[jessduntno]

To offer support and encouragement to Barbara and her bosses, call WFTV’s parent company, Cox Broadcasting, at 678-645-0000 or email to:

barbara.west@wftv.com

http://www.wftv.com/contact/index.html

[17th Miss Regt]

I think any campaign should be terrified of Michelle Obama!

[fiodora]

Thank you for the email address, I also sent her a [thank you] email.

[ronnie raygun]

Get rid of Combs and put her along side Hannity.

[romanesq]

I sent her an email as well. And thanked her for doing her job and asking questions the American people want asked.

[Maelstorm]

She should be proud. She actually asked the jerk hard questions. I know they believe the messiah and his prefects are above questioning but they are finding out that we aren’t rolling over. We are fighting this race in every state of the union. I love the news that shows Republicans turning out by a huge margin in California early voting. Probably won’t win there but they are really coming out for Prop 8 and they should help McCain.

[RedStateGuyTrappedinCT]

I watched the interview again. She really had Plugs Biden squirming. How soon after the election before the station quietly fires her? Fox should pick up her contract.

[Verginius Rufus]

Not only does the Obama campaign never have to face any tough questions, but if the McCain campaign tries to call attention to any issue the media should have been covering, they get branded as “going negative” so the Obama people get a two-for-one deal.

[jla]

Thanks for providing that.

[tallyhoe]

I just sent her an e-mail commending her good work and asked her about the video the LA Times is holding on Obama praising a Israel hater!

[sybilll]

You’re gonna LOVE this. The video has been pulled, and the Orlanda Sentinel chimes in. Just read some of the comments. I really think America is starting to GET IT.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/ent...-campaign.html

[LiveFreeOrDie2001]

Thanks for the link - I just sent her an e-mail...