White House Admits Asking Media to Scrub Reports of Malia Obama's Mexican Vacation

NewsBusters ^ | March 20, 2012 | Noel Sheppard

[Zakeet]

After it was reported Monday that Malia Obama was going to Mexico for spring break with 25 Secret Service agents, people began to notice that such reports were being scrubbed from the Internet.

Politico's Dylan Byers reported Tuesday this was done at the request of the White House:

The AFP page for the story now links to a story titled "Senegal music star Youssou Ndour hits campaign trail," as does the Yahoo page. The Huffington Post page now links directly back to the Huffington Post homepage. The Daily Mail, Telegraph, and Australian stories now lead to 404 error pages, reading "page not found."

In an update, Byers explained who was responsible for the scrubbing:

Kristina Schake, Communications Director to the First Lady, emails to confirm this was a White House effort:

From the beginning of the administration, the White House has asked news outlets not to report on or photograph the Obama children when they are not with their parents and there is no vital news interest. We have reminded outlets of this request in order to protect the privacy and security of these girls.

Must be nice to command such an obedient media.

[eeevil conservative]

at least they didn’t send her to a Tea Party with all those terrorists

[DesertRhino]

I disagree. Presidential children should be off limits only if presidents agree than MY children are off limits. Presidential BS does far more damage to my children than I can do to his.

[no-to-illegals]

okay ... you are scaring me.

[Miss Behave]

Mr. and Mrs. oDUMBo let their little girl go on an international vacay to a self-proclaimed DANGEROUS country...with all her little buds...while Mama oDUMBo yucks it up on late night comedy.

These parents are WORTHLESS...and are knowingly placing EVERY American in harm's way via BLACKMAIL/HOSTAGE danger.

IDIOTS.

[Admin Moderator]

Don’t listen to that mod. He drinks Jolt Cola by the case.

[jagusafr]

Figgered as much. You’re my hero!

[mass55th]

His campaign website can sell 2012 buttons with pictures of his family on them, but heaven forbid! that the press report trips and activities by those same family members. And the press being the good little whores they are, obey his orders to remove those same stories. Can’t let the truth be told.

[no-to-illegals]

me sorry ... thought that was you.

[mojitojoe]

Drudge had it up yesterday, the link was broken. He probably did get the memo and sent them a FYVM memo back then posted the story again, this time with photos.

[Labyrinthos]

But still, she’s what, 13 or 14? How many of you would let your young teen daughter go on spring break like that without you?

I would not have a problem at all if 25 Secret Service Agents are guarding her.

[Mad Dawgg]

I'm not sure of course but I hear Rumors its not coffee:

[Lando Lincoln]

Thank you. I agree. Make it news once they are home perhaps... but certainly not while they are gone.

[MissMagnolia]

If you look at what Obama is doing to the country as an example of his 'judgement' .... why are we surprised when his bad total lack of judgement extends to something like this? The Obamas sense of entitlement and 'we'll do what we d@mn well please, no matter the cost/inconvenience, etc.' is so pervasive that it evidently even overrides what is in the best interests of their kids. BTW, this is a PR disaster for the Obamas, even with the stories being 'pulled'.

[freeangel]

“We have reminded outlets of this request in order to protect the privacy and security of these girls.”

It is the Obamas who have insisted on dragging their children into the public and political forums on such issues as abortion and the defense of ONLY liberal women mouthpieces. As such, they should no longer feel that the kids have “protection” from the public forums.

[mass55th]

"Sorry, but the children should be off limits for the reasons cited, i.e. privacy and their security."

Too bad the press doesn't see it that way when they compromise the safety and security of our men and women in uniform.

[liberalh8ter]

Especially with the stories being pulled. Even if the intention to pull the stories was purely for safety purposes it makes them look as though they're trying to hide it.

[Miss Behave]

Dad oDUMBo loves to braggingly yuck it up that he's "got guys with machine guns guarding [his] daughters."

Wow, yeah, he's "so cool." The dOOfus is a laugh a minute.

Seriously, some people just shouldn't breed.

[Miss Behave]

Bump everything you said, Miss Magnolia.

[DivineMomentsOfTruth]

Excuse me.. Who put his daughters life at risk by allowing her to go to a country deemed too dangerous for American citizens? He is a typical liberal who can’t say NO to his daughter.

[kcvl]

But it is perfectly fine to use the Obama children for political purposes when needed by Obama, et al.

PUKE!

Selective outrage.