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.

[Graymatter]

Well now we know what we can burn when we start protesting the MSM.
When can we start? Flick a Bic for Dick!

[CFC__VRWC]

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

Cheney's more charitable toward the media than I would be. Not only would I not tell them their shirts were on fire, I wouldn't even piss on them.

[MEGoody]

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.

The press can 'expect' anything they want. Doesn't mean they are going to get it. In fact, they shouldn't get it, since they behave as they do toward this administration.

[Robert A Cook PE]

Another one for your collection:

"Would it have been more serious if somebody was killed?"

[DCPatriot]

Apparently the sheriff was immediately informed and was on the scene within the hour.

Well, the Secret Service (Federal Law Enforcement) were there in seconds!

[Semper Paratus]

When the US is ready to hit Iran the Administration will run a diversion by announcing a another hunting trip for the VP.

[Robert A Cook PE]

Skeeter Gregory and Clay Plante?

[beyond the sea]

By the way, Scott's response to the reporter's idiotic question was, "That's absurb!"

To get it completely correct, "That's an absurd question" is what Scott actually said in reply.

[SoFloFreeper]

Bill Plante reacts to his late notification about the hunting accident.

[NRA1995]

Funny, I don't remember the press giving Clinton any grief for not telling everyone right away about getting head in the Oval Office from a young slut.

[728b]

"It's their pants that are on fire."

LOL Touché!

[mcshot]

And on the Presidential Seal in our house.
Signing off as have nothing nice to say.

mc

[JFC]

Press, do you want the white house to wipe your nose as well.

[dmw]

Thank you sir for correcting me--we must be accurate! ;-)

[TChris]

There was no controlling legal authority requiring VP Cheney to inform the press.

Ooooh! OW! Better put some ice on that.

[Ditto]

Once again, I find myself of like mind with Dick Cheney. I fully support the freedom of the press to go around in burning shirts and would never infringe on that right.

[Let's Roll]

Apparently the "press" has forgotten if they ever knew, that the only thing that would raise Cheney's poll numbers higher than shooting a lawyer would be shooting a "journalist".

Hey, presstitutes, in the real world your numbers are lower than congress.

[swain_forkbeard]

It's certainly not news to me that Cheney may be the most trusted and powerful Vice-President ever.

[Doc Savage]

A supposedly "EXPERIENCED" liberal media ass-hole girly man reporter and he comes up with this analogy???????? Lame!

[small voice in the wilderness]

Hey if the press is too stupid to realize their shirt is on fire...