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Newsman to Tony Snow: 'Don't Point Your Finger At Me!' (David Gregory)
Editor and Publisher ^ | September 5, 2006 | EP Staff

Posted on 09/05/2006 3:35:58 PM PDT by Peach

NEW YORK A not especially eventful press briefing at the White House today turned rancorous with NBC's David Gregory telling Press Secretary Tony Snow, "Don't point your finger at me," and Snow accusing the newsman of being "rude" and delivering Democratic talking points.

Earlier, speaking to reporters, Snow, continuing the administration's media focus on the war on terror, accused "some in the Democratic Party" of saying "we shouldn't fight the war" and "we shouldn't apprehend al-Qaeda" or even "question al-Qaeda."

Snow got into a tussle with Gregory after the NBC journalist told him, in a lengthy remark, that the public may wonder why the president's statement and report today on the war on terror did not admit more failings on the administration's part. Snow observed that he had nicely summarized "the Democratic point of view," and Gregory took exception to this.

This exchange followed. *

Q Actually, Tony, I don't think that's fair, if you look at the facts. If you look at the facts.

MR. SNOW: Well, I do, because -- no, because, for instance --

Q No, no, no. No, I don't think you should be able to just wipe that, kind of dismiss the question --

MR. SNOW: Well, let me --

Q It's not a Democratic argument, Tony.

MR. SNOW: Let me answer the question, David.

Q But hold on, let's not let you get away with saying that's a Democratic argument.

MR. SNOW: Okay, let me -- let's not let you get away with being rude. Let me just answer the question, and you can come back at me.

Q Excuse me. Don't point your finger at me. I'm not being rude.

MR. SNOW: Yes, you are.

Q Don't try to dismiss me as making a Democratic argument, Tony, when I'm speaking fact.

MR. SNOW: Well, okay -- well, no --

Q You can do that to the Democrats; don't do it to me.

MR. SNOW: No, I'm doing it to you because the second part was factually tendentious, okay? Now, when you were talking about the fact that it failed to adapt, that's just flat wrong. And you will be -- there has been -- there have been repeated attempts to try to adapt to military realities, to diplomatic realities, to development of new weapons and tools on the part of al Qaeda, including the very creative use of the Internet. So the idea that somehow we're staying the course is just wrong. It is absolutely wrong.

* Elsewhere, Snow denied that the president's statement and report today on the war on terrorism were political in any way. "I think it belittles it by trying to dismiss it as politics," he said. But later, when a reporter asked, "But you don't disagree that he's trying to frame the debate for what is an important political choice?", Snow replied: "Absolutely. Of course, of course."

He also said there would be no troop withdrawals in Iraq any time and reiterated the president's strong support for Pentagon chief Donald Rumsfeld. President Bush "would love to see members of both Houses of Congress returning to that sense of cooperation we had after September 11th."

Here is an excerpt from Snow's remarks:

"There have been some in the Democratic Party who have argued against the Patriot Act, against the terror surveillance program, against Guantanamo. In other words, there are some people who say that we shouldn't fight the war, we should not detain -- we shouldn't apprehend al Qaeda, we shouldn't detain al Qaeda, we shouldn't question al Qaeda, and we shouldn't listen to al Qaeda. In other words, they're all for winning the war on terror, but they're all against -- they're against providing the tools for winning that war.

"And we think it's a perfect opportunity for Democratic leaders to say, no, we are serious about winning the war. We have now reiterated some of the basic precepts of administration policy and also the policy put together by generals over the months of the engagement in Iraq. And we look forward to working with members of Congress to figure out how best to prevent terrorists from coming here, but, more importantly, how to defeat terrorism.

"Finally, one other point, which is, there is a reiteration of a call to replace or have Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld stand down. The President strongly supports the Defense Secretary. It's not going to happen. Creating Don Rumsfeld as a boogeyman may make for good politics, but would make for a lousy strategy at this time. And, furthermore, if you listen to the speech that Secretary Rumsfeld gave last week, it was not only thoughtful, but comprehensive about trying to frame the ongoing war against terror, and also the war going on in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"So this, again, is something that the President would love to see members of both Houses of Congress returning to that sense of cooperation we had after September 11th, where the real goal was not to try to hand out pink slips at the Pentagon, but instead to win the war on terror in a way that is going to make not only America safer, but also the rest of the world safer so that democracy can take firm root throughout the globe."


TOPICS: Extended News; Government; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: americahaters; atoolforthemasses; btchslap; bulliedatrecess; bushhaters; butimaidiottony; davidgregory; girlymangregory; growupgregory; jackass; mediots; metrosexual; nbcnews; pinhead; pizzaface; proactiveacnecream; ratstooge; simperingweasel; sissyboy; whackamole; whatajerk; wwfsmackdown
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To: Peach; Mo1
David Gregory is a sissified pinhead.

"Don't point your finger at me! I'm gonna tell MOMMY!"

281 posted on 09/05/2006 8:29:45 PM PDT by BigSkyFreeper (There is no alternative to the GOP except varying degrees of insanity.)
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To: onyx

I wish I knew more about the format of these press conferences. Who decides which reporters are admitted? Don't these conferences actually exist at the grace from the White House? Is the White House required by any law to hold these? Couldn't the President or his Press chief say, "Alright, we want to meet the press, but we are not obligated to accept rudeness or disrespect while trying to satisfy your desire for material. We will ban any reporter or agency that can't question us with due respect."

Also, can't the Press chief say, frankly, "Reporters, you ASK QUESTIONS, you don't give your speeches."

Can't the President or Press Chief develop a list of all agencies which would like to be represented and rotate the agencies in and out, all alike? This would humble them. Imagine ABC, NBC, CBS and CNN being told, you can only have your people in a certain order of rotation, 'cause we don't have room every time for all the agencies that want people in here." Then rotate some good conservative (though smaller and little known) news outlets in to the mix, giving them more equal footing with the household named ones.


282 posted on 09/05/2006 8:31:13 PM PDT by Free Baptist
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To: Seadog Bytes
Thanks for the ping! I wish Tony would have really told him off. He seemed a little timid. I don't like Gregory!
283 posted on 09/05/2006 8:32:12 PM PDT by NRA2BFree (ISLAM IS A CULT OF DEATH AND NEEDS TO BE REMOVED FROM THE FACE OF THE EARTH!)
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To: HarleyLady27
David Gregory needs to go home and have his mommy change his diapers

I understand he rides to work on one of these....

 

 

PowerPuff Girls Trike

284 posted on 09/05/2006 8:40:50 PM PDT by BigSkyFreeper (There is no alternative to the GOP except varying degrees of insanity.)
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To: Peach

Take his press pass, this was very unprofessional.


285 posted on 09/05/2006 8:42:50 PM PDT by John Lenin
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To: John Lenin

This is the second time he had one of his Hissy Fits in the WH Pressroom/Toilet.

He should be put on probation and then given the boot. Who elected him President?

Pray for W and Our Freedom Fighters


286 posted on 09/05/2006 8:45:34 PM PDT by bray (Koffi 4 Food has Failed.......Again)
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To: Peach
David Gregory is an arrogant jerk who is full of himself. Heh David, you are not the story. It's really, really time for Term Limits For Reporters!

How about drawing a random citizen or two. Since W has been president the federal government has grown at least twice the inflation rate, yet I have never heard a question about why the high growth rate and does the president have any respect for the people who pay the taxes rather than receive and spend the taxes. All I hear is "what mistakes did the president make?" asked about 50 different ways. David's behavior today, (and every day) is an insult to me and my President. He should not be in the room. Nor should Helen Thomas. She's had her time. There should be no "doyennes" or what ever she is in the White House press room, only temporary "journalists". I wish there was someone in the room concerned about issues, not just playing got ya and selling soap.

I think there is something blatantly undemocratic for the same journalists to have a monopoly of the seats in the White House. Even if every seat were filled by Fox News, I'd still want turn over. It's undemocratic to create this priviliged few in the press. It's the people house and the people's room, it would be nice if some real people were allowed to ask questions.David Gregory has been there what over 5 years. Helen Thomas is about 25 years past being put out to pasture. Sam Donaldson, etc., the room is filled with these privileged press primadonnas who should be thrown out of the people's house today.

Term Limits For Reporters!
287 posted on 09/05/2006 8:48:59 PM PDT by jackieaxe (Unsourced reporting is not reporting but a lie or a manipulation)
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To: Peach
MSNBC is so desperate for ratings that they'll try to puff this up while using the usual old did it to get answers crap.
288 posted on 09/05/2006 8:52:05 PM PDT by tobyhill (The War on Terrorism is not for the weak.)
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To: Free Baptist

It wasn't a press conference, it was a "gaggle". It is suppose to be an informal question and answer session without cameras.

Full transcript of today's gaggle is here (includes this exchange):

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/09/20060905-1.html


289 posted on 09/05/2006 8:54:04 PM PDT by bnelson44 (Proud parent of a tanker! (Charlie Mike, son))
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To: Peach

Drama Queen: David Gregory


290 posted on 09/05/2006 8:57:00 PM PDT by Ben Chad
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To: mathurine

Lol, but I can't imagine his sissy hands have or ever will touch a shovel. As far as bovine excrement, I can't really imagine him slinging himself.


291 posted on 09/05/2006 9:21:43 PM PDT by tiki
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To: avacado

Got to be quite a few pairs of pink ladies' underwear in HIS closet.....


292 posted on 09/05/2006 9:27:10 PM PDT by Frank_2001
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To: Free Baptist


I must say, I love your post!


293 posted on 09/05/2006 9:31:20 PM PDT by onyx (1 Billion Muslims -- "if" 10% are fundamentalists, that's still 100 Million who want to kill us.)
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To: Howlin

Wouldn't we love to get a piece of David Gregory...lol.


294 posted on 09/05/2006 9:33:32 PM PDT by onyx (1 Billion Muslims -- "if" 10% are fundamentalists, that's still 100 Million who want to kill us.)
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To: no dems

I have no idea, but he deserves to be banned.

Disrespecting Tony like that is unconscionable and this is hardly David's first offense.


295 posted on 09/05/2006 9:36:04 PM PDT by onyx (1 Billion Muslims -- "if" 10% are fundamentalists, that's still 100 Million who want to kill us.)
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To: devolve; potlatch; ntnychik; bitt; Seadog Bytes; Boazo; Grampa Dave

296 posted on 09/05/2006 9:36:49 PM PDT by PhilDragoo (Hitlery: das Butch von Buchenvald)
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To: PhilDragoo

Ahh Phil, I love that! You did a great job on that one!


297 posted on 09/05/2006 9:41:44 PM PDT by potlatch (Does a clean house indicate that there is a broken computer in it?)
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To: humblegunner; Peach
Our talking hacks are better than thier talking hacks because...???

Because they tell more of the truth, more of the time, more graciously. It's a start....
298 posted on 09/05/2006 10:14:16 PM PDT by The Spirit Of Allegiance (Public Employees: Honor Your Oaths! Defend the Constitution from Enemies--Foreign and Domestic!)
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To: dinasour

Thanks for the ping!


299 posted on 09/05/2006 10:14:23 PM PDT by Alamo-Girl
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To: devolve

Thanks for the ping!


300 posted on 09/05/2006 10:16:26 PM PDT by Alamo-Girl
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