ABC News, Rather Snubbed at Bush Luncheon

RatherBiased.com ^

[RatherBiased.com]

ABC, Rather Snubbed at Luncheon

During most important meetings, the seating arrangements often say more about what the hosts think of you than anything than anything else. This was particularly true at a recent White House luncheon for the bigwigs of television news where, it seems, the Bush Administration made its views known about whom it likes.

In a little-noticed article in the Style section of last week's Washington Post, society columnist Lloyd Grove gave the low-down on who sat where at the preview session before the president's State of the Union Address.

Grove's take:

"We wondered why Tom Brokaw and Jim Lehrer could literally rub elbows with the Big Guy, while Peter Jennings had to crane his neck. And did Dan Rather mind being all the way at the end, where it was hard to see what Ari Fleischer was doing?"

Our take:

According to the seating chart, of the eleven journalists in the room, the three who got the worst treatment were Peter Jennings, George Stephanopoulos--both of ABC News--and Dan Rather. Not only were they seated away from the president, located in the middle, they also had an even harder time taking part in the discussion with press secretary Ari Fleischer, who was at the head of the table and directed the informal meeting.

From the looks of it, it seems as though the White House was trying to express its displeasure with ABC News for making a prominent Clinton strategist the host of its Sunday show and the most visible political correspondent on ABC. Conservatives have also been complaining about Jennings's coverage of the Bush Administration's Iraq policies. With both of its representatives on the outs with the White House, ABC was the only network that saw both of its reporters seated poorly.

It's also no secret that the second Bush admin isn't particularly friendly with Rather. That probably comes as no surprise since Rather has expressed skepticism about Bush from the beginning--from doubting his competence with allusions to an "Uncle Cheney, who runs an awful lot of things" to remarks about Bush being "elected or selected, whichever word you prefer." Rather's voluntary speech at a Democratic fundraiser in April of 2001 likely didn't help things, either, especially after Ari Fleischer said of his appearance, "That's an issue that the media needs to grapple with."

We're not sure if ABC and Rather received less chicken, too.

[unspun]

I think I may have seen Dan Rather on TV.

[1Old Pro]

NO WONDER HE WAS PISSED, He had to sit next to Boy-Stephy.

[rwfromkansas]

I presume Bush wanted to have what he considered the "best" big three network reporters closest to him instead of Fox and that is why he did that. I would not have done that though......Hume and Snow would be on either side of me. Then, the best big 3 reporter would get to sit across from me.

Hume did not sit too far away, but Snow did get far away....lol. I am sure they got to talk to the President even at such a distance; he would surely make sure of that I think.

What is more significant to me is that MSNBC doesn't have any folks at all.

[rwfromkansas]

Lehrer seems like a decent guy to me.

[StevieB]

There's a triage appearance to this seating. Those who support the President get to sit closer to Ari, where they can pick up some good background. Those who are beyond redemption are down at the ABC/CBS end of the table. No use expending any effort on those who will never agree with you no matter how correct your position.

The middle is reserved for those who are someewhat willing to listen and learn -- those who may be able to occasionally put aside their misguided beliefs and actually support the President for the good of the country. This is where the President is exerting his influence -- where he can be most effective.

[RatherBiased.com]

This actually represented Rather's first "interview," as in possible contact with him, since Bush became President.

During the first Bush administration, Rather got no interview with Bush Sr. They had a reason as explained below:

"During the Bush presidency, we offered many interviews to CBS correspondents Bob Schieffer, Charles Kuralt, Randall Pinkston, Harry Smith, and others. All we wanted was someone who would be civil. But CBS management always said, 'No, only Dan Rather interviews the president.'"
--Marlin Fitzwater, press secretary

But that interview never happened.

[Humbug]

Looks to me that Hume had a perfect seat - at about equal distance from both the President and Ari Fleischer. As for no MSNBC reporters, i assume the WH probably didn't feel the need to add any since NBC was already well represented.

[Bob Mc]

Silly, self absorbed, whiney crying little elitists fretting the minutest details about who gets to set next to who (like 6 year olds at a birthday party). Probably had to have a whole White House team to assemble for hours to work out the plans.

If I were president, I'd make it first come first seated. Make em stand in line for hours before the event to get the best seats. Just like you and I average Joe have to do at any big popular opening event.

[Quix]

I might have tolerated their presence ONLY IF they agreed to buss the tables afterward.

[Churchillspirit]

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

[lilylangtree]

Frankly, Rather and his ilk shouldn't have been allowed a seat, especially after they bad-mouthed Bush during the 911 crisis and even prior to that. At the most, these creeps should have been served the same type of unique food that has plagued the cruise ships of late.

[caisson71]

Than it's one too many for BLather.

[caisson71]

Maybe Bush's people felt that would be too obvious, not in keeping with "compassionate conservatism".

[desertcry]

Poor old dan rather, he gets less chicken and limelight, for telling the world that clinton is an honest man.

[desertcry]

I would have had Britt next to me That would have been too obvious, W is more subtle a man to do it. It's no secret that Britt is a close friend of the Bush family.

[desertcry]

Old dan rather should have been made to join the table set for Barney the dog.

[skeeter]

never have - I still get angry when I remember seeing it live

We musta watched two different interviews. Bush the Elder kicked the snot out of Rather... to such a degree that Rather cut him off. I seldom have laughed so hard.

[desertcry]

Treason? jennings is a canadian is he not? The majority(atleast the Eastern variety) of canadians are pro saddam are they not?

[Marysecretary]

Yeah, me too. He's a hottie.

[Guillermo]

That was in 88, and it backfired on Rather, by making Bush look tough.