How to Become Cynical of the Media

If you're not already cynical that the mainstream press is all about soundbites and twisting stories into ratings, I have a fantastic way for you to become so. Just pick a day, any day, and listen to a press conference with Press Secretary Robert Gibbs. I catch these almost daily on POTUS (XM Radio Channel 130). One happens just about every day and it is extremely important that you catch one unedited, unfiltered.

It's the only time I scream at my radio.

The questions that these reporters ask are so unbelievably stupid that they border on questionable mental retardation. In response to reporters asking about Jimmy Carter's remark that Obama's opponents are racist, Gibbs will say, "The president does not believe that Senator Wilson is racist." but that won't do. No no. The next six reporters will ask "followup questions" (which is code for, I'm going to keep asking until you say something I can put on the air in under 10 seconds). From this morning's conference:

Q What impact does it have when a former President of the United States, someone who came from the South, someone who worked against discrimination all of his career, says that the -- what was it -- an overwhelming portion of the intensely demonstrated animosity is because he's black? What effect does that have on the country when a former President says that?

MR. GIBBS: Look, you know, it adds to -- it adds to our dialogue. I'm just simply saying I don't think the President agrees with that.

Q Why then -- you're saying -- I mean, should he be participating in this -- I think that seems to be what we're all asking. Will the President -- I mean, the former President is raising this. It's, again, (inaudible), but, I mean, isn't it, at this point, incumbent upon the President to say, you know what, no, I don't agree with him?

MR. GIBBS: I said that on his behalf, Chuck.

Duh duh duh! Then later...

Q Robert, did the President see President Carter's remarks and read them, in full?

MR. GIBBS: I doubt it. Not that he doesn't watch NBC, but --

Q No, but he did not -- you don't think he did?

MR. GIBBS: Not that I know of.

Q Did he talk to President Carter?

MR. GIBBS: No.

Q Has President Carter ever expressed his concern to him privately?

MR. GIBBS: I don't know when the last time they talked was, and I doubt that this was a topic of their conversation.

Q What does he say privately to -- do folks bring this up to him? Do supporters? --Has this been brought up to him?

MR. GIBBS: Chuck, what the President says privately is what I just shared with you publicly as is my role as his spokesperson.

So that was just today. I promise you, you will detest today's media after just one listening. If you want tough questions, hard hitting journalism that's not afraid to go after the truth, you don't want our sound-bite chasers disguised as reporters.