Biased Coverage?

" Thank -- chase we'll -- say that our commander in chief is -- mainstream media rock star he's been called by some of that racing coverage is raising some eyebrows. On both sides of the political spectrum like manuals in Washington but what some of the criticism of the coverage of the Obama White House and -- in front."

" Well -- one is Phil Brownstein of the San Cisco chronicle who says considering the major issues of our time. The economy national security that the press needs to act more like critics and not so much like fans here's more from Phil Brownstein. I keep picking up Newsweek magazines and there is Barack Obama he is the cover. And I'm just wondering how many covers of Newsweek can you actually -- is there a limit. Because I think we've we've probably gone past whatever previous limit there there was for those -- Rising recently wrote a column and the headline being love -- lust. Obama and the fawning press need to get a room Martha."

" Well already there has been spirited discussion about ABC's special coverage next week of the health care debate. In -- set right in the White House is the second network coverage like that we've seen that --"

" Yes there's been some back and forth between ABC and the Republican National Committee about the special. ABC says it will it will maintain journalistic integrity here's what one critic have to say about that special."

" Just try to to to to to put into context. How ridiculous. This ABC pull quote discussion is. Just try to imagine a world where in ABC would give George W. Bush. A two hour opportunity to have -- quote unquote discussion with the American people on the war on terror. Didn't cover some of this press conferences."

" saying that a lot of critics haven't seen any kind of press coverage like this in the past fifty years Martha. So has president about reacting today -- senate he was asked about it recently. He was asked by in -- CNBC interview about the coverage he's gotten he says he feels like because he's been willing to answer questions he's been straightforward he's been willing to. Talk openly about his policies that he feels like he's gotten pretty decent press coverage so far."

" Hi Mike Emanuel thank you very much -- bring in the panel that this around a little -- for more. Story today David Drucker is a staff writer for roll call. PC is the former deputy assistant Press Secretary for George W. Bush and gives him powers as a comments -- in the near post at a Fox News contributor. It in some ways it it might seem. Pete what -- you start with best. It kind of silly attempt to point the finger I have fox is the president did that interview he said you know I guess you're right about -- there's one network this is to be directed. Almost solely against me but when you look at the numbers I think we have -- that we can pull up here. Positive and negative stories Obama McCain in this -- the from the campaign period. It's pretty interesting because they're they're pretty even at fox and pretty uneven according to this you know independent poll. For MSNBC what do you think about that."

" What's interesting because President Obama told Brian Williams and a special that was on NBC a few weeks ago. That he doesn't watch the cable chatter. So how does even know that there's more supposedly negative coverage on Fox News if he's not even watching it. Obviously his staff is this going and then telling him what's going on but another -- that I think is interesting that you put out. Is that over half the respondents having -- 53%. Think that there is too much personal coverage of President Obama instead of focusing on his policies. And you know what we get these clips of the president going out to get a hamburger or walking both the dog. Or yesterday the CNBC interview on NBC nightly news instead of showing substance from the interview they showed President Obama killing a flaw. And and that's what we're being shown on on mainstream networks which is why people are turning away."

" From it. But -- onto it until it that says that harvest time. --"

" You said. I observed that you hadn't got much bad press you said it's coming."

" media critics would say not only has it not come. But that you've gotten such favorable press either because of -- or because you -- box office. That it's -- in the country because you're not being sufficiently held accountable for your policies the suspect."

" anyway on to assess that and that is so what we showed you before. -- you know -- it. Is this the president talks a lot reaching across both sides of the aisle you know why -- why wouldn't he want to be challenged by somebody who's -- asking tough questions. I don't I don't think he's probably afraid of people asking tough questions I tend to think with the media that they don't understand a lot of these issues and the reality is most of them don't know how to ask tough questions about the economy did any of them -- us that the economy was about to collapse no for the most part. You know people -- were asking tough questions even when George Bush was president so. One criticism I have of these studies is that it assumes that they're all equally confident in -- sense that Bill Clinton George Bush. Barack Obama are equally confident should get equal amounts of positive press -- we know that that's not true. Bill Clinton's early days when -- in the presidency work in disaster so he should have been getting bad press I think you can make an argument that while I do think the media needs to meet. Not -- focus on the fluffy stuff that Obama has had a pretty successful job and -- to communicating with people and he communicates explains things -- to people so much more so. Then -- past presidents have they think -- account for a lot for how people feel about him at the end up I'm not sure."

" LA he even said in his -- audacity of hope David -- he sued people like you know I'm paraphrasing here people like to like me. And I and I think that's a huge part of this I think there's a lot of press out there that lake. Liking President Obama he's you know likable guy but is -- John -- points out is there a danger inherent in that."

" Well -- because eventually the press is going to turn on you. We're still very young and -- president Obama's term and even though his honeymoon going to last a little longer than most presidents. It will eventually end and the other thing -- point out that I really believe. This president is the first celebrity president we've had of the modern media age. JFK and his wife -- to a degree royalty that President Obama and his wife are on us magazine. And they are all over the place for things they do that have nothing to do with policy and that is because they are very popular right now and they -- very engaging in attractive people but -- eventually. The press will turn on them. And I do think the point that was made about the press not be an expert and a lot of these issues. Is one of the reasons why the president is -- getting the tough questions -- most of my colleagues are not economists they are not health care experts. When the president has something to say about health care as -- on an ABC special coming up. How many of my colleagues know enough to ask the right kind of questions to hold his feet to the fire and that includes myself on certain issues but we're simply report."

" Enhancement allows camera owners are the reporters are people jell and they do sense what these things mean. And they do have good questions and I and I do think that there that he -- has been held to the fire a little bit more we see it happening and Robert his press conferences lately the questions are getting a little bit. I've talked below that mark focused but you know what is it that bothers me the most -- and I want to ask you guys about this what do you think. And having seen presidents in the past. Calling out one network or one media operation. It for scrutiny. It have you seen that before and and do you think that's okay."

" No and as I recall in the last primetime press conference that President Obama did Major Garrett was not called on. And you know I I think it's not really that the right tact to take and and President Bush obviously you know I I recall this from being there. Was very fair and calling on all -- TV networks -- all the wires you try to get to a lot of the radio. Networks as well to make sure they all had it had a chance and let me just real quick. It I want -- touchdown what you said mark that is I do agree that the questions for gives have been getting tougher I think the White House correspondents have been getting tougher. Were they haven't been getting tougher is on the major network appearances such as the Brian Williams special and other things so. I definitely want to stick up for my my press friends a little bit on that."

" Tied PC petition Paris David -- lots more to talk about this it's an it's an interesting issue we're gonna keep pressing he said he wants tough questions he loves lively debate. Bring it on radon thanks very much you guys -- out."