Another View From the Obama Plane

By
Monday, November 03, 2008 at 4:40 pm

For most of the summer and through the Democratic and Republican conventions, I spent a considerable amount of time traveling with both Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama. And while I’ve remained in awe of the discipline of the Obama campaign — it’s stayed completely on message — and the efficiency of its operatives, I’ve wondered how that translates into governance.

While my colleague Ari Melber marvels at the “coolness” of the candidate, the fact remains that he hasn’t made many friends in the traveling press corps.  Obama seldom comes to the back of the plane, and his general press availability has been scant.

Obama still receives good press — particularly from me. But that’s been in lieu of his access not because of it.

Should candidate Obama become President Obama, he may have to shed some of his coolness and speak more frankly and often to the members of the “media filter” if he’s to govern effectively. While often maligned, especially by Republicans, as ideologically biased, most journalists are just trying to do their jobs.

And while the “media filter” can put up with much, an Obama administration should be wary of what can happen if the press is continually kept at arms’ length. Throughout the Bush administration’s first term, reporters frequently grumbled about their treatment at the hands of the White House. But they were essentially ignored as the president’s approval ratings soared in the wake of 9/11.

But the moment things began to go awry, those same journalists struck back, which was not helpful to an administration struggling to get its message to the public.

By opening himself up more to the press, Obama can avoid a smiliar fate should his administration encounter political turbulence.

Comments

16 Comments

Winston
Comment posted November 3, 2008 @ 2:17 pm

a short but good piece – i'm an Obama supporter and have been frustrated by the lack of press conferences for both himself and his running mate.

this Bush administration appears quite crooked, and it's lack of 'transparency' (sp?), which seems to be a buzzword of both campaigns, only furthers that view. the less you talk, and talk candidly, the more it appears you have something to hide. tho, with the Bush campaign, i'm sure part of it was because W is kinda dumb.


matt
Comment posted November 3, 2008 @ 2:25 pm

I don't that is going to happen if he is President. Bush's lack of transparency was because he has a loot to hide and he can't articulate meaningful responses without a prepared script. The whole Valerie Plame thing is a good example of why the White House was so secretive.


nagamas
Comment posted November 3, 2008 @ 2:30 pm

There are not many stories about Barack Obama – Joe Bidden, as the Republicans have done all the character assasination and smearing of their opposition. The press had to digg the dirt (there is plenty of it, particularly from Palin), as the Democrats stick to the issue throughtout the campaign. Hence the lopsidedness of the news coverage.


Erik
Comment posted November 3, 2008 @ 2:33 pm

I would look forward to a revival of a frequent-address to the public like FDR's fireside chat's. One way to avoid being misinterpreted by the press would be to speak directly to the public… no?


uh
Comment posted November 3, 2008 @ 2:48 pm

You are kidding, right? Don't you know if you don't sing the praises for Obama then you are shut out? Or the Truth Squad goons are sent after you.

Wake up.


Roger
Comment posted November 3, 2008 @ 2:51 pm

No, it was the other way around. The media ignored Bush after his approval ratings went up after 9/11.

The media went along, and got along, while Bush ran roughshod over our democratic institutions and got us in to another Viet Nam.

We don't need a filter, we need a window. You've utterly failed to open it. Obama is right to ignore you people.


Marie
Comment posted November 3, 2008 @ 2:51 pm

You said you spent considerable time traveling with both candidates but only reviewed Obama's press relations. What about McCains? You only reported half the picture. Is this the media again showing onesided reporting?


Tony
Comment posted November 3, 2008 @ 2:53 pm

“and speak more frankly and often to the members of the “media filter” if he’s to govern effectively.” – You mean like George Bush? What are you saying, that reporters will be mean to him in hard times if he doesn't shell out access? 'Mean', like you dolts were to Bush? Ooooh, scary! Are you saying you would have given Bush a free pass if he would have been nicer to his press corps early on? What is this lame article about anyway? Bush's approval ratings soared after 9/11 because of the media, not in spite of it. Where were you assess when 70,000 people marched against the war in my town? I'll tell you where, 40 miles away surrounding 12 drunken vets supporting the war on an overpass, then the media said our numbers were about 1% of the truth. Get over yourself, you suck.


Omidal
Comment posted November 3, 2008 @ 3:03 pm

I think he has done a great job with the press.
A president must not be too common.
He should be opened when it is necessary.
At the same time He cannot go and hide in the Bunker in the White House.


retiredtraveler
Comment posted November 3, 2008 @ 3:14 pm

I am an 82 yr old retired business man. I am amazed at the coolness of this man under fire. And the team he orginized to fight this campain. He is not like anyone we have had in a long time and many do not appreciate his talent. He knows how to select the best person for the job in order to get it done. If you don't believe me just look around you . If he is elected he will make the kind of manager I would want heading my business.


hal
Comment posted November 3, 2008 @ 3:18 pm

Obama walks a tightrope. The Faux News and others are merely waiting for some false step, as does the GOP. Better to make a mistake or more *in* office, than to make one that keeps him *out* of office.

Based purely on his communications abiilities as shown in various limited exposures, I would say that he will be very open as President. He'll have to be if he expects to have the full support of all Americans for what will be a hard pull ahead. He will be under pressures from every side to set an agenda, help constituent groups, and save both the economy and America's place in the world. If he is not a great communicator, who gets the message out and then leads the charge, then he will fail, just as his predecessor, but faster. I suspect his message will soon change from hope, to hope with details, and one major detail wil be sacrifice.


Robert
Comment posted November 4, 2008 @ 6:44 am

I'm voting for McCain because I know I will keep my job and keep my business, for me and for my family. Obama is against my doing this, which doesn't serve me any amount of good, nor does it serve America. I will vote for the President who will serve me and serve America, and the top on that list is John McCain.


Mark
Comment posted November 4, 2008 @ 2:08 pm

Actually, on top of that list is Obama. Get a clue.


kennyk567
Comment posted November 9, 2008 @ 1:04 pm

Good article.
Speaking of Obama Plane, I came across a company based in Floriday which is producing an exact 1:150 scale replica of the Barack Obama Campaign Airplane. Pretty creative. Huh.
I believe their site is http://www.obamaplane.com.
Ken.


kennyk567
Comment posted November 9, 2008 @ 9:04 pm

Good article.
Speaking of Obama Plane, I came across a company based in Floriday which is producing an exact 1:150 scale replica of the Barack Obama Campaign Airplane. Pretty creative. Huh.
I believe their site is http://www.obamaplane.com.
Ken.


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