White House Press Secretary Jay Carney held a briefing on Air Force One Monday in which he refused to answer a single question.
Over the course of the 14 minute session, the press corps aboard President Obama’s flight to Michigan asked 15 questions and received zero answers. Even on minor matters.
While White House press secretaries routinely dodge questions from the press, I’m not sure I can remember a briefing in which there weren’t any direct answers.
The failure to provide information is starkly at odds with the White House proclamation that the president is presiding over the “openness administration.” Rather, it shows a certain contempt for the role of the Fourth Estate, which is tasked with helping preserve freedom by ferreting information out of the government and sharing it with the public.
It is particularly surprising that Carney would treat the press in this manner, given his own background as having been for years one of Washington’s top political reporters. While it’s possible he is following orders from above, Carney actually seems strongly allegiant to the White House and President Obama – a true believer who has shed the skepticism bred into most good reporters.
What follows is an abridged version of the briefing. I’ve kept only Carney’s direct responses to the questions. Note I say “responses” and not “answers” – Carney did in fact open his mouth to speak. I’ve removed the verbiage added by Carney, also known as spin, that is essentially unrelated to the questions. Some of the questions have been shortened as well. But in no way is any of this out of context.Hmmm......"It's good to be king"Read the full 'story' here.
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