Journalist asks Biden real questions, Obama campaign blacklists station
Saturday, October 25, 2008 at 8:47PM In the video below, WFTV's Barbara West conducts a real interview with Sen. Joe Biden, the first real interview any journalist has done with the Obama campaign.
Sen. Joe Biden faced the only real interview he or his running mate have faced anywhere on Planet Earth. WFTV Channel 9 (Orlando) reporter Barbara West asked real questions and it’s obvious Biden is rattled. It’s hard to tell how long this video will be available—it’s a real look at a campaign whose strategists have played directly to media, creating an illusion that leaves many voters clueless about what they’ll get if Democrats win the White House and gain even more control of Congress in the November election.
At one point, Biden snaps, “I don’t know who’s writing your questions.” West had asked Biden about Obama’s “spread the wealth” response to Joe the Plumber, likening that approach to Marxism. Joe the Plumber had asked Obama about his plans to raise taxes on higher incomes when the Democratic presidential candidate strolled through Joe’s neighborhood with a film crew. For asking that simple question, Joe the Plumber was investigated and subsequently filleted by media. And The Columbus Dispatch reported on Friday, “Public records requested by The Dispatch disclose that information on [Joe the Plumber] Wurzelbacher's driver's license or his sport-utility vehicle was pulled from the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles database three times shortly after the debate.”
ABC’s Good Morning America asked Obama if he regretted using the term “spread the wealth.” He said, “Not at all.”
Biden was so angry about West’s questions his campaign canceled a scheduled interview with his wife. The Orlando Sentinel said Laura K. McGinnis, Central Florida communications director for the Obama campaign, told WFTV: "This cancellation is non-negotiable, and further opportunities for your station to interview with this campaign are unlikely, at best for the duration of the remaining days until the election."
WFTV’s West stands out as the only reporter to ask tough questions of anyone affiliated with the Obama campaign. Mass media have grilled both Sen. John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin relentlessly for months.
Reader Comments (3)
I first heard about this on the Boortz show this morning. I am glad someone finally is taking charge and bringing up the issue of Marxism in Obama's campaign.
The fact that the Obama campaign would "blacklist" WFTV, the entire station, for West's question is pathetic! They know West hit on a touchy subject that they don't want the general public thinking about.
The story about snooping on Plumber Joe's Ohio records illustrates the unprecedented transparency that technology is bringing to society. Just as (allegedly) Plumber Joe's privacy was breached, access logs in Ohio's information systems show when his data was accessed and from which particular government offices. That's powerful stuff. Data logs can probably enable a deeper investigation into precisely who made the access and whether it was legal. If people acted illegally, the digital evidence can lead to their punishment. Such transparency represents a big trend in society http://hack-igations.blogspot.com/2007/12/people-in-authority-sometimes-abuse.html --Ben
Thanks for commenting.
Kristiano, I think the country has trended towards Marxism, but the process will be near complete if the Dems do the sweep they anticipate. Democrats since LBJ have always gone for the Nanny State approach. Always glad to see you!
Benjamin, I agree and I think it's a good development. Right now there is a great deal of wealth being transferred from you and me to Washington and where it goes from there is often anyone's guess. In addition, Joe the Plumber's experience should scare us all. A tenet of Marxism is the de-emphasis on individual rights. Joe asked a question and got assailed from all angles, including the union friendly tabloid media.
I think technology actually may help save freedom of speech not only in the US but around the world.