This is just the break the McCain campaign is looking for.
The truest answer was in the second reply:
I’ve long had a general theory about the press asking tough questions, especially the hosts of the Sunday morning “news” shows going back two decades or more. It goes like this:
- Host asks a tough, aggressive question.
- Guest gives a “non-answer” answer.
- Host presses a bit to give the appearance of being a “bulldog” reporter.
- Guest still refuses to answer
- Go to step 1.
This happens for a number of cycles, then the host assures the guest that he was happy to talk to him or her again, and asks “please do come on the show some other time [insert honorific or title here], won’t you?” This serves the purposes of the host to give the impression he is doing his job, and the purposes of the politician to not look like a coward by dodging the press, and also, having a choice to get in a plug supporting his position.
The key here is that both sides know full well the tacit agreement they have beforehand: they each play their roles, the guest will always be invited back, and the host will never, ever be TOO hard on that guest, because he knows said guest will always find a friendly show to go on. I have long since given up hope that any real, lasting good will come from these pathetic attempts to get real answers from the politicians that are so active in running our lives.
Far be it for me to disagree with Snopes. I’d swear I heard him say it. One wonders why he didn’t deny it.
Because it’s like asking a man when he stopped beating his wife. The only way you win such a stupid game is if you refuse to play.
Obama did not say it. Bernie Sanders did say it…
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cnn.com/cnn/2016/04/06/politics/bernie-sanders-hillary-clinton-qualified/index.html
Thanks, eschrodinger.
All one needs to do is watch the Rolling Stone/Axios interview to get a thorough understanding of what Trump is. That reporter did as well as any I’ve seen in trying to pin down the “Leader of the Free World”. The problem is that, generally, there is a certain deference or politeness when it comes to questioning a political leader. I say, “Screw that”. I know its not a courtroom where a witness can be forced to answer but a bully like Trump “wins” by simply talking over the questioner. F@ck that. The worst that can happen is that Trump stalks off in a temper tantrum. Good. Let the world see the childish brat that he is (in case that they, somehow, have missed it). Part of the press’ job is to call out BS on the part of the government when they see it. In my opinion, its not enough to allow a a subject to lie or not answer and then say "“Well, we asked him something and he lied and didn’t answer the question. Now, its up to you what you are going to do about it”. If you are claiming to seek the truth then, damn it, press the liars and evaders. Make them squirm. Get them to tell more lies. Expose them for what they are.
Journalists seem to have a fairly high opinion of themselves when it comes to seeking truth, etc. and want to be afforded certain privileges. Fine. But its the job of the press (and an obligation) to hold liars of any ilk, but especially the government, to account. That’s the whole point of the 1st Amendment. I know its idealistic thinking but if any time calls for it, its now.
But Swan absolutely owned the president in that interview, and I’m actually surprised someone near the president didn’t advise him to throw in the towel. Shit, Swan was basically sitting there mocking Trump with his incredulous facial expressions. Swan probably decided long before that interview began that he wasn’t going to be deferential, which was why he was able to own him so badly - probably owing to the fact that Axios doesn’t necessarily need constant access to the White House the way that other media do. Swan knew he wouldn’t have many opportunities and made the most with what he had. I’m surprised security let him keep the film.
I haven’t seen it yet, but I did see a tweet that said “Say what you will about trump, but I think it was mighty nice of him to film that hour long ad on Axios for Joe Biden”.
https://i.redd.it/aazygh2lc6f51.png
And this will guarantee that Trump will no longer do interviews with any outlet left of OANN.
I think it’s a cultural thing. I’ve heard British journalists are brutal. Boris Johnson skipped the harder interviews in the last British election, and had been made to show how little he knew about Brexit in previous interviews.
British press called Trump’s last big interview a “car crash” but we’re so used to this that it’s no longer outrageous. (I think they might overuse the term, just a little.)
If I were one of these reporters and Trump egregiously dodged my question, I would call him a stupid cocksucker right then and there. To hell with propriety and decorum. I would have legions of fans the instant I said it.
Those who break taboos are the ones who are remembered.
That’s a non-starter if they want to win the election. Trump’s staff know they have to increase their share of the non-committed voters. OANN and their ilk are only viewed by Trumpists, which helps them not at all.
Trump’s staff know this. But Trump’s ego will get in their way, as per usual.
Your legions of fans won’t do you a whole lot of good if publishers aren’t interested in the journalist that called the president a stupid cocksucker.
I dunno… I think I’d buy any book published by that guy… Gotta be a lot of people who’d feel that way…
Please! Whoever did that would have folk-hero status instantly and be guaranteed a slot with Vice, Rolling Stone, or any number of A-list media.
There’s enough footage of Trump petulantly waddling out of press rooms after being challenged, now, to make a really good Project Lincoln ad.
Today, at his Bedminster resort, with an audience of his club members obsequiously laughing at his insults of Biden, Pelosi, et al, Trump was finally asked why he has repeatedly claimed credit for the Obama-era Veterans Choice act:
The two-minute video:
https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2020/08/08/trump-veterans-choice-dale-fact-check-bts-vpx.cnn