Reporters Spar With McCain Press Aides Nicolle Wallace, Brooke Buchanan (VIDEO)

Clearly not all reporters are enamored with John McCain's press operation.

Early Wednesday, the Fox affiliate in St. Louis posted video of an awkward, testy exchange between several reporters and McCain's senior press aides -- Brooke Buchanan, the national press secretary, and Nicolle Wallace, the former White House communications director.

"I think there was an attempt by somebody in your staff to take a look at the shot, and I have never, ever had anybody at any organization..." a peeved station staffer told Wallace before being interrupted.

"Really? You've never done anything at the White House?" she replied. "I was at the White House for seven years and we looked at every shot." The staffer pushed back, "Not at our shots," while his colleague asked Wallace, "Which White House?" She refused to answer, saying it didn't matter. He replied, "Oh yes it does!" Wallace told him he looked "agitated."

Later, another reporter asked the McCain aides for their names. Buchanan responded, "Why does that matter?" and asked sharply, "Do we have a problem here, because if -- we may want to reschedule for another day..."

A compelling look at the sausage-making behind presidential candidate interviews.

Update: Some more details on the reporters in the video, from a reader: "The Fox (KTVI) reporter in the blue shirt with his back to the camera is Charles Jaco. The NBC (KSDK) reporter sitting next to him is Mike Owens. The last person standing up asking for names is Mike O'Connell from CBS (KMOV)."

Comments

[VANDERGRAAFK]

Who needs a debate between Obama and McCain? Everyday one aide, assistant or advisor to the McCain demonstrates that these people have absolutely no clue. Hold the election tomorrow to put an end to the ongoing abuse of logic, decorum and democracy that Bush has made job one and McCain wishes to carry on.

[WasteNJ]

Amateur hour. This reminds me of when I worked in corporate.. self-important morons fronting as professionals, until they need to do their jobs..

[DMSmith]

ANYTIME you have a press aid for a candidate testily refuse to give her name to a reporter and then asks why it matters, you KNOW you have a screwed up candidate and press operation.

Period.

[meanguy]

slow news day? 'press aides spar with reporters'...hardly 'man bites dog'
i give it a 'yawn factor' of 5 (out of 5)

however, the hyperbolic and hysterical reactions from the obamarrhoid offendednistas rate a solid 10 in terms of entertainment value

[debwarot]

"obamarrhoid offendednistas'???????????

Any hope that you will eventually grow up and stop with the name calling?

[vallon]

It's all they have...

[AutumnRecluse]

It is an extremely boring video. I was hoping for fireworks, a pop, something...

Maybe next week we can see a picture of Obama's aides boiling water for his afternoon tea.

[majorteddy]

Now we can see what a freedom of the press would be under McCain. Call in the SWAT team. The press is disagreeing with us.

[Witchitalineman]

Good for the reporters for not behaving like sheep.

[Tommygun264]

The faux Chanel jacket is so last millennium.

[miloseven]

When I heard the name "Nicolle Wallace", I thought this was a teaser from "Law and Order:CI".

[TrueBlueMajority]

I thought the same thing--GMTA!

[Mac-A-Roon]

We don't get to see what *really* started this p***ing match, but clearly neither side looks good. The reporters are condescending and the staffers snippy.

As for "looking at the shot" it's not a big deal. Courtesy protocol on the set is to *ask* to see the shot. It's considered a bit rude to walk up to a camera and look into the viewfinder without asking permission from the cameraman. It could have been that a parade of staffers walked in at different times and all asked to look at the shot, creating some exasperation --add up repeated requests and a delayed interview and patience runs out. Who knows.

That said, there is usually a small TV monitor nearby, because many people have an interest in the shot --especially the reporters! I've been involved with sit downs with major CEO's, politicians, and movie stars and some have asked to see the shot and no resistance was ever given. It's a courtesy and, in this case, it's obvious that neither party was in a courteous mood.

[jamesjm]

Obviously Mac-A-room has been in this situation before and is familiar with interview protocol. As a cameraman myself who's shot hundreds of similar interviews, I believe the pompous attitude of the reporter was caught in a lie when he said no one ever having to inspected their shots. I'm never offended and only to happy to have the producer, talent and associates of the interview, inspect and approve the shot.

That said, I've worked with Fox on occasion in the past and have to admit, many of the Reporters and Producers morals and values have much to be desired. I believe it all boils down from the top at Murdoch's desk. He has been like a cancer to this industry.

Therefore, it has been my decision years ago not to work or to be a part of Fox any longer or to view their channel. I'm happy to say, I've never looked back.

[ruzel]

Except that you just watched this video, right? ;)

[AutumnRecluse]

That was a fair and balanced assessment of the situation.

[storeyy]

Just so you know there is an election in November and instead of focusing on girls vs women or boys vs men....we need to get to the real issues. Come on people stop with these petty distractions.

[Sparty1]

I'd be pretty cranky if I had to keep getting up there and justifying McCain's foolishness everyday. It's hard to get that man in a good light.

[BOSNIAGATE]

looks like elmer fudd isnt the only one with a temper in his campaign...

[nolalily]

Man, was that ever contentious!

[Angus703]

They got really snippy real quick "why does that matter?" When people do that you know they are stressed out and on the deffense for any attack.
I would however probably look at the shot first too if I was a press secretary.

[jgalvan]

Someone needs to pull that stick out of her _ _ _, maybe the attitude comes from working for the grumpy Senator.