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

[rubicon101]

there is so much so called 'media' types out there, you wonder who really represents the so called media..
These women, though they appear professional were definately very touchy about most everything that went on...like when they were asked to identify themselves­..one appeared defensive.­.but as we all know, looks and body language mean nothing. This blog, which at times, tries to come off as media, brings out the most judgemental characters that obviously haven't much else to do but to 'fawn' over Obama and call the opposition names..I'v­e left the democratic party this past season because of Michigan, Florida and the predetermined selection process of a candidate that still comes across as an empty suit...the­res something about Obama that bothers me and my instinct tells me it is not good..
I am seldom wrong..

[turtle bay]

21st Century Nurse Ratchets

(Why do right wingers suck as human beings SO much?)

[rosal]

Its in their DNA

[UnrealitycheckDotCom]

It's not that right wingers suck as human beings so much as if you suck as a human being, you'll be a right winger.

[bfbenn]

Well put!

[RegularFolk]

Suck as Humans? Thats a laugh coming from the party that needs to hide Homeless people during the Democrat Convention, too elite to see such a thing? The posts here regularly call for people to be killed just because they have an opposing view and the majority portion of you kids can barley respond with anything other then name calling. Oh yeah, the democrat party is where I want to join. Then I can become a real Human, a lying, hateful hypocrite.

[peterdangit]

I think you're already in the right party.

[JessWonderin]

"democrat party" ????

. . . well THERE is your problem . . . There is NO such "Party" - but there is a collective Right Wing cloud that forms as a mythical enemy when they are confronted with the outrageous behavior and facts of the Republican betrayal of our American Values . . .

As fro the "Press Secretary", any fool using "what does it matter" to hide their idenity is either a hooker or a criminal . . . but I could be wrong. BIKFDT

[gbht12]

How was the interview???

[rosal]

WOW McLame and aids having problems with the media? That's so unusual. The stress might be getting to the campaign. They are going down fast

[ErnestineBass]

I'm thinking McCranky must be hearing "Nearer My God To Thee" in his sleep...

(Song the orchestra played right before the Titanic went under...)

[rosal]

LOL ernestine!

[HopeGirl]

Britney, Kimmy, Brook and Nicole...

McCain's campaign is an episode of Road Rules.

[Georgiapundit]

This means bad press for Mc Cain from these guys for now on. Keep up the good work, witchy Mc Cain camp press aides.

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

Two future cabinet members, eh?

[dac253]

"... and then he was like What's your name? and I was like Why do you want to know that? and he was like What? and I was like Whatevver!"

[ErnestineBass]

OMG...ROFL­MFAO...you must've worked on set...too, TOO funny!

[jgalvan]

:)

[joelkeenan]

Perfect, dac253.

[scouserinlondon]

That is totally,like,you know,so true......­..totally.

[Krikkit]

The fact that FOX is airing this makes me think that someone may be having some success putting pressure on their sponsors and it's starting to "trickle down" onto their heads. Maybe they see the writing on the wall and realilze that they'll be out of business if they don't start supporting Obama.

Just shows how soulless teh MSM really is. The bottom line, boyz n girlz, is what determines what is news.

[Krikkit]

LoL. They're desperately worried what he's going to screw up next. That, "my friends," is a very good sign.

[dmspeech]

Why does the press love John McCain when his folks act like those girls?

Those aides better be careful, they kind of look like McCain's two wives.

Wonder if they enjoyed the ape/rape joke?

[Daly]

These were not girls , they are women that should know better however I will give them some slack because I suspect that they got these jobs as girls; never received training and they are facing unemployment and in danger of having their brooms repo'd.

Did Alberto Gonzales get a job yet?

[gage]

Brooms? Obama has a real problem with sexism. This was McCains's national press secretary. Obama's press secretary is male.

Uggh. This clip is disgusting. It reminds me of when I was a young woman in the 70s and 80s advocating for my family or my client, and older white guys trying to bully me.

Buchanan just wanted to see how the shot was framed. That's elementary media training. The first thing I learned was don't let yourself or your client be shot from a demeaning angle.

[ManassasMan]

The rumor is that Alberto is studying hard for his interview as assistant doorman at the local Taco Bell.

[gage]

Good heavens. Girls? Do not EVER try to tell me that Dems are less sexist than Republicans.

What incredible sexism.

I saw middle aged white guys trying to bully the female press secretary of the Republican candidate. He should have just dismissed her as "Sweetie" like Obama does.

Obama supporters have a real problem with sexism.

[PollyTics]

Oh please! The reporters were being given the run around by the women who never introduced themselves until they were directly asked for their names. The women behaved unprofessionally. The term "girls" was used out of frustration as I have said many a time "listen guys". It doesn't always infer sexism or dismissal and the differences should be noted.

[chrisbee]

I am pretty sure they were women ACTING like girls.

[joelkeenan]

Your problem with men has to do with you, not with Obama supporters.

[Suzie2]

That's what I saw, a bunch of over-the-hill, overweight, sexist bullies. I thought the "girls" handled it very well considering.

[johnbkk]

Whenever someone touts their years of experience I instantly doubt their expertise. Lame.

[rh654]

LOL - wow Press advisers, etc... wanting to control how the Press cover their person - what a revelation.

[markkraft]

A couple basic facts, here...

1> Nicolle Wallace did work as Bush's White House Communications Director, but left in 2006 to work for CBS, where she parrotted White House talking points. That means, mathematically, that she did not work in the White House for seven years, as she claims.

2> Nicolle Wallace also worked for Jeb Bush as his press secretary, and has longstanding, close ties with Karl Rove, Dick Cheney, George Bush, etc. She played a key role during a time when the White House was accused of staging press conferences with planted questions, punishing people in the press corps, floating lies and misinformation, etc.

Seems appropriate that McCain's handlers are Bush's people, doesn't it?! Kinda makes it hard to say that he's somehow going to be "different", when he lets such people run his campaign.

So, no... let's not say that she has no experience. Indeed, she probably has plenty of experience­... it's just the wrong kind you'd want in the White House. ...and it certainly isn't change, or anything we can believe in.

[ErnestineBass]

BRAVO, markkraft! I do so love a man who does his research!
You just made a new fan. EB ;-]

[Nolewoman]

And another fan here. Excellent post.

[SeanOcali]

I'll save you all the trouble. Two young gals only experience is working in Bush WH. They were a little snooty and dismissive when dealing with some old-school local St. Louis news guys who felt they were not being shown proper respect. Wow. What an amazing news story.