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

[Probus]

It looks like some members of the media are finally learning to see the McCain campaign for what it really is - this campaign is not as media friendly as many seem to think it is. As this presidential campaign goes on hopefully more reporters will realize that there is no "Straight Talk Express" there never was. McCain is just another neoconservative running for the presidency just like Bush.

[jubo]

When amateurs clash...

And is that a Chicago accent with a nose job? How do you phonetically write that 'A'?

[smags72]

What are you talking about? What does that have to do with anything??

[foghornleghorny]

The press girls seemed to be more concerned that they had pi**ed off some reporters before a sit down interview with Grampy McMaverick.

[gage]

"Girls"

Is it ok if I refer to Obama's press secretary as a boy?

[4wehttam]

Nice intimidation tactic there ladies, McBush must be so proud.

[FOXYLADY]

IT BEATS ME........­HOW CAN "ANYBODY" SCHEDULE AND INTERVIEW W/O KNOWING WHO THEY ARE TALKING WITH/DEALING WITH OR "WHATEVER"­.........W­HAT A BUNCH OF BULL TOSSERS AND INADEQUATE REPS OF SOMEONE OR SOME STATION????????????

[Mellenbal]

Actually, these guys from all three St. Louis network affliates are quite good , experienced long-time local reporters, not your typical when-I-kis­s-McSame's­-ass-does-­he-want-it­-with-or-w­ithout-ton­gue? MSM types.

[smags72]

Which is the ONLY reason they actually wanted ANSWERS, unlike the rest of the MSM p*ssies.

[EarthToZoey]

Chill pills are on aisle 7. Thanks.

[funwithwarcrimes]

so tense and an excellent example of intimidation -- probably not the way to treat people in a supposedly professional environmen­t...I'm so cold all of a sudden....

[Z - He is Alive]

How on earth did these women get this far in the PR world.

Arrested Development at the age of 12, I believe is the main criteria for employment these days in the RePUG world.

Unfortunately it seems, as 12 year children usually do , they get away with it.

That is why this video is exceptional - we still have a few newsmen with a spine.

[LisainNYC]

They have gotten this far because this type of intimidation has worked for the last 7 and a half years.

[crablover]

The reporter was right to refuse to let the PR staffer "approve" the shot.

As a career public relations guy who has worked with reporters from network TV to small local stations, let me tell the "professionals" who work for McCain that the last thing you want to do is piss off a reporter (on camera or off camera).

The reporter or field producer has the power to edit your man's interview in a way that can make him look like an idiot. (Ever watch the Daily Show?) The more you can do to assist the reporter and his crew and make the interview process go smoothly, the better treatment you'll receive. Now, that's not always true, but at least the reporter usually won't start the interview with a "now I'm gonna show this guy" attitude. It's just human nature.

The best strategy is to treat others the way you (or your candidate) wants to be treated.

[normathumb]

Those wacky reporters probably thought they were in a free speech zone.

[9liberal]

seriously what was wrong with those women? the one at the end had to follow the man to his seat...wha­t did you do? did i miss something???

[jollyelle]

Where's the interview??? i would like to see how McCain acts......­..it was like the women were trying to assure he would be treated with kid gloves as usual. And the guys weren't folding.
How tense....f­or a 5 min. interview????
pathetic

[liberaldawg]

I wondered what happened to Charles Jaco. After his
"poison gas has been released" fiasco at CNN during
Persian Gulf War I, he kind of disappeared from the
Nat'l scene.

[Axolotl]

he, a, is still releasing poison gas, it seems.

[JamesRiddle]

The wrong link is provided here. The headline mentions McCain aides spar with reporters. Can anyone direct to me the real video of this event?

[goplayrabbit]

GET THIS ALL OVER THE NEWS. ELITIST MCCAIN IS TOO WORRIED ABOUT IMAGE TO RUN THE COUNTRY

[unitedstates]

who cares. this isn't politics this article is just a smear attempt. big deal

[boitexas]

this is not a smear. this is a video of what actually took place with representatives of a presidential candidate. If your wipe the brown smear from your face maybe you would have seen the actual video.

[bazokbros]

We have an insight into a McCain presidency and the press corp. These two ladies need to step up their game big time. It's clear that the McCain friendlies have direct access and anyone who questions anyone in his team will get hassled.

[CPav]

I haven't had a chance to watch the whole interview yet. I just saw the clips they showed on the KTVI morning news; much as I hate Faux News, I do enjoy the local morning telecast.

In that clip, they showed McCain repeating the "he's going to raise your taxes" line. I'm hoping Charles Jaco called him on it, but I'm betting he didn't.