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

[ROBOT8]

INTIMIDATI­ON!!!!!!!!­!!!!!! MANIPULATI­ON!!!!!!!!­!!!!!! HUMILIATIO­N!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!

[ohmercy]

What was THAT about?

[BPCentrisAmerican]

Bazzar, that she did not want to give her name, Brooke Buchanan and Nicolle Wallace learned from the best stone wallers in the business.

[uglicoyote]

"Bazzar"?. This took place in a Bazzar? How Bizarre.

[remedy]

Those staffers for Mcsame are obviciously graduates of the Dick Cheney school of public relations with a B.S. from the University of Roveian Politics.. too funny love this video..

[SouthPrairie]

Testy leadership breeds testy aids.

[doofmann02]

True. The Arschloch Faktor tends to spread, especially in relationships that they might have any power over people. Imagine how they treat wait staff?

[SouthPrairie]

Ummmm....aides, I mean.

At any rate--way to uplift your candidates credibility. He not only needs his constant notes--or off message he goes--but he needs haughty girls to put the MSM in their place.

[Axolotl]

is she r elated to the B uchanan ritewinger who hangs out at MSNBc and who once ran for president? if so, she possibly is genetic blowhard.

[HBeachbum]

This is all about the framing of the shot. The PR people want McCain to look his best. There is no demand to see the questions. This is a lot about nothing. Wasn't it your hero BHO that had Muslim-Americans removed from his shot at a campaign rally? That seems a tad more serious.

[StanTheManic]

Once again ... I pause my iPod, go full-screen on something Huffpo sports as exciting, edgy "news" and once again -- who the frick cares?

[realpolitic]

Read a newspaper.

[dac253]

bee-itchy!

welcome back to jr.high

[kinnycut]

Yep! It made me want to throw a "Oh My god you chicks are like totally immature" in there somewhere.

[qdog112]

It's a common business practice to KNOW who you are dealing with. If contact is made in person and you are not offered a business card, you should ask for a name for obvious reasons. if it is a phone call you ask for a name.

Has anyone ever called a business more than once and could not reference the previous call because you didn't know who you talked to before? Well, if you work for me and that happens more than once - then you have a problem.

When you report you better have a name. That's BASIC in any business - no matter what type business.

[scouserinlondon]

Agree entirely.
Even in a social situation, the first thing you do is say hello, and introduce yourself...... it's just good manners and etiquette.IIt is something you learn at your mum's knee..... never mind further education or business / journalist school!!!!You would get tired of always having to apologise for her.She was just boorish and her attitude and approach left a lot to be desired.

[fungeezer]

As is knowing the names of whomever you are talking to.

[TXOBAMAGIRL73]

I wonder which paint brush they were going to use to paint him as "the competent maverick" he is not . No luck this time.

[wolfbato]

Religious right wing ex-Bush lapdogs who have left the Bush Administration for lucrative jobs that they are not qualified for ... it would be like hiring ex-AG Gonzales to represent you in a court of law ... and we all know how that's going ... I know ... I know he got one gig ... still an embarrassment and no-one is tupid enough to hire him. McCain hired these un-qualified people ... great job McCain-ie!!!
ex: Dana [oh Dana] Perino ... the White House Press Sec. didn't know what the Bay of Pigs was ... yet I'm sure she'll get a lucrative job when she leaves.
Point is ... if you're religious [and the right kind of religion] and you worked for Bush ... you can keep the money train moving ... despicable!!!

[mamacat]

Sounds like an example of one more way in which McCain and Bush are from the same mold - they both think that they are entitled to favoritism from the press. "You guys want to do fair and balanced reporting? Why?"

[Maloysius]

You would think Nicolle would be proud of being Director of Media Affairs for the Bush White House.

[bascombe]

so they filter the press.
surprise.

[Mauimom]

"Nicole Wallace" -- I love it. This is the name of Bobby Goren's nemesis on Law & Order: CI.

[kissmygrits]

The con woman! Totally!

[KQuarksSuperKollider]

LOL great reference.