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

[MrJaxon]

If only all reporters acted like this and not like a bunch of lap dogs, perhaps the media wouldn't be treated as a bunch of children.

Cheers to the St. Louis reporters.

[emjay]

Good point. They did seem a bit put out that they weren't regarded as the last word.

They resented having to give their names like little girls who got caught shoplifting by an adult who threatened to tell their parent. I was waiting for a "neener neener" in there.

[funwithwarcrimes]

It wasn't a courtroom where people are sworn in to tell the truth. he was a guest in their territory and he was behaving badly and wasn't respecting them. they control everything in their environments -- why would you expect anything different? The reporter needs new people skills to be able to maneuver through that environment...it could have easily been handled w/out making a problem.

[ejay579]

No, but it is something better, free publicity.

[smags72]

HE was a guest in THEIR territory?? Uh, wasn't McCain in THEIR town to be interviewed by THEIR reporters? McCain's people are the ones who weren't respecting the press in their own town/studio/etc. The women at issue should have handled it professionally, not like a bunch of Sorority Sisters, as someone noted above. I was expecting on of them to say, 'like, omygod, will you guys just, like, shut UP already?'

[drzoon]

FINALLY....

SOMEONE IN THE PRESS WHO PUSHES BACK!

i left news because it was becoming ANYTHING BUT NEWS!

and if someone insisted on "checking my shot" they would get a tripod handle for their trouble. THEY NEVER OWNED US like they own these sissies!

[MissTerry]

A good PR person will get everybody to help them without their resenting it. A great PR person will do that as well as have their phone calls answered when they call for help the next time. These two women should just get a million-dollar defense contract and retire like the rest of the Bushies.

[ecotopian]

Which White House? The Bush White House. True to Republican form, Nicolle Wallace lied about how long it was She was appointed as White House Communications Director in 2005. She stepped down in 2006. She worked for Bush's 2004 campaign as well as for his brother Jeb when he was governor of Florida. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicolle_Wallace

Yep, it's true it will be the same thing, only the name will change if he wins.

[ndnndpendent]

Well when media ask for names and titles----its professionalsim to get sources accurate and to get the name accurate, they must be fresh out of journalism school because that is a big point of the training.

[broadsword]

"Why does it matter who I am?", says his press secretary.

Contentious, arrogant, and dumb. There's no doubt; they're definitely Republicans.

[MissTerry]

If you're arrogant but really good at your job, people will help you. If you're pleasant but incompetent, people will help you. The Bush Combo is being arrogant and incompetent. Or, as we used to call them in grade school, bullies.

[Freemind42]

hahaha, nice

[scouserinlondon]

You forgot "stupid", as in, "I should be nice to these chaps and there is a camera rolling,............. they are REPORTERS here to "REPORT".......I could lose my job perhaps ?....y'know, that kind of stupid.....DUH.

[BBackSoon]

Along with the ‘What does it matter who I am?” comment was the ‘White House’ name drop. We have an Administration that has given preferential treatment to the helpful reporters while berating, ignoring and barring anyone that challenges them. So we are suppose to accept that this is now the standard?

[tominstl]

She was talking to Charles Jaco who made his name as a CNN reporter in the first gulf war. He is connected and experienced enough to see through the whole "I worked at the White House BS, but I like that he took the high ground and realized that wasting time sparring with a self-impressed twit is fruitless.

I thought McCain fired his press secretary last week. Is this a new double-secret probation secretary that is reluctant to give out her name?

[Axolotl]

in addition to her boss, her brain needs to be scanned for the swiss cheese signs of early dementia or argophyliaxis

[kynandog]

The reporter described as the Fox reporter's "colleague" is not a Fox employee. The bearded gentleman speaking at the start of the clip is Mike Owens of KSDK-TV, the NBC affiliate in St. Louis. The man with his back to the camera at the beginning is Charles Jaco of KTVI-TV, the St. Louis Fox affiliate, and a very independent, credible reporter in his own right. It's too bad Jaco has to be associated with such a network as Fox, since he does respectable work.

Reporter Mike O'Connell is also with KSDK.

[BADEN]

Thank you.
Facts help.

[BBackSoon]

Local adults do good!!!

[Axolotl]

ask Jaco about the poison gas incident

[kay]

Trend of presidential preference in California
In March 2007, when The Field Poll first began pairing Obama against McCain in presidential trial heats, the Illinois Senator was preferred over McCain by twelve percentage points. Now sixteen months later, after competitive primary election contests that saw each candidate become their respective party's nominees, Obama has opened up a bigger lead. The current poll finds Obama leading McCain in California's general election by twenty-four percentage points (54% to 30%) among this state’s likely voters.

[JadedAggie]

Offshore drilling is a really really bad issue for McBush in California. It wouldn't surprise me if it caused a shift as large as 6-8%

[mindlessmissy]

What amuses me is the same McCain Camp tries to lure O. into taking staged town hall fiascoes in hopes of ambushing O. with his preset questionnaires ... how about leaving the MSM to report some truth from their camp ... Show some real transparency ... Not that fake crap ...

[Independent007]

Looks like Buchannon and friends created a whirlwind via their pomposity.
These gals don't know how to handle their own mother much less a candidate. Certainly, they should consider going into a new field of business, or at least get some formal training on how to deal with PEOPLE.

[lotuslike]

I think they are used to dealing with people---just not LIVE ones.

[mccabe49]

Really? I want to know what McCain is so afraid of?? He has to know what the questions are in advance before he will agree to an interview? What is he hiding?

[chaz69]

Someone mentioned Jesse Jackson's name during the whispering. Could not make it all out.

[Jess27]

I have a feeling it was because they were whispering near mics. I have tried to hear what they said but the only thing I can understand is Jessie Jackson and then they walked away. They probably realized that whispering near mics is risky thanks to Jessie Jackson and decided to take their conversation elsewhere.

[Ajita]

This may be completely unrelated, but was someone yelling NUTS!?

[SnapShots]

It seems McCain's press staffers are quite impressed with themselves and carry a 'we're-the-center-of-the-universe' demeanor. It's amusing to think people who are getting free publicity (an interview) feel they can dictate to the interviewers and camera people. Yes, the gals are young. Young women who use "Actually, ..." as a sentence opener can have their ages pegged pretty accurately. Instead of carrying an air of tact and professionalism at this gathering, they exuded a you-should-feel-honored-to-be-in-our-presence attitude. They were put in their places, something they're apparently not used to, and clearly didn't know how to handle it because they were fishing for conflict.

[plaidlemur]

When the reporter is asking for their names, why would they continue to use that tone of voice? Wouldn't professional PR people realize that when a reporter is asking for names, in a situation such as that, something is going to get written about them? No apologies, no calming of the situation, just more aggressiveness--strange, to say the least.

When the PR officers see themselves as gatekeepers and protectors, rather than partners in disseminating information, no good can come. PR, no matter the common perceptions, is not about protecting, or obfuscating; PR is about ensuring the story the client has written is told. These snarky, uncouth fledglings may ultimately sever the pen hands that are keeping the campaign somewhat relevant.

[tsog]

Yeah, and when Nicole gives her name you can sense a bit of...say whaaa?, I AM Nicole Wallace..THE Nicole Wallace.

[ivorytower54]

yeah totally. they were more pissed that these folks didn't know who they were than anything.

[robXdion]

They were unprofessional and took the disagreement personally.

[VOTER]

Seasoned McCANE staffers: Dumb-de-dumb-dum

"Sorry but your Queen must give submit her questions for

the Senator BEFORE we can begin the interview."

[Sioen]

With apologies to Lewis Carroll's Red Queen:

"Answers first, and then the questions!"

[TheRetiredOne]

My god, this Buchanan woman is a Press Secretary (and, seemingly, an adult) and she plays games about identifying herself to the press????? Sounds more like a 12-year old (apologies to all 12-year olds everywhere).