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

[MicahD]

CONTROL

[jupitor]

Do you think the press is actuallyl going to do some unbias reporting, for a change? I just might become a viewer again, if there going to treat all the candidates the same! Haven't heard any thing on here about them going after mccains memory problems yet! when it comes on huffo, I'll start watching the news again1

[SouthernYankeeBelle]

You all forget that the press is his base. Remember Chris Matthews told us so.

[ph7]

Brooke was groomed by the same Bushie control operatives:

McCainNational Press Secretary: Brooke Buchanan
Regional press secretary for the RNC, 2006.
Department of State Global Operations Team at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, 2005.
Nevada communications director for Bush-Cheney '04.
President of UNLV College Republicans in 2003-04.

[swift goat pet for truth]

THEN, they give him a free pass to do anything he likes.

[jatrig]

It's a shame this bullying seems to work, as Mccain's staff knows the reporters have to get a story out -- they simply force them into submission. Interesting the aides are openly comparing their tactics to the present white house -- another admission we're in for another 4 years if this continues.

[BexSF]

Amazing all those egos could fit into one room.

[TampaStephie]

LOL - That was funny, BexSF. Those two women need a reality check...and a Xanax.

[mccabe49]

McCain is another GW Bush and every day he proves that.

[atomic]

McCain = Bush

[SouthernYankeeBelle]

watch out you might be arrested.

[vincent1]

At the very least, they'll take your sign away...

[barackobama4prez]

I'm looking forward to the press turning on Gramps just like they finally turned on HRC.

[Crake]

Bu...bu..but... WAR HERO!

[Counterglow]

The press turn on McCain? Their bosses won't let them.

[Grunty1]

that will never happen, because Mc'Cain was never the "frontrunner".

[ThinkLiberal]

I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you.

[barackobama4prez]

Hell I'm just keeping hope alive!