David Gregory Gets Into Argument With Heckler

The Washington City Paper witnessed a testy exchange between "Meet The Press" host David Gregory and an audience member at an education event in Washington on Thursday.

The event was focused on "college completion and the American future," and featured Michelle Rhee, outgoing Chancellor of the Washington, D.C. schools. Gregory was moderating the event.

When Gregory opened the discussion for questions from the audience, one man stood up and asked him some pointed questions -- not about education, but about his questioning style on "Meet The Press."

As the City Paper's Alan Suderman wrote, the man criticized Gregory for "letting politicians get away with not discussing what the man said were the important issues, including 'the need for taxes,' a 'bloated military budget' and a broken down two-party system."

"I listen to Meet the Press and I think a lot of people in the room, we end up turning it off, because during the election season, you're letting politicians get away with softball answers and you're not really forcing the conversations," the man told Gregory.

He responded forcefully to the man's assertions.

"Sir, sir, you know what, with all due respect, I don't know which program you're watching because every week--I'm not going to get in a debate with you--I ask about taxes, I ask about how you pay for taxes," he said.

Suderman wrote that, when the man tried to respond, Gregory cut him off.

"No, sir, I get the last word here, you asked the question... Just because people don't listen or don't take action behind it is not something I can directly control," he said.

Comments

[jamespl1]

07:29 PM on 11/14/2010

You shouldn't raise Taxes for the rich in a recession, the conservative say. How come nobody counters this argument with, you shouldn't cut Taxes for the Rich when were involved in two wars. Like the fiscal conservatives did big time. It's the first time this country ever did this (Thanks to Bush the mental giant). How come Gregory never mentions this when his fiscal conservatives buddies try to make this proposal. Mitch McConnell on MTP.

[barbl]

11:10 AM on 11/08/2010

David Gregory is another result of NBC idiots. The man in the audience is right about Gregory and NBC in its lack of insight as to who would be a good replacement for Tim Russert once again blew it.

[hawhite2000]

04:52 PM on 11/07/2010

Gregory tends to let things drop. He asks the questions and if they don't answer on the first attempt, he follows up. If they don't answer again then he let's it drop. He also many times let people use their own facts which are incorrect. Today he allowed Gov. Christie to say that New Jersey would have been on the hook for 70 percent of the cost of the tunnel project which is plainly false.

[Barry Dalton]

11:09 PM on 11/06/2010

Thank you "the man". You exposed Gregory. When hit with a series of tough, honest questions, he refuses to answer. He sees himself as one of the powerful elite and believes he is beyond reproach.

I stopped taking Gregory seriously when he asserted last year that letting the Tax Bush cuts expire is the same as a tax increase. Which, technically, is true, but not politically, since it was the Republicans who wrote the law that made them expire in 10 years.

And why did that do that? To hide how devastating these wealthy tax cuts are for our economy and our longterm deficit. That's not honest journalism. That's advocating to protect your own paycheck.

[Randolph Greer]

10:02 AM on 12/05/2010

You can't blame a man for trying to make sure HIS tax cuts don't expire . Hehehehe !

[michman]

03:06 PM on 11/01/2010

Gregory, Blitzer,they all try to walk the middle of the road and fooling no one. Always afraid to offend the conservatives, refuse to acknowledge the obvious time after time.Then when confronted deny it happenes. There's a 2 ton elephant sitting in the corner. Sorry that's all I have time for we'll have to leave it there. Let us know what you think blah blah balh.

[ZappaFreak]

02:36 PM on 11/01/2010

I have to agree with the gentlemen who asked the questions as well. He's right, when people come to Meet The Press, we expect what we got via Russert...questions they don't want to answer, and a need to re-ask them time and again until an answer is given.

David Gregory is not setting the world on fire. He is the reason I no longer watch Meet The Press, and it was one of my favorites over the years.

Too bad David didn't handle this correctly. Shutting the man up was tantamount to agreeing his argument had merit and was dangerous to continue letting him speak.

More of us should be asking media persons these same questions!

ZF

[CanComment]

07:45 PM on 11/21/2010

I never watch MTP anymore, either, after being a fan for many years. Every time I see or hear David Gregory on other programs, I feel so sad. His handling of MTP is an insult to the memory of a truly great journalist, Tim Russert. Gregory is full of sound and phoney fury--signifying nothing.
Fanned and Faved

[Andrea Doria]

02:21 PM on 11/01/2010

Gregory is such a corporate sycophant

[GJR227]

01:42 PM on 11/01/2010

When Tim Russet died, so did Meet the Press. David Gregory should stick to comedy.

[taurvon]

08:20 AM on 12/05/2010

I agree with you 100% when you said "Meet the Press" died when Tim Russet passed away.
Meet the Press used to be a show that I watched every Sunday but David Gregory changed the whole prospect of it. He's arrogant & doesn't force for honest answers from Politicians. I think he'd be better serving the "Fox News" line-up!

[lachihuahua]

12:11 PM on 11/01/2010

I actually have to agree with the gentleman that asked Gregory the questions. Albeit, perhaps not in the best forum. Still, Gregory does ask relatively softball questions and lets political leaders get away with non-answers.

I have not watched MTP is quite some time and that is the sole reason. Perhaps the format doesn't allow the time, but I don't recall feeling that way under Russert. Gregory just doesn't get to the heart of matters and it makes his program tough to watch. (nn)

[JacksonJones]

01:12 PM on 11/01/2010

I agree entirely. Thanks for saving me the time of writing my response, by letting me simply write this one and faving yours.

[danusgram]

10:21 AM on 11/01/2010

I think Gregory slept his way to his job.

[Morgantheaxe]

12:27 PM on 11/01/2010

I think the horrible horrible image you just jammed through my eyeballs in to my brain could be considered assault. That was soooo wrong of you to do to me.

[danusgram]

12:32 PM on 11/01/2010

lol sorry never thougth about that lol

[OmniDude]

06:47 PM on 11/02/2010

Well the truth about Gregory does hurt. He is nothing more than a CW

[brahdog]

09:35 AM on 11/01/2010

gregory is part of the establishment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdvHwtRdg_I

[Charismatron]

08:52 AM on 11/01/2010

People acting as journalists and reporters cannot ask hard-ball questions because they will immediately lose their access to the so-called 'important people' of the day.

In the acting business of reporting--acting the way their interviewees want them to act--it's all about maintaining access!

[Morgantheaxe]

12:28 PM on 11/01/2010

I have two words for you. Tim Russert.

[esalter]

12:59 PM on 11/01/2010

We haven't watched the show since Tim R died. Can't stand teh pompus gregory.

[Redrocklass]

06:05 PM on 11/28/2010

Boy, you said a mouthful here. This "notion" is commonly accepted among the lowliest of journalists even at a local level and that, my friend, is why our country is in the sad predicament it is in. What happened to journalists having courage and cojones? Politicans recognize this deficiency in our media and run rampant with their hyperbole and prevarications.

In addition to his failure to confront politicians, Gregory's delivery is taking on Stossel aspects in that he whines a lot.

[Monrocsol]

08:47 AM on 11/01/2010

David looks like an albino monkey. He's kind of cute, but monkey looking, neverthe less.

[rview]

07:38 AM on 11/01/2010

David is fast talker and doesn't have the gravitas of his predecessors. His smile sometimes creeps me out but I think over time he will figure it out. Smart guy but just needs to find his groove. Let's give him a little break.

[Ali Rza]

06:41 AM on 11/01/2010

David Gregory