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| Home Front: Politix |
| Bush White House fires back at critics |
| 2006-08-17 |
| It's AP, so it features the Dhimmi spin... President Truman got so upset when a newspaper panned his daughter's singing that he wrote the critic: "Someday I hope to meet you. When that happens, you'll need a new nose, a lot of beefsteak for black eyes, and perhaps a supporter below!" Today, the Bush White House punches back with virtual boxing gloves. It fires off electronic rebuttals when it has a beef with news stories, broadcasts or statements by its critics, shooting its retorts directly into reporters' e-mail inboxes and posting them on the Internet. Bush officials say their "Setting the Record Straight" memos, which dispute passages in stories aired and printed about the president, are about seeking the truth. Democrats and other targets of the memos say they're more about spin than rebuttal. "The primary purpose is that un-rebutted charges on important issues sometimes become viewed as fact," said Dan Bartlett, who is counselor to the president and oversees the White House communications operation. Even if attempts are made to fix mistakes, corrections published in newspapers or broadcast on TV aren't always seen, Bartlett said. It's essential, especially in today's era of Internet chat rooms and 24-hour news, that the White House issue its rebuttal as soon as possible, he said. "If it's a day late, it's not very useful," he said. |
| Posted by:Flavinter Phung9488 |
| #2 The only 'fire back' I'm interested in is with live ammo. Otherwise it's just a cat fight. In the world of the internet and cable TV, why is there even a 'press office' at the White House. Technologically, you don't need the grandstanders. You can play the game the real |
| Posted by: Glurt Flavitch2274 2006-08-17 09:46 |
| #1 I'd say Tony Snow's appointment was long overdue. |
| Posted by: doc 2006-08-17 08:27 |