Local DC press tries to get into WH gaggle...DENIED ENTRY

[diamond14]

http://www.mediabistro.com/fishbowlDC/west_wing_reportage/wh_gaggle_watch_day_one_rejected_19035.asp

(note: this server is getting REAL overloaded...here's another link to coverage of this BREAKING STORY...
http://www.americablog.org/


WH Gaggle Watch: Day One -- REJECTED

-snips-


As we reported earlier this morning, today marked Day One in Fishbowl D.C.'s quest to cover a White House morning "gaggle." The short version? The day passes aren't exactly easy to get. We were smoothly and professionally rejected access by the White House Press Office in under an hour this morning. The longer version? Read on:



With all of the news about White House credentialing--hard passes vs. day passes, Congress passes vs. White House passes--it became clear that few people, including many White House correspondents themselves, understood exactly the process that allowed their brethren to show up for work each day. Since Fishbowl D.C.'s main goal is to cover the media industry in Washington, we thought that figuring out that process was a natural story.

We started planning last week while President Bush was in Europe, enlisting the help of MediaBistro's editor-in-chief and talking with several White House correspondents about how the process for admittance should (in theory) work. According to everyone with whom we talked, MediaBistro, Fishbowl D.C.'s parent, should meet the criteria for a day pass to cover the White House: It is (a) independent and nonpartisan, (b) regularly published, and (c) primarily supported by subscribers or advertising.

Certainly, having read the articles last week in the Wall Street Journal and the Los Angeles Times, as well as this review of a forthcoming history of the Washington press corps, we figured we were at least as "real" as many of the more colorful characters who have admitted to the briefing room.

While several correspondents offered to help get Fishbowl a day pass, it seemed a more appropriate experiment to try without any special access: Exactly how easy is it for an average no-name journalist with no special connections to get access to the White House?

[Guckert]

1. they forgot the most important criteria... Helmet polishing. then your in

This is hilarious. I guess only gay prostitutes with fake names and no background in journalism that suck the GOP teat can get in.

[diamond14]

3. the 'blabbering TV heads' and other main stream NEVER considered

testing out their BUSHHIT...they just talk and talk...

now...we have REAL AMERICAN HEROES, real journalists, who are willing to STAND UP to prove the WH process....GO AMERICA !!!

[TerdlowSmedley]

2. Maybe you could try using some sort of catchy nickname,

like, oh, I don't know, "Stud Dog", "T-Bone" or "Pork Chop", perhaps.

[diamond14]

4. LOL.......here's more of 'bulldog'.......ROFL....

[paineinthearse]

5. I advise they shave their heads and try again tomorrow.

Thanks for monitoring this!

[uppityperson]

6. Thanks for the story, will be following as it goes on. n/t

[Zenlitened]

7. Great to see someone putting this to the test.

I worry though... once the WH gets a whiff of it, they'll probably issue a pass just to shut the story down. But the damage has been done, I think -- they're far more qualified than Gannon/Guckert, and yet the door was shut.

(P.S. Nominated for "Greatest" page :) )

[ClintonTyree]

8. This is funny, I wonder if they'll get any volunteers for this plea......

"Any REAL reporters out there want to take on this story and demand some answers?"

I think we all know what the answer to that question will be. None of the MSM is going near this with a 1000 foot pole. Their mere lack of investigation into this proves their complicity with the bush White House. You can BET they're being told NOT to cover this, which makes them as guilty as Gannon/Guckert in my book.

[Mugsy]

9. Try again as a Republican.

I'd be very curious to learn what would happen if they tried again, everything the same, except as representing a Conservative media source.

Certainly, they should be able to coax (dare?) a Conservative colleague with no more credentials than Guckert had in 2/03, to apply for a Day Pass and see if he gets in?

[Bouncy Ball]

10. Baldness. That will help.

Also, mebbe flash a little skin. Nothing obsene, just a sneak preview.

Call yourself "The REAL Big Dog" then whine about how you wish bush's SS privatization scheme would go through.

That should do it!

[Imalittleteapot]

11. Whitehouse will simply say

that they are cracking down since the Gannon/Guckert "affair".

[Vinca]

12. Try posting photos of yourselves on the 'net "buck nekked." nt

[DoYouEverWonder]

13. Funny, the Freepers got passes back in Nov. 2003 (Graphics)

These are pics from the DC Freepers visit to the Hill. How come they could get passes?



Senate Marathon: November 12, 13, 2003

DC Chapter had members present in the Senate Gallery and elsewhere on the Hill. Photos from the Press Room




press table with DC Chapter buttons - media frenzy over ringleader and warlord





War room
(l. to r.) Angelwood, pro2Amom, media coordinator, Kristinn




media setup in press room




Senators Brownback and Santorum


There's more at this link:
http://community.webshots.com/album/99845581wwEqpr

[ClintonTyree]

14. Gawd, what an ugly crew................

and I always thought "Kristinn" was a girl's name? :shrug:

Is there some gender confusion at FR?

[DoYouEverWonder]

15. Well I don't know for sure

but there is some evidence that Kristinn likes boys.



Nofel and Kristinn at the Free Republic W2 Inaugural Ball

[Al-CIAda]

16. excellent -eom

[Catchawave]

17. I hope the MSM picks this up....

....I've been hoping someone would test the system :)

[Callboy]

18. nice work. new meaning to free press for sure

[LynnTheDem]

19. So when's Howie the lying Duck gonna admit he's just another big fat LIAR?

You said "anyone" can get a daily pass, Howie. Gee Howie, you LIED again Howie.

[Erika]

20. Maybe if you exceed Gannon/Guckert's 8 inches

as he advertised, they'll let you in. Sorry, I couldn't resist.