Obama to the Press: "there are two views of politics" (or why the Press needs a mirror)

[FrenchieCat]

I finally got a chance to watch Obama's press conference from today, and I just want to make a couple of observation. Please know that I have not watched the talking heads today, because they disgusted me with their desperate search to find what is not there yesterday, while ignoring the evidence right before their very eyes. http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x7971781

I appreciated the way that Obama handled the Press conference, in that he handled the reporters, as opposed to the reporters being allowed to handle Barack (of this, I was not surprised)....

I'm not sure if some of the listening pundits got the message made by Obama when he stated that in his view, politics should be about the public good versus making it about one's self and making money. Of course, this message is not only applicable to politicians, but also to the press who reports on politics. You see, reporters and pundits also have this problem. Some are in journalism for the right reasons, but more are in it as a way of making money, and haven't hesitated in being complicit to the game of "Business" and the pursuit of self-aggrandizement.

For our sake, I hope that some of these journalists soon find their soul, and start realizing that everyone is not like them. That there are some souls out there in the world of politics, as well as the world of journalism who have motives that have more to do with serving for the benefit of doing public good than anything else.

President Elect Barack Obama at his December 11, 2008 News Conference,
responding to questions about the embattled Governor of Illinois.

"....here in Illinois -- as is true, I think, across the country -- there is a tradition of public service, where people are getting in it for the right reasons and to serve, but there's also a tradition where people view politics as a business.

And part of the reason that I got into politics, ran for the State Senate, ran for the United States Senate, and ultimately ran for the presidency is because we have to reclaim a tradition of public service that is about people and their lives, and their hopes, and their dreams. And it isn't about what's in it for me. And I think the public trust has been violated.

...there are two views of politics. There's a view of politics that says you go in this for sacrifice and public service, and then there's a view of politics that says that this is a business, and you're wheeling and dealing, and what's in it for me?
--
But what you also have, I think, are habits and a culture that thinks of politics as a -- as a means of self-aggrandizement. That's exactly what has to change.
--
You know, we know in Washington that lobbyists that disproportionate influence. We know that in state houses and city councils all across America there are times where people are not thinking about what's best for the public good but rather making narrow political calculations. And our whole campaign was about changing that view of politics and restoring a sense that when people of good will come together and are serious about confronting the challenges that we face, that not only can that be good policy but, you know what, it can be good politics as well.

It turns out that the American people are hungry for that. And you can get elected by playing it straight. You can get elected by doing the right thing. That's what I hope we have modeled in this campaign. And that's what I intend to model in my administration."



http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/11/us/politics/11text-obama.html?pagewanted=3&_r=1

[Uzybone]

1. Brilliant

unfortunately the press doesn't know integrity when its staring them in the face.

[FrenchieCat]

7. Oh, they know it.....

but it will take them a bit longer to realize that we know integrity when we see it, and we are not about to let them screw us from enjoying it; not this time.

[Jennicut]

2. You are so right Frenchie, the press has been all about , "what can you do for me" for years

Obama is shaking things up and I like it.

[FrenchieCat]

8. They have been into the business end of things.....

Let's see what sells! Let's see if we can turn this non story into a story! Let's make news!

They have been disgusting!
I hope one day this type of media will be behind us and we can reminisce about them like we do about Yellow journalism. This time, we can call it the Corporate MediaWhoredom.

[firedupdem]

3. I didn't watch today either...couldn't deal with the bs.

President Obama continues to amaze me. He's going to be a great president!

[FrenchieCat]

10. Thank God the holidays are almost upon us,

and I'm getting busy. I don't "have" to watch them. My addiction is subsiding. They've helped it along unwittingly. They don't realize that many of us would have watched them more if they could actually produce a watchable product.....but they are clueless.

[Traveling_Home]

4. He only answered 4 questions

As smart as he is, he had to know that would never keep the Press happy.

[FrenchieCat]

5. Governing cannot be always about keeping the press happy.....

that is what I mean by them being self-absorbed. :shrug:

The beauty of it is that the media is not going to be a driving factor in this new administration. They may not know it yet, but there are many of us watching their asses, and considering that the new FCC chairman will be named by President Obama, will also be of the view that the media there to serve the public good, they are going to need to get a clue shortly.

Change is coming to Washington, and that will include change in the ways of the D.C. Pundit circuit.

I hope they get it soon.

[Cha]

6. Yes, it turns out we are

starving for this.. "And our whole campaign was about changing that view of politics and restoring a sense that when people of good will come together and are serious about confronting the challenges that we face, that not only can that be good policy but, you know what, it can be good politics as well."

And, we won in spite of the corporatemedia because Team Obama has been so brilliantly taking it to the people.

[FrenchieCat]

11. That's why we won......

And that is why they will lose.

[Whisp]

9. he still keeps on amazing me. what a guy.

[Clio the Leo]

12. "Handling things" is one of my fav. skill sets he has....

... and to answer your question .... I THINK Keith has been the only one on MSNBC to make mention of that particular part of the press conference although he didn't give it the wonderful depth you did.

(edited to add I have not seen Rachel's show yet)

[DeepModem Mom]

13. Great post, Frenchie -- K&R!