McCain Staffers Spar With Testy Reporters Over Interview Camera Angle

"I have never, ever had anybody in any organization have to look at a shot." (See the 'Related Links' section beneath video for a link to the resulting interview.)

July 16, 2008 at 2:06 pm - KTVI-TV
Dateline: St. Louis, MO
Bob Scofield   July 16th, 2008 - 2:20 pm

Yeah, you wouldn’t want McCain to look old or anything.

m-antony   July 16th, 2008 - 2:41 pm

Is there more than one white house?Two gas bags, must be obama fans.

Sean   July 16th, 2008 - 2:48 pm

Never saw a interviewer who didnt respect the interviewees needs.
I would have canceled the interview.

E390   July 16th, 2008 - 2:49 pm

With all the heavenly shots of obama shown are you telling me obama’s staff did not play a part in how those shots came across to the public. In response to Bob Scofield post- Yeah, you wouldn’t want him to look black or anything.

ROberto   July 16th, 2008 - 3:01 pm

OK.. It is obvious that McCain has a good side and a bad side. Look at the video of McCain. It is shot to show primarily his right-hand side. He has a swollen gland in his left neck / cheek area that makes him look repugnant. That is what they’re trying to hide.

Lydia   July 16th, 2008 - 3:06 pm

Do the liberal whiners have any legitimate complaints? Everyone likes to be seen at their best in photos and interviews. Obama’s staff expelled mulims from their camera views.

Lee   July 16th, 2008 - 3:06 pm

WHY IS THIS “NEWS”?

Kicker   July 16th, 2008 - 3:11 pm

Typical media.

earl   July 16th, 2008 - 3:16 pm

poor mccain. bush killed the republican brand and now the party has throw mccain to the dogs knowing their sure defeat this fall. they didn’t want to run a true conservative for fear of not being able to run that person in 2012. mccain is the fall guy and the more he appears on tv, the more feeble he looks. Guiliani 2012 Baby!

Brandon   July 16th, 2008 - 3:16 pm

I would have canceled the interview. I then would have sent a letter to the reporter’s publisher explaining the combative and disrespectful attitude of their reporter and invite them to send someone else next time.

Chris   July 16th, 2008 - 3:20 pm

What’s the big deal about allowing the staff to see what the shot looks like? I’ve done a lot of public affairs work and it’s in the best interest of the person being interviewed to see what is going to be on camera. This is how things work.

Steve   July 16th, 2008 - 3:21 pm

Bob Scofield, imbeciles like you throw the word “old” around like it’s an insult. When did you become so disrespectful of older people? You are part of a dying culture that’s dying because it does not respect age, virtue or wisdom. Congratulations.

Klatuu   July 16th, 2008 - 3:28 pm

This so-called reporter was miffed because his attempts to coerce and intimidate the staffers failed so miserably. I agree with Brandon. The reporter’s editor should be contacted immediately.

NoObama   July 16th, 2008 - 3:33 pm

Boy, the media is certainly trying to play ‘gotcha’ with the McCain campaign by purposely recording and then leaking pre-interview discussions. You don’t see any media pulling this crap with the Obama campaign nor did you EVER see it with the hyper PR management of every Clinton interview. This is why American’s give serial killers slightly better respect than the main stream media. At least they have some integrity. LOL

Tin   July 16th, 2008 - 3:37 pm

I got stressed-out just watching that. No one else thinks it’s a bit insulting to the news station, that the staffers are so worried that the news station will screw up the shot and make McCain look bad? Maybe the candidate shouldn’t be someone who’s so easy to make look bad. Those staffers were obviously on a very high horse.

I think the American people have a right to see their Presidential candidates from all angles, good and bad. It’s not Obama’s fault he has more good angles than McCain.

McCain is off his meds again   July 16th, 2008 - 3:37 pm

when’s the old man gonna hurry up and DIE already?

Tin   July 16th, 2008 - 3:38 pm

BTW, those are on-air personalities.

Mike   July 16th, 2008 - 3:42 pm

If I looked as old and bad as McCain, I, too, would be VERY mindful of camera angle.

He looks far too old at any angle, especially the left side of his face and neck. True, his left side is clear evidence of his genetic propensity to contract cancer.

They always want to parade his very elderly mother because, realistically, she is a walking show case….she is gorgeous. However, John clearly does not take after his mother, he takes after his long-dead father.

We all agree that a president ages in ‘dog years’ while in office (7 to 1). Having said that, how much does one age per year spent in the Hanoi Hilton….at least 7 to 1, I would think.

If one does the math John is at least 97 years old now, which means at the time of completing a four year term, he WILL be 125 years old.

!!! ENOUGH SAID !!!!

John   July 16th, 2008 - 3:43 pm

Typical McCain. Only obedient reporters get access on the so-called “Straight Talk Express,” and now they want to check the shot of a news interview? Do they want to adjust the lights too? How about write the questions that should be asked?

Josh   July 16th, 2008 - 3:46 pm

The attitude of the reporters was ridiculous and this behavior – the release of this video – is unconscionable! These staffers were doing their job trying to protect their boss and now the station is out to make them look bad because they got their feathers ruffled.

Whoever published this video should be canned immediatley along with whoever SHOT it without the notice of the staffers.

foxylady   July 16th, 2008 - 3:49 pm

you think McCain has controls… check this out:

RELEASED TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA EMBEDDED IN THE CAMPAIGN
1/01/2007

You are among the chosen few permitted to follow in the Great One’s Jihad against the current government of what is now known as the United States of America. Follow the directive detailed below or find yourself left behind to wallow with the infidels of the opposition. Compliance with these rules is mandatory without question. Failure to do so could be detrimental to you and your family.

1. NEVER say, print or think of Obama’s middle name.

2. DO NOT attempt to explain, interpret or place in context any words of Obama.

3. AVOID all mention of Obama’s formative years spent learning from his ministers, religious zealots, family and friends, questionable business partners or any other radicals.

4. IGNORE any lack of respect that Obama shows towards the American legacy, including the flag, allegiances, patriotic symbols including lapel pins or his posturing body language during the playing of the National Anthem.

5. SHUN any contact with infidels attempting to point out their so-called reasonable points of contention regarding Obama.

6. ELIMINATE all mention of the damaging word “experience” in all reporting.

7. PREVENT the use of any conversation with Obama obtained while he is away from the podium and therefore not on script.

8. THWART any attempt to report on the racist, anti-American, or socialist comments made by Michelle Obama. Of course, this directive is void after Obama’s election.

9. BLOCK all comments relative to Obama’s planned meeting with known terrorists.

10. SPIN any other unexplained Obama comment or action by suggesting the Radical Right Wing (RRW) is behind the “misspoken” remarks attributed to Obama. Invoke names like “McCain, Bush, Rove, and of course, Clinton” to negate the truth.

Osamas Pajamas   July 16th, 2008 - 3:50 pm

Ah, well. The Democrat-dominated media liked McCain if it looked like he would damage the Republican party in some way, but now that the Demo media have decided that OhBummer will be president, they need to present McCain in the worst possible light. McCain may deserve this treatment [but I will vote for him] but the USA does not deserve to have a socialist clown like OhBummer.

Yi Ha ***
Minister of Information
Peoples’ Capitalist Republic of Whizbangistan

*** Pronounced “YEEEEE HAAAAAAAA!!!”

earl   July 16th, 2008 - 3:58 pm

FOXYLADY-
that was funny.

ever thought of applying those same faux-standards to the bush admin?

1) we don’t TORTURE

2) we don’t TORTURE

3) the economy is GREAT

4) ken lay is a GREAT AMERICAN

5) Jack Abramoff never met with bush

6) Outing a covert CIA agent for pure political gain? NEVER

7) not paying attention to bin laden BEFORE 9/11

8) squandering world support after 9/11 to start a war on trumped up charges with a country that was not a threat

9) we don’t TORTURE

10) urinating on the Constitution

historians are going to have a field day with mr. 28%

Sean   July 16th, 2008 - 4:01 pm

“Tin July 16th, 2008 – 3:37 pm

I got stressed-out just watching that. No one else thinks it’s a bit insulting to the news station, that the staffers are so worried that the news station will screw up the shot and make McCain look bad? Maybe the candidate shouldn’t be someone who’s so easy to make look bad. Those staffers were obviously on a very high horse.”

And the press releasing that issue doesnt make you think that maybe they were looking to make McCain look bad?

sue   July 16th, 2008 - 4:10 pm

“WHAT White House”?

“It doesn’t matter”?

Another repub lie!

Let the reporters do their job!

Steve   July 16th, 2008 - 4:11 pm

All you losses who sit their in anonymity and make fun of McCain’s age, if you were standing in front of me I’d smack you around until you learned some respect for your elders. You gutlessm half-male freaks make me sick.

McCain is off his meds again   July 16th, 2008 - 4:16 pm

Steve,
I respect *my* elders just fine.

As for my politicians, especially doddering old crazy coots like McCain here that needs his diaper changed, more is at stake than minding manners.

What anonymity? Why don’t you tell us your last name, okay Steve?

Steve   July 16th, 2008 - 4:18 pm

You don’t know my last name because I’m not here to lodge insults at people who don’t deserve them, just miserable creatures with iBalls instead of courage.

They're ENTITLED   July 16th, 2008 - 4:19 pm

If the McCain camp has to be SO sensitive about camera angles for a possible U.S. President, we are ALL in trouble.

By the way, who was that dame standing there with legs spread like SHERIFF MATT DILLON?!??!

And who released this video, clearly to make all of McCain’s camp look like blockheads! Those females standing around looking so arrogant and coming across so “in-your-face” defiant seem like typical “WE’RE ENTITLED” Democrats… entitled to what? Entitled to show your foolishness!?!?

Tonewah   July 16th, 2008 - 4:20 pm

This is about the most inconsequential thing I could imagine being considered news short of a grass-watching competition. This is un-newsworthy.

There are REAL news stories out there, people! A video clip flopped into your lap doesn’t mean NEWS. You’re LAZY! A pox on you and so-forth.

IraqVetInMD   July 16th, 2008 - 4:21 pm

I think it’s kind of sleezy to release this, but I don’t understand the outrage of the posters. So they want to manage every angle? I hope so, that’s their job. I can’t fault them for that. I don’t agree but I can’t fault the thought. Shooting him from the left is very unflattering and you don’t want that. I find it funny though how agressive his staffers got. “sir, do we have a problem?” I was waiting for her to lift her shirt and show a gun stuck in there like she was ready for war in Czechoslovakia

James   July 16th, 2008 - 4:22 pm

Slow news day? This clip doesn’t even rise to the level of insignificance. For the record, I’m an Obama supporter. Does EVERYTHING that EVERYONE connected with a campaign does or says have to be filleted and scrutinized for potentially embarrassing content? Birds of carrion indeed.

earl   July 16th, 2008 - 4:24 pm

hey ENTITLED-

we’re ALL entitled to a functional government.

They're ENTITLED   July 16th, 2008 - 4:25 pm

“hey ENTITLED-

we’re ALL entitled to a functional government.”

Yeah, and you think you’re going to get that with EITHER candidate, Obama OR McCain?! HAH!

Those who felt/feel entitled to a “functional” government should have worked harder to make sure some FUNCTIONAL CANDIDATE got on the ticket.

With the present choices, it looks like our entire society/nation/country will become the MOST DYS-FUNCTIONAL United States in history. A real tragedy…

Kirk   July 16th, 2008 - 4:28 pm

Hey Earl
“1) we don’t TORTURE
2) we don’t TORTURE
3) the economy is GREAT
4) ken lay is a GREAT AMERICAN
5) Jack Abramoff never met with bush
6) Outing a covert CIA agent for pure political gain? NEVER
7) not paying attention to bin laden BEFORE 9/11
8) squandering world support after 9/11 to start a war on trumped up charges with a country that was not a threat
9) we don’t TORTURE
10) urinating on the Constitution
historians are going to have a field day with mr. 28%”

WE HAVEN’T HAD ANOTHER ATTACK ON AMERICAN SOIL SINCE 9/11. I’d much rather be accused of torturing a person by putting underwear on someone’s head than beheading the person. And how about that single digit approval rating of the Democratic Controlled congress. It will go into the tank if Obama is elected.

I guarantee you that Obama’s people do the same thing. Give me a break!

Jon Tripp   July 16th, 2008 - 4:29 pm

As a former press secretary on the Hill, I would have insisted on checking the shot. Those guys are full of it when they say they’ve never had someone make the request to see the shot.

Crap!

They were trying to make an issue where none existed.

Review   July 16th, 2008 - 4:31 pm

“I find it funny though how agressive his staffers got. “sir, do we have a problem?” I was waiting for her to lift her shirt and show a gun stuck in there like she was ready for war in Czechoslovakia”–

The defiant aggressive staffer were not HIS!
Re-view the film.

earl   July 16th, 2008 - 4:39 pm

Kirk-
BUSH FAILED TO STOP 9/11, DEPLETED OUR MILITARY, AND DESTROYED OUR ECONOMY, AND PLUNGED THE NATION INTO DEBT!

Republican obstructionism has led to congresses abysmal rating. once the old relics of the republican brand are voted out this fall, that will change.

committing torture has bred a whole new generation of extremists.

and remember mr. 28%’s words, “We don’t torture.”

Kevin   July 16th, 2008 - 4:43 pm

Strictly amateur hour over at KTVI TV. Nice try pulling the old “and your name is, and you report to…” line. If this hot shot really had covered the last 40 years of presidential elections, it is no wonder his arrogant prick personality has ensured that he’s stuck in a three digit market and has to drive the newsvan home because he doesn’t make enough to gas up his Hyundai. I’ve seen more professional journalism watching Will Ferrell’s Anchorman.

Rover   July 16th, 2008 - 4:48 pm

Although it’s hard to take ‘good’ pictures of a pig, McCain’s right side profile is definitely the best. His left face has those big cancer scars and they cut his hair really funny on the left side. I think they wanted to cover the mess, but his hair is more of a distraction than a cover.

Of course, they are dealing with FOX too so they have to be sure they are not really showing a real pig or some criminal instead of McCain. Fox stayed, but real journalist would have just walked out.

Finally they drug the old geezer out from his $57,000 per couple dinner and had him babble out families struggling to eat :D The usual lower taxes while supporting the $560,000,000,000.00 mistake in Iraq for the next 100 years. There are 117,000,000 taxpayers in the US and the war cost this moment is $556,400,000,000. That is $4756 “each” – so far…

So it looks like McCains new and improved nursing staff his doing one heck of a job… :D

Don’t worry Steve, We are planning the biggest birthday party on Earth for the old geezer’s 72 on Aug, 29th :D Far better than his one during Katrina with bush!

http://www.apfn.org/images/r1370369071.jpg

Yes, Katrina hit New Orleans on McCain’s birthday. However, you just can’t blame the old guy for that one…

Brad   July 16th, 2008 - 4:48 pm

1) In the US the press is supposed to be independent. That means the subjects of stories and photos don’t get to vet them. That is the way it works, for a numberof reasons.

2) I am not a McCain fan, but his age is NOT a negative. At worst it is a neutral. At best, it may mean he has experience and wisdom. What counts most are his leadership abilities and his policies. If he has excellent leadership abilities, he can attract and motivate the people to carry out his policies. If you agree with those policies and agree he has the leadership to make them happen, then he is your candidate no matter his age. If not, stop pulling him apart because of his age or his looks or the name of the dog he has or does not have.

Same goes for the other candidate(s).

You people squawking over Obama being a Muslim (he’s not) or McCain being too old (he’s not) sound like the immature third graders I used to teach. The mature third graders weren’t as bad.

Like we used to say: grow up or shut up.

John Wayne   July 16th, 2008 - 4:54 pm

Hey Earl
Are you that fella on T.V.? You know, that stupid guy?
We are NOT in a recession. A recession is two consecutive months of negative growth like Bush got from bubba when he became president.

So what if we torture people who are trying to kill us. Maybe we should put Hillary’s panties over the Islamofacists lice ridden heads. I bet they will tell us plenty, pilgrim.
We are NOT in a recession. A recession is two consecutive months of negative growth like Bush got from bubba when he became president. Since Bush has been in office and cut taxes, we have seen steady economic growth until the democraps took control of congress.
We had the chance to nab that Obama varmit but bubba was to busy getting a Lewinsky to care. At least President Bush lubed and loaded the six shooters. Good hunting Mr. President.

Sean   July 16th, 2008 - 4:59 pm

“Brad July 16th, 2008 – 4:48 pm

1) In the US the press is supposed to be independent. That means the subjects of stories and photos don’t get to vet them. That is the way it works, for a numberof reasons.”

The press still had the right to publish/broadcast or not. McCain staffers actions did not infringe on anyones rights.

You people squawking over Obama being a Muslim (he’s not) or McCain being too old (he’s not) sound like the immature third graders I used to teach. The mature third graders weren’t as bad.

Like we used to say: grow up or shut up.”

*virtual raspberry*

earl   July 16th, 2008 - 5:03 pm

John Wayne-
You’re funny. Still blaming Clinton while the world passes you by? you must be in the 28% club. pick up a newspaper once in a while and catch up with the rest of us. or maybe you’re stuck in McSame world and still think Czechoslovakia is a country. none the less, try getting a bit more education before posting such idiotic comments in a public forum. your remarks only further the decline of republicanism and by selecting John Wayne as a pseudonym, you give a bad name to Mr. Marion Morrison.

Obamican   July 16th, 2008 - 5:13 pm

No matter how you shoot his cancer stricken old ass the photos will turn out terrible. This is one of the reasons I as a republican am going a new way this time along with the Nixons and the Eisenhowers.

Obama 08

Ritty77   July 16th, 2008 - 5:23 pm

Tin, You got “stressed out” watching this. I don’t have to wonder for whom you’re voting.

Neo Politicus   July 16th, 2008 - 5:26 pm

Of course he doesn’t want anyone to see how they are slanting the interview. The media will do everything they can to undermine McCain – the same way they did with Hillary.

St Louis Resident   July 16th, 2008 - 5:54 pm

The reporter sitting in the chair facing the camera who storms off, Mike Owens, is married to a democratic alderman in the city of St Louis, Lyda Krewson who is supporting Barrack Obama. Kinda funny he was involved with the interview and I bet they forgot to mention this conflict of interest.

Steve F   July 16th, 2008 - 5:54 pm

earl & Mccain is off his meds, you two are the reason Obama will lose this election. Hate filled Libs lying about EVERYTHING. Unwilling to admit Obama has NO experience in anything except worker for the corrupt ACORN organization (that was fined thousands of $’s last election cycle for recruiting illegal persons to vote). This really was his only job prior to becoming an elected official in Ill. with little if any accomplishments. Do not forget his 100 plus days in the US senate before starting to run for Messiah. Very scripted CONTROLLED press access. Talk about “camera angles” he will not even debate “Old Man” McCain, must be something Obama is afraid of! It is REAL ideas!

jjv   July 16th, 2008 - 5:55 pm

Do the liberal whiners have any legitimate complaints? Everyone likes to be seen at their best in photos and interviews. Obama’s staff expelled muslims from their camera views.
************************************************

No they do not have anything else on McCain. Obamas poll numbers are tanking and his negatives are soaring. His fund raising is in the toilet and the media burnished halo has slipped and revealed the “messiah” has no clothes and is nothing but a lying Chicago “Machine” Politician.

They have nothing with which to attack McCain, nothing at all so they have resorted to this petty nonsense. There is also a story out about a Obama surrogate who is whining about Cindy McCain’s charging a lot of money on HER OWN credit cards. Some how this is supposed to be a bad thing.

The Obama campaign is in panic mode and is desperately trying to deflect attention from his rapidly failing efforts to “ascend” ti the heights of power.

Never has one person been so uniquely unqualified for president as is this completely empty suit.

Shame on You   July 16th, 2008 - 5:55 pm

This is all so tacky, the way everybody rushes to try to air “dirty linen” to make others look BAD in this nasty, down & dirty campaign. Whoever released that videotape should be severely reprimanded. WHAT GOOD is destroying our society & culture & turning us all into one big pack of junk-yard dogs, just to try to get “YOUR MAN” elected?

Even if “your man” wins, WHAT HAVE YOU WON?
Nothing. You’ve torn us all down to your ugly level.
Shame on you.

tam   July 16th, 2008 - 5:56 pm

Being from St. Louis & knowing these reporters-they are pretty much arogant, egotistical jerks, especially the guy with his back to the camera-who got fired from radio then moves to tv to provide “his opinion” on news. I have to say I’m not surprised by their actions-they obviously love Obama & dislike McCain. Not worth watching…

Von Braun   July 16th, 2008 - 6:11 pm

I love the smug, condescending attitude of the tv host, I thought it was Barack Obama himself (“he’s talking down to press secretaries, i want to cut his n_ts off”). Obviously, that host doesn’t have an agenda.

Also, Brooke Buchannan, the press secretary, what a knockout! I loved the way she sent that wimpy little man reporter back to his chair muttering things out of the side of his mouth with his back turned. Typical wimpy liberal.

Big Tim   July 16th, 2008 - 6:19 pm

My mon and dad are old. They have good angles and bad angles. I generally have to spend a lot of time before I take a picture to make sure I have the good angle. It’s about respect and many other things.

I believe the staffers were in line and I would have done the same to ensure my “fill in the blank” got the best shot.

The reportes excuded arrogance and a sense of “entitlement” i would have told them to go to he**

earl   July 16th, 2008 - 6:20 pm

mccain is an old man throw under the bus by his own conservative base. now he is flip-flopping on everything from TORTURE to off-shore drilling just to get conservative votes.

he is going to lose and you conservatives can’t hack it. you sure can dish it, but when it comes to the issues, you can’t take the fact that your party hasn’t adopted a viable candidate who can get backing from anyone but the 28% who still support bush.

november is going to be harsh and jan 20th is going to be even tougher.

conservative mantra – if you can’t defend the policy, you must attack the messenger.

such hypocrites.

if you spent 1/10th the time investigating bush as you did clinton, maybe you would have a leg to stand on and this country would be on the right track!

Ipsos   July 16th, 2008 - 6:27 pm

Its simple, let the media people do their job, they don’t try to tell the political henchmen how to do their job. If you honestly don’t think a media group is going to be able to give you professional quality work in their taping, then Ill give you a free piece of advice: don’t let them interview your candidate.

Political consultants should let professionals do their jobs, we’ve all done this 100 times and with 100 different politicians. Don’t try to act like this is ‘normal’ or somehow we’re out of line. Go back to your job of counting how many chairs the conference room needs, we’ll be here doing our jobs long after your candidate is another name on a list of has-beens.

peter c   July 16th, 2008 - 6:32 pm

McCain has a scar on his cheek.But the lib that wanted to do the inteview didn’t care about that. So he beats on the 3 women.If some Yuppie like this creep asked me my name and who I worked with the attitude he had I would be very tempted to just smack him right then and there….and then ask him if his name his name is Daffy Duck!It would be worth getting fired to do it too!

2 War Vet   July 16th, 2008 - 6:32 pm

Look at the issues with three papers within the last week who are “downsizing”. The reason is that the reporters like this bunch want to make up new instead of report it. Of course these idiots were trying to make McCain look bad!! That said, in a speech yesterday O’Bomber promoted the “welfare to work” program, one he opposed when Newt and bunch got it passed. Now, here is the zinger, in Wrights Rant about God****** America, most folks did not catch the part where he (Wright) said……”all we got under Clinton was a messed up welfare to work program”…If you have access to the whole speech, and Hussein O’bomber was in the congregation it will show what I say is true.

shadowduskeve   July 16th, 2008 - 6:38 pm

I don’t care what the camera angle is he is still going to look like an OLD MAN. There is no “good” angle.

killerbee   July 16th, 2008 - 6:46 pm

How hillarious that Barry and the Dumocrats are blowing this election. You dolts are handing the Presidency to the worst Republican candidate ever. LOL. And why? Because the enviro-wacks and OPEC lords who are paying off the Dums won’t let them drill for oil. HAHAHAHAHA. Why won’t you drill off shore and in ANWR? It really can’t still be to save the worms or a fish or some plankton, can it? At $5 a gallon? I thought you compassionate libs were looking out for “the little guy”? Keep screaming that you want to block drilling. Scream it real loud, all the way to the election. Drive your message home! Then let President McCain save us all. Oh boy!

Sub Sailor   July 16th, 2008 - 6:49 pm

Earl – Cutting someone’s head off is torture, taking pictures of them isn’t even if it is against their religion. I will address #6 and #8 and #10 since others have set you straight on the rest of your drivel, #6 Valerie “outed” herself when she bragged that she was an “agent” in her “teas” in order to look important to he guests. They have testified to that fact. This happened long before Novak broke the story, #8 Our respect has been down the tubes for ages, long before Bush 2 was born. If you travel would know that but you probably quit travelling when they closed the local playground and finally #10 An assertion about the constitution I don’t understand. If you made that statement about Baracks Hussein O’bamer it would fit.

Anti-shadowduskeve   July 16th, 2008 - 6:52 pm

“I don’t care what the camera angle is he is still going to look like an OLD MAN. There is no “good” angle.”

Same could be said for an America-hating, Marxist who has 1960’s terrorists and racists for buddies.

That must be some good Kool-Aid your drinking there.

earl   July 16th, 2008 - 7:00 pm

MCCAIN = BUSH

McCain voted 100% of the time with Bush in 08 and 95% of the time with Bush in 07.

McCain is polling at least 8 points behind nationally.

he is going to lose and reading your conservative rants prior to the republican ship sinking is hilarious.

you’re a bunch of sore, hypocritical losers.

enjoy the election in november! i sure will.

Obama 08′

Iowa DemVoter   July 16th, 2008 - 7:03 pm

Is there a video of Obama’s staffers getting rid of the Muslims and asking for “more white people” in their backdrop?

Bobby   July 16th, 2008 - 7:03 pm

Tensions and arguments happen between staff and press ALL THE TIME. Here’s the deal: press want as much access and control as possible and will push, push, push. It’s the old adage, if you don’t ask, you don’t get. No one should fault them for that, and they don’t expect to get everything they want. They should be faulted for choosing to broadcast this incident. Usually, when reporters’ attitudes are this bad, it ends in a cancelled interview, because who wants to put their candidate into a hostile situation? The fact that they decided to broadcast this particular incident shows that these reporters wanted revenge for their egos being hurt. There is a certain level of journalistic integrity that is expected of media, and it doesn’t included a “hidden camera” approach. Folks, interviews are GRANTED, and press organizations know that they don’t get to call all the shots. That’s why they say “THANK YOU” to the interviewee and then usually the staff after all is said and done. It doesn’t matter if you are dealing with a democrat or republican, the same game is played. Now if only we lived in Utopia.

Shibbashabba   July 16th, 2008 - 7:03 pm

Ultimately you have two groups of people trying to perform two completely separate jobs – one group is trying to make McCain look as good as possible, the other trying to make him look as bad as possible.

Gee, look who won.

I, for one, would have just canceled the interview and given it to someone else – its obvious those reporters didn’t want to be covering him – just look at their attitudes. Either that, or the media as a whole really are the whiners they are made out to be.

What happened to being gracious, professional and respectful???

Geez.

joanne   July 16th, 2008 - 7:06 pm

As if we don’t know that the Media tries to make those they disagree with look bad. I remember the Clinton v Bush Sr. debates, the camera men practically wrapped Clinton in the flag, and tried to film George Bush Sr. from the most unflattering angles. If these people have any honesty in them, they will admit to silly kindergarten tactics and grow up. I really find attempts at manipulation by the press and media, in general to be truly insulting. So should most of America.

killerbee   July 16th, 2008 - 7:07 pm

EARL, what poll is that? The Huffington Post poll or the Daily Kos poll? Rasmuessen has a 2-3 point Barry lead at a time he shouls have a 15 point lead. You dolts are handing the White House to McCain because you won’t drill. Dopes!

Tom Synder   July 16th, 2008 - 7:16 pm

That’s the best St Louis has to offer as far as reporters small market egotist…….
Get the interview and get out period………
What small market TV and the reporter acting like he was some big shot………..hello LOSER your in St. Louis for God’s sake.

YourMamma   July 16th, 2008 - 7:24 pm

The genius that is ‘earl’ wrote:

“MCCAIN = BUSH”

Then:

OBAMA = CARTER

How Sad   July 16th, 2008 - 7:25 pm

This dope has never seen anybody look at a shot, Crawl out of your cave you dumbie ask the two Muslim women with the head scarfs about Obama having to say he was sorry for them not being allowed in their shot.
How soon the liberal media forgets.
30 years of covering campaigns my butt doing what covering local precincts. What a idiot!

Joe   July 16th, 2008 - 7:28 pm

Whats the matter, the reporters were miffed they couldn’t pose a bottle of geritol in front of mcpain?

They should go back to shooting halos around their obamessiah.

US weak stream media: freely in the pocket of communists and jihadis.

2 War Vet   July 16th, 2008 - 7:35 pm

Rover – You appear upset at the cost of the “war” yet are strangely silent, as are all the “cost” critics. Do any of you have any idea which cost the taxpayers the most each year since it’s inception, more that the combines cost for every nation is all wars since the beginning of mankind? Some will answer Social Security but that is a FUNDED program, funded since workers since the early 1930’s. The answer is WELFARE,

Turn the Other Cheek-NOT   July 16th, 2008 - 7:42 pm

PROGRAMMING ANNOUNCEMENT
ON THE HAL TURNER SHOW THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT: LARRY SINCLAIR!
the gay man who has claimed he had sex and did drugs with Barak Obama in Chicago!!!

Larry Sinclair will be my guest at 9:00 PM eastern time tomorrow night. Be sure to tune-in as this man talks about what he did with the presumptive Democrat nominee for President.

To call-in and speak on the air dial:
In the USA: 201-484-0060
Kelowna, British Columbia Canada 1-(250)-277-1775
Toronto, Ontario Canada 1-(416)-619-7514
UK – Manchester, England 0161-870-6191

http://www.halturnershow.com/

U NO HOO   July 16th, 2008 - 7:44 pm

Bob Barr ‘08

St. Louisan   July 16th, 2008 - 7:45 pm

I live in St. Louis and the interviewer, Charles Jako, is a pompous ass.

Steve   July 16th, 2008 - 7:48 pm

Men like John McCain were forged in the crucible of hardship and self-sacrifice. Obama and creeps like Rover and earl are the byproducts of a culture in decline. We’re NOT going to turn this country over to empty vessels like them, I guarantee it.

Heather   July 16th, 2008 - 7:49 pm

With all the phony press people out there, the reporter was unreasonable to not allow his work to be verified. I couldn’t give two “shakes” what the reporter has done for the past 30 years. That was then; this is now.
Both parties acted like ass-hats. The reporter was a beligerant jerk and McCain’s press people escalated the confrontation with their language. Personally, I would have cancelled him after he got lippy. But I’m not running a campaign.

Soldado Americano   July 16th, 2008 - 7:52 pm

Punk reporters, Punk Liberals.

Woodley Dexler II   July 16th, 2008 - 7:59 pm

The guy is entitled to look as good as he can.

If the reporter wanted him to look bad, then you have a hostile reporter.

McCain is off his meds again   July 16th, 2008 - 8:02 pm

foxlady there’s no way those instructions are real. nice try tho.

Michael Bowen   July 16th, 2008 - 8:41 pm

To “McCain is off his meds” -

Talk about hiding behind Mommy’s skirt? At least Steve posted his real name, unlike you, you excrement covered c**t.

So I’ll tell you what. You put your real name out there, how to get in contact with you, I’ll do the same and then we can get together and “talk” about your attitude.

I’m sick and tired of you KOS/Aryan-A Huffington Post types spewing your oral diarhea in spiteful, hateful ways, yet never haveing the guts to step up and back up your foul mouths. Now I’m giving you the chance.

But of course, something tells me that you’re just a gutless f***ing weasel who has your Mommy fight your battles for you. For me that is not a problem as I’ll kick her a** first, then your Daddy’s and then have you for dessert.

So now it’s out there. Step up, be a MAN and back up your garbage with actions and not running your mouth and then running away like the skirt wearing little b***c piece of s**t you are.

You’ve been served.

Ricky   July 16th, 2008 - 8:42 pm

The arrogance of McCain’s handlers – over wanting to approve a camera angle – NOTE – this was not approve the questions – or the substance – but a camera angle since if McCain keeps his mouth shut and does NOTHING – he will still be 1000 times better than Bush – though, yes, that is damning with the faintest of praise.

This was stupid – this was a non-issue in a country that routinely tortures prisoners – imprisons without trials – is now 9 TRILLION IN NATIONAL DEBT – PAYS 4 BILLION EACH DAY ON THE INTEREST OF THAT DEBT – has started a war – based on a lie – told by a drunken homesexual sniveling Texas coward – all at a cost of 2 TRILLION – on CREDIT. Yes, Bush is so stupid – and the Republican rank-and-file – so cowardly – so scared – so pathetic – that we have gone to war on credit – to be paid by generations to come – and McCain staff thinks the camera angle is important because of course any reporter is an enemy to the Republican party.

McCain’s only enemy – and the only real enemy to the Republican party is truth – truth is the enemy – truth is what makes a mockery of their pathetic lives based on one said cowardly lazy lie after another.

No camera angle can hide the truth.

non-partisan   July 16th, 2008 - 8:49 pm

I think both sides look foolish. It was a pissing contest and nobody won. I think bith parties acted unprofessionally

ttr   July 16th, 2008 - 8:52 pm

I liked the comments from the idiot reporter (oxymoron) in the blue shirt #1) which white house? and #2) that he’d been doing this for 30 years and been through 10 presidential campaigns. I guess maybe they elected presidents every two years or so back then, and that’s assuming somebody assigned this moron to cover presidential campaigns on his very first day on the job. Nice touch the way he was requesting everybody’s name too. Typical scare tactic from a nobody who thinks they’re a somebody. I guess the staffers were supposed to be afraid he could get them in trouble. Loser.

bpstorn   July 16th, 2008 - 9:03 pm

Here we have liberal white men trying to bully and brow-beat young, smart, tough women that stand toe-to-toe w/ them and win the argument hands down.

Then, like the whiners they are, they attempt to make themselves look good in the interview piece by trying to make the women staffers out to be the ones at fault.

These men are as stupid as they are unprofessional.

“What White House?” “Oh, yeah it does matter!”
Apparently it does to you buddy.

McCain’s staff did a great job of handling these bumbling idiots (not excellent but better than most would).

Jack Bauer   July 16th, 2008 - 9:20 pm

Michelle Dessler and Karen Hayes kickin’ half-baked mini-market ‘reporters’ butt!

Morgan Mghee   July 16th, 2008 - 9:47 pm

Celebrities, authors, rich entrepreneurs, those are the people who worry about camera angle and are accommodated. I know it’s been a while since we’ve seen a news station act like a news station and treat a political candidate’s interview like an ‘in the public interest’ look at a candidate..but that I think is what we are seeing.

Terry   July 16th, 2008 - 10:20 pm

earl July 16th, 2008 – 3:16 pm

“they didn’t want to run a true conservative for fear of not being able to run that person in 2012.”

They are planning to run Ron Paul in 2012??? Why not run him now – he could easily win.

“Guiliani 2012 Baby!”

Yeah, after running the pro-Amnesty liberal Democrat McCain, they can run the mincing cross-dresser gun-grabber. You serious?

EdKnows   July 16th, 2008 - 10:49 pm

Here’s something I know about firsthand. I worked in Network TV News for almost 30 years. I’ve covered several Presidential candidates full time. I was at the White House and on Capital Hill. Never, not even once, have I ever seen a candidate’s staffer or any staffer ask to “look at a shot” in the camera. If they had, I would have told them flat-out NO. Now, I will tell you that I’ve run across some pretty dumb staffers in my time, but these McCain women take the cake! Senator, I hope you address this problem….and Senator, I’ll telling you this as a supporter. These gals don’t have a clue and they’ve made you look very bad here.

dumdems   July 16th, 2008 - 10:57 pm

why?? couldn’t we see a good shot of McCain kissing their a$$..sses?? Republican’s have won will very little of the black vote..so why waste time and money on seeking it? Anglos,,Asians and Hispanics is where its at!!! Obama and his afros and muslim buddies can move to Somalia!!

Jamesb   July 16th, 2008 - 11:20 pm

I see that the Democrat Gov. of Illinois wants to call out the National Guard to “take back control of Chicago”. Wouldn’t this be just a dandy time for the “President in Waiting” to practice being “Commander in Chief”? Perhaps a surge like the one that worked in Iraq will work in Chicago. I say get control of your own state then get back with us in a few years when you’ve done something.

Lemmy Caution   July 16th, 2008 - 11:20 pm

For nearly 20 years, I worked first as shooter, then as an independent producer working on network news projects. We always showed ‘handlers’ the shot before going live or recording. It’s just a matter of courtesy.
The personnel from the TV station seem combative, uncooperative and generally unpleasant.

The networks and affiliates would probably be much happier if Obama were the sole candidate. That way, they could produce their puff pieces without interference.

Dan   July 17th, 2008 - 12:21 am

This j@ck@$$ reporter thinks he’s a big turd in a tiny toilet bowl, but he showed his lack of professionalism in this tape.

Let’s face it, 90% of the media are Obama-loving Marxists, and they want to do ANYTHING, even lie to the public, to get their Messiah annointed. Unfortunately for them, the latest poll says 80+% of Americans think the media is horribly biased, with most of that 80% thinking it’s too liberal. This pathetic camera-whore-of-a-reporter just proved what we all thought of them, anyway.

Jihaddy   July 17th, 2008 - 12:31 am

The camera angle of Obama was so far up his ass we could count the polyps!

math sucks   July 17th, 2008 - 12:51 am

“I’ve been doing this for 30 years and this is oh god I hate to say my 10th presidential campaign” No wonder reporting sucks now, this gas bag can’t multiply 10×4 and come up with 40 or 30/4 and come up with 7th presidential campaign. Besides coming off as a pompus gas bag he sounds like a total flipping moron with 30 years and 10 campaigns. I would also guess that young and blond looked like an easy target and when those fools were called by supposedly vapid young staffer they were in a bit of shock. mpw

Doc Holliday   July 17th, 2008 - 4:13 am

NObama or NovaCain, pick your drug of choice

Jeanie   July 17th, 2008 - 4:29 am

I understand McSame staff concerns. Afterall, the green background debacle was the butt of many a joke. But what I don’t understand is why take it out on the salaried employees of the TV station. They’re just trying to do their job.

AQnd if they wanted to see the headshots first then they should take it up with the show’s executive producer or the interviewer – not the staff.

Jeffrey   July 17th, 2008 - 7:44 am

WOW!! FINALLY the Drive by media, Got a chance
to see what it is like.
They should be happy, I would have smacked somebody in head for there smart a** attitudes.
But then again, I guess that is why I am not a politician.

PR Pro   July 17th, 2008 - 8:06 am

Trust but verify. The reason we like to look at the shot before the principal gets in front of the camera is simple – we look for anything in the background that looks odd or could cause a problem. Once the principal sits down we like to examine him/her to see if everything still represents an accurate picture of the candidate – without extraneous distractions that do not represent the candidate, his/her views, or his/her message. If the principal is a hot commodity and granting you an exclusive sit down interview, be gracious enough to let his handlers take a look at the shot. If the handler starts making unreasonable demands, then wag your feathers. Trust but verify.

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