Obama instructs media on how to report positions; AP chief sings praise
RealClearPolitics.com captures these comments from Obama:
“This bears on your reporting,” President Obama said to journalists. “I think that there is oftentimes the impulse to suggest that if the two parties are disagreeing then they’re equally at fault and the truth lies somewhere in the middle. And an equivalence is presented which I think reinforces peoples’ cynicism about Washington in general. This is not one of those situations where there’s an equivalence.”
In the video, Obama blasted “tax cuts for people who don’t need them.” He then told the journalists in regard to reporting these “situations” where there is no “equivalence” between the parties:
It’s not just true, by the way, of the budget; it’s true of a lot of the debates that we’re having out here.
This includes, he implied, “cap and trade,” and “health care.”
In a related story, the Associated Press chief lavished praise upon Obama during his introduction:
Dean Singleton, chairman of the Associated Press board, introduced President Obama this afternoon at a speech to news editors in Washington. But Singleton didn’t just tell the audience the president was the next speaker—the supposed newsman offered lavish praise for the Democratic president.
“President Obama made history as the first minority to be elected president,” said Singleton. “Even many who opposed his election felt proud of our country as he took the oath of office.”
“As president, he inherited the headwinds of the worst economic recession since the great depression. He pushed through congress the biggest economic recovery plan history and what a government reorganization of two of the big three American automakers to save them from oblivion. He pursued domestic and foreign policy agendas that are controversial to many, highlighted by his signature into law of the most comprehensive health care legislation in history. . . .”
“We are honored today to have the man currently holding the office and aspiring for another term,” said Singleton before finally announcing the president himself.