Obama: Covering Obama

Posted: Tuesday, October 28, 2008 9:25 AM by Domenico Montanaro

The Los Angeles Times notes the lack of access the press has had in covering Obama. “First Clinton, then John McCain made the argument that Obama is someone we don't really know. Obama's supporters counter that we have his record in the U.S. and Illinois senates, two memoirs that reveal his inner thinking and a vast trove of public speaking. Ironically, those of us who were sent out to take his measure in person can't offer much help in answering who he is, or if he is ready. The barriers set in place between us and him were just too great.”

The New York Times profiles Michelle Obama. “While some of Senator Barack Obama’s advisers once viewed Mrs. Obama as an unpredictable force who sometimes spoke her mind a little too much, she is now regarded within the campaign as a disciplined and effective advocate for her husband. She has also, advisers believe, gone a long way toward addressing her greatest unstated challenge: making more voters comfortable with the idea of a black first lady.”

Meanwhile, the Chicago Sun-Times profiles Obama adviser and hoops pal Eric Whitaker. "Five years ago, Obama, then an Illinois state senator, gave a 'glowing' reference for Whitaker to Tony Rezko, the now-convicted political fixer who helped Gov. Blagojevich find people to run state agencies. Blagojevich hired Whitaker to be the state's public health director. Obama has said that's the only time he can recall talking to Rezko -- who was a major campaign fund-raiser for him and for Blagojevich -- about getting anyone a state job." Dr. Whitaker has a master's in public health from Harvard.”

"As state health chief, Whitaker spent millions on programs that used churches to educate minorities about AIDS, breast cancer and preparing for public health emergencies, a program hailed nationwide. Whitaker's agency also got caught up in scandal. He oversaw the budget of the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board, which approves medical construction projects. Rezko and his associates controlled that board, which they used to solicit kickbacks and payoffs, according to testimony at Rezko's trial. Rezko was convicted. Whitaker, who said he wasn't involved in the board's day-to-day operations, was never accused of any wrongdoing." Whitaker was hired on at the University of Chicago where he worked with Michelle Obama and could be in line for a federal position, if Obama wins.

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Comments

Anyone who claims Obama is still unknown is simply not listening. Anyone who says he has not given access to the press is not paying attention. He may not be on every MSM show, but he is everywhere on the internet.

Check out the latest posts:
http://lastofourkind.blogspot.com

LoOK (Sent Tuesday, October 28, 2008 9:33 AM)

Notice the difference in the New York Times coverage of Michelle Obama, who like her husband has done next to nothing with her life, and Cindy McCain, who has dedicated her life to charitable causes. The New York Times is noting more then the media wing if the liberal Democrats.

Hawkeye, Iowa (Sent Tuesday, October 28, 2008 9:33 AM)

greatest unstated challenge: making more voters comfortable with the idea of a black first lady.
*******************************************************

If voters are comfortable with a president who is black -- my guess is that his wife's skin-color is of little concern to them.

http://thepajamapundit.com/

the Pajama Pundit (Sent Tuesday, October 28, 2008 9:34 AM)

I was lucky enough to meet Michelle Obama at a town hall meeting here in Las Vegas, before I had decided who I was going to vote for. I walked away from that meeting telling my friends, "She will make a good First Lady". Today I feel even stronger about that decision.

Obama/Biden 08/12

cindy, Las Vegas, Nv (Sent Tuesday, October 28, 2008 9:35 AM)

It's interesting to note that the NY Times talks of Cindy McCain’s drug issues, but never talks of the same drug issues that both of the Obama's have had (have?). Drugs abuse, according to the Times, seems to be a detriment if you're a Republican, but is an asset if you’re a Democrat.

Tommy Chung (Sent Tuesday, October 28, 2008 9:36 AM)

"George W. Bush is a great president, and I look forward to carrying his policies forward if I win on November 4th." - John Mccain

Full Moon (Sent Tuesday, October 28, 2008 9:37 AM)

FR, Why is that when one does not have "filth" they somehow are not saying much about their lives?

Or for reason that person's is not well known.

We know all we need to know about Barack Obama and we don't need the news telling us anything else.

Because whenever you guys talk about people – it is usually filth.

If it’s filth you want, then try focusing on Sarah Palin and John McCain.

Tell us about them - they have plenty of filth you can write about.

Thank you and GOD BLESS AMERICA

The - Democrat Soldier (Sent Tuesday, October 28, 2008 9:40 AM)

I really don't understand the LA Times thinking. This man has been a public document for over two years. Almost 30 debates, numerous interviews, numerous press conferences, numerous reports from the Sun Times. You say we don't know him. What WHITE pol has ever had to undergo this kind of scrutiny? What kind of WHITE pol has HAD to take private financing to advance his agenda/ protect his legacy? What, you want to eat with them? Have a sleepover? You press people are RIDICULOUS. Palin has not done ONE serious interview or one press conference and you bash Obama? Unbelievable.

LB, That White Lady from Virginia (Sent Tuesday, October 28, 2008 9:41 AM)

Whitaker. Another one of the Chicago-gang of crooks. Whitaker is just another of a long line of political hacks on the take in Illinois. The public health in Illinois is in crisis mode, millions of dollars in the red, corrupt, poor service, super rich administrators, and in many of the crooks running it have been federally charged and are thankfully going to jail. The nation shold look towards Illinois and see how mismanaged and corrupt the state is, and if the nation likes that kind of government, then vote Barack Obama next Tuesday. He'll do for the nation what he did for Illinois, nothing.

James T, Wheeling IL (Sent Tuesday, October 28, 2008 9:42 AM)

Michelle Obama was great on Jay Leno. Very smart woman. She will be a great "first lady" if elected.

Mia in Miami (Sent Tuesday, October 28, 2008 9:45 AM)

Michelle Obama was the epitome of class on Jay Leno last night. Jay attempted to goad her into criticizing Palin for the shopping spree, and Michelle would not take the bait; rather, she graciously gave Palin the benefit of the doubt. I am 100% convinced that Gov. Palin- if presented with the same opportunity- would not have shown the same level of class.

Michelle will be a wonderful First Lady.

Suburban Mom paying attention, IL (Sent Tuesday, October 28, 2008 9:46 AM)

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