Biden Staff Allegedly Tried to Edit Press Reports: ‘All But Unheard Of’
- Posted on August 16, 2012 at 3:29pm by
Madeleine Morgenstern
- Print »
- Email »
Getty Images
Staffers for Vice President Joe Biden reportedly attempted to edit press accounts of Biden’s recent trip through Virginia, trying to highlight certain aspects and remove potential embarrassments, according to Politico.
Biden’s two-day swing through the state — the site of his “put y’all back in chains” remark — saw aides twice try to edit pool reports before they were distributed to the rest of the media, something that is “all but unheard of,” Politico’s Jonathan Martin wrote.
Pool reports, written by members of the traveling press and then shared with the media at large, are standard practice on the campaign trail. As Martin noted, they’re sent to White House staffers who then forward them to a distribution list:
But on two occasions during Biden’s Virginia trip, his staff sought to have certain elements in the reports highlighted while reporters drafted them and discussed the contents with the reporters after the summaries had been sent but before they had before sent to the broader media.
Staffers spinning reporters to frame events the best they can is, of course, commonplace in politics. But attempting to intervene in the drafting of accounts that reporters share with one another is all but unheard of and reflects the deep concern Biden’s team has about offering any fodder to the opposition.
NBC News’ White House correspondent and political director Chuck Todd called the report “an outrage” and said the pool system must be changed to keep out any White House interference.
Martin said the incidents are “a reflection of how much the Biden staff is determined to sort of police him and really save him from himself.”
Popular Stories
MSNBC Host Snaps in Heated Segment: ‘What in the World Is Riskier Than Being a Poor Person in America?’ 694 Comments
Does Misstated Marathon Claim Prove Paul Ryan Is Dishonest? (POLL) 662 Comments
‘Jumah at the DNC’ Speaker: ‘Muslims Visited America Prior to Columbus’ & ‘It Was a Muslim’ Who Guided Him to the ‘New World’ 524 Comments
Obama: RNC Like Watching ‘Black-and-White TV’ Because Romney ‘Did Not Offer a Single New Idea’ 364 Comments
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 343 Comments
Faith
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 231 Comments- Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More
- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 238 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order Read More- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 147 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 300 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 231 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (71)
DetritusScreener
Posted on August 16, 2012 at 4:44pmBiden vs Obama 2012
Report Post »Put the Fire out!
RepubliCorp
Posted on August 16, 2012 at 5:06pmJoe has a little poopy on his shoe
Report Post »pavepaws
Posted on August 16, 2012 at 6:06pmThese actions are surprising?
Report Post »dmerwin
Posted on August 16, 2012 at 8:18pmJoe‘s folks taking a page from Goebbel’s playbook.
Report Post »MeteoricLimbo
Posted on August 16, 2012 at 4:40pmJoltin Joe
Report Post »Eastinfection
Posted on August 16, 2012 at 4:37pmI hear Biden just finished his first book… now he cant wait to read another one!
Report Post »Hugh Williams
Posted on August 16, 2012 at 4:36pmMartin said the incidents are “a reflection of how much the Biden staff is determined to sort of police him and really save him from himself.”
Report Post »For almost 4 years we have had a blithering idiot as vice-president and the leftist don’t seem to mind. But the leftist told us the world would end if Sarah Palin became vice-president because she is unqualified. I am not sure if the majority of the leftist have no intellectual honesty of if they are just ignorant. I know the leftist leaders know what they are doing and there is no bar low enough to keep them from slithering under. But I think the majority of leftist are use full idiots and products of the dummying down of the government school education over several decades. They just don’t know any better.
strategynode
Posted on August 16, 2012 at 4:36pmBiden has his own moments where he sounds like an idiot but the bigger question is Whom would you have a heart beat away from being a president ? Joe Biden vs Paul Ryan http://shar.es/vLDfz
Report Post »OniKaze
Posted on August 16, 2012 at 4:45pmI would rather it be RYAN anyday…..
Biden is a fool, and if he EVER got into the “big-boy chair” all he would do is spin in circles, going “WEEEEEEE!!!!”
Hes a moron, and Ryan is a solution… Sure Romney makes me a bit hesitant… and since none of the 4 guys in play are perfect, I will pick the lesser of two evils..
So it R&R all the way…
Report Post »hayesstephen
Posted on August 16, 2012 at 4:58pmIt is to laugh!!! Biden or Ryan! How about this lets have Biden and Ryan debate! Ain’t ever gonna happen. And for good reason, Biden is an idiot. Bryan is not. Come to think of it Ryan could face bullying charges by debating Biden. Its a crime to bully idiots. In fact I probably could be charged because I think Biden is stupid. Biden is smarter that Ryan. Just writing that made me feel stupid. The audience is rolling in the isles, even Dense Joe is laughing, he’s not sure why, only that everyone else is laughing.
Report Post »Eastinfection
Posted on August 16, 2012 at 5:02pmIs this a serious question? I wouldnt want Biden a heartbeat away from being the head fry-cook at McDonalds. (my apologies to the esteemed Obama-care-exempt employees of McDs)
Report Post »drattastic
Posted on August 16, 2012 at 5:40pmHonestly I’d rather have Biden in the big chair as opposed to oblameo. At least we would have a few laughs as our country spiraled out of control, with oblameo we just spiral our of control.
Report Post »SocialistSlayer
Posted on August 16, 2012 at 5:41pmAnother “Acorn Moment” brought to you by obamas own Comrade – strategynode! Get a life you troll!
Report Post »Chuck Stein
Posted on August 16, 2012 at 7:36pm“Whom would you have a heart beat away from being a president ? Joe Biden vs Paul Ryan”
Report Post »Excellent point, STRATEGYNODE!
Also, a VERY good idea for a Romney-Ryan ad or two.
EqualJustice
Posted on August 16, 2012 at 4:32pmObama calls Biden in for lunch.. “I said ”hope and chaNGE, not chaINS, you moron!”
Report Post »grimmster
Posted on August 16, 2012 at 4:37pm@Equaljustice.
Report Post »That would be DRUNK moron ;p
Teaparty-grammy
Posted on August 17, 2012 at 2:35amLMAO. Thanks for the best laugh of the week!
Report Post »Go Glenn
Posted on August 16, 2012 at 4:31pmJoe’s poor staffers……….they probably draw straws to see which one has to follow him to the bathroom to make sure he does pi$$ on his shoes and to be sure he doesn’t get it caught in the zipper.
LMAO
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on August 16, 2012 at 4:24pmI‘m surprised the press hasn’t told us that we are just to stupid to understand the underlying meaning of Bidens statements of wisdom and knowledge……he is their vice president ……..they work for the SOCIALIST PARTY, and it is the mainstream medias job to make the party boss’s look goood..”.”.”.
Report Post »The big story of the Obama years will be how the socialist media was COMPLETELY EXPOSED ON EVERY LEVEL………EVERY FREAKIN LEVEL………
PATTY HENRY
Posted on August 16, 2012 at 4:38pmQUESTION FOR YOU MSM FOLKS: Do you think that you’d have any, and I mean ANY, FREEDOM o thought under an Obama second term? The one where he disbands the entire election process and claims Dictatorship of this Country?
You became a Journalist to report the news. Trust me, the people want the truth and jerks like Chris Matthews, Madcow and some of these other empty-brained talking heads on CNN, MSNBC will be so passe, no one would hire them for the smallest market local station. GROW some. GET A SPINE. DO what you were trained to do. or…do you want to look back on your life with shame and regret for not doing your job with integrity??? You have the choice now, but if Obama gets re-elected there will be no choices for any of it. REPORT NOW on the things this Dictator-in-Chief has already set up. It should scare the hell out of you.
Report Post »one.dakine.howlie
Posted on August 16, 2012 at 4:42pmI don‘t think it’s by sudden accident that the media is now going after Biden. I believe the Left has asked for his removal from the V.P spot and have him replaced with someone else so they’re telling the media to expose his behavior more and more. This isn’t the Leftist media suddenly realizing how stupid Biden is. This is a correlated effort to help justify his removal as the Vice President so Obama can seem more desirable by having someone new as V.P.
Report Post »Wango
Posted on August 16, 2012 at 7:07pmPADDEDCELLHENRY . . . The only question is, do you really believe that stuff or are you just trying to instill idiocy in others? Honestly, that is textbook paranoia. Obama is taking away our freedom of thought. That it? That the theory? Somebody you know not free to think whatever they want? You not free to do that? (Is it the earwigs? You can tell me.) I think, and granted this is just a hunch, but you’d probably be a LOT better off if you started counting calories and doing a few jumping jacks instead of swatting at imaginary demons. Do all your friends talk like this? Is this what you teach your kids or grandkids or . . . hostages?
I’m sending over a couple of Xanax and a pint of Cabo Wabo. Take a little vacation. We adults will take care of things while you’re gone.
Report Post »Meyvn
Posted on August 16, 2012 at 4:23pmSad. Lame. Creepy. Outrage.
Report Post »HKS
Posted on August 16, 2012 at 4:22pmFrom my seat I can see clearly what Obama and his people are up to, they are promoting civil war on every front. Preferably before the elections so they can call out martial law. Everything one would need to do in order to accomplish that is being done. Anything that can be divided is and the hate speech coming from democrats leave little doubt as to their intention. Reminds me of Pelosi crying about the hate speech. That’s what they were doing all along and accusing the tea party of doing it. Watch what they bitch about and that’s what they are doing. Make no mistake about it, this bunch will bring down this country at all cost unless people wake up and see what’s going on.
Report Post »nobull14
Posted on August 16, 2012 at 4:16pmHopefully when Democraps get thrown out of office the new DOJ will start bring up these traitors on treason charges including Obummer him self .
Report Post »flsnipe
Posted on August 16, 2012 at 4:23pmwould be nice but it will never happen!
Report Post »hayesstephen
Posted on August 16, 2012 at 5:29pmSorry probably will not happen in our life time. NoBama is going to declare martial law, he will suspend the election, and he will full fill his most cherished dream, become General,Admiral, Doctor, Dearly Beloved Leader, Defender of the Faith of Islam, Protector of the Faith Of Islam, Terrible Swift Sword of Islam, President for Life of a third world country. We are now a third world country all that’s left is to declare martial law. NoBama hates liberalism more than Conservationism. Liberals when the constitutional law is superseded by Sharia Law, after Jews, Christians, Libs will be the third largest group in the new concentration camps. Laugh? The camps are built each camp has a railroad running pass them, the OberKapo Juden are waiting to don their uniforms, the cops are now para military organizations. When the change comes watch for the Occupy slime to fade into the woodwork, along with every gay, lesbian, and any criminals under Sharia Law. Gays and lesbians don’t last long while dangling from a rope. What? They can’t do that! You voted for him! I can always say I tried to warn you and got called, everything from racist, homophobes,insane, druggie, to almost everything nasty word in the book. I pray I will be a laughing stock for being wrong, but fear I will not. Yahweh bless our poor country, because if you don’t we are truly lost. I pray Yahweh will protect us ALL. Christian, Non Christian, Caucasian, non Caucasian hetero, non hetero, everyone Consv and Lib.
Report Post »Hickory
Posted on August 16, 2012 at 4:09pmWill the queen of hearts dump the mad hatter?
Report Post »LetsBeSmartAboutThis
Posted on August 16, 2012 at 4:41pm‘Queen of Hearts’? Sometimes I feel he’s more like THE JOKER!
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on August 16, 2012 at 4:03pmI’m SHOCKED that his staff even had to try to edit the socialist media arm of the democrat Marxist party…..,..I’m getting the feeling that the propaganda media is maybe starting to realize how completely irrelevant they are…..”..and perhaps they may be looking at the ratings……..they should be ashamed at their constitutional failure of duty…..but Marxist propagandists have no shame in the pursuit of socialism……..’
Report Post »contkmi
Posted on August 16, 2012 at 3:59pmNot so happy now that their masters are trying to directly write the stories.
Report Post »huey6367
Posted on August 16, 2012 at 3:53pmIf Obama keeps Biden on his ticket does it help or hurt (Obama)?
Droppping him from the ticket: help or hurt (Obama)?
I think Obama is doomed for VP regardless.
He said he wanted to work for the gubment because he didn’t want a real job. It shows Joe. It shows.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on August 16, 2012 at 4:00pmAnd we thought Obama without the Telepromptor One to guide him showed his unfitness for office; Biden complements their incompetency and true arrogance completely.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on August 16, 2012 at 4:23pmThe only thing that would help Obama now is if he dropped Biden, nominated Bob Beckel, who will drop the F Bomb during the debate, and assault Ryan on stage, thus sealing the convict/OWS vote. Of course this won’t get Obama elected, but it will be more entertaining than watching Bumble Boy drool on himself during the VP debates, and it would go down as a historical election.
Report Post »jungle J
Posted on August 16, 2012 at 3:53pmmillions of Americans voted for him.
Report Post »PATTY HENRY
Posted on August 16, 2012 at 4:41pmmillions of Americans aren’t going to vote for him again.
They bought WORDS. NOW we have all the evidence we need that it was ONLY WORDS…not deeds.
Don’t worry, it won’t happen again.
Report Post »Tri-ox
Posted on August 16, 2012 at 3:49pmBiden’s staff will soon be “editing” for a new clown – AND, all of them will be out of a job come January 20.
Report Post »matinva
Posted on August 16, 2012 at 3:47pmObama/Biden = Dumb and Dumber
Thank God, November isn’t far off.
Report Post »cookcountypatriot
Posted on August 16, 2012 at 3:46pmoh its just joe…..lol ….after november you can get yourself a used car lot on some vacant corner in delaware and build something for yourself…for the first time in your life…go joe
Report Post »HotFixIt
Posted on August 16, 2012 at 3:43pmYou mean they are JUST NOW realizing that what they are repoting is being controled by the administration… wow are these guys slow!
Report Post »term limits for congress
Posted on August 16, 2012 at 3:42pmReally, Chuck? Why does it matter to MFNBC? The DNC writes all of your stories anyway, so what’s the BFD?
Report Post »SHOOTnCRASH
Posted on August 16, 2012 at 3:47pmThank you.
Report Post »Rogue
Posted on August 16, 2012 at 4:14pmThe issue, Term, is that MSNBC and Politco are upset that they weren’t given the oppotruinity to do the “creative editing” on thier own. How are they supposed to earn favors from the White House when their job has already been done?
Report Post »jerryod1627
Posted on August 16, 2012 at 3:40pmJoe is an idiot and I really hope that obama keeps him on as VP as the whole bunch of them fit together so well!
Report Post »Too_Far_Gone
Posted on August 16, 2012 at 3:37pmYea, there’s a real surprise ..
I‘m surpised they’re not doing their own news casts ..
Nothing but a pack of liars ..
Report Post »Sirfoldallot
Posted on August 16, 2012 at 3:47pmDo u realy think Bidens Staff is really proud 2 work 4 this guy ,,,,,,,really ? ( Hey I work 4 Joe Biden ). ,,,, lmao , really ?
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on August 16, 2012 at 4:02pmObama is the straight-man in this comedy trio, but he gets his laughs when Mr. Teleprompter takes time off.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on August 16, 2012 at 4:26pmThay ARE doing their own newscasts: NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN, HLN, MSNBC…
Report Post »barber2
Posted on August 16, 2012 at 3:37pmAm sure Uncle Joe is on a short leash with the White House. Guess our Democrats are so used to having total Lefty media support, that they didn’t realize that the press pool might be highly upset with the usual “co-operation” that the Democrats get and give to their Lap Dogs in the media. Remember it’s freedom of ( The Left ) press in America today.
Report Post »PeachyinGA
Posted on August 16, 2012 at 3:35pmLooking forward to November elections. Take your pick Romney/Ryan or Obama/Crazy Uncle Joe…this country is heading for a new direction!
Report Post »