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WH Correspondent Claims Media Won‘t Report on Republican Sabotage Because it Fears the GOP ’Message Machine’

During an interview on Current TV’s “The War Room with Jennifer Granholm,” POLITICO journalist and White House correspondent Joe Williams made a highly original claim: the president’s poll numbers are low because the mainstream media has failed to report on Republican opposition.

His remarks came during a broader discussion on Republican obstruction of the Obama presidency. Williams argues that one of the reasons more Americans aren’t aware that the GOP is “intentionally sabotaging” the president is because the media won’t touch the story out of fear the GOP “message machine.”

“Do the Capital Hill journalists whisper about this obstruction on the part of Republicans?” Granholm asked.

“There’s not so much a whisper; it’s pretty much plain. A lot of people in a lot of newsrooms, you’re absolutely right, we have a duty of objective here and I think that’s one of the reasons why the poll numbers are so low,” Williams said, referring to a recent poll that shows only 49 percent of Americans are aware of the “vast rightwing conspiracy” against President Obama.

“Because we try to present news in an objective fashion, we try not to necessarily focus on what they [Republicans] said and on the agenda because they do have, for lack of a better term, legitimate reasons for saying what they’re saying.”

“As you mentioned, they are philosophically opposed with the president and they can extrapolate and say that philosophical opposition is what’s leading them to vote against the president at every turn,” he added.

Williams wasn’t finished.

“But sooner or later it becomes pretty obvious, especially when the president points out that some of the things he’s proposing that will fix the economy, in years past, have been universally loved by Republicans,” he said.

“They voted for transportation packages, they voted for infrastructure spending in the past. These were not controversial proposals until President Obama seemed to put his name on it,” he added.

Granholm was interested in his theory.

“Well, you said something really interesting there, Joe,” she said, “Which is that one of the reasons why the number of that poll might be so low, the 49 percent, is that the media feels like it has got to be even-handed and, on this channel, I think we would call that ‘false equivalency.’”

“The media knows very well where the obstruction is,” she added.

“And there are many who would agree with you,” Williams responded, “it is false equivalency but nonetheless, one reason why that still sticks and why that still maintains a presence in most newsrooms is, not only because of integrity of individual journalists, but also because the conservative, the Republican message machine is very, very good at vilifying people who they believe have crossed a line into advocacy –”

“Wow!” Granholm exclaimed, shocked to learn that after all those years without the blogosphere, talk radio, or cable news, conservatives somehow hold sway over journalists.

“Who have done a number on what they believe is there fair and objective way of looking at things and looking at the White House agenda,” Williams added.

“And so the Democrats don’t do as good of a job of scaring the journalists into being fair to the Democrats?” Granholm laughed.

“Certainly, in my view,” Williams responded, “and, again, I’m only speaking as one reporter, in my view they have done a very good job of pushing back, we always talk about ‘Republican push back,’ and we always talk about the fact that they are very much intent on staying on message.

“They do it very, very well, they’ve got very intense messaging discipline, and they are very good at convincing journalists…that not only is their stance legitimate but you might have gone too far.”

“And there are some journalists who are very sensitive,” Williams concluded.

Comments (113)

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  • RJJinGadsden
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 10:10pm

    That is so laugh out loud funny. So, Fox & Friends was talking about 0bama trying to portray himself as the underdog to garner the sympathy vote. Looks like Current has followed through. The other laughable part is who in their right mind would even think that any of the Republicans has enough spine, to do anything they are being accused of here. What, they want everybody to think that the likes of David Axlehole works for the Republicans?
    Obviously Maude Behar will fit right in with this crowd.

    Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
    • marhee9
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 10:54pm

      Even by liberal standards this is the most bizarre tactic I’ve ever seen. The massive hypocrisy from the Obama camp almost demands we create a new word for hypocrisy. Obama came out today saying that the GOP campaign was all about “just blame Obama,” he then stammered on about how everything was Bush’s fault. This is quite entertaining to watch.
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OPf1dK-qlE

      Report Post »  
    • inblack
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 11:37pm

      It’s not sabotage, it’s called lack of leadership.

      I’m glad we got this black president thing out of the way.

      But really, this guy turned out to be a much bigger joke than I thought. I knew he had no experience, but I thought they could help him cover that up. Of course the Biden “gravitas” was a joke to begin with.

      We should be feeling sorry for Obama, but he is such an arrogant little twit, that all I can do is laugh.

      Report Post »  
    • drbage
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 11:52pm

      I had to watch this several times because I was laughing so hard. Jennifer Granholm who ran her state into the ground thanks to her bedfellows–the unionistas. Joe Williams- a Politico journolister complaining about the Republican “message machine?” Weren’t you the same Joe Williams that was on Meet the Depressed talking about how the Tea Party was dooming Republicans to failure or was it a case of doppelganger? Were you talking to Juan Williams saying that the Dems should be playing the victim card–that big, bad anti-Obama media? IF(and boy is that a BIG if) that were true, please explain in simple terms–I’m one of those slope-headed, gun toting, Bible thumping Neanderthals from flyover country–why VIACOM, the parent company of NBC(Nothing but Barack Channel) is editing out the Don Rickles’ segment from the AFI tribute to Shirley McLaine?

      Report Post »  
    • lukerw
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 11:57pm

      The WH has a Keeper of The Book of Evil… which lists their Deed… and periodically, they pick one, and Blame fhe Opposition for the alike!

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • Maji
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:37am

      So they’re reverting back to the age old “dimocrap” technic of
      “But…I’m a victim” campagne!!

      Report Post »  
    • yougottabekidding
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 5:57am

      Our side does not point out enough of the treadles that
      that they are trying to implement, making the UN In charge
      of our country and following international law
      They already allow Interpol in the USSA with out following
      our laws.
      WHY?

      Report Post »  
    • turkey13
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 9:36am

      “Truth: the most deadly weapon ever discovered by humanity. Capable of destroying entire perceptual sets, cultures and realities. Outlawed by all governments(Syeria,Iran,Russia,Current TV, The View)everywhere. Possession is normally punishable by death.” = John Gilmore

      Report Post »  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 1:36pm

      Can’t stop laughing. When Blame Bush quit working, now they want to Blame Republicans, then it’s blame the conservative media. Won’t these silly people ever stop making fools of themselves? When this is all over in November, Let’s all BLAME OBAMA for what our administration inherited. President Romney, please take a note: “mention what we inherited from Obama.”

      Report Post »  
  • RebelPatriot
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 10:06pm

    This is the same as the boy who cried wolf. There’s no wolf, but if you want people to think so, you make up a story that can’t be confirmed nor denied.

    By the way there is no Republican message machine, it’s just we the people feed up with the main stream media exercising our freedom to obtain information from outlets not tied to the progressive socialist propaganda machine.

    We see how pathetic the left is when they are not “winning”, they will resort to bold face lies in order to somehow save any chance at re election.

    We the People need to continue to fight the disinformation wars and understand that we are truly at war to save our Republic.

    First we regain the Senate and WH, then we begin repealing the actions of the progressive socialist and all they have infiltrated within our government to undermine our Constitution.

    Report Post »  
    • woodyb
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 10:52pm

      “We see how pathetic the left is when they are not “winning”, they will resort to bold face lies in order to somehow save any chance at re election.”
      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      Rebel, whast makes you think they lie only when they are LOSING?????????????

      Report Post »  
  • SHOWMESTATEGUY
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 10:04pm

    Dem libs really have no shame do they? I know they have a soul, everyone does, but theirs may be lost.

    Report Post »  
    • oneshiner
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 11:04pm

      When I started reading this, I knew there had to be a punch line, so I kept reading and began to think it’s one of those Democrat jokes, but the joke’s on them, there is no punch line, they are lying through their teeth. Perhaps hoping some of their cr@p lies will stick. Dumb, dumb, dumb, you people protecting the Prez with lies like this. But wait, is this just a joke? Right?

      Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:27am

      They are ALWAYS doing what they accuse the right of doing .. sooooooo … we now confirm what we knew all along … LIBERAL MSM IS COVERING FOR OBAMA REGIME!

      Report Post »  
  • WyomingPatriot
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 10:03pm

    Oh my God! What a steaming pile! As usual, you can count on it that when the propaganda ministry makes an accusation against anyone with a differing view, it’s always going to be 180 degrees from the truth. Clearly they can’t bear to accept that more Americans have finally had enough of the crap they always dish out to us, and we’ve begun to think for ourselves. What they accuse their opponents of, is always what they in fact do. It gives me pause to wonder if at any time in their weak, pathetic lives they even entertain the notion that maybe it is they who have it all a$$ backwards, but I doubt they have even a moments introspection to consider that possibility. That might require at least a small measure of integrity, and that is a completely alien concept to them.

    Report Post »  
  • village idiot
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 10:03pm

    Da black fool be gone in 149 day. God bless America.

    Report Post » village idiot  
  • Attila_the_Hunney
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 10:01pm

    I thought he may have been the genie on that cleaning product bottle. Note to men who want to be taken seriously– ditch the earrings. You look ridiculous.

    Report Post »  
  • barber2
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 10:01pm

    Oh Brother. The Lap Dog Media which never vetted this president and which has leaked information favorable to this president for the past 3 1/2 years in the New York Times ,etc., is now an “innocent ” victim of the Republicans ? JOKE ? No. Just another one of the BIG LIES we have come to expect from the Left and their Lap Dogs ! “99%” Bull – o-ney from the Left and their Parrots ! Not going to sell as the Democrats haven’t quite Dumbed down America and our educational system enough YET !

    Report Post »  
    • WyomingPatriot
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 10:33pm

      I’m afraid the jury is still out on your optimistic outlook regarding the state of the union my friend. I‘d certainly like to believe that they haven’t yet accomplished dumbing down enough of the population. but you only need to see just a few of those “man in the street” interviews, (like the ones Leno does) to have at least a sense of trepidation about where we are as a people. I don’t want to be a wet blanket, but I’m amazed and apalled by the sheer ignorance of our young people today, (and I speak from experience, having worked the last 16 years at a university). That‘s why I cringe whenever I hear Obama talk about his goal to make sure that more American kids than ever before get their bachelor’s degree. Scary stuff when you realize that highschool, and college is where we’ve been sending so many of our kids to be indoctrinated.

      Report Post »  
    • barber2
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 9:27am

      WYOMING: I agree . The Occupies are filled with the brainwashed and our universities are filled with the Lefty brainwashers. I still can not believe that the CUNY professor Juan Lazaro / aka Mikel Vasenkov was allowed to return to Russia without any investigation or notice . Outrageous.

      Report Post »  
  • Case_Logic
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 10:00pm

    The mainstream media have all but killed America and now they want sympathy because we turned the lights on. How truely pathetic.

    The people in the mainstream media think that just becuase the get a paycheck that makes them legitimate. I say lights on and laughter for all.

    Report Post » Case_Logic  
  • blackyb
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 10:00pm

    They will not report on anything that is the truth. They would stir trouble over anything they could. They are sabatoging themselves along with things in this country. These people are evil and nasty. They are an embarrassment as citizens to this great nation. Many of them may not be or should not be if they are.

    Report Post » blackyb  
  • Grannie4news
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 9:59pm

    Good one Enchanted. LOL That fits Chuckie Schumer too.

    Report Post » Grannie4news  
  • OlefromMN
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 9:58pm

    I will agree with him. The media has not reported accurately the GOP positions on issues. I don‘t think that helps Joe Williams’ case, but at least we can say we have “bi-partisan” agreement on that claim.

    Report Post » OlefromMN  
  • blackyb
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 9:58pm

    These people lie and know everyone know it. It is mocking, in your face lies they want everyone to see how they lie and this is their weapon. Their problem is no one believes anything that comes out of their mouth. Some of them think the truth is relevant to what they want people to believe. This is a character flaw and should be an indicator of what kinds of people they are. Never trust liars. They are unstable in all their dealings. They are embarrassments to this country when they deal with other countries.

    Report Post » blackyb  
  • Rajabear1
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 9:58pm

    How many of you had to clean your screen off after reading JUST the headline???? Man, oh man these people re insane. Is that what they decided to roll out this weekend after their nutroots conference? Jeez o pete.

    Report Post »  
  • I.Gaspar
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 9:58pm

    Another politico schmuck trying to throw feces against the wall to see if it’ll stick.
    They never stop; I wish republicans were that dedicated . The dems work 24-7 trying to steal the country…in office, or in the newsroom.

    Report Post »  
  • 338lapua
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 9:54pm

    My Dearest Jennifer…..
    You were prevented from COMPLETELY ruining Michigan by the voters. Do NOT push your luck here.
    The “vast rightwing conspiracy” you see…..is the American People Waking up and kicking your sorry ass to the curb. Liberalism has failed my dear.No amount of blame will revive it. Your Mom and Dads basement isn’t so bad……. is it? 3 hots and a cot is better than the citizens of Detroit ended up with. You are truly blessed, now go away!

    Report Post »  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 9:54pm

    Notice the rhetorical assault they are doing from the White House; blame their own media allies for the failing policies and approval numbers of Obama and cronies, while claiming the GOP of a form of intimidation tactics to coerce the leftist media.

    In short, they are chasing ghosts and spectres of darkness while encompassing madness to the extreme again as their world collapses around their ears. Soon enough, Obama will probably make his move for absolute power.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • RLTW
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 10:13pm

      Right Snow, they have owned the megaphone of the MSM and can’t figure out why the volume knob won’t go past the lie & BS level. They see CNN and the other alphabets falling apart and know the lies don’t work, and it’s all they have.

      Report Post »  
  • dwh320
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 9:53pm

    LOL.. a Obama media filter making any complaint about a news story not being reported is a joke.

    Report Post » dwh320  
    • WyomingPatriot
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 10:14pm

      Actually, they’re not joking, (dead wrong as usual, but not joking). keep in mind, that from their twisted, delusional point of view, if the news is bad for their messiah, then it has to be because of some cheap, crooked efforts by their opposition. If we want to retain our own sanity, I think we just have to find a way to accept that these people simply cannot even face the truth, (much less speak it).

      Report Post »  
  • Magyar
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 9:53pm

    I’m rolling on the ground–this can’t be true, can it?

    Is this desperation or comic relief?

    Report Post »  
  • Case_Logic
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 9:52pm

    LMAO, look at what these knuckleheads are trying now.

    Report Post » Case_Logic  
  • SDM-Shepherd
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 9:51pm

    It’s official. The invasion of the body snatchers is real. The liberals from the planet Marxist have invaded earth.

    Report Post » SDM-Shepherd  
  • RLTW
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 9:51pm

    The poor WH they just can’t get their message out because of the all-powerful GOP. Pleeease, talk about try to play the victim card.

    Report Post »  
  • Enchanted
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 9:49pm

    wah wah wah. most of the media has their nose so far up barry’s backside they have to carry a bar of soap and a washcloth around.

    Report Post »  
  • MrButcher
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 9:48pm

    Apparently they didn’t watch the primaries too closely.

    dun dun….dun dun….dun dun dun dun dun dun (jaws theme)

    Report Post » MrButcher  
    • Magyar
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 9:55pm

      LOL……………good one! They must have been tuned Current TV and missed the returns!

      Report Post »  
  • Inlightofthings
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 9:44pm

    Current TV, Granholm, Politico…all in the first sentence. I stopped reading for there can be no value in that combination…

    Report Post »  
  • NHwinter
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 9:41pm

    That is a joke, right.

    Report Post » NHwinter  
    • Al J Zira
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 9:55pm

      No, it’s marching orders from the top instructing those like CNN, MSNBC and the like on what to start bringing to the forefront of the argument. Remember, Obama can‘t run on the economy or healthcare or any of the myriads of things he’s done to destroy this country‘s sovereignty so they’ll change the argument.

      Report Post » Al J Zira  
    • phrogdriver
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 9:58pm

      I think so. But these days, who can tell?

      It’s kind of like Obama and the steak dinner thing. Is he joking, or is he delusional? Or just lying? It has to be one of the three, but who knows which one?

      If Obama made a speech where he claimed that the economy stunk because George Bush wrapped him in duct tape so that magical flying monkeys could no longer fly out of his butt, 20% of the population would buy it. Including this troglodyte.

      Report Post » phrogdriver  
    • Welcome Black Carter
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:30am

      Only the dumb are going to buy any of it.
      They are already voting democrat.

      Report Post » Welcome Black Carter  
    • TyrannyNoMore
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 6:29am

      @Welcome…..Dumb and Democrat, isn’t that redundant ?

      Report Post » TyrannyNoMore  
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