Another Nicety Returns With President Biden’s White House

Hat tip to Brad.

Not for the first time, and Lord knows it will not be last, I point out the changes made to this White House’s press operations.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki ended Tuesday’s press briefing with a quick exchange: “Thank you, Jen,” said Josh Boak, a White House reporter for the Associated Press. “Great,” replied Psaki. Then she put on her mask and headed out.

Those four words signaled the resurrection of an old White House briefing room tradition — observed under both Democratic and Republican administrations — in which the press secretary awaits the nod of the attending AP reporter before closing the book. (The privilege was initially assigned to the senior wire correspondent, but it eventually turned into an exclusively AP role.) Whereas her predecessor, Kayleigh McEnany, often ended briefings with scripted attacks on the media, Psaki has embraced a custom that accords the media a voice in the management of the briefing room.

George Condon, a National Journal White House reporter on the beat since 1982, described the traffic-cop role of longtime United Press International reporter Helen Thomas: “Before she would say, ‘Thank you,’ she was in the first row and she would glance around to see if there were hands still up because she didn’t want to cut it off before people had a chance to ask questions,” Condon said. Terence Hunt, a former AP White House reporter, tells us that the practice goes back at least 75 years, citing a 1946 book by longtime UPI reporter Merriman Smith, titled “Thank You, Mr. President” in reference to Smith’s role in closing out presidential news conferences.

I can not underscore how very much this change means not only to me, but others who want the common-sense nicety returned to our government.

This subject with the AP harkens back to the decades, as noted in the story, when some respect and decorum were overlaid on the issues and politics of the time. It may seem quaint, but when they are gone, as witnessed by the last four years, the outcome is awful, ugly, and ultimately dangerous to our democracy.

As I read the article I recalled two women who made the press pool at the WH so professional and honed their questions to reflect either the issue of the day, as with Helen Thomas…

…or at times to what the nation needed to have an answer to regarding a story from ‘page 9’ which Sarah McClendon tried to ferret out of the press secretary.

I recall in high school watching coverage of a press briefing and McClendon is called upon. Her voice filled that room and Jody Powell, President Carter’s Press Secretary, was either not trying to take her seriously or dodging the topic—I forget which. But she bored in with even a louder voice and peppered with a follow-up that must have stung like buck-shot. That made an impact on me.  She was a nice person by all accounts but determined to do her job. 

And the press secretaries knew that and respected it.  Not only from her but from all those who worked in the press room of the White House. That working relationship, even though both sides have well-defined roles, was lacking in the past four years. That substantive change is what I so very much welcome in President Joe Biden’s White House.

Urban Milwaukee Published My Article About WH Press Secretary Jen Psaki

Today Urban Milwaukee published my article about the new White House Press Secretary, Jen Psaki.

“The most important part of the job of any White House spokesperson is to have credibility. History shows how the words from that podium have made markets move, foreign leaders respond, and news-tickers beep in newsrooms around the country. There absolutely must be a seasoned, intelligent, and trustworthy individual in that role.”

Press Secretary Jennifer Psaki Brings Credibility To The Podium

Doug Mills/The New York Times

There are countless reasons why our nation needed a change of White House administrations. From climate change, trade, and immigration the issues that require a new direction are topics we talk about in our families and editorial writers offer ideas about in newspapers. One topic that gets less attention from the rank-and-file, but nonetheless is very basic to the way we interact with a White House, and an administration with us, is how information flows concerning the actions of a president.

There was no way not to be pleased and encouraged when President Biden’s Press Secretary Jennifer Psaki, upon taking the podium in the press room for the first time mere hours after the inauguration, made a very straightforward statement. The press operations of this White House would place emphasis on “truth and transparency”. She made it clear that even facts will again be a part of what is imparted to reporters.

“I have deep respect for the role of a free and independent press. We have a common goal, which is sharing accurate information with the American people.”

I warmed to Psaki’s candor when saying at times that she didn’t have an answer and would get direct answers to reporters’ questions from people who had the specific information. How refreshing!

What struck me, also, was her simple statement that there will be daily briefings. The working press of the White House will again be treated as the professionals they are, and though the normal tensions will, and must, exist between the two sides one thing has become clear from the first week of Psaki at the helm. She wishes to have this part of the White House return to a normal atmosphere, too.

The White House Pressroom is located just steps from the office of the press secretary to the president. The relationship between White House reporters and the leader of our nation, regardless of political party or decade, is often tense and difficult.  To provide our democracy with the information, insight, and analysis needed for citizens to be able to evaluate the direction of the nation a robust press corps needs to probe and question all our leaders. That often makes every White House uncomfortable.

But that is one price of attaining power that each president must deal with.  The fact that reporters unearth and report on issues that otherwise would never come to light such as the Pentagon Papers in the 1970’s, or the eavesdropping story during President Bush’s presidency underscores the need for an energized press as they report and help secure the foundations of our nation.  The press in our nation is as much a part of why we are free today as the soldiers in uniform.

We often forget that fact.

The Press operations of a White House should never be a tool to make the president look good as each of Donald Trump’s press secretaries demonstrated. In 2017 Politico summed up the short-lived and dreadful experience of Sean Spicer, the first person to hold the job in the Trump term, by writing how he was treated on Saturday Night Live. “— in which a belligerent Spicer was spoofed by a gum-chomping, super soaker-wielding Melissa McCarthy in drag.”

The most important part of the job of any White House spokesperson is to have credibility.  History shows how the words from that podium have made markets move, foreign leaders respond, and news-tickers beep in newsrooms around the country. There absolutely must be a seasoned, intelligent, and trustworthy individual in that role.

And press secretaries must be seen as having self-dignity. As an example, from Spicer’s first full day on the job when sparring with reporters about the size of the inauguration crowds–in spite of facts that showed the exact opposite–he lost that one thing that was not recoverable. He was told what to do by Trump, and instead of doing what a solid-minded person in the role of spokesperson should have done–provide honest information–Spicer instead took the road of lies and landed into his own self-created mess.  In the process, he became a national joke. The very first time that Spicer said one thing to the press only to have minutes later Trump take a contradictory position is when the spokesman should have walked into the Oval Office and laid down the law.

It never was any better for the others who followed in that role. Neither Sarah Sanders nor Kayleigh McEnany desired to do the actual job and became nothing more than part of Trump’s massive efforts at mere public relations as opposed to providing data and facts about the work of the executive branch.

My deep appreciation for the role of a press secretary along with an interest in the people who have held the position goes back 40 years. I have sincere praise for the ones from both parties who have performed admirably. Such as Tony Snow who stood before the press during President Bush’s time in office. I wrote the following in April 2007.

I have the highest regard for Tony Snow and the way that he banters with the press, all the while sticking to his talking points.  He is respected among the White House press because at his core he understands the role of the press, and respects the members of the fourth estate.  That is an essential difference that others, such as President Nixon’s spokesman Ron Zielger, never understood.

A press secretary needs to fully understand the gravitas of the job, the wide scope of issues that pound down on the highest seat of power, and then how to manage the coming issues in a coherent and rational fashion. With a week of watching and assessing Psaki within that framework, I am very pleased with what I am seeing and hearing. I trust that in the years to come her memories of this time will be put into book form. I will be pleased to add it to the other books by press secretaries on my shelves.

Six Month Drought In White House Press Room…And Counting

The White House press secretary has not held an on-camera briefing since March 11. This Wednesday will be the six-month mark of the drought.  Our national government allows reporters to be very close to the seat of power.  Closer than any other leader provides for reporters in any other country around the globe.

The White House Pressroom is located just steps from the office of the press secretary to the president. The relationship between White House reporters and the leader of our nation, regardless of political party or decade, is often tense and difficult.  As it should be.  As it needs to be.

To provide our democracy with the information, insight, and analysis needed for citizens to be able to evaluate the direction of the nation a robust press corps needs to probe and question all our leaders. That often makes every White House uncomfortable.

But that is one price of attaining power that each president must deal with.  The fact that reporters unearth and report on issues that otherwise would never come to light such as the Pentagon Papers in the 1970’s, or the eavesdropping story during President Bush’s term underscores the need for an energized press as they report and help secure the foundations of our nation.  The press in our nation is as much a part of why we are free today as the soldiers in uniform.

We often forget that.

6 Oval Office Desks

This very well may be the most interesting on-line read of the day.

Come this time next year there will be a new president in the White House. Whoever that person ends up being, they will immediately have to make some big, impactful decisions. Choice number one: What desk to use in the Oval Office?

There have only ever been six desks to pass through this room, each chosen by the president who must use it for business that could change the world. Whether it was used for one term or one century, every one of the double-wide, two-pillar Oval Office desks has a compelling story.

 

What Did They Serve At White House For Thanksgiving?

This is always a fun post to place on the blog during the Thanksgiving holiday.

Yesterday the Obama family dined from a fabulous menu.  We know this news today via White House pool report by Peter Baker:  “First Family Thanksgiving menu, via White House pool report by Peter Baker: “Thyme Roasted Turkey … Garlic Jus and Cranberry-Orange Relish … Honey-Baked Ham with Apricot-Mustard Glaze … Prime Rib and Creamed Horseradish … Cornbread Stuffing with Chorizo and Roasted Peppers … Oyster Stuffing … Braised Winter Greens (Collards, Kale, and Turnip Greens) … Macaroni and Cheese … Sweet Potato Gratin … Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes … Green Bean Casserole … Fresh Greens … Kale Caesar Salad …“Banana Cream Pie … Coconut Cream Pie … Pumpkin Pie … Apple Pie … Pecan Pie … Cherry Pie.”

Thanksgiving At White House Over The Decades, Menu And Silverware

A perfect read as we head to Thanksgiving.

Theodore Roosevelt’s family dined on turtles, in addition to turkey, in 1903. Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s 1937 menu included curled celery with toast fingers and olives. And in 1909, William Howard Taft and his dining companions dug into a 26-pound Georgia possum. (They had a 30-pound bird, too.)

Liberals Should Be Upset By Rapper Common’s White House Invite Too

I really do not talk much about rap music on this blog. 

I admit to not finding it anywhere near my interest level,  and to be honest I can not even refer to it as music.  Call it being too old, or lack of awareness but I am at a loss for words when rap blares out at me from a car while parked at an intersection, or spun off at awards shows as worthy of praise.

Tonight however I need to weigh in on this blog and comment on the rapper Common, and his invite to the White House.

An evening of poetry is slated and Lonnie Rashid Lynn Jr., better known as Common, will be one of those on hand to give voice with other poets, musicians, and students.  

I am not pleased.

I looked back on this blog and found the one time I did post on rap was April 2007.  I commented that rap had to evolve.

I wrote, “Like many Americans I find the language used in much of rap music to be offensive.  The idea that music should be laced with so much violence and foul language runs counter to my notion of music and civility. “

I concluded by terming rap as “rancid”.

Granted, it need not be that way, but too often that is exactly what it is.

Now that may place me way out on the other side of where people view this ‘art-form’ but I suspect that many, if not the majority will agree that someone who spews violence in his work, and uses the ‘n’ word, and glorifies the use of an uzi might not be the best ‘poet’ to have at the White House.  If one degrades women and thinks that is an art-form…well…..I just really disagree.  If one has anti-gay references in his lyrics to the point that he needs to admit they must cease being used…..what does that say?  Should we all applaud his new-found sense of common-sense, or instead ask what was the character of his heart when he used the lyrics in the first place?

Just asking.

I know there will  be those who will somehow inject censorship into the storyline had rapper Common not been invited, or better yet uninvited.  To them I say there is nothing wrong about disallowing one who has made very violent statements from entering the White House as a glorified entertainer.

After all, an invite to the White House is quite an honor, and it should not be given to someone whose sense of values includes the line “ “tell the law, my Uzi weighs a ton”.

That is not a message I want to hear anywhere.

I do not want kids hearing that crap in their headphones.

And I certainly do not want someone who creates such stuff having time at the White House in the way Common will tonight.

Hopefully, I will not need to write about rap for another four years!