Reliable Sources: Dana Milbank Gets His Knickers In A Twist Over HuffPo's Upstart Nico Pitney
By Nicole Belle Sunday Jun 28, 2009 11:00am
On Reliable Sources this morning, Howard Kurtz brings on Huffington Post's Nico Pitney to deal with two naysayers eager to scream "collusion!" over Nico's question to President Obama this week regarding the Iranian election: WaPo's Dana Milbank and TownHall's Amanda Carpenter. The fact that hyper-partisan Carpenter is even asked her opinion shows how little interest Kurtz had in an honest dialog. Seriously, Amanda, the video shows Nico in the back of the room behind other reporters--your complaining about Nico being "pushed to the front of the room" is discredited just like all your other "facts"--who you gonna believe? Amanda or your lyin' eyes?
But it's Dana Milbank who really gets his bitchy little knickers in a twist. He starts the segment incredibly defensive. It's hard to tell whether Dana is just miffed that he didn't get called on or that some upstart blogger who doesn't get the same Beltway cocktail party invitations asked a better question than he ever has.
This whole media-created "scandal" is ridiculously inane and smacks of a willful short memory which would be comical if it wasn't supplanting much more important discussions. Um, Howie, Dana, Amanda....does the name "Jeff Gannon" ring a bell? Jamison Foser:
Here's the thing: Nobody is actually claiming that Obama knew what question Pitney was going to ask. The allegations of "coordination" and "staging" are premised on the idea that the Obama folks knew what topic Pitney would ask about - Iran.
Well, it isn't all that unusual for a president to have a pretty good idea what topic a reporter is going to ask about. If you call on a reporter from Stars & Stripes or Army Times, you'll probably get a question relating to the military. Call on a Washington Post reporter, and you'll likely get a question about steroids in baseball or haircuts. Call on a New York Times reporter, and there's a pretty good chance he'll ask what enchants you about the White House. Call on a Huffington Post reporter, and they'll probably ask something a little more substantive.[..]
I'm pretty sure Dana Milbank knew what topic he was going to be asked about when he appeared on CNN's Reliable Sources opposite Pitney today. Ohmygod! Dana Milbank and Howard Kurtz coordinated! It was staged!
Oh, the stoopid hypocrisy. It hurts, doesn't it, Dana?
Just to put this into perspective, think about this. Nico Pitney has spent the last two weeks tirelessly developing sources from inside Iran, aggregating every relevant story available on the internet through every available form of the new communication technology and synthesizing one of the most most difficult and important foreign policy stories of the decade.
Dana Milbank has spent the same period bitching about the "low press" getting to ask questions at a press conference and filming snotty little gossip items for his little insider video embarrassment called "Mouthpiece Theatre."
And the newspapers wonder why they're dying. Let me remind all of you that WaPo decided to sack Froomkin, but kept Milbank. So goes the state of "journalism" at the Washington Post.
By the way, when I emailed Nico to congratulate him on a serious smackdown of the Very. Serious. Villager., he shared with me Milbank's comment to him as Kurtz was introducing the next segment: "You're such a dick." You stay classy, Dana.
Login or Register to post comments.
Mayhaps dana milbank, larry vitter and mitt romney ought to get together to share undergarment secrets.
critical, cynical, minutia driven culture is quite charming.
I think Milbank is jealous of Nico for several reasons -- among them that Nico is young and just adorable with those dark, soulful eyes...
(:>)
What kind of question can you expect if you call on babwa wawa?
For me, Dana Milbank is the poster child for what is wrong with the Washington Post. They fired a real journalist--Dan Froomkin--and retained a truly unserious hack--Milbank.
Milbank takes the important issues of the day and trivializes them. Rather than informing the citizenry, he "entertains" with "witty" commentary. If the Post had any interest in being a real newspaper they would only allow Milbank to write a celebrity gossip column.
Next time, ask about investigations into the invasion of Iraq.
Ask if there are going to be any investigations?
And if so, What should become of the results of said investigations?
oh, milbank is a douche. we've all know that for a long time now.
No surprise there
with these "reporters" - the issue that they really get excited about is... THEMSELVES!
Have you seen a similarly spirited and emotion session devoted to healthcare?
Or the war in Iraq?
The Villagers HATE when they are confronted with the fact it's not all about them.
even then, they make it about themselves. (exhibit a, milbank)
ps...his little folder, pathetic. his voice- alternatively mocking and barely stifled anger tremor, his "touching" nico, telling)
wants to put the real investigative guy back, so he can return to entitlement -establishment -status quo "journalism"
fired by MSNBC? I remember K.O. making an apology for Milbank's statements but I don't know what Milbank said.
but Olbermann said, "...Milbank would not be returning to the program, mainly due to his inclusion of the following Obama quote, which many have said was taken out of context: "I have become a symbol of the possibility of America returning to our best traditions."
Milbank tells TVNewser: "It predated the column and nothing occurred along the lines Keith described."
Olbermann wrote a kos diary about it in 2008.
Milbank was banned from Countdown for distorting something Obama said and completely subverting the intent. At the same time, he was hired for commentary on CNN, thus eliminating Milbank's requirement to apologize and retract per Olbermann's demand.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/8/4/17...
Thanks, I knew he'd had a dust-up with Olberman about some remarks, but never really heard what it was about and what the result was.
Methinks he played his "snark" once too often and it came back to bite him in the ass. Always thought he was a wise-ass with a bit of an attitude.
The deal with Pitney proves it; the Villagers are getting fearful now that the more relavant coverage and reportage is slowly becoming bloggers and not the main stream media whores.
Milbank took Obama's "I am a symbol" remark out of context - along with all the wingers and Olbermann called him on it. Milbank went to CNN rather than correct it.
dying and taking everything down with it.
The web isn't immune either.
Sanford won't resign http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090628/ap_on_re_...
Though he expected Clinton to resign or be impeached over the same thing!. Time to start impeachment proceedings!
Shock!!!! Will stick with mistress! Dumps wife says she's ugly and useless! Say's kids can go to hell too! Has Mormon Support in Senate!
White House Silent!
My favorite part:
"But Sanford, who hasn't spoken publicly since Friday, said he spoke with close spiritual and political associates who advised him to fight to restore the public's — and his family's — trust in him.
"Resigning would be the easiest thing to do," he said."
Bwah, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!!! I realize South Carolinians are not the brightest flames in the fire or they would not keep voting Republican and against their own best interests but this has got to be too much for even them to swallow! Give me a fucking break! He spoke to a spiritual adviser? Sandford thinks he can throw in "spiritual adviser" and "family" and the people of South Carolina are going to be stupid enough to swallow that load? It has nothing to do with hypocrisy and saving his political hide, its all about Sanford being a goooooood Chreeestian man looking out for this family and doing what God wants!
Oh, brother I've heard it all now!! What a self-serving hypocritical charlatan.
I'm not sure saying "Ohgodohgodohgodohgodohgod" on a yacht in the Carribean qualifies as a consultation with a spiritual advisor.
Still, why wouldn't he say "preacher"? Isn't that what all his constituents have? I'm thinking he is SERIOUSLY out of touch with reality.
Maybe Howard Kurtz is NOT THAT RELIABLE?
It seems to me that for over a decade the internet has been a more reliable source of news than ANY TV SHOW.
Or hasn't Kurtz heard? News is now considered ENTERTAINMENT by their owners.
Political Entertainment
BOOO WHOOOO WHOOOO, WHHHAAAAAAAA.
My 3 year old throws a better tantrum.
Milbank is all about himself and hasn't turned out anything good in a long time. Let's face it, newspapers are on life support. The young resourseful Nicos of journalism are leaving most of these guys in the dust. TV news is next. With everything going on in Iran, two wars, Hondorous, health care, climate bills, et al, the media is talking about Michael Jackson non-stop and Gov. Sanford. TV news has become Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood and Hardcopy all in one.
...we need more Mike Jackson minutia.
How can you say that,
Why he was just as important to the history of pop
As Ashlee Simpson!!!
Isn't that Abscess Hollywood?
he is just pissed because his corporate masters wont let him ask such a question. he was assigned to the white house at the request of KKKarl Rove himself. see below:
from wikipedia
"Milbank covered the 2000 US Presidential election and the 2004 US Presidential election. He also covered US President George W. Bush's first term in office. After Bush won the 2000 election, Karl Rove asked the Washington Post not to assign Milbank to cover White House news.[4] In 2001, a pool report penned by Milbank which covered a Bush visit to the US Capitol generated controversy within conservative circles.[5] According to Milbank, the nickname given to him by the president is "not printable in a family publication."[6]"
Nico Pitney worked his ass off and got his question in.
milbank is pissed because the obama administration refuses to call upon him. why should they? he a a bush administration stooge. period.
If I was going to post anything from that wiki article, I would mention that Dana Milbank is a Skull & Bones member. That fact offers some insight into Milbank.
Must have been a legacy - kinda like Kent Dorfman...
"Dana Milbank, I've thought long and hard about this... You're CNN nickname is... Flounder."
Dana wishes he had one and some balls to go with it
to be a death spiral for the traditional establishment media. looks like they've slipped past critical mass and we're watching, reading, etc the last little nervous twitches.
by foregoing the real reason for their existence and going to profit modus, we're likely to have no watchdogs, except from the independent media (who are great btw) and possible foreign sources.
I would totally understand Milbank's complaint if Pitney had asked an easy question, or one that was designed to further some Obama Administration talking point.
He didn't. He asked one of the toughest questions I've heard put to a President, and Obama essentially dodged it.
Given the circumstances, the complaint seems like simple jealousy; like arrogant hacks upset that some outsider was allowed to ask a question, and did a much better job than they generally do.
I'm a pretty pragmatic person. I think I see things from both side of a debate most of the time. Sometimes I understand why a right wing nutcase may do something. Sometimes, not often, they may have a point. Having said that I think Dana Milbank came off as a first rate DICK in this segment and Amanda Carpenter came off looking like the whiny bitch that she is. I sure hope that they didn't walk away thinking that they "really showed them" after they viewed it to see how nice they looked. .
then the sourfaced guy in front of him ( looks like Christopher hitchens maybe)was dry humping the President
I loved it when Nico pointed out the fact that Milbank when he had a crack at the president during the Campaign he asked him about how he looked in a bathing suit. Milbank was so pissed off by that it was GOLD!
Yeah, if you look carefully at Dana's face, you can tell that he is seething with anger when Nico points out the bathin suit thing. I bet he just wants to strangle Nico at that point!
Milbank has occasionally been genuinely insightful, but he's long been mostly a clown. Here, he's unbelievably pissy because he's called out as the whore he is. And Carpenter shows the right-wing hasn't gotten any smarter or more honest.
I hope Nico and Dana took it outside and that Nico kicked his ass!
i couldnt figure out WTF was up with bill press standing next to nico
Now he's concerned?ok, whatever dana.
For some reason, I can't recall you doing any real investigative journalistic work leading up to the Iraq invasion.
But NOW you're concerned about the medias integrity?
Because a blogger beat you?
asshat.
I'm still trying to ascertain the whereabouts of a haberdashery where I can purchase such a singular accoutrement.
Haberdashery? No, The Erotic Bakery (delete spaces and add dot com) in Seattle should be able to create one for you. They do wonderful work!
at the presser
has that been arranged?" - Dana Milbank
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8ChWyZZAaA
Collusion? Are you f8c(ing kidding me?!?
We had a press that went about the docile task of pretending that the president was using actual words for 8 years! He had a gay porn website owner lobbing softballs (pun intended) from the third row ffs!
We all just wink and nod when we see segments like this and it's total bs that we have to deal with newschannels wasting our time with people like Dana Milbank.
What a waste of a news segment.
Someday Milbank will be sucking Nico's dick.
We are watching the end of the TV talking shitheads!
If people like milbank had done their jobs during the last eight years we would not be in the trouble we are in today.
milbank is losing money so he brings out the republican line and lies to make it look better for him.
republicanism is a mental illness!
The American press was almost entirely missing in action(Dana?) during the entire eight shamelessly rat fucked,hate infested, evil pulsating years that comprised the Bush White House,but now..NOW..Milbank has a problem.
With a blogger.
Jesus jumped up Christ.
are these tv talking heads as journalists, if they are all ascared of a blogger? A blogger? I mean come on, not to offend said blogger at HuffPo, but if it wasn't for all that transparency BS during the run up to the election, HuffPo wouldn't be called upon at a media scrum to refill the coffee cups.
I think the larger issue here is that the 'old guard, inside the beltway'boys really hate that if they are going to keep up they are doing to have to start working for a living again.
Let's face it, Nico has kicked ass over the past few weeks with his coverage of Iran and he did the 'old fashioned' way with a new spin; but he has cultivated sources and gone out,as it were to find the story. Maybe he wasn't pounding the pavement but he also wasn't sitting around waiting for someone to tell him what to write.
I also think there is a lot of resentment that a 'dirty blogger' got the second question at the presser, usually reserved for traditional media and boy are they pissed. Because that is the way it has always been done, get over it Dana you sanctimonious prig the times they are a changing.
The MSM think the story is about them and their access. Didn't Milbank fall in love with Bush's "mission accomplished" moment? Wasn't Milbank in the press corps when a gay male escort was hired as a "reporter", specifically to ask Bush softball questions?
Then the MSM get outraged by Nico, who actually asked an intelligent question for once? This is all about territorial pissings on the part of the MSM. It has nothing to do with content and/or substance of the reporting. They're terrified bloggers are going to take their place, and instead of just adjusting themselves to the new reality (people want more substance in reporting), they're still hanging on to the ugly, useless past.
stated (conceded) at least 3 times. but, but he was brought to the head of the group to ask the legitimate question.
their stock is fading and (insider) control must be maintained. they point out that maybe he has the inside track on this one...and how does this differ from their m/o?? only who gets to ask aspect
...again, they concede he did a good job... and, ergo, they.. did not ... and do not
to the larger point: "This is all about territorial pissings on the part of the MSM."
msm-->doing what they do best
Once an
WAPO journalisthack, always a hack, Dana.how silly. how absurd. how sad. Press conferences rarely provide news, and why should we expect them to? These Washington Press Corps sad sacks are suffering from the same disease that got us Vietnam and Nixon. Watergate was uncovered by 2 reporters on the local beat, not those in the Washington Press Corps. Real news comes from investigating leads, researching documents, creating sources. It doesn't come from organized tv shows with prepared questions and questioners. At least Nico admits to the phoniness of a Prez Press Conference, though he seems more occupied with Dana arguing about who gets to continue the phoniness.
"he called me by my first name!"
"did not"
"did too, and later he invited me over for a bbq"
"did not"
"did too, and he said he always liked the way I reported his non-answers"
"did not"
"did too, and every year he throws a big party in appreciation for all the propaganda we spew pretending it's all fact in order to thank us for all our hard work"
...he's just flirting.
"...he's just flirting." It's funny -- I had the feeling that Dana will dream about Nico tonight. Not necessarily a sexual thing per se, but a power thing that will disturb him for a while.
The country's in the shithole and they bicker about media collusion. The past 8 years were Collusion 101.
..as Kurtz was introducing the next segment"
I suppose that the real legacy of Tim Russert is to never allow pens (or other items which can be thrown maliciously) available on the set during a televised segment like this one.
One of the major reasons for newspaper demise is a drop in advertising revenue. The use of Craigslist has essentially obliterated any profit from advertising small items, cars, Apt. for rent, etc.
My local rag would charge $40 for a week of advertising. Craigslist - Nothin! I went both routes to advertise my Apt for rent, guess which one my renter used?
Craigslist.
I guess Tony Snow walking off the Fucksnews studio into the WH was just a coinkidink. I must admit it was quite entertaining to watch Milbank meltdown over his loss of stature. He definitelyt wanted to punch Pitney, which of course is the last refuge Milbank has. Pitney handed him his lily white ass on a platter.
Carpenter, OTOH, simply lied. She LIED right on the air. And most murkins are completely oblivious.
Thx for posting, I used to watch Howie back in the day when Rachel was on.
Anyway, Meldrake went on and on like a drama queen, I was waiting for him to shake his folder at Nico, and then press the back of his wrist against his forehead. :D
I wonder if he practiced in front of a mirror.
How much wood can a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
Login or Register to post comments.