Obama White House bars press from press award ceremony

We are not making this up:

Barack Obama was elected commander in chief promising to run the most transparent presidential administration in American history.

This achievement and the overall promise of his historic administration caused the National Newspaper Publishers Assn. to name him "Newsmaker of the Year."

The president is to receive the award from the federation of black community newspapers in a White House ceremony this afternoon.

The Obama White House has closed the press award ceremony to the press.

From the president's official schedule: 

"Later in the afternoon, the President and the First Lady will attend a reception with the National Newspaper Publisher Association in the State Dining Room, where they will be presented the Newsmaker of the Year award. This event is closed press."

Maybe they'll let the newspaper people pass the award through the fence.

(UPDATE: The White House notes that while other press were barred from the publishers' event, the association's publishers themselves were admitted and the event treated as an exclusive interview and it expects the association to keep a record of what transpired during it.)

-- Andrew Malcolm

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Photo: Associated Press

Comments

[Pablo Pandero]

Of course it is closed to the press. There is no teleprompter in the state dining room. Can't take a chance that someone in the press might ask him a question.

[JB]

War is peace, Freedom is slavery, Ignorance is strength ...

That's right, press peeps, Barack is just keeping you strong...

[Don L]

The man is complete "transparency" but not the intended or promised variety.

Haven't we read all this stuff in pre-1960 history books somewhere?

[sydneyj]

I guess this is closed because is a "black" event, since it's being given by a federation of black newspapers. Throughout his campaign, you very rarely saw Barack Obama photographed at black events, if he bothered to attend at all, or with prominent African Americans (except for Oprah) because he didn't want to be seen as the "black president." So, this is not surprising.

But, did anybody really believe all the talk about transparency, anyway?

[greg]

This is no surprise, he's probably going to try to wing it without a teleprompter, and he wants to make sure there is no unfriendly coverage of his idiotic remarks. I wonder who he will insult during this event. He's already insulted the Brits, the Brazilians, a singer who he joked about being fat (without so much as a wimper from the ones who jumped all over Laura Ingraham for referring to Meghan McCain as a plus size.) Of course, let us not forget that he has insulted disabled veterans by proposing that they pay for their care at VA hospitals, in an attempt to save $500 million so he can fund health care for illegal aliens.

I'm sure he'll blame all his gaffes on Limbaugh personally.

0bama is the biggest idiot to ever occupy the white house.

[Linda Hill]

Whaaaaat? Which of the junior staffers decided this one?

[Kevin]

How odd.

[Jim]

Wow! A report that treats him like the brazen politician he is. THANK YOU. And, by the way, you should make sure your tax returns are in order for the audit...

[Hankster]

So what's the surprise. Bababama is just another hypocritical, two faced liar like the rest of them. He is just a power hungry 2 bit politician. You didn't really expect him to keep his promises, did you?

[Mike]

Says one thing and does another. Recieving a specifically black award will not help him or the country. We are supposed to be all cured now of racisim. Putting this award out for the public to view will look racist, and whether people know about it or not, it is bad for the white house and for the country. Like with other awards there are no white, or chino awards, there are hispanic awards. They are after bailout money as well, and since Obama doesn't give out pork, I am sure it will not be according to his new dictionary.
Signed one pee o'd american citizen.

[Steve - Ithaca, NY]

Perhaps there's no teleprompter access?

[John]

Must be a Non-Teleprompter event

[Ken]

Who the hell does this guy think he is? Who is he afraid of, by picking and choosing what press has access to him? What a liar! Transparency my -SS!

[j weber]

Transparency? Idiocricy! Hypocrisy!

We will never know the truth with this President.

All words, only words....I think is what he will be known for...

[James]

Maybe they'll let the reporters come in through the back door? Sounds like an outfit run by special olympians to me!

[Brett]

Folks... it's time we face the fact that the Obama is a politician just like the rest of them. McCain was not as well spoken, and frankly -- he lost the election, but it certainly would have been great to benefit from his experience and record of limited wasteful spending during these challenging economic times!

[Ken Jackson]

Did anyone ask why, before we all jump to conclusions? I find news stories to be incorrect or or the details inaccurate more often than than they are correct or accurate primarily because of haste and superficial journalism. I am not concerned with the press being barred from the event but would like to know if (1) the press association giving the award requested it, (2) if the press being present in any substantial number poses a logistical problem or if there are other reasons. If the "News Media" does not get back to reporting news without slants, bias, opinions and ideological leanings, the "News Media" will soon find itself without an audience. Americans are getting sick of the rudeness of media personalities and the ideological trash both cable and broadcast news palm off as "fair and balanced" news by the "best political news team in television". Where is Walter Cronkite when you need him?

[Tommy]

Imagine if BUSH made the SPECIAL OLYMPICS INSULT??!! He would have been called out on EVERY NEWS SHOW!! I don't believe his "waterhead" remark has been reported either. In the West Coast feed, he joked about a dog and said it isn't a waterhead "tripping all over the place". Well waterhead is defined in the Urban Dictionary as "retarded"!! I can't believe the whitewashing from the media on this and the TelePrompTer GAFFE WHEN OBAMA THANKED HIMSELF BECAUSE HE WAS READING A SPEECH DESIGNED FOR SOMEONE ELSE!! BUSH WOULD BE CALLED THE TELEPROMPTER IN CHIEF!! OBAMA AND HIS MEDIA ARE A BUNCH OF HYPOCRITICAL COWARDS!!

[jummy]

Barack Obama is a fascist who hates the Constitution.

[Sorrydog40]

Ha Ha! The press that elected him is now barred from his events. Just desserts for the liberal media that could see no wrong! How fitting! How are you liking that hope and change now?

[tony]

Maybe the White House press secretary is araid Obama will be making special education/ bowling jokes again lol. This administration is a tone deaf joke.

[dennisl59]

The Thought Police (thinkpol in Newspeak) are the secret police of the novel Nineteen Eighty-Four whose job it is to uncover and punish thoughtcrime. The Thought Police use psychology and omnipresent surveillance to find and eliminate members of society who are capable of the mere thought of challenging ruling authority.

This is next. Where is the Alien Invasion when we really need it, eh?

[Philthetruth]

I hope nobody's surprised by yet another edict from our supreme "leader." And if you didn't see this coming you're bigger fool than obama. Libs don't believe in anything real, so how are they supposed to function in the real world?

[Don Nunham]

Did someone say..."Freedom of the press" is now PASSE?...

[FedUp]

Well, at least he's consistent in his hypocrisy.

[Bill A]

Great...I'd kkep Fox from reporting anything that goes on in the WH..They slant everything,anyways.

[Bolo Bikko]

This is very unsual and highly odd. There must be a mistake or mis-communication somewhere.
Bolo

[Dr Ray]

KEEP THE CHANGE!!!

[Dr. James Stansbury]

This is just another example of the lies this stupid White House puts out. They make a little deal a big deal by
His lies. This is the worst White House ever to darken
the halls of this great office.

Disgusted in GA

[Chicken Hammer]

I would like to be surprised by this move but I'm not. Obama has made too many incredibly silly moves since being sworn in to surprise me any more.

[2centsworth]

Closed to the press because he will be speaking to an audience that expects him to say disparing comments about "whites". If he doesn't plead victimhood for this group, they will not support him in the future.

After last nights comments about his bowling, he would be wise to hide under a rock for the next 3years, 9 months, but his ego won't let that happen.

Obama, Biden, Pelosi-- the Trinity of Idiots brought to you by unthinking sychophants.

[Gary Ray Lauderdale]

Every monster eventually turns on its own creator.

[jim]

The mainstream media is being played like a bad fiddle and they still can't bring themselves to the understanding that they are expendable just like everybody else. Or should I say only important when the President really needs something?

[Yukiko]

If this isn't change we can believe in I don't know what change is. This man amazes me. He is going to take Jerry Ford's place as dumbest president and Jimmy Carter's record as worst president in one fell swoop.

[Chelly]

Who did the federation of white community newspapers give the award to? Oh, silly me. That would be RACIST, now, wouldn't it??

This award shouldn't even exist. I am so sick of the double standard in this country. Talk about having your cake and eating it, too.

[Patriotic Citizen]

And why should this shock anyone? Controlling the media is part of a Socialist agenda. He made his intentions to control the media very obvious during his campaign when he barred from his plane the reporters who did not report the story as he wanted them to. Did anyone bother to take that action seriously or was even FOX News so starry-eyed they could not see this coming???

[PJ]

Well- I have had my daily "Obama" laugh. What a joke but it does not surprise me! What is going on in DC is an embarassment to all Americans! Do they really believe that we are so stupid? I feel like Michelle Obama because right now I am ashamed of the way that our elected officials are acting? Wake up and act like true Americans!

[Biffula]

What is with this empty suit? He gets an award from the press and then keeps the press out?!?!?!? EVERYDAY this clown steps in a new pile of it. And you fools thought Bush was bad.

[json]

maybe when obama promised transparency he meant that his administration would be the most transparent hidden, and secretive administration in history and that we are garonteed transparency when ever he feels like it.

[S. Steiner]

You idiots elected this dufus. Believe me you got what you paid for.

[daveinboca]

Hilarious. I'll bet the LAT closes this gem from Andrew from comments, as this is too rich for the thin gruel that the LAT usually ladles out in dribs and drabs....

[J Wilson]

Mr. Obama definitely has set a new level of openness to the press in his administration. The surpise is how low the level is, not how high it is. But, you have to hand it to him for candor. He clearly told us all up front that he would be setting a new level for openness. And actually, if you look at other socialist and totalitarian regimes, they have set a similar level of openness to the press. Obama is doing the same thing that the USSR, Cuba, North Korea, and others have done before.

[cate]

I hope the press has more pressing things to cover than harping on not being invited to giving its own award to President Obama. Do they really thing some important tid-bids will do dropped as someone passes the bread basket. Why would you want to cover your own award being given? The news media wants to become the news or cover it?

[David]

This is what happens when a communist is running our country. Every person loses their constitutional rights.
In less than two years it's up to Americans to take back our country. VOTE THESE COMMUNISTS OUT OF OFFICE.

GOD please send us another Ronald Reagan.

Palin in 2012.

[Reis R. Kash]

Everything Obama says (or does) is a lie. It is obvious he doesn't want White America to see him surrounded by his Black supporters in the White House. Oh, and yes - he didn't know about the AIG bonuses, but just signed the bill in his sleep after appearing on a late night TV comedy show.

[lourdes]

Oh goose, let the newspaper reporter jump the fence.... not a good move bt a President.....

[sibil]

Let's get the facts straight. The BLACK press is giving the award and only the BLACK press is allowed to report on it. No wonder they don't want any whities there. Because then the truth may be told about how racist Obama is. Of course we can already see how racist he is with ACORN and the reparations that were in the stimulus bill and every other spending bill he passes. Did I say reparations - yes reparations. He already said that not enough was done when the civil rights act was passed. His mentor for God's sake is the CEO of BET who believes in only helping and hiring only blacks. When will Whitie Magazine, Ivory Magazine, White Entertainment Television Network, the Federation of the White Press get their chance to give Obama an award.

[Tammy]

This is outrageous and shouldn't be aloud to take place without other people/reporters there. If this were a white President with a White community paper there would be outrage and protests.

[unclesmrgol]

Dang. I was SOOO interested in hearing the latest ethnic jokes...

[Robert Malcom]

Yup, "Transparent". He just re-defined the word, that's all. After all, he thinks he's Abe Lincoln, Martin Luther King, & Ghandi, all rolled into one, so doesn't he have that right??? :)