Finally, Obama Called Out On Canned Interviews And Press Control

Here's a slice of the exchange between reporters,Chip Reid, the legendary Helen Thomas and White House press secretary, Robert Gibbs as transcribed by CNS news.com regarding the extreme trend in Obama's administration towards stage managed conferences with pre selected audiences and questions.

"Helen Thomas: “That's not his point. The point is the control--”

Reid: “Exactly.”

Thomas: “We have never had that in the White House. And we have had some, but not-- This White House.”

Gibbs: “Yes, I was going to say, I'll let you amend her question.”

Thomas: “I'm amazed. I'm amazed at you people who call for openness and transparency and—”

Gibbs: “Helen, you haven't even heard the questions.”

Reid: “It doesn't matter. It's the process.”

Thomas: “You have left open—”

Reid: “Even if there's a tough question, it's a question coming from somebody who was invited or was screened, or the question was screened.”

Thomas: “It's shocking. It's really shocking.”"

Gibbs seems to regard the normal right of the press and the public to openly question the President as minor issue of process (much like reading bills before they are passed).The trend towards the executive branch with close to 30 "czars" to sidestep or roll right over the the law and the Democratic process should shock everyone.