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The conservative blogosphere got a lot of mileage yesterday out of this video of an AP reporter arguing with Mitt Romney. The matter itself (the degree to which lobbyists are involved in the Romney campaign as compared to the McCain campaign chief who is a lobbyist) was silly but it’s remarkable to see how argumentative the AP reporter is.
(It’s worth watching to the end to see a little old lady tell off the reporter as “rude and ugly.”)
Johnson wrote the article suggesting that Romney’s campaign was selectively using Mormon businesses, which ran on the day of the Iowa caucuses. Johnson has also written some over-the-top arguments that Romney’s campaign has been dishonest (as opposed to other candidates) and he manufactured the controversy over whether George Romney marched with MLK. (Another AP reporter wrote a bitter and dismissive news analysis why Romney won the Michigan primary but is still the “least credible” candidiate.)
Conservatives take it as a badge of honor that the media is biased against them. For whatever comfort that’s worth, Romney can take pride in another gold that the Associated Press (and the rest of media it influences) does not care for him at all.
The substance of the arguments may be arguable but not the track record of indiviudal reporters. Thank goodness for those blogs to be able to connect the dots.
UPDATE: Amazingly, watch the video again and see who is really mad. Then see how CNN and ABC headline their coverage:
CNN: Romney loses cool with reporter
ABC: Riled! Angry Romney Rips Reporter
Tags: media, Mitt Romney
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18 January 2008 at 1:59 pm
Michael
I love it that the reporter in question is sitting on the floor. It hardly seems dignified, but maybe the guy isn’t used to being on tv in that he is employed by the print media.
18 January 2008 at 2:24 pm
Hugh
I didn’t realize he’s was sitting on the floor. Thanks for the video link.
I think it is also interesting that Glen Johnson is from Boston and most likely lived there during Romney’s term as Governor.
It’s also worth noting that Mr. Johnson has written articles that appear to show he’s enamored with Senator Clinton.
18 January 2008 at 2:40 pm
David H. Sundwall
Yeah, the whole laptop on the floor thing didn’t make Johnson any more endearing.
I initially overcame temption to bring it up but Hugh prompts me to add that Johnson described Clinton as “regal” and “calm” during her NH campaign office hostage drama, while she was in DC. He was very good at making sure we knew she was presidential.
18 January 2008 at 2:48 pm
Nick Literski
Gotta love the LDS-speak. It’s “inappropriate” to disagree publicly with Romney? I can just see the press conferences, should this power-hungry bigot get elected as POTUS.
For the sake of all my good, honest, virtuous, decent LDS friends, I hope this man never makes it into office, where he will surely embarass them in front of the entire world.
18 January 2008 at 2:56 pm
Hugh
I have no problem with Glen Johnson disagreeing with Romney, but it is unprofessional for a journalist to argue for 15 minutes. If Johnson really had a story and evidence why didn’t he just publish it?
Of course maybe he did, and I just missed it.
18 January 2008 at 3:22 pm
Nick Literski
Fifteen minutes? The video showed about two minutes of arguement. Was there more to it, or are you just using hyperbole?
If he monopolized 15 minutes, I’d have to agree he was out of line.
18 January 2008 at 3:29 pm
Hugh
Nick, you caught me… I rounded up… it was 14 minutes.
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/01/17/585279.aspx
18 January 2008 at 3:38 pm
David H. Sundwall
Nick,
I’ll take your bait.
Who said anything about it being inappropriate to disagree or question Romney? Of course that’s fine. He’s used to it as a former governor and as a current candidate. It has nothing to do with “LDS-speak” or anything about the Church. He may embarrass the Church but I don’t think he has or will.
But the video shows me Johnson was excessive in badgering Romney. That’s fine I guess, but my larger point was that he has a long history of outright antagonism against Romney.
And of course, Romney’s “power-hungry.” Which one of the candidates isn’t?
But please answer why he’s a bigot. Is that because he doesn’t like courts imposing same-sex marriage?
18 January 2008 at 5:56 pm
Hugh
Here’s something else I think is odd.
Glen Johnson’s Linkin profile shows he’s been with the associated press since May of 2007, but he made the switch from the Globe to the AP around Feb or Mar of 2005.
Probably just a typo.
18 January 2008 at 6:10 pm
Hugh
Sorry to beat a dead horse, but here’s Johnson’s story.
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jKsPiM8YW32h21HRebuncfg3jZcAD8U7SRQ00