Horserace
October 26, 2008 4:41 PM

Paper: Obama Campaign Payback At TV Station

The Orlando Sentinel is reporting that the Obama campaign has told station WFTV-Channel 9 not to expect any more interviews until after the election.

According to a blog on the paper's Web site, this stems from a satellite interview the Orlando station's Barbara West conducted with Joe Biden on Thursday.

West asked the Democratic vice presidential nominee to defend whether the ticket's policies were "Marxist" and whether Biden's comments about Obama being "tested" early in his presidency were saying "America's days as the world's leading power are over."

During the interview, Biden reacted with surprise to the questions.

"Are you joking?" he asked at one point. "No," the anchor responded. Later, Biden said: "I don't know who's writing your questions."

The paper reports that the campaign then cancelled a planned interview the station had scheduled with Jill Biden.

"This cancellation is non-negotiable, and further opportunities for your station to interview with this campaign are unlikely, at best for the duration of the remaining days until the election," wrote Laura K. McGinnis, central Florida communications director for the campaign, according to the paper.

Read more from the newspaper here.
Watch the interview with Biden.
Tags:
joe biden ,
WFTV ,
orlando sentinel
Topics:
Joe Biden
Add a Comment See all 113 Comments
by anotherview2-2009 October 26, 2008 4:51 PM PDT
CBS would not have the courage to push Biden or Obama the way Barbara West of WFTV did.

CBS falls all over themselves when it comes to their adoration of Obama. This just shows what it takes to have journalistic access to Obama.
Reply to this comment
by anotherview2-2009 October 26, 2008 4:53 PM PDT
And the Obama campaign just sent a message to the media..be good or else.

They also said clearly by their response, that West''s questions have merit.
Reply to this comment
by October 26, 2008 4:54 PM PDT
Barbara West was way out of line and offensive. This was a type of "interview" you''d expect from right-wing FOX News, not a local news station. I fully support the Obama camp''s refusal to participate or cooperate with them. This lady, West, was about one minute away from accusing Obama of "palling around with terrorists". Really disgusting journalistic behavior.
Reply to this comment
by mavsreader October 26, 2008 4:55 PM PDT
I''m too lazy to look it up, but did CBS do a piece on the McCain/Palin ticket Campbell Brown/CNN flap?
Reply to this comment
by dburfears October 26, 2008 5:01 PM PDT
I watched the interview. I also watched 2 other interviews by Barbara West on this station''s web site.

This "journalist" must be on the McCain payroll. She asked the most slanted and loaded questions along the lines of "when did you stop beating your wife?"

I don''t blame the Obama campaign. Send Barbara West to the job she is trying to get- another Fox News "commentator".
Reply to this comment
by gotravel1 October 26, 2008 5:09 PM PDT
Thank you Barbara West,for asking the kind of questions the rest of Obama''s media has been afraid to ask!there are millions of Americans who have been disenfranchised by the media,who are bought by Soros and foreign money,by blasting Obama''s as the "Messiah",allowing reporters to talk about "chills going up their legs" instead of addressing the disturbing friendships and relationships of Barack Obama.Why was his mentor Frank Marshall Davis,why was he promoted by Dr.Khalidi al-Mansour,Farrahkan,and what about his trip to kenya in 2006 to support Odinga? Please,everyone,take some time TODAY to google Obama/Odinga,Obama 401 K, Obama/New Party.Read a Chicago Sun Times.com article "A Chicagoan''s Perspective on Obama,Rezko and Corruption",July 5,2008 by Abraham Miller.Obama is steeped in Chicago corruption and racism.
Reply to this comment
by marintx October 26, 2008 5:10 PM PDT
"And the Obama campaign just sent a message to the media..be good or else."

Actually, Biden more than stood up to West and clearly and concisly answered her rediculous questions. Her line of attack utilized hearsay and nonfactual information. I don''t blame the Obama campaign from cancelling Jill Biden''s interview and deciding not to make themselves available to this station again.
Reply to this comment
by rbyanes October 26, 2008 5:19 PM PDT
I thought Biden did a great job againt West''s questions. I''m glad it''s going to get a lot of play so people will see it. However, Barbara West had nothing of softballs for John McCain when she interviewed him so her journalistic integrity in a legitimate target. I agree with not granting this station any more interviews.
Reply to this comment
by rbyanes October 26, 2008 5:21 PM PDT
Gotravel1 please take a grammar class. Your mindless rantings would be a lot more respectable if you knew how to write. Another GOP anti-intellectual?
Reply to this comment
by depochick October 26, 2008 5:21 PM PDT
Give Barbara West a raise! Give her an Emmy! Finally...finally, someone asks tough questions of the Obama/Biden ticket! Good for her! Kudos!

Fair questions were asked and Biden had every opportunity to defend his ticket, but either could not or chose not to as, ultimately, he did not. How insulting to ask her if she was joking. He owes her an apology for treating her as he did.

As far as the Obama campaign stating that they will have no further interviews with that station, I honestly believe they have nothing else to say anyway. Senator Delaware/Scranton Joe Biden said it all by saying nothing at all to Mrs. West.

Go, Barbara! Go, Barbara! Go, Barbara! Maybe some MSM execs will take your lead.

Thank you for being our voice! God bless you.

Reply to this comment
by pinetreefla October 26, 2008 5:42 PM PDT
Over the past week I have seen a few careers destroyed over personal views that were stated on television and the speakers were sent packing. Babba West, you need to pack your bags!! Your questions were reflective of your non-existing intelligence. I never could have imagined anyone capable of displaying less intelligence than Sarah Palin but you just bypassed her! Whoever your GM is, they need to sent packing too.
This family and several others in my immediate neighborhood have decided to discontinue getting news, in any form, from WFTV! Are you all performing a live audition for a right wing talk show?? What ever happened to remaining neutral and not letting your own opinions influence questions asked of someone you are interviewing? Babba, you are too old, out of touch, out of your mind and hopefully out of luck!!
Reply to this comment
by pinetreefla October 26, 2008 5:44 PM PDT
Over the past week I have seen a few careers destroyed over personal views that were stated on television and the speakers were sent packing. Babba West, you need to pack your bags!! Your questions were reflective of your non-existing intelligence. I never could have imagined anyone capable of displaying less intelligence than Sarah Palin but you just bypassed her! Whoever your GM is, they need to sent packing too.
This family and several others in my immediate neighborhood have decided to discontinue getting news, in any form, from WFTV! Are you all performing a live audition for a right wing talk show?? What ever happened to remaining neutral and not letting your own opinions influence questions asked of someone you are interviewing? Babba, you are too old, out of touch, out of your mind and hopefully out of luck!!
Reply to this comment
by masterkenobl October 26, 2008 5:52 PM PDT
To all of you right-wing nutjobs on this forum, did you actually watch the interview? She asked her "questions", then Biden put her in her place with calm and solid answers that she simply couldn''t refute, so she simply kept saying "next question..."

Yes, they will not honor any more interviews until after the election, but that''s only because they gave Biden hardball questions while the interview they gave to McCain was full of softball questions.

The "anchor''s" husband is actually a GOP media consultant, and this interview clearly shows her slant and lack of journalistic ethics. WFTV is no more than a wannabe FoxNews.
Reply to this comment
by eroosevelt08 October 26, 2008 5:54 PM PDT
Nobody should have to put up with a snotty interviewer. I agree with the Obama campaign.
Reply to this comment
by darkroom2 October 26, 2008 5:57 PM PDT
Hey pinetreefla Bow are you something. a reporter finally asks Biden a real question and he makes Palin look like a Rhodes scholar. Funny I guess you expected her to be like all the leftist media and ask about his pet rabbit.
Reply to this comment
by depochick October 26, 2008 6:00 PM PDT
Give Barbara West a raise! Give her an Emmy! Finally...finally, someone asks tough questions of the Obama/Biden ticket! Good for her! Kudos!

Fair questions were asked and Biden had every opportunity to defend his ticket, but either could not or chose not to as, ultimately, he did not. How insulting to ask her if she was joking. He owes her an apology for treating her as he did.

As far as the Obama campaign stating that they will have no further interviews with that station, I honestly believe they have nothing else to say anyway. Senator Delaware/Scranton Joe Biden said it all by saying nothing at all to Mrs. West.

Go, Barbara! Go, Barbara! Go, Barbara! Maybe some MSM execs will take your lead.

Thank you for being our voice! God bless you.

Reply to this comment
by johnelca October 26, 2008 6:12 PM PDT
I keep seeing posts that refer to Barbara''s questions as "tough questions". These were nothing of the sort, they were utterly ridiculous and comparable to McCain/Palin being asked questions such as these:

- Sen. McCain, You''ve made statements referring to "100 years of war", are you an imperialist?

- Sen. McCain, due to your years of captivity, how can American''s know you were not brainswashed by the Viet Cong, putting forth a secret agenda to turn the U.S. into a communist state?

- Gov. Palin, with your previous radical associations, how can you ensure the American voters that you do not intend to eventually secede Alaska from the United States and found a Christian Faith based nation there?

- Gov Palin, you''ve made statements looking to extend the power of the Vice Presidency, well beyond that already claimed by VP Cheney, are you a dictator?

- Sen. McCain, with your tax policies and ties to the top tier in business and income earners, do you intend to turn this country into an oligarch or aristocracy?
Reply to this comment
by syllabujones October 26, 2008 6:20 PM PDT
This crossed the line. Well done, Biden!
Reply to this comment
by martin9p2 October 26, 2008 6:33 PM PDT
Biden gave a perfectly snappy answer to a stupid question. Well done!
Reply to this comment
by martin9p2 October 26, 2008 6:38 PM PDT
There''s nothing "socialist" about being fair to every citizen. Joe McCarthy saw a communist behind every tree in the 1950''s, and he was discredited as a fear monger.
Reply to this comment
by longtree-2009 October 26, 2008 6:46 PM PDT
barbara west has to go for the big story, for the ratings, for the journalistic awards. it is what they do. biden answered the questions with clarity and both barbara west and biden were doing great. then, barbara west has to loop back an rephrase, reframe a previous question which revealed her to be another twit who happens to be a tv journalist. she was doing so well too. biden was a gentleman, very vice-presidential and presidential in his responses.
Reply to this comment
by newslink October 26, 2008 6:57 PM PDT
I guess that this Barbra or whoever she is. Went for her 15 min. of fame. In the Long Run, she will realize that she have made a huge mistake.
Reply to this comment
by wkuinkc October 26, 2008 7:00 PM PDT
Unbelievable. And the McCain interview? She asked McCain how he felt about ACORN. OMG. Wow. Have a softball, Senator. Feel free to rant for a while about this totally bogus issue.
Reply to this comment
by bk_oh October 26, 2008 7:31 PM PDT
Something to think about.

Thomas Jefferson said that a Government big engough to give you everything you need, is big enough to take away everything you have.

That said, I would have liked to have heard the answer.
Reply to this comment
by cheteunice October 26, 2008 7:40 PM PDT
So much for Obama and freedom of the press. Which of our freedom will he try to take away next?
Reply to this comment
by cheteunice October 26, 2008 7:42 PM PDT
martin9p2, Depends on how you define being fair and what you are doing to make fairness!
Reply to this comment
by smartvote8 October 26, 2008 7:45 PM PDT
Barbara West''s interview finally finally finally gave Americans some REAL JOURNALISM and reporting, not biased propaganda! Yikes. You''d think we were already living in the old USSR, by looking at the media (including good ole CBS) in the pocket of Obama and all liberal democrats.

Reporters have gone soft on Obama & Biden, and our nation will pay for it if they get elected. God have mercy upon us.

But it''s not too late!!!!!
Vote McCain/Palin!
Reply to this comment
by smartvote8 October 26, 2008 7:45 PM PDT
Barbara West''s interview finally finally finally gave Americans some REAL JOURNALISM and reporting, not biased propaganda! Yikes. You''d think we were already living in the old USSR, by looking at the media (including good ole CBS) in the pocket of Obama and all liberal democrats.

Reporters have gone soft on Obama & Biden, and our nation will pay for it if they get elected. God have mercy upon us.

But it''s not too late!!!!!
Vote McCain/Palin!
Reply to this comment
by carolo43 October 26, 2008 8:09 PM PDT
McCain wants to buy up all those foreclosed mortgages. Thousands of them. Is he totally lost his marbles.
Reply to this comment
by ordisi1 October 26, 2008 8:19 PM PDT
You''ve got to see how the Obama camp is responding to the Orlando Biden interview...by changing the subject. Obama''s point man would not answer directly Fox''s question regarding why his camp cancelled Mrs. Biden''s interview and told the station they were cut off from further access to their politicians. The Obama camp said the public is not interested in this and wants to know about the economy. When pressed again by the Fox reporter his point guy gave the same staple answer. It''s incredible. Does Obama''s camp think we''re all stupid??? We can see when you''re trying to divert our attention. We can see through all those media techniques that you''ve learned. All the public wants is a straight answer. Can we have just ONE from the Obama campaign!!!
Reply to this comment
by heather651 October 26, 2008 8:27 PM PDT
barbara west is married to a GOP consultant. she at the very least should have divulged this info before the interview or requested another reporter do the interview. she''s transparent in her interview by using repug talking points. her interview w/mccain was very "friendly" i might add. she''s a joke and so is her husband.
Reply to this comment
by grammawhamma October 26, 2008 8:38 PM PDT
Hillary was correct when she asked Obama if he was comfortable during the debate or if he needed someone to fluff up his pillow.

It''s amazing to me that the libs denied and dismissed the biased media coverage of this election.

Now one little hardball question thrown their way and OMG how awful...B.West needs to be fired!

I say she needs to be given a promotion!

The Obama supporters can dish it out...but they sure can''t take it!
Reply to this comment
by ttmo2 October 26, 2008 8:39 PM PDT
This article is too brief and gives the impression that Biden did not respond to the questions. Please watch the interview and judge for yourself. It was pretty entertaining. Personally, I thought Biden handled himself quite well and made her look "out there", which she was. Most of her questions were as much outlandish statements as they were questions. Biden''s reactions were spot on. She is married to a GOP stategist, and it showed. She was laughably transparent and unprofessional.
Reply to this comment
by blindhowlin October 26, 2008 8:44 PM PDT
Is this a Murdoch owned station?
Reply to this comment
by wkc7877 October 26, 2008 8:46 PM PDT
Wow! I just watched the interview and what a joke Barbara West is. She should be fired for not remaining a neutral, unbiased professional which is especially important if your spouse is a GOP consultant. Biden handled himself well and was able to field her questions with tact and knowledge while at the same time making her look ridiculous. WFTV, Channel 9 in Orlando, should be truly embarrassed and question her motives. I also won''t be surprised to see a drop in their local ratings as a result of this interview. Talk about "Gotcha Journalism." Completely appalling!
Reply to this comment
by elz523 October 26, 2008 8:59 PM PDT
Way to go Joe! That reporter is a right-wing nut. They are really going bonkers. Truthfully, the tax cuts that McCain is calling for for the corporate elite is classical fascist policy, but you don''t see anyone calling him a fascist.
Reply to this comment
by mccainhero October 26, 2008 9:01 PM PDT
I read this article and got the impression that Biden got so annoyed that he wouldn''t answer legitimate questions. Then I watched the video, courtesy of the link above, and found that the interviewer tried to set Biden up with long-winded questions that assumed the truth upon which the question was based. Ridiculous. Biden did an exemplary job of answering the dumbazz questions posed by this biased interviewer, who''s husband is a GOP consultant BTW! Talk about an attempted ambush, I don''t blame the Dems for shutting off this station''s access, which is, of course, their right.
Reply to this comment
by deathmask108 October 26, 2008 9:03 PM PDT
No matter where you stand on the issues, do you really want to live in an America where you are vilified, investigated, smeared and your livelihood threatened if you ask a government official a question, any question, even a stupid or rude question, even a partisan question, even a leading question, even if we keep asking the same question over and over because we don''t understand the answer you gave us last time?

Asking a question is not a crime. At least, not yet.
Reply to this comment
by element51 October 26, 2008 9:05 PM PDT
wck7877.....I just watched the interview and the first thing out of my mouth was, "WOW"! This was nothing but an ambush and the questions had to have come from the RNC. This is just one more proof that the republicans are desperate and will do anything. Biden was set up and had no idea that he was going to be attacked but I am so proud of the way he handled himself with intelligence and dignity. Had I been him I would have lost my cool and let the biotch have it. Is this station a Fox News satellite station? If not, they should be. This was a disgraceful piece of yellow journalism.
Reply to this comment
by mccainhero October 26, 2008 9:06 PM PDT
Of course asking a question is not a crime-- who said it was? All the Dems are doing is cutting off acess to their candidates for this station because of this hatchet job by a biased interviewer. Why should they waste precious minutes in the last week of a campaign on stations that are not going to give them a fair shake??
Reply to this comment
by hootal2 October 26, 2008 9:09 PM PDT
biden has brain damage. give him a break. the senator from MBNA did not get the chance to have his chief plagiarist prepare his answer. two brain proceduures and post traumatic stress disorder = ***. what a pitiful asssshole is biden.
Reply to this comment
by equalityrpt October 26, 2008 9:13 PM PDT
Did she ask if he agreed with Obama On "spreading the wealth around"?
Reply to this comment
by bk_oh October 26, 2008 9:22 PM PDT
From the Bill of Rights...

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press...


Unless they ask a tough question, which I believe needed to be asked.

I don''t want the government redistributing what I earn... DO YOU?

As previousely stated: Thomas Jefferson said that any Gov''t big enough to give you everything you need, is big enough to take away everything you have.

Doesn''t that concern you?

What about retribution for asking tough questions?

Reply to this comment
by strangeworld October 26, 2008 9:32 PM PDT
After two months of just about total media seclusion of their vice-presidential candidate, the republicans are now worried about the other side not granting an interview? Give me a break. Maybe the conservative talk radio people should start asking McCain about his cheating on his crippled first wife and his estrangement from his first family. The biggest folly of the whole campaign is the religious right not telling the whole story about McCain''s past to Christian voters.
Reply to this comment
by dzemog1 October 26, 2008 9:34 PM PDT
I don''''t want the government redistributing what I earn... DO YOU?

As previousely stated: Thomas Jefferson said that any Gov''''t big enough to give you everything you need, is big enough to take away everything you have.

Doesn''''t that concern you?

What about retribution for asking tough questions?




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by BK_OH at 09:22 PM : Oct 26, 2008
+ report abuse
Did she ask if he agreed with Obama On "spreading the wealth around"?


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by equalityrpt at 09:13 PM : Oct 26, 2008

---------------------------------

Wow, so I guess both of you make SIGNIFICANTLY more than $250K, right? I say "significantly" because only the dollars above that amount are taxed at the higher rate (which is only 3% higher and lower than the rate under R. Reagan). So, let''s say you both make $251K. You''ll pay a whole $30 bucks more because the first $250K isn''t affected. I''d be happy to share Obama''s real plan for small business too, in case you believe the hogwash that "Joe the Plumber" guy is saying. Just sayin''....do your homework before you talk stupid.
Reply to this comment
by dnsallday October 26, 2008 9:37 PM PDT
don''''t want the government redistributing what I earn... DO YOU?

Posted by BK_OH at 09:22 PM : Oct 26, 2008
*************************************** What the heck do you think has been happening over the past 10 years?
If you are going to regurgitate talking points that somebody else thought up for you, you should at least ask if you they could come out with something halfway logical, so you don''t all end up sounding like fools.
Reply to this comment
by red1952 October 26, 2008 9:39 PM PDT
Pretty soon we''ll see Barbara staring in her own show on Fox.
Reply to this comment
by element51 October 26, 2008 9:44 PM PDT
BK_OH....While I have completely given up trying to have a reasonable discussion with folks like you, I feel compelled to ask you about one part of your post. You seem to be very worried about the government redistributing what you earn. I''m not sure that I understand just what you mean. Do you ever use any public services like roads, bridges, schools, police, fire, military, airports? When you retire do you intend to draw your social security? Will you use Medicare? How do you think all these things are paid for? I think that what you really mean is programs to help people who are down on their luck. Yeah, Yeah, I know there are people who are cheating the system but there are also wealthy doctors who are cheating the medicare and medicaid system. If you have done well in this system why are you so reluctant to give a little back? It''s not as if someone was going to take every cent you have and give it to someone else. You just sound selfish to me.
Reply to this comment
by bk_oh October 26, 2008 9:52 PM PDT
Let me clarify then, since you''d rather spin the point...

"I" don''t want the government redistributing any more of what "I" earn than they already do.

This is my point of view. I don''t need anyone to tell me that the government taking more of what I earn for them to redistribute for no reason other than to "SHARE THE WEALTH" and "BUY VOTES" with my tax dollars is wrong.

Reply to this comment
by stan821 October 26, 2008 9:55 PM PDT
Give me a break... Looks like someone wants to be "Barbara the reporter". McLame, take her to a campaign stop! MooseGirl, hook her up with hasselbeck! Come one, come all... there''s no limit to the stupidity!
Reply to this comment
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