My Job? I Give Out Questions, Not Answers

Bob Schieffer on the Roles of Journalist and Newsmaker

(CBS)  So the president made the rounds today. He was literally here, there and almost everywhere else.

The Obama-rama set off quite a pre-interview debate - not so much about what he said, or planned to say, but whether he was over-exposing himself.

Frankly, I have no idea. My totally unscientific poll suggests that people who DON'T like him think he is talking too much. Those who DO like him think he isn't.

People kept asking me what I would advise the president. My short answer was, "Speak only to CBS!"

The other part is, no one from the White House ever sought my advice, and why should they?

My job is to show up and ask questions. The president's job is to hold himself accountable to the people who elected him. That means answering questions.

Why would I want to stop him?

It works out better when we both stick to our basic assignments. We ask, he answers.

Do I like the round robin of interviews? Not as much as I like exclusives.

But the president - any president - is the world's number one newsmaker. When he invites me over to ask him questions, I'll be there.

Not to offer advice, but to take notes.

[greg4sean]

It is the reporter?s job to ask questions. One should have been. ?Mr. President according to The State Department and the Office of Children?s Issues there are currently over 2,800 American children who have been abducted and taken from their home, America, to a foreign nation. Will you support H.R. 3240 the International Child Abduction Prevention Act of 2009 to give you tools to deal with nations who are signatories of The Hague Convention who do not return these children in 6 weeks as the convention states, like Brazil and Mexico and nations who are not signatories like Japan who refuse to send our fellow American Citizens back to their parent and family that they were abducted from??

[noloyalisti]

That is exactly how I feel about the government conspiracy to attack the United States on 911. The Bush Neo CONS announced they would need another Pearl Harbor and then went ahead and demolished three skyscrapers.

And I only need to give out the questions, not answers.

[fthomascain]

It is shameful that people such as yourself who consider yourselves to be journalists, allow this administration to get such a free pass. There are so many huge stories about corruption and conflict of interest in this administration, but nobody is doing any real investigation. Is objective/investigative journalism dead with the 3 major TV networks and print media? It is no wonder you are all losing market share and the confidence of the American people!!

[lexalexander]

Actually, sometimes it IS the reporter's job to come up with the answers, particularly when there is an objectively verifiable answer and the people you're asking can't or won't provide it. If I'm a reporter, I don't need an anonymous White House spokesman to tell me that 2 + 2 = 4 before I publish that fact. Just sayin'.

[dragon8me]

I like Bob and I think he has it right. A reporters job is to ask questions not answers, like Fauz news. If I want an opinion I'll ask myself before I'll ask a reporter who knows nothing that's not on their teleprompter. Bob's been around a long time and has seen a lot of changes in news reporting. The media should listen to him and just report the news and not their or Murdock opinions.

[Marc_1986]

The problem with the media (and Gov't) today is that they get asked GOOD questions, but often give VAGUE answers. The people who are asking the questions need to hold those who are answering them accountable. Sadly, I think Fox does a better job (albeit, a tad extremist) of holding people accountable for their actions and demanding GOOD answers than does CBS/NBC/ABC.

[skyk-2009]

FOX Noise could learn from this man!

[80evo]

To bad you can't learn anything. You can just repeat like a parrot. You sure are a rude ,vial, nasty, name calling racist. Your parents must be proud LOL.

[Bigbrother54321]

Keep talking Obama! That is all you are is a TelePrompTer reader. Your spell is wearing off the american people and they are seeing that you are massively under-qualified. What have you done in your life that prepared you to take over 1/6th of the economy? Was it when you were a ACORN lawyer? HAHAHAHAH!!

[skyk-2009]

Bigbrother54321, I guess you poor losers think you make a difference with such statements... if it makes you happy and keeps you out of the hoods and sheets all well and good. After the last bozo who wouldn't answer questions at all, let alone be on ALL the networks on the same day answering ALL questions put to him, most of us are happy. Now don't you have a cross to burn or something??

[Bigbrother54321]

skyk,
did you just call me a member of the KKK? WOW!! If you can not debate with facts make some crap up! I AM A BLACK MAN! Why would i burn a cross?

[debb17055]

Bigbrother 54321,
In reply to your post at 10:36 AM EDT:
Can we see YOUR birth certificate for proof, as I tend to be doubtful of everything I hear just because someone "say's" it's so?
Now do you see how stupid sounds, really. I could care less if you are black, white, or whatever...
I am so tired of doing factcheck, snopes, you name it, when I get a vile message passed on to me. Do your own d**n homework. Sheesh, same difference here with these idiotic false posts.
Now would you please go back to your "Fox" hole? I'll send a couple shovels to help you dig a little deeper.

[Moderateteacher]

This is McCarthyism at it's worst Slam the man by throwing as many names as you can then see what sticks.Shame on the republicans for fear mongering

[slownewsday_5]

"by JTOlivar
And you've illegally hired radical communist to make those decisions for you."


Really, Rowdy, you are off your rocker.

Tell us again how you think Freedom of Speech protects us from censorship by private companies.... LOL!!!

[JTOlivar]

My Job? I Give Out Questions, Not Answers

That's because you haven't a clue what an answer looks like. And you've illegally hired radical communist to make those decisions for you.

And guess what? We don't do communism here.

[slownewsday_5]

Rowdy, that doesn't make a lick of sense, even for you.


.

[hungry1968-16]

My, oh my Rowdy.

Do you have ANY idea that you're talking to a LEGITIMATE newsman?



This isn't Fat Rush the Junkie, Hannity the Liar, or Beck the Loon.

[dragon8me]

I figured it out. A couple of decades ago when they let thousands out of mental hosptals because it was "unconstitutional" to keep them there the republican party started winning elections. We wondered why the right is so crazy, now you know.

[Bigbrother54321]

Hungry,
you are a joke, is that all you do all day is post for CBS news? Hmmmmm makes me wonder if this is your job? You must be paid outrage. Way to go liberals!