By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
In an effort to tightly “control the message” when it comes to information about Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan, the White House decided to publish its own interview with the candidate rather than subject her to tough questions from the press.
CBSNews.com is reporting that the White House posted the interview with Kagan on its website to allow her to “speak in her own words” about her personal history and perspective. In it she speaks about her childhood, parents, and professional career.
Even though the White House claims it believes the American people deserve to hear from Kagan, it has not made her available to the press, a decision that prompted a frustrated exchange during yesterday’s White House briefing.
“It appears that Solicitor General Kagan did an interview yesterday right after the president’s announcement,” said a reporter. “You’ve now posted that on the White House Web site. Who did the interview? And can I have one?”
“I think it’s — I think it’s on the website if you want to see it,” responded Press Secretary Robert Gibbs.
The reporter pressed, “so a White House staffer interviewed her?”
Gibbs said yes, after which the reporter asks if Kagan would like to do another interview.
“She has — she’s not told me that, no,” replied Gibbs, prompting the reporter to respond, “Tell her we’re deeply frustrated.”
CBS’ Brian Montopoli writes: “The decision to post an interview with Kagan conducted by a government employee – not a journalist – is in line with the Obama administration’s policy of regularly using new media tools to go around traditional media. Doing so allows the administration to better control its message, and, in this case, avoid any uncomfortable questions for their Supreme Court nominee.”
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