Newt Gingrich and the Mainstream Media – Press Complains that Gingrich gives them Access, while Romney and Obama limit and control Access - Analysis

Newt Gingrich surrounded by the Press image from the Pro-Romney Blog: Relationshipexposed.com via AFB Getty Images


It first started with an article from Politico entitled: “Newt Gingrich and the Press: Secret Pals” an article that first appeared January 20th and immediately made Drudge Headlines – the Headline of Course, changed a bit to ensure that Newt Gingrich held a double standard, by beating up the press, then embracing them. The article outlines how Gingrich is accessible to the press, to the point where he jokes with reporters, remembers birthdays and is always ready to answer a question. In other words, he is treating the press, (as the article explains) unlike both Republican Candidate Mitt Romney, who tightly controls the meetings with the press.

This article was followed by a similar article in the UK’s Daily Mail (also put on the Drudge Report with the Headline “Newt Eats the Press”, the actual title is just as misleading Newt Gingrich’s Big Slobbering Mutual Love Affair with the Elite Media.

The problem with both of these pieces are a) the fact that they are designed to alienate those who may have suspicions of the “elite” media and consider Newt Gingrich a hypocrite, for blasting the media on the one hand, and then playing nice on the other, and b) complaining because no other candidate gives them access!

How smart is Newt Gingrich when it comes to the media? That question is worth a one-word answer – Very. There is a difference, though many may not be aware, between the reporter and the editorial board or editor at the paper/news-outlet, for whom they are employed. A reporter may write a very accurate and comprehensive positive article on a given individual, however, it then goes through the editorial process, where it may end up three hundred and sixty degrees different.

There are several acquaintances of this blog that are employed by the “mainstream media”, and although they all are, to a man or woman, either independent or conservative, they are also holding onto one of the few jobs left in the media. They take their marching orders from the Editorial Board, and they know that what they actually write will not appear in print verbatim – or even resembling what they wrote. There are instances where, when complaints were made to an editorial board, that individual ended up on the unemployment line.

It is a collective mindset that has pervaded the us versus them, that does not take into account that not all reporters are “in the tank for the socialist/communist/Obama Machine, etc.” (Feel free to add an adjective), but there are more than a "handful" of just ordinary Joes and Jill’s trying desperately to hold onto a job in an industry that is seeing mostly downturns. (Which, blame the Internet all they want, but it is their editorial stance that has caused them to lose half their subscriber base.)

Therefore how refreshing to have an individual who approaches them with goodwill when they are, after all, just doing their jobs, and/or blasts them to smithereens (a la John King of CNN) when they do something ridiculous (i.e. opening the debate with a question regarding a year old personal story (first printed in a magazine article) that was re-aired on ABC the night of the debate, regarding Gingrich’s 2nd wife’s assertions that Gingrich was not so nice to her.)

Therefore, unlike other candidates and or Presidents for that matter, in this opinion not only is the former Speaker being smart, he’s being kind and he understands the relationship between those who have (the editorial boards, and eiders) and those who are hanging on by a thread (the rank and file reporters). It is much ado about nothing on the one hand, and on the other, much ado about everything – the everything: Gingrich will have access to the Press, and by establishing a bit of good will, will be able to get his message out – over the airways especially, but will also have the won the hearts and minds of those reporters assigned to cover his campaign. Also, consider that his is genuinely a genial type of guy. He is neither afraid of or intimidated by the press – that is something that is necessary in both a candidate and a President – so if he remembers someone’s birthday – or is eager to answer questions – it only proves one thing – he’s the smartest guy on the 2012 Campaign trail.