Online publication tries to get White House "day pass," turned down

[BigBearJohn]

We started planning last week while President Bush was in Europe, enlisting the help of MediaBistro's editor-in-chief and talking with several White House correspondents about how the process for admittance should (in theory) work. According to everyone with whom we talked, MediaBistro, Fishbowl D.C.'s parent, should meet the criteria for a day pass to cover the White House: It is (a) independent and nonpartisan, (b) regularly published, and (c) primarily supported by subscribers or advertising....

We had been told that the more time you give the Press Office to get clearance, the easier it is, so we started yesterday laying the groundwork. We called four times seeking admittance. After the first call to the Press Office, we spent the rest of the afternoon dealing with the Media Affairs Office. (By way of explanation, the Press Office handles the regular White House press corps, and Media Affairs handles internet and local press.)

We first spoke with a very perky intern whose name we didn't catch but who helpfully took down our name, publication, Social Security Number and date of birth. She promised a spokesperson would return the call promptly. Three more calls to the Media Affairs office over the course of the day, up until 6:10 p.m. last night, yielded nothing. Each time we explained what publication we represented and that we wanted to cover the morning gaggle. John, Jenny, and Caroline--the three equally helpful and perky interns with whom we spoke--all promised a call back from an unnamed spokesperson. They said they weren't allowed to give out his name. Finally during the last call last night, we begged to speak with anyone who wasn't an intern. Unfortunately for us, Caroline said, "everyone is in a meeting." ....

Today we decided to try the more direct approach and just show up.

More at: http://americablog.blogspot.com/

[soothsayer]

1. excellent! keep up the heat!

maybe you need to affiliate yourself with some gay male military whore sites, or should use a fake name

[cheezus]

2. I think you need to have a "bottom" on the inside

[BigBearJohn]

3. Should be interesting to see where this goes...

[LuminousX]

4. Sometimes the hypocrisy is so thick

you can cut it with a knife. Yet, for some reason, those reporters trooping in through that gate just don't want to recognize it and call it for what it is.

[ClintonTyree]

5. When I see this headline........................

on the AP or Reuters, then I'll get a little excited. Am I going to hold my breath? I think, not.

[BigBearJohn]

7. Great idea. How do I contact AP and Reuters?

[RobertSeattle]

6. Apply for White House Press Credentials...

http://www.kiro710.com/show_details.jsp?iShowId=410

APPLY FOR WHITE HOUSE PRESS CREDENTIALS
Scott McClellan
Assistant to the President/Press Secretary
Office of the Press Secretary
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Northwest
Room #WH/1/WW
Washington, D.C. 20500

In your letter, on your official letterhead, include name, address, Social Security number, date of birth, and news affiliation

Enjoy...

[dandrhesse]

8. Yes, I am so glad to read this, I'm hoping anyone who does a blog on the

internet applies for a day pass. I hope the Media Affairs office is deluged with requests, their phones ringing off the hook and 20 people showing up at that same gate every morning.

[paineinthearse]

9. Excellent.

I'm glad those in the DC who can act are doing so.


MediaBistro & company......:yourock:

[BigBearJohn]

10. Call to BLOGS everywhere -- APPLY FOR A WH PRESS PASS!!!

You know -- it COULD make the news.
Can you imagine???????

[progressoid]

11. I'm gonna keep an eye on this saga...

http://www.mediabistro.com/fishbowlDC/west_wing_reportage/wh_gaggle_watch_day_one_rejected_19035.asp