Attribution and Interviewing

22Sep09

In State Races, White House Takes a More Aggressive Role

The reporters, Jeff Zeleny and Adam Nagourney interviewed the following people for this article:

Pennsylvania Democrat Representative Joe Sestak, running for senator
Reporter Asked: What do you think about the White House supporting certain candidates in state races?
Could Have Asked: How do you think the White House’s actions will affect your campaign?

White House Press Secretary, Robert Gibbs
Reporter Asked: Why was President Obama’s appearance with Gov. David A. Paterson so brief?
Could Have Asked: Do you think your actions toward Gov. Paterson have been unfair?

Chief Political Adviser of Former President George W. Bush, Karl Rove
Reporter Asked: What do you think of the White House’s handling of the state race situation in New York? Why do they focus on the New York race?
Could Have Asked: How could the White House handled this situation more appropriately?

Maryland Representative Chris Van Hollen, the head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
Reporter Asked: What do you think of the White House’s aggressive tactics in shaping the political field?
Could Have Asked: What do you think of the criticism the White House has been getting because of their tactics?

Colorado Democrat Andrew Romanoff, a former speaker of the Colorado House, running for senator
Reporter Asked: If the White House decides to support your opponent, Senator Bennet, will you still be confident about your campaign?
Could Have Asked: How will your campaign survive without the support of the White House’s power?

Pennsylvania Democrat Senator Arlen Specter, Sestak’s opponent
Reporter Asked: What do you think about the support you have received from the White House?
Could Have Asked: Do you believe this support is an unfair advantage? How much influence do you think the White House will have in your victory?

Gov. Edward G. Rendell of Pennsylvania, a former chairman of the Democratic National Committee
Reporter Asked: What do you think about the White House supporting certain candidates in their favor? What would you have done different?
Could Have Asked: If the President were to offer secret support for candidates and if it came to be known, how would that tarnish the President’s reputation?

Doug Sosnik, White House political director for President Bill Clinton
Reporter Asked: Why do you think the White House is taking such a direct involvement in the 2010 state races?
Could Have Asked: Is it natural for the political atmosphere to shift from time to time? Are there better ways to convince the American people the ideas of the Obama Administration than through having such a direct involvement in state races?

Filed under: News   |  Leave a Comment