Washington Post sells access to White House, Capitol Hill officials
flockwoodThis is a truly stunning story. For $25,000 to $250,000 the Washington Post is inviting you to attend off-the-record gatherings with big wigs from the Obama administration, Congress and the Washington Post.
The story came to light after a lobbyist questioned the ethics of the arrangement.
This is “pretty close to a public relations disaster,” writes the Washington Post’s ombudsman.
July 2nd, 2009 at 9:21 am
…Like the way Bush made people who attended his rallies sign loyalty statements? I mean, come on, no conservative can attack Obama with a straight face.
Save your energy for real, undeniable evil, like the sick and twisted Episcopal Diocese of Newark.
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:43 am
The article contained the following statement: “The offer — which essentially turns a news organization into a facilitator for private lobbyist-official encounters — was a new sign of the lengths to which news organizations will go to find revenue at a time when most newspapers are struggling for survival.”
When the economy tanks, everyone blames everything on money. I can’t imagine that the money the Post would raise for something like this — despicable as it is — would do much for its bottom line. I fear, though, that the fallout from this will damage the Post’s reputation. My prediction is that this bird will never fly, or even flap its wings.
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:10 am
That is indeed quite a gaffe. Of course the real scandal is that anyone in the President’s administration would participate in this scam.
I should be surprised, but then…
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:34 pm
Well, it was all for naught. The Times is reporting that the Post has called off the event after the barrage of criticism. No surprise there.