E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSThe White House says cameras weren't allowed because the president was playing on a private golf course. Obama was playing with Tiger Woods, an indication of a different second term where Obama isn't as concerned about things that may reflect negatively on him. NBC's Andrea Mitchell reports.
PORT ST LUCIE, Fla. -- President Barack Obama played a round of golf with Tiger Woods on Sunday, but nobody knew about it until a lone tweet from a golf reporter went live. And now, the White House Press Corps Association has lodged a complaint against the administration, bemoaning the transparency afforded to pool reporters.
At 11 a.m. ET, Golf Digest reporter Tim Rosaforte tweeted this from his vantage point at the exclusive Floridian Yacht and Golf Club in Palm City: "The President is arriving at The Floridian range. Awaiting is Tiger Woods and club owner Jim Crane. Historic day in golf. Their first round."
White House reporters, looking to confirm Woods’ presence, immediately made inquiries with the president’s press team, which went unanswered for almost three hours – confirmation came at 1:46 p.m. ET.
The press corps had been anxious to confirm Woods’ presence. The president playing with the world’s most famous golfer -- involved in a 2009 sex scandal -- immediately became a national news story, as opposed to the commander in chief simply having some down-time with friends.
The small group of reporters assigned to cover the president’s every movement, known as the "pool," also requested access to the Floridian grounds to be nearby the president, even though the press’ vantage point was nowhere near the golf course. But the pool was not shuttled to the resort until 4:18 p.m. ET.
White House Press Corps Association president Ed Henry lodged an official complaint with the White House, writing in a statement, “I can say a broad cross section of our members from print, radio, online and TV have today expressed extreme frustration to me about having absolutely no access to the President of the United States this entire weekend. There is a very simple but important principle we will continue to fight for today and in the days ahead: transparency."
The White House responded with a statement from deputy press secretary Josh Earnest: “The press access granted by the White House today is entirely consistent with the press access offered for previous presidential golf outings. It's also consistent with the press access promised to the White House Press Corps prior to arrival in Florida on Friday evening."
Leave a Comment:
Sounds like the two have lot in common. Both are narcissists and incapable of accepting responsibility for their failures. Though I dont know why this is surprising. Obama has led the most secretive White House in history and frequently denies reporters basic access.
obama having secret round with tiger while the wife and kids are in another part of the country. how much is this costing me again?
The press is upset. What a truly strange news item. Are we supposed to feel sorry for them? Does anyone give a flying you know what about how the press feels about anything?
On a scale of respect aren't they somewhere between lawyers and used car dealers?
Or is it, as I suspect, that you, NBC, being the press, are so full of yourselves you just had to tell someone how peeved you were cause two really popular black dudes had the nerve to play golf together.
STFU Fox whiners!
Our President is human, he takes Sunday off for a private game of golf and you're whining already.
In case you didn't know it, There are golf courses in Maryland. But I know Obama would sooner use our tax money for more lavished and expensive golf courses. The girls are also enjoying yout tax money while they are skiing in Colorado, yep your right he is just you typical middle class type of guy LOL
For all you idiots complaining about Fox news here. This story comes from MSNBC, on MSNBC and based on a complain filed by the Press Corps. Fox has nothing to do with this. So why mention Fox?
because it creates an illusion, that if you can link this story to Fox you can discredit it all together rather that address the real issue, which is why Obama once again denies press access.
Fox has nothing at all to do with this story
whaaaaaaahhhh, whaaaaaahhhh.... the intrusive media didn't get to stick their collective noses into one thing the President did.
Brats.
Obama's secret round with Tiger Woods prompts press complaint...The Press: Crying like a middle school child not being invented to their friends' slumber party.
The press is upset. Wow, what a truly strange news item. Is the press so arrogant they actually think anyone out here gives a flying you know what about how they feel? Are we supposed to feel sorry for them? Aren't they ranked somewhere between lawyers and used car dealers in credibility?
Oh I know what it is. Two really popular and prominent black dudes decided to play a round of golf and they didn't tell your highnesses about it.
In that case thanks for the input. Nothing makes a person happier than to hear all about the press getting their panties in a wad.
Not at all surprised at who Barry keeps company with..........
Who cares? I find those two about as interesting as well those two.
Tiger Woods does not share Obama's vision of the socialization of Ameria. When prodded to speak at The Amateur King's initial coronation in 2009, Tiger shocked the administration by devoting his entire speech to the troops. Not one word about Obama, nor a peep from the elite media.
Just no morality left in the White House!
How can Mrs. President or his advisors approve this. To bad Obama didn't get his crap artist Jay Z to join the adulterer.
Ah, Libtards taking shots at Fox News... well, we know how painful the Truth can be to Progressives.... which explains why they hear it so seldom....
i stopped by msnbc at around noon today and heard their white house reporter describing obama's golf game with tiger yesterday as historic? it made me wonder if obama fans consider everything he does to be historic?
as pointed out by some above, it was just a golf game, no big deal; if he wants to hide from the press so be it -- a non-event by most standards.
Tonight at 8 on FoxNews... Golfgate!
andrew, you may be right, although I suspect they will be using quotes from this article on NBC.
What a silly post.
being that obama is a born liar, i bet he didn't count all his shots..... obama is an ass.......
Their right , stop the presses reprint the front page,, in big headlines TWO BLACK GUYS PLAY GOLF,, wow now that's a headline,,Who gives a crap congress is all off for presidents week the rest of the country might as well @!$%# off all week.......
Bad news for all you FOX haters out there. It wasn't FOX that started jumping up and down about this like a bunch of spoiled monkeys who didn't get their banana dose. It was his close little media circus friends who do his bidding. Poor little lap doggies were all mad they didn't get to hang out on a private course with the President and Woods for the afternoon. Wait no, that wouldn't be true... this was really BIG news that had to be reported. Strange how the story and tons of photos "leaked" out immediately after... almost as if someone were trying to make it look as though the Obama did not want anyone to know because he did not want to make everyone feel bad.... but he really did.... hmmmm..... and now this mindless story...
Why can't these dolt dingleberry reporters get access to the Obama bedroom? Now that would be funny. "Michelle, have you gained a little weight again?" whap, slap, fu@$ you!, I the Queen, I looks good, I'm going down to the kitchen" punch.
Why is Obama so special compared to other presidents? We have photos by the press of the golf outings by Eisenhower, JFK, Nixon, and Bush
We have photos of LBJ, Reagan and Bush working on their ranches. Of Carter down on the peanut farm. We have photos of FDR and JFK on their yachts
But Obama is supposed to be off limits?
OK Larry, how bout a photo of Obama at his HOME? That won't happen, they insist on lavish vacations and making sure they have photo ops for "firsts" al on us taxpayers' backs.
How bout it Larry, can you show me a pic of the Obamas at their HOME?
Hey, CBS, NBC, and ABC wake up each morning with one goal; how can they manipulate media and public opinion to make Obama look good. A propaganda machine Goebbels would have been proud of.
Why Momma Dukes would I want a photo of Obama at his home?
It also seems from the tone of your remarks that you think I'm supporting or defending Obama. It's quite the opposite.
Maybe we should have a drone fly over and spy on them. Isn't that what Obama's government plans to do to us regular citizens?
It was so wrong to golf with Tiger Woods, it puts Obama in line with Tiger's aloft, abusing lifestyle!
Would you want people knowing that you are golfing (AGAIN) while you lead America down the toilet?
Boo Hoo, the Press wasn't invited to take pics make up stuff, and cause drama. What's wrong with playing golf with Tiger shucks! I would like to play with Tiger and I don't even play. Much ado about nothin.
Obama can stay out of the news forever . He does a lot of secret stuff.
I agree, much ado about nothing.
Like what was he doing the night the Ambassador died?
Again, nothing.
I heard Michelle say, he is supposed to be in a big meeting, then he shows up at the door... Guess he need a smoke break...