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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."
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This is the dumbest damn thing i have ever heard. The president cant go anywhere without people knowing? Leave the guy alone from time to time. If something major came up the right people would know how to get ahold od him. People are to f'n nosey anymore.
Hope the 99% love this.
Seriously ?! The media needs to get over itself. They do not have any particular right to be everywhere at all times. And the President deserves some time away from the media. I don't really know how he stays sane.
Do you think these 2 nitwits in the royal family could take a vacation together. Instead of the taxpayer paying for 2 gazillion dollar vacations we could pay for one gazillion dollar vacation. I can see why these government elitists don't think their is a government spending problem. When the money is spent on them its no problem.
Pretty telling that the president chooses to spend time with a sleaze like Tiger. Anything to rub elbows with someone famous, doesn't matter what they are famous for..................
Round of golf to Syria, our President and his team lack honest transparency. I could care less about golf, but if this is so hush hush, you can bet we don't get the full story on much of anything...including his agenda.
The press and above commentators should find something worthy of comment
Must all press people behave like paparazzi? What next, sit in adjacent rest-room stall and listen?
Idiotic.
They are being pissy little babies b/c they didn't get pictures. End of story.
Seriously?
I don't blame him for sneaking away.
He was probably just trying to get away from the silverback.
Obama plays golf, Obama plays basketball, Obama bowls, Obama shoots the gun , Obama throws baseball, Michelle sneaks out for Big burger, Momma in law loves living at the White House, Obama kids yawn at Obamas speeches, Obama drinks beer with the cop and nutty professor at the White House for everyone to see, Obama seals all records, Obama has phoney birth certificate, America is depressed but Obama is having the time of his life.
You birthers are so darn cute.
Don't all of you foolish citizens know that "The American people have a right to know....." whether you want all the media dribble shoved down your throats or not. That is irrelevant. Darn.you have the RIGHT TO KNOW and you should really be mad that the precious little truth seekers didn't get to tell you how bad a swing was, how Tiger looks like a pig searching for young girls, how terrible it is that the President is spending tax dollars playing golf (like we KNOW he never pays for anything!)......... And by the way, that silly hidden golf outing has caused the price of gas here in FL to jump from $3.29.9 a gallon 2 weeks ago to $3.79.9 today! But don't dwell on that. Get after that gold game information. It is really important. After all...YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOW, if you ask the freaking gossip whores. Have a nice day.
He is getting ready for the post Presidency. Golf, golf and more golf.
Nero Fiddled While Rome Burned.
Obama Golfed While US loaned.
Loaned?
How about borrowed? Or drowned in debt?
So, Obama golfs while Washington remains dead locked. I am so glad Obama has time to enjoy carousing with celebrities.
Children are taught to finish there "chores" before playing.
White House needs to get serious.
Congress is on vacation. What would you like the President to do? I know, he should buy a fake ranch and let the take pictures of him clearing brush.
Transparency at its best. Now the press has their panties all bunched up. Jeez, where were they when ACA was done secretly by Reid and Pelosi? Where are they with Benghazi? Who are the survivors of the attack on the embassy? Why can't they be interviewed by Congress (not to mention the press)? What prima donna boot lickers the press has become. The only question they ask of Obama amounts to little more than, "Mr. President? Where can I find a place on your Azz that hasn't been kissed before?" or "Where can a find a suitable pair of kneepads to give you journalistic Lewinskis?"
Even the President should be allowed some 'alone time'. Get a life!
Oh how the Obama haters are out in force, mouthing their concerns about the money spent on vacation, etc etc. If these low informed mouth breathers would look at some FACTS they would realize Obama has taken less vacation time then their hero GW Bush did. How much was spent on Bush's vacations, and pickles vacation when she went alone?
And who, besides the low informed base cares about Benghazi? The ambassador and his three merc's wasn't even suppose to be at the consulate. So yes, quovadisusa, keep your panties in a wad, don't need any more spewing out to stink up the place.
All true but I don't believe the president, any president, should be playing a round of golf with someone of such questionable moral character.
Appearances do count.
Why do we care about Benghazi? Because people died. If Bush were in office, OMG!!!!
You are such a hypocrite!!
Sally Ann, you do realize that Benghazi was our CIA Station in Libya? It wasn't just a consulate.
You know why this is a story... because they told him not to go and golf with Tiger. They didn't want pictures taken, so they cut the reporters out. There is no story here. That is the real truth,
"So Let It Be Done".
I suspect they'll get over it.....
I just have one question. 'What difference does it make now?'
O.K. Hillary... ha ha
Anyway, contribution please since you are ok with it.
Incredible - the Congress acts like abunch of little children. I am sorry but the press is worst- what the hell has happened to our country or at leat Wash.DC?? - Osmosis could be the cause or just children that have not had a change to grow up yet and are continuing to misbehave!
Not a story. Can't make a story about not getting a story. Not a story.
Anybody hear of the immigration reform leak from the white house? Probably not if you only rely on NBC for your news.
Oh, you mean another non story. Yeah, heard it on msnbc. What's your point?
Anything that sheds any negative light on your cult leader is a non story, yes John?
I'm not sure it sheds any light on anything, that is why it's a non story.
Why doesn't the media just falsify the story like they did for Obama all through the campaign? They lied for him then, why not fake a few photos for him now? It's not like there's such a thing as "journalistic integrity" anymore.