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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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Believe me Obama playing around is not news worthy...that's all he does...
Unlike Bush spending most of his eight years back at his ranch?
So we should believe you!!!
Screw the press. So he wanted a day out by himself? They need notification of his every move? A bunch of vultures and nothing more.
Birds of a feather, these two slim balls deserve each other
So they're upset they couldn't cover it for their ratings? Can't a president have a quiet game?
Oh, please. It was a golf game, not a secret summit meeting with world leaders. What makes these reporters thing that anyone else cares that the prez played golf with Tiger Woods anyway?
Any time the press is screwed it is a good day for America. What, no comments that the Prez picks a black man to play golf with? Where's Fox news on this subject?
Hey, Dr. Benjamin Carson plays golf too, what is wrong with that "black man"???
LOL
Previous post typo : "think" not "thing". Sorry. It's Monday.
I would have thought that maybe the MSM would begin to realize what a complete do nothing this president is but based on the comments the left still wants to treat him like a god. If the MSM was doing it's job Bengahzi alone would have cost this man his job. Thank the lord we at least have Fox for real news...
This has to be the funniest post of the day.
I second that Mo! LOL
Ed Henry, Fox tv, lol.....
When Oblabla doesn't play with a cigarette or campaign, he plays with his stick...
When does the Divider in Chief ever work?
He works more than BUSH did.. I mean 1000+ vacation days at Camp David and His Ranch in Texas?
The great DIVIDER and CHIEF BUSH was such a great leader here.
Those black guys sure are sneaky and want to be all alone. Maybe they are more than golfing buddies??
Nah...they're smoking doobies...like all the black men
And after the round they hit the strip clubs.
"There is a very simple but important principle we will continue to fight for today and in the days ahead: transparency."
The notion that there as an important principle involved in the matter is ludicrous. Even the President deserves to play golf free from the eyes of the press. Let the guy relax once in a while.
Im sure the press just wanted to tell the world that Obama had 18 holes in one,therefore saving the game of golf forever.
Wah, wah.... boo hoo.....
Is this the gratitude we get for supporting your agenda?
Sob, sob....
I dont have issue with the President having some privacy to play golf. What I have issue with is the President's choice of golf partners. I think Tiger Woods is no example of how to conduct yourself. I will leave it at that because I don't want to start lobbing the words at Tiger that I would like to. Mr. President...Really?
There has got to be some really great people you could have golfed with, why Tiger?
Michelle Obama should think like you do.
I am pretty sure the President could slap a baby and he would have his Lemmings still follow and argue that the baby deserved it.
Now thats funny!
We sure did when he slapped mittens all over the electoral map!
I wish he would run the friggin country....and stop hobnobbing with every a**hole on the planet
Not me.I'm all for 4 years of vacation when it comes to Obama.
Wonder how much this little game of GOLF cost the American Tax Payer? Air Force one to get there Secret service to chase his balls (no Pun intended), Someplace to stay, meals, Golf cart with Bullet proof glass, Drinks on the green, And of course there has to be a return trip. So what ever it cost going gets doubled. I wonder if Tiger is giving The Prez a private lesson or maybe he has a Small Patch with a private hole for the prez to play on Wonder if maybe Michale kissed his balls (The Prez not Tiger) for good luck.
get your mind out of the gutter! I'm sure Obama NEVER HAD SEX with......He is to busy putting the screws to the entire American Public to focus in on one. Sorry Michale.
Most likely the same percentage as every past Republican Presidents rounds of golf or travels on vacations.
Well Job1, that must make it OK then.
"If he did it, I want to do it too."
Well then we should bring the topic up for all Presidents, and not just pick and chose because one does not like a certain President. Anyone that understands the function of protecting the President knows that the fake outrage over a golf trip is a moot point. Period!!!
I'm not disagreeing that it is fake outrage. and I don't care who he played golf with.
I'm disagreeing with you that it is OK because someone else did it before him. If it was not OK before, why is it OK now? If W took too many trips to Texas, why are trips to Florida, Hawaii and Martha's Vineyard OK?
So the president played a round of golf with Tiger Woods and did not alert the media? Well I have only one thing to say about that!!! Poor babies.
News Flash!
President Obama to offer Tiger Woods ambassador post to Israel!
Golf game clumsy ploy to misdirect press corps.
Ann Coulter to provide analysis on Faux News Network.
Obama is in the traps around the green looking for his ball...he finally asked the caddy where his ball was and the caddy said "I put it next to the cup where you told me to"...
well, now the President has no need for the fawning of the press. . .He's won his election.
If he wishes to play with the likes of Tiger. . . that's his choice and in private. . .As he is our leader we might question his choice of associates but hey . . . he won . . . he's king and can do as he pleases.
Yawn.. Obama is not a king, dictator, or anything else like that. He is President. If he was anything more, there would be "nothing" left of the GOP..
well, now the President has no need for the fawning of the press. . .He's won his election.
If he wishes to play with the likes of Tiger. . . that's his choice and in private. . .As he is our leader we might question his choice of associates but hey . . . he won . . . he's king and can do as he pleases.
Why doesn't the White House Press Corp admit it's just lazy. Any self-respecting paparazzi would have snooped it out without being told.
They feel that they are just as entitled as he is...