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April Ryan of American Urban Radio at the White House
By Greg | December 5, 2009
Did you hear about the White House Press Secretary’s reaction to April Ryan of American Urban Radio’s questions? If not, take a look:
Whoever you side with, we should all keep in mind that reporters and even politicians are people just like you and me, and sometimes it’s best to just calm down, take a deep breath and give t
hem a break.
There you have it. So what do you think? You have the pressing, demands for answers on one side and the hesitant responder on the other. Or is that it? Who did you sympathize with while watching the video? Is this a typical case of a reporter asking a potentially embarrassing question and the press secretary trying to find a way around answering it?
Personally, although I’m not a fan of the current White House residents or their associates my sympathies went directly out to the secretary Robert Gibbs. Now that has got to be a difficult job. You know how it is when you’re under pressure right under the public eye and you have to constantly remind yourself that people are watching and your response and reactions are critical? Yeah, that’s this guy’s entire occupation.
If it were my job, I would likely blatantly refuse to answer questions that I considered to be personal or irrelevant. I’d probably go down in history for the most frequent usage of the phrases “No comment.” and “Next question, please”. And I’m not sure I’d be able to keep my temper with some reporters, like April Ryan.
On the other hand, in many ways the President’s business is our business, isn’t it? Didn’t he apply to work for the people? And got the job? So what he does at the white house becomes our business, including the parties thrown there. Doesn’t that mean that we have a right to ask difficult questions like those posed by April Ryan?
As far as the controversy over any sexism or racism implied by Robert Gibbs’ response to Ms. Ryan’s questions Let me tell you what I think about that. LAME. With a capital L (and a, m and e). There is really nothing to suggest that at all, except the fact that she wasn’t a white male, and it’s ridiculous for American’s to call racism or sexism every chance they get.
Even Gibbs’ suggesting that the Urban Radio Reporter calm down and take a deep breath shouldn’t be seen as offensive. Maybe he wasn’t calling her a child, but telling her that this is his advice that he gives to people he likes and respects. Maybe.
Whoever you side with, we should all keep in mind that reporters and even politicians are people just like you and me, and sometimes it’s best to just calm down, take a deep breath and give them a break.
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