Journalists Arrive: Networks Take Comments Live, NBC Ignores Obama’s Follow Up

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by Steve Krakauer | 9:07 am, August 5th, 2009

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abc_8-5 All three broadcast networks stayed live past 9amET to catch the reunion of journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee with their families and their first comments on the matter. The cablers covered the emotional few minutes as well.

After reuniting with their families, as well as Current TV founder and former VP Al Gore and others, former Pres. Bill Clinton came down from the plane to an embrace from his VP.

Ling spoke first, followed by Gore. In his lengthy list of thank-yous, Gore mentioned President Barack Obama. “President Obama and countless members of his administration have been deeply involved in this humanitarian effort,” he said.

ABC and CBS stayed live to take Pres. Obama’s comments from the White House, just five minutes after the presser ended in L.A. But NBC, in hour three of the Today show, went back to regularly scheduled programming. By the time Obama made his brief remarks, NBC was talking Paula Abdul.

It was a well-orchestrated press event. Now, as the news cycle continues, we’ll see more storylines emerge. What were the terms of their release? How involved was Obama? And what does Sec. of State Hillary Clinton have to say about all this?

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Obama has committed so many faux pas that he can barely be trusted to preside over a “beer meeting” let alone a hostage release and Biden isn’t any better. Hillary Clinton was mocked by the North Koreans so the WH sent her husband instead, I am interested in hearing what excuse the Obama administration will try to give to explain that move.

I hope Bill will be around to answer those 3am calls in the future because God knows we could use at least one competent person in the White House.