Washington (CNN) - It's what all political candidates probably want but few will actually admit: if they could control the press, they would. But Sharron Angle is openly saying that she prefers talking to journalists that "ask the questions we want to answer," prompting one conservative publication to ask, "Did she just say that out loud?"
The criticism is in response to comments that the Republican Nevada Senate candidate made in an interview that aired on Sunday. Angle hopes to oust the most powerful Democrat in the Senate, Majority Leader Harry Reid, in an increasingly brutal race. A fresh poll shows Reid with a slim lead.
On Fox News, Angle was asked about her defensive posture towards the press. She recently explained why she routinely refuses to do mainstream media interviews.
"We needed to have the press be our friend," Angle said in the Sunday interview that, Angle's campaign said, was done shortly after the June 8 Nevada GOP primary.
The interviewer then asked if Angle was being "naïve."
As part of her response, Angle said: "We wanted them [the press] to ask the questions we want to answer. So that they report the news the way we want it to be reported."
Angle went on to say she would like to use the media to raise campaign funds.
The conservative National Review's website put up a post with a headline blaring, "Did She Just Say That Out Loud?"
Others have questioned why a political candidate, even one as outspoken as Angle, would seem to suggest she'd prefer to manipulate the media.
Jon Ralston, well known Nevada political journalist, called Angle's comments "pretty astounding."
"All politicians want to answer the questions they want to answer," he told CNN. But Ralston said, "It is, at best, naïve."
Angle's campaign explained the comments to CNN.
"Nevada is in a state of despair and voters need a candidate that is going to focus on the issues that effect everyday lives like sky-rocketing unemployment and reckless government spending. Sharron was simply stating that we need to focus on solutions for those key issues, not 'gotcha' moments like Harry Reid wants to distract people with," Communications Director Jarrod Agen said in a statement.
Reid's campaign obviously disagrees.
"Sharron Angle is clearly starting to see that her positions on killing Social Security, eliminating the Education Department, and bringing nuclear waste to Nevada are quickly being rejected by Nevada voters," Reid campaign spokesman Jon Summer said in a statement.
Angle's campaign denies it wants to "kill" Social Security. The candidate has publicly said that she advocates a transition to personalized accounts as a way to salvage a broken Social Security system. As for the Education Department, the campaign has previously called it "unconstitutional" and blasted its "one-size-fits-all policy and programs that fit no one."
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Angle's campaign denies it wants to "kill" Social Security. The candidate has publicly said that she advocates a transition to personalized accounts as a way to salvage a broken Social Security system.
Sharron it means the same thing just you are using a different angle and phases. You and the rest of the Tea Baggers are nothing but liars.
FOX News is your friend Angle. They'll hand feed you any question that you feel comfortable answering... and you can answer all "smart like". Bypass all the hard questions about real issues that really effect our economy and get right on that immigration reform express!
What a moron! The control-freak FASCIST REPUKES don't give a crap about anything but CONTROL.... GET IT YET, FOLKS?
Sounds like a page right out of the mouth of Sarah Palin.
WHAT A MORON. The press isn't there to ask the questions you already know. They're not your personal entourage Ms. Angle
She should ask Obama, he controls the media, I am sure he could give her some pointers. Or maybe ask CNN what it is like to be in the lap of the Obama administration.
There it is folks, the Republican Party at its finest. I guess they are trying to corner the market in bitter women with the IQ of broccoli. Keep trotting these winners on out, we should have about an 80 seat majority...
If that's how she feels Ms. Angle had better stick to FOX news, because real journalists might ask her questions she doesn't want to or can't answer! If this woman can't handle a few questions from the Press what makes anyone think she can handle being a US Senator?
Is Obtuse serious?!? LMAO!!!
She's not naive. She's stupid.
At last, a republican that honestly indicates how they want things to work. They usually talk out one side of their mouths, but do something else. I half expected the "liberal left wing media can't be trusted" crap like all the other republicans, but she ACTUALLY repeated verbatim that she was interested in participating in a republican strategy for trying to win elections. Amazing. She really is as stupid as the day is long. If Harry Reid loses against her, it says something bad for both Harry Reid and the people of Nevada! Aim high!
Damn what the general public deserves to know ... just tell them what we want them to know. How idiotic can you be? I guess that will be answered by the idiots who vote for this woman.
What has she been smoking? LOL!
You have got to be kidding me right? It is the job of the press to ask the hard questions. This women is as stupid as Sarah Palin.
While people can be thoroughly upset about Reid, this idiot takes the cake. I would prefer a fig tree to these candidates, but if it is only between these two, better the Devil you know than the one you Don't. Think about it, as Sharon Angle stated that the Educational Department is 'unconstitutional" She is a whackjob
Hey.....at least it is honest......she doesn't want to be attacked. She wants friendly or at least neutral reporters, instead of pit bulls, rottweilers, etc.
Sharron angle said, "We needed to have the press be our friend, " and "We wanted them [the press] to ask the questions we want to answer. So that they report the news the way we want it to be reported."
This reminds me of that time the Bush administration would pay newspapers around the country to print positive stories about the war and his administration.
SO, since the press isn't your friend and they don't ask the questions that you want them to ask, you (Sharron Angle) just avoid the press all together? YOU COWARD!
Angle's campaign explained the comments to CNN.
"Nevada is in a state of despair and voters need a candidate that is going to focus on the issues that effect everyday lives like sky-rocketing unemployment and reckless government spending. Sharron was simply stating that we need to focus on solutions for those key issues, not 'gotcha' moments like Harry Reid wants to distract people with," Communications Director Jarrod Agen said in a statement.
Yeah, but that doesn't explain Sharron Angle's facetious statements, now DOES IT?!? (that's a rhetorical question, it most certainly does not explain HER MOST RECENT stupid stupid statement)
As much as I dislike Harry Reid, this woman is an absolute train wreck. If the republican party is willing to "do anything" to regain power, then they don't have the best interests of the country in their hearts.
Sharron Angle should just stick with the Republican news network Fox.
Mainstream media is owned and controlled by dems... I wouldn't talk to them either... at any rate she doesn't have too... they will just make up stuff that suits them.... see Dan Rather or just about any week in the Times...
As part of her response, Angle said: "We wanted them [the press] to ask the questions we want to answer. So that they report the news the way we want it to be reported."
Sounds like she would prefer Stalin's Russia! Yikes.
She sounds just like a Democrat, "i will tell you what I want you to hear" !
Dingbat looney tunes....
What else can you say?
She clearly has no concept of the purpose of a free press.
It is in places like Iran, North Korea, China and the former USSR that this type of thinking has been enforced. Lot of good it's done them, too.
It certainly eliminates the need to answer the tougher, less pleasant and inconvenient questions that are an important part of our politics...
Well she can get exactly what she wants of she only sticks to FOX news for her personal "reporting" staff.. They never throw hardballs at a conserva-whacko...
Silly Sharon, that's what FOX News is there for.
Wake America, the crazies are coming.