Obama: Put the journalists' beer on my tab
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/12/23/art.obamahi.gi.jpg caption="Obama offered to pick up the tab for a group of journalists - an offer few would make."]HONOLULU (CNN) - Many Republicans already believe President-elect Barack Obama has gotten a free ride from the national media, so they may not be happy to learn the incoming Commander-in-Chief offered to buy a round of drinks for reporters covering his working vacation on the sands of Hawaii's beaches and the greens of its lush golf courses.
Halfway through a round of golf on Sunday afternoon, Obama rolled up to the snack bar in his golf cart to find a small pool of reporters waiting to get more pictures of him enjoying a leisurely day. No doubt realizing these might not be the best images at a time of recession, Obama suggested the reporters seek some other recreation to pass the time - rather than snapping so many pics.
"Obama then told us we should be in the clubhouse at the bar having some beers," according to a pool report by Jamie Farnsworth of CBS News. "Someone asked if he would pick up the tab and he agreed before driving off to the next hole. Pool is still holding without beer.
In a separate pool report for print journalists, Jeff Zeleny of The New York Times added helpfully: "He chatted for a moment, telling the pool to have a beer and put it on his tab. No one took him up on the offer."
Aha! So the key here is reporters covering the President-elect are having more fun here in Hawaii than we had in Crawford, Texas - and 85 degrees in the middle of the afternoon here is way better than the cold winds blowing through Chicago too. But none of the journalists were corrupted by free beer - we pay our own tabs.
And just for the record: your faithful correspondent, while enjoying the wonders of Waikiki beach, never drinks - at least not on the job.
It's not just Republicans, CNN Senior White House Correspondent Ed Henry. A lot of reporters also know that the press has given Obama a free ride.
This story is a perfect example. The led shouldn't be about a round of beers. It should be that Obama tried to bribe reporters with free beer so they wouldn't photograph him at a rich, white man's golf course while the rest of the country is losing their homes.
Obama isn't the savior that all of his supporters thought he is.
Not surprising...he will have a very large tab after all this is said and done in 4 years. Your legacy will be pathetic.
You guys are so lame.
Tell the Republicans that the trillons we're spending in Iraq far outweighs any beers Obama is spending on some journalists. Where's their priorities? Rebuilding Iraq while America and Americans lose jobs and are suffering or Obama buying beers for reporters? Tell any Republican critic to get a life!
Get over it already...
Okay and this needs to be reported WHY??????
oh no we will need a senate investgation on why did he buy beer for the media !!!! campbell brown where is ur outrage he cant do that. hannity will be up in arms over this . obama is buying the media a beer . jon martin politico did mccain give u beer when u were at his bar b que . rush limbaugh xmas is depressed now barak bought the media a beer !!!!all the pundits must analize this is barak trying to hide something thats why he bought the press abeer?is hillary and bill angry because he bought the press a beer and they never did ?this is not even a story to report on.
MERRY XMAS EVERYONE !!!!!!
Did Sarah Palin write this story? It's non-news.
I'm disappointed in CNN that they considered this news worthy. Not sure what it is your trying to say but there is nothing going on here. Bad move.
At least Obama offered. He is trying to spur the economy by offering the press free beer. I can't imagine some of the members of the press missing that chance.
There is such a strong to need to make ths new President look bad. The national media has not credibility and there motives against this new prez are obvious. These are the same people that have never challenged Bush but know no bounds of questions that they will ask this prez. This man deserves a break he is working his butt off, he has put together a cabinet already and will hit the ground running once sworn in, I mean geewiz
Guys,
Obama was elected as PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. That's what he will be. This whole Commander in Chief bit has nothing to do with what the citizens went to the polls in November to vote on.
Quit using a blasted title that implies he's some sort of elected military "god."
LOL, what an awesome guy. It's about time we had a smart down to earth guy as our president.
NOW thats a guy who cares about us JOE SIX PACKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : )
Over 30 mil in his campaign account and a several hundred thousand dollar discount on his Chicago house from Rezco...
The man can afford to pick up the tab on a round of beers.
Oh my! A light-hearted comment with a drinking reference. I am certain his detractors will jump on this. The right will scream, Obama and Bribery. There is no humour in the world of the right; no one should smile like this.
So what, he is human being nice.
Maybe Obama should pry into these reporters private lives. They're like hungry vultures..Enjoy your vacation Obama.....
Nasty rethuglican comments starting in 3, 2, 1....
CNN has become the media outlet of sarcasm and have decided that now they can read people's minds: "No doubt realizing these might not be the best images at a time of recession..." Perhaps it was just a kind gesture to a group of people who are spending their lives stalking the future president.
Ed,
Nice to know you're so dedicated, but one beer isn't going to corrupt you. Or make you write gibberish. Loosen up a little, dude, we won't mind. It's the holidays, after all.
Lighten up, people, it's the holiday's for f**kssake!
What a swell guy. Beer, ciggerattes, pot, cocaine anyone??
This guy is simply a magnet for money and energy.
this reporting is self deprecating & the reporters too!