February 15, 2005

Controlling the message
Staging the Bubble Boy's faux "town hall meetings," "forums," and "conversations."

Regardless of the name, such events are always the same: Bush as congenial host with hand-picked guests with stories to prove the president's point.

In addition to orchestrating the on-stage portion of the events, there is evidence that the White House works to control the live audience. Presidential appearances are "ticketed events," with ticket distribution controlled by local officials and organizations... under marching orders from the White House "advance" staff.

When Bush is not out and about pushing his message the prime lines of communication are [spokesman Scott] McClellan's twice-a-day sessions in the White House Briefing Room.

Admission requires the approval of the White House Press Office. McClellan says it's pretty much an open-door policy. By showing affiliation with a legitimate news organization, you're pretty much in, he said.

Uh-huh.

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