Before Romney issued his statement today, an open mic capture the press coordinating questions to ask Romney, with one saying “no matter who he calls on we’re covered on the one question”. I’ve transcribed it to the best of my ability but the audio is below for verification:

I’ve labeled one as the CBS News reporter as I believe it is Nancy Cordes who works for CBS News. If I’ve gotten that wrong I apologize and will correct.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: …pointing out that the Republicans… *unintelligible* …Obama….

CBS REPORTER: That’s the question.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: *unintelligible*

CBS REPORTER: Yeah that’s the question. I would just say do you regret your question.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Your question? Your statement?

CBS REPORTER: I mean your statement. Not even the tone, because then he can go off on…

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: And then if he does, if we can just follow up and say ‘but this morning your answer is continuing to sound…’ – *becomes unintelligble*

CBS REPORTER: You can’t say that..

**Later**

CBS REPORTER: I’m just trying to make sure that we’re just talking about, no matter who he calls on we’re covered on the one question.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Do you stand by your statement or regret your statement?

UPDATE: Newsbusters says the the CBS News reporter is Jan Crawford and she was discussing this with the NPR reporter Ari Shapiro




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939 comments
Baroque Adagio
Baroque Adagio

It is an affront to liberty that these imbeciles do not realize what they are doing or if they do they don't care. We rely on the freedom of press to make our voting choices and they well know it. They are abusing their position and worse than that , they are aiding and abetting treason as well as being criminally negligent where informing our public / electorate is concerned! NBC, CBS, ABC, PBS & CNN have all been bought and paid for by liberals/ leftists seeking to make our constitution a thing of the past, and their precious utopian dream of communist society where everyone is "equal" in Ameritopia.

Mamanurse
Mamanurse

Romney the professional campaigner NEVER gives a straight answer,Rove, the Bush(es), Cheney, Krystal, Coulter, the GOP did not want him...he was the best out of that group of batshit crazies. And by the way he is talking about the GOP base in his put downs-white, senior, and white male high school grads.The press have every right to question a guy who never answers anything. EVER

Jack
Jack

Unless you're a conspiracy theorist, what is there here that is incriminating? Republicans are well known for managing the news and if many of the reporters in the room want to hear the answer to a particular question, why shouldn't they agree beforehand that whoever gets called on will ask it? It's the job of reporter to ask tough questions, especially of people who want to be president, remember? It's typical Republican paranoia to think that whenever someone asks a tough question of one of their candidates, that person must be an enemy...

j kuh
j kuh

this is why the criminals running this country get away with it

Jack
Jack

Tell me that you preferred the characters running the country the last time - they managed to fall asleep at the switch (fired anti-terrorism people like Richard Clarke) and allowed 9/11, started one unnecessary war and one dubious one without any way to pay for it (in fact they reduced taxes in wartime!!!), borrowed their way to kingdom come then deregulated the system until it came apart at the seams resulting in the worst fiscal crisis in 70 years. And you want that crew again? Really?

Tog Esu
Tog Esu

I heard someone telling her that the mic is hot and they can hear everything that your saying right before she says "CBS REPORTER: I’m just trying to make sure that we’re just talking about, no matter who he calls on we’re covered on the one question."

There is other stuff in this audio that speaks to the issue even more.

Cindy Porter Standfest
Cindy Porter Standfest

I have read both sides of all subjects, listen to all media stations, compared the economy from 2000 to present. Listen to all the billions of dollars that the current administration paid out to special insterest, compared that with what the Republicans paid out for special insterest. etc etc. You get the idea here. I am an independent and come the 2012 elections I am voting for Mitt Romney . The current administration scares the heck out of me.

Cindy Porter Standfest
Cindy Porter Standfest

We have always known that the media leans far to the left and favors Obama or anyother Democrat in office. Honest journalism died a long time ago. That is why I only watch Fox News. That way I can at least hear both side of a story, and know what I am hearing is truthful.

loosealiberal
loosealiberal

Liberal SOBs. They all need an illegal alien to slit their throats.

River Song
River Song

What can we do? What can we do? I'll tell you what we can do. We must boycott all the major networks. Yes that means don't watch Two and a half men, Big brother, Dancing with the stars Glee and all the other happy crap on prime time TV. If you want to make them listen sooner boycott all of the advertisers on these networks. They have betrayed the American people and violated a sacred trust given to them by our Founding Fathers and the Constitution. There's plenty of other good TV on other networks. Explore the 500 cable channels you pay for. Make a list of the advertisers on the major networks and do your best to boycott what they're selling, especially car companies that spend so much money on the major networks. They'll hear us. We have pledged not to watch NBC,CBS, ABC, PBS, CNN, and MSNBC until they start reporting the truth without their spin and biased. Anybody with us?

yolds
yolds

River Song, I am with you, My ENTIRE family is with you and I will preach this to the masses I come in contact with. I personally have had enough of this bullsh*t and manipulation from the MSM. Like you said, we start boycotting the advertisers, they will get the message.

Jerry
Jerry

Remember when Barrack Hussein O'Blaima tried to ban Fox News? Well perhaps President Romney should ban NBC CBS ABS MSNBC and NPR and don't forget the words of congressman Joe Wilson "you lie" when Barrack started his lying without the media bothering to say a darn thing... Then again, they never have asked for his college transcripts, his financial records or his real birth certificate. They just call anyone who challenges his lies as a racist or a birther... the National Socialist Workers Party, or Nazi Party for short followed the same agenda... look it up... universal health care, no guns in the hands of private citizens, no discention in the press...

Trudge1
Trudge1

Don't forget 'teabagger' from the 360 Cooper.

All this originating from the supposed news media.

An onslaught of derogatory name calling coming from the news media itself towards the general public at large.

Jerry
Jerry

Remember when Barrak Hussein O'Blama tried to ban Fox news? Well maybe President Romney should ban CBS NBC MSNBC and ABC...

Trudge1
Trudge1

Apples and oranges.

Hostages were still in Iran.

Reagan was not privy to intel.

It was a good call on his part.

AmusedAgain
AmusedAgain

Apples and oranges?

I was unaware that our embassies in Yemen, Egypt, and across the Middle East were now empty. Our people are still in harm's way. We stand behind our troops and our diplomats.

Romney is not privy to intel.

The real "apples and oranges" comparison is Candidate (and later, President) Reagan and Candidate Romney.

One had character and understood what it is to be an American. The other is just Romney.

Trudge1
Trudge1

Why make that comparison when the more important comparison right now is Obama and Romney.

Theresa M. Meyer
Theresa M. Meyer

connecting these dots...

-President Obama will not meet with Israel's president

-He wont put his hand over his heart during the our national anthem

-After realizing that it wasn't going over in the to well in the media, he puts God & Israel back in the democratic platform

-The DNC over rode the vote at the convention, not listening to the people of the party

-He pushed the Obamacare through a vote without anyone reading it

-He has decreased our military presence in other countries, putting our troops at risk

-He is planning on decreasing our military as a whole

-He is spending money like its water, putting us futher on the road toward fiscal colapse

-He is continuing to send money to Egypt and Libya, in the latest 1.4 Trillion dollar spending bill voted on yesterday

-Lets not forget the Executive order, side stepping our immigration laws

-Oh yeah and the liberal media is campaigning for him skewing the facts and giving the people selective information

- And by apologizing for someone exercising their freedom of speach, he is laying the ground work for doing away with that part of our constitution.

Our country has already been infiltrated by a domestic terroist, a trojan horse if you will. Think about it.

Sisi David
Sisi David

Governor Romney is a class act. I almost feel sorry that he had to go through this. But I know he is doing it for the country. He does not need fame, fortune or stardom, He is very sure of himself therefore he will be a strong leader. A leader is what we desperately need right now.

Sisi David
Sisi David

Governor Romney is a class act. I almost feel sorry that he had to go through this. But I know he is doing it for the country. He does not need fame, fortune or stardom, He is very sure of himself therefore he will be a strong leader. A leader is what we desperately need right now.

jennifer
jennifer

These reporters are a disgrace and an insult to intelligence. The issue is being attacked and our so called represenatives spewing out apologies. What has happened to our dignity, our resolve and our pride; especially on 9-11, perhaps the bantering of ?'s should be directed to that empty chair in the oval office.

David Pierpoint
David Pierpoint

They do that all the time to keep the candidate on topic. Otherwise Mitt (or whomever) would never answer the question, he'd say something totally irrelevant and move on. This is an attempt to get an answer to the question being asked. So yep, nothing to see here.

JAG
JAG

EXACTLY.....

BRAVO... ONE LONE Level head in a bunch of crazy people.... Glad to see you here.....

Tricky Mitt
Tricky Mitt

Wow, you guys are really pulling at straws.

Chris G
Chris G

I am waiting for the word "JOURNALIST" to be removed from the dictionary. It's so obsolete. There are so very few true and actual "journalists" left in the world today.

It's such a shame.

PrehensilePhallus
PrehensilePhallus

This is controversial? Reporters conversing about what questions they intend to ask? What do you expect them to talk about?

.

Seriously folks, if Romney can't handle this kind of criticism from the press, he's in real trouble when it comes to dealing with foreign leaders.

.

Romney was smiling while delivering a speech about the deaths of Americans. He's as fake as they come. Obama isn't perfect, but this guy is just awful.

Chris G
Chris G

No PP you miss the point. Romney can certainly manage to answer this flock of sheep. These people, however, are supposed to be competing reporters, they are from numerous competitive news organizations.

The point of journalism is (WAS) to get the best story and to be the best in obtaining the truth to gain viewership/readership. Lamestream media is no longer interested in reporting facts that enable the general public to actually FORM THEIR OWN OPINION. This is a perfect example of the liberal bias prevalent today. They ganged up in order to manipulate the story, collusion, plain and simple. So am I assume that you trust these idiots to inform you? Or are you just another member of the flock, too foolish or ignorant to want to form your own opinion?

yolds
yolds

Chris, I think you answered your own question, them dare are da idiots that inform dem dare Obozo's....

In response to your observation, SPOT ON!

PrehensilePhallus
PrehensilePhallus

They asked the questions that I personally wanted answered. They are competing news organizations yes, but in this case it is to their mutual benefit to ask the most effective questions and not ask repeat questions. In order to do this some coordination is required. It's not as if the answers to one press member's questions are off limits to the others.

PrehensilePhallus
PrehensilePhallus

Even if you were right about not seeing his "real" birth certificate, or the SS # conspiracy (which you aren't), Obama's mother is a US citizen, therefore Obama is a US citizen. Under current law he qualifies by virtue of that fact.

.

The questions you have are absurd. Nonetheless, the press has asked the question multiple times. They even asked the opposition party's presidential candidate, and even he couldn't stand by such an idiotic conspiracy.

I don't know why I bother replying to people who rely on capitalization to convey how unhinged they really are, but whatever, there you have it.

yolds
yolds

Bad answer PP, yes they are to compete and ask questions to inform the rest of us of views opinions and find truth through all the lies. If another reporter asks the question, then they go on to the next question that needs answers. You do know that they have multipule questions for these gatherings right? If this media wasn't being manipulated so much, we would have answers to OUR questions already of Where is his "Real" birth Certificate, Whay does he have a CT SS number and Why is his Selective Service Card fake. Birther you say, Damn right!! WE WANT ANSWERS!! He is NOT a Natural born citizen and does NOT belong in the White House. WE WANT ANSWERS!! Sooner or Later we are going to get the real answers to these questions, but first things first, we will VOTE him out of OUR White House. Then we WILL find out these answers.

Marvin Fox
Marvin Fox

If anyone listens to reporters speaking on any social/political subject, it is easy to decide they have been involved with, and supported by each other to effect a cohesive reporting effort. Rush Limbaugh has shown this 'same bias same words' reporting style many times on his program using the actual voices of the 'same bias same words' reporters.

I believe we might be more correct in calling those reporting styles "inter locking Media prejudices.' A social/political collusive reporting style is beyond bias.

The citizens of our Republic need the truth from our Constitutionally guaranteed free press. Telling the non politicized truth would be, not only a new Media experience for some of our Republic's reporters, It would give them the greatest impact on a patiently waiting population than many of them could believe.

Marvin E. Fox

ranti a
ranti a

reminds me of the term` drive by media` reference to drive by gang members that we have in the inner cities. Presstitutes is agreat way to describe these people!

Lisa Edward
Lisa Edward

FYI- Its’ s done deal My room mate working for obama campaign has found out through independent sources that Obama/Biden now has THE EXACT /GOTCHA QUESTION FROM LIBERAL MEDIA MODERATOR that will be ask at to of ALL Debates EVEN OBAMA /BIDEN GOT ROMNEY /RYAN QUESTION TOO ,Romney will never see them until he’s on the stage with the CHEATER . What is America going to do about this travesty of FAIRNESS . Now Obama/Biden can practice his answer for FULL MONTH a head of debate and CHEAT Romney OUT of what would be certain VICTORY . I cannot believe the GOP would be that gullable hello …AXELROD IS MAFIA ..WAKE UP . Please spread the word

Frustrated
Frustrated

What idiots. How can they ever expect us to take them seriously again after this guffaw? Nothing honest, just trying to purposely trap someone. By the way, I heard Romney's answers to these slime balls, and he was excellent.

annewgs
annewgs

these are not reporters. they are not journalists. they are pr workers. press agents. real reporters wouldn't let others know their question. they aren't interested in the subject; the focus is on "let's get mikey". shame on all of them and those that hire the pretenders. it is an offense to what was once a profession. they couldn't shine ed murrow's shoes.

shaun c
shaun c

Romney took questions...Obama?

Trudge1
Trudge1

Romney should ask them if they "regret coming out of the closet".

Overwhelmingryan
Overwhelmingryan

The press does this to everyone. Simmer down, people.

JonRusso
JonRusso

nope. If they did this to everyone, BO wouldn't be POTUS.

Chris G
Chris G

That's an absolute certainty!!!

Peggy Moon
Peggy Moon

we should trust the press, and WHY???

Peggy Moon
Peggy Moon

and we should trust the press, WHY......if this is Jan Crawford, she should be fired and then she could really shake her long hair around.

Sandra Duffy
Sandra Duffy

This is it? This what the fuss is about? My goodness some Americans are easily riled.

JonRusso
JonRusso

We caught the Democrat propaganda apparatus conspiring. Wouldn't you like to hear Goebbles conspiring if you were at war with Germany?

Chris G
Chris G

We've heard enough of this BS for far too long...we haven't watched network TV news for years. Thank goodness we have the internet and can find the truth and form our own opinions.