President Barack Obama receives a national security briefing from John Brennan, Assistant to the President for Counterterrorism, in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, Aug. 19, 2011. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza
If you read a Washington Post story from Martha’s Vineyard about President Obama’s vacation on the island, it will most likely be coming to you second-hand. For the first time in recent memory, the Post has decided not to send a reporter to cover a presidential trip.
“From a news perspective,” political editor Steven Ginsberg to an e-mail query, “this wasn’t a very tough call. On vacations like this one, access to the president is highly limited and news is rare. We are in a much better position to cover President Obama and his administration without going to Martha’s Vineyard for 10 days.”
Politico made a different call and sent White House correspondent Carrie Budoff Brown. Mark Landler has been writing from Edgartown for the New York Times. The TV networks and cable channels have festooned the New England haunt for the wealthy with satellite dishes for their correspondents.
The Daily Beast declined to send a reporter, according to Washington bureau chief Howard Kurtz. Ditto Huffington Post, which can rely on AOL’s Patch.com reporters in a pinch.
One can conclude, as Ginsberg does, that having a reporter on Martha’s Vineyard with his or her face pressed against the virtual glass protecting the First Family is futile. But reporters gather news by being there. You can never tell what nugget you might find talking to the President’s neighbors.
As a reader, I would prefer to know the report I’m reading came from someone on the ground. For the first time, the Post won’t deliver.
Post Covering President’s Vacation Second-Hand
News outlets are considering whether it’s worth covering a presidential vacation
President Barack Obama receives a national security briefing from John Brennan, Assistant to the President for Counterterrorism, in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, Aug. 19, 2011. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza
If you read a Washington Post story from Martha’s Vineyard about President Obama’s vacation on the island, it will most likely be coming to you second-hand. For the first time in recent memory, the Post has decided not to send a reporter to cover a presidential trip.
“From a news perspective,” political editor Steven Ginsberg to an e-mail query, “this wasn’t a very tough call. On vacations like this one, access to the president is highly limited and news is rare. We are in a much better position to cover President Obama and his administration without going to Martha’s Vineyard for 10 days.”
Politico made a different call and sent White House correspondent Carrie Budoff Brown. Mark Landler has been writing from Edgartown for the New York Times. The TV networks and cable channels have festooned the New England haunt for the wealthy with satellite dishes for their correspondents.
The Daily Beast declined to send a reporter, according to Washington bureau chief Howard Kurtz. Ditto Huffington Post, which can rely on AOL’s Patch.com reporters in a pinch.
One can conclude, as Ginsberg does, that having a reporter on Martha’s Vineyard with his or her face pressed against the virtual glass protecting the First Family is futile. But reporters gather news by being there. You can never tell what nugget you might find talking to the President’s neighbors.
As a reader, I would prefer to know the report I’m reading came from someone on the ground. For the first time, the Post won’t deliver.
Should the Washington Post have sent a reporter to cover Obama’s vacation? Tell us what you think in comments. Subscribe to Washingtonian
Follow Washingtonian on Twitter
More>> Capital Comment Blog | News & Politics | Party Photos
Most Popular in News & Politics
MAP: Road Closures for Trump’s Military Parade
The Smithsonian Says It Will Decide Who Runs Its Museums, Thanks; Trump’s Parade Will Close Some DC Streets for Days; and a Maryland Bear Got a Ride to a Park in Virginia
Man Jumps From AU Radio Tower in Apparent Suicide
Smaller Crowds, Big Emotions for Army’s 250th: What We Heard Around DC
PHOTOS: “No Kings” Protests Draw Thousands in DC Area
Washingtonian Magazine
June Issue: Pride Guide
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
How Would a New DC Stadium Compare to the Last One?
The Culture of Lacrosse Is More Complex Than People Think
Did Television Begin in Dupont Circle?
Kings Dominion’s Wild New Coaster Takes Flight in Virginia
More from News & Politics
Another Mysterious Anti-Trump Statue Has Appeared on the National Mall
Army Says Tanks Didn’t Damage DC’s Streets; Trump Attends, Leaves G-7 Summit; and an Alligator Got Escorted Out of Fairfax
5 Things to Know About the New Trump Smartphone
PHOTOS: Army 250 Festival and Parade
Trump’s Damp Military Parade Overshadowed by Weekend of Political Violence, Protests; Dems Turn Out Early for Virginia Primary; Washington Post Journalists Hacked
How Would a New DC Stadium Compare to the Last One?
PHOTOS: “No Kings” Protests Draw Thousands in DC Area
Smaller Crowds, Big Emotions for Army’s 250th: What We Heard Around DC