Was it a coincidence that President Obama asked a female staffer to join him on the golf course yesterday or a move to squelch media criticism?
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Obama golfs with female after media criticism. Coincidence?
By Jimmy Orr | 10.26.09
So, by now you know that President Obama golfed with a [GASP!] woman yesterday. We told you about it here.
But why would a golf game with Melody Barnes – his chief domestic policy advisor – be newsworthy? Was it because right before she faced a critical putt, he yelled out “Noonan!”
Although that would be a great news story – no.
No girls allowed
It was news because – for those of you keeping score – up until yesterday, all of his golf partners have been men. And this past week, there was also criticism that Obama only plays basketball with male counterparts. We told you about that here.
Even last March, Obama was criticized for not being an equal opportunity NCAA basketball bracket filler-outer.
Who cares? Many of you said that. One visitor yesterday commented: “How about reporting news, not things nobody cares about? Who gives a damn about who golfs with who?”
Networking
Others, however, say that it’s important for the president to be more inclusive. And the sporting events represent a chance to network with the president. Therefore, they say, it’s only fair that the president expand his chromosomal outreach.
So, at 1pm yesterday, Obama and Barnes (with two other guys filling out their foursome) played 18 holes at the Fort Belvoir golf course just outside of Washington, DC.
Coincidental that Barnes played yesterday? Or an attempt to get the media off of the topic? After all, it was the weekend after an NBC reporter put the president on the spot about his male-only basketball games and the New York Times ran an article on the same topic yesterday.
It was just a game
It crossed the mind of one reporter this afternoon during the press briefing on Air Force One. And, as you would expect, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs dismissed the thought of it being anything except a golf game. Ever. Period.
Here’s the exchange:
Q Robert, what was behind the decision to have Melody Barnes play golf with the President yesterday? Was it in any way related to the –
MR. GIBBS: To play golf.
Q So it was not –
MR. GIBBS: And I’m told help the President take some money from fellow golfers.
Q So it was not a response to criticism at all of –
MR. GIBBS: No. She’s just a good golfer.
Simmer down
So there, conspiracists! Take that!
We still like the Caddyshack scenario though…
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<< Obama and woman go golfing (just like Adam Sandler and Bob Barker) | MainComments
3. W Lasher | 10.26.09
Please note that at least golfers do not consider the word “golf” to be properly used as a verb.
4. Caroline | 10.26.09
oh my gosh! how silly!!
Speaking for myself - as a woman - you know what I would really like to be “included” in on?
How about some real news reporting?
sorry, but whether a golf player is male or female is not so important- inclusion means that a golf player can be either. So whether someone plays with a male, or female person - really not news! doesn’t matter!
5. CP | 10.26.09
Gregory David, it would appear that you as well as the white house and Obama, do not approve of anyone having an opinion of him or his actions that do not match your own otherwise they must somehow be related to Fox.
Anything else enlightening to contribute?
Perhaps a comment about Bush or Palin to make yourself feel better?
6. Just Saying | 10.26.09
It makes me laugh when I think of how much attention Obama’s actions get. Wheter people like him or hate him, they can’t seem to get enough of him. He goes out to buy lunch at a burger joint, its news. he decides to go to the grand canyon or shoot some hoops and its the leading story. what’s next? front page coverage of what he likes on said burger..oh wait done that. funny, funny.
7. Missy Triplehorn | 10.26.09
Who cares, did anyone cared who did Bush played with…This is OBVIOUSLY the dirty republicans work…gosh just let it go ..you fail everywhere…thanks Bush for leaving the country in deep
Arnold my friend, California needs a governor not a movie star with no sense of politics whatsoever you already drowned us too…Face it Republicans you can’t handle politics….
STOP THE DAMN WARRRRRRR!!!!!
8. Rene | 10.26.09
Were there any women along when Vice President Cheney accidentally shot a fellow hunter?
9. quafe | 10.26.09
Right on, Greg! The President will soon be criticized for not golfing with the physically challenged (by Fox Lite).
11. Not Fox Viewer | 10.26.09
Caroline,
You make the point - and miss it entirely. “Inclusion means that a golf player can be either,” yet President Obama has NEVER played with a woman until now, and even then only after taking heat for his lack of inclusion. Is it being overplayed? Yes. Is it a good thing that it’s been brought to his attention and that he’s changing? Yes.
12. Wendy | 10.26.09
Obama is a self-procllaimed activist and is now a president. You would have thought the guy would give equal opportunities to women without having to be criticized about it. But no. That’s just not the case. Obama does things only after the media criticizes him. What it all means is Obama is just as narrow minded as anyone else. He has a loud mouth piece on him and is good at using it but his actions say his just an average bigot trying to look better under scrutiny. Is it newsworthy? It is because the general media thinks the world of Obama yet it is an obvious case of the emperor has no clothes. What’s more is how destructive Obama is.
13. and | 10.26.09
OMG, this is ridiculous!. Doesn’t make sense!. This is not a news.
If a guy wants to play a basketball with guys, why not? It’s his freedom to do so. Why that our president has to include women in all his activities? NBA itself has WNBA. Who can guard Shaquille O’Neal in WNBA? Some activities are better played separately between man and woman.
14. Ron Crocker | 10.26.09
It was reported today that it took George W Bush 2.5 years to play as many rounds of golf as this man has played in the first 9 months of his presidency.
The golf he plays, along with his “Apology Tour”, his $7,000 night outs at our expense, his failed trip to secure the Olympics and the time he spends in Make-up for his TV appearances, does not leave much time for being president during one of the most critical times of my 68 year span.
It should be quite obvious that his leaving our faith to p_Louse_e and reid, will destroy the democratic party and in the meantime, this country.
15. Kathy | 10.26.09
Obama’s first and foremost a politician and still, probably always, in campaign mode. Put out the word that he’s not kissing babies and just guess what he’ll be doing next week.
17. Mac | 10.26.09
By now it is clear to everyone that the president and his staff are more worried about his “image” than they are the real issues. We can expect more of these wasteful, wateful, pulicity stunts.
19. Jill M | 10.26.09
Fox lite is right.
Did anyone ask bush these questions - wait they were too scared.
20. RJ | 10.26.09
For all Obama’s talk of an inclusive administration that ‘looks like America’ it’s clear who still has the president’s ear behind the scenes. Bush was probably no different.
21. BCC | 10.26.09
Brian, In response to your question. Obama has the same number of rounds in nine months that George Bush had in two and a half years. Bush took alot of heat for playing during various times of his tenure in office. Whether Obama plays golf with a male or female does not seem important to the majority of people. Having the president play golf with a female partner must be important to a core group.
22. Turkeyvulture | 10.26.09
I don’t think that it is “news” that he played golf with a woman. That, on its own, would not be interesting at all. What makes it interesting is that Obama obviously felt he HAD to play golf with a woman because of the news coverage. To test this, the NY Times and several other papers should run stories criticizing Obama for not playing a round with any red head, left handed, Asian Americans. Then we can count how many days it takes him to find one and run to the golf coarse yelling, “Look, look everyone! I’m play golf with a left handed, red head, Asian American! But not because you told me to…I was going to do it anyway.”
23. Joe K | 10.26.09
Maybe reporting on such a meaningless event demonstrates that Obama is making far fewer mistakes than the last few presidents?
24. Mike | 10.26.09
What a dumb article! Like anyone cares who he golfs with. Do some real reporting for a change… it’s ridiculous!
25. Visitor Zero | 10.26.09
I agree with everyone else who has commented. Useless “story”.
Next we’ll see reports on equal opportunity in Obama’s wardrobe:
Q: “Why was Obama wearing his black tennis shoes instead of white ones? Is he a racist?”
A: “It was a muddy day and he didn’t want to ruin the white shoes.”
Q: “But wasn’t he wearing red tie the other day? That means he’s a communist, right?”
A: “The tie was picked to match the rose garden.”
Q: “But that brown shirt he wore the other day… doesn’t that mean he’s a fascist?
A: “It’s just a shirt.”
Obama is not a racist, sexist, communist, fascist, foreigner, whatever, and continued attempts to portray him as a biggoted soldier-for-the-death-of-America are ludicrous and juvenile.
Why not report on the real news… like how Republicans criticize Obama’s Health Care reform but have yet to offer any alternatives. Or how Republicans continue to oppose the development of clean and sustainable energy that would detoxify our planet, lower energy costs, decrease our dependence on foreign oil, and revitalize America with exportable technology. Or how Republicans try to amend the neutral Constitution in the likeness of biased religious ideals while simultaneously railing against government intrusion. Or how Republicans speak against taxes, and communism, but are perfectly willing to borrow money from Communist China to pay for American interests instead of asking Americans to pay our own way.
Your pulitzer should arrive any time now. Wait for it… wait for it….
26. Shocked Canadian | 10.26.09
Great. So now Obama is no longer even allowed to play sports with people of his choice, because then he’ll be considered a sexist.
I feel sorry for the US.
27. TB | 10.26.09
I think the funiest thing about this non-story, is the fact after a story about how Obama doesnt play his games with Women he invites one to a game the next week. The guy is so transparent it’s hilarious. I imagine the woman he invited doesn’t know if she should feel honored or like an idiot, for being a pawn in this ongoing Press game.
28. Candygram | 10.26.09
As Cyndi Lauper once sang, “I see your true colors”, Mr President. You didn’t see these kind of stories about Bush, because Bush didn’t discriminate.
30. obama | 10.26.09
i see nothing wrong with our president reaching out and being inclusive.quite unlike the Rediculous Right.these folks and fox news are sure showing outright desparation in what they consider newsworthy these last few weeks since Fox got their warnings of a *timeout from the WH.how else is the best way to deal with an irreverant child????allow them to continue to be an interruption??i think the WH made a good call on this.more important things on our plates this days.
31. tim johnston | 10.26.09
For god’s sake america GROW UP. We don’t give a toss about golf. Its about time that President O’Bama got off his butt and did some governing, instead of dealing with all the petty bickering
32. Lori | 10.26.09
Doesn’t it occur to anyone that there a lot more men that play basketball and golf than women? Even if he was “equally” open to playing with either, there would naturally be more men involved. Its just statistics.
What I also find funny is that, what, since he was criticized for not playing with a woman, now that he DOES, he is criticized and accused of just playing some political game? So what’s he supposed to do, purposely NOT play with a woman to avoid that? Oh wait, that would bring us back to the first (non)issue. He can’t win.
Who cares.
34. Rob | 10.26.09
I believe the real mistake was playing golf at all. To all the Bush haters, he always encouraged women in sports…like that time he spanked that volleyball player’s bottom.
And whether you believe the CS Monitor has a conservative leaning or not, you have to appreciate that it’s one of the few credible, long-standing publications that is free of corporate ties. Although I am unsure how conservative a paper can be when Ralph Nader mourns the loss of its daily editions.
35. Ed Patrick | 10.26.09
Would you whinning, snivilling, cry babies cover news?! Grow the _ _ _ _ up! LET’S NAME FOX, THE WHINE AND CRY NEWS. The country is in national disaster (totally created by Republicans). The economy is tanked. We have soldiers that are killing themselves when they come home from the prison of IRAQ. We have countless millions out of work. And we cover a golf outing of with mixed company, who is the presidents advisor. The news must be pretty dry out there.
36. James Willey | 10.26.09
Okay people lol I have to laugh my butt off. You all wine and cry about our problems well grow a pair and take your country back from these thieves you put in office. I mean really, everyone scared to take a few days off from work to show the oil companies we won’t take a pounding at the gas pumps. No one would get fired if everyone in this communist ran country took a few days off. Buy NO gas, and show our government we made that they can be taking away and or replaced with people who will do the job right.
I laugh, the government think they are invincible, they laugh at us while they get the best health care, best foods, cars, homes, speaking of homes, have you heard of anyone of them losing their home? Come on and take back our country!!!! Or take a beating they keep giving us..
I wish the USA was a better place to live. Why must we spend all kinds of money outside of the USA and not take care of our own people and problems. Oh and learn to speak English!!! This is America, not Mexico, or any other place that doesn’t speak English.
I have ten Mexicans who live above me and not one of them speaks English. There, I feel better.
37. Jessica Baker | 10.27.09
I’ve always thought the media stands up for the down and trodden, you know, the poor and the little guys who need a hand. When the Democrats took away the poor kids’ charter school money and president Obama looked the other way, the media just shut up. What the heck was that about? Now these poor kids have to go back to their failing old school with rotten and leaking ceilings. Where ’s the “redistribution” wealth? Obama is just another money grubbing lacky who shovels public tax money to the banks like any other presidents but only Obama does it in style to the tune of 1.6 trillion dollars at a time. Where are the Democrats for the poor kids? There are Democrats but they don’t give a damn about the poor or the kids. And the Democrats have been in power in both houses for over 5 years. Nothing has changed; it just got worse. But it’s always the Republicans this and that. It’s time to wake up and see some real changes, not Obama BS. After 1.6 trillions, has there been any changes in way the banks do business? No. They’re up to the same damned thing. Have your lives been any different? Where are the jobs? They’re going to China. What has Obama done about it? Nothing. He gave money to IBM the same day its CEO announced moving more of IBM’s operations to China. Wait a minute we want those jobs. They’re good jobs. Why are they being moved to China? Where’s the sense in that?
38. Larry Sommers | 10.27.09
I wonder why Canadians haven’t had a black prime minister. I thought the Canadians are pretty progressive. How about a Latino prime minster? Well now it’s been all white, hasn’t it? Well, they’re more racist than us Americans if you ask me.
39. Matt Vesco | 10.27.09
Hey Shocked Canadian, of course you feel sorry for us. We’re the ones with Obama in the White House. Wait until you get your own Obama then, you’re going to be sorry. We won’t feel sorry for you; we’ll tell you “I told you so!”
40. tremolo | 10.27.09
I would consider golf pretty much an individual sport where you have to concentrate a lot on what you’re doing and shut out everything else. Men and women are automatically “segregated” during a golf round because they hit from different tees which can be 50 yards or more apart. So in the course of a round the men come together at each of 18 tees, while the women come together at each of 18 different tees. There’s automatically more comradery among those who hit from the same tees because by definition comradery arises from doing the same thing, because you can compare your shots length, accuracy, etc. only when hitting from the same tee. When the woman hits her tee shot, all the men have already hit theirs and and thus although they’re waiting for the woman to hit hers, they’re already mentally elsewhere, i.e. up the fairway with their second shot. The honors system does not apply to men and women equally. The person with honors, i.e the best score on the last hole) hits first, but since women tee off closer to the hole, they always hit after the men no matter what their score on the previous hole. When the women tee off, the men have already moved mentally forward to their second shots. I would think the different tees are a hindrance to comradery or inclusion between men an women on the golf course. Everyone congregates on the green, but golf etiquette says you can’t talk while someone is putting. The green is not the place for schmoozing. Most of the comradery is probably on the 19th hole. Do you think the president and his golf partners are going to spend a lot of time there? Thus, I don’t see much opportunity for inclusion in a round of golf.
41. drtybert | 10.27.09
Who cares? Right? I just want to know why he’s done more outside the office than in it. Could some one show him where the Oval Office is? By the way, they have already said he’s played more golf than Bush did in his term. So I guess they do keep tack of that kinda
42. Visitor Zero | 11.01.09
What’s amazing is that, to teapartiers and dittoheads, Obama is a sexist if he doesn’t play a sport with a woman… but putting a woman on the Supreme Court doesn’t count, assumedly because these same komplaining konservative kool-aiders think Sotomayor is a racist. Booo.
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Jimmy Orr has worked in politics for the majority of his professional career working for two U.S. Senators, two Governors and one President. Most recently, Orr served as White House Spokesman and Internet Director for President George W. Bush and Special Advisor to Governor Schwarzenegger for Internet Communications.
David Cook is Washington bureau chief of The Christian Science Monitor and host of the Monitor's newsmaker breakfasts. He was the Monitor's editor from 1994 to 2001. Cook is a graduate of Principia College, served in the U.S. Army, was a Bagehot Fellow at Columbia University, and is a member of the Gridiron Club, Washington's oldest journalistic organization.
1. Gregory David | 10.26.09
It becomes more and more apparent that The Christian Science monitor is really Fox Lite