Washington Post reportedly selling health care lobbyists and CEOs access to its journalists, Obama officials.
Washington Post reportedly selling health care lobbyists and CEOs access to its journalists, Obama officials.
The Politico reports that the Washington Post, for a price of $25,000 to $250,000, is “offering lobbyists and association executives off-the-record, non-confrontational access to ‘those powerful few’ — Obama administration officials, members of Congress, and the paper’s own reporters and editors.” While the Politico notes that on-the-record events and conferences are becoming a trend in the newspaper industry, this type of closed, pay-for-access event raises serious ethical concerns. The flier for the event, titled “Health-Care Reform: Better or Worse for Americans? The reform and funding debate,” reads:
Underwrite and participate in this intimate and exclusive Washington Post Salon, an off-the-record dinner and discussion at the home of CEO and Publisher Katharine Weymouth [...] Bring your organization’s CEO or executive director literally to the table. Interact with key Obama Administration and Congressional leaders […] Spirited? Yes. Confrontational? No. [...] Annual series sponsorship of 11 Salons offered at $250,000 […] Health-care reporting and editorial staff members of The Washington Post [...] An exclusive opportunity to participate in the health-care reform debate among the select few who will actually get it done. [...] July 21, 2009 6:30 p.m.
In recent weeks, the Washington Post has editorialized against a public option as a part of health care reform. Defending the status quo of a private insurer-dominated system, the Post wrote, “A public plan is not necessary to maintain a competitive market in health insurance.”
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Washington Post reportedly selling health care lobbyists and CEOs access to its journalists, Obama officials.
– - Stop. It. NOW.
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:47 amWe need to know which Obama officials and they need to be fired immediately. OR he can not bother to run in 2012.
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:54 amThat’s the co-opted Fourth Estate, America has grown to love to hate.
WaPo’s Publisher attends the annual Bilderberg meeting and never reports on the gathering of the world greeders.
Sad days indeed.
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:54 amThe Post is wrong. We need the public option. This is what the citizens of this country want and need. Health care should not be for profit. The insurance companies are very powerful, but they have failed the country, and have become incredibly greedy. This, too, needs to stop.
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:55 amWhy am I not surprised to learn about this?
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:55 amSo much for the WP’s press role of ‘afflicting the comfortable and comforting the afflicted.’
Can you say w-h-o-r-e?
I know you can.
They will need to append to their masthead, “This publication is a outreach project of the private health insurance industry.”
Shocking that they sold out their integrity for so little.
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:55 am“Spirited, yes. Confrontational, no. Supporters of the public option or in fact, anything benefiting the people not welcome.”
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:57 amAnother new low – no wonder newspaper circulation continues to plummet.
Saw a bumper sticker today, said “Read a newspaper every day”.
Don’t know why anyone would drive around with a slogan on their car that essentially says “DRINK THE KOOL-AIDE!”
I am so sick of hearing about every other excuse for the loss of credibility of traditional media that is precipitating it’s decline.
ITS THE LIES!
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:58 amNot even the WaPo could throw a party with that kind of price tag unless they managed to cobble together a guest list worth showing up for.
They’re promising “key Obama Administration and Congressional leaders”. I’m assuming the Congressional leaders showing up for this will be the ones who agree with the WaPo editorial position and are friendly with the industry the Post is marketing to (in other words, the GOP leadership). And what’s in it for them? If there’s any “access for sale” going on, you can bet the politicians will want a piece of the proceeds. Otherwise, they’d just sell their own access instead of allowing the paper to do the pimping.
But who are these “Obama administration” people? And how “key” are they? And what’s in it for them?
The Post would never be able to sell access to Congressional leadership and administration staffers if it didn’t have any. While the newspaper’s actions would be considered vulgar by journalism purists, there’s got to be some accountability from those who are allowing themselves to be whored out.
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:01 amI’d like to say I’m shocked by this, but sadly I’m not.
President Obama needs to realize that those on left are tired of winning elections but losing legislation. We’ve all fought too hard to give progressives massive majorities, and now that Franken is there, there are no excuses.
They need to realize, it’s not that we will vote for Republicans, it’s that we wont show up at all.
We all in fact need to be wiling to at least put our name on the ballot as primary challengers against those Dems that block a public option for health care.
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:01 amExpect a lot of noise and propaganda from the mainstream media. They don’t want you to see this:
New HELP Bill Covers 97 Percent Of Americans, Costs $600 Billion
Of course, SINGLE PAYER would save even more, but that got thrown under the bus (along with a large block of progressive and liberal supporters) a long time ago.
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:01 amMrBungle has it right – those that proclaim themselves to be progressive/liberal need to hold BOTH sides of the aisle accountable.
Otherwise, we get the same ol’ same ol’.
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:02 amThe Obama administration already has Business Forward, a blue version of K Street.
http://stateofthedivision.blogspot.com/2009/03/white-house-supports-brunswick-groups.html
I wonder if WaPo is partnering with Business Forward on these health care meetings?
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:08 amTechnically, blue leaders of the Brunswick Group are behind Business Forward, but they need high level White House staffers to have a product/service to sell.
That speaks to complicity.
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:09 amThe Politico story supports point # 8 in my Ten Political Commandments, the corrupt nature of The Fourth Estate.
Yesterday’s NPR story on Mark Sanford’s and John Ensign’s relationship with “C Street”, supports point #3:
http://stateofthedivision.blogspot.com/2009/07/ten-political-commandments.html
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:12 amlarkohio Says
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:55 am
The Post is wrong. We need the public option. This is what the citizens of this country want and need.
_____________________________________________________________
And the citizens of this country need to let their representatives in Washington know that.
My mother just told me recently that in Seattle, 43 years ago, their VERY Republican Congressman changed his mind and voted for Medicare because his constituents told him in overwhelming numbers that’s what they wanted.
The politicians in Washington need to hear from the people they represent — not just lobbyists from the private insurance industry who desperately want to maintain the status quo. Anyone who wants the public option needs to contact their Representative and both their Senators and make their wishes known. Now.
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:14 amWould anyone be willing to organize a pooling of resources so that the 71+% of us who want the public option can be represented? That’s over 200 million Americans who favor a public option as part of healthcare reform. If we each donated a dollar, we could buy up the entire series!
Or, we could use that $200 million to buy our own lobbyist.
It’s time to organize. We cannot count on the Dems we elected to represent out interests to actually represent our interests.
PEACE
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:14 amI wish the American public would fully understand orginizations like The Builderburg Group, The Carlyle Group (which owns many health services facilities).
Companies like these grouped with newspapers are dictating the agenda. AMERICA THE FACSIST STATE!!! When corporations and government work together against the wishes of the people its called FACSISM!!!!
Tell me why God should bless America?????
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:14 amThis is no surprise. The WAPO, under the direction of Fred Hiatt, has turned into a leading right-wing voice for neo-cons and corporate interests.
I don’t even visit their website anymore.
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:17 amOf course, SINGLE PAYER would save even more, but that got thrown under the bus (along with a large block of progressive and liberal supporters) a long time ago.
Another Joe, don’t give up on the idea of single payer. If we get the public option and if the administration of the public doesn’t get outsourced to the private insurers (like the Medicare Advantage boondoggle) the public option will soon demonstrate a level of efficiency that the private insurers can’t compete with on a large scale.
There will always be private insurers offering platinum products to the wealthy (just like in England) but the vast majority will be covered by the public (read single payer) system.
At least that’s my hope.
PEACE
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:22 amReading Marcus Brauchli’s statement, it is clear that the problem was not that this event was “not properly vetted,” but that the flyer made it too obvious that this event is nothing less than the Post and the Obama Administration teaming up to sell influence. The statement also reveals that, despite the outrage, the Post intends to go through with the event.
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:34 am“As written, the newsroom could not participate in an event like this.” ??
So, obviously they’ll re-write it so the newsroom CAN ATTEND an ‘event like this.’
Phew!
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:35 amDoodlebug Shayne Says:
We need to know which Obama officials and they need to be fired immediately. OR he can not bother to run in 2012.
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:50 am““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““
Don’t worry Shayne. If Obama drops the ball on a public option, if Cap & Trade does lead to higher energy bills, if the economy continues to struggle, if unemployment grows, if the housing market continues to slid south, the republicans will take full advantage of this and President Obama will become a one term wonder.
Of course you can get “access” to reporter Jeff Gannon at the comparatively bargain rate of $300 an hour. But those in know will tell you a Dana Milbank blow job is worth whatever they’re asking.
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:52 amUPDATE: [...] As written, the newsroom could not participate
in an event like this.”
but officials of the obama administration COULD???
yikes.
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:55 amNOLIESPLEASE Says:
I wish the American public would fully understand orginizations like The Builderburg Group, The Carlyle Group (which owns many health services facilities).
Companies like these grouped with newspapers are dictating the agenda. AMERICA THE FACSIST STATE!!! When corporations and government work together against the wishes of the people its called FACSISM!!!!
Tell me why God should bless America?????
“““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““
That is why I couldn’t understand the outrage from the right over the comment “God damn America” made by Reverend Wright.
Does the religious right truly believe that it’s impossible for God to damn or punish us for all the things our government has done to others in our country’s history?
We assassinate democratically elected leaders from other countries at the request of corporations. We allow oil companies to destroy the environment of other countries which has led to the death of it’s natives. Look what we did to the Native Americans? Look how we treated Black Americans, look who we treat immigrants. Look at all of the greed that drives our country. Look at our culture, how we treat the poor, the sick, the elderly.
Yet those on the right think God looks down upon America as the bastion of Christianity and good will. Give me a break! We are damned!
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:57 amSoooo, WaPo as pimp, and it’s journalists and Obama officials as whores. Interesting…
I can see how they might try (and succeed?) in selling off it’s own journalists, but how might they do the same with Obama officials?
I think the President needs to investigate which of his “officials” are willing to participate in such a thing — and get rid of them.
July 2nd, 2009 at 12:06 pmThe major newspapers of this country have been a sham and an organ for corporations’ dirty work for years. Why would anyone trust an information site driven by advertising dollars to tell the truth and risk the wrath of the bill-payers. As a former newsperson I saw this type of b.s. go on all the time and good people getting kicked to the curb for refusing to “assume the position and smile.” Obama needs to quit worrying about the WP and NYT so much and start worrying about the needs of the ” Yes We Can” constituencies that got him elected. Start listening to Howard Dean and others who made the commitments to all of America.
July 2nd, 2009 at 12:12 pmNewspapers are on their way out, in no small part due to shenanigans like this.
The internet allows me to visit news sites from all over the world. I am no longer restricted to what the corporate-owned media in this country wish to give me.
July 2nd, 2009 at 12:20 pmStart listening to Howard Dean and others who made the commitments to all of America.
DAMM RIGHT!!!!!! WE PUT YOU IN, WE CAN TAKE YOU OUT!!!!
Have no fear, when the dollar collapes the restructure will begin!
I assume the 185,000 caskets stored in the east coast and another 185,000 caskets stored in the west coast by the US government (under Bush)will be needed.
What do they know that we don’t know yet???? Complete Collapse of the US economy???? Don’t think so….look up bloomberg artical about two Jappanese men caught at the Italian/Swiss boarder with $134billion in US treasury bonds. If the bonds are valid….look out! This is the reason Hillery and VP Binden went to China last week…..Lucy you have some splaining to do?????
Can you imagine $134 billion in Treasury bonds in a suitcase????? WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON????
July 2nd, 2009 at 12:27 pmZooey, it’s a different insider influence peddling operation, but the names include Valerie Jarrett and Tina Tchen.
http://thehill.com/the-executive/new-group-offers-rare-entry–to-white-house-for-k-street-2009-03-25.html
These types of session are clearly OK with the White House.
July 2nd, 2009 at 12:48 pm“not properly vetted”
“as written…”
Sounds like the Post was caught with its pants down, and are in damage control. Not taking umbrage with the basic facts of the story, just that it wasn’t written clearly.
It’s still lipstick on a pig (to use a trite phrase) — access is for sale — unethical.
July 2nd, 2009 at 12:53 pmNot properly vetted? It was approved by an executive, Charles Pelton. Did WaPo incentivize Mr. Pelton with pay for performance?
The last line of the linked story is most telling. WaPo was looking for new revenue sources. So they packaged influence to sell it. Sad.
July 2nd, 2009 at 1:23 pmThe WAPO isn’t that much different from its Moonie colleague THE WASHINGTON
July 2nd, 2009 at 1:27 pmTIMES. It used to be a great paper.
Does anyone know of a website or online petition that has been started where democrats can PLEDGE that if this DOES NOT HAPPEN, we will deflect to a green party or something? If the dems can’t manage a systemic change here, my vote may as well not count. F^&K WaPo and F^&K any dem responsible for this. I’m young, I’m informed about politics, I’m active, I’m a volunteering kinda girl and the will LOSE me completely if this doesn’t happen because of this f#$ked up greed.
BTW- death of newspapers? Good riddance to you.
July 2nd, 2009 at 1:30 pmJust when you think the corporate manipulation of this country can’t shock you anymore, they find another level of greed. I would say shame on them, but obviously people that make fortunes off the misery of others have no shame.
And how “Foxy” of Washington Post to not only capitalize on the news, but script it as well. “Corporate Enabling” and “Journalism” is a frightening combination, although the former has proved to be, sadly, much more profitable.
We can expect no real change in our country until we address the root of the problem. Lobby and campaign reform should be the first order of business to pull the reins in on this stampede of greed.
July 2nd, 2009 at 1:53 pm34. State of the Division: Not properly vetted? ….
Reminds me of one of the most disturbing South Park episodes I’ve ever seen.
The road to success is to cheat. And then if you get caught you say, “I must have misinterpreted the rules.”
July 2nd, 2009 at 2:22 pmUPDATE: The Post announced that it is canceling its off-the-record salons.
Curses!! That damn blogosphere!
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:05 pmWashington newspapers are not only cheap whores, they are cheap, lying whores.
July 2nd, 2009 at 6:04 pmSomebody at the Post just got their “tit caught in a wringer”. Head’s should roll and I won’t ever buy another copy of that paper.
July 2nd, 2009 at 6:28 pmMy mother’s case speaks from her grave:
Dr L Scott Stoney, Newport Beach, California wrote:
There are several incidences of concern in this patients’ case which should be noticed. The frequency of her recurrent pneumonia is concerning as well as the type of pneumonia which she developed were concerning. The infection incidence at Sunbridge Newport was monitored quarterly and it was noted over the national average during infection control meeting in the final quarter of the year 2003. As I was medical director for this facility I had request further evaluation by the staff to the etiology of this occurrence within the facility. Multiple families had complained about this problem. Unfortunately, the administration did not take due diligence in ameliorating this problem in 2003. Lack of sufficient ventilation contributes to pneumonia. This was a sentinel event; however the administration continued to give both patients families and the undersigned a variety of excuses why it was “taking some time” to fix this problem. Upon review of the medical record, it is medically probably that this patients recurrent pneumonia (especially MRSA) was related to the physical facility.
There is another incidence of concern. Blood pressure monitoring cuffs which were not working in Sunbridge Newport in 2003. This, again, was a sentinel event and of grave concern. As medical director, this was an extraordinary event which prompted my immediate reaction as Medical Director to request the administration immediately order new blood pressure equipment for the safety of the patients within the facility. I was subsequently directly in contact from my Newport Beach private practice office with Bureau of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse Special Agent Supervisor Joseph Fendrick to discuss this matter. Unfortunately this was too late for Mrs. Evelyn Calvert, she arrived 7/16/04 to the emergency room in again respiratory distress and she died. Due to the limited response of the administration to meet patient needs, I resigned from Sunbridge Newport Rehabilitation in March, 2004 and gave sixty day notice of my termination as Medical Director from the facility. It is my opinion, as a Board Certified physician ….. that this patients death is within medical probability aggravated or in causation by the failure of the ventilator system within Sunbridge Newport as well as the failure of the blood pressure monitoring devices within the facility.”
end of quote.
We need to change regulating nursing homes where they get away with manslaughter. Buzz would say this isn’t rocket science.
Deborah Calvert daughter of the late Evelyn Calvert
July 7th, 2009 at 8:37 amand former assistant to Buzz Aldrin
It has been said that the true character of a people is shown by how they treat their most vulnerable: the very young, the sick, and the old. By that standard, the richest country in the world looks positively vicious for its treatment of the sick and the old compared to the “undeveloped” and “underdeveloped” countries of the world. In those places, the old and sick do not have shiny high tech equipment or the latest cure all from Big Pharma or a trained nurse let alone a doctor to attend them. But the sick have someone there all the time to give them water or a bit of food, to turn them or adjust a pillow, to listen or talk or just sit with them. The old are treated with respect, provided good and often the best food as well as first choice of what other comforts are available, and listened to for their wisdom. Yes, of course, people die younger and often of easily curable diseases in those places. But what value is there in living longer if your pain is magnified by neglect and isolation? If your caretakers are under-trained, under-respected, underpaid, and so overworked they can’t give you the care they know you should have? If you can be “transferred” away from family and friends without warning on the “business decision” of some faceless, nameless corporate bureaucrat? If you are little but a profit source to be discarded without compunction, even some relief, when you “underperform”? Better, I think, a shorter life with some dignity than a longer one as a mere commodity. If we are at ease treating old and sick people, at least those not among the plutocrats, as commodities who’s whole value is profitability, why not set children to labor and harvest the organs of the sick? No, no, we couldn’t do that, we value life! That reply reminds me of an Oscar Wilde story. Seems the wit leaned over to a handsome young lady at dinner to ask if she would sleep with him for a million pounds; when she readily agree he asked if she would sleep with him for ten pounds; “what,” she cried, “do you take me for a prostitute?”; Oscar replied, “we’ve settled that matter already; we’re just haggling over price.”
July 7th, 2009 at 8:45 amAmericans have settled the matter that we are already greedy souls. We’re just working out how to maximize profitability.