CNN, Helen Thomas Get First Row in White House Briefing Room (Wizbang)

Fox News gets the second row. Drudge has the letter to the White House Correspondents' Association:

TO: White House Correspondents' Association
RE: White House Briefing Room
DATE: March 16, 2007

The White House Correspondents' Association met today to review plans for the renovated West Wing Briefing Room and the seating assignments. The new briefing room will consist of 49 seats: 7 rows and 7 seats per row. In the old briefing room, we had 8 rows and 6 seats per row. This new configuration required us to make several adjustments to the seating arrangement, which is a White House Correspondents' Association responsibility.

As a board, we decided to move CNN to the first row. This decision was based on CNN's 27 years of covering The White House, as well as the resources it brings to the in-town and travel pool, and its daily presence at the briefings. In addition, the board agreed to honor a previous commitment by our association to maintain Helen Thomas' seat in the first row. As the dean of the White House press corps, Helen is an institution. First with United Press International and now as a White House columnist for Hearst newspapers, Helen has covered every president since John Kennedy.

Every news organization that had a seat in the old briefing room will have a seat in the new briefing room, and these seating assignments only affect the Brady Briefing Room. The White House, however, will continue to determine seating assignments for all presidential news conferences. We expect to move back to the West Wing this June. Look for additional updates on the briefing room project in the weeks ahead.

2007 White House Correspondents Association Board

Steve Scully - C-SPAN (President)
Ann Compton - ABC News (Vice President)
Jennifer Loven - Associated Press (Treasurer)
Peter Maer - CBS News (Secretary)
Steve Holland - Reuters
Doug Mills - The New York Times
Kenneth Walsh - US News & World Report
Ken Herman - Cox Newspapers
Mike Allen - The Politico

Helen is an institution? A mental institution maybe.

Credits

Section Editor: Maggie Whitton

Editors: Jay Tea, Lorie Byrd, Kim Priestap, DJ Drummond, Michael Laprarie, Baron Von Ottomatic, Shawn Mallow, Rick, Dan Karipides, Michael Avitablile, Charlie Quidnunc, Steve Schippert

Emeritus: Paul, Mary Katherine Ham, Jim Addison, Alexander K. McClure, Cassy Fiano, Bill Jempty, John Stansbury, Rob Port

In Memorium: HughS

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Comments (44)

Not even the White House ta... (Below threshold)

1. Posted by BarneyG2000 | March 17, 2007 6:12 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

BarneyG2000:

Not even the White House takes FOX serious.

Posted on March 17, 2007 18:12

To hell with all of them an... (Below threshold)

2. Posted by marc | March 17, 2007 6:21 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

marc:

To hell with all of them and rescind all reserved seats. Make it first come first served.

That would do two things, first put on display their heard mentality as they stampede their way in each day and secondly ensure doddering old fool Thomas would never make it thru the door.

Posted on March 17, 2007 18:21

Hey wait a minute...a commi... (Below threshold)

3. Posted by Brian D | March 17, 2007 6:32 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Brian D:

Hey wait a minute...a committee of leftist journalists have chosen to give Helen Thomas a front row seat to mindlessly harangue the President? I'm shocked!

Posted on March 17, 2007 18:32

bravo to Fox news news thou... (Below threshold)

4. Posted by crazylibs | March 17, 2007 7:00 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

crazylibs:

bravo to Fox news news though. They tried to steal an old lady's chair, and that takes courage!

Posted on March 17, 2007 19:00

Fox News & Bush. Both have... (Below threshold)

5. Posted by Jo | March 17, 2007 7:03 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Jo:

Fox News & Bush. Both have more class than all liberals/democrats combined.

Posted on March 17, 2007 19:03

No Barney, no one wants to ... (Below threshold)

6. Posted by Jo | March 17, 2007 7:04 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

No Barney, no one wants to disturb and perhaps anger one crazy, mentally disturbed old woman. That's all.

Posted on March 17, 2007 19:04

But Fox kicks everyone else... (Below threshold)

7. Posted by jhow66 | March 17, 2007 7:09 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

jhow66:

But Fox kicks everyone else's ass don't they barneygoogle baby. Just galls your poor wittle poo poo rear don't it? LOL

Posted on March 17, 2007 19:09

bravo to Fox news news ... (Below threshold)

8. Posted by marc | March 17, 2007 7:23 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

bravo to Fox news news though. They tried to steal an old lady's chair, and that takes courage!
Posted by: crazylibs at March 17, 2007 07:00 PM

How did they try to steal the seat? Guess you failed to see the White House Correspondents Association Board made this decision and Fox or any Fox rep isn't listed on it.

BTW, "nice" moniker very fitting to your post as it would take a bit of "craziness" imagine something that isn't there.

Posted on March 17, 2007 19:23

jhow, the big three draw 23... (Below threshold)

9. Posted by BarneyG2000 | March 17, 2007 7:27 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

jhow, the big three draw 23,000,000 views to their nightly news. FOX's biggest draw is 2,000,000 views.

FOX ratings have steadily dropped each quarter for the last year.

Posted on March 17, 2007 19:27

Barney, yeah right.<p... (Below threshold)

10. Posted by Jo | March 17, 2007 7:36 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Barney, yeah right.

The big three networks have been dropping VERY steadily for YEARS now. And that audience is mostly OLD. In other words, a dying demographic, so to speak. For the networks, that's NOT GOOD NEWS. (no pun intended)

Fox News rocks, and the libs can't stand it. One news item unflattering to the democrats gets reported all day on Fox News Channel, and the other MSM outlets are finally shamed into reporting it as well, or they look biased and inept. Well, they look that way anyway, but why advertise it so loudly?

Bwahahahahahhaa......

Fox News infuriates them, and I can understand why. Love it.

Posted on March 17, 2007 19:36

Barney, if FNC only has abo... (Below threshold)

11. Posted by Jo | March 17, 2007 7:38 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Barney, if FNC only has about 2,000,000 viewers, then why all the fuss? Why all the fury? Why all the whining about it?

Exactly.

Lol.

Posted on March 17, 2007 19:38

"jhow, the big three draw ... (Below threshold)

12. Posted by Rob LA Ca. | March 17, 2007 7:43 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Rob LA Ca.:

"jhow, the big three draw 23,000,000 views to their nightly news."

That's right dummy , it's called the Democrat MSM spewers of their Perpatual Fraud. Fox News is a cable network. It get tiring having to explain everything to you dumb and stupid democrat supporters. That is why the Democrat Party should be disovled and replaced. We want you to be smart and productive.

Posted on March 17, 2007 19:43

Rob, lol. For a news chann... (Below threshold)

13. Posted by Uh-oh | March 17, 2007 7:49 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Uh-oh:

Rob, lol. For a news channel they don't take seriously (as Barney claims) they sure do spend a lot of time whining about it. Don't cha love it?!

: )

Posted on March 17, 2007 19:49

Kim, about "mental institut... (Below threshold)

14. Posted by bryanD | March 17, 2007 7:53 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

bryanD:

Kim, about "mental institution"s: mild Tourette's sufferers like George "HEH!" Bush were once institutionalized as well! Or, according to his station in life, perhaps locked in the attic with Hitler's tea service. ("More tea, Miss Pretty Pants (HEH!)?" Lest we forget! And I'm all for cranky old folks and their tactless questions directed at the nepotistic beltway elite! Up with the chickens; looking out for us, right?

Posted on March 17, 2007 19:53

15. Posted by Valerie Plame | March 17, 2007 8:05 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Valerie Plame:

I beleive all this fuss started because of you conservatives boohooing that Helen Thomas Got a seat that you wanted for Fox. So quit your crying.

Posted on March 17, 2007 20:05

Barney--you should be at th... (Below threshold)

16. Posted by Richard Romano | March 17, 2007 8:11 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Richard Romano:

Barney--you should be at the anti-war rally, not here. The rest of the moonbats need you--their numbers being so small and all.

It's typical of left wing wingnuts to complain about Fox, when Barney clearly lets the cat out of the bag that all the other networks are shamelessly liberal.

Thanks Barn, but we knew it already--back to your meds!

Posted on March 17, 2007 20:11

17. Posted by eman | March 17, 2007 8:35 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

eman:

BWHAHAHAHAHAHA. Snicker Snort Snort.

Check out the pictures on the net. Comedy Gold I tells ya.

Sniker Snort Snort

Posted on March 17, 2007 20:35

Oh, c'mon. Is Bush afraid o... (Below threshold)

18. Posted by Publicus | March 17, 2007 8:40 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Publicus:

Oh, c'mon. Is Bush afraid of an 80 year old woman?! I don't think so. What do you want her to do...try to yell out her questions from the back row? Stand?

Really. What's the big deal?

Posted on March 17, 2007 20:40

"Really. What's the big ... (Below threshold)

19. Posted by Lee | March 17, 2007 8:47 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Lee:

"Really. What's the big deal?"

The big deal is that Fox lost out to a short woman with balls...

Posted on March 17, 2007 20:47

Fox didn't lose out. They'r... (Below threshold)

20. Posted by Publicus | March 17, 2007 8:49 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Fox didn't lose out. They're in the second row. Since they are under 80, I think they'll be able to be heard and get their questions in. I feel pretty confident the president will call on them.

Posted on March 17, 2007 20:49

"Fox didn't lose out. They'... (Below threshold)

21. Posted by for fun | March 17, 2007 8:56 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

for fun:

"Fox didn't lose out. They're in the second row. Since they are under 80, I think they'll be able to be heard and get their questions in. I feel pretty confident the president will call on them."

Yeah, but nobody watching Fox news is under 80 so it might confuse them.

Posted on March 17, 2007 20:56

Yeah, but nobody w... (Below threshold)

22. Posted by Steve of Norway | March 17, 2007 9:17 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Steve of Norway:

Yeah, but nobody watching Fox news is under 80 so it might confuse them.

Posted by: for fun at March 17, 2007 08:56 PM

That makes no sense at all.

Posted on March 17, 2007 21:17

What doesn't make sense is ... (Below threshold)

23. Posted by Hugh | March 17, 2007 9:24 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Hugh:

What doesn't make sense is this utterly inane post/whine/rant by Kim and the (wing)nuts. Who gives a flying frig about seat assignments in Herr Bush's Ministry of Propaganda anyway?

Posted on March 17, 2007 21:24

I don't get it either, Stev... (Below threshold)

24. Posted by Publicus | March 17, 2007 9:27 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

I don't get it either, Steve.

I think that the arrangement gives good seats to Fox and allows a women who's been on the press core since the early 1960s a seat from which she can be heard.

Posted on March 17, 2007 21:27

Lee is right, Helen has bal... (Below threshold)

25. Posted by Jo | March 17, 2007 9:34 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Lee is right, Helen has balls. I'm glad somebody finally acknowledged that Helen is a clueless man trapped in a very ugly woman's body.

Posted on March 17, 2007 21:34

26. Posted by eman | March 17, 2007 9:35 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

What doesn't make sense is this utterly inane post/whine/rant...

Holt Shiet you just described the Dem Party. Congrats. Here's a cookie. Sniker Snort Snort.

Posted on March 17, 2007 21:35

The funny thing about this ... (Below threshold)

27. Posted by beeblebrox | March 17, 2007 9:37 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

beeblebrox:

The funny thing about this is that the front row is actually not the best place to be seen by someone on a dais. It is very easy to end up looking over the heads of the people in the front row (especially little old short people :-)

Posted on March 17, 2007 21:37

eman - Exhibit A... (Below threshold)

28. Posted by hgg119 | March 17, 2007 9:37 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

hgg119:

eman - Exhibit A

We're not just talking abou... (Below threshold)

29. Posted by Jo | March 17, 2007 9:38 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

We're not just talking about who gets front row seats here you morons. We're talking about the democrats whining about Fox News Channel 24/7 when as Barney says it doesn't have near the audience of the big 3 networks AND it's cable. And love the way Barney is ADMITTING the rest of the MSM is liberal biased. Finally! An admission!

Love it, love it, love it.

Posted on March 17, 2007 21:38

Fox didn't lose out. The... (Below threshold)

30. Posted by Taltos | March 17, 2007 9:40 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Taltos:

Uh, you do realise we're talking about a camera and not a person right ?

Posted on March 17, 2007 21:40

Pub, Hugh: Helen Thomas alw... (Below threshold)

31. Posted by bryanD | March 17, 2007 9:41 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Pub, Hugh: Helen Thomas always warned of Bush the Shrub from Day 1 and thus is a symbol of I-Told-You-So to the arrogant mini-cons at the White House. The Tell Tale eyeballs looking up from melting face, grinning, mocking, and so on.

Posted on March 17, 2007 21:41

Poor little conservatives, ... (Below threshold)

32. Posted by BarneyG2000 | March 17, 2007 9:42 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Poor little conservatives, they get no respect or viewers. The party of 28%. The Pubs should have their national convention at a VFW hall.

Posted on March 17, 2007 21:42

Hgg119, Does not compute. H... (Below threshold)

33. Posted by eman | March 17, 2007 9:43 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Hgg119, Does not compute. Hint: When attempting to get your msg. across, Please talk in recg. Lang. Thank you. Snicker Snort Snort

Posted on March 17, 2007 21:43

The party of 28%. The Pubs... (Below threshold)

34. Posted by eman | March 17, 2007 9:48 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

The party of 28%. The Pubs should have their national convention at a VFW hall.
Posted by: BarneyG2000 at March 17, 2007 09:42

Whoaoooooa there buddy. You just revealed a truth on the Dem. side. SNICKER SNORT SNORT

OH and BWAHAHAHAHAHAHJA

Posted on March 17, 2007 21:48

Lee:The big deal ... (Below threshold)

35. Posted by _Mike_ | March 17, 2007 9:50 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

_Mike_:

Lee:
The big deal is that Fox lost out to a short woman with balls...

Please keep your sexual fantasies to yourself.

And Barney, you seem to be 'factually challenged' (not surprising)

http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/original/jan07ranker.pdf

Posted on March 17, 2007 21:50

...And Fox is Bush for all ... (Below threshold)

36. Posted by bryanD | March 17, 2007 9:50 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

...And Fox is Bush for all intents and purposes here. It's just another Cindy Sheehan-type zero-sum obsession of a spoilt rich kid whose lackeys vie to show their hangers-on cred. Like Bradlee and JFK: to bask in reflected 40-watt "glory".

Mike --Fox certain... (Below threshold)

37. Posted by Publicus | March 17, 2007 10:08 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Mike --

Fox certainly is popular as your link shows. But, because it only shows one week, we don't know anything about the trend. Are they becoming more popular, less popular, or staying about the same?

I'm curious. Does anyone know?

Posted on March 17, 2007 22:08

You can find day-by-day rat... (Below threshold)

38. Posted by _Mike_ | March 17, 2007 10:20 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

You can find day-by-day ratings for the news networks here:

http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/ratings/

Posted on March 17, 2007 22:20

Thanks, Mike!... (Below threshold)

39. Posted by Publicus | March 17, 2007 10:21 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Thanks, Mike!

Posted on March 17, 2007 22:21

Poor Barney. He doesn't re... (Below threshold)

40. Posted by Jo | March 17, 2007 10:24 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Poor Barney. He doesn't realize that when he minimizes Fox's # of viewers, and minimizes our "28%" he is essentially saying that even with a smaller percentage of the country as GOP, and a much smaller viewing audience (Fox), we STILL manage to win most elections!

I know, Barney, I know. Doesn't say too much for your party, now does it?

Snicker. Snort. Snicker.

Posted on March 17, 2007 22:24

"Uh-oh", looks like Sock Pu... (Below threshold)

41. Posted by Brian | March 17, 2007 11:31 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Brian:

"Uh-oh", looks like Sock Puppet Jo is out in full force tonight! How many times are you agreeing with yourself tonight, Puppet? Snicker, Snort, Snicker, bwahahahahaha, love it love it love it!

Posted on March 17, 2007 23:31

eman can I use just one or ... (Below threshold)

42. Posted by jhow66 | March 18, 2007 1:55 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

eman can I use just one or two of your "snickers snorts" (love it)?
B'google that 2,000,000 is just part of what O'Reilly draws each night. Thats more that All msnbc programs combined. snicker snort (sorry eman I just could not help it). We are not talking about regular TV because millions do have cable so that is all they can get.

Posted on March 18, 2007 01:55

"do NOT have cable"... (Below threshold)

43. Posted by jhow66 | March 18, 2007 1:57 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

"do NOT have cable"

Posted on March 18, 2007 01:57

44. Posted by eman | March 18, 2007 8:29 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

eman can I use just one or two of your "snickers snorts" (love it)?

Use as many as you like my dear. I gave up getting angry at these pathetic fools along time ago. They are stuck in a leftist echo chamber and they can't get out. Snicker Snort Snort.

Posted on March 18, 2007 08:29

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