NBC biggie Tom Brokaw’s criticism of press schmoozing with the president and his team hasn’t put the kabosh on one of the most exclusive annual newsie-administration love-ins: Vice President Joe and Jill Biden’s Beach Boardwalk Bash.
Reporters who’ve received the invitation to the third annual shindig say it occurs Saturday June 9 from 1-3:30 p.m at their Naval Observatory home. The event in the past has been focused on kids and complete with clowns, plates of chicken nuggets, pizza, waterslides and super soaker guns.
Because of the cozy nature of the backyard event, it has been assailed by media critics who don’t believe that the press that covers the presidency should allow themselves to be entertained by the vice president.
Reporters who’ve received the invitation to the third annual shindig say it occurs Saturday June 9 from 1-3:30 p.m at their Naval Observatory home. The event in the past has been focused on kids and complete with clowns, plates of chicken nuggets, pizza, waterslides and super soaker guns.
Because of the cozy nature of the backyard event, it has been assailed by media critics who don’t believe that the press that covers the presidency should allow themselves to be entertained by the vice president.
Criticism of the press-administration closeness has gotten louder ever since the last White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, a star-studded event. Brokaw condemned it, saying, “If there's ever an event that separates the press from the people they're supposed to be serving, symbolically, it is that one."
Liberal press watchdog Media Matters took a shot at the first Biden bash in 2010, blogging, “Why are events like this not a clear conflict of interest? Journalists being wined and dined by government officials they cover? D.C. at its best.”
But reporters who have attended the Biden bash say it’s just a chance to get to know the unofficial side of the second family. “It’s nice that they even do it,” said one reporter. “What? You can’t have a Diet Coke with the vice president without facing some charge that now you’re in the tank for him? It’s ridiculous.”
Liberal press watchdog Media Matters took a shot at the first Biden bash in 2010, blogging, “Why are events like this not a clear conflict of interest? Journalists being wined and dined by government officials they cover? D.C. at its best.”
But reporters who have attended the Biden bash say it’s just a chance to get to know the unofficial side of the second family. “It’s nice that they even do it,” said one reporter. “What? You can’t have a Diet Coke with the vice president without facing some charge that now you’re in the tank for him? It’s ridiculous.”
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