WorldNetDaily White House correspondent Lester Kinsolving, known for his unusual questions at press briefings, had the following back and forth with White House press secretary Robert Gibbs today:
Kinsolving: In his commendable concern for the unemployed, the president would be gratified if Katie Couric would share part of her… widely reported $15 million salary to rescue those hundreds of CBS employees laid off so she would still have an income similar to the president’s, wouldn’t she?
(laughter and grumbling)
AdvertisementGibbs: Lester, I don’t think it’s appropriate for me to get into the compensation of a network any more than for me to get into your compensation.
NY Daily News’ Ken Bazinet described the question as “irking some groaning reporters.” One could be heard saying, “Come on,” in the background.
While some reports had surfaced yesterday morning that CBS was talking about reducing Couric’s salary amid the layoffs taking place at a number of network bureaus, CBS News and Sports president Sean McManus told TVNewser no such conversations had taken place.