FishbowlDC noticed that, for the first time in a long time, CNN did not get called on to ask a question during yesterday’s President Bush press conference. That meant CNN’s Ed Henry and Helen Thomas (who very rarely is selected by Bush) were the only front-row reporters not to ask a question.
FishbowlDC speculated on the possible reason for the presser exclusion, writing, “Who knows (an email to the White House went unreturned), but the conspiracy theorist in us wonders if the snub is perhaps punishment for CNN’s tough questions to Dana Perino in recent days over the CIA videotape case.”
Henry has been vocal in attempting to bring the CIA tape destruction issue to light. Transcripts of his strong questioning of White House Spokesperson Perino and his segment on The Situation Room, in which he and CNN anchor John King agreed to the issue was a “nightmare” for the White House, are provided by FishbowlDC.
A CNN insider tells TVNewser, “We cannot speculate on the reasons why, but our White House correspondents will continue to do their jobs, by asking the tough questions of the administration.”