Some tasty bits from today’s WaPo‘s Web chat featuring Dana Milbank…
On yesterday’s press conference:
New Jersey: Can I just blast the “big names” who spent prized news conference minutes on the second swearing-in, a procedure that all agree was precautionary and without consequence? There are world events that I am very worried about, and my “top name journalists” are attempting to construct complicated inquiries about TRIVIA. Are editors involved in these itsy-bitsy inquiries? STOP WASTING YOUR JOURNALISTIC TIME!
Dana Milbank:In fairness to my colleagues, they had already been through a “serious” briefing about Gitmo and interrogation, but the White House didn’t want you to see that; the briefing was given off camera and on the condition we not identify the officials.
So by the time it was Gibbs’ turn, it was more fun and games.
And by the time Obama himself made a surprise visit to the press room later in the afternoon, it was even fluffier.
On Twitter…
Bloomington, Ind: Hello Dana. During yesterday’s press briefing, Chirs Cillizza was twittering and posed this question: “Where is Milbank? This briefing needs some get up and go. Milbank = instant excitement.”
Let me tell you how excited I am to chat with Mr. Instant Excitement himself.
Dana Milbank: I think he meant that I am highly excitable.
Interesting, this Twitter thing. I asked the Fix about it and he told me I could find it somewhere on the Internets.
And–my personal favorite–on the deliciously weird naming trends going on at the Post…
Megan Garber is an assistant editor at the Nieman Journalism Lab at Harvard University. She was formerly a CJR staff writer.Editor question: You used to work for a broccoli — now you work for a currant? What next? Is the Post working through the alphabet?
Dana Milbank:
Yes, it is a movable feast.
The political editor is a Currant.
The executive editor is a Brauchli.
They are quite a pear.
Now lettuce move on.
