Politico offers readers what it calls a “peek inside the [Obama administration’s PR] playbook,” revealing that this particular White House disseminates its messages via “the town hall-style meeting,” “the major address,” “the solo prime time news conference,” “interviews,” and, “the personal note” (Obama wows and woos with references to pop culture and family).
About this crafty “do interviews” tactic:
The interview-palooza works because Obama is the star and he does not go off message. Plus, regional and foreign news media tend to be softer interviews and give better play than members of the White House press corps.
“It’s more of a softball,” said Greg Jenkins, the Bush White House’s director of advance. “For anybody who doesn’t get a crack at the president every day of the week, you’re like, ‘Oh, wow, OK. I’ll ask my question and listen to what he says and move on.’ … You tend to get more traction out of those interviews.”
“Softer” than the White House press corps. That has to sting a little.
Liz Cox Barrett is a writer at CJR.