NYT “reporter” Jeff Zeleny: The Perry Como of the press corps

By Michelle Malkin  •  April 29, 2009 10:32 PM

And now, for our Drool Bucket of the Day Award. Almost gave it to the SWAGGA crew at CNN. But this one inched them out.

He asked the moronic question about what has “enchanted” President Obama the most about being in the White House.

He could have, I dunno, pressed Obama for details about how and why his administration spooked and freaked out countless New Yorkers this week for the sake of an alleged photo op update.

But no, New York Times reporter Jeff Zeleny decided he was going to be Perry Como and sing “Some Enchanted Evening.”

Which makes sense, of course, given the New York Times’ $2 million financial stake in hawking Obama-themed merchandise.

Croon away, Fishwrap of Record:

***

Allah’s got the real video of Zeleny’s snuggle with Obama.

Bucktown Dusty’s got Zeleny in a Snuggie.
***

Which was worse: Ann Compton’s stupid “What about race?” question or Zeleny’s beauty pageant contestant question?

Posted in: New York Times

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Comments


  1. #690772
    On April 29th, 2009 at 10:43 pm, txvet2 said:

    Nothing to add, but hey, when you’re first, you’re first.

  2. #690779
    On April 29th, 2009 at 10:53 pm, Ragspierre said:

    “NPR men”…Great! Thanks, Mr. Goldberg!!!

    Do they issue special mic condoms for these “journalists”…??? Think of all that drool working hob with the electronics…

    Geeezzz…even the other MSM types were twittering at that “question”.

  3. #690781
    On April 29th, 2009 at 10:58 pm, 24Klady said:

    How can you be objective with a $2M stake in anything? Should give pause to anyone thinking what they’re hearing or reading from a news organization is truthful/without bias/without agenda. That’s why I get most news from the net. I can cross reference, disect it, and come to my own conclusions – without the need for a moron explaining it to me. I depend on my own non-lyin’ eyes to tell me something stinks, and this does.

  4. #690782
    On April 29th, 2009 at 10:59 pm, Edouard said:

    “Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.”

    –Ecclesiastes 10:11

  5. #690783
    On April 29th, 2009 at 11:01 pm, right_on said:

    POTUS will meet with, glad-hand, and praise petty dick-taters, but won’t select the Fox News correspondent, Major, to ask a question…nor will he debate Limbaugh, or go on the Hannity Show…some leader…fearless leader, that is!

  6. #690784
    On April 29th, 2009 at 11:02 pm, bjc said:

    *This must be why people are reading the New York Post as the NYT goes bankrupt; Start reporting the truth, maybe you’ll stay in business.
    *Gotta love that Fox Network for showing their version of “Lie To Me” while the other three(NBC,ABC,CBS) went with the P-BO and the Clown Cluster version; Watch for the blowback!

  7. #690788
    On April 29th, 2009 at 11:07 pm, curiozities said:

    Which was worse: Ann Compton’s stupid “What about race?” question or Zeleny’s beauty pageant contestant question?

    You mean Perez Hilton asked Obummer if he believed in gay marriage?

  8. #690795
    On April 29th, 2009 at 11:23 pm, DougHagin said:

    Ugh! I need two buckets!

  9. #690797
    On April 29th, 2009 at 11:37 pm, babiesgrandma said:

    Seeing that there is nothing much to add to this drool-fest, and there’s a picture of the fishwrap stories next to this one, and we’re all mesmorized by the enchantment of the evening, I have a joke:

    Knock-knock. Who’s there? Salmon. Salmon who?

    “Salmon chanted evening, you may see a stranger…” well, you get the idea. Look at 1:00 into the clip…

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1qpQb11YWc

  10. #690808
    On April 30th, 2009 at 12:18 am, torabora said:

    Good grief, Charley Brown.

  11. #690809
    On April 30th, 2009 at 12:19 am, bizbkrtim said:

    Under Clinton it seemed to be female reporters that said interesting things, such as what they would do for Clinton if he keept abortion legal.

    Now, it’s males that seem to be losing bladder control over “he who walks on water.” Discusting, sad & worrisome.

  12. #690817
    On April 30th, 2009 at 1:11 am, Stillwaiting said:

    With no offense intended to Mr. Como, of course. I’m going to take Perry’s advice from another song “Dream on, little dreamer dream on” that this country will get its act together.

    To those who think Obama is doing a good job, the White House must be acting as a sort of “Enchanted Cottage”, hiding all of his flaws.

  13. #690820
    On April 30th, 2009 at 1:27 am, prendad said:

    The question that reporter Jeff Zeleny probably REALLY wanted to ask, but has not worked up the courage yet, probably was something like this: “Mr. President, could you please explain how so much intelligent, suave, hippy-cool and monumentally delicious personna could be lavished on one great leader of the world? And before you answer that, my darling, will you marry me”?

  14. #690821
    On April 30th, 2009 at 1:34 am, rightisright said:

    Have the journalism schools gone by the way of the DO DO Bird?

    I’ve heard at different times and places lately that 1/2 the college grads are illiterate…if the WH press core is any example, it’s true. And what happened to who? what? where? when? and how? when it comes to reporting? I’m not a college grade, plus journalism was not an interest of mine, but seems I heard that phrase when in the 6th grade…what the hell do they teach people anymore?

  15. #690822
    On April 30th, 2009 at 1:45 am, scottthong said:

    Which was worse: Ann Compton’s stupid “What about race?” question or Zeleny’s beauty pageant contestant question?

    May I remind everyone that beauty pageant questions are MUCH HARDER to answer than that, as Miss California Carrie Prejean recently found out.

  16. #690825
    On April 30th, 2009 at 3:12 am, American Elephant said:

    The Metrosexual president.

  17. #690855
    On April 30th, 2009 at 7:22 am, MDH3 said:

    “Enchanted”? Enchanted?

    What’s next?

    “Mr. President, do you like long walks on the beach in the moonlight?”

  18. #690857
    On April 30th, 2009 at 7:36 am, vsatt said:

    beauty pageant contestant question?

    I think it’s fair to say, and Ms. Prejean would agree, beauty pageant contestants get far tougher questions.

  19. #690858
    On April 30th, 2009 at 7:38 am, vsatt said:

    oops, scottthong beat me to it.

  20. #690859
    On April 30th, 2009 at 7:38 am, threeCents said:

    Next, they’ll be asking about his favorite brand of cigarettes or “What was the moment when you showed everyone how utterly brilliant you are?”

  21. #690860
    On April 30th, 2009 at 7:44 am, vsatt said:

    And MDH3 I think a better question would be Jack Nicholson’s (Joker) question to Batman: Did you ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight?

  22. #690863
    On April 30th, 2009 at 7:45 am, zorro said:

    I wonder how the NYT feels this morning? Are they enchanted that they are a laughing-stock?

    Zeleny really needs to control those hormones.

  23. #690871
    On April 30th, 2009 at 8:21 am, cicerokid said:

    Enchanted? What in sam hill is this, a Disney flick? I’m gonna hurl n technicolor.

    Ding-dong obummer stated that with everthing going on right now, he has about all that he can handle. Any one but me see the significance of that? He can’t handle any more crises? I can hear the rats coming out of the woodwork now. Next week should be interesting.

  24. #690876
    On April 30th, 2009 at 8:31 am, stillontheroad said:

    My question is this:
    With all the glowing, slobbering, wide eyed worshop of Little Boots by 99% of the Hysterical Media, what is the purpose? Who benefits from this? What do they expect or should I say what is it these people want?

  25. #690878
    On April 30th, 2009 at 8:35 am, ThatSamIAm said:

    THE QUESTION I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE PRESIDENT:

    Mr. President, anyone watching can see that all but one or two network and cable news organizations fawn and drool over you while pushing your agenda 24/7. Yet you, the democrats in congress and your supporters conduct a daily attack on the few that oppose you. Is it your intention to destroy anyone that opposes you and your agenda?

    Thank you.

  26. #690879
    On April 30th, 2009 at 8:35 am, NJ-Aviator said:

    Jeff Zeleny and the other Obama-bots are thoroughly sickening. Any reporter, whether they ask softball questions of a democrat, republican, or a socialist like Clinton and Obama, are useless tools.

    The good news is, Obama’s time is running out. Sooner or later, talking and spending won’t cut it. And he’ll be exposed for what he is. The Poser. He’s like a guy that answers questions by restating the questions.

    All hat and no saddle.

  27. #690881
    On April 30th, 2009 at 8:39 am, hatfield said:

    Real tough questions for the Messiah, who is busy remaking America in his image.

  28. #690882
    On April 30th, 2009 at 8:41 am, tre said:

    He asked the moronic question about what has “enchanted” President Obama the most about being in the White House.

    His answer, “Seeing people like you down on your knees kissing my feet and smelling my farts.”

  29. #690883
    On April 30th, 2009 at 8:43 am, jsr said:

    Obama could have at least shown some gratitude with his answer. He should have mentioned how enchanted he was by fawning, sycophantic journalists like Zeleny.

  30. #690911
    On April 30th, 2009 at 9:24 am, longbow said:

    0bama is most enchanted with himself, of course. As he himself said (barely paraphrased because I can’t remember his exact words), “Hey, I’m finding out I’m pretty good at this President thing”. 0bama is the triumph of style over substance, except he doesn’t really have much style, either, except when rehearsed and staged.

    Sycophancy is all well and good when done discreetly in private (/s). To have it on constant public display almost makes me feel embarrassed, except I in no way have ever identified with the fawning MSM press corps.

  31. #690925
    On April 30th, 2009 at 9:38 am, LOBOMAN said:

    That was the biggest waste of time yet… One decent question out of 13 (from the radio correspondant Mark) the rest of it was feel good garbage.

  32. #690937
    On April 30th, 2009 at 9:50 am, spaceycakes said:

    Alright. I see it’s time for more ‘Tim the Enchanter’ posts!

    What is your quest?’

  33. #690976
    On April 30th, 2009 at 10:21 am, DBNinKY said:

    If there is one word to describe the demise of objective journalism in this country, it would be “enchanted.”

    Even Obama couldn’t take Zeleny’s obeisance-driven question seriously.

    The NYT should feel embarrassed over this for quite some time.

  34. #691017
    On April 30th, 2009 at 10:52 am, WarEagle82 said:

    Mr. President, Mr. President! I have a question. Pick me, pick me, pick me!

    Mr. President, since you have solved all the world’s problems in your first 100 days in office will you be going to Disney World when Air Force One returns from spreading joy and happines in New York City?

  35. #691030
    On April 30th, 2009 at 11:03 am, Mulligan said:

    Zeleny’s giving sycophants everywhere a new benchmark to aim for.

  36. #691032
    On April 30th, 2009 at 11:04 am, orlandocajun said:

    This is an excellent example of the reason the Times, and journalism in general, is tanking. With all the things that are wrong in this country, that’s the best question he can ask the President? As someone said…”they ask candidates tougher questions in the Miss USA pageant”

  37. #691086
    On April 30th, 2009 at 11:39 am, lgm said:

    MM and the right wing noise machine are wrong here. A good reporter is one who knows how to ask a question that will give an interesting answer. Watch the tape. This reporter got Obama to talk about the US military. Clearly Bush for all his jumpsuit swagger did not know or appreciate soldiers as well as Obama does.

    And Goldberg — recognizing the bravery and dedication of fighting men and women makes Obama a metrosexual!

    This is Republican misdirection. The winger noise machine is trying to deflect attention from the fantastic answer Obama gave to some trivial issue about the question.

  38. #691094
    On April 30th, 2009 at 11:43 am, stillontheroad said:

    lgm said:

    Collecting those Obama Plates yet?

  39. #691123
    On April 30th, 2009 at 12:01 pm, spaceycakes said:

    lgm said: Clearly Bush for all his jumpsuit swagger

    Hey look everyone (undresiege & edelweiss esp.)! Even lgm thinks Bush had a ’swagger’. A real one!

  40. #691152
    On April 30th, 2009 at 12:14 pm, tre said:

    Clearly Bush for all his jumpsuit swagger did not know or appreciate soldiers as well as Obama does.

    Then why did Duh One, when he was visiting Germany, go work out instead of visiting wounded soldiers in the hospital?

  41. #691160
    On April 30th, 2009 at 12:21 pm, DBNinKY said:

    A good reporter is one who knows how to ask a question that will give an interesting answer.

    No. A good reporter seeks only the facts that keep the public informed and able to make educated decisions.

    Pseudo-reporters like Barbara Walters, advice columnists and Entertainment Tonight do the touchy-feely puff pieces.

  42. #691231
    On April 30th, 2009 at 1:07 pm, prendad said:

    On April 30th, 2009 at 11:39 am, lgm said:

    Speaking of noise, did anyone just hear something, sounded like a low moaning, whining noise, you know, like a metrosexual love call?

  43. #691290
    On April 30th, 2009 at 1:39 pm, Edouard said:

    On April 30th, 2009 at 11:39 am, lgm said:
    MM and the right wing noise machine are wrong here. A good reporter is one who knows how to ask a question that will give an interesting answer…

    Are you kidding me? You’re trying to defend that ridiculous question?

    Countless people the world over would move heaven and earth for the chance to ask this president a real question, and he gets that crap?

    And no, the good reporter’s job is not merely to elicit an “interesting” answer. That’s absurd. Just because an answer is purportedly “interesting” doesn’t mean it’s not a waste of everyone’s valuable time — not to mention letting the president off the hook in holding his feet to the fire to seriously and in detail inform the American people about critical policy issues.

    The “enchanted” question rightly deserves full ridicule. If the shoe was on the other foot, and a conservative journalist wasted an opportunity to do something useful by asking a Republican president such an idiotic question, I’m certain that you’d be barbecuing the journalist for it.

  44. #691330
    On April 30th, 2009 at 2:02 pm, vickisoup said:

    Exactly. It was so obvious that the reporters and questions had been vetted in advance. Notice how, when “randomly selecting” the reporter for the final question, BHO says something to the effect, “…where are you out there? Oh, there you are”. Duh! He didn’t even TRY to make it look *random*.
    I really cannot stand our President. He’s awful. Just awful.

  45. #691332
    On April 30th, 2009 at 2:04 pm, vickisoup said:

    Oh, and plus, lgm, it’s not the job of a reporter to elicit “interesting” answers. If I want “interesting”, I’ll attend a book signing. This is the POTUS. His job is to inform and be accountable; not to entertain. Honestly. Do you even think before you comment??
    :roll:

  46. #691486
    On April 30th, 2009 at 3:47 pm, Marc said:

    Zeleney is just another squishy touchy feely New York Times reporter. Roger Cohen might be even worse. Cohen was bragging today about how he is British and how he uses words like “brilliant” as an expression. Mr. Zeleney should have introduced himself to Mr. Obama this way: ” I am one of your adoring upper west side of Manhattan latte drinking brie and chablis sipping Birkenstock wearing volvo driving fans”.
    I was surprised that Mr. Zeleney didn’t kneel when he asked Mr. Obama such a squishy question. The Times is so squishy soft that if the Times rehired Walter Duranty it would make the NY Times more conservative.

  47. #691523
    On April 30th, 2009 at 4:11 pm, Member-VRWC said:

    Back when I was a paying customer for newspapers, reporters didn’t use words like “enchanted” when questioning the POTUS.

    That must be why I haven’t paid for or read an actual newspaper in years and will never do so again.

    The NYT is a complete laughingstock. I will bring out the 18 year old scotch when it goes belly-up.

  48. #691556
    On April 30th, 2009 at 4:27 pm, Member-VRWC said:

    On April 30th, 2009 at 11:39 am, lgm said:

    Hey, drool bucket guy — send one out to lgm while you’re at it.

  49. #691905
    On April 30th, 2009 at 8:16 pm, edward cropper said:

    I’ve got a pohto shop of the NYT Enchanted Flower.
    edwardcropper.blogspot.com/

  50. #691962
    On April 30th, 2009 at 10:29 pm, Papa Louie said:

    Maybe the President really has been enchanted – by the evil wizard Sorros. That would explain a lot. If only Jeff “Prince Charming” Zeleny had the courage to follow his instincts and kiss Obama, it might end the spell. Think how much better off we would be if Obama was turned back into the ear-mark hating, lobbyist hating, big government hating, pay-as-you-go moderate he campaigned as before the election.

  51. #692163
    On May 1st, 2009 at 9:34 am, chris3cube said:

    Maybe he meant the new Enchanted Interrogation Techniques…

  52. #692658
    On May 1st, 2009 at 3:47 pm, Dimsdale said:

    On April 30th, 2009 at 11:39 am, lgm said:

    MM and the right wing noise machine are wrong here. A good reporter is one who knows how to ask a question that will give an interesting answer. Watch the tape. This reporter got Obama to talk about the US military. Clearly Bush for all his jumpsuit swagger did not know or appreciate soldiers as well as Obama does.

    And Goldberg — recognizing the bravery and dedication of fighting men and women makes Obama a metrosexual!

    This is Republican misdirection. The winger noise machine is trying to deflect attention from the fantastic answer Obama gave to some trivial issue about the question.

    That would be all well and good of the questions were not prevetted and reviewed before presented, so Obambi can “know” the answers before getting them in the “press conference.” It is called cheating to look smart. That is why he reads off the names from the preapproved list. Next best thing to a teleprompter!

    Where were the tough questions about the economy or that stupid photo op plane flight over NYC?

    Try giving the questions to your students before the test, and see if their grades improve!

    Obama is a dope.

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