By: Joe Strupp NAA Annual Convention Hears From a Presidential Contender
Texas Gov. George W. Bush, who's been embarrassed by reporters quizzing him on
international affairs, told newspaper publishers today that he would no longer
submit to such questioning, and advised newspapers to focus on the 'policies, not
the politics' of the presidential race.
From a campaign stop in Iowa, Bush addressed a brunch crowd at the annual Newspaper
Association of America conference in New York via satellite. Bush said he had
learned from previous quizzes by reporters at Glamour Magazine and other news
outlets that such questioning is not helpful to his image. 'I've learned my lesson,'
he said in response to a question about press treatment of his campaign. 'I'm
through answering quizzes.'
Bush went on to urge journalists not to let the personal attacks and sniping of the
campaign block their view of meaningful issues. 'I expect to be attacked during this
campaign and I will respond to the attacks,' he said. 'One of the problems we face is
that there are so many news outlets that news turns into opinion.'
But the likely Republican presidential nominee went on to praise newspapers and said
he believed they still played a central role in shaping public opinion. 'The
leading role of newspapers has not changed at all,' he said. 'You still set the
agenda.'
During the questioning, The New York Times Publisher Arthur O. Sulzberger, Jr. asked
Bush why he had not visited the Times for an editorial board meeting. 'We feel a little
bit at a loss not to be able to sit with you, look you in the eye, and talk with you,'
the publisher said.
Bush said he had met with other editorial boards and planned to meet with the Times
during the campaign.
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