'E&P' Readers React to Olbermann Smackdown of AP Reporter Over Coverage of Obama Speech

By: E&P Staff An article posted early this morning here at E&P Online on MSNBC host Keith Olbermann's attack on Associated Press reporter Charles Babington -- over the latter's coverage of Barack Obama's speech on Thursday night -- drew dozens of letters from readers, overwhelmingly critical of AP.

Here is a sampling.
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I read and watched the coverage of the Democratic convention from a variety of news sources and AP stood out as negative, biased and consistently offered unflattering commentary. This is not what voters need and it is not what I consider good journalism.

Thanks for a well written article.

D. Swingholm

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While it would be unfair to say Mr. Babington did not report what he saw, it would be equally unfair to say that he saw the same speech millions of Americans and journalists saw and attended. Mr. Babington pulled the oldest AP trick in the book; hone the story until there is no story at all, and focus on what the speaker didn't say.
Frankly, I thought it was a landmark political event well delivered.

Only Mr. Babington knows his motives in abandoning journalistic responsibility for self-gratification and hackery.
The test of course is how many AP subscribers used his piece. I supposed it comes down to Babington and his fellow AP travelers asking the nations editors; "Who are you going to believe, me or your lying eyes"

Richard L. Fricker
Tulsa, OK
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The AP was right. Obama's speech was filled with contradictions, nonsequiturs and incomplete thoughts. Read the speech. It reached new heights for pandering.
As for Olbermann ... I find it hard to believe that anybody would agree with him.

George Moore
Merced, CA

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I am 75 and I am distressed at how low the AP has sunk in my lifetime. Its reporting has been corrupted, and has slid from top level to vicious lows in my lifetime. I am deeply concerned about America's future, if key media are allowed to distort and fabricate lies, just to maintain political/power alliances. Saddening, and I hope to hell others challenge the corruptness of all this. And "All of this" includes FOX TV and Rush Limbaugh.

Edward L. McClendon
Oregon
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Babington's comments on Senator Obama?s acceptance speech belie what I and many others watched last night. I will not impugn your integrity, character or purpose in writing so poorly insightful a commentary. I will simply say that in my view you have done the Associated Press and the American people a grave disservice, since many who may not have seen the speech will accept an Associated Press article reaching millions of people as having a certain gravitas and soundness? and will be misled. I find your article frivolous and not even a good summary of what the speech touched upon. In future I will lookupon anything you write with suspect and will hold a somewhat more jaundiced view of Associated Press articles in general.

Gerald M. Stancil, Ph.D.

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I?m sorry but I just get so sick of their spin. I?m so glad someone in the traditional press (Mr. Olbermann) calls them on their BS once in a while?..and thank you for bringing it to our attention.

Debbie Ray,
South Bend, Ind.

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I was confounded when I read the article about Obama's acceptance speech, until I reflected on how [Babington] might be looking for a job as McCain's press secretary or something the like. I don't know how else to explain what he wrote. Perhaps he needs to review his notes from journalism school to think more about professional responsibility.

The Rev. Jim Bresnahan
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I listened to Sen. Obama's speech through National Public Radio and found that, while the AP's Babington may have shortchanged the candidate on policy details, it certainly didn't sound like an address for the ages. I'd heard most of the good comparisons, similes and anecdotes in previous addresses after major campaign events; a better repackaging and a bit more polish, but definitely more of a greatest-hits performance than a bold new address. I also was struck by the odd end of the speech, which seemed rushed (and contained a rather odd truncation of Hebrews 10:23, depending on which Biblical account you?re using).

Frankly, I was taken aback more by the TV talking heads after the speech for all of the networks, who seemed to be carried away with evoking the spirit of the moment than providing any real analysis of what Sen. Obama actually said.

Emerson Schwartzkopf
Editor, Stone Business
Palm Springs, Calif.