Power and the press

Dave B

Yes, she should.

Nick

All that will happen is that American politicians and advisers will be even more guarded in future when talking to the British press. This surely can't be a good thing.

Ed Quinn

She should get some award for sticking to her guns - obviously too gutsy to get a job in the mainstream supine British press!

James Mack

I salute Gerri! We here in Amerika cannot get to the truth anymore and it's refreshing to see someone display some integrity.

I wish she was here in the USA

James

Santa Fe New Mexico

CS

...plus why on Earth would a top businessman opt for a civil service salary (even at the top end)? Don't tell us that they're inspired by the chance to perform a selfless public service. If any do it, it's for the knighthood or the hope of a few quango appointments to pad out their retirement funds and their sense of self-importance. Having worked with a few of the "top businessmen" who've been brought into the top levels of the civil service, my only surprise is that any British businesses actually make a profit.

Cara

Tucker's smackdown of this woman was fantastic. It was wonderful viewing. Tucker is irrepressible.

TGF UKIP

Wow! Score one for the honey! BTW Fraser, I've been waiting all week to get your take on The Great White Hope's latest spin gimmick - a third of all Cameron Cabinet posts for women. Not finally becoming embarrassed by your man are you or is it, perhaps, you're just afraid of what your missus might say if you take the "wrong" line?

Shava Nerad

I work in PR professionally, and work with journalists all over the world. From now on, any UK interviewer goes on my "hostile interview" list -- not a tip, not an opinion, not a word outside the press released material is going to a UK reporter. If this is the way you think it's ok to treat sources over there, then that's fine. I'll adjust accordingly and treat you all like tabloids. Seems that's where it's all going anyway.

Chuck Unsworth

Well it was probably not a very good career move on her part, but that should be beside the point. A little more candour would give politicians and journalists a slightly enhanced reputation. And, God knows, both 'professions' need all the help they can get in that area.

MrLucky

I do understand about the before/after off-the-record concept, however, I think in this case she should not have run the quote. The request was almost in the same breath as the quote. To run it feels very opportunistic and "tabloidy"...and to pat yourself on the back about it on the front page the next day is even worse.

dearieme

The Scotsman not mainstream - what a parochial remark.

John

She was most certainly correct to have RUN the piece. She sounds like an excellent journalist, not only in terms of the story, but also in terms of her defence of it.

Christopher Squire

I suggest 'have run' perfect; 'ran' is imperfect.

Martin

The full ten minute interview can be seen here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/23526624#23526624 Tucker actually did a good job explaining why tabloid journalism (focusing on name-calling) removes the focus from the real issues.

Bill (Scotland)

The only problem for that brave journalist will be if Obama does become President! She can expect a hassle if she's visiting the States; it'll no doubt be quite different if Clinton (or indeed McCain) wins.

Jeff

it's pretty obvious based on what's happened w/ the Canadian government and this reporter that foreign media is going to become frozen out from being able to cover this U.S. race, especially from the Obama camp who was burned in both instances.

Print And Be Damned

Can everyone please read Shava Nerad's comment: an American PR saying "this women has misbehaved, no more handouts for her". Oooohhhh. Sums up the rancid atmosphere over there. . Maybe, Sheva, Geri is one of those journalists who doesn't hang around waiting for the likes of you to hand down the latest non-story and write it up. Your attitude smacks of the colluding, mates-with-the-people-you-report-on cosiness which makes American papers so deathly boring and denies the public a proper insight into what's going on. My only concern is that the UK press is going the same way. Seems that only in Scotland do we have the likes of this woman Peev who has the guts level with the public. I love it how Americans only find out what Obama's people really think of Hillary when a woman from a tiny Scottish newspaper which sticks to the type of ethics journalists used to have before they sold out to PRs and the political class.

James Canning

A close call. For Power, another part of the problem was her claim that Obama might keep US forces in Iraq for even two years or more, when Obama wants them out by the end of 2009.

david smith

Think the Scotsman is now wondering why it hired some plodder from the Evening Standard as its new political editor instead of the brilliant Gerri? You bet

FJ Stratford

Poor Samantha. Fired by Obama for speaking the truth -that Obama has no plans of following up on his promises about Iraq. Just like his NAFTA promises. Beware of Obama. He is a habitual liar.

William Norton

Someone has to speak the truth unto Powers....

Walk humbly, do justly, love mercy

I don't think that real journalism is about ruining people - hence I don't think that Gerri Peev is a journalist. She's just a nasty person who happens to be in the employ of a tabloid called "The Scotsman". Not for much longer, I guess, as who will want to talk to her in the future. Probably not even her friends.

Jo Christie-Smith

If the interview was on the record, it was on the record! I think Gerri was absoutley right to publish; or should journalists be sending in their copy to get checked by the people they interview now? If you don't want people to hear what you said on an 'on the record' interview then don't say it! Shava, you seem to assume that you're in charge. The relationship between politicians and press is symbiotic; you need them just as much as they need you. If there was no benefit to you in giving 'tips' and 'opinion' then you woulnd't do it in the first place. Your hostile interview list sounds like a nose cut off to spite your face. And you sound a bit like a bully who has flounced off because you have just come across someone that they can't intimidate. Face it, Power was impolitic; there is no one to blame but herself.