Bill Plante

Gathering for the Walter Cronkite Memorial Service - Posted September 9, 2009
Outside at Lincoln Center, prior to the Walter Cronkite memorial service.At this hour, a veritable who's who of journalists, political figures, and other newsmakers are either on their way to Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center in New York — or have arrived there by now — for the public memorial... [TVNewser]

Gathering for the Walter Cronkite Memorial Service - Posted September 9, 2009
Outside at Lincoln Center, prior to the Walter Cronkite memorial service.At this hour, a veritable who's who of journalists, political figures, and other newsmakers are either on their way to Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center in New York — or have arrived there by now — for the public memorial... [TVNewser]

After Pressure, Much of it from Glenn Beck, White House Green Jobs Adviser Resigns - Posted September 6, 2009
Van Jones, Pres. Obama's green jobs czar, resigned late yesterday amid growing criticism about his past comments. According to the NYTimes, Jones said in a statement released early today, "I cannot in good conscience ask my colleagues to expend precious time and energy defending or explaining my past." In recent weeks, Jones, and... [TVNewser]

"CBS' Resident Foodie" Does DC Restaurant Week - Posted September 3, 2009
If you've ever been on a White House trip or to a dinner with CBS correspondent Bill Plante, you know he has an appreciation for fine dining, and wining. Today "CBS' resident foodie," as intro'ed on Washington Unplugged by John Dickerson, got to the bottom of whether DC's Restaurant Week is actually... [FishBowlDC]

Sunday Show Preview - Posted August 29, 2009
NBC's Meet the Press: Senator John Kerry (D-MA), Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Bob Shrum, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin and Maria Shriver CBS' Face the Nation: Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) and Georgetown University sociologist Michael Eric Dyson ABC's... [FishBowlDC]

Sunday Show Preview - Posted August 28, 2009
NBC's Meet the Press: Senator John Kerry (D-MA), Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Bob Shrum, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend and presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin CBS' Face the Nation: Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) and Georgetown University sociologist Michael Eric Dyson ABC's This Week:... [FishBowlDC]

Taking Out The Trash - Posted August 24, 2009
What we almost missed today... • Politico's Patrick Gavin and Amie Parnes caught up with CNN's Wolf Blitzer, TWT's Christina Bellantoni, the Examiner's Julie Mason and CBS duo Mark Knoller and Bill Plante for advice on how the First Family should unwind in Martha's Vineyard this week. • David Gergen is also working... [FishBowlDC]

The History of Presidential Vacations - Posted August 14, 2009
In case you missed it, CBS's daily webcast "Washington Unplugged" took a walk down Presidential Vacation Memory Lane today, from Kennebunkport, to Crawford to Santa Barbara and Plains, GA with White House correspondents Bill Plante and Mark Knoller. Watch CBS Videos Online... [FishBowlDC]

FishPoolDC: Our Insider's Notes from Today's Briefing - Posted August 12, 2009
Grandma's Safe: Health care and yesterday's N.H. town hall -- surprise, surprise -- stole the spotlight at today's briefing. Press Secretary Robert Gibbs was asked whether POTUS's having to explain that the government wouldn't kill Grandma was a sign that it was important to move a bill by the original August... [FishBowlDC]

FishPoolDC: Our Insider's Notes from Today's Briefing - Posted August 12, 2009
Grandma's Safe: Health care and yesterday's N.H. town hall -- surprise, surprise -- stole the spotlight at today's briefing. Press Secretary Robert Gibbs was asked whether POTUS's having to explain that the government wouldn't kill Grandma was a sign that it was important to move a bill by the original August... [FishBowlDC]

Behind the Scenes With Katie at the White House - Posted July 24, 2009
Katie Couric takes us behind the scenes of her interview with President Obama this week, with guest appearances by CBS' White House correspondents Chip Reid and Bill Plante, CBS political director Steve Chaggaris, Deputy White House press secretary Bill Burton ("the enforcer"), White House director of broadcast media Dag Vega and... [FishBowlDC]

Behind the Scenes With Katie at the White House - Posted July 24, 2009
Katie Couric takes us behind the scenes of her interview with President Obama this week, with guest appearances by CBS' White House correspondents Chip Reid and Bill Plante, CBS political director Steve Chaggaris, Deputy White House press secretary Bill Burton ("the enforcer"), White House director of broadcast media Dag Vega and... [FishBowlDC]

DC'ers Honor Cronkite at Today's Funeral - Posted July 23, 2009
The funeral service for Walter Cronkite was held in NY today at St. Bartholomew Church. CBSNews.com had a live feed of the service. Bob Schieffer, Bill Plante, Carl Bernstein, Brit Hume and Howard Kurtz (with a notebook and updating his Facebook status) were among some of the journos who traveled up from... [FishBowlDC]

Gathering for the Funeral of Walter Cronkite - Posted July 23, 2009
Les Moonves, Katie Couric and Sean McManus at St. Bartholomew church for the funeral for Walter Cronkite. We're keeping our eye on CBSNews.com and the funeral service for Walter Cronkite which will begin at 2pmET. Already at St. Bartholomew in Midtown Manhattan we've spotted Bill Plante, Bob Schieffer, Aaron Brown, Maggie Rodriguez... [TVNewser]

FishPoolDC: Our Insider's Notes from Today's Briefing - Posted June 26, 2009
Green Thumbs -- Up and Down: As the monumental House climate change bill awaits its fate on the floor today, Press Secretary Robert Gibbs replied with an "Uh, yes" when asked if he retained yesterday's confidence in its passage. Making a slight variation on a popular Obama team phrase, RG later... [FishBowlDC]

FishPoolDC: Our Insider's Notes from Today's Briefing - Posted June 26, 2009
Green Thumbs -- Up and Down: As the monumental House climate change bill awaits its fate on the floor today, Press Secretary Robert Gibbs replied with an "Uh, yes" when asked if he retained yesterday's confidence in its passage. Making a slight variation on a popular Obama team phrase, RG later... [FishBowlDC]

Bill "Big Guns" Plante Gets Gibbs All Wet - Posted June 25, 2009
Members of Congress and press are taking out their aggression on the new administration at a White House luau this evening. Robert Gibbs, Rahm Emanuel and congressional liaison, Phil Schiliro have all agreed to be the targets of a dunk tank on the WH lawn. As you can see,... [FishBowlDC]

RTCA Dinner Wrap-Up - Posted June 21, 2009
We think the President said it best- "The jokes may not be as good, but neither is the guest list." There were no TomKat or Ashton and Demi sightings. The biggest star (and highest dress slit) in the room was former Miss California Carrie Prejean, followed in star power by actor Tate... [FishBowlDC]

RTCA Dinner Wrap-Up - Posted June 21, 2009
We think the President said it best- "The jokes may not be as good, but neither is the guest list." There were no TomKat or Ashton and Demi sightings. The biggest star (and highest dress slit) in the room was former Miss California Carrie Prejean, followed in star power by actor Tate... [FishBowlDC]

FishbowlDC's WH Correspondents Poll: TV Big 5 - Posted June 16, 2009
Over the weekend, HuffPo posted a poll asking their readers to vote for their favorite WH correspondent but only offered up 9 choices and left off a few key players like CBS News' Chip Reid. So we created our own poll to see what FishbowlDC's readers thought about the networks'... [FishBowlDC]

Morning Reading List 06.015.09 - Posted June 15, 2009
Good morning FishbowlDC! Got a blind item, interesting link, funny note, comment, birthday, anniversary or anything of the sort for Morning Reading List? Drop us a line. Happy Birthday to Dana Bash! Former Fishbowler Patrick Gavin is filling in for Politico's media blogger Michael Calderone this week- don't read! What we know... [FishBowlDC]

FishPoolDC: Our Insider's Notes from Today's Press Briefing - Posted June 12, 2009
Prof. Rice Comes to Washington: To round out his week of guests, Press Secretary Robert Gibbs had U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice speak to the class today. She outlined the recently passed resolution on sanctions for North Korea, citing five main points in the document: 1) complete embargo on arms; 2) new... [FishBowlDC]

FishPoolDC: Our Insider's Notes from Today's Press Briefing - Posted June 12, 2009
Prof. Rice Comes to Washington: To round out his week of guests, Press Secretary Robert Gibbs had U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice speak to the class today. She outlined the recently passed resolution on sanctions for North Korea, citing five main points in the document: 1) complete embargo on arms; 2) new... [FishBowlDC]

FishPoolDC: Our Insider's Notes from Today's Press Briefing - Posted June 12, 2009
Prof. Rice Comes to Washington: To round out his week of guests, Press Secretary Robert Gibbs had U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice speak to the class today. She outlined the recently passed resolution on sanctions for North Korea, citing five main points in the document: 1) complete embargo on arms; 2) new... [FishBowlDC]

FishPoolDC: Our Insider's Notes from Yesterday's Press Briefing - Posted May 14, 2009
Sorry, we're a day late due to some technical difficulties... To Release or Not To Release: WH took a 180 in announcing they've drawn new battle lines in a FOIA-initiated lawsuit to release photos of detainee abuse by U.S. personnel. Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, who had previously (see: late April) painted the... [FishBowlDC]

Gibbs: "Just Put It On Vibrate, Man" - Posted May 13, 2009
An all too common occurrence in the briefing room- the interrupting cell phone ring- and White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs has seemingly had enough. While taking questions on the serious topic of the President's decision not to release detainee abuse photos, Human Events' John Gizzi's cell phone went off. "Just... [FishBowlDC]

Gibbs: "Just Put It On Vibrate, Man" - Posted May 13, 2009
An all too common occurrence in the briefing room- the interrupting cell phone ring- and White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs has seemingly had enough. While taking questions on the serious topic of the President's decision not to release detainee abuse photos, Human Events' John Gizzi's cell phone went off. "Just... [FishBowlDC]

Cell Phones Interrupt Already Contentious White House Briefing - Posted May 13, 2009
The White House press briefing this afternoon has been contentious, with some major give-and-take between CNN's Ed Henry, ABC's Jake Tapper and other correspondents as they pressed press secretary Robert Gibbs over the decision today by Pres. Obama not to release detainee abuse photos. All three cablers were taking it live... [TVNewser]

Cell Phones Interrupt Already Contentious White House Briefing - Posted May 13, 2009
The White House press briefing this afternoon has been contentious, with some major give-and-take between CNN's Ed Henry, ABC's Jake Tapper and other correspondents as they pressed press secretary Robert Gibbs over the decision today by Pres. Obama not to release detainee abuse photos. All three cablers were taking it live... [TVNewser]

The After-Parties: Vanity Fair & Bloomberg - Posted May 10, 2009
So just who made the cut at the highly exclusive Vanity Fair/Bloomberg after-party at the gorgeous residence of French Ambassador Pierre Vimont? It was impossible to get in if you weren't on the list- Gossip Girl's Chace Crawford got turned away at first, but we saw him inside shortly after. No pics... [FishBowlDC]

FishPoolDC: Our Insider's Notes from Today's Press Briefing - Posted April 28, 2009
Swine Flu is SO Yesterday: Even with the normal whitehouse.gov monitor on the briefing stage replaced by "cdc.gov/swineflu," the dominant news in the briefing was Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter's explosive party-switching announcement, which blew up the Capitol Hill lunch hour. Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said the president learned of the news... [FishBowlDC]

FishPoolDC: Our Insider's Notes from Today's Press Briefing - Posted April 28, 2009
Swine Flu is SO Yesterday: Even with the normal whitehouse.gov monitor on the briefing stage replaced by "cdc.gov/swineflu," the dominant news in the briefing was Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter's explosive party-switching announcement, which blew up the Capitol Hill lunch hour. Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said the president learned of the news... [FishBowlDC]

FishPoolDC: Our Insider's Notes from Today's Press Briefing - Posted April 27, 2009
Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes: A number of questions in today's White House briefing seemed to stump Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, who pledged to return with more information (though he didn't use the Gibbsism "endeavor"). AP's Jennifer Loven, current WHCA president, pointed out that it used to be that "if there was a question to... [FishBowlDC]

CBS'ers Mingle with Hill and White House Staffers - Posted March 26, 2009
CBS Washington bureau chief Chris Isham hosted a cocktail party last evening at the posh 14K as a meet and greet for his new White House and Hill teams and various staffers. Chip Reid and his producer Rob Hendin are new to the White House press corps and Congressional correspondent Nancy... [FishBowlDC]

FishPoolDC: Our Insider's Notes from Today's Press Briefing - Posted March 25, 2009
Welcome Back, Bill: Sitting and standing room were packed today (disgruntled reporters who didn't get a question at last night's presser?), and a few front-row seats were filled by substitutes for the regularly scheduled correspondents (who might still be recovering). CBS veteran Bill Plante was among those making a return to... [FishBowlDC]

CBS' Bill Plante Challenges White House Press Secretary over ABC's Inauguration Night Exclusive - Posted January 22, 2009
CBS's Bill Plante just now at Robert Gibbs' first White House press briefing, questioned the administration over ABC's inauguration night exclusive with President Obama... Plante: How is it transparent when it looks like pay to play when the president gives his only interview on inauguration night to a network that's paid $2... [TVNewser]

Morning Reading List, 01.07.08 - Posted January 7, 2009
Good morning Washington. Got a blind item, interesting link, funny note, comment, birthday, anniversary or anything of the sort for Morning Reading List? Drop us a line or let us know in the tips box below. We've got your morning mix of media Muesli after the jump...... [FishBowlDC]

Who Was at the White House Christmas Party Last Night? - Posted December 17, 2008
Our spies spotted several tvnewsers at last night's White House Christmas party — from ABC Kathy O'Hearn and Terry Moran; from CBS Bill Plante and Maggie Rodriguez; from NBC Chuck Todd, Kelly O'Donnell and David Gregory; from FNC John Moody, Gretchen Carlson, and Steve Doocy; from CNN David Bohrman and husband... [TVNewser]

This Week In Pool Reports - Posted July 25, 2008
Hey tourists! Were you on a Tourmobile staring at the Jefferson last week? Look to your left next time -- that was the President. More after the jump...... [FishBowlDC]

Newseum: The Exhibits, Part 1 - Posted April 8, 2008
Spotted at the Newseum today: Bill Plante and Mark Twain Andrew Ferguson (who was sucking down an impressively large lunch). No word on whether Plante enjoyed the wine selection offered in the food court. Join us for a photo tour after the jump...... [FishBowlDC]

This Week In Pool Reports - Posted November 12, 2007
Protestors just seem to be as fun as they used to be, Bill Plante is a snazzy dresser and the POTUS breaks his own precedent. "While answering audience questions that were read by a moderator, Vice President Cheney was heckled by an anti-war protestor wearing a T-shirt that said: 'End the War... [FishBowlDC]

Plante Discusses "If You're So Smart" Comment - Posted August 20, 2007
From CBS Public Eye: Matthew Felling: This week, you asked a question, it got uploaded on the web, it got broadcast everywhere. Did you see any increased polarization or partisanship in the responses you received? Bill Plante: Yes, the response was instant because of the Internet. In this case, my question got put... [FishBowlDC]

Plante On His Question - Posted August 14, 2007
Bill Plante discusses his now infamous question from yesterday, first reported on FishbowlDC. But judging by some of the reaction, you'd think I had been shouting obscenities in church! "Unprofessional;" "Inappropriate;" "Unbecoming;" "Doesn't show much class;' "you are a total idiot;" "Shill for the liberal Democrats." ... There was no time to frame that... [FishBowlDC]

Bill Plante's Having None of This Garden Party - Posted August 13, 2007
As Karl Rove embraced President Bush today following an emotional farewell announcement on the South Lawn, the solemnity of the moment was shattered by Bill Plante of CBS, who bellowed to Bush: "If he's so smart, how come you lost Congress?"... [FishBowlDC]

"Plante to press corps: Drop dead." - Posted July 6, 2007
From yesterday's press gaggle: MR. SNOW: Okay, good morning. Nothing on the President's schedule today and tomorrow, official schedule. Let me just -- Q How come? MR. SNOW: Because he so chooses. Let Let me also say -- either to dash hopes or create a sense... [FishBowlDC]

Bush Flirts With Plante - Posted April 3, 2007
From Public Eye: At President Bush's press conference today, CBS News White House correspondent Bill Plante, upon hearing his first name called, began to ask a question. Reporter Bill Sammon of the Examiner was standing next to him, and he started talking as well. So Plante paused and asked, "which Bill?" "You," the... [FishBowlDC]

This Week In Pool Reports - Posted March 23, 2007
What do you do when you are in an accident with the motorcade? Ask an elderly man and woman in Maryland. And President Bush gave GOPers a much needed pep talk. "Potus strode briskly across the enormous plant floor as his guides explained what was going on. Plant workers gawked from a... [FishBowlDC]