Kurtz: Candles With Brokaw Was Not My Idea

Earlier today, Howard Kurtz held his weekly chat where he defended his Facebook account, addressed the 20/20 hindsight of military men and denied having seductive interviewing tactics. Some excerpts:

Washington: Why are guys like you and Dana Milbank on Facebook? Seriously, aren’t you a little old for that sort of thing?

Howard Kurtz: Haha. Surely you’re aware that my generation is sneakily taking over Facebook in a dastardly attempt to ruin it for everyone else.

Actually, when I first went on earlier this year, I did feel like an aging parent visiting my daughter’s college dorm (that would be the daughter who’s refused to friend me). But now, every other day I’m friended by some (older) journalist, PR person or campaign strategist. So the transformation has become a reality.

…

Crystal City, Va.: Has anyone in the media bothered to ask Gen. Sanchez why, if the Iraq strategy was so fatally flawed, he did not put his stars on the table and resign years ago? This 20-20 hindsight employed by many retired generals and politicians — without any media skepticism — damages both Gen. Sanchez’s credibility and that of the reporters who don’t ask the obvious questions. It seems to this reader that, especially with war critics, Post reporters act more like stenographers than journalists — throw a couple of high fastballs at him before you put his dubious claims on Page 1!

Howard Kurtz: I think the way that Sanchez turned against the war WAS a front-page story, and deserved to be. I don’t know if the question of why he didn’t resign came up at the forum where he gave that speech (in which he also ripped the press coverage of the war, and most news outlets shamefully ignored or minimized that part of his comments). Obviously, a military leader can’t openly rip the policies of the White House and Pentagon, but you’re right, one can always turn in one’s stars and go public.

…

Elkhart, Ind.: Howie, do you always try to seduce network news anchors when you interview them? What’s up with the candles, man?

Howard Kurtz: I just sat down and put on the mike. I was not consulted on the decor! Honest!

The mysterious reference is to my Reliable Sources interview on Sunday with Tom Brokaw, which was conducted in an interview room in which a producer placed a couple of candles to lend a homey touch.

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