The White House website proudly says ‘President Obama is committed to creating the most open and accessible administration in American history.’
But try telling Vice President Joe Biden’s staff that, after they held a local reporter in a closet for hours after he was invited to cover a Florida political fundraiser because they did not want him talking with the guests.
As the unaware $500-a-head invitees dined on caprese crostini with oven-dried mozzarella and basil, rosemary flatbread with grapes honey and gorgonzola cheese, grilled chicken Caesar and garden vegetable wraps, veteran reporter Scott Powers was locked away.
The Orlando Sentinel reporter was ushered into the closet inside wealthy property developer Alan Ginsburg’s Winter Falls mansion, after being told that Joe Biden and Senator Bill Nelson had not yet arrived.
They were due to speak to the audience to raise money for the 2012 elections.
The reported was allowed out for 35 minutes when Biden and Nelson spoke, then brought back to his holding closet for the remainder of the event.
Later he received a phone call from Ginsburg, the owner of the mansion, who apologized for the treatment Powers received in his home and claiming he had no idea that Powers had been locked in a closet.
‘He said he was just following their lead and was extremely embarrassed by the whole thing.’
It is reported Biden's staff also emailed an apology to Powers as well.
One guest emailed the paper that reported the story as well:
‘I was in attendance at the Fundraiser and enjoyed a nice lunch.
‘If I had known there was a reporter stuffed in the closet, I would have been compelled to stand up and demand answers.
‘I would also like to know if this is actually legal to treat people like caged animals. I’m disgusted by these actions.’
What makes this especially amusing is this story comes after Obama spokesman Jay Carney was reported to have said the United States is firm in its belief that journalists should be protected and allowed to do their work.
Then again Carney was referring to an Oklahoma journalist in Libya.
Do as I say not as I do moment here I guess.
Consider this your ridiculous item for the week.
(Headline changed because closet door was not actually "locked")
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