Today Buzzfeed ran a video from a Paul Ryan interview with a local news crew under the following headline:
Except that’s not what happened – the interviewer asked a rather odd question that was hostile to Ryan, and misrepresents his position. Ryan’s aide shut down the interview, not Ryan, who hardly seems angry, but seems annoyed and quizzical.
Conservatives immediately took issue with the description and the headline of what happened:
@BuzzFeedAndrew Listen, little boy–when you do something wrong you change it. That's what a grown up journalist does. Grow up, child.
— John Podhoretz (@jpodhoretz) October 8, 2012
@BuzzFeedBen You didn't watch it. He sat there, said it was a strange question, grabbed water, then got up and kept talking to the reporter!
— AlexaShrugged (@AlexaShrugged) October 8, 2012
Actually, @buzzfeedben and @buzzfeedandrew, the original headline was not a minor thing. That's how false memes start.
— John Podhoretz (@jpodhoretz) October 8, 2012
But the headline did it’s job – the Obama team is already pushing it as a “gamechanger”:
You can walk out of an interview if you don’t like a press question? This is a game changer—way to be a leader Congressman Paul Ryan.
— Brad Woodhouse (@woodhouseb) October 8, 2012
I think perhaps the Obama team is looking to declare ANYTHING a game-changer after the amazing and historic poll results from Obama’s debate implosion.
Hope @PaulRyanVP's event in MI isn't a town hall – wouldn't want a voter to have the gall to ask about taxes and get head bitten off #wonk
— Danny Kanner (@DannyKanner) October 8, 2012
Brad Woodhouse is the DNC Communications Director, Danny Kanner and Lis Smith are the Deputy Director and Director of the Rapid Response for Obama for America.
Thought a member of Congress like Congressman Ryan would have thicker skin than to put his tail between his legs and run at a tough question
— Brad Woodhouse (@woodhouseb) October 8, 2012
Note to local reporters: do NOT mention @PaulRyanVP's support for tax cuts for millionaires & billionaires http://t.co/O7SVY9fx
— Lis Smith (@Lis_Smith) October 8, 2012
And of course, the liberal media will play the spin over and over:
Paul Ryan bails on interview when asked if big tax cuts will help solve poverty http://t.co/Qvc4ZwBi
— Ed Schultz (@edshow) October 8, 2012
After the criticism, Buzzfeed has changed the title, but it’s still tilted against Ryan, and not really what happened:
I think we’ll see more of this as we get closer to the election…
UPDATE:
Here was the explanation that Ben from Buzzfeed gave for the headline:
@jpodhoretz @buzzfeedandrew He got angry, ended interview, and walked away….
— Ben Smith (@BuzzFeedBen) October 8, 2012
Apparently “walking away from an interview” literally means that Paul Ryan put one foot in front of the other after an interview, and did not imply at all that he stomped off in the middle of an interview, just as the Obama team took it.
@jaycaruso @CuffyMeh @jpodhoretz @BuzzFeedAndrew you’re right, no walking. Pulled from hed.
— Ben Smith (@BuzzFeedBen) October 8, 2012
Great job guys!! I’m sure the Obama team appreciates all your support!
UPDATE:
The Romney team was SO ANGRY at the reporter, that they offered him a slot in the campaign reporter pool.
***Obama Team @woodhouseb desperate to yell "Game-Changer!", seize on deceitful @Buzzfeed headline as poll distraction: http://t.co/EMlygrj0
— el Sooper (@SooperMexican) October 9, 2012