WH press corps newly 'tamed,' but news vets say just wait

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By Jennifer Harper

The White House press corps, once accustomed to examining the world in excruciating detail, is now under the microscope.

Speculations are afoot among observers who say the media have gone soft, solemnly rising when President Obama walks into the room or delivering cushy questions like strategic softballs. Journalists, the arguments go, are either delirious over Mr. Obama or shellshocked by eight years with President Bush.

But look out.

"Have no fear. The White House press corps will come to life in good time," said Sam Donaldson, a longtime ABC News anchorman.

"Right now, President Obama is riding a great wave of public approval and, let's face it, so far has not made any large missteps. But his real challenges lie ahead and, as all presidents do, he will face some tough times. And, I say again, fear not: The press corps will do its duty in holding his 'feet to the fire.' "

White House reporters used to shout their questions with gusto.

The fierce gaggle has been "tamed," said CBS News White House correspondent Mark Knoller, who has covered the ebb and flow of presidents since 1976.

"Not unlike Pavlov's dogs, reporters at the White House have undergone some reward and denial training by President Bush. He didn't like being shouted at; he didn't respond to shouted questions; and reporters who engaged in the practice didn't get called on. So most of us stopped doing it," Mr. Knoller said.

Formal seating charts were a civilizing influence on journalists, who once timed their screams of "Mr. President" at the close of a news conference, just in case a last-minute answer was in the offing. And savvy female reporters wore red to draw attention to themselves, he said.

"To the extent we've been 'tamed,' it's only on that shouting, hand-waving issue," Mr. Knoller said. "There are occasions when we'll continue to shout questions. And I think the nature of our questions shows that we're not pulling our punches with respect to pointed questions - even when the president is asked about his level of enchantment, surprise and humility at the White House."