Under the headline “Shut down! Question about back taxes stifled,” a Sept. 22 WorldNetDaily article begins:
The White House shut down questions about the back taxes owed by President Obama’s staff members, as well as a question about an investigation of his Department of Justice, by not recognizing for questions a WND reporter at yesterday’s daily news briefing.
There were some 60 reporters at the briefing with Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, who recognized 22 for questions. But some outlets, such as CBS and CNN, were allowed six or seven questions, while others were not recognized.
Les Kinsolving, WND’s correspondent at the White House and the second-most senior reporter on the White House beat, had planned to ask about taxes and investigations.
He was prepared to ask, “The Los Angeles Times reported at the end of 2009, 41 Obama White House aides owed $831,000 in back taxes. What is the White House reaction to this Times report?”
Not taking questions from an obviously biased reporter does not mean a particular line of questioning was “shut down.” especially since WND offers no evidence that Gibbs knew Kinsolving would ask that particular question. You can’t “shut down” something you didn’t open up in the first place.
Does WND’s and Kinsolving’s belligerence toward Gibbs mean another temper tantrum is forthcoming?