Why didn't Luke Russert report that Rangel called him to apologize until AFTER Rangel revealed it?

[EffieBlack]

Given how much play Russert's interaction with Rangel got last night and today, especially in light of how Luke and his colleagues used this to portray Congressman Rangel as a panicky bully, shouldn't Luke have shared this little tidbit? In the discussion after Rangel noted in his press conference that he had called Luke to apologize, it sounded as if Andrea Mitchell did not know this information and she asked Luke to discuss it. He looked and sounded like a little boy who had gotten caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

[babylonsister]

1. lil luke has a lot to learn. That tidbit would have been helpful;

I'm glad Rangel brought it up.

[islandmkl]

2. sounds like little lukie may be ready to report...

but not be part of the news...

hey, pal...you're part of the story now, not some intern asking questions...

[gateley]

3. Maybe in deference to Rangel? If it happened to me, out of Respect for Rangel

I'd let him make the announcement if he chose to. I would have treated it as private unless Rangel chose to take it public.

[EffieBlack]

6. Why? It's an important part of the story.

They showed yesterday's incident in a continuous loop, making Rangel look like an asshole. Yet they kept secret a gesture of great graciousness he made afterward in an attempt to correct his actions. Keeping it quiet was not "deferential" to Rangel - it skewed the story.

Luke is supposed to be a journalist. He got a phone call from a Member of Congress that was probably not off-the-record. He should have reported the call, especially since it puts the entire incident in a different light. Period.

[quiller4]

10. The call was made just before Rangel stepped to the mike this morning

[EffieBlack]

11. No it wasn't

Luke himself said it was made an hour before the press conference. And since Luke was on the air for quite awhile immediately prior to the press conference (in fact, he talked right up until Rangel stepped up to mike, saying, "Here he is now - let's hear what he has to say") reporting on yesterday's incident while the video loop played over and over, it's very strange that he didn't mention the call.

[woo me with science]

8. Of course. nt

[meowomon]

4. You think if he weren't Timmeh's kid he'd of gotten an apology?

Hell to the no. Rangel's a politician.n/t

[monmouth]

5. Mika was all over Luke'a$$ this a.m. 'cause his cell and pager was

turned off at 6 a.m... "When he calls in let me talk to him immediately." Guess no one told Luke he had to be on Joey the Scar this morning. She was insufferable this morning, had to leave it. He was apologetic and a real gentleman towards her, but can imagine the eye rolling while she was huffin' and a puffin'...

[Traveling_Home]

7. Maybe he thought Rangel only did it to cover his ass...

and Russert didn't feel compelled to report about it. He was right of course - Rangel only apologized to cover his ass.

[Empowerer]

9. It's not up to Luke to withhold information based on his opinion of Rangel's motives

He's supposed to be a reporter, not an opinion-maker. And he's a cub reporter, at that, who lacks the depth and experience to make such an editorial call.

Rangel calling him to apologize, regardless his motive for doing so, is an important part of the story. A real journalist would know that.

Can you imagine a reporter deciding not to report that President Obama called Shirley Sherrod because, in their opinion, the President had a political motive for making the call?

[EffieBlack]

12. Then why did he start talking about it as soon as Rangel mentioned it?

And why didn't he say that he thought the apology was disingenous, rather than saying that it was gracious and hearfelt? Was he lying when he said that?

The bottom line here is that Luke Russert withheld information today that skewed the story he was reporting.