First Draft by Tim Porter

Pumping Arnold

If a news story could talk, the L.A. Times' report on the press covering Arnold Schwarzenegger's first big news conference would be meowing - it's that catty.

A few highlights:

 "Soon, the media had descended on Barbara Gasser, a reporter for Kleine Zeitung, the newspaper from Schwarzenegger's home province of Styria, Austria. … Some in the press corps disapproved. 'Reporters interviewing other reporters. Give me a break!' hissed one."

 The reporter for Ironman magazine "planned to track the 'inside' details on the candidate, right down to his diet on the campaign trail. … she hoped to meet the other candidates to assess their credentials as well. 'I might,' she concluded with a grin, 'want to take a tape measurer to that Cruz Bustamante's stomach.'"

 "The candidate responded by pivoting toward a reporter from 'Entertainment Tonight.' What role, she wanted to know, would actor Rob Lowe play in the campaign? As the other reporters moaned and hissed, Schwarzenegger began his response: 'It's interesting,' he said, 'and a very good question.'"

Go read.

Posted by Tim Porter at August 21, 2003 07:29 AM