[StBernard] Barack Obama cuts TV station's cord over Joe Biden grilling

[Westley Annis]

Barack Obama cuts TV station's cord over Joe Biden grilling

ORLANDO, Fla. - Barack Obama's campaign has pulled the plug on a Florida
news station's access to the presidential candidate after an anchorwoman
angered Joe Biden with uncomfortable questions during a satellite interview.

WFTV-Channel 9 anchorwoman Barbara West quizzed Sen. Biden about Obama's
intention to "spread the wealth," referring to the Democratic White House
contender's comments to "Joe the Plumber."

She compared Obama's comments to the socialist doctrine of Karl Marx then
asked Biden, "How is Sen. Obama not being a Marxist if he intends to 'spread
the wealth?' "

Biden paused momentarily, grinned, then asked, "Are you joking? Is this a
joke? Is this a real question?"

He defended Obama by saying he hoped to spread the wealth by giving the
middle class tax breaks. "It's a ridiculous question," Biden concluded.

But West wasn't finished as she asked Biden about his comments that Obama
could be tested early on as president. She wondered if the Delaware senator
was saying America's days as the world's leading power were over.

"I don't know who's writing your questions," Biden shot back.

After Thursday's interview, the Obama campaign canceled a scheduled
interview with Biden's wife, Jill, according to the station's Web site.

"This cancellation is non-negotiable, and further opportunities for your
station to interview with this campaign are unlikely at best for the
duration of the remaining days until the election," wrote Laura K. McGinnis,
Central Florida communications director for the Obama campaign.

McGinnis said the Biden cancellation was "a result of her husband's
experience yesterday during the satellite interview with Barbara West."

"Mr. Biden didn't like the questions," said WFTV news director Bob Jordan.
"We choose not to ask softball questions."

Article URL:
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/politics/2008/view.bg?articleid=1128007