Tom Lantos
U.S. Representative from California (1981-2008)
James Dale Guckertis an American conservative columnist better known by the pseudonym Jeff Gannon. Between 2003 and 2005, he was given credentials as a White House reporter.
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Occupation
About the Jeff Gannon
James Dale Guckertis an American conservative columnist better known by the pseudonym Jeff Gannon. Between 2003 and 2005, he was given credentials as a White House reporter. He was eventually employed by the conservative website Talon News during the latter part of this period. Gannon first gained national attention during a presidential press conference on January 26, 2005, when he asked United States President George W. Bush a question that some in the press corps considered “so friendly it might have been planted” (“How are you going to work with [Senate Democratic leaders] who seem to have divorced themselves from reality?”).
Gannon routinely obtained daily passes to White House briefings, attending four Bush press conferences and appearing regularly at White House press briefings. Although he did not qualify for a Congressional press pass, Gannon was given daily passes to White House press briefings “after supplying his real name, date of birth and Social Security number.” Gannon came under public scrutiny for his lack of a journalistic background prior to his work with Talon and his involvement with various gay escort service websites using the professional name “Bulldog.”
Gannon resigned from Talon News on February 8, 2005. Continuing to use the name Gannon, he has since created his own official homepage and worked for a time as a columnist for the Washington Blade newspaper, where he confirmed he was gay after he was outed. Most recently, Gannon operated JeffGannon.com, a blog where he criticized those who exposed him, the “Old Media” and the “Angry Gay Left”, accusing them of promoting a double standard. The site has since been taken offline and the domain expired. He published a book titled The Great Media War in 2007.
16 Quotes by Jeff Gannon
- 1.
All my stories were usually titled, ‘White House Says,’ ‘President Bush Wants,’ and I relied on transcripts from the briefings. I relied on press releases that were sent to the press for the purpose of accurately portraying what the White House believed or wanted.
Jeff GannonAmerican journalist
- 2.
I use a pseudonym, because my real name is very difficult to pronounce, to remember, and to spell. And many people who have been talking about me on television have yet to pronounce it correctly.
Jeff GannonAmerican journalist
- 3.
My name is James Guckert. Well, when you read it, it’s always pronounced some other way.
Jeff GannonAmerican journalist
- 4.
My employer was never at any time aware of anything in my past beyond the writing I did, because, frankly, it isn’t relevant to the job I was asked to do, which was to be a reporter.
Jeff GannonAmerican journalist
- 5.
Since There are so many questions about what the president was doing over 30 years ago, what is it that he did after his honorable discharge from the National Guard? Did he make speeches alongside Jane Fonda denouncing America’s racist war in Vietnam?
Jeff GannonAmerican journalist
- 6.
I answered their questions truthfully and honestly, but I would prefer not to say more. I assume the information was routed back and that is why I was not called to testify.
Jeff GannonAmerican journalist
- 7.
If I am communicating to my readers exactly what the White House believes on any certain issue, that’s reporting to them an unvarnished, unfiltered version of what they – the Administration – believe.
Jeff GannonAmerican journalist
- 8.
As I’ve said, I’ve been advised not to get into the specifics out there. Is there some truth out there? Yes. Is there a lot of falsehood out there? Absolutely.
Jeff GannonAmerican journalist
- 9.
If I am a Republican shill, wouldn’t you think I am the least amount of a threat to the president?
Jeff GannonAmerican journalist
- 10.
And I’m hoping that fair-minded people will stand up and say that what’s been done to me is wrong, and that-that people’s personal lives have no impact on their ability to be a journalist, you know. Why should my past prevent me from having a future?
Jeff GannonAmerican journalist
- 11.
I was given a White House – well, you will have to ask the White House that. But I asked to attend the White House briefing because I was, you know, because I wanted to report on the activities there.
Jeff GannonAmerican journalist
- 12.
Even though it has been very painful, lots of opportunities have come forward journalistically. Once all of this blows over, I think it might actually help that I have gotten this attention.
Jeff GannonAmerican journalist
- 13.
I was given no special information by the White House, or by anybody else, for that matter.
Jeff GannonAmerican journalist
- 14.
Mr. President, How are you going to work with people who seem to have divorced themselves from reality?
Jeff GannonAmerican journalist
- 15.
I’d like to get back into journalism. I’m hoping someone will offer me a job as a commentator or one of those political analysts that you see on the news shows all the time.
Jeff GannonAmerican journalist
- 16.
I have always had an attorney on retainer, and now I believe I will have to put him to work.
Jeff GannonAmerican journalist