Yes please more aggressive questionning, maybe once and a while a semblance of a democracy would be refreshing, you remember when Bush and his cronies like Scott MacClellan were asked real questions. How does he face himself in the morning. This is the last gasps of any kind of a free media left to us. There is soooo much that needs answering, any single issue of the last five years of hundreds of stories of secrecy, treason (outing a CIA agent) lies, payoffs, corruption, cronyism, -the list is too exhaustive) ANY one of these issues is grounds for impeachment and even criminal prosecution (other than Libby who is not even the top of the iceberg). If you care anything about a free democracy or what is left of ours (not much) be MORE aggressive. Scott needs to feel some shame in this. Dont let them off the hook, dont sell out America, this is the real America, the one that so many soldiers have died to preserve, a feel press, civil liberties-not just money to line the pockets of corporations that profiteer from Bushes sick sick policies....

Why is it up to the Government to supply the story?

i ask this because given the FACT that our gonvernment has out right lied about such things as WMDs being in Iraq, why is the information that their chief mouthpiece gives so all fired up importiant anyhow?

i wouldnt trust the whitehouse if they said water was wet. and its clear to me atleast that at this point in time pretty much every bit of news that comes out of the whitehouse press room serves not as the 'final word' as it did in days of old when you could trust (for the most part) the President and his cabnet, but it is now days a place to start the search for the truth from, because it certianly cant be found in the whitehouse press room.

i dont think that you should feel the need to say im sorry for telling him not to be a jerk. he WAS being a jerk. on the other hand if you stoped having to have your news spoon fed to you by morons like that and got out in the field and did some real reporting the situation would never have came up.

the constitution says we are to have a free press it DOESNT say that its up to the government to supply you with every little detail of your storys. and its especialy importiant to relize this when anyone with eyes and a working brain can see they lie out of habbit even when the truth would be much simpiler and easier.

i guess that why ive given up watching the 'main stream' news. you all have become nothing more than human tape recorders that spew the same load of crap that is handed too you in the press room.

garbage in garbage out.

Two reasons why this is an important issue:

1) If you or I shot someone in the face, would we be able to just walk away from it? Why wasn't Cheney given a breathalizer? How medicated was he? Will he be charged with reckless endangerment or any firearms violation? Regardless if his victim wants to take action against him, shouldn't law enforcement be looking into this?

2) Cheney wasn't deep in the woods mistaking a distant target for a deer; he was rolling around in a car, bird hunting. The fact that he lost track of his fellow hunters in the short time he was out of the car indicates a man who isn't aware of his surroundings and is reckless when using a weapon of deadly force. Does he really have the mental faculty left to lead this nation? This elderly hot-head probably shouldn't even have a driver's license.

This whole episode is symbolic of Cheney's rule: he's trigger-happy whether he's sending troops to fight his war, cursing at senators or shooting his friends in the face. He suffers from tunnel vision and makes poor assesments about safety. He'd rather lie than come clean. Plenty of innocent Iraqis have been shot in the face too.

Asking the tough questions is fine. I believe in getting the story out too. The fact is you were looking for dirt to publish. You showed no sympathy or empathy for either person involved in a terrible accident. You can try to justify your behavior as much as you want. Maybe you should consider writing for a tabloid.

You did your job last week. And your very good at it. My family and friends could see Cheney was lying. Every word that came out if his mouth. He said what he had to say to get out of the mess he created for himself. And you called the the Bush White House on it. But I am very concerned that Cheney and Bush have you reporters right where they want you. In the palm of their hands. Time after time, after time, after time they lie and lie but, to many reporters put their hands in their pockets and walk away. I pray this is the tipping point and the true journalists in America stand up for the American people, not the powerful politicians. Americans are waiting for the truth to be uncovered about the Bush Administration. Not the spin of the Bush White House. To many of you take every single word that comes out of their mouths as gospel. Not going out and finding the facts for yourself.

How many people said bringing down Nixon would bring down America? It only made America stronger. Only a ranch owner, that is a lie. She was a lobbyist until a few years ago. She has made millions of dollars in Iraq with connections through Cheney. But where is the story in that?

I will be 76 yrs in Aug. I always thought news was to
be reported and investigations done by law enforcement
or congress, but then what do I know?? I do know a lot
of things are none of my business!!!

Dear David:
You are, indeed, a blessing! You are one of the very few who do their job of getting the truth out to the people. Most of the reporters are afraid to push until they get the real truth. Consequestly, the enemies of the country foreign and domestic - grow stronger and deadlier. I agree with you on the Cheny shooting. Stand your ground. We are very short of heroes.While Cheney handled it badly, the more important message is: this situation showed how arrogant and incompetent the whole administration is.
They pretend to be completely concerned with the good of the people while all the time they are only conderned with promoting their own power.Every day that goes by, they pull another shameful stunt. If we didn't have folks like you standing up for us, we would never find out where the enemy is about to strike. They have killed the middle class, destroyed the environment,sent our manufacturing overseas so the Americans have no jobs. His crimes are endlesss.I hope you will never stop fighting them.

The response to every headline about a political personage highlights the gaping split in our country. Chaney is a drunken incompetent liar! Just ask any liberal.

Unbiased reporting in a civil, thoughtful, respectful manner could help close some of this gaping divide. Unfortunately, it appears the majority of reporters are only concerned about their personal prestige, power, position, or what ever it is that they use to gauge their own greatness.

I beleive those that consume the news have been polarized by the way in which it has been reported. Now they seek out the media that slants it's reporting in line with the consumers personal views. The track record of our nation's reporters is one of divisionism and sensationalism, helping to tear us apart even more. Mr. Gregory, only you know why you may choose to push hard on one story and give less effort to another. Sadly, no one expects the news to be fair and balanced anymore.

Unbelievable.

THE VICE PRESIDENT SHOOTS A MAN IN THE FACE - DOESN'T ADMIT TO THE PRESIDENT THAT HE WAS THE SHOOTER UNTIL THE NEXT DAY - AND NO ONE BOTHERS TO PUT OUT A PRESS RELEASE WITHIN HOURS THAT THE VP HAS ACCIDENTALLY SHOT SOMEONE????? APOLOGY?? McClellan should apologize for all the half truths and dodges he gives instead of straight answers.

Wake up People - David was doing his job and reacted to a snow job. Had the incident been reported and there was no effort to dodge there would've been no frenzy.

SHOOTING SOMEONE ON A HUNTING TRIP DOESN'T CONSTITUTE YOUR 'PRIVATE LIFE' WHEN YOU ARE VP. GET REAL. Think and question people.

Thankyou David! You Needn't apologize for trying to get a straight answer out of this propagandist administration. All you posters who are content with taking what the Bush Administration feeds you - just do a quick check of some indicators of their credibility:
1. No WMDs
2. Abramoff
3. Outing of a CIA Agent by High Administration Officials
4. Katrina response/lack thereof/arrogance
5. Iraq
6. Letting Osama go in Tora Bora while shifting focus to Iraq
7. Paid for News and Commentators
8. Torchure/Abu Gharib/Gitmo - Holding US Citizens without Charge or Counsel
9. Terry Schiavo Case
10. Medicare Drug Company Giveaway
11. Attempted Social Security Giveaway to Investment Houses

on and on and on and on....

Don't you get it? They are there to destroy the government, and transfer wealth from the lower and middle classes to the upper classes and large corporations - using the working class and the religious right by using gay marriage, and claiming anyone who dissents is "giving comfort to the terrorists." Oh please. WAKE UP AMERICA!!!!!

Flat out right on ( thumbs up ). The press needs to get a backbone as well as the rest of the country.
Lets all start digging in and getting to the truth out of this mess of lies we've been fed over and over for the last 5 years.

Its about time someone actually spoke it like it was and got to the point. Getting real answers might be even harder then you think. Years after these bozo's are gone we'll be finding out the truth.

David,
WOW Dave you really fired up a good one this time.
I wish you would go after something that could make a difference.

I, amoung others, are greatly relieved to hear some real questions being posed to this White House. I have not been impressed by our journalists over the past few years and like many other Americans feel that this White House is much too secretive and not willing to face questions from citizens who have not been pre-screened by the administration. It's about time the main stream media asked the same questions that the citizens of this country would ask if they had the chance.

I have read most of the letters and one thing that was not added to the mix is that the victim and his family didn't want any publicity. Cheney feels terrible over the incident and the victim probably feels stupid as a rock.

To David Gregory:
I add my congratulations to you for asking the tough questions. There is a mountain of important issues (and the typical lack of candor in this shooting makes it important: Social Security PR, a half a TRILLION dollar was in Iraq, budget cuts in education, Katrina--the list is lengthy. Most often we are overwhelmed with the issues and it is difficult to hold this Administration's feel anywhere near the fire, so when you did and it was heard, it suggests that maybe we just have to slop through the next two years not knowing what the hell gives.

Thanks, and perhaps a small, portable torch is in order to put the flame near the Bush (Rove, Cheney, etc.) feet.

Ed Kelly

Mr. Gregory, I could accept your explanation and apology if this was one isolated event and did not follow the pattern of behaviour of people like yourself and the rest of the White House Press Corps.

The free preess and the leaders of this nation will always be in an adversarial relationship. If it is not, then neither party is doing their job. The press in digging out the truth, and the administration in protecting this nation and not disclosing information, making statements, or behaving in a way that endangers this country are cornerstones of that relationship.

Yet what was once a press that diligently sought out information that was in the public good to be disclosed, has now become what I call the "Woodward-Bernstein Pursuit". Once upon a time reporters like Ed Murrow, Huntley, Brinkley, Severeid, etc etc,etc, followed a story and sought the truth for the sake of the country and its citizens. Now you have become "celebrities" as you seek to become the next Pulitzer Prize winner for finding the next scandal or rooting out the corrupt public servant. You care less about the story then you do the effect it has on your stature, your reputation, or your next contract.

And please save your protestations about the fairness and equal treatment journalists afford both sides of the political spectrum. By your profession's own admission in countless polls, you identify yourselves as liberal. Am I to believe that your own views, values, and bias do not interfere in how you report something? You go in with an opinion contrary to the position this administration takes and then profess to report both sides equally. If that is the case then perhaps you all need to decide if you are reporters and report just the facts, or you are commentators and appear, (as your own bio shows), on numerous opinion shows. I am sorry but I find it extremely difficult to believe that on Sunday you can tell us you feel the president, a senator, or some other official is incompetent and then on Monday expect me to believe you are non-bias.

As many other readers and contributors to this blog, I too believe this country is in trouble and that our leaders have done a poor job. However contrary to those that seek a one-dimensional reason for it, I am constantly exploring the reasons why, no matter whre the blame lies. And my conclusions?

The American public no longer listens, evaluates, and makes up its own mind. They depend on biased and partisan groups, commentators and talking heads (on both sides of the political spectrum)to tell us what we should think. And depending on a reporters particular bias, you tell them they are either liberal, conservative, moderate, or far right or left, instead of just being Americans with differing views. With the advent of 24 hour news you have to fill up every billable minute so those, that 30 years ago couldn't write or report for their school newspapers, are now anchors or star reporters. And last but not least we sit on our fat asses as 50% of us don't vote, don't participate, while allowing the rest of our fellow citizens to lie, distort, and fudge the truth and the press goes along.

I am a proud American. I have served my country in the military, patrolled its streets as a Police Officer, and have been a responsible parent and husband. And I have never been sadder then I am now for the state of my nation. Why? Because there are those that say we are in decline sir. That we have lost our vision, our entreprenurial spirit, and our "Can Do" attitude. They say that we have lost faith in our traditions, values, and most of all our leaders. And when you hear it said over and over you understand why there are those that believe it.

Is it true? I hope not. But every night I keep hearing it from you guys with the mike in your hands standing in front of the White House. You criticize, demeanonize, and tear our country down under the guise of fair and impartial journalisim. You do it so you can be seen as the toughest journalist in town, and in the end what do we get? A pissing contest and we are no better informed then we were before. So Mr. Gregory, please do your job and report the facts. Don't make judgements on my behalf, don't tell me whats important and whats not, and don't treat me and my fellow citizens like children. If you do that, maybe then you won't feel compelled to appear on this blog and provide us excuses for acting like a child!

Mr. Gregory,

I have lost all faith in the press. You are too young to remember Chapaquidic, but a US Senator left a woman to die in a submerged car, and then disappeared for a many hours to sober up, and he now sits in judgement of this administration. Just as Katrina has been overblown, all you can do is hype the story.

John in Ohio

My gut feeling initally was that you were furstrated with the answers you were getting and forgot that the press secretary was most likely given limited information with which to feed to the press corps. Media being a information gathering business the Washington press corps most likely does not like being the last to know.

Like many other commentors, you do a good job, and I respect both your blow up and apology for it. However, as bad as coverage of the VP's activities have been and his reluctance to even talk with the press, the actions taken on this incident should not have been any surprise.

On a more serious note, I feel that the press only get what they are feed, and that most leaks are done on purpose to create something to discuss and then feed the polls.

Excellent job questioning McClellan. So few other reporters are doing their job. Scott mouths absurdities and the press corps laps it up and begs for more. THANKS!!!

But I am concerned that this story diverted atttention from last week's attempts by Senate Republicans to make a deal with the White House to make the potentially ruinous NSA Snoopgate quietly disappear.

David:
If no network like NBC does not ask the tough questions, we will never know the truth. Investigative journalism is at a nadir, and journalists in general are afraid of asking anything controversial or even the least bit critical FOR FEAR OF LOSING THEIR ACCESS.

I hope you werent pressured by your bosses; the public needs to know more than a "no comment."

Now let me get this straight. Quite a few "informed" people want to thank you for asking tough questions Mr. Gregory? They must be deluding themselves. Mr Gregory you make a big deal out of an accident where the VP was involved with a private citizen and that's asking tough questions? It'd be hilarious if it weren't so sad. The few Liberals that you have as your audiance are the only ones seething to get to the bottom of "scandal" you're trying to create. Why so much coverage on this and not a peep about Mr. Gore damn near commintting sedition in Saudi Arabia? If you and your brethran had asked for explicits details about Hiliary's provate meetings on health care as vehemately as you've asked the VP about his private energy policy meetings I'd almost believe you guys were really trying to bring news to the public. You guys go out of your way to dig up a scandal with Bush and Cheney, but never gave a damn about the endless stream of scandals the Clintons perpetrated. Thank goodness I don't watch the evening "news" hour shows anymore. They're anything, but news.

PS. There's a reason Fox keeps beating the pants off you and the CNN comrades. They're as close to unbiased as you can get. The rest are Dan Rather Liargate specialists. Nothing more! Thank goodness for the Internet. You guys don't the monopoly anymore!!!

Your motto should be, "I don't let the facts get in the way of a good story." You should take a more humble look at yourself, rather than thinking all of America cares what you think about any particualr issue.

This comment comes late in the game but I feel compelled to add my thoughts. First you do NOT owe an apology to anyone. The Press Secretary WAS acting like a jerk. I would think any one, regardless of political affiliation, could see that he was being a jerk. Your response was appropriate. Second I agree this incident was somewhat of a non-issue. Does anyone believe that Cheney shot that man on purpose? I have absolutely NO respect or faith in Mr Cheney and even I don't think this was anything but an accident. Third is the situation indicative of the secretive, some would say furtive, way that this White House and administration behave? Oh yeah!!!! So call them on the behavior but let's relate it back to the issues that matter to Americans. The war on Iraq, abuse of prisoners, tortue, spying on American citizens, twisting facts to scare Americans and get their support, Hurricane Katrina, Karl Rove and his cronies, Abramoff, the economy, the environement.....it goes on and on. It would be great, and long overdue, if the press did what I would expect them to do ask hard questions, investigate, tell the public what is going on. A little over half of America voted for Bush and his "scream team" the rest of us would like to know the truth.

David: I was driving back from an afternoon meeting in Manhattan, KS and I was listening to Rush Limbaugh talking about how you issued an apology. I aassume he was referingg to the exchange you had with McClellan. I hope he was refering to another issue. When I saw the White House press conference live on CNN, You made my day when you tore into McClellan. Why would you apologize? Does anyone in the Bush White House ever issue an apology for anything the have done/said that is a blatant lie or misrepresentation off the facts to support their view of what they believe is right? Why would you ever issue an apology? Limbaugh said you did it after you talked with your wife? Is he kidding?!

You are the only guy I have seen with the guts to stand up to these guys. DON'T APOLOGIZE FOR ANYTHING!! Someone needs to be the opposing voice in the press to the likes of Fred Barnes, Sean Hannity, Brit Hume, et. al. When are the Democrats going to take these guys on and not back down?

David, keep up the good work. Those of us in the real world desperately need you and others to keep asking the tough questions of this administration. You need to report clearly and loudly if this country is to survive...