Dear Mr. Gregory:
I was surprised to find out the condition of the press room. Nothing says welcome more than rats. Anyway, I hope the room will be better for all of you. And I hope that you continue to do a stellar job, because you are one of my favorite journalists. And that is saying a lot, because I like a lot of you over at NBC News and MSNBC. Thanks for sticking it out.

I am not interested in the conditions in the WH newsroom--it's not news, it's navel-gazing by journalists. Renovation of a press room?? More worthy news surely exists for you to spend airtime on.

I agree with writer from St Joseph. The Press should pay for the new room and the upkeep and maybe be given a few lessons in manners to clean up after ones self, Your mamma isn't coming to help you out.

What you are suggesting is that over those many years of actual historical debating and questioning leaders, the current state of affairs with this president more or less makes moot the reason for retaining any semnlence of this remarkable past when this president refuses to engage and otherwise ignores the glorious past. Yes, by all means, bulldoze this area as it is useless to an ignorant government!

The story on the Press Room renovations brought back memories of my annual visits as a reporter from Ohio in the 1970s and '80s. I did spot Victor mouse traps behind the famous blue curtain, so rodents have been a longtime challenge. As for housekeeping, it reminded me of a college dormitory lounge: semi-comfortable, terribly messy, but a great place for socializing. Next to being in the Oval Office itself, I'll always recall the Briefing Room as a great place for a visiting journalist. Good luck in the transition.

David:

I am a fan, and always appreciate your approach to questioning the powers that be. It is important to remember that it is our patriotic responsibility, not just our right, to question the government of our great country. During times of war and (infrequent) times of peace, we must constantly strive to progress as a people and as a country. Thanks for your participation in this process!

Having said that, don't whine about the press room on a news blog. Many people all over the world would sing and dance if given such conditions (and salaries).

The obvious question is the timing. The room has been in disrepair for nearly a generation. Its the timing, just when things are getting so very sombering out of control, "well everyone lets move out of the building we want are correspondents to be comfortable", so we are pulling all the white house passes, until after the elections. Hook, line and sinker insto presto we have a story that is no story accept that it deflects the heat. My grandfater once told me "if you cant beat em than let them think they won". I must admit I am impressed with the astute quality of the manipulators. Lets give the hungry dogs a treat and they will heed our commands. Pass another trillion dollar tax cut to the 8,000 most wealthy constiuents and label it a pay raise to the working poor. The msm should be all over this administration and they are still chasing the bones tossed out the window at them. Where are the journalists with courage? Where are their commanders giving them the support and encouragement those in the field so despertely need? Oh yeah, "the boss only takes care of the boss", how could I have forgotten that message. And we'll take a break on that note and be right back with another message. If only courage was contagious.

Hi, David. I always enjoy your work - especially the time you kept on Scott McClellan with his "No comments during an ongoing investigation." Keep socking it to 'em. However, I must say in reading the messages preceding mine that we have a great pool of stand-up comics in this country; and I would love to see some of them briefing the WH press instead of The Snowjob. Don't give up pushing the buttons - even from another venue - we need answers to questions that reporters seem to be afraid to ask.

Mr. Gregory,
Personally I find the notion of "cleaning house" in Washington a wonderful and satisfying idea. Let's hope other voters feel the same this fall. Bulldozers, indeed!

So you sit in a small booth. BIG DEAL. What about the toll workers who are working in this heat, the farmers, the fireman, the policeman, and most of all the military who works in the desert, carrying 75lb bags, lives in a tent with no air conditioning, and you are complaining about an expresso machine and the fact that you guys are slobs and noone cleans up after you. Maybe the press room wouldnt be rat filled if you cleaned up after yourself.
David, when you work in Iraq under the conditions that I posted above, like my brother-in-law does, then come complain. Until then, stop complaning.
And I bet that your screener wont post this, because I am not kissing your tail.

I saw the funny video made for one of the press dinners... I hope you'll get some windows. Unless, of course, some of the WH newspeople are afraid of the light!

I'm surprised rats can stand to be in the same room as the Fox news propaganda minister and chief BushCo BSer. Rats usually are more descriminating than that.

Are you sure that wasn't Jeff "Gannon"?

David,

Thank you for your small, but fitting tribute to the press room. I am sure most people enjoyed it too…except for those who are so tired from carrying the heavy chip on their shoulder all day...

You are fantastic!!

Did Halliburton get the no-bid remodel contract?

You tell us nothing new, Mr. Gregory, when you you say there are rats in the press room!

I'm on my 21st year of working BTS in TV and I can tell you one universal truth - people that work in television are slobs, under the wrong impression that our moms will pop in at any moment, cleaning wrags in hand. But the defiling of an expresso machine ("coffee" where I work) or the desecration of carpeting seems incidental when the facts are coming fast and furious. Apparently, the rush to be Number One overtakes all the good work of our parents. Treat your new room right...you might not get another one for 36 years!

Hmmmmmm....it's always nice to have a new working space BUT will the press keep it clean??? Or will the mess (expresso machine) again be left for someone else to clean up????

"The briefing room is strewn with newspapers and garbage and has attracted rats in the past."

Yes. Most of it sits in or on the chairs. As to the vermin the place attracts, one can only fault the editor's job assignment practices.

I should think there would be another location out there for the press without ruining the past historic value of the current area. Call me sentimental but the memories and preservation of history is very important. I would like to see the place retired from being the press dumping ground, cleaned up and roped off as part of upcoming tours with a story to be told. And for future reference, if the press cannot be neater and pick up after themselves they really dont need to be invited back. After all who says just because they work for NBC, CBS or even FOX that if they are slobs they have the right to even enter the White House???? Nay I say. Maybe they will get the message that way. And if you need me I would be happy to come clean the cappuchino machine once a year. No one would notice but I would do it for free. What a waste. If your not going to use it please send it to me. Thanks for the opportunity to put in my two cents.

Helen Thomas has been a White House fixture since 1960. I'd be careful about referencing the current briefing room, there since ONLY 1970, as a "historic site". You can't count on Helen sitting in the back row forever, Bub. You may find her sitting right next to you again, someday.

David- How about getting an estimate or the remodel. Then get the "free" press to cover the cost since the press would be the beneficiaries. Next have the White House use that same amount they would have spent to help people in New Orleans, the homeless or one of a hundred other "better" uses then making your office larger or chair more comfortable. Your article has a ring of tongue-in-cheek-ness. My comment, to a degree, is made with my tongue in the same position.

David Gregory: Interesting coincidence: for years I have had the notion the WH Press Corps should function outside the grounds of the WH. Now it is going to happen. I wanted Clinton to move you guys to the old State Department building, just a short walk away; but Jackson will do. Enjoy your freedom - for if I had my way, you'd never go back inside. I am an anti-Bush voter, and I think one of the problems is we have too much government by public relations; I want to see LESS government by public relations -- and to put more distance between the press and the WH will at least have you on the outside looking in, and that MIGHT result in more objectivity. I surely hope so. Enjoy the change; it just might be permanent.
jim/santa fe

Here's hoping it really is only 9 months. Anyone who has ever done a renovation knows how easily it can go far beyond the due date........especially if the administration wants it to be delayed......like to the day after Bush leaves office.

Hope we get updates as to how the renovation procedes

David - enjoyed your entry. The 4 predecessors you mentioned did a fine job during their tenure in your space, and you are truly walking in the footprints of some of the best, but you are doing as fine as job as any of them ever did. I really enjoy your reporting and insight. Keep up the good work.