Towel Snapping The Press

How did George W. Bush change from being a "regular person" in front of reporters to a master of information control? Or was there a change after all? Towel Snapping the Press follows Bush's lifelong association with the press, showing how he has developed and modified his tactics—from his days as part owner of the Texas Rangers baseball team to the present, with a look back at young George during his grandfather's 1950 Senate campaign. During Bush's early years in the public eye, the press did not scrutinize him; but as president, he became a subject of intense analysis and his "relaxed" demeanor became a pitfall. Still, many reporters find the president's disposition charming, even while they are frustrated by his message discipline and rigid control of press access to administration sources. Towel Snapping the Press not only presents interesting stories about the president from reporters' points of view, but also raises important issues that any civically engaged citizen will want to explore.

Towel Snapping the Press follows the president's lifelong association with the media, showing how he has developed and, over the years, modified his tactics. During Bush's early years in the public eye, the press did not scrutinize him; but as president he became a subject of intense analysis. Still, many reporters find the president's disposition charming, even while they are frustrated by his message discipline and rigid control of press access to administration sources. This book not only presents interesting stories about the president from reporters' points of view, but also raises important issues that any civically engaged citizen will want to explore.

Library Journal

COMMMueller (journalism, Univ. of North Texas) narrows the analysis down to one president, George W. Bush's, successful management of the press. The Bush administration has been widely credited for its ability to stay on message and control leaks, with the President maintaining a convivial public image while keeping the press corps at arm's length. Mueller explores the long history of Bush's association with the press, beginning with his co-ownership of the Texas Rangers and continuing through his governorship before coming to Washington. Bush's deep understanding of the working of the press and his ability to ignore press criticism allow him to govern with little regard for the media. In addition, Mueller argues, journalists' efforts to be objective have contributed to the lack of negative coverage of the Bush administration. He points out that the competition of new media, such as blogs, may make objectivity an outmoded press value. The most specialized of these books; for academic libraries. . Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

James E. Mueller is associate professor of journalism at the University of North Texas.