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Presidential Press Conferences
The Kennedy White House and the Press Since Woodrow Wilson held the first presidential press conference in March 1913, all sixteen of his successors have used the sessions as a basic part of their publicity strategies. The sessions have survived because reporters found them useful for developing information, citizens saw them as valuable for making judgments about their chief executives, and
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Article
The Press at the White House: 1963-1980
Lyndon B. Johnson changed the nature of press conferences by including impromptu sessions where reporters might ask a few questions rather than the formal forums held in the Indian Treaty Room or State Department (Eisenhower EOB) auditorium. In 1969, a new Press Briefing Room was created in the west terrace by covering over a swimming pool installed for President Franklin Roosevelt.
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Article
The Press at the White House: 2008-
President Barack Obama has not emphasized holding traditional televised press conferences, but has attempted to set out his policy priorities and to connect with the public largely through a substantial presence on the Web and use of social media platforms such as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter pages as well as accounts on Flickr, iTunes, Tumblr, Vimeo and YouTube.The president
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Scholarship
Benjamin Latrobe Expresses Indignation About Dolley Madison's Servants
Benjamin Henry Latrobe, Architect of the Capitol and Surveyor of Public Buildings under Jefferson, had advised the Madisons about changes to the White House even before they arrived in 1809.1 He continued to consult with Mrs. Madison about her household until about 1813.2Latrobe once visited the White House in Mrs. Madison's absence, to make sure that the curtains had been laundered.
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Article
The Press at the White House: Early Years Overview
Since the earliest days of the nation, presidents have sought to convey information about themselves and their policies to the public. For the early presidents, newspapers were the vehicle of choice to communicate. In 1800, Washington became the nation’s capital and the National Intelligencer was established, marking the origins of White House coverage.As cities and communities across the young na
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Article
The Press at the White House: 1901-1918
In 1902, the executive offices were moved from the second floor of the White House to the newly erected Executive Office Building (later named the West Wing). The building included an innovation—a small press room. Reporter access during the Theodore Roosevelt administration changed markedly when he required that cabinet members channel all press requests through his private secretary. William H. Ta
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The Press at the White House: 1941-1952
In 1945, Harry S. Truman proposed a major West Wing expansion that would add a studio and auditorium for press briefings. The plans lacked Congressional support and were not executed. Truman moved the meeting place for press conferences from the Oval Office to the Indian Treaty Room in the State Department (today’s Eisenhower Executive Office Building). Truman’s press conferences were
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The Press at the White House: 1992-2008
Bill Clinton and George W. Bush followed the practice established by President George H. W. Bush of holding press conferences with foreign leaders. Reporters find the frequent use of joint conferences restrictive, as the expectation is that the questions will revolve around the work of the two leaders. The number of questions is also frequently limited. In 1995, Press Secretary Mike
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Article
The President, the Press, and Proximity
The James S. Brady Press Briefing Room has been the on-grounds quarters for the White House correspondents and news photographers since its construction in 1969–70. Although generally referred to as the White House Press Briefing Room, one of the early project names—the West Terrace Press Center—more accurately takes in its trio of primary functions: press briefings and conferences, workspace, and br
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Article
The Press at the White House: 1933-1941
When Franklin D. Roosevelt became president, the modern period of president-press relations began. FDR held long and informal press conferences in the Oval Office and began the tradition of an annual press reception modeled after state diplomatic events. FDR was the first president to fully exploit radio as a force to promote his programs and policy. On March 6, 1933, First Lady