you may have heard about how garrett graff, the 23 year old blogger who runs media bistro, got credentials to participate in last monday's press briefing.
he was given a one-day pass, largely, it seems, because the white house was embarrassed by his daily posts about being rejected (e.g. 1 2 3) and his open letter to the white house media affairs office which directly contradicted the white house's position that GOP operative/male escort jeff gannon/jim guckert got no extra help from the white house in gaining access to the press gaggle. graff also got assistance from the president of the white house press correspondent's association who took notice and raised the issue with the white house press office.
when graff first set out to get a press pass, he was trying to answer the question: "Exactly how easy is it for an average no-name journalist with no special connections to get access to the White House?" but because of the attention he received from being the first to openly try it, i'm not really sure if we ever got the answer to his question. and for similar reasons, it probably doesn't answer any questions about whether gannon/guckert got special treatment two and a half years ago. of course, this opens the door to any no-name washingtonian to apply for a pass. hell, i would do it if i lived in d.c. it will be interesting to see what comes of it.
meanwhile, giblets and fafner show us the future of the white house gaggle.
