As a fan of comparing old press coverage with its modern-day equivalent, I thoroughly enjoyed (Via Betsy's Page) this post at The Blog from the Core. They dug-up the transcript of FDR's radio address and press conference on D-Day. Holy cow, would the press of today have a complete fit if President Bush did anything like it. He (FDR) actually joked around with the reporters, while American soldiers were being mowed-down on the beaches of Normandy:
Q. That's the air-borne troops, sir?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, air losses as a whole.
And, of course, there are a great deal of reports coming in all the time, and it's being given out over there just as fast as it possibly can. I think the arrangements seem to be going all right. I think that's all that I have over here. You are getting it just as fast as we are.
Q. Mr. President, how do you feel about the progress of the invasion?
THE PRESIDENT: Up to schedule. And, as the Prime Minister said, "That's a mouthful." (Laughter)....
It's like a press conference from another dimension...
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