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http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/10/31/obama-plane-pitches-reporte...

Obama Plane Pitches Reporters From McCain-Endorsing Papers
Reporters from three newspapers that endorsed John McCain have been told that they can't travel aboard Barack Obama's plane in the final days leading before Election Day.

FOXNews.com

Friday, 2008-31-305

The Washington Times reported Friday that it was notified of the Obama campaign's decision Thursday evening -- even though the paper has covered Obama from the start.

Executive Editor John Solomon told FOXNews.com that the Obama campaign said it didn't have enough seats on the plane, but "I don't think the explanation makes sense to us."

"We've been traveling since 2007 with him. ... We're a relevant newspaper -- every day we break news," Solomon said. "And to suddenly be kicked off the plane for people who haven't covered it as aggressively or thoroughly as we are ... it sort of feels unfair."

He said the newspaper protested but was turned down again by the campaign.

"I can only hope that the candidate who describes himself as wanting to unite the nation doesn't have some sort of litmus test for who he decides gets to cover the campaign," Solomon said, noting that the Obama campaign's decision came just two days after the paper endorsed McCain.

The New York Post and Dallas Morning News also have been kicked off Obama's plane.

According to the Web site The Drudge Report, the three newspapers' reporters were told to find alternative transportation by Sunday so that the plane could accommodate "network bigwigs" and reporters from two black magazines, Essence and Jet.

Also joining up with the Obama campaign are the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times. According to the campaign, the decision to shuffle around reporters was made because they did not want to add a second plane.

"Unfortunately, demand for seats on the plane during this final weekend has far exceeded supply, and because of logistical issues we made the decision not to add a second plane. This means we've had to make hard and unpleasant for all concerned decisions about limiting some news organizations and in some cases not being in a position to offer space to news organizations altogether," Obama senior adviser Anita Dunn said in a written statement.

Representatives from the New York Post and Dallas Morning News could not be reached immediately for comment.

Obama's not the only candidate to play hardball with the press. McCain's campaign has reportedly barred columnists Joe Klein and Maureen Dowd, who have been critical of the Republican candidate, from its campaign plane.

Click here to read the story on the Obama campaign's decision in The Washington Times.