AWKWARD: Cooper Calls on Shunned Reporter for First Time in 14 Months, Gets Asked Why He Couldn’t Ask Question for Last 14 Months

RALEIGH – Governor Roy Cooper is well-schooled in managing interactions with the press. For instance, for months during the fomented Pandemic Panic, Cooper wouldn’t even let reporters show up in person. Through the virtual pressers and COVID updates, the administration could pre-screen and select questions from favored reporters and friendly news outlets. Everyone else? Tough luck.

One shunned reporter, Brett Jensen with WBT Charlotte, was finally called on to ask a question this week after 14 months of getting the cold shoulder. His question? Why hasn’t he been able to ask a question of the governor in 14 months, while others have asked hundreds of them?

Our ⁦@Brett_Jensen⁩ asked Gov. Cooper why he has avoided taking questions from him for the last 14 months during his press conferences. #ncpol pic.twitter.com/pdN6TbExh6

— News Talk 1110 & 99.3 WBT (@wbtradio) June 3, 2021

Awkward.

It is perfectly obvious why Cooper totally stonewalls certain reporters and outlets, and it has everything to do with not wanting to answer tough questions. Why subject yourself to such politically risky questions when you can merely ignore them, and carry on with soft balls from WRAL and the Raleigh News & Observer?

The clip above makes that painfully clear, as Cooper awkwardly stumbles, squirms, professes ignorance, and immediately looks for an exit when actually getting challenged, versus praised, by a news reporter.

Good ol’ Roy.