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Tone of the Briefing
January 09, 2007 5:30 PM
Chief White House correspondent Martha Raddatz blogs:
I have a new cell phone. The thin kind that women can easily slip in their bags and men can slip in their pockets. But it had a problem. Even at their loudest, the standard ring tones the phone came with weren’t loud enough. I was missing all kinds of calls. So I turned to my 15-year-old son Jake for some help.
He grabbed it and in no time I had a new, very loud ring tone. “Ridin’ Dirty” -- that’s all I could catch from the lyrics -- and I wasn’t really listening very carefully anyway. And quite honestly, I liked it! Of course I should have been clued in when Jake couldn’t stop smiling as he handed it back and said, “Yeah, mom, this one’s perfect.”
But it was perfect. It was loud and that’s what I needed. And mothers have a hard enough time convincing their kids they weren’t born in the stone age, so I certainly wasn’t going to say “You call that music!!???” I was also careful to put it on vibrate whenever I was in White House briefings or out in public. Until today.
Right in the middle of the briefing, with my phone in my bag (Helen Thomas was not there today so I had my bag on her empty seat), I got a call. A loud one. It seemed like forever before I finally fumbled through my bag and figured out how to shut it off. (Where was Jake when I needed him?) But Tony Snow was quick with the comeback:
MR. SNOW: As I said, Sheryl, it's one of these things that the President has made it clear that he's going to have exchanges of views, but I'm not taking you in the room with them.
(Cell phone rings.) (Laughter.) Does Martha have a hip-hop ring tone? (Laughter.) Play that funky music, white girl. (Laughter.)
And now, thanks to that exchange, I know the song (Ridin') and the artist (Chamillionaire featuring Krayzie Bone). [Click here for the music video on YouTube] Great huh?
But as my colleague at CBS radio pointed out: “It is the first time in the history of White House briefings that the phrase, ‘Play some funky music, white girl’ has been uttered.”
Of course that wasn’t exactly the history I was going for today.
Oh, and Jake? He got a huge laugh out of this whole thing. And lucky for him, he was in school when the phone rang, so I know it wasn’t him. At least I think it wasn’t him. Is there a way to tell?
January 9, 2007 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (17)
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Did you read the lyrics of this song? All the lyrics? Disgusting. Horrifying what young people are brainwashed by.
Posted by: RCW | Jan 9, 2007 7:16:20 PM
This is honestly the funniest thing that I have seen in a while. It's so funny that Snow called it a hip hop ring tone I was ready for him to say "I've got the Akon ring tone."
Posted by: Sabrina | Jan 9, 2007 7:21:40 PM
That's classic!! Being African-American and a one time connoisseur of hip-hop I find your briefing incident hysterical. You have offically transitioned yourself into the "that's ghetto" category with your slip-up. Welcome. As Xzibit would say on the popular MTV show, Pimp my Ride, "You have offically been pimped...." And please don't take that out of context, it's a good thing or shall I say a black thang. And forget the vibrate on the phone. Go ahead and play that funky music, white girl! As matter of fact ask Jake if he could hook the phone up to some 12" sub-woofers in your car. That would be a definate head-turner cruising down Pennsylvania Ave on your way to work. Take care, Martha.
Peace and Blessings,
Mack
Posted by: Mack Warren | Jan 9, 2007 7:41:53 PM
You go, girl ;)
Posted by: Cat | Jan 9, 2007 8:39:01 PM
classic. truly classic
Posted by: curtis | Jan 9, 2007 10:26:59 PM
That is hilarious! I would have loved to have been there. Her body temperature must have risen by 10 degrees!
Posted by: Patriot | Jan 9, 2007 10:47:38 PM
Martha,
GREAT post! My wife and laughed out loud! Let your freak flag fly in the White House breifing room.
Posted by: jeff | Jan 9, 2007 10:48:06 PM
“Ridin’ Dirty” - This title fits this White House. They are “Ridin’ Dirty.”
Posted by: Tim | Jan 10, 2007 8:59:59 AM
At least that song isn't too nasty... It could have been "Me so horny" from 2 Live Crew. I think you lucked out that your son isn't that malicious. :)
Seriously, I hope this doesn't get turned into some kind of crusade against phone tones. It's just a ring, and like I said it could have been far worse.
Posted by: Phil | Jan 10, 2007 10:01:07 AM
Priceless Martha! :)
Posted by: KDR | Jan 10, 2007 10:56:39 AM
So, did you ground your son? And was that him who called you. Martha, honey, I think you were set up.
But it was funny as hell!
Posted by: K.A. | Jan 10, 2007 2:23:06 PM
@"RCW | Jan 9, 2007 7:16:20 PM
DID U read the lyrics rcw? The SONG IS NOT BAD! It is about racial profiling. Listen to the song then comment.
As Jake is young and Anglo, hopefully listening to this song and other music from all genres will help him be open minded and have luv 4 all.
Jake picked a great song Martha. Thx for the story.
Posted by: lilkunta | Dec 1, 2007 4:18:25 AM
I always thought you were cool, but now knowing you have a hip-hop ring tone confirms it. And the fact that you kept it after being busted, just puts you on the top of the list. Too many people out here take themselves way to seriously.........
Posted by: Glen | Jan 22, 2009 1:13:08 PM
i am a registered nurse and i went on a travel nurse assignment during the orientation class my cell phone rang i could not find it when i did i did not know how to turn it off i was tereminated for having a cell phone in the class room i had to find my way back from whence i came
Posted by: jackie awosolu | Jun 30, 2009 5:14:41 PM
That was hysterical. I loved it! Laughter is good for the soul.
Posted by: Felicia | Jun 30, 2009 7:22:25 PM
LOL loving it. Martha..you all dat *smile*
Posted by: LilM | Jun 30, 2009 9:00:59 PM
Amazing. Simply amazing, just got sent over from the Obama Quack incident. It's good to see you guys in Washington have a sense of humor.
Posted by: Andrew | Jul 1, 2009 2:07:29 AM
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