Media miffed at lack of Obama access

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26 (UPI) -- Reporters are finding it tougher to gain access to Barack Obama as the Illinois senator's campaign closes in on the Democratic U.S. presidential nomination.

Complaints from the press plane include blackouts on Obama's satellite television interviews and requirements for escorts at large campaign rallies, the Web site The Politico said Tuesday.

The Politico said Hillary Clinton and John McCain remain more open to the press pack and also noted the growing lack of access comes at a time when Obama is seeing increased criticism over a perceived lack of specifics on his platform.

Obama campaign officials told The Politico some of the problem stems from the media itself, which seems more concerned with the horse race rather than Obama's vision for his presidency.

"The questions that seem to dominate now are about superdelegates, pledged delegates, Florida and Michigan," Communications Director Robert Gibbs said. "I just don't know that they provide a tremendous insight into the type of president he would be."