How do you feel President Obama performed in his news conference last night?

[guido911]

Not only does TOTUS have its own blog, it also has its own facebook page.  Also, there's this:

[guido911]

Waterboy, I have no partisan reasons for my comments.

And not all press conferences are staged.  The initial statement is always scripted, but generally the Q & A is open.  Any decent speaker will have a stock answer to all anticipated questions and non-anticipated questions will get a vague response, but staging a Q & A is generally poor taste.  May as well just read a statement or seed questions.

CF is many things  , a partisan hack is not one of them. 

Take it from this partisan hack.

[Conan71]

There's nothing partisan in my comments, nor do I care if he uses a teleprompter.  When someone speaks for an hour, I'd expect that they have notes or an outline to follow to stay on track and get a point across.

To be perfectly honest, the parts I heard were not long on substance and revealed little that was not already obvious or had not been released to the press in recent weeks.  I'm simply still waiting to see what is so great and what the "change" is.  I was disappointed to hear the duck for cover about the health care problem he "inherited".  "This problem was uh, here when I got here..."  No smile, we know that, but quit trying to push a pre-concieved agenda as being the one thing that is still hindering our economy and deficit.

[FOTD]

For the partisan hack brothers!

Republicanism, Worse than Socialism
http://rackjite.com/archives/3118-Republicanism,-Worse-than-Socialism.html

"Conservationism is made up of various subsets including Libertarians, the Religious Right, racist militias, gun crazy mofos, and certifiable morons like Joe the Plumber (and Guido from Tulsa Now Forum). Glenn Beck and Joe the Plumber are the intellectual cream of the crop."

"This entire mess is peopled by REPUBLICANS. Yes it is! And we all know it is. But because there is no way of actually proving it the corporate media cannot say it. "

And the best you can come up with is Teleprompter President?

Where's IpLaw? Was he too relegated to purgatory? Or did he just get frustrated and leave this branch in the fall of the economy and the republican potty?

The Devil awaits destructive criticism.....

[Gaspar]

Perhaps we are too critical of the format.  I do think it's very important for a president to use all of the tools at his/her disposal to convey a message.  My problem is the representation of the message as a "conference" when it is actually a prepared statement. 

To my knowledge, President Obama has not engaged in a press conference yet.

But since the statement, the Q & A, and the follow ups were all prepared in advance, I think he could do an even better job at using all of the tools at his disposal, by simply e-mailing us the script or just recording a podcast.  That way we could read it at our leisure. 

All of the acting, and the assembly of a group of reporters, who's only purpose is to fill chairs, really weakens his image.  It doesn't seem like something you should see in this country, and I hate the fact that other countries are talking about it now.

We always made fun of dictators like Castro for staging events and news conferences.  I am not so naive to believe that it never happens here, but does it have to be so blatant?

We're better than that, or at least we should try to be.

[waterboy]

Waterboy, I have no partisan reasons for my comments.

And not all press conferences are staged.  The initial statement is always scripted, but generally the Q & A is open.  Any decent speaker will have a stock answer to all anticipated questions and non-anticipated questions will get a vague response, but staging a Q & A is generally poor taste.  May as well just read a statement or seed questions.

No, I don't think you were CF. Your first instincts were spot on. The constant barrage of criticisms including "he is too available", "he uses telepromoters", "he is laughing at serious problems", "he is not formal enough', "he shouldn't go on Leno and diminish the presidency", "his budget will bankrupt us", "he knew they were getting bonuses", and other bizarre criticisms puts pressure on the rest of us to question the competency of the president and his administration. That is their purpose. This from people who gleefully voted for Bush...twice... that guy that used a backpack receiver in a debate.

And yes, press conferences are staged events. In the past the Q&A has been Shakespeare with soliloquys by the president. They may have looked impromptu but rarely were. When caught off script,  rather than answer off the cuff and risk disaster, presidents simply quote from their handlers memorized statements. Using a teleprompter is analogous to you guys keeping Wiki handy.

Just like a good business meeting, you don't call one without a purpose and only the inept leaders fail to manage the process. Bush made it clear that one long time veteran journalist would never be called on even though she sat on the front row because she wouldn't stay in line. Some reporters always try to exploit their moment of fame like the guy from Stars and Stripes last night, but it is dangerous business. Obama handled him very well and the reporter ended up looking like a prosecuting atty rather than a journalist.

Focus on the purpose of a press conference rather than the mechanics. Remember, this was not a debate or a free shot for journalists to build their resumes with gotcha moments. With that in mind it was above average. Gas, Guido and some of the others are quite comfy and don't mind if the rest of the country falls into disarray to prove a point and get their interests covered. They don't mind helping that happen.

[Gaspar]

I guess you're right Waterboy. 

I will try my hardest not to be critical of this format.  At least next time we will know what to expect. 

You're right, press conferences can be very dangerous for a President.  They have been down right embarrassing in other administrations. 

I predict as the administration moves forward, we will see a shift away from the press conference completely. 

... and you are wrong, I have nothing but the highest hopes for this country and our President, and have stated that on numerous occasions.

I will say it again, I hope the President Obama is the most successful President in the history of the country, and that we all see prosperity and success as a result of his intelligent leadership.  That however does not mean that I will worship him.

[guido911]

Focus on the purpose of a press conference rather than the mechanics. Remember, this was not a debate or a free shot for journalists to build their resumes with gotcha moments. With that in mind it was above average. Gas, Guido and some of the others are quite comfy and don't mind if the rest of the country falls into disarray to prove a point and get their interests covered. They don't mind helping that happen.

This is just rich. Do you really think I care about Obama's freakin teleprompter? The only thing I get out of this entire issue is the humor when he flubs up when he does not have it or when he has it and still flubs up. Thanking himself was riotous, but I guess during these grave and dire times you dare not criticize the messiah.

In actuality, I find the teleprompter issue is a distraction from the real problems Obama has, that being his flat lies he has told the American people. He lied about earmark reform when he signed the Omnibus bill, he lied about lobbyists in his administration, he lied about not using signing statements, he lied about having transparency in his administration, he lied about waiting five days before signing legislation...Furthermore, Mr. Hope and Change nominated tax cheats Geithner to head up the treasury, not to mention tax cheats Daschle, Killefer, Solis, and Ron Kirk for other high level positions in his administration. Oh, let's not forget about Richardson and the pay for play that derailed his nomination.

Also, there is that little problem I have with the ballooning deficit, tax increases on the so-called "rich" people in this country, and his horrid record on life issues.

[Cats Cats Cats]

"This is just rich. Do you really think I care about Obama's freakin teleprompter?"

Well about 30% of your posts in the last few days have referenced the teleprompter.  It isn't like the comment was out of the blue.

[Gaspar]

"This is just rich. Do you really think I care about Obama's freakin teleprompter?"

Well about 30% of your posts in the last few days have referenced the teleprompter.  It isn't like the comment was out of the blue.

Gueed are you just reading off a teleprompter?

[guido911]

Gueed are you just reading off a teleprompter?

Yes. When I try cases, I use a teleprompter. When I order at restaurants, I use a teleprompter. When I ready a response to Trog or soccerpunk, I read from "Horton Hears a Who" in preparation.

[Cats Cats Cats]

Gueed are you just reading off a teleprompter?

Hahaha.  Yeah it did sound like I meant he was using a teleprompter.  I was referring to the Teleprompter of the US which you cannot read!  Obama will tell you what is on it.

[Gaspar]

Yes. When I try cases, I use a teleprompter. When I order at restaurants, I use a teleprompter. When I ready a response to Trog or soccerpunk, I read from "Horton Hears a Who" in preparation.

If I were an attorney I would prepare all of my cases using the Dr. Seuss technique.

"Did you take this person's life?
Did you do it with a knife?

I did not do it with a knife.
I did not, could not, kill my wife.
I did not do this awful crime.
I could not, would not, anytime.

Did you hit her from above?
Did you drop this bloody glove?"

[cannon_fodder]

Could have used that on my docket this morning . . .

Please your honor, do not toss this case,
I know you set the dispo because it's late.
But it moves on as well it should,
I'd have it settled if I could.

Or my hearing this afternoon . . .

Punitive damages are my right,
I plead you exercise this court's might.
The Defendant knew the dangers of the race,
Which ended up mangling my clients face.

Maybe I should start off working it in depositions, to get practice.

[guido911]

CF and Gas, way to take my slap to unforeseen heights. Well done.