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Guess Who Doesn't Like the Press - and the feeling may be mutual
The Weekly Standard ^ | 12/29/2008 | Stephen F. Hayes

Posted on 12/21/2008 6:11:01 PM PST by shoptalk

On April 21, 2008, the day before Pennsylvania's Democratic primary, Barack Obama sat at the counter of the Glider Diner in Scranton. Senator Bob Casey Jr., who had endorsed Obama and was traveling with him throughout the state, occupied the next stool. It had all the makings of a great photo-op - home state senator, local eatery, lots of cameras. There was just one problem: those pesky reporters.

As Obama cut into his butter-soaked waffle - fork in his left hand, knife in his right - one newshound wanted the candidate's reaction to the news of the day. Former President Jimmy Carter had traveled to the Middle East to meet with leaders from Hamas. In an exchange during one of the primary debates, Obama had promised that his administration would seek to engage America's enemies - a position that Hillary Clinton had called "naïve" and "irresponsible."

"Senator, did you hear about Jimmy Carter's trip?"

"Why is it that I can't just eat my waffle?" Obama snapped with his mouth full. One reporter at the diner wrote that the candidate glared "sternly" at the questioner - the wrong kind of audacity, apparently.

"Just asking," said the reporter.

Obama, perhaps realizing how his reaction might look, offered a little smile. But he still refused to answer.

"Just let me eat my waffle."

(Excerpt) Read more at weeklystandard.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: afghanistan; imrankhan; msm; obama; pakistan; press; taliban; waffles
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The president-elect has held a record number of press conferences, and quite naturally he has earned lavish public praise for the frequency of his appearances. But take the time to look at what he has actually said in these engagements and you will be less impressed.
1 posted on 12/21/2008 6:11:03 PM PST by shoptalk
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To: shoptalk

If my best friend were still alive, he’d say that Obama’s speeches are grammatically null.


2 posted on 12/21/2008 6:14:13 PM PST by wolfpat (Revolt, and re-establish the Constitution as the law of the land!)
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To: shoptalk

Jeez, the one and Rahm must have the same press agents telling them what to say. Sounds eerily like Rahms gem- can’t I just be a father to my kids?


3 posted on 12/21/2008 6:14:16 PM PST by wombtotomb (since its "above his paygrade", why can't we err on the side of caution about when life begins?)
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To: shoptalk

He doesn’t have to like them. They are his presstitutes. He can kick these loyal puppies around and spit at them as he pleases. They’ll still worship him. It’s good to be The One!


4 posted on 12/21/2008 6:14:37 PM PST by SolidWood (Sarah Palin - Everything that is Sweetness and Light! I stand with her!)
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To: shoptalk

I think the reporter should have let the man eat his waffle. JMHO.


5 posted on 12/21/2008 6:15:33 PM PST by The_Media_never_lie
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To: shoptalk

Voting “Present” is his Forte.


6 posted on 12/21/2008 6:15:46 PM PST by Don Corleone (Leave the gun..take the cannoli)
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To: shoptalk
I'd be more like Nixon.

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us
7 posted on 12/21/2008 6:16:09 PM PST by cripplecreek (The poor bastards have us surrounded.)
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To: shoptalk

Most of “O”’s speeches do not have interaction with press.


8 posted on 12/21/2008 6:16:51 PM PST by Kackikat (.It's NOT over until it's over and it's NOT over yet....The Trumpet will sound....)
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To: shoptalk

this is a clear example why he’s asking for sheeple’s responses to support him thru his presidency, its cuz it sounds like he doesnt care.


9 posted on 12/21/2008 6:17:04 PM PST by Dominic01 (you want real peace? then don't protest.)
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To: shoptalk

These media types are obnoxious. I’m with Obama on this. When he was in Portland during the primaries, one of the scum found out which hotel he was in and staked out the workout room she figured he would be using. At some point you have to let these guys breath, even if just long enough to finish a workout or eat a waffle with a friend.


10 posted on 12/21/2008 6:19:47 PM PST by MovementConservative (Merry Christmas.)
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To: wolfpat
If my best friend were still alive, he’d say that Obama’s speeches are grammatically null.

Maybe his actions as president will be grammatically null too. Would work for me.

11 posted on 12/21/2008 6:21:28 PM PST by mlo
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To: shoptalk

Can’t answer questions without the teleprompter.


12 posted on 12/21/2008 6:26:58 PM PST by cblue55 (I miss Tony Snow)
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To: shoptalk

12/29/2008??


13 posted on 12/21/2008 6:28:22 PM PST by perfect stranger (Nobama)
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To: MovementConservative
These media types are obnoxious. I’m with Obama on this.

These media types carried Obama to the Presidency. They are on the same page.

Maybe Sarah can tell us a thing or two about how obnoxious these media creeps are.

14 posted on 12/21/2008 6:29:03 PM PST by SolidWood (Sarah Palin - Everything that is Sweetness and Light! I stand with her!)
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To: MovementConservative
At some point you have to let these guys breath, even if just long enough to finish a workout or eat a waffle with a friend.

The bulk of the article, however, comments on Obama's deflection of questions even at press conferences. Question-and-answer sessions are full of evasions and non-answers. As he did throughout the years-long campaign, he refuses to answer questions; instead, he "uhs" and "uhms" and stutters along a meandering path to talk about some irrelevant topic -- like his jump shot.

He talks a lot, but he never actually says anything. That's why the election has come and gone, and still no one knows the specifics of any of his hare-brained schemes.

At some point, however, when he is finally (ugh!) the president, he will have to make decisions (presumably after polling focus groups). Or do what he's told, at any rate. The curtain will finally come down and maybe the citizens will see that an empty suit is sitting in the Oval Office.

15 posted on 12/21/2008 6:34:19 PM PST by FoxInSocks (B. Hussein Obama: The Paucity of Hope)
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To: perfect stranger
12/29/2008??

The author is prescient.

16 posted on 12/21/2008 6:38:23 PM PST by FoxInSocks (B. Hussein Obama: The Paucity of Hope)
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To: wolfpat

17 posted on 12/21/2008 6:40:58 PM PST by Lancey Howard
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To: MovementConservative
At some point you have to let these guys breath, even if just long enough to finish a workout or eat a waffle with a friend.

I might agree with letting a man breathe, but how about these questions when he's clearly capable of breathing properly (with Charlie Gibson):

How does it feel to break a glass ceiling?
How does it feel to "win"?
How does your family feel about your "winning" breaking a glass ceiling?
Who will be your VP?
Should you choose Hillary Clinton as VP?
Will you accept public finance?
What issues is your campaign about?
Will you visit Iraq?
Will you debate McCain at a town hall?
What did you think of your competitor's (Senator Clinton's) speech?

Contrast those with Mr. Gibson's questions to Sarah Palin:

Do you have enough qualifications for the job you're seeking? Specifically have you visited foreign countries and met foreign leaders?
Aren't you conceited to be seeking this high level job?
Questions about foreign policy (specifically):
* territorial integrity of Georgia
* allowing Georgia and Ukraine to be members of NATO
* NATO treaty
* Iranian nuclear threat
* what to do if Israel attacks Iran
* Al Qaeda motivations
* the Bush Doctrine
* attacking terrorists harbored by Pakistan
Is America fighting a holy war? (misquoting Governor Palin)

Let's hope that Mr. Hayes is correct that the press is growing tired (as I am) of his feathery platitudes, and gives him cause for some heavy breathing (and sweating).

18 posted on 12/21/2008 6:44:13 PM PST by shoptalk
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To: perfect stranger
It's The Weekly Standard.
19 posted on 12/21/2008 6:47:13 PM PST by shoptalk
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To: shoptalk

tsk, tsk, osamaobama! Biting the hand that feeds you the presidency is not wise. However, no doubt the MSM drools over being kicked in the teeth by obamanation with a “please sir, may I have some more?”


20 posted on 12/21/2008 6:49:02 PM PST by lilylangtree (Veni, Vidi, Vici)
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