Posted on 01/23/2009 6:42:56 AM PST by Puppage
President Obama made a surprise visit to the White House press corps Thursday night, but got agitated when he was faced with a substantive question.
Asked how he could reconcile a strict ban on lobbyists in his administration with a Deputy Defense Secretary nominee who lobbied for Raytheon, Obama interrupted with a knowing smile on his face.
"Ahh, see," he said, "I came down here to visit. See this is what happens. I can't end up visiting with you guys and shaking hands if I'm going to get grilled every time I come down here."
Pressed further by the Politico reporter about his Pentagon nominee, William J. Lynn III, Obama turned more serious, putting his hand on the reporter's shoulder and staring him in the eye.
"Alright, come on" he said, with obvious irritation in his voice. "We will be having a press conference at which time you can feel free to [ask] questions. Right now, I just wanted to say hello and introduce myself to you guys - that's all I was trying to do."
The president was quickly saved by a cameraman in the room who called out: “I’d like to say it one more time: ‘Mr. President.’ ”
Obama spent about 10 minutes total, winding his way through a crush of reporters and photographers between the upper and lower floors of the journalists' workspace and asking questions about who worked where and how the booths and desks were assigned.
Reporters had little warning about the impromptu visit by the new president, and those who were in the downstairs portion of the press quarters only came to the briefing room after an unexpected and cryptic announcement on the internal intercom that they do so.
"This is worse than the Middle East," he joked, alluding to the territorial claims staked on the cramped corridor. "Who's sitting where and all that stuff."
He revealed that he had already gotten in two work outs since being sworn in Tuesday.
"Turns out I have a little gym up there," he said with a smile.
Obama said he had watched press secretary Robert Gibbs debut briefing "in anticipation of some flop sweat. ... I just want to thank you for not completely ripping up Gibbs," Obama said.
"I am very proud of him today. He got a fist bump from me."
I knew he was arrogant a long time ago.
Try and get any Dims to believe this though.
This guy is so smug, arrogant, narcissistic, self-indulgent and self-righteous.
A crypto fascist in an expensive, publicly funded suit.
This guy has never earned a dime in his life. He’s a parasite and grifter.
How can he be expected to answer any questions without a tele-prompter?
Who to root for here? Actually I think Obama has a point, this was not a press conference.
I had no idea Brian Williams was subbing as a photog...
Translation: I gave you the honor of my presence, what more do you want?
Not so fast - the MSM will give him a lot of leash before they turn. Even here in Canada it’s one stupid update after another, every day, “Day Two of Obama’s First 100 Days”. It’s like the Beatles just landed in America and the media are his crying, shrieking teenagers.
The Big O is in love with the notion that HE is the president. That’s the only reason he is there - he doesn’t care on bit about the American people and I don’t believe he could articulate policy if his life depended on it. What a disasterous, no-class zero we have in the White House. Democrats & RINO’s should be embarassed.
Just wait till zer0 has a real crisis and someone (probably not the MSM press) asks a real question!
People, this is only the beginning. I make a prediction this morning. The Messiah will not serve out a four-year term. He’s been in for three days, and in that time, he’s managed to piss off the CIA, the FBI, the military, 9-11 families, Christians, and the press.
Keep it up, Messiah. It took less than a week for the crowd to turn against Jesus when he entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.
There have been other men in our nation's history who were addressed simply as "Mr." or "Governor" or even "General" one day and "Mr. President" the next. In Obama's case, the sycophants imbue it with talismanic power.
Listening to the news on the radio yesterday, more than one Washington correspondent paused a little longer than necessary between the words "president" and "Obama" during their reports. I suppose quite a few of them are experiencing a Chris Matthews-like "thrill" as they say the magic words.
At their worst they have been mere angry pit bulls rather than helpful alert watchdogs. In recent years they mostly incuriously sniff a little bit along the lines of a kennel template and go back to their chew toys of celebrity coverage. In the past 2 years they seem to do nothing more than lick hands, pant, and wet the linoleum.
Remember all the times that other Presidents including Clinton were shouted at with questions when they left the White House or an event. This is common practice to ask questions when they see the President or Vice President. Press Conference is a set up deal with only certain reporters getting to ask questions. If someone wants an answer to a question, they have to take the opportunity when they can get it and yesterday it was his visit. Go into the lion’s den and expect questions.
Even during the campaign, the media asked questions of candidates any chance they got. With Obama, he was kept away from the media for the most part. Unlike other candidates, the press with Obama didn’t continue to press when told no he is not taking questions.
Olberidiot is still Ranting about Bush, I see..and he’s gone. These guys truely are deranged!
Folks,
Please avoid topics like this one. Right now, even if obama is caught naked with a girl, the media will sing the tune of just some relaxation technique that he need for his hard work.
How can we rebuild conservative movement? As an individual, how can we influence our liberal kids in homes? That is the place, we have to start.
Also, keep an eye on election for governor in Virginia. A conservative candidate is running and it looks like, he has a good chance to take back virginia. So, we should try to support in anyway and start our journey. No point in talking about Obama.
He’ll learn that in this job you can’t just vote “present”.
Yes, it only took three days. We are screwed. I’m going to paint that on my forehead.
Topics like this should *not* be avoided.
Agree w/ your other sentiments.
Apparently, the libs think when the world laughs at us, it means they like us. I always heard how much the world liked us when Clinton was President. They didn’t like us, they thought us a joke. It’s going to end up that way again.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.