With Barack Obama’s first press conference as president scheduled on Monday night, one obvious question that comes up is what kind of questions he will receive from the White House press corps. His predecessor, George W. Bush, faced some pressing questions during his first press conference on February 22, 2001.
Liberal firebrand Helen Thomas offered the most politically-charged question: “Mr. President, why do you refuse to respect the wall between the church and state? And you know that the mixing of religion and government, for centuries, has led to slaughter. The very fact that our country has stood in good stead by having this separation -- why do you break it down?” When President Bush answered that he did “respect the separation of church and state,” Thomas blasted back: “Well, you wouldn't have a religious office in the White House if you did.” Since President Obama has decided to retain Bush’s faith-based initiative (although with a new name and slightly new mission), one wonders if Thomas will press the Democrat on the issue.
Three reporters prodded President Bush on his tax-cut plan. Frank Bruni of The New York Times submitted the following question: “You said that your $1.6 trillion tax cut is reasonable and responsible within the outlines of the budget you’re going to present. If, when that gets to Congress, things start getting layered onto it like corporate tax cuts, capital gains, would you still support it, and if it reached your desk at a higher number, would you sign it?” Later, Lawrence McQuillan, a correspondent for USA Today at the time, returned to the issue: “Mr. President, to follow up on your answer on the tax question, perhaps looking at it through the other way, some people are saying that perhaps it’s too large a tax cut....You were not willing to be flexible in terms of people who want to increase the size. Are you willing to be flexible with people who want to lower the size of your tax cut?”
Bill Plante of CBS News immediately followed up after McQuillan: “Mr. President, on that same subject, your tax and budget package, how can you be sure that, as you put it, there'll be money left over?”
Earlier, NBC News’s David Gregory, after asking President Bush if he believed that “pardons were for sale in the Clinton White House,” followed up bringing up how “other presidents are commenting on this matter,” including Former President Carter, who labeled the Marc Rich pardon “disgraceful.” Reporters devoted the most questions to the Clinton presidential pardons issue during this press conference.
We’ll have to see how pressing the White House correspondents will be at this upcoming press conference, particularly on the issue of the so-called stimulus package, since it is the top issue of the moment.
—Matthew Balan is a news analyst at the Media Research Center.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Side by Side
February 9, 2009 - 16:34 ET by deerjerkydaveMatt,
After the conference you should line up the questions side by side, and even by the same reporters if possible so we can see a clear trend in their tone.
Thanks,
djd
Great Question
February 9, 2009 - 16:35 ET by DelsaAnswer, I don't think so!
I work until after midnight tonight at my second job.
When I get home I'll be glad to get here and read all of the comments made by my friends at NewsBusters.
Part of me is thrilled I won't have a television anywhere near me.
Keep your vomit pans close by and God bless all who listen in my absence.
PUH-LEEZE!!!!! Your going
February 9, 2009 - 16:40 ET by Scuba DudePUH-LEEZE!!!!!
Your going to think you in a softball batting cage at Barky's press conference.
He is only going to call on the reporters who he likes and there is an understanding that as long as they don't ask him any hard questions they will be called on again in the next press conference.
Helen Thomas
February 9, 2009 - 16:47 ET by okiehawk44Does anyone else besides me believe that Helen is like one of those stuffed dogs some people have in their homes? You know the type -- it looks like something it isn't anymore.
Just like Keith Richards...
February 9, 2009 - 18:50 ET by BKeyserI'm pretty sure that's because Helen has been dead since 1987. Her questions are retreads on tape, I think; if you look close I believe the tape recorder is sewn under her chin as it also serves to keep her head upright.
Of course this will never
February 9, 2009 - 16:47 ET by bigtimerOf course this will never be as vicious as the press was with Bush, but I think their genius questions will have a lot to do with how the Senate votes in about 45 minutes, how/what the questions will be formed.
...all of this makes me sick to my stomach.
Actually Thomas did ask
February 9, 2009 - 16:48 ET by SickofLibsActually Thomas did ask Gibbs the exact same question last week. ("If the Administration believes in separation of church and state, then why is there an office of Faith Based Initiative?")
Gibbs responded "yes, homina, homina, homonia."
She is an equal opportunity witch, at least on this topic.
At least
February 9, 2009 - 16:54 ET by guttermouthAt the very least we'll hear some well thought, clear spoken answers from an educated person.
There's a saying... Fool me once....uh...uh...uh...DUH!!!
Wow really little
February 9, 2009 - 17:00 ET by bigtimerWow really little one...
Please do tell who is standing in for O tonight, because it can't be the empty-suit-Soros-sock-puppet.
Uh...ah...uh...ahhh...ummm....
Know what I mean?
smalltime
February 9, 2009 - 17:10 ET by guttermouthThe 2 don't even compare. But thanks for cluing me in on who you relate to...
Complete this riddle:
Fool me once, shame on___________
Fool me twice, shame on___________
Ok GM, fill in these
February 10, 2009 - 08:20 ET by JerryOk GM, fill in these blanks....
The United States is comprised of _____ states (50 or 57)?
A baby is a _______________ (blessing or punishment)?
A Memorial Day service is attended by the _______ (living or dead)?
Which would provide more oil, oil wells or inflated tires? _____
How many were killed in Kansas tornadoes ____ (10 or 10,000)?
Which state is closer to WV ______ (Illinois or Arkansas)?
When asked if he went to war with Iraq to derail the impeachment vote: “I don’t think any serious person would believe that any President would do such a thing." - President Clinton (Dec 1998).
Jerry... very good. It
February 10, 2009 - 10:49 ET by celatorJerry... very good. It brings out something that has been buzzing around my alleged brain for awhile.
Because of his bizarre parents and strange early upbringing, Obama wasn't "formed", for lack of a better term, at an early developmental stage with American values. He seems to have a only a vague, memorized sense of what America is really all about. We get hints of this all the time. His comments re your quiz, his uncomfortable stance with the Constitution, his peculiar quaffs.
It's as though he's memorized a list of musical notes, but can't put them together to hear the actual music in his head.
I'm not saying it as well as I wish I could, but it seems as though he is just playing a role in a play he doesn't quite understand.
It's very strange, and spooky. And I think we are in for the fight of our lives.
For liberal Democrats and the Old Media, everything is crisis, chaos, calamity and catastrophe. That justifies stealing your property and liberties.
In this forum, the word
February 11, 2009 - 07:21 ET by bretzysdudeIn this forum, the word "guttermouth" is both answers.
The New King....
February 9, 2009 - 18:18 ET by Intellectual HonestyPlease do tell who is standing in for O tonight, because it can't be the empty-suit-Soros-sock-puppet.
Uh...ah...uh...ahhh...ummm....
Know what I mean?
Howie Carr used to periodically have a segment on his radio show called "The King Of Uhs" starring Ted Kennedy. It would be a 20 to 40 second clip of Ted K answering questions and a listener would win a prize for being the first to correctly guess how many "uhs" were in the clip. It usually was pretty hard.
I expect that tonight, during the first live press conference for O's reign, we will see emerge the new "King of Uhs".
iH... Well, in less than
February 9, 2009 - 18:18 ET by bigtimeriH...
Well, in less than a month O is about to become the biggest spender in the world...there is another Tarp Part Two coming up soon...besides this Porkulus leftist BS.
The Senate just voted to see how things would go for tomorrows final vote on the Porkulus, the left overcame a filibuster...61/36.
Goes to conference next.
God help us all.
This country is shot if this keeps up for four years, unless we take it back, if nothing happens at the polls in 10 there had better to be a revolution of some kind, and a mighty big one.
IMHO.
Yeah, I get it
February 9, 2009 - 18:23 ET by guttermouthBut I'd rather listen to him pause to think, than not to think at all...like the last guy!
gutter... The last guy
February 9, 2009 - 18:39 ET by bigtimergutter...
The last guy Protected this country.
This empty-suit/sock-puppet will destroy it.
They think they will achieve their Agenda.
They had better think twice...there is a lot of the silent majority out here, a lot more than people think...with rising anger, it will come to the forefront one way or the other the more this goes on.
Gutter
February 9, 2009 - 18:53 ET by cocodrieThat sorry sack of $&%$ pauses, hoping thae the first rational thought of his %&**%%$ life comes into his #$^&*%$ head but it never comes.
All that comes is "uh, you know, but if we uhhhh and then we can duhhhhh and we will you know uhhh solve every uhhh thing so that woooo we can uhhh have you know change.
Joe %^&**^&^$###%^ has left Dogpatch and rules America.
Jesus Loves You
So, would the "O" be the
February 10, 2009 - 08:24 ET by JerrySo, would the "O" be the Wizzard of Aahhhs or Auntie Umm...
When asked if he went to war with Iraq to derail the impeachment vote: “I don’t think any serious person would believe that any President would do such a thing." - President Clinton (Dec 1998).
Ummmm....
February 9, 2009 - 17:00 ET by jdubyaQuote: "Liberal firebrand Helen Thomas"
Don't you mean "Smoldering fetid Liberal hack Helen Thomas"
Helen Thomas looks like.....
February 9, 2009 - 17:01 ET by Lord ErondOne of those filthy dirty women sitting in a pool of their own urine and feces at an extremely disreputable nursing home.
Or is that just the way she always looks? I can't tell. At any rate, she ought to tell the plastic surgeon that next time, she wants to look more like a woman rather than a cross breed between an orangutan's ass and a burlap sack.
"What you can not enforce, do not command" -Sophocles-
George Soros ... where are you?
February 9, 2009 - 17:03 ET by LionKingDo the world a favor, George. Drop a couple of your millions to get Helen some plastic surgery!!!
Well, here's the transcript of the press conference.
February 9, 2009 - 17:06 ET by Gary HallFrom the White House: Press Conference.
What I'm finding interesting looking back here is:
That the press really pushed Bush to take Clinton to task on the pardon issue and on other such items. More importantly is the genuine resistance from Bush to play that game. Unlike the press and Obama's folks, President Bush was actually looking forward.
Helen Thomas was herself, as Matthew noted - right from the start:
But what I find most interesting - in light of the fact that gas and home heating prices had soared during 2000; the Dot.com crash was historic; every leading economic indicator had, in the preceeding 12 months, abruptly changed course and had headed south; everyone was predicting a recession; literally hundreds of companies were closing down shop; Pakistan and India were at the brink of a nuclear exchange; the Intafada in the Mideast was in full horror; Russia was at war in Chechnya; millions were dying in the DR Congo in an historic civil war (3 1/2 million had just died); etc., and none of this was on the media's mind?
These fools really thought that under Bill Clinton - all was well. Peace and prosperity for all.
(;~> gary
media
February 9, 2009 - 17:22 ET by rockyracoonI predict that the presser will be unintentional high comedy, of the best kind, watching 0bambi bobbing and weaving, while not getting pinned down on anything.
It will conclude with the alphabet talking heads declaring it a success, while taking a few, thinly veiled, but soft shots at former POTUS Bush.
Maybe Helen will ask PBUH if everything is going...
February 9, 2009 - 17:56 ET by R D Helm...down the drain.
This will be nothing but a bunch of fawning, brain-dead idiots tossing Nerf balls in the direction of Herr Obamafuhrer.
Y'all let me know what happens, because there is no way I will be able to stomach this.
No way.
-Dave
Our clueless political leaders are about to drive us all over a cliff. The time to HITM is now-before we go over.
There he goes again
February 9, 2009 - 17:59 ET by guttermouthBeing all melodramatic, can't stomach it, wah wah wah...
Just sit back down in the corner and continue to pray until the press conference is over. You'll be fine.
And your point would be?
February 9, 2009 - 18:04 ET by BlondeRiiiight...you don't have one.
You're just here to disrupt.
My favorite Stalker
February 9, 2009 - 18:10 ET by guttermouth. Go back to Florida.
Bugger off
February 9, 2009 - 18:20 ET by BlondeWe need a better class of troll, here. ©
Dems: Gutter Guts
February 9, 2009 - 18:42 ET by Intellectual HonestyEat it, Blondie. Go back to Florida.
Thank you, guttermouth, for showing once again how any member of the Democrat Socialist left need show no class, not to mention guts.
To be a Democrat Socialist (that is officially what the Democrat Party has become) takes no courage. You can curse the rich but always elect rich members. You can say that paying taxes is a moral and, apparently, a patriotic duty, but if a Dem big wig (Geithner, Daschle, Killfer, Solis, Rangel etc. infinity) neglects to pay theirs it is simply shrugged off as a mistake. You can say you that mentioning 9/11 is an act of political posture when the denouncing of such a mention is in itself a blatant political posture. You can say ad naseum that abortions should be "safe, legal and rare" but in practice the safe is given short shrift, the legal is expanded to moments before normal gestation, and the rare is rarely mentioned again after an election and is never considered in practice. You can claim that you want a color blind society but support every effort under the sun to segregate rights based on the color of one's skin (or gender or sexual orientation or...). You can claim that Bush was an idiot for claiming there is such a thing as good and evil and then claim that Socialist Democrats are good and Republicans are evil.
The list could go on and on. In the end being a Democrat Socialist is to never have the guts to say, "Ummm...government isn't the answer." That takes courage, something conservatives commit to every day because saying what's right is always more honorable than saying what is more convenient.
Democrat Socialists are EVERYTHING that they claim to be against.
J, that is not technically correct
February 9, 2009 - 18:46 ET by R D HelmAs there is that point that forms the top of her head. :-)
-Dave
Our clueless political leaders are about to drive us all over a cliff. The time to HITM is now-before we go over.
Yes, Dave.
February 9, 2009 - 18:49 ET by BlondeI cried because I had no shoes, until I met guttermouth, who has no class.
J, I think I found her
February 9, 2009 - 18:53 ET by R D Helmhttp://farm1.static....
-Dave
Our clueless political leaders are about to drive us all over a cliff. The time to HITM is now-before we go over.
Blonde, Everytime I
February 9, 2009 - 20:18 ET by Scuba DudeBlonde,
Everytime I see guttermouth post something I just know she/he/it is humming "If I Only Had A Brain".
Guttermouth is emulating The Zero, Barky is an empty suit and guttermouth has empty posts.
§ Gutter?? Scared of me?!??!?
February 9, 2009 - 20:54 ET by TheSterYou are a Wuss!!! OMG!!!
Ster.
My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives.
filibuster Proof! 61-36!
February 9, 2009 - 17:58 ET by bigtimerWell, they got it before O's Hollywood Production tonight.
Hope all are happy.
Helen Thomas has already brought that up
February 9, 2009 - 18:51 ET by JeffWeimerApparently it's THE most important issue evah. Economy? Who cares? Terrorism? Only if it's Christian extremists.
And Jake Tapper will probably have the most pointed and fearless questions. He's not awed in the least. did you see him go after the press secretary?
Tapper - 2-For-1 Special
February 9, 2009 - 18:59 ET by Intellectual HonestyAnd Jake Tapper will probably have the most pointed and fearless
questions. He's not awed in the least. did you see him go after the
press secretary?
Overall, Tapper has been the best reporter on Obama since even the campaign. I'm sure some of that shine was sullied during and since but overall he has been the one to actually ask real, substantive questions at any of the pressers of any of the LMSM.
Couple that with the fact that he is in essence one of the few to be taking advantage of the journalistic equivalent of slow, hanging curveballs and hitting numerous strong singles and several doubles and pretty soon Tapper could be the first one to actually hit a homerun out of the park.
I agree with both of you
February 9, 2009 - 19:02 ET by bigtimerI agree with both of you regarding Tapper.
Major Garrett has been getting somewhat tougher too lately.
No Thanks
February 9, 2009 - 18:58 ET by OhmingAt the thought of watching the press ask "predetermined" or "softball" or "Bush blame refrenced" questions. I think I'll catch a recap on Fox later on.
Must-See For Me
February 9, 2009 - 19:24 ET by Intellectual HonestyAt the thought of watching the press ask "predetermined" or "softball"
or "Bush blame refrenced" questions. I think I'll catch a recap on Fox
later on.
Recaps are all fine and dandy but they sometimes are the equivalent of a record company deciding which song of a new album is TO BE the hit. Once a consumer hears the whole album very often they will realize that their favorite track was one that was bypassed for promotion.
The O-Man will start with a speech which will surely be puke-worthy but then the real fun will begin. This is THE first time that the O-Man will have to answer questions in a live format since becoming President (The make-believe Office of the President-Elect doesn't count) and while I have no doubt that most will be softballs the chances are he will try to revert to a centrist persona and it is then that all the "uhhs" start to fly.
I've got a very distinct feeling that the O-Man is going to say something tonight or cop a stance that he will soon regret.
IH... I watch for the
February 9, 2009 - 19:42 ET by bigtimerIH...
I watch for the same reasons you state, as others who know me well know.
Problem with O though is when it comes to any blunders, he has the majority of the msm to cover for him, unlike President Bush, who had the opposite.
Btw...Even if he didn't blunder, they made one for him.
Problem for me is I am going to be interrupted while this is going on, will have to catch up later.
On another note, he is going to have two more major television things, (whatever I heard they were pertaining to, can't remember) just in this month alone, let alone him being everywhere daily on television, I don't care who you are, even a political junkie like me, you have to get burn out some time.
I think they are going to over-do it, and soon, we thought Clinton and his need for the spot-light was bad, the King needs his subjects to obey daily evidently.
Evening, bt....I heard the
February 9, 2009 - 20:55 ET by motherbeltEvening, bt....I heard the same thing about more prime-time stuff. I said elsewhere IMO it is more of his arrogance, and I agree with you about the need for the spotlight!
He had to do all the rigamarole to go to Camp David for one night!! Like they couldn't relax in the White House! I think he just really enjoys having all these people at his beck and call.
But it's not about him, you understand.....
I didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows. -Bart Simpson
Govt. is the only way we
February 9, 2009 - 20:24 ET by bigtimerO saying...
Govt. is the only way we can provide jobs. (Stimulus bill.)
We need to correct mistakes we made with the first TARP bill.
Dontcha' love it.
It's just $$$.
They don't work for us...we work for them.
Nothing new.
Just has escalated to a new high and mighty dictatorship.
Hey hey hey... He just
February 9, 2009 - 20:34 ET by bigtimerHey hey hey...
He just sounded like he is going with the House/Pelosi bill that has $$$ for the schools ect that was taken out by her highness Collins and her two subjects.
Let us keep our fingers crossed, if this gets put back in during conference...Susan dearest isn't going to like it one little bit.
§ Bt...Collins' will get her pay!!!!
February 9, 2009 - 20:39 ET by TheSterWatch and learn!!!!
...Howdy Bt!!!!
Ster.
My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives.
Hi Ster. I know what to
February 9, 2009 - 20:46 ET by bigtimerHi Ster.
I know what to watch for...worry not.
I thought I was letting you know. ;-)
§ Bt...Ummm..I'm Lookin' for Chickins'....You??
February 9, 2009 - 20:51 ET by TheSter...and ...and... Shiny Things!!!!
Ster.
My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives.
Sorry folks...
February 9, 2009 - 20:46 ET by MightyMouth...but I am actually feeling sorry for the OAF. He is soooo below his paygrade it is sad. Watching his first "press" conference is getting painful. OMG!
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
Mighty... Painful...and
February 9, 2009 - 20:47 ET by bigtimerMighty...
Painful...and comical.
I'm to that point.
BT did you see...
February 9, 2009 - 21:04 ET by MightyMouth...how he beat down any reporter that questioned his opinion? Even Helen is still so Obamastruck that she shut up when he didn't agree with her "so called terrorists" comment. WoW.
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
Mighty... Now we have a
February 9, 2009 - 21:17 ET by bigtimerMighty...
Now we have a real Dictator...along with his working minions.
The left has no idea yet what they have wrought.
The Communist puppeteers
February 10, 2009 - 01:21 ET by RR GOPThe Communist puppeteers know that the majority of Americans fell for it once, so why not again?
And again, and again and...
One of the 24% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 89% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory.
I believe
February 10, 2009 - 12:14 ET by CANCON1that President Bush was a truly great man. I have great respect for him and his family. On the other hand I still want to slap Helen. Am I a bad person?