What follows are the questions that President-elect Obama took today at his 11 a.m. news conference after formally announcing former Sen. Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) as his choice for Health and Human Services Secretary.:
JACKIE CALMES, Wall Street Journal: Given the, in your statement when you addressed the controversy over Gov. Blagojevich, you did not repeat what your spokesman said yesterday about having him, that he should resign. Why did you not? And could you tell us what context, if any, you know that your staff or any emissaries for you have had with prosecutors or the FBI?
PHIL ELLIOTT, Associated Press: Thank you. Have you or anyone in your transition or campaign been intereviewed as it relates to the criminal complaint? And who is the transition advisor referenced in the complaint?
Story Continues Below Ad ↓MIKE FLANNERY, WBBM-TV, CBS affiliate: Could you shed any light on how it was that the governor got the impression that neither you nor Ms. Jarrett nor any of the people from your office were willing to play ball and why he said those unrepeatable things about you and your staff? And a two-parter. We have the immediate former governor still mouldering in the federal prison there in Terre Haute. What's wrong with politics in Illinois?
DEBORAH CHARLES, Reuters: Thank you, Mr. President-elect. At the risk of annoying everyone, I'm going to change the subject to health care. I wanted to ask you how are you actually planning to fund your health care program? I know that it had been estimated that it could cost up to $65 billion and you had planned originally to fund it through getting rid of the tax cuts* to the wealthy but that apparently in the current economic situation, maybe that's not so reasonable. Are you still planning to do that, or how will you fund this?
*Note: At this point, ABC's Charles Gibson interrupted the question by Charles at this point, wrapping up ABC's special coverage of the press conference by saying, "And so the news conference turns back to the subject of health care and indeed it is a vitally important subject...." The cable networks did not cut off Charles's question.
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ABC got the memo late...
December 11, 2008 - 14:14 ET by Saint Zero...and hurried to cover their NuMessiah.
I think it's going to come out that Obama probably knew his old seat was up for sale, and didn't care one way or the other.
did I read that right?
December 11, 2008 - 15:06 ET by katainkentthey interrupted The One's press conference and went on to something else? Is that a first? I don't watch the news personally but it was my understanding Obama pretty much has 100% devoted air time when he speaks.
ok I found a youtube 'tape' of the press conference.
"part of what I'm hoping to introduce as the next president is a new ethic of [government enforced] responsibility" - B. Obama
I watched the presser
December 11, 2008 - 14:20 ET by bigtimerI watched the presser today.
O was very careful.
This is really hope and change alright.
WE are going to be living through a destructive four year soap-opera...one that may end up out-doing even the Clintoon years.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Is there hope for us afterall?
December 11, 2008 - 14:22 ET by Prester JohnReporters working for the AP and a CBS affiliate daring to ask the Annointed One actual questions instead of groveling at his feet?
Any bets that this will the the last press conference they'll be attending?
A press conference with only
December 11, 2008 - 14:24 ET by SeashellA press conference with only 4 questions allowed. What a joke.
Also, to me, Obama looked very uncomfortable when talking about Blago.
only 4 questions
December 11, 2008 - 15:05 ET by SickofLibsthis is gonna be Obama's version of speed dating.
Yeah - before going to the reporter, it was 'LAST question!'
December 11, 2008 - 21:35 ET by Cape ConservativeHe was probably afraid he would have to answer more than 3 questions on his Chicago buddies - I'll bet he was surprised when she changed the subject to health care ;-)
I find it VERY interesting that he must ALWAYS be in charge - remember during the campaign, he would only take a few questions and walk away.
Yet...they fawned over him as if he were 'the one' - and, guess what, it seems to have turned out that way, sad to say.
A PROUD member of the Oogedy Boogedy branch of the GOP!
Any more than 4
December 12, 2008 - 05:48 ET by old crowould only be a bore
the O's brain can't possibly store
the party line or keep the score
answering questions galore
That is the burning question, in the moment, is it not?
December 11, 2008 - 14:25 ET by Gary HallThat is the burning question, in the moment, is it not? Obama can claim that not he, not anyone in his office was talking to the Gov, but:
I didn't see it - what was Obama's answer?
Alexis Hunt, KHQA Reporter
December 11, 2008 - 14:34 ET by Bluegillahunt@khqa.com
Thought some in the media might want to interview her regarding her Nov. 8 story about Blago/ Obama meeting to discuss Senate Seat
I am going to email her myself.
KHQA...
December 11, 2008 - 14:52 ET by ScrapironKHQA ordered a 55 gallon drum of Clorox and poured it on their web site. There has never been any mention of Blago/Hussein O on there. The site is super clean and smell good to.
Old, Retired and glad of it.
Bahaha, Obama blew the
December 11, 2008 - 14:47 ET by dscottBahaha, Obama blew the opportunity to claim victimhood. When you think about it, Mr. Flannery gave Obama the perfect means to say "his staffers" did talk with Blagojevich's staffers (acknowledge the obvious) and they refused to play the game. This is a case where Obama's lawyerly thinking is going to get him into trouble. He clearly is going to claim he, Obama, was kept out of the loop by protective staffers. What's really going on here is Obama playing things close to the vest because he doesn't know what conversations were recorded between his and Blagojevich's staffers. If he were smart he would have said "my staff" upon hearing Governor Blagojevich's demands/suggestions of pay for play did the right thing by taking the initiative and said the seat is not for sale, thus accounting for the Governor's cussing mad outburst... Then he, Obama found out about it after the fact.
I suspect Obama is playing cagey because he doesn't want to get sucked into a conspiracy charge. The level of evidence needed for a conspiracy charge is much lower than the actual charge of fraud/corruption. If he did admit to knowing what his staffers were talking about, he would be guilty of conspiracy since even if he didn't "purchase" the seat via an agreement he is was "in process" of doing it by the mere fact of negotiating/talking IF he didn't report it to the FBI.
Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, starving the poor one gallon of ethanol at a time. Fill your tank with E85 and cull a village.
dscott.. oh, he'll still retain it - and the MSM will accept it.
December 11, 2008 - 15:12 ET by Gary HallBut technically here, did he not already blow it? According to Jake Tapper on the 9th:
At that moment in time, Obama-elect can't decide what the "story" is going to be in it's final form ... but in changing it from "we not being aware," to himself [ I ] not being aware, suggests to me that he is already spinning the facts. (;~> gary
Exactly Gary. Bingo,
December 11, 2008 - 18:21 ET by bigtimerExactly Gary.
Bingo, bulls-eye and all that jazz...he was very careful to parse everything with legalese this morning.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
bt.. if he has not already done so, I would guess
December 11, 2008 - 18:48 ET by Gary Hallbt.. if he has not already done so, I would guess.. that these will be Obama-elect's exact words, when the actual contacts amongst his staff and Blagojevich are revealed. (I've left out his usual stammers, stutters and ahh's, to save a few minutes time here):
Gary... Precisely... I
December 11, 2008 - 19:02 ET by bigtimerGary...
Precisely...
I write this as I am also laughing...you've got it pegged to a tee.
You know, what is funny about all of this now, O doesn't know who has what recorded regarding any of this...now does he?
Or for that matter, other things possibly, since Fitz has been on this Chicago case for years now...going to be interesting in the end.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
GH - love it! But you forgot the middle finger up his cheek ;-)
December 11, 2008 - 21:40 ET by Cape ConservativeA PROUD member of the Oogedy Boogedy branch of the GOP!
Cape.. Actually..
December 11, 2008 - 22:59 ET by Gary HallCape.. Actually.. I didn't forget it .. I just couldn't figure where to "slip it in." (;~. gary
Uncanny & too funny...
December 12, 2008 - 10:37 ET by Georgia GirlSomebody needs to grab you for an SNL skit , Gary!:)
Georgia Girl.. thanks, I'll..
December 12, 2008 - 12:00 ET by Gary HallGeorgia Girl.. thanks, I'll take that under advisement. I must admit - I was laughing up a streak as it came out.. thanks, (;~> gary
Totally Off The Point
December 11, 2008 - 14:42 ET by considerthisDoes anyone else think that Obama went to the Captain Kirk School of Speech Giving? His cadence is almost dead on at times.
Beam me up Rahmmy. Warped
December 11, 2008 - 14:48 ET by Jack BauerBeam me up Rahmmy. Warped Factor Nine.
I was thinking...
December 11, 2008 - 14:49 ET by Wilbur747the same thing!
Now if only they would beam him up and go where no one has gone before!
Oh, great...
December 12, 2008 - 11:21 ET by Georgia GirlI'm sure I've never watched an entire episode of Star Trek, but now I have this picture in my mind of Obama wearing that gold, nylon-type Star Trek shirt...Now I'm afraid every Obama news conference will appear to me like he's speaking from inside the Enterprise. Gee, thanks, guys! :)
GG - However, he'll need to have a little surgery on
December 12, 2008 - 14:23 ET by Cape Conservativethe tips of his ears to go as Spock ;-)
A PROUD member of the Oogedy Boogedy branch of the GOP!
President-derelect Obama
December 11, 2008 - 14:44 ET by Jack BauerObama is searching for the REAL FACTS regarding Governor Blag.
Phew, I'm so mollified now that President-elect Clousseau is on the case.
OJ & BHO in search of
December 11, 2008 - 15:10 ET by JIMMY1660OJ & BHO in search of the truth and the perps. How about Bull$hit on both men. how about perhaps Liars.
allow me to Love America
President-derelect Obama
December 11, 2008 - 15:40 ET by 1611LilacLadyObama is searching for the REAL FATS regarding Governor Blag.
Yep, and OJ is still searching for the REAL KILLER of his wife Nicole and Ron Goldman. At least he's going to be in the right place for a while!
Obama doesn't answer
December 11, 2008 - 14:56 ET by NBFQUESTION: Mr. President-elect, can you shed any light on how it was that the governor got the impression that neither you nor Ms. Jarrett nor any of the people from your office were willing to play ball and why he said those unrepeatable things about you and your -- and your staff?
And a two-partner. We have the former -- the immediate former governor still moldering in the federal prison here in Terra Haute. What's wrong with politics in Illinois?
MR. OBAMA: Well, first of all, I can't presume to know what was in the mind of the governor during this process, so I won't even speculate on that. All I can do is read what was in the transcripts, like the rest of you have read it, and shake my head.
Now, with respect to Illinois...
***
Boycott Bailout Recipients
Yeah, let's change the subject to healthcare
December 11, 2008 - 15:03 ET by SickofLibsReuters. What a freakin' joke.
And yes, that was an UNBELIEVABLY annoying question, Ms. Charles, so why did you even bother asking it? Did you actually think you were going to get a "scoop"?
Can't judge by appearance
December 11, 2008 - 15:43 ET by 1611LilacLadyYears ago my first biggest and angriest disappointment with newscasters was with Walter (globalist) Cronkite. [aka Uncle Walter and his 'You Are There' shows].
There have been many disappointments since, but Charles Gibson. My how he hid his lieberal beliefs during his internship on ABC's GMA. Back in the old days when I still watched GMA, his smile sorely hid his true agenda.
His reward? Why World News Tonight of course.
And now? I don't watch any broadcast news networks (on or off cable).
Edited to add: I give credit to those who can listen to this illegal alien-elect. I still can't bring myself to watch him.
**shivers**
DITTO LilacLady
December 11, 2008 - 16:37 ET by choselife3xCan't stand the sound of his voice either. I come here to find out what he's lying about. It was all I could do to watch the debates. I will not watch That One's press conferences, speeches, diatribes, and I WILL NOT watch him desecrate a Bible in January.
In order to be pro-choice, one must first be born. Ah, the irony.
Add me to the list
December 11, 2008 - 16:55 ET by littlemissmuffinI couldn't listen to either of the Clintons, and I absolutely cannot listen to "That One."
Remember, though, he's only lying when his lips are moving!
"If we conservatives moved to those seven non-existent States, the government couldn’t find us and tax us to death!"
This is the Change that was promised?
December 11, 2008 - 18:15 ET by c5thenObama isn't even going to wait until inauguration day before his scandals start.
Hey, I got the wrong "CHANGE"!
Alan Keyes / Sarah Palin - 2012
Has Fox gotten to ask any
December 11, 2008 - 18:16 ET by Right2thePointHas Fox gotten to ask any questions yet at any of his pressers?
Last I heard is was like 6-0 or more.
R2...Fox's Wendell Goler
December 11, 2008 - 18:18 ET by bigtimerR2...
Fox's Wendell Goler did.
That's it as far as I know.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Suggestion News Busters
December 11, 2008 - 18:20 ET by Right2thePointSuggestion
News Busters put up a counter of each news source that gets to ask a question or follow up like a baseball score board.
Update it at the end of each presser.
A tracking system like this
December 11, 2008 - 18:36 ET by BuffNBoneA tracking system like this would have more utility if the question was identified as softball or, excuse the expression, hardball. And if it was a high and tight brush back pitch (aka chin music) then it would get extra credit.
"Fighters are fun but bombers make policy"
Was this question asked?
December 11, 2008 - 23:56 ET by dodecahedronIn 2004, voters in South Dakota decided that they had had enough of Tom Daschle and voted him out of office even though he had a great deal of power as the Senate Minority Leader.
President-elect Obama, by naming Daschle to your cabinet, are you telling the voters to go screw themselves?
Hey dod... Excellent
December 12, 2008 - 00:05 ET by bigtimerHey dod...
Excellent point...
Plus he stuck it right to Hill today with both of their words about the national health care fiasco they have planned...I immedately thought of her and how she must be fuming.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
bt - any time HRC can get it 'stuck' to her
December 12, 2008 - 14:25 ET by Cape Conservativemakes it a happy time for me ;-)
A PROUD member of the Oogedy Boogedy branch of the GOP!