On Tuesday's New Day, CNN's Michaela Pereira and Alisyn Camerota heralded the first Twitter conversation between President Obama and former President Bill Clinton. Pereira touted how Obama "has finally joined Twitter" (despite pointing out his previous @BarackObama name). Camerota later gushed over the exchange: "That's cute!" [video below]
After her "finally joined" line, Pereira noted that "the President says this @POTUS handle is a new way to engage directly with the American people." She continued by reading the Democrats first post on that username, and added that it "led former President Clinton to Tweet, 'Welcome to Twitter, @POTUS! One question: does that username stay with the office? #askingforafriend.'"
Camerota then replied with her "that's cute" exclamation, and soon wondered, "Are those two just going to talk to each other on Twitter like that, and we all get to eavesdrop? I kind of like that – that two presidents get to just chat." Pereira also speculated whether "some of the others will join in" – a probable reference to the other living former presidents.
Chris Cuomo ended the short segment by sarcastically wondering if the two presidents' future conversation will "devolve into random conversation that isn't well policed and not thought out beforehand."
The full transcript of the segment from Tuesday's New Day on CNN:
MICHAELA PEREIRA: The President has finally joined Twitter – using the handle @POTUS. Before, he used @BarackObama; and then, would put 'B.O.,' if he was Tweeting. Otherwise, his staff handled it. The President says this @POTUS handle is a new way to engage directly with the American people. Want to see his initial Tweet?
ALISYN CAMEROTA: Yeah-
PEREIRA: 'Hello, Twitter! It's Barack. Really! Six years in, they're finally giving me my own account.' Well, that led former President Clinton to Tweet, 'Welcome to Twitter, @POTUS! One question: does that username stay with the office? #askingforafriend.'
CAMEROTA: That's cute!
PEREIRA: Not to be outdone, President Obama responded to Clinton – saying, 'Good question. The handle comes with the house. Know anyone interested in @FLOTUS?' – aka, the First Lady? (laughs)
CAMEROTA: Oh my gosh!
PEREIRA: It is hilarity! Very good point – if Hillary Clinton becomes were to become @POTUS, does he have to be @MLOTUS?
CAMEROTA: (laughs) Wow! I don't know!
PEREIRA: Right? There's a lot of Twitter conversations to be had here.
CAMEROTA: But I mean, I just like that – are those two just going to talk to each other on Twitter like that, and we all get to eavesdrop? I kind of like that – that two presidents get to just chat-
PEREIRA: Yeah – and maybe some of the others will join in.
CAMEROTA: Right-
CHRIS CUOMO: Yeah. I'm sure it will just – you know, devolve into random conversation that isn't well policed and not thought out beforehand-
CAMEROTA: I hope so! I think that's right!
PEREIRA: Did you see the game? (laughs)
CUOMO: That's not going to happen-
CAMEROTA: No? (laughs)
CUOMO: (laughs) That's not going to happen.
