President Bush averaged one every two months, I think. The press complained that he didn't have enough( because they liked to use them to badger him).

Double standard?
http://www.westernjournalism.com/?p=7380

Originally Posted by Donna2

President Bush averaged one every two months, I think. The press complained that he didn't have enough( because they liked to use them to badger him).

Double standard?
http://www.westernjournalism.com/?p=7380

This has bothered me for some time...this open and transparent administration.

I agree with the blogger you cited that it would be great if our leader were stress free and played golf everyday, but that is not real and I just find it hard to accept the reluctance to face the press.

I didnt know about all his golf and that does not bother me, but sure would love to see a press conference and instead of all the folks guessing at what he is thinking or may be doing, we can ask him !

When even The Washington Post gets upset over lack of respect for the press, you know there is a problem.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...041303067.html

Although Obama doesn't like press conferences, he does like giving speeches and one-on-one interviews where the conversation and topics are controlled. Deputy White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said it’s “all about message discipline.”

"Obama prefers interviews and has granted far more than Bush or Clinton in their first years in office. Between Jan. 20, 2009 and Jan. 20, 2010, Obama’s given 161 interviews, according to Kumar. Bush gave 50, Clinton 53.

“ 'President Obama has focused on interviews in a way that his predecessors did not,” Kumar said. “That's because as a professor, as a lawyer, he likes to put in all of the 'buts' and 'wherefores' and talk about something in-depth. He sees himself as an explainer. And the kind of format that is comfortable for him is one where he can speak at length.'

"Defending Obama against press gripes over the recent lack of a full-blown press conference, Press Secretary Robert Gibbs pointed to Obama’s interviews.

“ 'We have done countless number of interviews,' Gibbs said. 'More interviews in the first year than any president certainly in recent memory.'

"Earnest says Obama likes interviews because 'the conversation gives him an opportunity to communicate and explain and engage on or two topics.' The brief question and answer sessions, Earnest says, often seek to drive Obama off message or introduce topics outside of where the president wants to take his message"


http://whitehouse.blogs.foxnews.com/...ters-rare-too/

He does not want to be asked difficult questions. He pulls a hissy fit when things are not to his liking. When he can't answer a question, he will just filibuster.
On opening day someone asked him which players he liked on the Chicago White Sox. He did not know one single player so he "faked it" People are still talking about that one.
This guy can't think standing up. He needs everything scripted.

It is now up to 279 days and I offer this from POLITICO...


"Obama and the media actually have a surprisingly hostile relationship — as contentious on a day-to-day basis as any between press and president in the past decade, reporters who cover the White House say.
Reporters say the White House is thin-skinned, controlling, eager to go over their heads and stingy with even basic information. All White Houses try to control the message. But this White House has pledged to be more open than its predecessors, and reporters feel it doesn’t live up to that pledge in several key areas"

A few other tidbits from the article then I invite everyone to read and see what this administration in 16 months has done and is doing...


"— The ferocity of pushback is intense. A routine press query can draw a string of vitriolic e-mails. A negative story can draw a profane high-decibel phone call or worse. Some reporters feel like they’ve been frozen out after crossing the White House."

This one quote from the article seems to sum up what I think is happening at this WH....nobody cares about the country...they care about Obama...

“They seem to want to close the book on the highly secretive years of the Bush administration. However, in their relationship with the press, I think they’re doing what they think succeeded in helping Obama get elected,” said The New Yorker’s George Packer."

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0410/36454.html

I am not sure how folks can support this kind of action by any WH. Why wont he have press conferences and answer questions ? Over the years each President has a style in dealing with the media but I cannot recall any administration, especially in a short 16 months, that has established such a track record.

Chairman Osama sounds like a spoiled brat, huh?

We are now up to 288 days and I suppose the game plan is to make so much time go by, the press will forget some of the things being done !

Who cares? A president is elected to be the president of the USA, not a suckup to the media. Let the media whine...from mainstream to Fox to MSNBC, I don't give a whit about their lamentations. They produce nothing for our country or our economy and are increasingly nervous about their future. Network news ratings continue to decline, Newsweek is for sale., etc.
They thrive on and try to create controversy. Not having a press conference is a non-story. How often did Washington or Lincoln hold them?
Give me a break!

making prepared speeches, in controlled environments is all Obama does and that IS NOT communicating.

btk

Originally Posted by saratogaman

Who cares? A president is elected to be the president of the USA, not a suckup to the media. Let the media whine...from mainstream to Fox to MSNBC, I don't give a whit about their lamentations. They produce nothing for our country or our economy and are increasingly nervous about their future. Network news ratings continue to decline, Newsweek is for sale., etc.
They thrive on and try to create controversy. Not having a press conference is a non-story. How often did Washington or Lincoln hold them?
Give me a break!

Yes, your right of course. Why should the Anointed One be under the same scrutiny as his predecessors?
Are you for real?????

Originally Posted by Donna2

Chairman Osama sounds like a spoiled brat, huh?

I am outraged, OUTRAGED, that Tony allows these sorts of personal smears on this message board. If I said this about a member...well, you get the point.

Originally Posted by Donna2

He does not want to be asked difficult questions. He pulls a hissy fit when things are not to his liking. When he can't answer a question, he will just filibuster.
On opening day someone asked him which players he liked on the Chicago White Sox. He did not know one single player so he "faked it" People are still talking about that one.
This guy can't think standing up. He needs everything scripted.

Personal attacks are to be avoided, according to Tony the moderator. If I accused Donna2 of having a hissy fit and and "faking it" wouldn;t you find t offensive?

Really? No other politician emphasizes controlled speaking situations and prepared texts? Tell me about the open-forums held by our local congresswoman? None. Tell me how she did not manipulate the filing deadline and lied to her own party so that she could hand-pick the GOP candidate for her spot in Congress? They're politicians! Get over it. They do what it takes to get elected and re-elected and anoint their successors. The American people elected this guy overwhelmingly; they get to revisit their choice in less than three years. Let's see what happens. In the meantime, he's the president and the media have no say in the deal. They are the media engaging in self-aggrandizing and trying to suck you into their agenda. The h--- with them!

Originally Posted by Donna2

Yes, your right of course. Why should the Anointed One be under the same scrutiny as his predecessors?
Are you for real?????

Personal attacks Tony, once again.

Originally Posted by ptownrob

Personal attacks Tony, once again.

I did not know that Obama is a member of this forum.