Press Freedom, Sure. But No Questions.

By: Chip Reid
Topics: White House ,; Obama Administration

Obama press conference July 24, 2009.

(Credit: CBS)

There was some rich irony at the White House today -- President Obama signed the Press Freedom Act, and then promptly refused to take any questions.

The new law expands the State Department's annual human rights reports to include a description of press freedoms in each country. It seemed a good opportunity to showcase press freedom in this country.

Recall that last Friday the president refused to take any questions after delivering his angry statement on the oil spill in the Rose Garden. And he has not held a prime-time White House news conference in many months, despite much pleading from pundits and members of the media.

So after he signed the bill, and as the press "wranglers" began aggressively herding us out of the room, I asked if he still has confidence in BP. He ignored the question so I tried this: "In the interest of press freedom, would you take a couple questions on BP?"

That did elicit a smile, and he told me I was free to ask questions. Someone else shouted, "Will you answer them?"

He said he's not holding a press conference today as we were escorted out the door.

Chip Reid is CBS News' chief White House correspondent. You can read more of his posts in Hotsheet here.

Chip Reid
Chip Reid is CBS News' national correspondent.

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by Ihatecbs May 21, 2010 11:17 AM EDT: I think there are really dump people in this world. One example: A person who still defends, and support this power grabbing President. He is taking away freedoms only the world wishes for. And a group of supporters say it is ok. They are wacky a-holes. Nixon was caught, and force to resigned. President Bush's biggest mistake is creating a second war. Hey wackos I don't see you protesting the wars now. But you were up George Bush's ass everyday about it. The real citizens are not going to lay down and take it. There will be a fight, and it starts at the voting booth come November. You liberals are very dump, maybe you should spend time in North Korea and see how your socialist system works. Read books on Stalin, and Mao. Millions die. Your man Obama is the new Lenin.; Reply to this comment


by johndevinejr May 19, 2010 12:10 PM EDT: I wouldn't talk to Chris Reid either. He's an obnoxious a- hole.; Reply to this comment


by shippg May 19, 2010 11:05 AM EDT: I'm glad this is being reported on CBS, and not just FOX. Maybe the people who supported Obama (and his promises) will start to "get it." He is not following through on anything he promised, except maybe health care. But they had to ram it through with secrecy and stealth. Those two he promised would NOT be a part of his administration.; Reply to this comment

by Irish2dabone May 18, 2010 4:50 PM EDT

Taleria... I admire your loyalties and appreciation for our Freedom's as I have read a couple of your comments.
1. having been born in Germany, with a mother who experienced WWII as a teenager, I could share some stories. Your comment about Hitler not having the best intentions for his people (he was Austrian you recall) are technically correct... but he had an agenda that played-on the desperation of a country undergoing economical hardships seeking an identity in the world. At the time, the people of Germany thought he was their 'savior' and obviously learned otherwise. Hitler had taken over control of every aspect of their lives and you are right... he was responsible for the slaughter of tens of millions of people (jews)...

Our now President Obama came into office where the American people were also undergoing some economical challenges, seeking a change in our own country... and Pres Obama promised us "change" and that he was going to "fundamentally transform America"... and that he is doing... but far beyond the expectations and desires of the majority of American's having voted for him. He informed Joe the Plumber that he was going to 'share the wealth' and that is exactly what he's doing...

I am not inferring that Pres Obama is a Socialist or comparing him to Hitler.. but he does have a Progressive agenda that is expanding a wide net of Welfare, or what some refer to as "Social Justice"... and it is now known that among his supporter's during the campaign was the SEIU and ACORN groups that illegally registered voters.. many of which were non-existent. I suggest you Google Norman Thomas (1884 -1968) and view his quotes.

You also made reference to President Obama citizenship... while I am not a "birther" (someone who questions his citizenship), I am aware of what he experienced as a child growing up and what he endured having been abandoned by both parents as they sought their radical roots... being left with his grandparents who also shared an interesting background. You may want to dig deep on his roots and as I you will come to appreciate the origins of his agenda as he admittedly sought out "radical's" etc. while going to school...

Unfortunately, due to the mainstream media not reporting all the news, there are people like you who are 'uniformed' and unaware of many a pertinent story line surrounding this President. Again, I admire your loyalties and 'blind faith', but you really need to peel the skin back on the onion in broadening your understanding of what "is"

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by Taleria May 19, 2010 5:36 PM EDT: I don?t feel loyal to your President, only free to state my opinion (not claiming that it?s ?right? or better than anyone else?s). I?d love to hear some of you stories, but I guess this is not the right place? I?m still sure that Germany was in a very different situation when Hitler came into power than America was two years ago. After World War I, the Nationalists managed to get the German people to believe that the new democratic government was responsible for Germany loosing WWI and therefore also for the Treaty of Versailles. People were hurt in their pride, their families had been torn apart, the economy was completely down ? Germany had lost a third of their coal and three fourth of their ore deposits. Germany was disarmed. Democracy in the ways of the Weimar Republic was completely new to the people. All in all in very different initial situation than to your presidential elections.

As I am neither American nor live in America, I am surely not half as informed about Obama?s past as you are, although I have to say it?s a very interesting and important subject, so I might do some more research on it. Since you don?t quite support who he is and what he does: cheer up, the next elections will come before long. May God save the rest of the world from another George Bush? Sorry about that!

One more thing I just don?t understand: why do Americans believe public healthcare is so terrible for them? German?s had social systems since the 1870?s and people would surely complain if these systems were to be taken away. I don?t want kids to die because their parents are too poor to take them to the doctor. I don?t want the jobless to necessarily become homeless and maybe even criminal. How is it wrong to make sure that everyone has not only the right, but also the chance to life?

by bobnjersey May 18, 2010 4:49 PM EDT

[He said he's not holding a press conference today as we were escorted out the door.]

then what was the press doing there?

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by cilaag May 18, 2010 5:39 PM EDT: Props... just props, like the doctors the white house handed out lab coats to where... props... like the little kid at the healthcare signing... just another prop... townhalls where only SEIU (or some other union) memebers are bussed in for the photo op... props, just props...

by Irish2dabone May 18, 2010 4:10 PM EDT

Freedom of Press Act..." Sounds good... and as always on the surface the "intent" is worthy... but if the Media in any country only spews the news determined fit by those in rule, the Act is "useless" and the citizens are not served.

Let's take our own Mainstream Media as an example... I don't recall hearing Jenning's or Couric showing the video clip of our Attorney Gnl and Homeland Security head's admitting to not reading the 10-page AZ immigration bill? Or, what about Friday's video clip of the Ass't Secretary of State (Michael Posner) commenting on his discussions with China on our AZ Immigration Bill where he stated we "brought it up early and often... as a troubling trend in our society"... A legal law that isn't being enforced... how does that go uncovered when a cabinet representative essentially likens the AZ law to the Human Rights Abuses taking place in China??? What about finishing the story about ACORN disbanding... but going on to announce their newly named splinter groups such as: The Alliance of Californian's for Community Empowerment; The NY Communities for Change; Arkansas Community Organization; Affordable Housing Centers for America; Missourian's Organizing for Reform & Empowerment; or Pennsylvania Communities Organizing for Change and the list goes on and on.

Or what about the reports that their are those close to the WH that are strong-arming the sponsor's of the Glenn Beck FOX program to withdraw their sponsorship's? Is that not a form of "Censorship"? What am I missing about another "double standard" being invoked... talk about hypocrisy.

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by bobnjersey May 18, 2010 4:52 PM EDT: [Or what about the reports that their are those close to the WH that are strong-arming the sponsor's of the Glenn Beck FOX program to withdraw their sponsorship's? Is that not a form of "Censorship"? What am I missing about another "double standard" being invoked... ]

you're getting all of your information (that you put any weight into) from a single source ... and that source will never find anything this administration does as good ... just like that source couldn't and still can't find anything that the last admin did as bad.

by Evergreen65 May 18, 2010 4:08 PM EDT

He is a wanna be DICTATOR

A government controlled by one person or a small group of people. In this form of government the power rests with one person. Such power often obtained forcibly. A dictator usually takes away much of people's freedom.
In contemporary usage, dictatorship refers to an autocratic form of absolute rule by leadership unrestricted by law.

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by consh8theusa May 18, 2010 6:06 PM EDT: blah blah paranoid bullsh*t blah blah paranoid bullsh*t, don't you people were come up with anything new?


by LIBERALS-are-HYPOCRITES-2 May 18, 2010 8:57 PM EDT: by consh8theusa May 18, 2010 6:06 PM EDT
blah blah paranoid bullsh*t blah blah paranoid bullsh*t, don't you people were come up with anything new?
____________________________________________________________
Bush Bush Bush is all we heard from you LIBS for 8 years

by oldcbsfan May 18, 2010 4:07 PM EDT

This just in, Fresh off the internet, ww. emmigratian.gov.ussa.

Immigration Crisis averted by quick thinking of obama govt.

Beginning 4th July, 2010 the following plan will be implemented.
It has been approved by the WH,DHHS,DOJ,ACLU,SEIU and mexico.

On 4th July all registered Democrats will be notified by registered mail that they have been selected to adopt an illegal alien and thier families.

The democrats will have 30 days to make arrangements to satisfy govt requirements necessary to carry out the mandate that was signed today by the potussa.

1. Said democrats will provide housing, shelter, food , education, medical and a yearly salary not less than minimum wage

2. Said democrats will legally adopt the illegal and his family and will give the family name to the illegal and thier spouses/children.

3. Said democrats will be liable for teaching them english and providing for college.

4. Anyone other than democrats who feel strongly that this is the 'right thing to do' are requested to notify the white house and volunteer to do same for illegals of thier choice.

The obama white house has expressed great joy at the anticipated response and has agreed to adopt a illegal family of 5 to set the example for all amerikans.

Now THAT is hope and change, courtesy of the DNC and potussa obama.

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by shippg May 19, 2010 11:07 AM EDT: Love it!


by Vycodyn May 19, 2010 1:20 PM EDT: Said democrat is responsible for pointing said adoptee to a republican businessman who will employee said adoptee below minimum wage to increase said republicans profits at the expense said democrats employment opportunities. Said Democrat should also make said republican aware of any relatives of said adoptee still in mexico who may be available for out sourcing of more said democrats employment opportunities.

by fthomascain May 18, 2010 3:17 PM EDT

As someone who lived through the horrors of Nazi Germany from 1932 until 1939, I can say unequivocally that the Obama administration is using the same political tactics and propoganda techniques that Joseph Goebbels and the Nazis's used. They are the most secretive and controlling administration since Richard Nixon. Obama refuses to give "real' press conferences (going on 1 year) where the questions are not reviewed and approved ahead of time. They control every message, cabinet official and appointee and their families. The press has become like a state owned institution, where no real objectivity, probitive questions or investigative journalism is undertaken. The media has been won over and are now nothing but a tool. True freedom of speech and freedom of information is being limited on a daily basis, anyone that disagrees with Obama's agenda is villified, marginalized and made fun of. Obama cannot take any ctiicism and anyone who attempts to do so, is blacklisted through his minister of propoganda, Robert Gibbs. Obama can say one thing today and something completely opposite tomorrow, just like in Animal Farm and nobody calls him on it, ever! Never before in the USA have I witnessed such a fearful scenario as what is playing out everyday before our very eyes. All dictators start off as Socialists or "The Party of the People". Wake up Americans, a quiet revolution is taking place and you will not be happy with the final result!

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by Taleria May 18, 2010 3:28 PM EDT: As someone who lives in Germany I can only say: it's very daring to compare anyone or anything to the Nazi Regime. Don't forget that they murdered millions of innocent people. They started a world war.

I am not justifying this information politics. Nor am I saying you should accept all this without a word of protest. Go ahead and do something about it, please! But you should think about WHAT you are saying. Obama means well for the people. Hitler never did. Hitler never even graduated from school, he was ignorant and full of hatred. Don't ever (even as a contemporary witness) compare to them thoughtlessly. Please.

by cavuto May 18, 2010 2:43 PM EDT

WHAT A HYPOCRIT!!!! Our President is a hypocrit!

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by Scimajor May 18, 2010 3:21 PM EDT: He's a politician like any other (R. or D.). He wouldn't answer the questions even if it were a press conference which it wasn?t. That's the way politicians work. You ask them questions, which they ignore, and they talk about something completely unrelated to the question.

If you think Obama is somehow the only President that's been a politician you're sadly mistaken. You simply hate everything he does because you hate him. That much is clearly evident.