Obama's Prime Time News Conference

(AP)

As Barack Obama prepares for his first prime time news conference as president, it's interesting to look at the press conference habits of Mr. Obama's predecessor, George W. Bush.

President Bush's first White House news conference was on Feb. 22 - but it was at 240pm in the afternoon, in the Briefing Room.

Mr. Bush's first prime time news conference, by contrast, was not until Oct. 11, 2001 - nearly nine months into his presidency.

Mr. Obama's press conference this evening is also notable for the varied number of news organizations given seats.

Major U.S. news organizations were limited to one seat each. Among those also getting a seat: 538.com, Gray Communications, Air America, Ed Schultz (liberal radio talk show host), Al Jazeera, Essence, Saudi Press Agency, Scoop44.com and America Blog.

Mark Knoller is a CBS News White House correspondent.

[frida21]

How refreshing to hear and see someone that speaks eloquently and intelligently and so glad you pointed out when Bush held his first prime time newsconference. Oh yeah, night and day. No comparison. Finally someone that understands and can explain to the American people what is at stake here.

[thomasa6-2009]

The number of news organizations that get a seat is meaningless. President Obama called on reporters in pre-arranged order from his scripted list.

Only reporters that were going to be called on needed to show up. The rest of the journalists were just stooges.

[thomasa6-2009]

The number of news organizations that get a seat is meaningless. President Obama called on reporters in pre-arranged order from his scripted list.

Only reporters that were going to be called on needed to show up. The rest of the journalists were just stooges.

[thomasa6-2009]

The number of news organizations that get a seat is meaningless. President Obama called on reporters in pre-arranged order from his scripted list.

Only reporters that were going to be called on needed to show up. The rest of the journalists were just stooges.

[choyue]

This is not germane to the news conference itself, but I see little whitish bumps on Mr Obama''s upper eyelids that look like xanthelasmas suggesting he has a lipid problem. Yet I don''t recall reading about a health report on him. I hope he has a competent physician who will make sure he stays healthy for all of us.