Comments on: A More Contentious Obama Press Conference

[tonyatq]

You mistake arrogance with confidence. We finally have someone with intelligence in the WH and the GOP can't stand it. After the idiot from TX, I will take a smart man any day.

[apple2pie]

Obama being more strident with comments on the Iranian protests will have no more effect than to gear up how evil the US is to interfere in Iranian affairs. Look for the results yourselves tonight and in the following days. He likely already has privately done about all that can be done ...until a g-r-o-u-p of nations can agree to put up sanctions etc. Khamenei is OBVIOUSLY a vindictive man (not anything like Gorbachev...and Reagan knew this before he challenged him). Do you want those that have protested to be more brutally treated? No,... Then lets not ask Obama to ask for unilateral sanctions publically.

[legacyabq]

"clear lines of inquiry"??

Please. Those questions the press corps asked were typical, dumb, headline/soundbite oriented BS. The press is pandering, as usual, to the short-attention-spanned, dumb as dirt, lowest 25% intelligence of the U.S. population, the whims and caprices of whom seem to guide the national conversation.
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WHEN CAN WE HAVE INTELLIGENT DEBATE?
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Referring to clear, intelligent english as "spock-like language" for example. What the helll does that mean?

People who are smart are denigrated in this society, and we are all expected to kautau to thje lowest common denominator. Jezz enough already.

ITS BEEN 200 years + since the enlightenment. When are people going to start acting and thinking like rational, intelligent beings? Who question everything, not just the things that dont happen to support their PARTICULAR PREJUDICE?

Thats why Im an independant. I think more americans should shun easy, and very limiting, political identities and think like real, grown-up, bona fide human beings.

[hamiltongrad]

Spock like language refers to baby talk.

[gravyboat3000]

No doubt, the right will applaud Garret's PARTISAN question.

It's too bad that it's come to this, one network, so completely UNBALANCED and UNFAIR.

And rather stupid as well, which is sad, as more Americans watch that farce of a network than watch Comedy Central.

I guess they don't get the jokes...

[hamiltongrad]

Gravyboat: While I believe that we must have freedom of the press, we can not tolerate the wide outside forces that promote hate, and abuse of women. One such 'news source' advertises nothing but MALE ENHANCEMENT pills of gizmos, telling me that they would like to "force' their "roots" into places they do not belong. It is a male contest on that news outlet. EVEN the NAME is XXXXX at the end. Any association with FEMALE BASHING ABUSE AND lauding of MALE SIZE makes me want to vomit.
We agree on very little, but obviously , we need total shut down of all news that can not go through a board of "elders" made up of college professors, activits and other community based leaders, so as not to insult, propigate hate, define downward ideas and instigate abnormal competitive feelings of domination.

[valwayne]

Imagine that! More than one tough question, and one from NBC? Unemployment at 9.4%. More spending, debt, and printed money than ever in history. N Korea threatening to fire a missile at Hawaii, Iran beating and killing freedom & Democracy demonstrators in the streets while Obama doesn't want to meddle! A Health Care plan that the GAO says will cost $1.6 Trillion and drive up medical cost without insuring everyone, and Obama hasn't given the faintest hint about how to pay for it. Except that Congress seems to be looking at taxing employer paid health care which would be a huge tax increase to the entire middle class, except for union members, whom Obama promised wouldn't see a penny in higher taxes. etc etc etc etc. And it's a major news story that the press asked Obama a couple of tough questions? This could be a Twilight Zone segment.

[mimiHamidou]

ONe comment on meddling that is getting way mis-understood in my opinion. Obama is not trying to be "nice" by not meddling. I've many Iranian friends and have spent the last 10 years of my life studying politics in Iran. I don't think meddling is exactly the right word. OUr support of ANYONE RIGHT now would mean instant hanging in the street for that person. Do NOT be surprised, now after John Mccain has hammered on this and the president has stated his "concern" TO NOT be surprised if the Iranian Government now drag Musawi's family out of their home on the even before the next rally and execute them. Americans never leave their country and rarely know what to say to people whose country they've neer seen.

[mimiHamidou]

oh, and I forgot... one thing. Surely you don't link the high unemployment with Obama. Don't you remember the banks began failing right BEFORE he took office. I may not like all Obama does, but I can't say 6 months is long enough to cause the economy to crash. That is nonsense, really. Both Dems and Republicans PAST have a role in that. If anything the Republican had 8 years to fix whatever things they thought were wrong with the economy, if they even though anything wrong. I seem to remember J. McCain saying, during the campaign, "the basics of our economy are sound." Hmm.. don't think he'd say that today.

[azure13]

http://cspan.org/Watch/Media/2009/06/23/HP/R/20065/Pres+Obama+Defends+Stance+on+Iran+Passage+of+Health+Reform.aspx

Watch it and decide for yourself.

[mjad2003]

This is the most "Crybaby" president we have ever had. "Fox News is picking on me." Wah Wah Wah. While all the other so called news networks and most news papers are totally "In-the-Tank" for Obama, Pelosi, Reid, Durbin, Dodd, Kennedy and Frank. Get real BHO.

[BillSanford]

This is a CBS report. CBS is part of the "problem' with a general lack of honesty, integrity, and professionalism with respect to covering Obama.

The performance of so-called 'Journalists" is just plain despicable, and they as a class are lacking in most things necessary in an honorable world. I can remember when "being CBS" used to mean something.

Therefore, I don't know whether to believe this article or not. I am much more inclined to think the news conference was worse than reported here. CBS has been "in the Tank for Obama" for so long, I don't know if they know how to actually report something. We'll see.

[azure13]

http://cspan.org/Watch/Media/2009/06/23/HP/R/20065/Pres+Obama+Defends+Stance+on+Iran+Passage+of+Health+Reform.aspx

Watch it and decide for yourself.

[mimiHamidou]

I had a completely different opinnion of that news conference. I thought it was not tense. Some tough questions were asked, but certainly not anything I myself didn't expect. I mean, come on, didn't we all know they would ask about Iran and the Health Care plan? He did well in this conference, I thought, but maybe that's because I have confidence (utterly) in his approach to Iran. It comes from years of knowing so many Iranians and studying their language. I think Obama has actually smothered the hot air life out of the mullahs by depriving them of oxygen completely, but that's just my two cents.

[zoidie]

I find Mr. Montopoli's article absurd. He forgot his pills this morning. I watched the full transcript on CSPAN:

See

http://cspan.org/Watch/Media/2009/06/23/HP/R/20065/Pres+Obama+Defends+Stance+on+Iran+Passage+of+Health+Reform.aspx


NO contention - more precise and concise than I've heard him before, however entirely civil. It appears that Mr. Montopoli is prompted by the desire to MAKE news. He (per usual) places statements out of context.

For example the when the FOX reporter asked "What took you so long"? It was asked in context and was appropriate AND was appropriately answered. It is good thing that reporters stay the course and questions the executive without compromise.

Quit making something out of nothing. :(

[azure13]

And while I'm at it, if you ask me the Iraqi government showed quite a bit of restraint. These "peaceful" protests involved rock throwing, fires, Molotov cocktails and various other antagonistic behavior.

It took days before the police started responding more forcefully.

And on top of that, we don't really know if the election was rigged. Ahmadinejad may have truly been the winner.

I find all of this criticism to be nothing more than a bunch of bluster brought about primarily by the right. They are simply starting early on the 2012 election.

[zoidie]

I find Mr. Montopoli's article absurd. He forgot his pills this morning. I watched the full transcript on CSPAN:

See

http://cspan.org/Watch/Media/2009/06/23/HP/R/20065/Pres+Obama+Defends+Stance+on+Iran+Passage+of+Health+Reform.aspx


NO contention - more precise and concise than I've heard him before, however entirely civil. It appears that Mr. Montopoli is prompted by the desire to MAKE news. He (per usual) places statements out of context.

For example the when the FOX reporter asked "What took you so long"? It was asked in context and was appropriate AND was appropriately answered. It is good thing that reporters stay the course and questions the executive without compromise.

Quit making something out of nothing. :(

[mimiHamidou]

100% agree with you, zodie. Brian needs to stop smokin' whatever he's smokin'. Many of Brian's comment descriptions were taken out of context--to many to count. Watch the thing yourself and see it! Don't take my word when you can easily make up your own mind! See video link above.

[azure13]

Why in the hell is it on Obamas shoulders to deal with Iran? India is a superpower now, you don't ever hear squat from them. All they care about is taking all of our jobs. China the same. It could be argued the China has surpasses us as a superpower. How about Russia, the French and Europeans?
Why the hell is our President being grilled over Iraq? We need this administration to focus on the U.S.A. There are many countries in Africa that have far worse humanitarian suffering and abuses by the government, why no outrage of those countries? And again, why does the media expect us to police the world?
I'm sick of it. We have far too many issues here at home to be spending money and resources elsewhere.

[azure13]

And while I'm at it, if you ask me the Iraqi government showed quite a bit of restraint. These "peaceful" protests involved rock throwing, fires, Molotov cocktails and various other antagonistic behavior.

It took days before the police started responding more forcefully.

And on top of that, we don't really know if the election was rigged. Ahmadinejad may have truly been the winner.

I find all of this criticism to be nothing more than a bunch of bluster brought about primarily by the right. They are simply starting early on the 2012 election.

[mimiHamidou]

This was a great comment. Very well stated. You aren't the child posters I see out here, who think they know something about a country to which they've never ever even been.

[Jack_Davis1]

A question directly solicited by the White House? It beggars belief. Did "Oz"ama think we wouldn't find out about that sort of pandering?

[Jack_Davis1]

It's about time the press grew some balls.

[despido]

Obama has an enormous ego, some say to the point of arrogance. It will be interesting; if and when the media turns on him as it has so often turned on those it feels owe them their success. 'Contentious' will hardly describe those press conferences, if indeed press conferences will still be permitted.

[tonyatq]

You mistake arrogance with confidence. We finally have someone with intelligence in the WH and the GOP can't stand it. After the idiot from TX, I will take a smart man any day.

[dencal26]

Republicans hid after 911? I must have missed that because my Restaurant in Gramercy Park was empty and the vast majority of my customers were liberals.

[mimiHamidou]

I'm with tonatq. I think Obama is confident, not arrogant. But I accept that to people who 1)have no clue about Iran and have never met an Iranian 2)have not ever been denied health insurance in the USA 3) have so much money they fall in the category Obama is going to tax more this year ($250,000) or more I don't feel very sorry these days. We waited for 8 years. Try not to feel too imprisioned as you now SERVE YOUR 8!

[notblue]

This post has to be the biggest load of crapp written to date. THe LEFTWING MEDIA has been in the tank for Obama since long before the election. And in regards to disrespect, the medias lack of respect for Bush was unprecedented in the history of the U.S. Maybe the emperor is truly naked and the media is starting to see. The only ones that will never acknowledge reality are the cult followers that elected him.

[willcad]

Sounds to me like the traditional honeymoon period afforded to newly-elected officials has finally ended.

After six months, we finally have a President in office, instead of a savior.

Barack Obama is a fairly level-headed man. I'm sure he can handle whatever the White House Press Corps can throw at him.

[despido]

The press conference went exactly as I had expected in a similar blog earlier today. Scripted, rehearsed, with pre-approved and solicited questions and a president supposedly answering those questions while actually fumbling for predisposed answers.

[mimiHamidou]

Yeah... don't you miss the days when Bush would walk out and even with a Teleprompter, would almost mess up his own name?

[leapgirl]

Frankly, I found the press corp completely disrespectful towards the President and your questions were repetitive and leading. Sorry you guys are frustrated by having someone coherent in office. It must suck to look like idiots, which you did.

[mimiHamidou]

I'm an Obama supporter and I've never enjoyed it more. I thought he did so well, unlike Brain. He had people laughing so hard, at one point, it startled me. He made a joke about his ears that was really funny. BElieve me, noone was thinking he was an idiot tonight, but the people who voted for J. McCain, who really didn't understand what it meant to have foriegn experience. McCain is clammoring about being more "tough." Iranians do NOT want a "tough" American man shouting at them, LOL.

[connunism]

The reicht winged fascist media, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Republicon Fascist party has clearly taken sides with their fascist bedfellows against President Obama. This is simply the same old conservative controlled corporate media that did everything it could last fall to try to steal yet another election form the majority of Americans by their endless slander of most Democratic candidates. We can also thank big Republicon controlled media for McCains Nazis, who were screaming for the death of Obama during last years campaign.

[notblue]

This post has to be the biggest load of crapp written to date. THe LEFTWING MEDIA has been in the tank for Obama since long before the election. And in regards to disrespect, the medias lack of respect for Bush was unprecedented in the history of the U.S. Maybe the emperor is truly naked and the media is starting to see. The only ones that will never acknowledge reality are the cult followers that elected him.

[mimiHamidou]

As an American Abroad for the past 10 years, THIS is exactly why I voted for Obama and not McCain. I'm sorry, but Americans reading this article who don't understand why Obama is condemning the violence but not condemning the election as a fraud: could you do us all a favour? Ask youself if you've ever met an Iranian in all your life and b) If you have met anyone Iranian, at all, if you've ever actually spoken to this Iranian about politics between the USA and Iran? Then add some points if you've ever been out of the country! Tell us for how long you've been oustide the USA, and whether or not it was to the Middle East. THEN come and tell me that Obama should walk out with gun in holster and shoot his mouth off to "aid" the cause of Iranians who are protesting--as if Iranian Youth are beholden to the same US interests their parents held a Revoltion over! (Remember Iranians kicked out the US backed Shah *king* and he ran for his life)? These House Resolutions are a JOKE to Iranians. They are so utterly offended (even the Opposition against Amedidinejad) that they would probably question themselves if they should revolt, and further would ask themselves if the USA was really behind the Opposition, as the Iranian Government is claiming now. People: American foreign relations is NOT a game. Our security (nuclear possiblity of war)is of grave concern here. WE have a Pres who GETS IT. We are not going to shout a bunch of mullahs down, who have been brainwashing their people for 30 years. In fact, to do so would play right into their hands. Go do a search on CIA sponsored coup in Iran and 1953, and you will get a lot of hits--one of which is an article in the year 2002, in the NYTimes, admitting our role and publishing the CIA document in the back pages, which no-one probably read. I had an Iranian friend call me and wake me up that Sunday morning to read it, and I couldn't belive my ears and eyes. No wonder Europeans know more than we do!

[BeckieBest]

The mainstream media is corporate media and corporate media is mostly Republican. Call it ifotainment not news. They asked him those questions to create a story not to follow one.