Obama Makes Speech Number 200
(AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
The tally is based on a CBS News count of formal remarks, statements and addresses made by Mr. Obama starting with his Inaugural address on January 20.
His news conferences and casual off-the-cuff remarks during photo ops were not counted as speeches, but his opening statements at Town Hall meetings and weekly radio/internet addresses were included.
An analysis of the 200 speeches reflects the issues on which he has placed the greatest importance:
Mr. Obama has delivered one address to a Joint Session of Congress and four commencement addresses, three in the U.S. and one, last week in Moscow at the New Economic School.
He has made speeches at nine bill-signing ceremonies and eight nomination announcements.
Fourteen of his speeches have been political in nature, including remarks at eight fund-raising events for Democratic Party committees or candidates.
He’s given a total of 28 speeches on foreign policy issues, most of them overseas on his five trips abroad to 14 countries.
I classify 13 speeches as ceremonial in nature, but some of them number among the 10 addresses he’s made of a military nature, such as his address at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day.
By my count, the president has done 13 Town Hall meetings, including one in Strasbourg, France.
He’s done three speeches on education, but at least six honoring championship sports teams including the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Phillies and the University of Florida Gators.
Finally, more often than not, Mr. Obama used a Teleprompter at his 200 speeches. In the 140 speeches since March 10 when I started tracking his use of the Teleprompter, he used one on at least 99 occasions.
(CBS)
