Folks Chat It Up With White House
The questions pour in: Will President George W. Bush reschedule his prime-time speech to avoid a cutting into the popular "American Idol" TV show? (Nope.) Why does he hate nature? (He doesn't.) Do presidents pick up an emergency red hot line phone? (No, phone colors of choice have been black, turquoise and white.)
Online exchanges like these offer a peek into the ways of the White House, not to mention a taste of what's on the minds of some Americans.
"Ask the White House" is an online chat held about five times weekly. People fire eclectic questions at administration officials and staffers, mixing heavy affairs of state with light fare about where the president's dog Barney sleeps. The forum is supplemented by e-mail exchanges that offer officials a bit more time to research their answer.
A Tucson, Arizona, man offered the White House chef a corndog stuffing recipe for the Thanksgiving holiday; a Cleveland man proposed to his girlfriend during a chat.
"When we take a question that is offbeat and funny, it's good," says Jimmy Orr, White House Internet director. "We encourage that. If there is an element of humor, they are more apt to be read."
Besides, Orr added, "it humanizes the guest. Instead of a senior administration official that is very governmental and stern, it shows they have a sense of humor too."
Hundreds, sometimes thousands, of questions are sent to Orr's e-mail during a single live session. He reviews them and forwards questions relevant to the topic of the discussion to the guest, but the guest can take on any question.
The topic is usually one that underscores the president's message, or reflects something he did that day.
Launched in April 2003, the forum has let people interact with first lady Laura Bush, National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice and Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge.
White House Chief Usher Gary Walters talked of in-residence ghosts, Presidential Chef Walter Scheib was offered a tip using chopped-up turkey corndogs as stuffing.
"This is a new recipe to me, but if you like it — enjoy," a noncommittal Scheib replied.
Some tough questions also get through, probing officials on the environment, education and national security. Jobless people want to know when the economy will improve.
In some cases, there is anger in the air. "Who in their right minds would give Saddam Hussein back? Did we not go into that country and take him out? So why are we giving him back?"
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage delicately handled this one, responding that it was the "proper course of action."
"Saddam Hussein is responsible, some people estimate, for the deaths of a million Iraqis. He is responsible for the invasion of Kuwait and the raping and killing of thousands. Those are the people in the first instance who have a right to extract justice."
Others grouse, then get to the root of their frustration. "The Bush regime hates nature. How else to explain the war against our land, water and air?"
Jim Connaugton, chairman of the Council of Environmental Quality, rebuffed the attack, saying, "You apparently are not aware that the president is an avid outdoorsman and conservationist who enjoys restoring habitat, planting native grasses and reforesting his own land." Then, Connaugton went on to explain Healthy Forests legislation.
Among the angrier questions and remarks came from a participant who identified himself as Bon from France: "There will be no bygones. French people won't ever forgive your insulting behavior neither the sillyness of your president and his stupid people. You are not welcome in my country."
On a lighter note, White House press secretary Scott McClellan was asked by a young Ohio student if he would move the president's speech to another time. "I want to watch 'American Idol.' How about moving the speech to 9 p.m?"
McClellan told her he thought they would stick to a 8:30 p.m speech.
"There are some important issues that the president wants to discuss with the American people at a time when most Americans will be able to hear what he has to say," he said.