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January 23, 2009

Obama to Press: 'Don't ask me difficult questions unless we're at a press conference'

Rick Moran
This is truly remarkable because of the reaction by both the press and Obama.

Our new president walked into the press room last night - just dropping by to see some friends, you see. The Politico reporter, however, thought it the perfect opportunity to clear up a little misunderstanding about Obama's campaign promise to ban lobbyists from his administration but then hiring a former lobbyist for Deputy Defense Secretary.

Well, the world's greatest communicator was "agitated" that a reporter would actually ask a serious question while he was visiting the press room. Imagine that. The nerve of some people:

From Politico via Mark Hemingway at NRO:

President Obama made a surprise visit to the White House press corps Thursday night, but got agitated when he was faced with a substantive question.

Asked how he could reconcile a strict ban on lobbyists in his administration with a Deputy Defense Secretary nominee who lobbied for Raytheon, Obama interrupted with a knowing smile on his face.

"Ahh, see," he said, "I came down here to visit. See this is what happens. I can't end up visiting with you guys and shaking hands if I'm going to get grilled every time I come down here."

Pressed further by the Politico reporter about his Pentagon nominee, William J. Lynn III, Obama turned more serious, putting his hand on the reporter's shoulder and staring him in the eye.

"Alright, come on" he said, with obvious irritation in his voice. "We will be having a press conference at which time you can feel free to [ask] questions. Right now, I just wanted to say hello and introduce myself to you guys - that's all I was trying to do."

What is strange is that Obama apparently thought, the press being on his side, that he would be spared any substantive questions when he, in his own mind, just came down to say hello and shoot the breeze.

My question is; why did only one reporter take the opportunity to ask the new president about anything of substance? If previous White Houses are any guide, Obama will probably be kept as far away from the White House press corps as possible - for reasons amply demonstrated above. And yet only one reporter apparently had the wherewithal to question The One seriously?

Not surprising but still, revealing don't you think?

Hat Tip: Ed Lasky

Posted at 10:07 AM | Email | | | Share Share