Wow. I have to say, I expected far better than this tonight, from a man that I don’t have a very high opinion, or very high expectations, of.
What we saw tonight in President Obama was a man who, flailing about for words and faiing to form cohesive sentences and responses, turned in a stumbling, meandering performance worthy of the most extreme caricature of George W. Bush.
It’s no secret that I am no fan of President Obama; however, this press conference was incredibly painful to watch all the same. Behind the podium tonight, Mr. Obama displayed an apparent inability to issue even the slightest semblance of an answer to the questions asked by the reporters on hand, despite meandering responses often in excess of ten minutes per query (he couldn’t even give a straight answer to the yes-or-no question about whether he would allow media outlets to resume their perverted publishing of flag-draped coffin photographs, and had to construct the utterly ridiculous straw man that Republicans think “government has no role in energy policy” in order to knock down something even somewhat successfully).
What he did not display was anything remotely resembling a strong argument for the trillion-dollar “stimulus” package (Health care is failing because doctors have poor handwriting? Schools built in the antebellum South are still being used, but teaching has to be “stopped for a while” when trains go by? The list goes on, and it doesn’t get any better).
Contra his reputation as a smooth speaker and Reaganesque “Great Communicator,” the President Obama we saw tonight looked out of place, unprepared, and unable to coherently respond to any questions the White House press corps put to him, whether it be on the “stimulus” or on foreign policy (Iran, Afghanistan), a topic on which Mr. Obama appeared even more hopelessly lost than the rest.

And he delayed 24 by, like, 2 minutes
Return to Revolution Monday, February 9th at 9:03PM EST (link)Also, I wonder if any of this is apparent to the masses of sheeple out there that apparently constitute our electorate. Probably not.
The evil of the world is made possible by nothing but the sanction you give it.
Don't you know that
Justin_Case Monday, February 9th at 9:35PM EST (link)The Messiah’s masses don’t have to tune in?
Agreed...turned if off
SteveLA Monday, February 9th at 9:03PM EST (link)The first press conference was not good, but this is an opportunity in my view.
Where is Chairman Steele, or Senator McConnell, or Bonner and when are they going to give a point by point rebuttal of what The One just delivered?
Start with the Porkus Bill, and explain to the American people why spending on the crap that does not make jobs is dumb and President “The One” is wrong.
End with a AFRAUD like apology to the American people for the last eight years of forgetting that spending like drunken sailors is not a conservative value, but the party has seen the light and are now born again fiscal conservatives.
______________________________________
Competency over ideological purity
Actually, I wondered
Rapunzel46 Monday, February 9th at 10:15PM EST (link)why we didn’t have a Republican response after this mess ended tonight. It’s a miracle my TV screens are still intact, he was lying faster than I could keep up.
It seemed to me that there was a "Democratic Response"
Flagstaff Monday, February 9th at 11:40PM EST (link)to every public statement President Bush made.
Maybe not the press conferences, though. The response then was delivered by Keefums and Company, under the guise of “commentary.”
I’m sure that they did the same tonight, and the studio needed the wet vac treatment afterwards.
Pluto, the Ninth Planet - Forever!
He spoke very convincingly to ignorant people. nt
John E. Monday, February 9th at 9:07PM EST (link)5 - exactly right
bs Monday, February 9th at 9:48PM EST (link)The blue-pill crowd ate it up. Chris Matthews practically needed a dribble towel to keep the drool off his shirt.
Decorum is fo’ suckas
Democrat voters, Obama thinks you're stupid
EagleWatcher Monday, February 9th at 9:51PM EST (link)“Hey. What? It’s a spending bill, man.”
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Even a blind squirrel gets one right once in a while (nt)
6eorge Jetson Monday, February 9th at 10:06PM EST (link)Cover
ConservativeLawStudent Monday, February 9th at 9:11PM EST (link)The media will provide as much cover is needed to make this presser look as good as possible. The answers will be cut to look coherent and thoughtful.
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ABC has already provided the cover,
The_Rebel Monday, February 9th at 10:53PM EST (link)what with Charlie Gibson’s comment about how “The One” answered each question as a teaching moment. I think I have to throw up now.
What else would you expect
ConservativeLawStudent Tuesday, February 10th at 12:09AM EST (link)Its odd how predictable the media has become, but so many can’t (won’t) see it. Will there ever be a day when the media is objective?
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Heh. The media will become objective on the same day
icbm Tuesday, February 10th at 12:11AM EST (link)that the nation’s top-reputed law schools become objective.
Better pack a lunch.
First hand knowledge
ConservativeLawStudent Tuesday, February 10th at 12:20AM EST (link)i know how hard it is to present this foreign idea of being objective in law school. I should have specified in my previous post about the media being the “mainstream.” There are some media outlets that present a better representation of reality and not Dem talking points, but those are soon going to be shut down by the return of the fairness doctrine, or whenever they choose to call it this time around
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objectivity in law school isn't foreign. it's just foreign
icbm Tuesday, February 10th at 1:09AM EST (link)in the top 20 law schools. not much more than leftist training in most of the top law schools - and then the graduates go off to work for the top law firms, almost all of which work for the greater leftist good. lovely system.
“Oh no, I don’t want to play with Delta children. And Epsilons are still worse. They’re too stupid to be able to read or write. Besides they wear black, which is such a beastly colour. I’m so glad I’m a Beta.”
http://www.huxley.net/bnw/two.html
What do you expect
robmikpet Monday, February 9th at 9:12PM EST (link)He has accomplished nothing but to get elected to office. But please look at the swinging watch and repeat “Obama smart, Bush stupid”
How to spin this disaster. The media will say the media is biased because of the pressure conservatives have put on them. See how easy it is to blame the right
Any doubts for pre-selected reporters and question topicss ? nt
Kenny Solomon Monday, February 9th at 9:18PM EST (link)Of course you can have my guns……. Bullets first.
I didn’t say rounds, shells or magazines……
I said bullets first.
Dreadful
RyanOHIO Monday, February 9th at 9:20PM EST (link)what a boring presser. Long winded answers to softball questions. I can’t imagine anyone not interested in politics listening to that for more the 10 minutes. In my opinion this didn’t do anything to sell the stimulus.
Also, WTF with the press. An A-Roid question? Helen Thomas calling Al-Quida “so-called terrorists.” A question on Iran. And according to Bloomberg Chuck Shumer is an expert. Give me a break!
I've lived in the South
DerKrieger Monday, February 9th at 9:20PM EST (link)…since 1994 (SC, TN, AR) and have never seen a school in bad physical condition. He’s just making stuff up. Not only that, schools are a local responsibility, NOT a federal one.
Obama is crashing and burning before he even reaches 100 days. Sad.
“In questions of power, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution.” - Thomas Jefferson
“I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence (OBAMACARE – mine), the money of their constituents.” – James Madison
Not any more. It's all his! all his! He owns it all!
Praying Monday, February 9th at 11:24PM EST (link)Remember, he won.
Nationalized banks, nationalized health care, government schools for preschool through grad school, government telling businesses what they can pay their employees, government telling businesses where they can buy their raw materials, government telling the manufacturers what to manufacturer, no matter if anyone wants to buy it, there will be no choice, except for people who want to kill their babies - lots of choice for that!
I’m going to join the rest of you in being sick. Please tell me this is all a very, very bad dream? I cried when I re-read 1984. I’m crying now.
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Don'T kid yourself. the Democrat Media complex will
kyle8 Monday, February 9th at 11:29PM EST (link)blame Bush, the free market, greed, millionaires, wall street, obstructionists and rush Limbaugh for decades.
Yes the people are that stupid. (I do not share Rush’s faith in the wisdom of the common people).
“Nothing works like freedom, Nothing succeeds like liberty”
Kyle
Kind Of Fitting That He Bumped Jack Bauer
Swamp_Yankee Monday, February 9th at 9:21PM EST (link)A man of timidity, cowardness and indecision versus a man of action and courage.
Local Boston forums have him bombing too, so its not a biased things. Lot of non-poltical people have really bought into the Messiah thing. They are perplexed he looks so distracted and inarticulate.
Soft ball questions too.
Not Dead Yet!
It was pretty pitiful
bk Monday, February 9th at 9:28PM EST (link)He contradicted himself numerous times. I missed the last couple minutes - did any reporter challenge his assertion (more than once) about that this is a “long-term solution” by bringing up the CBO report?
And a 150 year old school in South Carolina needs repair. Why is that up to the federal government? If people in South Carolina and especially in that local community refuse to pay for it themselves, then why should I give a rat’s butt about it?
Same story with local police, firefighters, etc. Let the local people pay for them if they want them or go without them if they don’t.
My #1 favorite was the Elkhart IN sob story. He practically has the crowd in tears talking about how they are hit so hard and we have to bail them out, and then he slips in that it’s the RV mfg capital of the world. Why in the hell should we be bailing out the building and buying of gas-sucking RVs? Unbelievable!
My other favorite was the “no earmarks” lie. For someone preaching transparency, here we go again with having to parse every word to find out what he’s lying about.
A few others…. Is this is the worst economic situation since the Depression or is this “unprecedented”? If it’s unprecedented, then wouldn’t it be the worst one in the history of the human race, or at least of the United States?
And of course we get to hear Helen Thomas ask about “so-called terrorists” in Pakistan/Afghanistan.
Of course not
DerKrieger Monday, February 9th at 9:31PM EST (link)Just like none of them challenged his tax “cuts” the majority of which are welfare payments to non-taxpayers.
“In questions of power, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution.” - Thomas Jefferson
“I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence (OBAMACARE – mine), the money of their constituents.” – James Madison
Dear Mr. President
Rapunzel46 Monday, February 9th at 10:23PM EST (link)You want us to spend $800 billion dollars to bail out the RV-building industry so they can build RV’s, that no one is going to be able to afford to put fuel in, since your interior secretary has already stopped all of the drilling authorized under your predecessor, George Bush…
If that is what you are trying to tell us… put the crack pipe down and back away slowly from all microphones.
Thank you
smitch61 Monday, February 9th at 9:29PM EST (link)thanks for the update…… cannot stand to watch him.. did helen thomas really say so-called terrorists?
Yes
bk Monday, February 9th at 9:33PM EST (link)sure thing
ConservativeLawStudent Monday, February 9th at 9:34PM EST (link)yes, you know… committing terrorist acts dont exactly make them terrorists, only so-called terrorists
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they only became terrorists because of Bush anyway
JSobieski Monday, February 9th at 9:56PM EST (link)/sarcasm off
I heard the last 45 seconds of the press conference...
evanm Monday, February 9th at 9:32PM EST (link)That was long enough for Obama to accuse Republicans of wanting to “blow up the public school system.”
Really, dude? Missed that one.
Of course, the jerk didn't mention where HIS kids go to school
Jack_Savage Monday, February 9th at 9:45PM EST (link)A very, very private one.
The interesting part is that he's considered such a good speaker
scarlos Monday, February 9th at 9:35PM EST (link)His pre-conference speech was well-delivered (from what I saw) though his question session was terrible.
I think one of the things that make inspiring and charismatic leaders is their ability to go beyond the written text and simply speak from the heart to their audience. Reagan did a great job of this as many of his funniest lines were in response to questions (my favorite being the “you don’t take any responsibility for the current economic situation Mr. President?” and he responded “I have to take some credit, for years I was a Democrat”).
Though I have to admit, Reagan never had to defend crappy trillion-dollar spending proposals. That helped out his reputation as a speaker alot
How can anyone be surprised when an ideology that regards wealth as a cardinal sin cannot produce it?
A liberal is a person who thinks there is no problem that cannot be solved by consolidating more power in their own hands
He had a teleprompter n/t
Justin_Case Monday, February 9th at 9:40PM EST (link).
I know, my point is that he's only considered "good" when some one else thinks up what he's going to say beforehand
scarlos Monday, February 9th at 9:47PM EST (link)nt
How can anyone be surprised when an ideology that regards wealth as a cardinal sin cannot produce it?
A liberal is a person who thinks there is no problem that cannot be solved by consolidating more power in their own hands
How can you "speak from the heart"
mbecker908 Monday, February 9th at 9:46PM EST (link)when you don’t have one?
If he had taken
red4ever Monday, February 9th at 10:07PM EST (link)a question or two or eight on the campaign trail, he would be better prepared to answer even softball questions.
He can speak with a teleprompter but stinks at off-the cuff. Hence the entire campaign was spent giving grandious speeches and avoiding Q & A. And the MSM let him get away with it.
The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in times of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality.
Dante
Bush don't look so dumb now, does he.
gekster Tuesday, February 10th at 12:48AM EST (link)<>
A political party cannot be all things to all people.
It must represent certain fundamental beliefs which must not be compromised to political expediency, or simply to swell its numbers.
Ronald Reagan
Every deer hunter in Michigan still likes to take a shot at a squirrel, rabbit, or even a troll every now and then.
If you couldn't stand to watch it, just take two minutes
bk Monday, February 9th at 9:44PM EST (link)This captures what the entire Q&A was like.
CNN’s Ed Henry asks a two-parter - What’s your timeline for Afghanistan and will you start letting the media swarm over returning flag-draped coffins?
Summary of answer: “Your question is timely, but I won’t answer the first part at all and all I’ll tell you on the second is that I have a plan for a plan for that plan. Oh and BTW, my speechwriter forgot to include in my prepared remarks that four servicemembers were killed in Iraq today.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhX7Z01EK28
"swarm over returning flag-draped coffins?"
EagleWatcher Monday, February 9th at 10:15PM EST (link)Sure just as soon as you let us show partial birth abortions.
Next question…
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He did mention that it was tough to sighn the letters to the families. Bush had it tougher, he wrote the letters he sighned.
gekster Monday, February 9th at 10:28PM EST (link)A political party cannot be all things to all people.
It must represent certain fundamental beliefs which must not be compromised to political expediency, or simply to swell its numbers.
Ronald Reagan
Every deer hunter in Michigan still likes to take a shot at a squirrel, rabbit, or even a troll every now and then.
Good point - I noticed that too
bk Monday, February 9th at 10:38PM EST (link)And to be even more cynical that I usually am, the way he said it made it sound like he didn’t realize people killed had relatives back here. Maybe it’s just that he found it annoying that he had to take time to sign some form letters.
To be non-cynical about it, I’ll just say that he said it in a way that I found quite troubling. Kind of gives me the creeps even though I can’t quite put my finger on why.
It could be because when Bush spoke of them, he had care in his voice
gekster Monday, February 9th at 10:42PM EST (link)Thatswhat could be missing from Obama.
A political party cannot be all things to all people.
It must represent certain fundamental beliefs which must not be compromised to political expediency, or simply to swell its numbers.
Ronald Reagan
Every deer hunter in Michigan still likes to take a shot at a squirrel, rabbit, or even a troll every now and then.
Might I agree with one other thing the one said....
JadedByPolitics Monday, February 9th at 9:46PM EST (link)How can the other side tell me about spending when they put us in 10 trillion dollar debt……the minute he said it….I said hmmm mmmm…..EXACTLY….you stupid, stupid Republicans….got the whole shebang and acted like the Democrats…..SUCKS for you and you have made US miserable by extension!
Whoever has his enemy at his mercy &
does not destroy him is his own enemy
Hang on there, shipmate...
reddog53 Monday, February 9th at 10:20PM EST (link)Republicans did not spend $10Trillion in the time they were in charge. The National Debt when Clinton left office was around 8Trillion, with much of that being a hangover from the War on Poverty in the 60s….we don’t have to take the whole rap here.
I agree that the Republicans lost their way in the 04-06 timeframe, but they had been clubbed mercilessly by the Democrats for several years over lies about Social Security and Medicare. Remember also that the Democrats, with the RINOs had effective control of the Senate the whole time.
And on top of that
bk Monday, February 9th at 10:42PM EST (link)Democrats complained endlessly that Bush wasn’t spending enough. NCLB - Nice idea but underfunded. Medicare prescription drug plan - Nice idea but underfunded. “Investments” on everything under the sun (other than defense) - Underfunded.
ok bk perhaps....
JadedByPolitics Tuesday, February 10th at 5:32AM EST (link)the RINO’s and D’s had effective control of the Senate BUT did President Bush VETO the bills when they got to his desk? ummm nooo!
I will NEVER make any excuses for those fools who larded up those bills and then sent them on knowing full well they would be signed, lock, stock and all our barrels!
Whoever has his enemy at his mercy &
does not destroy him is his own enemy
He vetoed one or two after 2006 right?
bk Tuesday, February 10th at 8:44AM EST (link)Not counting Iraq-related ones that is.
I’m not saying Bush and the GOP were angels, but the Dems complaints were that he wasn’t “investing” enough, now they complain that he “spent” too much.
And didn’t things start turning worse when the Dems took over Congress? Maybe the Democratic Congress shares some responsibility for getting us where we are?
bk...
JadedByPolitics Tuesday, February 10th at 6:48PM EST (link)WE are NOT in disagreement here BLAME hell there is BALME to go all around for BOTH parties they disgust me…..I love my country I HATE my government’s elected officials! BOTH PARTIES!
Whoever has his enemy at his mercy &
does not destroy him is his own enemy
bk...
JadedByPolitics Tuesday, February 10th at 6:48PM EST (link)WE are NOT in disagreement here BLAME hell there is BALME to go all around for BOTH parties they disgust me…..I love my country I HATE my government’s elected officials! BOTH PARTIES!
Whoever has his enemy at his mercy &
does not destroy him is his own enemy
I liked his constant references to Geithner
Justin_Case Monday, February 9th at 9:46PM EST (link)as “My Treasury Secretary”.
some us were taking a shot...
bs Monday, February 9th at 9:51PM EST (link)every time he said “my”
Now excuse me, i haabke toaoooo gooooo tooooadj2 beedaddy byyyee wnowwewewww
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Decorum is fo’ suckas
Obama: "Secretary Geithner, how are we ever going to get out from this $10T Debt?"
6eorge Jetson Monday, February 9th at 10:35PM EST (link)Geithner: “Easy. Don’t pay it.”
obligatory
Alberta Tuesday, February 10th at 1:12AM EST (link)owe the bank one thousand dollars its your problem, owe the bank one billion its theirs.
Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right.
Abraham Lincoln
Now that's funny! n/t
Justin_Case Tuesday, February 10th at 4:36AM EST (link)I’ll have to add that to my repertoire.
Proof Positive that RS is into torture- making Jeff watch and then write about it!
streetwise Monday, February 9th at 10:16PM EST (link)Have the Directors no mercy, no pity?
:>)
Besides the facets already mentioned
woodsman Monday, February 9th at 10:22PM EST (link)the one thing in particular I did not like was the set-up of: It’s all President Bush’s fault. I inherited this mess, so trust me, we can get you out of this. And… to make sure you understand how bad it is, it’s terrible . The sky is falling and we are going to h&ll in a hand basket. Trust me, we have to spend this much money.
The blame is due to the Republicans, not the Democrats who were practicing their natural instincts.
I wish
Rapunzel46 Monday, February 9th at 10:26PM EST (link)there had been at least one honest journalist in the room to ask him why they put mandatory welfare in this bill and how that will stimulate the economy and what does mandating how doctors are going to be able to deliver medical care to their patients is a stimulant to the economy.
We have a whiny president
Janice Cantore Tuesday, February 10th at 12:02AM EST (link)What makes you think any of the “journalists” in the room have even read what is in the pork bill? They just believe what their god says is in it. This adoration of Obama is beyond creepy. And his whiny, “I inherited this mess, just got to work and geez, there it was” is getting tiresome. I could be wrong, but I don’t recall Reagan whining like that about the mess Carter left him, which, contrary to the mantra of the “one” was worse than things now.
Janice Cantore
President uh, uh, uh....
texas214 Monday, February 9th at 11:25PM EST (link)His habit of always thinking before he speaks by stuttering through a couple of “uh, uh,uh’s” before he gives an answer is becoming increasing annoying; even my 12 year old son notices it.
Generally when someone has to think of his answer, he giving you the answer he thinks you want, not what he believes.
5
gekster Monday, February 9th at 11:33PM EST (link)>nt<
A political party cannot be all things to all people.
It must represent certain fundamental beliefs which must not be compromised to political expediency, or simply to swell its numbers.
Ronald Reagan
Every deer hunter in Michigan still likes to take a shot at a squirrel, rabbit, or even a troll every now and then.
If he doesn't intend to repeat the failed policies of the Bush administration,
Flagstaff Monday, February 9th at 11:45PM EST (link)why is he repeating their attempt to achieve economic disaster?
And who the H cares about Alex Rodriguez in the setting of a Presidential press conference? What a doofus reporter. He must have been a plant.
Pluto, the Ninth Planet - Forever!
The Huffpo reporter was Not a plant...
$peciallist Tuesday, February 10th at 12:06AM EST (link)I also wanna know when they are gonna get some Bush…
snark off
HuffPo?
Flagstaff Tuesday, February 10th at 1:07PM EST (link)Fox News identified him as being from the WaPo.
Pluto, the Ninth Planet - Forever!
sorry I was talking about the other guy...
$peciallist Tuesday, February 10th at 1:37PM EST (link)yes…the Wapo guy that asked the Arod question was a Joke……I’d like to find out his name..
Somebody on Fox
Flagstaff Tuesday, February 10th at 11:21PM EST (link)(I think it was Juan Williams) thought that was a good question. “People really want to know about that.” Right.
Pluto, the Ninth Planet - Forever!
When asked about a timeline for bringing troops home...
$peciallist Tuesday, February 10th at 12:03AM EST (link)He says he will talk to the Experts before making a decision…………….Did you hear that Koskids?
sheehan?
Anti war lefty’s?
pwnd
I think those are the "experts"
Flagstaff Tuesday, February 10th at 12:33AM EST (link)he was referring to.
Pluto, the Ninth Planet - Forever!
Obama resorted to The Big Lie like all liberals do - LINK
Mike gamecock DeVine Tuesday, February 10th at 1:07AM EST (link)http://www.redstate.com/gamecock/2009/02/10/obamas-resort-to-the-big-lie/
Mike DeVine’s Examiner.com, Charlotte Observer and The Minority Report columns
“One man with courage makes a majority.” - Andrew Jackson
Weak
chrisie Tuesday, February 10th at 1:16AM EST (link)Obama has coasted his way into the White House without much experience and is starting to appear painfully inept. It won’t matter to the mainstream media or Democrats because the symbolism of having a black president is more important than Obama being a competent leader. In the mean time, the lack of checks and balances to his power will take the country farther into a downward spiral.
Mr. Fruitcake of the Century!
spedteacher Tuesday, February 10th at 2:53AM EST (link)This little boy is worse than any middle school ASB president. And, he runs his admin like a “popularity contest wanna-be winner” in an elementary school pageant. Toss the Fruitcake into the round file.
I didn't even think about this when I heard it during the press conference,
gekster Tuesday, February 10th at 12:57PM EST (link)but this caught my eye on Drudge.
A few thoughts from people in the UK.
The comments are what get me.
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/toby_harnden/blog/2009/02/10/barack_obama_throws_joe_biden_under_the_bus
A political party cannot be all things to all people.
It must represent certain fundamental beliefs which must not be compromised to political expediency, or simply to swell its numbers.
Ronald Reagan
Every deer hunter in Michigan still likes to take a shot at a squirrel, rabbit, or even a troll every now and then.