Gothamist: President-Elect Obama Holds His First News Conference

NannyState

Sat, 08 Nov 2008 09:05:24 -0500

@30, Obama didn't give interviews to the Worker's Vanguard either. Fox News de-legitimizes itself. If they did away with the heavy bias, they would be welcomed, but they have mistreated anyone who isn't a Bush Republican and their viewership simply isn't interested in what an Obama presidency will do for this country, they only want to see the angry soundbites and the blame-casting.

HUGO_MEGO

Sat, 08 Nov 2008 03:29:34 -0500

I have never witnessed a more frightening news conference. Cult leader Obama was even more arrogant than usual. WHOM THE GODS WOULD DESTROY, THEY FIRST ENDOW WITH HUBRIS.

longacre

Sat, 08 Nov 2008 02:28:59 -0500

#23: No matter what you think about their journalism, you can't dispute the fact that a good percentage of our population gets its news from Fox News, and on election night Obama promised to be "your president, too." He already refused to do a Fox News debate. Maybe he thinks he's delegitimizing the network by doing this, but all he's doing is disenfranchising their viewers rather than bringing the country together. It's petty, and it has to stop. #24: I don't know that it was done on purpose, but I do know all the biggest networks were called upon except for Fox News.

Qraymond

Sat, 08 Nov 2008 00:04:43 -0500

Doowop wrote: _______ "He actually called himself a mutt at one point? That seems a tad unpresidential, especially during a press conference televised nationally...?" _______ After the last 8 years of Bush's incoherent and rare press conferences, it is incredible to me that you can say this with a straight face. Giving Germany's female head of state a surprise back-rub is unpresidential. Referring to your mixed heritage is charming.

supernova

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 22:45:10 -0500

I meant to type he hasn't been That's what happens when you are multitasking too much...

supernova

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 22:37:08 -0500

I though the comment about the dog was funny and light hearted. And he is right, it's gotten as much attention as anything else! I saw an AP article that the president of the Kennel Club offered his services in advising them on that choice and contacting them with trusted breeders. Apparently they also had a poll and a poodle was suggested. Andddd the Bush dog bit a reporter, apparently it found out it wouldn't have a dedicated nanny anymore. Awwwww.. About the national security question, do they expect him to answer that question? Seriously? I mean, first of all I'm sure he has been been thoroughly briefed on it and it's called "secret intelligence" for a reason. You are not suppose to talk much about it, why doesn't she ask Bush about it?

jackdonaghy

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 19:42:58 -0500

#25, It's okay to poke fun at yourself, even if you're the president. Contrary to belief, he is human, albeit a superior human.

dooWOP

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 19:17:11 -0500

He actually called himself a mutt at one point? That seems a tad unpresidential, especially during a press conference televised nationally...?

S.D.

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 19:14:49 -0500

"Discouraging that he skipped over Fox News." Not to me it isn't. In any case, I wonder how many news organizations weren't called upon? Do they considered themselves "skipped"???

NannyState

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 19:13:48 -0500

^ Fox News isn't a legitimate news gathering organization. It is the mouthpiece and propaganda organ of the Republican Party. Obama was pushed to hold this press conference because of the markets being so unruly again. Had he not said anything, it would have been taken as a sign of being aloof or disconnected. Either way, he will not be able to attack those economic issues until late January. That is a long time and a lot of pain from now.

longacre

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 18:32:04 -0500

Interesting speech. Discouraging that he skipped over Fox News. I hope this is not an ongoing policy.

jackdonaghy

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 18:04:50 -0500

#19, McCain is not very savvy with economic issues (one of the 10,000 reasons why he lost the election) and doesn't really fit into any of the cabinet openings, unless Obama creates a pork barrel watchdog post. As I mentioned yesterday, there probably will be a republican or two in major cabinet slots, such as Chuck Hagel as Secretary of Defense.

BaxterJ

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 17:43:17 -0500

It was nice to listen to a President speak and not get heartburn.

fishfryin

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 17:15:33 -0500

obama might as well try to involve mccain in his administration. now that the election is over mccain can stop pretending he's a right wing conservative and resume being a somewhat moderate figure as far as party politicians go in this day and age

Walfredo

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 17:12:38 -0500

@#11 - There are other Republicans that feel like that...they just won't admit it. ;)

edEx

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:59:01 -0500

I know a lot of Republicans who didn't vote for him, but are very happy with the way things are going thus far—and many of them are confident he will lead, not be lead. I think Obama will do a fine job and while he will fail more than succeed (as all politicians do) it will all be made up by his tenacity. He will definitely be a very strong president, not a weak-ass Jimmy Carter. Pick up this Week's Economist (Nov 8–14) there are some pretty interesting articles on what he's up against and what he will do, it even mentions giving McCain some sort of a lower executive role having to do with Climate Change (new initiatives) and Gitmo.

glennQNYC

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:57:17 -0500

Just watched it in youtube... The ballerina sure looked nervous when the reporter asked Obama about Iran! I'd laugh, but we need to get this guy up to speed and looking confident... FAST. Come on Obama!

jaycjay

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:55:48 -0500

Did anyone ask him why he made up the fake "Office of the President-Elect"? No, thankfully most journalists on that beat know better. He didn't make it up, and it isn't "fake." There's been such an office at least for the past few transitions. I believe it was established by the Presidential Transitions Act of 1963, though it may have been a later Executive Order.

maevemealone

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:52:38 -0500

#6 , #12 He likely has not been given the full security briefing yet. He's not actually president yet so there are still things he's not privy to. That will happening in the coming days and weeks as he works on the transition, all the agencies will be debriefing him on the current status of all their top secret agendas.

djwerdna

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:49:18 -0500

#11, I'm not Republican :)

hitlerbaby

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:20:00 -0500

#6 - I was wondering how he would handle such things. With the way he campaigned, it's like he's your good buddy - so when he's now given the key to the secrets and we're all like, so what's really going on and he goes, well, i can't really tell you, it's like, wtf, bro?

Rocknrope

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:16:15 -0500

#1 and #3, very mature and honest of you to say - I hope other Republicans are as open-minded and forthright. Also, I've never seen that 'President Elect" banner before either, has it ever been used, or are we in such shite times that this is the first time a news conference was given so quickly after the election?

Steven

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:05:38 -0500

Just have to wait 2 months now..

Neil Epstein

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:01:26 -0500

Was nice to hear him being called "Mr President Elect"

babyhitler

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:52:51 -0500

#1- that's good to hear. you guys been to the foxnews message boards? it's like skinhead city up in there.

fakenewyorker

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:51:25 -0500

with reich and volcker there it looked like the fellowship of the ring or the faculty of hogwarts

Felix Hoenikker

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:49:42 -0500

I found his un-response to the question of classified intelligence unsettling, in a 'I can't speak of the imminent terrorist attack but we're on it' kind of way.

Gina Gemini

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:39:59 -0500

He did very well for his first news conference. In the beginning, he seemed a bit shaky to me (I'm guessing due to a lack of sleep), but as the conference progressed he seemed more self-assured, eloquent, and appropriately assertive in answering the questions. It was great that he addressed the reporters by name, even asking one how she broke her arm. (I can't imagine that sort of camaraderie at a Bush press conference). All in all, it marked an excellent beginning and I feel that we made the right choice in electing him president.

Gothampc

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:27:23 -0500

Did anyone ask him why he made up the fake "Office of the President-Elect"?

djwerdna

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:23:05 -0500

I remain cautious about him, but so far, I am glad that he has shown to be very serious and somber about the tasks that he will be facing.

JacqueMehoff

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:16:31 -0500

notice bloomberg wasn't asked to be on his economic team.

Walfredo

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:12:50 -0500

As a Republican and as someone who did not vote for President-elect Obama, I have to say he is growing on me by the day/minute. I am proud our country made such a fine choice.