Open Thread: Obama live “town hall”
posted at 12:10 pm on March 26, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
I’m listening to Barack Obama’s “virtual town hall” while doing other work, and if it’s possible, this is even more dull than Tuesday’s press conference. The questions chosen by Obama’s handlers all serve to feed his favorite tropes, and thirty-four minutes into it, I have yet to hear a challenging question. The White House set up a voting system to allow the most popular questions to rise to the top. I’m not sure if they’re following the actual voting system, but right now it feels a lot like a campaign stop with Hillary Clinton-like embedded questions.
Michael Kraskin at Political Machine notes the top questions getting asked probably won’t get an airing:
- Marijuana – 2,141 questions
- Birth Certificate – 480 questions
- Socialist – 487 questions
So far, I have to admit — the press does a much better job of pressing Obama for actual answers than the sycophants contributing to this forum. I’m also willing to admit that the bar was set pretty low today.
Feel free to add your own thoughts. It’s up to you to keep me awake.
Blowback
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They could make all of his canned responses into a pretty funny SNL skit!!
pullingmyhairout on March 26, 2009 at 1:01 PM
Do you have any recollection of the town halls held by Bush? You gotta wonder if these guys re-read these posts or if its some sort of crazy stream-of consciousness. Unbelievable.
crr6 on March 26, 2009 at 12:51 PM
Maybe we’re just dazzled by the fact that these public glad-handing sessions are occurring on a weekly basis.
One can only wonder why the POTUS feels it so necessary to try and sell his program so vociferously, as if he feels it needs to be sold rather than being able to stand on its own merits. Leaders lead and have confidence in their decisions, they don’t run around yelling, “Please like me!”
Bishop on March 26, 2009 at 1:01 PM
tax revolt! I see…hmm…
I do not have guns or ammo. I bought furniture. FAIL.
Mommypundit on March 26, 2009 at 1:02 PM
Exactly. Plus, if my memory serves (forgive me, I turned thirty one) Bush did these during election years.
Anyone corroborate that?
Mommypundit on March 26, 2009 at 1:04 PM
I do not have guns or ammo. I bought furniture. FAIL.
Mommypundit on March 26, 2009 at 1:02 PM
Saw up your furniture and make a catapult.
Bishop on March 26, 2009 at 1:06 PM
And some sharp pointy sticks.
LimeyGeek on March 26, 2009 at 1:07 PM
FIFY
Knucklehead on March 26, 2009 at 1:10 PM
Huh? Presidents always do these kinds of things to sell their domestic policies to the people. Remember Bush with Social Security? Seriously, how long have you been following politics…?
crr6 on March 26, 2009 at 1:12 PM
obama’ so stupid.
“Smart meters?” Give me a friggin’ break.
ErinF on March 26, 2009 at 1:12 PM
Patrick S on March 26, 2009 at 1:13 PM
The creative minds at HotAir are what keeps me coming back again and again. Thanks guys!
Oh, and, TOTUS…I just made a mean ham and cheddar sandwich. Want some? I’ve been wanting to ask you some questions.
Mommypundit on March 26, 2009 at 1:18 PM
This town hall meeting is nothing more than time for Obama to be in front of cameras again plus an opportunity to add another 50,000 email addresses to the Obama campaign files.
Wake up RNC.
Sunshein on March 26, 2009 at 1:18 PM
You got it, babe. Love, TOTUS
Patrick S on March 26, 2009 at 1:19 PM
LOL
I laugh so much I almost puke whenever I see these mongoloid adverts espousing the solution to challenges is to prefix everything with the word “smart”.
Time to take my smart cornhole to the smart crapper to do a smart shart.
LimeyGeek on March 26, 2009 at 1:20 PM
It had better be a smart sandwich served with a smart beer, or you’ll get a smart spankin’
LimeyGeek on March 26, 2009 at 1:21 PM
Don’t leave any smart skidmarks.
Knucklehead on March 26, 2009 at 1:22 PM
Look the way I see it Health care reform is going to be Obama’s signature piece of legislation and he will use any means necessary to get it rammed through before the mid term elections in 2010. That means he will probably use issues like Card check, fairness doctrine, cap and trade education reform and any potential reintroduction of the assault weapons ban as bargaining chips to get the support he needs make sure his health care reforms are passed.
Dreadnought223 on March 26, 2009 at 1:22 PM
Michelle Malkin has a great story on another of Obama’s great job-creating, money-saving energy ideas. The solar array at the Colorado museum he spoke at last month, won’t be paid for until 2118. And solar panels only last 25 years.
The museum didn’t BUY the solar panels, they’re owned by someone else, because the museum could find money for them. The owners of the panels get support from the state of Colorado, money that’s TAKEN FROM COLORADO TAXPAYERS.
hawksruleva on March 26, 2009 at 1:23 PM
Huh? Presidents always do these kinds of things to sell their domestic policies to the people. Remember Bush with Social Security? Seriously, how long have you been following politics…?
crr6 on March 26, 2009 at 1:12 PM
Seriously. President’s run out to do whirlwind tours of the nation to sell their policy agendas, damn near every last one of them? Every week and only months after taking office? They stack the deck with supposedly impromptu questions for which they are conspicuously prepared?
Seriously, you need to ask Dear Leader to make a decision on these things, if he believes in their “goodness” then it shouldn’t be an issue. How long have you been following politics?
Bishop on March 26, 2009 at 1:23 PM
Generally speaking, I drink stouts. Today it’s swill…we’re on a budget. The ham is boars head and cheddar is sharp…mustard, hearty bread, toasted, salt/pepper. Just an easy mom lunch…well, plus beer. Love it.
Mommypundit on March 26, 2009 at 1:28 PM
*drool*
LimeyGeek on March 26, 2009 at 1:29 PM
I’m confused.
Mommypundit on March 26, 2009 at 1:30 PM
Is the telepromter taking any questions……….?
Seven Percent Solution on March 26, 2009 at 1:30 PM
Ah…the meal. Slow day for me.
Mommypundit on March 26, 2009 at 1:31 PM
I wish someone would ask why obama is afraid of debating Rush.
ErinF on March 26, 2009 at 1:31 PM
TOTUS is with me drinking beer and eating ham and cheese.
Mommypundit on March 26, 2009 at 1:32 PM
And were made overseas.
Knucklehead on March 26, 2009 at 1:32 PM
That question is reserved for Barney…commonly referred to as “Barney’s Backdoor Diplomacy” or “Putting a Frank where the sun don’t shine”.
right2bright on March 26, 2009 at 1:33 PM
That’s a great sounding lunch right there.
todler on March 26, 2009 at 1:33 PM
Just my Homer-esque response to your fine sandwich :)
LimeyGeek on March 26, 2009 at 1:33 PM
Where’s my samich? I’m hungry all the time since Barry made me stop smoking.
Knucklehead on March 26, 2009 at 1:36 PM
URRRRP! Ah, that was scrumptious. Be a a dear now and wipe my screen. POTUS needs to go on Power Saver.
Patrick S on March 26, 2009 at 1:36 PM
cute (samich.) But (not mad at you) the smoking thing hits us in NC where it hurts…we are getting smacked around like crazy over here.
RJR has to go to all black/white ads, new smoking regulations for PRIVATE BUSINESSES, taxes on top of new Fed tax…all within the state and city where the production happens. Way to look after all those jobs over here, guys!
Mommypundit on March 26, 2009 at 1:41 PM
The magic is gone.
It’s over, TOTUS.
Mommypundit on March 26, 2009 at 1:42 PM
Because it would demean the presidency. Can you imagine the president debating Rush? It would be kind of like him appearing on the Tonight Show…oh…ah…never mind.
sdd on March 26, 2009 at 1:43 PM
So how long before he starts doing daily 3 hour television shows to inform the public ala Chavez?
You know why? Because he is waiting for G Summit to be over with, where they will all decide on the one world currency, and out goes Geithner since his services will no longer be required; as with the US Treasury.
Everything will be fine and dandy, no one will know what happened, everybody will be happy that the dude’s out, what a wonderful idea, rainbows, unicorns and all that crap.
In the meantime, I will continue typing under my desk.
ProudPalinFan on March 26, 2009 at 1:44 PM
Limeygeek,
You are correct, it is time to drop the hammer. Where do these cretins get their power? Answer; our tax dollars.
Take away our tax dollars, they are powerless.
They are thieves, liars, hypocrites and bastards.
mountainmanbob on March 26, 2009 at 1:46 PM
Not a prob, hon. I gotta go deal with an annoying Large Screen.
Patrick S on March 26, 2009 at 1:48 PM
Cannot smoke anywhere in Illinois for 2 years now.
Will. Not. Support. A. Barry. Tax.
Knucklehead on March 26, 2009 at 1:49 PM
Since everybody says he is a good orator, I want him hired by SkillPath Seminars.
I can just picture it!
*Basic Writing Skills*
*How To Deal With Difficult People*
*Microsoft Excel*
ProudPalinFan on March 26, 2009 at 1:49 PM
How many Obamateurism’s can we get out of today’s example of his addiction to the camera, (I mean internet townhall meeting).
sweet92169 on March 26, 2009 at 1:56 PM
I understand.
Do you grow it, though? I mean, here in Winston Salem, it’s a major industry….actually, all over the state. It’s incredible the concessions these companies have made. I do not smoke (that was a dumb college thing) but I am not utterly petrified of smelling it around town so much that I restrict others from smoking. it makes me so mad the self righteous legislation our government hands down…crippling economies and still getting reelected. Blows my mind.
Mommypundit on March 26, 2009 at 1:57 PM
If I owned a restaurant, I would put a sign out front saying “No Anti-Smoking Whiners”, and issue people Marlboro upon entrance.
LimeyGeek on March 26, 2009 at 2:03 PM
Who here believes that these “concerned citizens” aren’t ACORN plants? It’s a joke.
marklmail on March 26, 2009 at 2:05 PM
Since SNL is not ever going to do justice to Obama there needs to be someone else with talent to come along and do the job. Possibly Glen Beck… but he already has a show.
What he needs is an Obama impersonator.
petunia on March 26, 2009 at 2:09 PM
Maybe Downey Jr. can do blackface and go full retard
LimeyGeek on March 26, 2009 at 2:11 PM
The only thing I’m considering growing is “the good stuff”. I need something to get me through the next 4 years.
Victory Gardens for Everyone!
Knucklehead on March 26, 2009 at 2:12 PM
Agree. Why not just let people own both Smoking and Non-Smoking restaurants and let the market decide for itself? That way, The Smokers would be happy and The Non-Smokers would be, um, pissed off that they can’t hang out in the Smoking restaurants.
Nevermind.
misslizzi on March 26, 2009 at 2:12 PM
I was surprised by Obama’s statement that he visited public schools – currently in operation – that were built before 1850. Does anyone know where those schools are located? Perhaps in our 57th state?
conservative_in_texas on March 26, 2009 at 2:19 PM
Possibly in New England. Here in NH we have one of the old one room schoolhouses that is now used for public kindergarten. Built in the early 1800s.
Del Dolemonte on March 26, 2009 at 2:24 PM
haha.
Which is kind of like what we have been doing. I mean, the market has been sorting this thing out fairly well on it’s own. It’s just those few activists who get indignant over the smell and freak out, at the expense of others.
There is a little breakfast joint which I loved growing up. It REAKS. I can’t take it anymore. But, that’s ok. Others can. I’m not going to die.
Mommypundit on March 26, 2009 at 2:48 PM
My thought… and granted, I didn’t watch this at all. This is just from hearing about it and seeing the screenshots. My one thought is…
GET TO F***ING WORK AND STOP F***ING CAMPAIGNING YOU ASS!!!
crazy_legs on March 26, 2009 at 3:29 PM
And FINALLY they will give him the much deserved Oscar, since Chaplin.
ProudPalinFan on March 26, 2009 at 3:37 PM
I agree we’ve gone past the tea party phase. Yes, I still support the 04/15/2009 nationwide tea parties, but they are not listening; they are trivializing us by saying it’s about AIG bonuses and they continue down their merry path of spending us into oblivion. We can’t wait until 2010. There won’t be a cent left by then. We must get something BIG in front of the out of control money train.
Surely you all don’t believe those “online questions” were real do you? The O administration made up those questions just like they picked the mealy mouthed reporters who were allowed to ask questions the other night.
katablog.com on March 26, 2009 at 4:34 PM
I wish hew would STFU and do his job. He won already so stop with the campaigning!!!!
becki51758 on March 26, 2009 at 4:59 PM
The One’s brilliant administration has even screwed up the annual
Easter Egg roll on the White House lawn!
Dhuka on March 26, 2009 at 6:52 PM
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