One of the responsibilities of the President, albeit unofficial, is to periodically account for himself to the American media. That can mean through personal interviews and official appearances, but usually also means press conferences. The last open press conference given by Barack Obama was July 22, 2009 — 307 days ago and counting. The White House press corps has grown a little impatient over Obama’s avoidance, as CBS and the New York Times note (via Freedom’s Lighthouse)
So when the president hosted a “news conference” in the Rose Garden with the president of Mexico on Wednesday, Mr. Reid thought maybe this time Mr. Obama would take questions. Instead, Mr. Obama allowed only a single question from the American news media, calling on a reporter from the New York-based Univision, making it unlikely that he would be asked about Tuesday’s anti-incumbent election results.
Sure enough, Mr. Obama was asked about the Arizona law aimed at stopping illegal immigrants, a law he had already denounced in his opening remarks and was happy to denounce again in response to the question. He did not have to offer his thoughts on the loss of an ally, Senator Arlen Specter, in Pennsylvania’s Democratic primary, or on any other topic.
As the event ended and Mr. Obama swiveled to head back into the Oval Office, Mr. Reid tried again and shouted out a question about the elections.
Mr. Obama ignored him. Maybe he meant later in course of the week.
Why is Obama ignoring the WH press corps, and in such a public manner? Byron York says it’s because he can:
The situation amazes veterans of previous administrations. “I think it is astonishing that there isn’t carping about this from the press every day,” says former Bush White House press secretary Dana Perino. “Believe me, they would have nailed us to the wall.”
In one sense, the press, or at least some members of the press, have only themselves to blame. Obama treats them with contempt because he knows that when big tests come, they’ve always been on his side. There’s no reason for him to think they won’t be there in the future. “Most of you covered me,” he told the media elite at the 2009 White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. “All of you voted for me.”
That’s the attitude coming out of the Oval Office every day. Why does Obama do it? Because he can.
It’s kind of a shame, really. I used to get some of our best Obamateurisms of the Day from his press conferences … which is why Obama prefers not to face the press in the open-question format any longer.
Got an Obamateurism of the Day? If you see a foul-up by Barack Obama, e-mail it to me at [email protected] with the quote and the link to the Obamateurism. I’ll post the best Obamateurisms on a daily basis, depending on how many I receive. Include a link to your blog, and I’ll give some link love as well. And unlike Slate, I promise to end the feature when Barack Obama leaves office.
Illustrations by Chris Muir of Day by Day. Be sure to read the adventures of Sam, Zed, Damon, and Jan every day!
Join the conversation as a VIP Member