Irritated Obama 'Stares Down Reporter'

I have noticed that the negative news and questionable choices surrounding Obama is not being discussed, or even mentioned. Yet when it came to Bush every silly little thing he did or said was big news......

This is one story that has been around a while and like all the other Obama non-favorable news it is quickly put away....

Irritated Obama 'Stares Down' Reporter During Press Corps Visit
When a reporter tried to quiz President Obama on Thursday about a lobbyist chosen for a top Defense Department job, the president quickly became agitated.

WASHINGTON -- President Obama paid a surprise visit to members of the White House press corps Thursday evening when he walked through their working area of the West Wing, but he quickly became agitated when he was confronted with a question by one of the journalists.

According to reports, when the Politico's Jonathan Martin asked the president about his nominee for deputy secretary of defense, William Lynn, Obama refused to answer, saying he was not there to take questions.

"I came down here to visit. I didn't come down here -- this is what happens. I can't end up visiting you guys and shaking hands if I am going to grilled every time I come down here," the president said.

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

"All right, 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," Politico.com reported.

The situation came to a close when a cameraman in the room interrupted, declaring: "I'd like to say it one more time: 'Mr. President.'"

The nominee in question, William Lynn, is a former lobbyist for defense contractor Raytheon, a pick Obama made in contradiction to his much-heralded anti-lobbying rules.

Obama was willing to field lighter questions, though.

Yes, he's discovered the gym in the White House residence. No, he hasn't played basketball yet on the outdoor White House court because it's been too cold.

The president's walk-through came without notice, causing a bit of a wild scene. Reporters started running toward him, wary of missing a single word. When one reporter who hadn't spotted Obama yet asked what everyone was rushing toward, another one responded: "The big guy."

Obama made it to the back of the briefing room, in a narrow hallway, where he shook hands.

"I've got to say, it's smaller than I thought," the president said as he looked around for the first time.

He introduced himself to those whom he didn't already know from the long campaign trail and said it would take a little while to learn everyone's names.

The president then continued on, walking by the media outlets' booths on the same floor.

Obama asked about the reasoning behind why certain media outlets had work space where they did. When he got an answer involving the intricacies of press corps protocol, Obama responded: "This is worse than the Middle East here -- who's sitting where and all that stuff."

As he walked through the area where journalists have lunch, Obama noticed a pair of vending machines that dispense soda and junk food.

"Looks like you have some healthy snacks, guys," Obama said.

Then he walked through the basement quarters, where several other news outlets set up shop. He said that was smaller than he expected too.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

I have to say after reading the article you posted that he was quite clear and frank with the reporters - every appearance is not going to be a question and answer time and that he is happy to say hello and shake hands but if he's going to get grilled every time he walks into a meeting (how many times a day/week does that happen) then he's not going to extend that friendlyness.

He could have ignored them, he could have walked away. He's setting his ground rules within reason.

My opinion of course. For the record, as I've disclosed before, I did not rag on Bush - in fact I voted for him.

abasketclayse wrote:

I have to say after reading the article you posted that he was quite clear and frank with the reporters - every appearance is not going to be a question and answer time and that he is happy to say hello and shake hands but if he's going to get grilled every time he walks into a meeting (how many times a day/week does that happen) then he's not going to extend that friendlyness.

He could have ignored them, he could have walked away. He's setting his ground rules within reason.

My opinion of course. For the record, as I've disclosed before, I did not rag on Bush - in fact I voted for him.

Well, I would agree with that if he except for the fact that he stared down this reporter. As far as getting grilled, he never answers questions. He hasn't made himself available to the press as he promised he would. And they are beginning to complain about it.

I firmly believe Obama thought the love affair was going to last forever....

His Press Secretary doesn't even answer questions.

Have you watched this guy Robert Gibbs? He does noting but ehhh, hmmmm, ahhh, the entire time. I thought Obama sucked at speaking, this guy is unreal. And he never seems to be able to answer a question.

Putting his hand on his shoulder and staring him down...Not very Presidential. He just isn't use to the press questioning him without having a script. He has a hard enough time speaking even then.

Of course his disrespect for the Oval Office with his casual approach of him and his staff not wearing jackets is very telling. And he announced over the weekend that Saturday's will now be casual wear

I remember President Bush Senior saying in an interview not too long ago how he never entered the Oval office without a tie and jacket, his son said he did it once and didn't feel right about it. President Bush Sr. said it was a matter of respect for the office itself.

This past week there have been several photo's of Obama and his staff in the Oval office without jackets. It looked terrible. They were all scattered looking lazy and uncaring.

But of course, you could say Clinton did far worse in the Oval Office.

Jane, I'm going to firmly say I disagree with much of what you have said above. I am at work now with a skirt and sweater and my suit coat is on the back of my chair but I am accomplishing a lot today with a sound mind. And tomorrow if I am wearing a pair of khakis I will do the same.

Other than that, I will because you have made it pretty clear from the get-go that he will not please you.

Nuff said for me.

abasketclayse wrote:

Jane, I'm going to firmly say I disagree with much of what you have said above. I am at work now with a skirt and sweater and my suit coat is on the back of my chair but I am accomplishing a lot today with a sound mind. And tomorrow if I am wearing a pair of khakis I will do the same.

Other than that, I will because you have made it pretty clear from the get-go that he will not please you.

Nuff said for me.

Basket,
Should I care what you are wearing to work today, tomorrow or any day of the week?

Do you work in the Oval Office?

And I have said very little about Obama. Especially since he became President. But he has shown poor judgment in more than one person in his cabinet so far and has gotten away with it.

I am still waiting on the change he was bringing, the change for the better. So far we have had two tax cheaters. Am I allowed to even mention that?

i thought i'd stop by this section of the board to see what's being discussed. as far as this particular thread, i really don't think i care what Obama wears when he's working, so long as he's not photographed at his computer wearing boxers i just want (and hope) the job gets done. ideally, i'd prefer to see our sitting president wearing a suit, but hey.. some may feel more comfortable rolling up their sleeves. that sure makes for a positive photo op, when Americans can 'feel' he is hard at work.
i DO have a problem with his version of 'transparency' within the workings of his administration. all questions should receive reasonable answers, not just the ones he feels like commenting on.
i didn't vote for Obama, but i sincerely hope for a positive change within our country in many respects. so far, what i'm hearing is a bit scary. some people may not find anything wrong with Socialism, but it just isn't the manner in which our country was founded. to penalize 'the rich' can backfire. big corporations, warts n' all, are what makes our Nation thrive. they are directly responsible for most of the jobs doled out. what shape would this country be in without big corporations? some tweaking of CEO salaries and more vigilent pursuit of expansion with less outsourcing would help a lot towards getting the economy on the right track. ....and NO MORE bad loans?? tyvm!

Please stop with the personal comments in this thread please. I know politics is volitale but we can all disagree while still being polite friends.


thanks.