Here's a picture of the reporters who asked all the questions at today's Obama press conference.

[Drunken Irishman]

Notice something? They were all women - he didn't call on any men.

[JaneyVee]

1. Love it!

[TwilightGardener]

2. Is this supposed to be a good thing?

[adieu]

47. His last two years will be massive trolling of the GOP

and it's going to be wonderful.

[TwilightGardener]

53. Reverse discrimination is as fucking stupid as discrimination.

I wouldn't like him to only take questions from black reporters, or white reporters, etc. either. He needs to get away from Valerie Jarrett.

[jberryhill]

55. Have you ever seen a headline when only men asked questions?

There have been a gazillion presidential press conferences in which no woman has spoken at all.

But, along comes this, and its an OUTRAGE!

pfft.

[TwilightGardener]

56. I'm not outraged. But if this was some sort of deliberate pre-planned thing, it's

stupid.

[jberryhill]

57. It's a press conference, not the end of the world

I think the men are winning on this one by a long shot, today included. The world will survive it.

[TwilightGardener]

61. Didn't say it was the end of the world, either. Just said it was stupid.

And a little patronizing.

[OldRedneck]

68. Lighten up.

[a kennedy]

72. and has been said before.....LOVE IT.

bout time ALL women get their chance......and if this press conference is the first one of its kind.....THEN I'M ALL FOR IT.

[Luminous Animal]

83. It was deliberate and I think it is a good thing.

Last edited Fri Dec 19, 2014, 09:03 PM - Edit history (1)

Press Secretary Josh Earnest addressed the cast of all-female questioners in a statement following the press conference:

"The fact is, there are many women from a variety of news organizations who day-in and day-out do the hard work of covering the President of the United States. As the questioner list started to come together, we realized that we had a unique opportunity to highlight that fact at the President's closely watched, end of the year news conference," he said, according to Time Magazine's Zeke Miller.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/19/obama-women-press-conference_n_6356440.html

[Luminous Animal]

92. You think that is what he said? I get an entirely different take on it.

Perhaps when they were putting together the list, they realized that for whatever reason (maybe unconscious bias?) those reporters hadn't much of an opportunity to ask the President questions. Deliberately giving them the opportunity to ask questions is not an attempt to rectify the issue but rather an acknowledgment of the issue.

Going forward, maybe they'll strive for more balance, maybe they won't. I'd hope that now that it has been noticed by the President's own press team, they'll be more inclusive in the future.

[elehhhhna]

102. wow poutrageous

[VanillaRhapsody]

104. I find YOUR reaction sexist and disgusting myself....

Are men being subjugated by this? Do you KNOW what the term "Boys Club" is about?

[davidn3600]

114. You need to pay attention to the rest of the thread...

You got a poster further down saying the world would be better without any male leaders.

Is that a sexist thing to say? Why isn't that poster getting bullied by you for being sexist? Only 1 poster called that person out for being sexist. If a man here said "the would would be better without any female leaders," you would want him banned, correct?

Sexism is apparently OK as long as it's against men. Not only is it OK and accepted, but then you get angry when men call it out and feel offended.

[7962]

165. That applies to a LOT of things here.

We have people calling for Scalia's heart to explode, no problem. Call Ben Carson an "Oreo", no problem. But someone above merely says let the girls have their day, and its blocked.
If you dont like the other side being rude, then it shouldnt be OK here either

[sheshe2]

116. +1

[calimary]

146. Not the first time a point was made with the picking at a press conference.

Remember awhile back when much was made of how chuck todd and jonathan karl did NOT get picked to ask a question? President Obama passed them over and took questions from others than the front-seaters and other usual suspects. It got noticed, too. I kinda liked that one. I noticed it myself and thought - "you SHOW 'em, Mr. President! Just because they think they're big-time doesn't mean YOU have to treat them that way."

[Luminous Animal]

150. Yep! Thanks for the reminder!

[pangaia]

123. No. It is not stupid.

It is a brilliant way of stating a truth by an action and not words.

[Orsino]

171. It may be stupid...

...but not nearly as stupid as the chauvinism which it was designed to address.

Yeah, it's a good thing, if it's not relegated to mere tokenism. Perhaps more women will be included more often in the future--if we let our presidents know we want this.

[maddiemom]

132. RIP Helen Thomas: fighting to be the only woman reporter ever called on for years.

[ronnie624]

144. Word.

[Posteritatis]

74. Neither's quite as dumb as tantrums about "reverse discrimination" are, though. (nt)

[Sheldon Cooper]

81. Heh.

[cyberswede]

139. Right?

[adieu]

122. You think his choice of reporters to respond to

is "reverse" discrimination?

[jtuck004]

125. Wonderful would getting the over 10 million people who fell into poverty in this administration out.

What you are describing is entertainment for people who really have nothing else to offer.

[irisblue]

160. from your keyboard to gods' ears.....

[BlueStreak]

176. Absolutely. I wish he would have had the guts to take them on when it really mattered

But Obama isn't that much of a risk taker. Now that he has nothing to lose, he's willing to stir the shit.

Maybe from Obama's perspective, he figures he got as much as was possible with his tenure and now it is time to shake up the Beltway dynamic before the new campaign starts. There is a certain logic to that, as it allows progressives to enter the game an not look so far to the left of Obama.

[Dont call me Shirley]

87. Yes, it is a good thing, actually a GREAT THING. Women have been marginalized for thousands

of years. It's about time we get some recognition!

[VanillaRhapsody]

103. it IS a good thing!

[HappyMe]

3. Okay.

So what are we supposed to read into that.

[nichomachus]

4. So -- sexist?

[Cha]

66. TV reporters were advised in advance that @PressSec wanted other reporters not regularly called on..

Mark Knoller ✔ @markknoller
Follow
TV reporters were advised in advance that @PressSec wanted other reporters not regularly called on to get to question the Pres.
9:51 AM - 19 Dec 2014 77 Retweets 31 favorites

http://theobamadiary.com/2014/12/19/president-obama-holds-a-news-conference-2/#comments

[polichick]

5. They were nice and not naughty?

[bluedigger]

13. Pretty sure he accused at least one of being naughty.

[polichick]

16. Ha! So much for that theory.

[mcar]

6. I noticed that during the conference

I'm sure their male counterparts collective noses are out of joint.

[upaloopa]

7. Did they ask good questions?

I'll have to check it out later.

[Hekate]

34. Yes, of course. One of them is going to Belgium to start a branch of her news org there...

He brought it up and chatted about it a bit.

POTUS was pretty cheerful, all things considered.

[Fred Sanders]

8. What does it mean? It means the President has had enough of the ludicrous state of male

dominated cable news and the mass media.

He said as much at end of the pressed noting how the media covers all the crisis all the time but has not covered the good new, not exactly in those words.

And who else in America has more right to be pissed at the ambulance chasing, detail impaired, click bait lusting, campaign ad cash, all arguments are equal loving corrupted media?

Seeing all the long sad faces of the alpha males of the networks, Fox and CNN was a delightful Christmas wish.

Want to ask the President questions,Macy's, then change your mysognistic hiring, or end the inane gotcha self serving attacks masked as questions we usually get.

What a sad for the media, not a lot of Attack bites today.

[davidn3600]

9. Maybe he's scared of the tough questions men ask?

[Fred Sanders]

10. More like had enough of the inane propaganda laced questions the male lackeys of the corporate

media structure always ask...look, no Bengazhi questions, just good questions about policy.

Refreshing, no?

[HappyMe]

12. So he called on the female lackeys instead.

[VanillaRhapsody]

105. What makes you think that?

[JaneyVee]

14. Because women only lob softballs?

What kind of rationale are you insinuating?

[sabrina 1]

88. That is the implication of this OP, isn't it? 'Thank gawd only women got

to ask questions'.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

15. lol. yes, i am sure that is it

[SidDithers]

19. 'Cause women can't ask tough questions?...

What kind of sexist bullshit is this?

Sid

[Hekate]

35. Like Helen Thomas ever held back. LOL

[rosesaylavee]

39. +1000

[mahina]

119. +2000

Right!

[longship]

130. Yup! And there's only one answer to that. Helen Thomas!

Who was front row and asked the first question at presidential press conferences throughout many presidencies.

Here she is in the Oval Office with JFK at his desk.


And interviewing him:


And, of course, front and center in the Oval Office during an LBJ presser:


The same with Trickie Dickie:


And with Ford:


And Carter:


And Reagan, as always, with the first presser question:


George HW Bush:


Big Dawg (apparently where he interviews her):


Dubya: (oh dear):


Obama, sharing birthday cake with her:


She led the way for many women.

And none of it is enough until full equality is achieved.

My best to you Sid.

[stopwastingmymoney]

163. What a great selection of pics! Thank you for that. nt

[AndreaCG]

177. Well she did until Shrub ended the practice

If I remember correctly. Her questions were too pointed for him. The RW prefers lapdogs (poodles?) and cheerleaders to hard hitting journalists.

And Sid you may be my favorite poster here, save for Steven Leser whom I actually know.

[LanternWaste]

20. No more and no less than he's frustrated by all the stupid questions men ask.

No more and no less than he's frustrated by all the stupid questions men ask (I'm merely applying your logic consistently).

[davidn3600]

23. Yeah because he's sick of talking about how our government tortures people

And why no one will be held accountable.

[OilemFirchen]

65. Everbody's laughing at you.

Just thought you should know.

[davidn3600]

69. You really think I give a fuck?

If I am sexist, so is the op for insinuating that the president picked women because women ask questions better...

My post is no more sexist than the op's.

[840high]

128. Evverybody? I'm not.

[blm]

21. You mean like the ones tough guys like Jeff Gannon asked Bush?

.

[libodem]

147. LOLOLOL

[treestar]

38. Why would men ask tougher questions than women?

[jberryhill]

59. Because, you know, testicles

I think this is hilarious, just for the reactions alone.

If he had only called on men there would be no story here.

[Gormy Cuss]

107. It is hilarious

and sad.

[jberryhill]

137. I've been married twice, so I've been asked a lot of tough questions by women

[Cha]

40. No, the stupid questions. Yeah, like he's all "scared" and shit. lol

[etherealtruth]

42. I am really glad to see this here

You post an outrageously sexist remark .... and DUers respond en masse to let you know how bigoted and idiotically sexists (ignorant) your statement was.

Thank you DU

[riqster]

48. Two words: Helen Thomas.

What a sexist post.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

49. I know, right? The dames and their stupid questions about fashion and the First

Lady's cookie recipes.

[heaven05]

51. ?????

You're NOT under the radar, read loud and clear, saw you coming a mile away.......

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

52. Oh my god, please tell me that is a god damn joke?

[Posteritatis]

73. The fifties called; they're worried and wondering where you've been. (nt)

[a kennedy]

76. Please give me a break....tough questions only asked by men?? ah, that's a little out there, right?

gonna have to watch the press conference again.....

[davidn3600]

77. First off, it was a joke..

Second, I was pointing out the sexism that this entire thread is based on... that men don't ask good policy questions.

For a lot of people though, I guess sexism only goes one way.

[a kennedy]

84. Ok, sorry, just pissed me off a tad.....and didn't get the joke.

I'm just not in a very good mood...... sorry for taking it out on you.

[CreekDog]

94. When did it become a joke?

After a dozen responses admonishing you for the post?

[davidn3600]

99. Im not here 24/7

A lot of times I make a post and come back later to reply.

I dont have the luxury to sit here in front of a computer screen all day and respond to every single post that replies to me.

[VanillaRhapsody]

109. funny....you replied a few times before deciding it was just a joke...

[treestar]

170. Agree, how is it a joke?

I don't think it was intended as one to start. If so, it's not very good, as a joke.

[VanillaRhapsody]

108. Oh is that your thoughts on Racism too?

don't tell me.....you deny White Male privilege too?

[bravenak]

78. In what respect, David?nt

[davidn3600]

86. I already said I was responding to the sexism of the thread in general

The president asks questions from only women...and everyone celebrates and cheers.

If he asked only men....everyone would be pissed off. I found the reaction to be sexist.

My post was a joke to poke fun at that and apparently it flew way over everyone's head. The whole thing is dumb to begin with. I don't give a crap who he called. But apparently we have some who keep a tally.

[bravenak]

89. The presidents have taken questions from men only and in recent history from whites only.

Missing out on one press conference when everyone else has missed out on thousands is NOT sexism. That would be like saying it's racist to have two black presidents in a row or sexist to have two males in a row. The presidency is sexist. No women have ever been called on for that. They jus finally get to ask questions for one day. Oh my, the misandry.

[davidn3600]

91. Im not saying what the president did is sexism...Im talking about the reaction HERE

I seriously doubt the President went out there thinking he's ONLY going to call on women. He just happened to pick women today. His next press conference he may pick all men.

I don't have any problem that he picked women. I watched the press conference and I didn't even pay any attention to who he was calling.

My problem is how some people here are suggesting women ask better questions than men. One poster here says the president did it so that he didn't have to answer questions about Benghazi anymore... is that suggesting that no female journalist in this country would ask the president about Benghazi, and only men would?

This whole thing is just stupid..

[VanillaRhapsody]

111. and WE are talking about YOUR reaction.....

there have been hundreds perhaps thousands of Press conferences where ONLY men were asked questions....just once the reverse happens.....and you scream "unfair"?

Welcome to our world

[brett_jv]

153. When did he "scream unfair"

I must've missed that ...

[VanillaRhapsody]

173. When he said it was unfair or gender bias to have a press conference with only women....

as if even ONCE that happening is some slight against men....its the old zero sum game.

[VanillaRhapsody]

110. If he asked only men....there wouldn't be a thread....because that would be status quo

[arcane1]

106. One tried to ask him if he would start smoking Cuban cigars

Such tough questions.

[SunSeeker]

133. Yup. And another male reporter shouted, "Any New Year's resolutions?"

http://m.dailykos.com/stories/1353007

[sheshe2]

117. Only men ask the tough questions?

Women are not weak and simpleminded you know.

[pangaia]

124. Obama...scared?

[cyberswede]

140. Because women only ask easy questions? FFS.

[Iggo]

167. Men ask tougher questions than women?

Huh.

[snooper2]

11. I see he didn't call on a single redhead again!

SEE! told you time and time again he hates the redhead LOL

[cwydro]

31. I just miss Helen Thomas.

Sigh.

No she wasn't a redhead, but I loved her.

[dirtydickcheney]

17. Here's a picture of all the reporters asking questions about the Torture Report today:

[Pacifist Patriot]

26. Indeed

[No Vested Interest]

33. Is there anything new or differnt to be said about the torture report

that we haven't already heard before?
I for one have heard enough.
It isn't pretty.
It's also a Congressional report, not an executive function.

[mahannah]

45. Yes. What's he going to do about it?

[No Vested Interest]

46. What should he do about it?

It's a Congressional report.
Has he been requested to do anything about it?

[mahannah]

67. He does not need a formal request to act on this shit.

[No Vested Interest]

82. Once again, what should he do about it?

What has been the Obama Admisistration's policies - pro and con - that you would like to see changed?

[mahannah]

120. Hold those accountable, accountable (not a new suggestion).

[No Vested Interest]

138. Specifics? Are you saying all those responsible for torturing

should be referred to the Dept. of Justice, who will then build a case based on what is in the Congressional report?
Or should those responsible be referred to the United Nations who will then do their own investigation into the matter?
Or do you have something else in mind?

[mahannah]

141. Yes. On all counts.

[No Vested Interest]

142. Very well. Make it happen. nt

[Agschmid]

97. YUP!

[Iggo]

18. Affirmative Action!

Yes!

[bemildred]

22. +1. nt

[babylonsister]

24. I loved it. Maybe he's

sick of the male attack dogs.

He's off on his vacation and didn't want the grief, perhaps.

[Hekate]

43. Maybe Chuck Todd and Luke Russert already had enough time this year.

As PBO said: Mele Kalikimaka!

[madamesilverspurs]

25. Nifty.

Point being made and, judging by the pusses some of those fellows are pulling, they aren't loving the message.

Don't know his reason. But it won't hurt any of those guys to walk in someone else's high heels now and then.

[Man from Pickens]

27. Wow

This thread devolved quickly into the perfect combination of misandry and misogyny.

Either it is mere coincidence, or the President deliberately chose to discriminate by gender.

As most of the comments so far seem to believe the latter is the case, there is an additional divergence between those who think that discrimination by gender is OK if it's men getting shafted, and those who think it's not OK no matter which gender gets shafted.

At what point do we get around to that ideal that everyone claims to be seeking, to see all people treated equally regardless of gender, skin color, etc?

[GummyBearz]

58. Thanks

My thoughts exactly...

Hey, next time lets cheer the math teacher who wont answer any questions from boys in the class.. cuz, ya know, F them!

sarcasm off;

[VanillaRhapsody]

113. So if he only chose Black people....would that hurt your feelings and make you call him a racist?

Or anybody that also supported that?

[brett_jv]

154. Nice job ...

Missing the point and all ...

Clue me in ... where's the 'hurt feelings'?

You know, to go along with the 'screaming unfair' you mentioned above re: David?

Seems you find a way to read a lot into people's posts that ... well ... not everyone sees. I'll leave it at that.

[justiceischeap]

28. There's a reason this happened but for the life of me, I've no idea why

Getting called on at presser's can be political, it can be a punishment to not be called on...it's definitely a message of some sort to the press corpse. I wish I had my secret PBO decoder ring.

[Cha]

63. There's this, jic..

Mark Knoller ✔ @markknoller
Follow
TV reporters were advised in advance that @PressSec wanted other reporters not regularly called on to get to question the Pres.
9:51 AM - 19 Dec 2014 77 Retweets 31 favorites

http://theobamadiary.com/2014/12/19/president-obama-holds-a-news-conference-2/#comments

[Posteritatis]

75. "The press corpse" is an interesting typo given the state of the media lately. (nt)

[justiceischeap]

151. Not a typo at all, it was intentional. nt

[mahannah]

29. Don't care about gender - no questions on CIA/torture

[cwydro]

30. At the beginning he said:

I have a list of who's been naughty or nice.

Maybe they were the nice ones. And their damn gender does not matter.

[Mr.Bill]

32. I think I remember Rachel Maddow

pointing out when he did this before. Let's see if she mentions it on her show tonight.

[No Vested Interest]

36. Perhaps Malia or Sasha asked their father to give the ladies more recognition

than they've had in the past.

[kydo]

37. Ed Henry is gonna get mad

he didn't get to ask no questions..... It so breaks my heart... hmmm, not!

[Renew Deal]

41. They all wear dark clothes?

None have round glasses? Hmmm, I don't know.

[irisblue]

161. No Nancy Reagan Red either.....

don't miss her either.....and soft floppy bows...ugh. ahhh the bad old days.....

[Hekate]

44. How many of them were from the major tv stations, and how many from less prominent media agencies?

Wonder if he felt that reporters from ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, WaPo and NYT already had enough exposure this year?

These women did ask good questions -- at least as good as their male colleagues, and sometimes better.

Mele Kalikimaka and Mahalo!

[Hekate]

100. Bingo! April whatshername just confirmed my hunch that there was a plan to not call on the networks

And the men went to the press secretary afterwards to express their displeasure. Boohoo.

[Hekate]

101. Bingo! April whatshername just confirmed my hunch that there was a plan to not call on the networks

And the men went to the press secretary afterwards to express their displeasure. Boohoo.

[Bill USA]

50. could it be that too many of the men insist on asking 'follow-up' questions which hogs a lot of time

- leaving less time for others questions?

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

54. If there were NO male leaders in the world, we would be better off by leaps and bounds

[kelly1mm]

80. And f there were NO female leaders in the world, we would be better off by leaps and bounds.

Basically, there should be no leaders. it is not the gender, but the position that is my problem.

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

90. sigh

[kelly1mm]

95. Ok, you can have your 100 years of Palin/Thatcher. I would prefer Clinton/Obama. But we

would be SO much better off with Palin and Thatcher, according to your post, because they have vaginas. I argue that we would all be much better off without leaders in the first place.

sigh ......

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

96. Leaders are necessary to organize and coordinate the efforts of people

To conduct diplomacy, etc.

[kelly1mm]

98. And a Palin/Thatcher are/were better at it than Clinton/Obama, right? They have vaginas so

the world would be better off with their leadership than with Clinton/Obama's?

Is that you position?

If not, maybe you should rethink you post as the worst woman would be preferable to the best man according to your 'logic'.

[7962]

166. There is no society without a leader of some sort. Leadership is needed.

If no one leads, no one succeeds.
Except maybe in a fantasy world

[Inkfreak]

162. Sexist bullshit. (nt)

[DeSwiss]

62. !

[Cha]

64. TV reporters were advised in advance that @PressSec wanted other reporters not regularly called on..

Mark Knoller ✔ @markknoller
Follow
TV reporters were advised in advance that @PressSec wanted other reporters not regularly called on to get to question the Pres.
9:51 AM - 19 Dec 2014 77 Retweets 31 favorites

http://theobamadiary.com/2014/12/19/president-obama-holds-a-news-conference-2/#comments

[Dont call me Shirley]

79. Thank you Mr. President! And Thank You Ladies!

[ohheckyeah]

93. That just made my day! n/t

[GreatCaesarsGhost]

112. The look on the corporate boys faces down front was priceless.

[Turbineguy]

115. He took a few jabs at the GOP too.

Economy most improved since the 1990's (wait, don't tell me who was in charge then...). His alternative to Executive Orders (Congress doing its job...).

[BlancheSplanchnik]

118. turnabout is fair play!

[GusBob]

121. BO. The Obamenator. Obamarama. Obamanation. The Barackster

He is fucking trolling us all and I am loving it. I want to know who came up with this fourth quarter game plan. Genius

[Cha]

158. Back story, GusBob on how it evolved..

Mark Knoller ✔ @markknoller
Follow
TV reporters were advised in advance that @PressSec wanted other reporters not regularly called on to get to question the Pres.
9:51 AM - 19 Dec 2014 87 Retweets 38 favorites

http://theobamadiary.com/2014/12/19/its-friday-laugh-your-off/

Obama takes questions only from women, apparently a White House first

snip//

Friday was a reminder of how much has changed. The president began with a question from Carrie Budoff Brown of Politico and continued with reporters from Bloomberg BNA, Associated Press, McClatchy Newspapers, Reuters, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post and American Urban Radio Networks. All were women. The group represented a mix of major news outlets and smaller organizations. Notably, television correspondents, who sometimes dominate the news conferences and daily media briefings, were shut out.

http://www.latimes.com/nation/politics/politicsnow/la-pn-obama-reporters-women-20141219-story.html

AprilDRyan @AprilDRyan
Follow
Wow! they are calling us the Obama 8, the women who asked questions of the President today!
2:14 PM - 19 Dec 2014 146 Retweets 143 favorites

Joy Reid ✔ @JoyAnnReid
Follow
Per @AprilDRyan the front row men of the White House pool had their game faces on during the #ObamaPresser but fits were pitched after.
2:44 PM - 19 Dec 2014 94 Retweets 71 favorites


Zeke Miller ✔ @ZekeJMiller
Follow
.@PressSec statement on questioner list:
10:34 AM - 19 Dec 2014 189 Retweets 99 favorites

http://theobamadiary.com/2014/12/19/a-tweet-or-two-193/

[bravenak]

126. I LOVE WOMEN!!!!!!!!nt

[F4lconF16]

134. This cracked me up.

+1

[bravenak]

135. I was thinking about Queen Dressage.

[Stevepol]

129. I didn't even notice the "reverse discrimination"

What I did notice was that the questions were significant questions, well-worded, eliciting thoughtful responses from the POTUS. I didn't hear a lot of stupidly belligerent questioners asking questions that were phrased so as to distort the focus on the truth and make it a test of who can be the most opinionated and stupid.

I was thankful in other words that the Fox Snooty raging male egos were kept in their seats. All of them would probably be in the corner with a dunce's cap on for lying and distorting and twisting the truth into something that doesn't even resemble it anymore if they were in a classroom run by any teacher with a halfway decent grasp of the truth.

Let the poor bruised male egos go take it out on themselves for a change. The president said that his choices were really a result of deciding who's been naughty and nice! Good choices I think.

[Hekate]

131. Same here. Exactly.

[bravenak]

136. That's about a half BINDER full of Women!!!nt

[libodem]

148. .

[Jamaal510]

143. Ed Henry was mad that O didn't call on any menz:

http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2014/12/19/3605918/obama-women-presser/

[Cha]

156. This is bad but somebody came up with it anyway.. :)

TheObamaDiary.com @TheObamaDiary
Follow
Ed Henry prepares for the President's next presser
11:45 AM - 19 Dec 2014 122 Retweets 88 favorites

from your link.. thanks

On Fox News, White House correspondent Ed Henry joked that he was “outraged for men everywhere” but then admitted seriously that he was not pleased with the questions the women asked.

“Frankly some of the questions just didn’t press him,” he said. “There’s so much going on right now and the questions were trailing off. The president was almost like, let me remember what you asked because it was so unmemorable.”

The eight female journalists asked Obama about Sony’s decision to pull The Interview following threats by North Korea, the deal to restore diplomatic relations with Cuba, the state of race relations in the country and the Keystone XL pipeline, which incoming majority leader Mitch McConnell said will be the first matter up for a vote when the new Congress returns from the recess. Notably missing were any questions about the CIA torture report released last week.

While Obama only formally called on women, two men were able to yell out their own questions during the conference. “Do you have any New Year’s resolutions?” one asked, while a reporter called after Obama as he left the room. “Will you smoke a cigar Mr. President?”

I rest my case.. mahalo Jamaal

[Jamaal510]

157. ...

[Cha]

159. Now you got me Laughing!!

[R B Garr]

145. Heavens to Mergatroid! This thread has over 19,000 views

in 10 hours.

Should these viewing trends continue, that's close to 40,000 views in 24 hours.

If these trends continue over multiple days, we're talking booyah here, that is -- if you're into those kind of thread stats.

[Cha]

155. It is interesting what draws those who just look and what they do want to click on.

thanks, R B Garr

[Cha]

149. Some more back story on how this evovled! It's precious. "The Obama Eight".. mahalo DI

Mark Knoller ✔ @markknoller
Follow
TV reporters were advised in advance that @PressSec wanted other reporters not regularly called on to get to question the Pres.
9:51 AM - 19 Dec 2014 87 Retweets 38 favorites

http://theobamadiary.com/2014/12/19/its-friday-laugh-your-off/

Obama takes questions only from women, apparently a White House first

snip//

Friday was a reminder of how much has changed. The president began with a question from Carrie Budoff Brown of Politico and continued with reporters from Bloomberg BNA, Associated Press, McClatchy Newspapers, Reuters, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post and American Urban Radio Networks. All were women. The group represented a mix of major news outlets and smaller organizations. Notably, television correspondents, who sometimes dominate the news conferences and daily media briefings, were shut out.

http://www.latimes.com/nation/politics/politicsnow/la-pn-obama-reporters-women-20141219-story.html

AprilDRyan @AprilDRyan
Follow
Wow! they are calling us the Obama 8, the women who asked questions of the President today!
2:14 PM - 19 Dec 2014 146 Retweets 143 favorites

Joy Reid ✔ @JoyAnnReid
Follow
Per @AprilDRyan the front row men of the White House pool had their game faces on during the #ObamaPresser but fits were pitched after.
2:44 PM - 19 Dec 2014 94 Retweets 71 favorites


Zeke Miller ✔ @ZekeJMiller
Follow
.@PressSec statement on questioner list:
10:34 AM - 19 Dec 2014 189 Retweets 99 favorites

http://theobamadiary.com/2014/12/19/a-tweet-or-two-193/

[R B Garr]

174. Thanks for the links, Cha!

Great backstory to this. It was another stroke of genius from Obama.

[Cha]

175. I'm glad you, like it, RB! :)

[grahamhgreen]

152. Does that mean we don't have to bail out the banksters?

[IronLionZion]

164. Clinton was the first black president, Obama was the first woman president

I enjoy the epic and cocky levels of trolling we are seeing from the white house lately. Love it.

And while I realize that equality means some people are more equal than others, this is a brilliant way to make the point that half of humanity has been left out in the past. The people crying about discrimination are clearly missing the point while unwittingly making the point.

I bet there are more women in the press conferences now too. Just a guess.

This is a great point to be made, but unfortunately OP should have maybe spelled out some things for those who don't/won't understand.

I welcome our new female overlords. Power to the matriarchy!

[Beowulf42]

168. One Man's Opinion

He was making a point. That maybe, too many times in our society, women are ignored. If this causes you to go crazy, take a look at where all of the money has gone since 1982. That aught to cause screaming crazy riots for at least a month. We're a nation of idiots. Doomed to exist in a Hell without reason and sanity.

[Iggo]

172. Straight up.

[hughee99]

169. A press conference with the most powerful politician

In the world, and the only story that seems to come from it is the gender of the people who asked the questions. It seems like the women were just as successful at getting new and interesting information from the president as the men in the press corps usually are.

[LanternWaste]

178. I think someone should read more into this that there really is...

I think someone should read more into this that there really is, use it to validate a pre-owned, gently-used bias, and then state that it's simply one more example of men being oppressed.