Obama team had 'game plan' for presser

[DogPoundPup]

Source: Yahoo / Politico

When Barack Obama began taking questions during today’s economic press conference, reporters quickly realized that raising one’s hand wouldn’t lead to getting called on. That's because news outlets were selected beforehand.

President-elect Obama, according to an aide, went in with “a game plan” of who to call on, time-permitting. Today, he took questions from reporters with three wire services and three major papers.

Only the Associated Press and Reuters have asked questions at both post-election briefings, the first of which was held on Nov. 7. Otherwise, it’s been a mixed bag. For instance, the NY Times got an opportunity during the first, but the not the second. The opposite can be said for the Washington Post and Wall Street Journal.

In a step toward White House protocol, the AP has had the first question on both occasions. But the Obama team isn't exactly following White House protocol since no television reporters asked questions today,(although four got a chance earlier this month). Also, reporters were told last time not to use laptops, a consideration typically made for President Bush. However, that wasn't followed today, according to one reporter.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20081124/pl_politico/26531

[Eric J in MN]

1. "reporters were told last time not to use laptops" - Huh?

Why would Bush and Obama care if reporters use laptops?

[yurbud]

13. Bush would think they were showing off by reading and typing

[WriteDown]

2. Huh?

Just...huh?!

[elbram]

3. might have to do with security.

would be my guess

[bushmeister0]

4. Notice for the last question, he asked for "John " of the WSJ

then looked up from the podium to the right of the room and then to the left to find the questioner. He obviously had list he was going down.

This hang over from Bush Co. needs to end. Just face the music, Barack. You can handle it.

What we need also is an American version of Prime Minister's questions, where members of Congress get to grill the president every week. That would really seperate the boys from the men.

Couldn't you just see W. trying to hold his own against the likes of Waxman and Conyers?

[DJ13]

5. It was pretty obvious since he looked at the podium when saying who's Q he took

[NOW tense]

6. I think he should make it exciting.

He could hand out numbers before the press conference and have one of those lotto ball machines.

[EC]

7. Maybe he wants to make sure the same reporting group don't get

all the questions. So he's keeping a list of who has had a question and who hasn't...and asking those who haven't...

[asthmaticeog]

8. OMG ITS TEH FASCISM

[riverdale]

9. I am waiting for Obama to impress me and it's not happening yet

So far so not-so-good

[ryanmuegge]

10. Our kings don't like tough questions.

[Javaman]

11. my god, the level of anti-Obama on this thread is troll worthy.

folks, let me give you a reality check. if you honestly believe that all pressers are free for alls and everyone has an equal chance of getting called on, I have a bridge to sell you.

the press corps is nothing more than to pass on the propaganda. it's been that way since the dawn of time.

so please cut the indignation, it's tiresome.

[Kolesar]

12. One of them was joking

I know the guy and he's a "capital joker". Your conclusion is correct about the others. Moving right along...