Obama’s Unscreened Town Hall Audience Is Clean Break From Bush’s Supporters-Only Public Events»

[babylonsister]

Obama’s Unscreened Town Hall Audience Is Clean Break From Bush’s Supporters-Only Public Events»

obama-townhall.jpgToday, President Obama hosted a town hall meeting in Elkhart, IN — which faces the nation’s fastest-rising unemployment rate — to promote his recovery and reinvestment plan. As the Washington Post’s Dan Froomkin notes, Obama traveled to relatively unfriendly territory: Obama lost the county to Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) 44 percent to 56 percent. Despite that fact, the White House did not screen its audience, who had the chance to ask the president questions:

In a dramatic contrast to former President Bush’s town-hall meetings — which were held almost exclusively in party strongholds, with tickets distributed primarily to supporters — it was first-come, first-served in Elkhart on Saturday {when tickets were distributed}. White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs explained on Friday: “I’ve watched the President do town halls from 2004 through 2008, and the audience has never been hand-picked, and neither have the questions. And we’re not going to start any of that on Monday.”

What’s more, Obama invited two critics of his package along for the Air Force One ride to Indiana: Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-IN) and Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI), who both voted against the bill.

more...

http://thinkprogress.org/2009/02/09/obama-townhall-break-from-bush/

[hedgehog]

1. Having the critics along is very sly - Obama gets credit for being

open to criticism AND the critics get dragged out of their bubble to see what real people are saying!

[firedupdem]

2. I'm very proud of my President. He did a great job today in

answering the questions from the audience. He emphasized the importance of science and education, and continues to understand the plight of everyday broke ass Americans.

:patriot:

[Bozita]

3. no more Bushco-style "Free Speech Zones"

[bluestateguy]

4. Elkhart voted for McCain

but Obama took 44% in the county, much better than John Kerry's 29% in 2004.

[kickysnana]

5. It isn't a Townhall unless it is open to everyone.I hated that the media bought into this with * n/t

[Javaman]

6. Obama is so fucking brilliant. here's why..

he knows that the small town Americans get their bullshit news from faux snooze, so he can go out and tell them first hand how things will be. word of mouth travels fast in small communities.

Obama is so incredibly subtle. Each day, he does a little bit more to dismantle the repuke lie.

I'm so glad I voted for him. :)

[Ichingcarpenter]

7. He had a Sean Hannity admirer ask him a question

It was great. Obama gets a free beer out of it.