The Obamanation

[classicman]

Ahhh Transparency

In what appeared to be a coordinated exchange, President Obama called on the Huffington Post's Nico Pitney near the start of his press conference and requested a question directly about Iran.

“Nico, I know you and all across the Internet, we've been seeing a lot of reports coming out of Iran,” Obama said, addressing Pitney. “I know there may actually be questions from people in Iran who are communicating through the Internet. Do you have a question?”

Pitney, as if ignoring what Obama had just said, said: “I wanted to use this opportunity to ask you a question directly from an Iranian.”

He then noted that the site had solicited questions from people in the country “who were still courageous enough to be communicating online.”

“Under which conditions would you accept the election of Ahmadinejad, and if you do accept it without any significant changes in the conditions there, isn't that a betrayal of the — of what the demonstrators there are working towards?”

Reporters typically don’t coordinate their questions for the president before press conferences, so it seemed odd that Obama might have an idea what the question would be. Also, it was a departure from White House protocol by calling on The Huffington Post second, in between the AP and Reuters.

CBS Radio's Mark Knoller, a veteran White House correspondent, said over Twitter it was "very unusual that Obama called on Huffington Post second, appearing to know the issue the reporter would ask about."

According to POLITICO's Carol Lee, The Huffington Post reporter was brought out of lower press by deputy press secretary Josh Earnest and placed just inside the barricade for reporters a few minutes before the start of the press conference.

Pathetic. I expected a lot more from him. Still he can actually craft a complete sentence and all which is a refreshing change, but still.

[glatt]

Obama has answered more questions from the press so far in his first 4 months than Bush did in two entire terms. What's the problem with him calling on Huffington? That he's trying to get his desired message out first before moving on to other off-topic questions later?

[classicman]

Originally Posted by glatt

Obama has answered more questions from the press so far in his first 4 months than Bush did in two entire terms.

Haggis! very cute.

Originally Posted by glatt

What's the problem with him calling on Huffington? That he's trying to get his desired message out first before moving on to other off-topic questions later?

No problem - just don't act like its something it isn't. It was a setup intended to deceive people. Something I hoped and thought he was above.
If "he's trying to get his desired message out first" as you said - then he can, rather should, make a statement, or read it off the prompter. There was no reason to do what was done.

[Happy Monkey]

Originally Posted by classicman

No problem - just don't act like its something it isn't. It was a setup intended to deceive people.

Where was the deceit?

Somehow, from

Originally Posted by Obama

“Nico, I know you and all across the Internet, we've been seeing a lot of reports coming out of Iran, I know there may actually be questions from people in Iran who are communicating through the Internet. Do you have a question?”

you managed to deduce that Obama knew Nico had been soliciting questions for Obama from Iranians! Impressive; you're a veritable Sherlock Holmes.

[Aliantha]

Originally Posted by classicman

Ahhh Transparency


Pathetic. I expected a lot more from him. Still he can actually craft a complete sentence and all which is a refreshing change, but still.

I don't see what's pathetic about that even if he did know what the question was going to be. Obviously you know that on one to one interviews people generally have a list of questions prior to the interview so they can be prepared. Working on the assumption that Obama knew he had a question and what the contents would be doesn't seem pathetic or even underhanded in my opinion.

This is a world issue at the moment. It would certainly pay to be informed.

I'm just not sure if this is even newsworthy to be honest. Who gives a rats backside if it was set up or not? Most of the press are little more than one eyed mules anyway.

[spudcon]

Originally Posted by Aliantha

Most of the press are little more than one eyed mules anyway.

You are so right on that, Ali.

[sugarpop]

Originally Posted by classicman

Ahhh Transparency


Pathetic. I expected a lot more from him. Still he can actually craft a complete sentence and all which is a refreshing change, but still.

I thought that was a pretty lame answer as well. Didn't answer the question in any way, shape or form. Niko should have insisted upon a follow up.

*EDIT*
After reading the rest of thread, I'm confused as to what you thought was lame, the fact that he asked Niko the question, or the answer he gave. Personally, I think the Huffington Post is just as relevant as any other news organization. I just thought his answer was a non-answer, because it didn't really address the question that was asked.