Obama Hasn’t Taken Question From The Press In Two Months
A week ago there were headlines about Mitt Romney’s trip to Europe and the limits his campaign put on the press’ access to ask questions. The criticism of Romney was fair, I think. Candidates should be open to the media, even if most of the questions the press asks are kind of stupid.
But what’s good for the goose is good for the gander. White House press corps blogger Keith Koffler notes that while Romney didn’t take many questions during the week he was in Europe, President Obama hasn’t take any questions of any substance since June:
President Obama has not taken a serious question from the White House press corps in nearly seven weeks, a remarkable string that points to a campaign-style White House operation that is seeking to insulate the candidate from tough cross examination.
The last substantive question Obama took from a White House reporter was during a June 20 press conference following the G20 Summit in Los Cabos, Mexico. Obama allowed only six questions during the event, which was nearly guaranteed to keep him out of political hot water as the focus was on foreign policy.
Since then, Obama has held no press conferences, given no interviews to White House reporters, and taken no questions at the White House events he has held where reporters have been present.
After a July 26 Cabinet meeting, Obama actually laughed off the prospect of taking a serious question about gun laws.
Of course, it’s different when Obama avoids the press. When Romney does it he’s a rich, out-of-touch plutocrat who thinks he’s too good to answer to the common man. When Obama does it he’s just a busy guy who doesn’t need to be bothered by trivialities.
Tags: Barack Obama, mitt romney
