By Chris Steller 4/30/09 7:45 AM New York Times reporter Jeff Zeleny’s question about what has most “surprised,” “enchanted,” “humbled” and “troubled” President Obama consumed one-seventh of last night’s prime-time press conference — time that could have been spent on two substantive questions. Topics that weren’t raised: health care reform, gay marriage, credit-card usury, labor rights, Wall Street regulation and the humanitarian crisis in Darfur. What question (or two) would you have asked?
(Conservative commentator Michelle Malkin offers this AWOL interrogative: “He could have, I dunno, pressed Obama for details about how and why his administration spooked and freaked out countless New Yorkers this week for the sake of an alleged photo op update.”)
The question in question:
During these first 100 days, what has surprised you the most about this office, enchanted you the most about serving in this office, humbled you the most and troubled you the most?
Obama took out a pen and asked Zeleny to repeat the question’s key words, drawing laughter especially with this raised-eyebrow comment: “‘Enchanted.’ Nice.”
Zeleny’s query and Obama’s response clocked in at more than six-and-a-half minutes — more time than was spent on two questions about torture. The other questions reporters asked, including followups and Obama’s replies, required only about three-and-a-half minutes each, on average.
But Zeleny’s own estimate of the value of his question’s value apparently exceeds even its disproportionate claim on the president’s and the national television audience’s attention. More than one-sixth of his story on the press conference (co-written with Helene Cooper) is devoted to Obama being surprised, troubled, enchanted, humbled.
Zeleny “can get away with stuff like this,” writes the Atlantic’s Marc Ambinder, because he has been reporting on Obama since his early political career in Chicago.
Ambinder heard a White House aide console a reporter who didn’t get to ask a question: “Well, if it hadn’t been for one of your colleagues.”
Video is below, but first here’s the “enchanted” exchange from the Times’ own transcript (the newspaper also has an interactive transcript-video feature on the press conference).
OBAMA: Okay. Jeff Zeleny.
QUESTION: Thank you, Mr. President.
During these first 100 days, what has surprised you the most about this office, enchanted you the most about serving in this office, humbled you the most and troubled you the most?
MR. OBAMA: Let me write this down. (Laughter.)
QUESTION: Surprised.
MR. OBAMA: All right. I’ve got –
QUESTION: Troubled.
MR. OBAMA: I’ve got — what was the first one?
QUESTION: Surprised.
MR. OBAMA: Surprised.
QUESTION: Troubled.
MR. OBAMA: Troubled.
QUESTION: Enchanted.
MR. OBAMA: Enchanted. Nice. (Laughter.)
QUESTION: And humbled.
MR. OBAMA: And what was the last one, humbled?
QUESTION: Humbled.
Thank you, sir.
MR. OBAMA: All right. (Laughter.) Okay. (Laughter.)
Surprised. I am surprised, compared to where I started, when we first announced for this race, by the number of critical issues that appear to be coming to a head all at the same time.
You know, when I first started this race, Iraq was a central issue. But the economy appeared on the surface to still be relatively strong.
There were underlying problems that I was seeing with health care for families and our education system and college affordability and so forth, but obviously, I didn’t anticipate the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.
And so, you know, the typical president, I think, has two or three big problems; we’ve got seven or eight big problems. And so we’ve had to move very quickly. And I’m very proud of my team for the fact that we’ve been able to keep our commitments to the American people to bring about change, while at the same time managing a whole host of issues that had come up that weren’t necessarily envisioned a year and a half ago.
Troubled? I’d say less troubled but, you know, sobered by the fact that change in Washington comes slow. That there is still a certain quotient of political posturing and bickering that takes place even when we’re in the middle of really big crises.
I would like to think that everybody would say, you know what, let’s take a timeout on some of the political games, focus our attention for at least this year, and then we can start running for something next year. And that hasn’t happened as much as I would have liked.
Enchanted? (Laughter.) Enchanted. I — I will — I will tell you that, when I — when I meet our servicemen and -women, enchanted’s probably not the word I would use. (Laughter.)
But — but — but I — but I am — I am so profoundly impressed and grateful to them for what they do. They’re really good at their job. They are willing to make extraordinary sacrifices on our behalf. They do so without complaint. They are fiercely loyal to this country.
You know the more that I interact with our servicemen and -women, from the top brass down to the lowliest private, I’m just, I’m grateful to them.
Humbled by the — humbled by the fact that the presidency is extraordinarily powerful, but we are just part of a much broader tapestry of American life and there are a lot of different power centers. And so I can’t just press a button and suddenly have the bankers do exactly what I want — (laughter) — or — (chuckles) — or, you know, turn on a switch and suddenly, you know, Congress falls in line. And so, you know, what you do is to make your best arguments, listen hard to what other people have to say and coax folks in the right direction.
This metaphor has been used before, but this — the ship of state is an ocean liner; it’s not a speed boat. And so the way we are constantly thinking about this issue of how to bring about the changes that the American people need is to — is to say, if we can move this big battleship a few degrees in a different direction, we may not see all the consequences of that change a week from now or three months from now, but 10 years from now, or 20 years from now, our kids will be able to look back and say that was when we started getting serious about clean energy, that’s when health care started to become more efficient and affordable, that’s when we became serious about raising our standards in education.
And — and so — I — I have a much longer time horizon than I think you do when you’re a candidate or if you’re listening, I think, to the media reportage on a day-to-day basis.
And I’m — I’m humbled, last, by the American people who have shown extraordinary patience and, I think, a recognition that we’re not going to solve all these problems overnight.
Okay?
When Jeff Zeleny was asked why he asked such a kiss-ass question he mumbled this reply, "UFF cahn't twalk 'wight now, duh pwesidents bwalls uhr 'un muy mouf."
__________________ 'You can all go to hell. I'm going to Texas'-Davy Crockett
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both." Benjamin Franklin They're up and ready for content! For Political Dicussion and more... http://www.empirepaladin.com/NewForums/
When Jeff Zeleny was asked why he asked such a kiss-ass question he mumbled this reply, "UFF cahn't twalk 'wight now, duh pwesidents bwalls uhr 'un muy mouf."
[/indent]
I thought it was one of the most interesting questions and answers of the whole press conference. It went off of his 'talking points' and the prez had to respond extemporaneously. President Bush (yes, I know. 'Bush, AGAIN?') was thrown one of these types of off script questions in 2004, and his thoughful response after a moment of deep consideration and a confused look was, "I really don't have an answer for that."
I thought it was one of the most interesting questions and answers of the whole press conference. It went off of his 'talking points' and the prez had to respond extemporaneously. President Bush (yes, I know. 'Bush, AGAIN?') was thrown one of these types of off script questions in 2004, and his thoughful response after a moment of deep consideration and a confused look was, "I really don't have an answer for that."
A vast improvement, I'd say.
Really? It seems without his teleprompter Obama sounds just as uneducated as Bush, and even more confused. If it isn't written for Obama line by line he is usually as lost as last year's easter egg.
__________________ 'You can all go to hell. I'm going to Texas'-Davy Crockett
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both." Benjamin Franklin They're up and ready for content! For Political Dicussion and more... http://www.empirepaladin.com/NewForums/
__________________ 'You can all go to hell. I'm going to Texas'-Davy Crockett
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both." Benjamin Franklin They're up and ready for content! For Political Dicussion and more... http://www.empirepaladin.com/NewForums/
Really? It seems without his teleprompter Obama sounds just as uneducated as Bush, and even more confused. If it isn't written for Obama line by line he is usually as lost as last year's easter egg.
+1000
Let's just take his ...what was the right word Roadster? ...'interesting' answers...one by one:
Obama quote:
Surprised. I am surprised, compared to where I started, when we first announced for this race, by the number of critical issues that appear to be coming to a head all at the same time.
Duh ....did he think being the president was just going to be a walk in the rose garden with his nose ever-stuck up in the air, pondering how he will perform his next miracle!?
You know, when I first started this race, Iraq was a central issue. But the economy appeared on the surface to still be relatively strong.
There were underlying problems that I was seeing with health care for families and our education system and college affordability and so forth, but obviously, I didn’t anticipate the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.
And ...of course his highness's porkulous bill had absolutely nothing to do with contributing to the "worst economic crisis since the Great Depression." It's all Bush's fault.
And so, you know, the typical president, I think, has two or three big problems; we’ve got seven or eight big problems. And so we’ve had to move very quickly.
This presumptuous fool feels compelled to exaggerate his own presidential responsibilities as being far more dire and wrought with peril ...than anyone previous ...mere mortal president.
And I’m very proud of my team for the fact that we’ve been able to keep our commitments to the American people to bring about change, while at the same time managing a whole host of issues that had come up that weren’t necessarily envisioned a year and a half ago.
His narcissistic self-praise has not bounds! ...everything with this guy is centered around himself .... 'I' ...'me' ...and 'my' ...our (me and my people) ...we've ( me and my people) . By the way, 'O' great one ...what exactly are these "host of issues that had come up that weren’t necessarily envisioned a year and a half ago"?
Troubled? I’d say less troubled but, you know, sobered by the fact that change in Washington comes slow.
Maybe if you had had more 'experience' ...and hadn't had delusions of grandeur ...and hadn't been mentored by radicals and Marxists all your life ...you might have had a more realistic world view!
That there is still a certain quotient of political posturing and bickering that takes place even when we’re in the middle of really big crises.
Awwww ...poor BO ...if only everyone would just realize that BO ..in his infinite wisdom knows best!
I would like to think that everybody would say, you know what, let’s take a timeout on some of the political games, focus our attention for at least this year, and then we can start running for something next year.
This ...from a guy that campaigned non-stop for two solid years prior to his presidency ...and hasn't stopped campaigning since! How he could make this statement with a straight face is either remarkable ...or just more proof that this guy is out of touch with reality!
And that hasn’t happened as much as I would have liked.
Maybe you should have considered a different tactic ...other than your pompous and immature blustering early in your presidency ...when you were quoted to have proudly and nobly boasted "I won!" ..in response to the early opposition to your agenda.
Enchanted? (Laughter.) Enchanted. I — I will — I will tell you that, when I — when I
(Obama is thinking here ...I have no idea how to answer this sycophant's question ...I gotta come up with a BS answer fast ...before anyone realizes I don't have a clue.)
meet our servicemen and -women, enchanted’s probably not the word I would use. (Laughter.)
What was funny about that statement? Better question...what did Obama think was funny about his statement?
But — but — but I — but I am — I am
Where's that dang teleprompter when 'the one' needs it!?
so profoundly impressed and grateful to them for what they do. They’re really good at their job. They are willing to make extraordinary sacrifices on our behalf. They do so without complaint. They are fiercely loyal to this country.
So if they are so good at their job ...why did you say "We cannot continue to rely on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives we've set. We've got to have a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded."
You know the more that I interact with our servicemen and -women, from the top brass down to the lowliest private, I’m just, I’m grateful to them.
BS ...pure and unadulterated BS! You want to be humbled?...try asking those service men and women who they voted for in the presidential election!
Humbled by the — humbled by the fact that the presidency is extraordinarily powerful,
He's 'humbled' by the power of the presidency!? This jerk doesn't have a humble bone in his body!
but we are just part of a much broader tapestry of American life and there are a lot of different power centers. And so I can’t just press a button and suddenly have the bankers do exactly what I want — (laughter) — or — (chuckles) — or, you know, turn on a switch and suddenly, you know, Congress falls in line.
Awwww....if only it were that easy ...eh ...BO!? Life would be sooo much simpler! Does anyone else besides me think that this was a Freudian slip? ...exposing his true inner wishes and desires ....is that why he couldn't control his increasingly sickening and nervous laughter ...in his response!?
And so, you know, what you do is to make your best arguments, listen hard to what other people have to say and coax folks in the right direction.
Oh ...yeah ...listen ...then either ignore, belittle or both ...as in the Tea Party participants ...then everyone must be 'coaxed' (read forced to 'change') to bow down to the 'Obama' agenda. The omnipotent one can 'heal' the world ...if only we have faith!
This metaphor has been used before, but this — the ship of state is an ocean liner; it’s not a speed boat. And so the way we are constantly thinking about this issue of how to bring about the changes that the American people need is to — is to say, if we can move this big battleship a few degrees in a different direction, we may not see all the consequences of that change a week from now or three months from now, but 10 years from now, or 20 years from now, our kids will be able to look back and say that was when we started getting serious about clean energy, that’s when health care started to become more efficient and affordable, that’s when we became serious about raising our standards in education.
You know ....again ... I think this was a Freudian slip. If only we would let Obamasiah steer the 'American ship' a 'little' ...a few degrees towards socialism today ...then a few more degrees in a few months down the road ...then a few more degrees towards socialism next year
....why ...before we know it ...we'll be able to crank up those battleship engines to full speed ahead ...towards the Marxist utopia I know is out there somewhere!
And — and so — I — I have a much longer time horizon than I think you do when you’re a candidate or if you’re listening, I think, to the media reportage on a day-to-day basis.
Once my first 4 years are up and America is ten times more in debt ...ten times weaker ....is ten times less secure ...has ten times less secure borders ...has ten times less freedoms ...has ten times more governmental control over your lives ...I can come back and convince the same gullible cool-aide drinkers and willfully ignorant proletariat that voted me into office the first time time ...that I need four more years to finish the job.
And I’m — I’m humbled, last, by the American people who have shown extraordinary patience and, I think, a recognition that we’re not going to solve all these problems overnight.
We're quickly running out of patience. What the American people are increasingly recognizing ...is that either, you don't have a clue how to fix anything ...or your real intentions are to destroy this once great nation and create a socialistic nightmare that we will all regret!
Okay?
NO ...it's NOT OK ...and it won't be OK until we can replace you with a leader that is proud of America and it's heritage ...one that doesn't disparage this nation every time he's out globe trotting on a 'world' self-adulation tour. One that doesn't want to destroy our constitution and the principles our founding forefathers sacrificed their blood, fortunes, lives, and sacred honor for! One that isn't deluded by dreams of a socialistic Utopian society!
__________________
"Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation. It is better be alone than in bad company." George Washington
"To avoid being mistaken for a sellout, I chose my friends carefully. The more politically active black students. The foreign students. The Chicanos. The Marxist professors and structural feminists." Barack Hussein Obama
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