President Barack Obama made an impromptu tour of the White House press work area today. But he wasn't here for questions. (Photo by Ron Sachs / Getty Images)
by Mark Silva
President Barack Obama took a turn through the press briefing room in the West Wing this afternoon - but not for a press conference, only for a press tour.
And no business.
"Good to see you guys. I just wanted to make sure that I had a chance to say hello," Obama said in the unannounced drop-in.
"I gotta say, it's smaller than I thought," the president said as he looked around the recently renovated room for the first time.
He admitted that it might take some time to learn the names of reporters whom he hadn't met along the campaign trail. Obama also faced questions about why certain media outlets had gotten the workspaces they had in the adjoining rooms.
"This is worse than the Middle East here -- who's sitting where and all that stuff,'' Obama joked.
He toured both floors of the adjoining workspaces, some little bigger than chair and desktop. He even toured the tiny snack room, complete with its vending machines filled with junk food.
"Looks like you have some healthy snacks, guys," Obama said.
But when a reporter tried to ask about that deputy Defense secretary whom Obama has appointed, the one who lobbied for Raytheon, in the midst of Obama's new rules against lobbyists coming to work for him, the president said: "I came down here to visit. I didn't come down here -- this is what happens.
"I can't end up visiting you guys and shaking hands if I am going to grilled every time I come down here."
Guess that's the last visit.
Comments
I think I see rightwing propaganda journalist, RNC Bruce, in there!
....nope, I was wrong...that was just a long boom microphone with a fuzzy ball on it....nevermind.
Posted by: allardice | January 22, 2009 8:05 PM
For heavens sake!
Obama ventured into a mass of reporters and was asked a relevant question. What's wrong with those guys...didn't they get the two year , free pass, honeymoon memo.
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | January 22, 2009 8:51 PM
"C'mon Guys, I answered like eight questions?"
.
"I can't end up visiting you guys and shaking hands if I am going to grilled every time I come down here."
.
So what happened to the oft repeated promise of openness? It was flushed down the same crapper as the oft repeated promise of not dealing with lobbyists.
Posted by: MJ | January 23, 2009 6:23 AM
Considering Obama's new "Ethics Executive Order" and it's mention of requirements of lobbyist's, it will be interesting to see the result of Lynn's Nomination, and the defence of Obama, if in fact he pushes this nomination, which seems to possibly go against the Presidents order.
Posted by: Joe Hunley | January 23, 2009 8:08 AM
Some of you need to calm down. There are places to answer questions, and what Obama was doing was making a personal visit to say hello. Those who know reporters know that they often lose that line in their head that reminds them that sometimes you just need to be a person.
It wasn't a press conference, it was a personal welcoming visit.
Posted by: Joe | January 23, 2009 8:56 AM
Here is the FULL quote that this article writer left out as they were busy with their insinuations, from Politico:
"Alright, come on" he said, with obvious irritation in his voice. "We will be having a press conference at which time you can feel free to [ask] questions. Right now, I just wanted to say hello and introduce myself to you guys - that's all I was trying to do."
Posted by: Joe | January 23, 2009 8:58 AM
What?! The media misquoted what Obama said? To create controversy to sell more ad space and newspapers!? They'd never do that, right?
Heh, heh. Thanks, Joe for the full quote.
Posted by: Al Winston | January 23, 2009 10:25 AM
I am not an Obama supporter. I did not vote for him. But I like the way he is trying to get started in the viper nest of DC. The reporters and their endless questions would drive anyone insane. They blew it. I doubt he will ever make it down to theri quarters again. There is a time a place and they think anytime they feel like it they demand an answer to their questions.
Posted by: T. Pratt | January 23, 2009 10:39 AM
Please leave the phone number of the reporters so we might call them at midnight to see what's new.
Posted by: bill r. | January 23, 2009 1:32 PM
"He toured both floors of the adjoining workspaces, some little bigger than chair and desktop. He even toured the tiny snack room, complete with its vending machines filled with junk food.
"Looks like you have some healthy snacks, guys," Obama said."
Somebody should have offered him a light.
Posted by: andreabeth | January 23, 2009 7:27 PM
In a civil case, a judge can allow the jury to question a document-destroying party’s intentions. For example, judges in certain cases will tell jurors they should assume missing documents are harmful simply because they were destroyed–even if they never see the contents.
Posted by: Paper Shredder Price | January 24, 2009 2:38 PM