First, his opening statement. He reviewed his awesome year, reflecting on how things had markedly improved across the board. In other words, why did a bunch of racist crackers shellack him in November?
In the open section he took questions only from preselected female reporters. He didn't take any questions from the front row mainstream alphabet media reporters from CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, or Fox. Taking away those reporters makes a presser very tame--some of the women he picked were literally gushing. But c'mon, it's never that hostile.
But speaking relatively, it's true that guys like Ed Henry, Jon Karl and Major Garrett have asked tough questions throughout the year. So it appears they were punished. Or as the president half-joked, they had been 'naughty'. No questions for you.
This brings to mind the recent comments from former ABC reporter Ann Compton about the cuss-word tantrums the White House has had over coverage on what they consider phony scandals. And it certainly fits the premise of Sharyl Attkisson's book: do something we don't like, get cut off. Merry f'ing Christmas.
As to the Sony hack, that was also curious. He was unusually adamant--they were wrong. No ifs ands or buts. And not only that, they should have called him beforehand to discuss it because he would have set them straight. This despite Sony's explanation that it was the theater chains who refused to show the film, leaving them no choice. But remember what the studio heads were quoted as saying in the leaked emails about Obama. Apparently he was paying attention, so they were punished.
During a question about his failure to allow the Keystone pipeline, he didn't say anything about falling oil prices not making it feasible, or the environmental disaster some in his circle wet their pants over, or the inherent hazard of transporting by rail rather than pipeline (because the oil is coming out either way) no, he essentially said it would be a negligible change, create few jobs, and would mainly benefit Canada. This is the same president who just relaxed our stance with commie Cuba over nothing, and there he was off-handedly dissing Canada. When did it become bad to help a great and loyal trading partner and become more energy independent to boot? What did Canada do to him? This? Good Lord.
At the end he acknowledged the press has a job to do and likes to report on all the latest blow-ups, blood and guts, but then he gave them a tip--
IT IS YOUR JOB, PRESS CORPS, TO REPORT ON THE MISTAKES THAT ARE MADE, THE BAD THINGS THAT HAPPEN, THE CRISES, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT. BUT THROUGH PERSISTENT EFFORT AND FAITH IN THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, THINGS GET BETTER.
THE ECONOMY HAS GOTTEN BETTER. OUR ABILITY TO GENERATE CLEAN ENERGY HAS GOTTEN BETTER. WE KNOW MORE ABOUT HOW TO EDUCATE OUR KIDS. WE SOLVE PROBLEMS. EBOLA IS A REAL CRISIS. YOU GET A MISTAKE IN THE FIRST CASE BECAUSE IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN SEEN BEFORE. WE FIX IT.
WE HAD SOME UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN AT THE BORDER. IT MAY NOT GET FIXED IN THE TIMEFRAME OF THE NEWS CYCLE, BUT IT GETS FIXED.
PART OF WHAT I HOPE, AS WE REFLECT ON THE NEW YEAR, THIS SHOULD GENERATE SOME CONFIDENCE. AMERICA KNOWS HOW TO SOLVE PROBLEMS AND WHEN WE WERE TOGETHER, WE CAN'T BE STOPPED. AND NOW I AM TO GO ON VACATION. MY HOLLOAHALO.In other words, report my rosy, shiny, happier news or maybe you'll keep getting shut out. Mihalo and goodbye.
MORE 12/22/14
The Hollywood folks don't miss stuff like this. Just wondering how they think calling Franco "Flacco" was helping Denzel. Maybe they don't realize who Joe Flacco is, unless I'm missing something.
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