Obama Press Conference

We are fortunate that He will be gracing us with His presence in about 5 minutes.

A lot to chew over. Expect more soon...

Basic takeaway on Iran...Claims there's not change in tone of his statements (there is), won't say what consequences there might be for outreach effort (there won't be any), Iranian diplomats will still be welcome at US embassies on July 4th.

He's talking tougher but doesn't seem to mean it. There's no consequences for what's happened to date. Just words.

Awful, just awful.

Dog that didn't bark...Several commenters have pointed out no North Korean questions. Thankfully though we did get smoking, Chile and black unemployment.

I'm switching to the most recent on top...

Nope 2 more...question about black unemployment.

Last one...Question about Neda. He saw the video says it's "heartbreaking", finally something I can agree with him about.

Do you have a concern that the movement is dying? Yes. He's concerned about people not being able to have their voices heard. "We are watching". He keeps talking about 'justice'. I wish someone had asked him what he thinks that means.

Dear God, is this almost over? My guess is yes, he's hitting his economy, energy, education talking points. Sounds like a wrap.

Do we need a second "stimulus" package. Obama says no body knew how bad the recession would be...I guess he hasn't seen Geoff's chart. Says unemployment will go over 10%

Something about South America and meeting with Chilean President. Unrelated...Chile is an awesome country. Go there if you get the chance. Interesting he goes on about relationship with Chile, their great economic policies etc...he ignores we have a free trade agreement which helped make all of that happen. How about doing more of that? Why not support the Colombian FTA?

Says Brazilian Pres Lu Lu has a different political philosophy than "most Americans". Noticed he didn't say 'from me' Even Obama just called Lu Lu a 'leftist'.

Asks Obama about his smoking habit. Um, ok. He ducks and attacks Mclatchey for making it about him. Wow, this is awesome. He's prickly to say the least. No wonder they did this mid-day. In prime time it would have been a disaster. So much for his unrivaled cool factor.

Obama plays the 'it's early card' (again) on public option. Now he's going on about how the public plan will serve as a model for private insurers. Yeah, gov't is always more efficient than private businesses. Any way, another filibuster....

Tapper says, could you answer the public option question, Tapper mocks the Obama as Spock thing. Awesome.

Wow, this is really testy. He won't answer about potential consequences saying it hasn't played out yet.

Obama is testy today. Reed asked if there was any news in this statement. He calls on Chuck Todd.

Chip Reed...follows up on Garret's question, points out language has changed. Asked if he was influenced by McCain/Graham. Obama laughs it off, talks about 'justice' not freedom. Obama points out Iranian gov't is lying about US involvement. Doesn't that beg the question...why not speak out anyway? They are going to lie about it anyway by Obama's own admission.

He doesn't get why a public option would drive private insurers out of business. Is he lying or just clueless?

Still going about health care. We might get him more interested in Iran if we could convince him that the people in Iran weren't rallying for their country but demanding government run health care.

His non-Iranian answers are so long and rambling. It's like back in the old days when DJ's needed to take a dump they'd play American Pie or Stairway to Heaven.

Health care...will you sign a bill without a public option. He's now going into a long set of talking points we've all heard before and will hear again on ABC's infomercial.

Major Garret asked 'what took so long' to be 'appaled'. The left is going to go nuts over that question. Obama is now defending his approach. It was a wasted question, honestly. The State Department cookouts would have been better.

Ah, he followed with that. Obama dodges, says we don't have relations with them and we'd like to 'heal wounds' Basically, it's a 'choice the Iranians will have to make' Unfucking believable.

Old order:
Ugh...refers to Iran as Islamic Republic. Stop that!

Keeps talking about debate. Says attacks on US is a 'distraction' by Iranian gov't. Drink!

"Appalled" by violence, babbling about Iran's desire for international respect. They don't care.

Thankfully, that unpleasantness is behind us he can clumsily segue into cap and trade.

Q&A:

What's been happening in Iran is 'not encouraging' for hopes that Iran will follow the path he's offered Iran. Not going to make any judgments about whether or not he will keep talking.

Fucker is going on about 'debate' and respect for their sovereignty, culture and religion.

Won't say if there's any red line for calling off talks.

When asked about consequences for their behavior he talks about the world bearing witness. Fucker. Damn fucker.

HufPo guy asks question about accepting results. Question came via internet from Iran.

Obama says we don't know what happened but the Iranian people have questions.

He keeps saying this is up to the Iranian people...problem is the people trying to 'debate' are being gunned down. Obama won't say that he won't recognize a government imposed by force.

Question about the Fed performance...they sucked before doing better now. Blah, blah. Need to monitor 'systemic risks', thinks it should be the Fed. Now he's just filibustering.

Original pre-game post.

Obviously Iran will be a big topic. It will be interesting to see how much further (if at all) He will go. Health care, the economy and other domestic agenda will likely be on the list.

FNC has a live stream at their site for those who can't watch on TV.

For your enjoyment...Jonah Goldberg whacks the idea that Obama's Cairo speech played a role in the Iran protests.

Major Garret says no TelePrompter. This should be fun.

posted by DrewM. at 11:25 AM

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