Chip Reid and Helen Thomas made White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs squirm over the controlled process of President Obama’s recent town hall meeting. Both criticized a format where questions are screened beforehand. They have a very good point there. Bush was often criticized for limiting access to his rallies and events around the country. Only die-hard Bush supporters were let in to those gatherings. This is a page right out of the same political handbook. Preselected question are more stage play than town hall.

Here is a short exchange from Thomas and Reid to Gibbs. Listen to it on tape if you want to get all the details.

Thomas: “I’m amazed…I’m amazed at you people who call for openness and transparency and –”

Gibbs: “You haven’t even heard the questions.”

Reid: “It doesn’t matter. It’s the process.”

Gibbs: (laughs)

Reid: “Even if their is a tough question, it’s a…it’s a question coming from someone whose been invited or is screened or the question is screened.”

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