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.”
Obama thinks you’re stupid-
he thinks everyone is as stupid as the people that voted for him.
He makes the loosest, most general statements possible, to attempt to imply that Bush is responsible for all the rampant spending because it started under him.
He lies and changes his story at-will on everything from his cabinet’s ethics to whether or not he ever met with Blago to discuss his senate seat, meanwhile the press is occupied with stories on his puppy vetting process and how Barack likes to play basketball.
And Obama could care less if you catch him lying or flip-flopping too, he just changes the subject and moves right-on-along.
Obama wants the state to be your mother and father- and it’s his right to lie to you if he wishes… just like your parents when you were five.
Government will be one you come to for money, ask permission when you want to think or speak, and who handles all your finances for you since of course you can’t be trusted.