tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6926413038778731189.post7499662695280718348..comments2023-10-16T07:13:12.123-05:00Comments on A plain blog about politics: Question TimeJonathan Bernsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15931039630306253241noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6926413038778731189.post-82286685920298354412010-03-08T06:33:20.261-06:002010-03-08T06:33:20.261-06:00It’s great to see good information being shared an...It’s great to see good information being shared and also to see fresh, creative ideas that have never been done before.Term paperhttp://www.flashpapers.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6926413038778731189.post-69563174744288720992010-02-02T15:41:59.558-06:002010-02-02T15:41:59.558-06:00What was special about this situation was not so O...What was special about this situation was not so Obama so much as the Republicans. How often do we get to see them ask a question and have an intelligent person, well-versed in the policies answer them at length? Most of what we see of the typical congressperson is a series of 30 second sound bites where each side spews their talking points, the host changes the subject after one point each, and then we go to commercial. The press may ask a tough initial question but they're not going dispute the answer; best-case, we get a slightly pointed follow-up. So yes, more press conferences, but also more live discussions between people making ridiculous claims and people that are actually informed enough and have the motive to call them on it. <br /><br />For starters, I'd like to see Obama meet the liberal wing of the Democratic party under these same conditions. Not so much for the theater of it, but because I really want to hear how he would respond to their arguments.Briannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6926413038778731189.post-41642253579043965272010-02-02T14:46:55.422-06:002010-02-02T14:46:55.422-06:00Oh, and to echo M. Regret above, your prescription...Oh, and to echo M. Regret above, your prescription ("More press conferences") seems to miss the point.<br /><br />Of course, House Republicans aren't the most honest or sincere questioners. But that's also one reason why this Q-and-A session was so enlightening--because Obama had the opportunity to confront the lies and distortions head on.<br /><br />Besides, if you think that more frequent press conferences would lead to more engaging policy debates than what we saw in Baltimore... you must be dreaming.<br /><br />And I don't understand this idea that Obama answering questions from members of Congress somehow places him above the legislative branch. Presumably you approve of senior executive branch members (department heads, military officials) testifying at Congressional hearings. What is different about the President answering Congress's questions?Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15913245096162048743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6926413038778731189.post-6747902742688934222010-02-02T14:35:05.160-06:002010-02-02T14:35:05.160-06:00Do you really think W. would have done "just ...Do you really think W. would have done "just fine" in this format? I'm sure he would be very disciplined in repeating his talking points, and he'd surely take advantage of the "soft bigotry of low expectations."<br /><br />But, it seems to me, much of the praise for Obama's performance is based on the fact that he was able to able to rebut the substantive issues raised by the Republicans in a respectful, logical, and persuasive manner. He didn't sound like he was campaigning--he sounded like he was having a conversation (albeit a highly intellectual conversation), and that's partially why his performance has been so well received. GWB couldn't have pulled that off in a million years.<br /><br />I guess I just disagree with you and Kevin that "The guy at the mike always has the advantage." You can just as easily say that the questioners always have the advantage--after all, they are the ones with the first opportunity to set the agenda and frame the issues. They even had the opportunity to ask follow-ups.<br /><br />I have nothing against spoilsports, but you're just not giving Obama enough credit here.Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15913245096162048743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6926413038778731189.post-85921163176159506122010-02-02T14:23:08.593-06:002010-02-02T14:23:08.593-06:00Excellent points. If I can offer a couple of comme...Excellent points. If I can offer a couple of comments ...<br /><br />One thing I'm learning from your blog is how some things we believe are important politically are really fairly minor in that regard. So I'd be wary of overestimating the importance of the retreat conference, beyond the cosmetic. But ... there is a group I believe Obama needs to keep within his circle. Not radical leftists, who won't support him any more than Republicans will, but the liberal wing of his own party. Even if most of the nation ignored Obama's performance, my guess is some of the "people who matter" did pay attention. And, as much as I enjoy watching Alan Grayson stick it to his enemies, that really is more theater than substance. Obama didn't just toy with the Republicans, he did it in a measured yet firm way, all the while maintaining his equanimity. I think this helped him a bit amongst the liberals who, like me, asked "where has this guy been?"<br /><br />Also, you are obviously right that the press is best at asking the right questions, certainly more so than politicians. I wish I felt more confident in our press ... I am not anti-press, I am perhaps too idealistic about their importance. But it's not like every journalist in the crowd is Helen Thomas. The press that does a mediocre job of examining the roots of our problems in general isn't going to suddenly become conscientious about their job. They are more likely to ask self-aggrandizing questions without saying anything that might endanger their access to the powerful. So I'm all for more press conferences, but I'm even more in favor of a more useful press.Mon-sewer Paul Regrethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04918972562626522624noreply@blogger.com