FOX's Brett Baier's first impression of President Obama's National Press Conference after telling us how long it was and how many questions he took was to cut to a shot of the massive screen in the back and middle of the room and he said that Obama read his opening statement there. Wow. Did the media focus on President Bush's use of the teleprompter, ever?
Critics say Obama relies too heavily on his teleprompter. As Politico notes:
"Obama's reliance on the teleprompter is unusual -- not only because he is famous for his oratory, but because no other president has used one so consistently and at so many events, large and small."
They make an interesting point, why would a president want to be prepared and careful about what he says? The guy who had the job for the last eight years didn't need no stinkin' teleprompter!
Charles K thought Obama was workmanlike.
As usual BillO had on Karl Rove for some crackling FOX News analysis, even though he's one of the men responsible for the mess this country faces. He said President Obama just mailed it in.
Bill, as I predicted, was just so bored by it all. Karl said he was an arrogant guy...
They are so frustrated that his approval ratings are so high.
That's right: Net of +6 in the CBS poll and +1 in the Gallup poll over the last week, which everybody seemed to think has been the toughest of his Presidency.
I'm sure the right-wing critics of Daily Kos will be surprised to learn that one of the few (and perhaps, the only) polls showing President Obama losing ground was our own R2000 survey, showing a 2 point drop in net favorables -- all the way down to 67 favorable, 28 unfavorable.
Although the GOP would love to tell a different story, President Obama is as strong and as popular as ever -- and in all likelihood, by the time the night is done, he'll be in even better shape.
Dave N: It seems as thought Chip Reid and Ed Henry are becoming reliable regurgitators of the right-wing talking points. And it was clear that Obama was ready for them. His answers were clear, lucid, and persuasive. And in shutting down Henry at the end for persisting in asking him why it took him so long to decide to come down on the AIG bonuses, he was very pointed -- and effective -- indeed.
