Apparently, the RSC has finally hired somebody with a sense of humor:
It’s no secret that President Obama often relies on pre-packaged remarks and teleprompters to convey his pie-in-the-sky rhetoric. But, after watching the President’s latest “town hall” event on health care, one might think he’s been working on his ability to speak off-the-cuff. Of course, that’s only if you ignore the fact that it was a staged event with pre-selected questions and an audience of fawning Obama enthusiasts.
“The questions posed from social media networks were selected by White House staffers, and the three people he called on from the audience all were affiliated with advocacy groups that support Obama.” (USA Today, 7/2/09)
“All turned out to be members of groups with close ties to his administration: the Service Employees International Union, Health Care for America Now, and Organizing for America, which is a part of the Democratic National Committee.” (Washington Post, 7/2/09)
So all the questions were either pre-selected or asked by devoted supporters? Get outta here. There must be an explanation. Regarding the three audience questioners being on-the-record Obamaphiles, The Washington Post adds:
“White House officials said that was a coincidence.” (Washington Post, 7/2/09)
Of course. And while you’re mulling that remarkable improbability, they’d love to tell you about all the jobs they’ve been saving or creating lately. Why all the stagecraft, Mr. President? Are you afraid to answer unscreened questions from concerned Americans? In case you didn’t realize it, that’s your cue for an answer …