TOTUS: Teleprompter of The United States

[Snipe]

Unbelievable. I am at a loss for words. I was going to call him names but I couldn't decide what to call him.

Here is our President recently addressing an elementary school class:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2768/4302111299_777befde71_o.jpg

That is not a photoshop. Yes I am serious.

Here is our President speaking to his own "Middle Class Task Force":

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4048/4309281484_916794dd3f_o.jpg

Again, this is not a photoshop. This is not a joke. Yes I am serious.


To be honest, if it would have come out that these photos were doctored I would have believed it. I would have viewed it as satire. But you really can't make this stuff up. A picture is worth a thousand words. Feel free to give me some of them, because I am at a loss.

[xudash]

Please tell me you are going to come back and say it was all a joke.

Please tell me he didn't go into a classroom for any grade with that set-up.

[bobbiemcgee]

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RELiBDUQFw4/Scmot7aaWiI/AAAAAAAAAnc/8fghfWSg0yI/s400/TOTUS.jpg

[blobfan]

Now that's some creative Photoshopping, bobbie!

[bobbiemcgee]

Bush could have used one to tell him it was 9-11.

[xavierj]

It would be funny if someone would pull a Ron Burgandy on him.

[Snipe]

Bush could have used one to tell him it was 9-11.

9-11 jokes are always funny. Stay classy pal.

[Woodburn]

For what it's worth - the President was not using a teleprompter to speak to 6th graders. He was using the school as a backdrop to announce his educational initiatives. He spoke to the kids during the same visit (sans Teleprompter). But don't let the details get in the way of a good catchphrase. Don't believe me? Click the http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/slideshow/photo//100119/480/9131bc77c7534185bdbf267bb4ab8497/#photoViewer=/100119/480/9131bc77c7534185bdbf267bb4ab8497 for pictures.

[Kahns Krazy]

For what it's worth - the President was not using a teleprompter to speak to 6th graders. He was using the school as a backdrop to announce his educational initiatives. He spoke to the kids during the same visit (sans Teleprompter). But don't let the details get in the way of a good catchphrase. Don't believe me? Click the http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/slideshow/photo//100119/480/9131bc77c7534185bdbf267bb4ab8497/#photoViewer=/100119/480/9131bc77c7534185bdbf267bb4ab8497 for pictures.

I agree that makes it different. Does it make it better? I'm not sure.

[Snipe]

For what it's worth - the President was not using a teleprompter to speak to 6th graders. He was using the school as a backdrop to announce his educational initiatives. He spoke to the kids during the same visit (sans Teleprompter). But don't let the details get in the way of a good catchphrase. Don't believe me? Click the http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/slideshow/photo//100119/480/9131bc77c7534185bdbf267bb4ab8497/#photoViewer=/100119/480/9131bc77c7534185bdbf267bb4ab8497 for pictures.

Your link didn't work for me. I did find Jon Stewart's take (http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/82688532.html):

[pizza delivery]

I really don't agree with the point of this thread, at all.

Would you like to believe that Obama is personally popular with over 70% of Americans because of a teleprompter? Okaaaaaayy.

He is more than capable of going without.

[chico]

Would you like to believe that Obama is personally popular with over 70% of Americans because of a teleprompter? Okaaaaaayy.

He is more than capable of going without.

70%? Now or last January?

http://www.gallup.com/poll/113980/gallup-daily-obama-job-approval.aspx

[Woodburn]

He is more than capable of going without.

Agreed, and that's why it's annoying that he does rely on it heavily. I think it's a combination of two things 1) an aversion to the risks that President GW Bush took with his extemporaneous statements that ended up on Letterman and 2) his overall conservative personality. It is still silly to take the teleprompter virtually everywhere he goes.

[Snipe]

I really don't agree with the point of this thread, at all.

Would you like to believe that Obama is personally popular with over 70% of Americans because of a teleprompter? Okaaaaaayy.

He is more than capable of going without.

I am not sure what the exact point of this thread is, and I started it. To me, it is just kind of creepy. What if you were selected to be on the President's Middle Class Task Force? You and 15 other people get to meet the President and discuss your progress. He comes in the room, stands above you looking down from his podium, but he doesn't look at any of you. He is speaking to you but he is looking at his teleprompter. This is a room full of people that I presume the President has already met (or at least is familiar with, it is HIS task force).

Think about sitting in that room and watching him turn his head side to side, but never actually looking at anyone. It is creepy. I don't know, the visual kind of bugs me. As for the school, it does make sense that he was talking to reporters, but think about the whole setup anyway. He is doing a five minute talk with a Q&A. Does he really need a teleprompter to talk for 5 minutes on something he claims is one of his most important initiatives? The whole thing creeps me out. It doesn't seem genuine or authentic.

[Kahns Krazy]

I really don't agree with the point of this thread, at all.

Would you like to believe that Obama is personally popular with over 70% of Americans because of a teleprompter? Okaaaaaayy.

He is more than capable of going without.

I am entirely serious here. I don't follow Obama every day so I don't know. Are there examples of him working without a teleprompter that I could check out?

[XUglow]

Obama is personally popular with over 70% of Americans

...and we thought Dayton fans were delusional.

[bobbiemcgee]

9-11 jokes are always funny. Stay classy pal.

Wasn't a joke....fact...he was clueless

[Snipe]

I am entirely serious here. I don't follow Obama every day so I don't know. Are there examples of him working without a teleprompter that I could check out?

Obama came to Elyria, Ohio on January 22nd to give a "Jobs Speech". I didn't see a teleprompter but I could be wrong. He referenced himself 132 times, all in one speech. What a great speaker. Check it out. (http://www.breitbart.tv/132-the-number-of-times-obama-refers-to-himself-in-one-speech/)

I wonder if he drags that podium and seal and teleprompter all over the place because he just likes looking down on people and reminding them who is boss. The guy does have a fantastic ego.

[Snipe]

Bush could have used one to tell him it was 9-11.


Wasn't a joke....fact...he was clueless

That is interesting. I guess it is good that it isn't a joke because it wasn't funny.

I will take you at your word that you were serious. What difference would it have made in history if Bush had a teleprompter on 9-11? What could he have used it for? If you are trying to make a serious point it is lost on me.

[chico]

Wasn't a joke....fact...he was clueless

And this matters to Obama using a teleprompter in what way? Or is it just the knee-jerk reaction of when someone picks on your guy shoot back with something about their guy?

[bobbiemcgee]

That is interesting. I guess it is good that it isn't a joke because it wasn't funny.

I will take you at your word that you were serious. What difference would it have made in history if Bush had a teleprompter on 9-11? What could he have used it for? If you are trying to make a serious point it is lost on me.

He was reading "my pet goat" for twenty minutes, couldn't be bothered. Makes about as much sense as your agrument. Who cares if Obama likes to use a teleprompter.

[xavierj]

Do people still think he is God and that he was sent here to save the universe? I don't know I am just asking those who might know.

[danaandvictory]

I am entirely serious here. I don't follow Obama every day so I don't know. Are there examples of him working without a teleprompter that I could check out?

Well, I mean any interview the guy does is ostensibly done without a teleprompter. And there's no shortage of those, he's on 60 Minutes more than Andy Rooney.

I don't know, if the guy is giving a policy address, doesn't it make sense to do it off a teleprompter? I sure as shit would if I was him. Every word he says is going to be dissected, I'd like to make sure my message comes across as intended. Plus you look a lot more natural using the teleprompter rather than fumbling with prepared remarks or note cards or the like.

My view: there's plenty of justifiable avenues in which to criticize Obama, this is one of the stupider ones.

[Kahns Krazy]

I'm not responding to that. There are multiple people on this thread that claim that Obama has no problem going without the teleprompter. I'm just wondering if that's blind faith or if there is evidence of that.

I would not consider any edited interview like 60 minutes to be evidence of anyone's ability to work without a net, much less the president. I doubt the president agrees to 60 minute style interviews without the right to review the final cut.

[Snipe]

He was reading "my pet goat" for twenty minutes, couldn't be bothered. Makes about as much sense as your agrument. Who cares if Obama likes to use a teleprompter.

It doesn't make any sense at all Bobbie. I believe he was told of it while he was reading to the kids and he decided to finish the story. The name of the book is actually "The Pet Goat", and the time elapsed was more like five minutes. The 9/11 Commission report stated: "The President felt he should project strength and calm until he could better understand what was happening." Obviously the Michael Moore school of political thought you studied at has a different interpretation.

What would have changed if he had a teleprompter? Seriously? Could you answer that?

Here is a good article from the Sarasota Times. They were at the school and talked to the principal and described how it all went down: The drama in Sarasota (http://www.sptimes.com/2002/09/08/911/The_drama_in_Sarasota.shtml)

I don't know why you feel the need to interject Michael Moore's "My Pet Goat" ramblings into this thread. They didn't make any sense when first tossed about and upon the gentle reflection of history they seem even more ignorant today.

Will it make any difference in American history that Obama uses a teleprompter to address reporters for five minutes in a 6th grade classroom, or that he uses it to talk with his own Middle Class Task Force? Probably not, but it still seems awkward and not authentic. He really seems to go to extremes with the teleprompter, and that is why people are making fun of it. And if Jon Stewart is doing it you bet it is out there all over.

[Snipe]

I don't know, if the guy is giving a policy address, doesn't it make sense to do it off a teleprompter? I sure as shit would if I was him. Every word he says is going to be dissected, I'd like to make sure my message comes across as intended. Plus you look a lot more natural using the teleprompter rather than fumbling with prepared remarks or note cards or the like.

My view: there's plenty of justifiable avenues in which to criticize Obama, this is one of the stupider ones.

He uses the teleprompter more than any American President in history. People have noticed this. Sometimes for me I think it is a bit creepy how much he relies on the thing. Again, look at his Middle Class Task Force. He knows all of those people. He selected those people. His Vice President and memebers of his staff are part of it. He is talking to a handfull of people that he knows in a room, and he is using a teleprompter. I think that is creepy, and I don't think it is stupid to think it is creepy either.

Imagine being in a room with a dozen people you know and using a teleprompter.

Also, I think people look more natural when they are just talking instead of reading a teleprompter. If you were in the room would you think it would "look a lot more natural" if he was reading a teleprompter instead of looking at you?

[bobbiemcgee]

"He uses the teleprompter more than any American President in history". For 200+ yrs., I guess they used cue cards. Who gives a poop.

So what? It wasn't even invented until Reagan was in office, or shortly after Dayton won in the 'nati.

I remember when we used to use big cardboard signs on easels instead of powerpoint. Same deal.

[bobbiemcgee]

Reagan and Bush Sr. loved the teleprompter. Also find it funny that the people criticizing it's use, use it the most. TV anchorman, reporters, late night hosts ( they're reading the joke about teleprompters off a teleprompter!!) and yes, JON STEWART.

[bobbiemcgee]

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-october-2-2006/daily-colbert---teleprompter-mess-up

[BandAid]

You know what I think is funy: a political pissing match over a teleprompter.

[bobbiemcgee]

yup, as I said, who cares?

[spazzrico]

If anyone is interested here is the part (http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/raw-video-president-and-secretary-duncan-meet-6th-graders) where Obama was actually interacting with children. The teleprompter was set up specifically for a press conference later. Something the Daily Show neglected or failed to mention. So it's much ado about nothing really.

[bobbiemcgee]

"The name of the book is actually "The Pet Goat".............wrong again....the name of the book is Reading Mastery Level 2 Storybook 1. Goat story on pg. 163. You get a lot of stuff wrong.

[danaandvictory]

He uses the teleprompter more than any American President in history.

Not true, Grover Cleveland went nowhere without Dr. McGillicuddy's Daguerrotypic Oratory Visualization Apparatus.

Snipe, you walk the edge of madness. I appreciate this. But bitching about a teleprompter is the 00s equivalent of liberals tittering about Bush saying "nukular."

[pizza delivery]

70%? Now or last January?

http://www.gallup.com/poll/113980/ga...-approval.aspx


...and we thought Dayton fans were delusional.

http://people-press.org/reports/images/545-1.gif

I said "personal approval", not "job approval". It's two different things when you're talking about Obama's personal interaction with people.

Part of what is implicated in this thread is that Obama is a robotic, egoist, control freak in need of a teleprompter. My point is that you can't undermine his personal touch and authenticity with such an attack. The numbers speak for themselves.

Besides, it's pointed out correctly that a) He later meets with people in a "regular way" b) He is under the most intense scrutiny - perhaps - of anyone in the world.

He is making sure in the clearest way possible that his message is conveyed. Not a problem for me. Bush might have saved his legacy a few bumps if he'd have committed to respecting his (and his supporters) own ideas through clear communication. Anyway, sometimes people just come off as jealous of his popularity and that bugs me too.

[vee4xu]

9-11 jokes are always funny. Stay classy pal.

The old pot and kettle saying comes to mind here.

[Snipe]

The old pot and kettle saying comes to mind here.

Yeah I make lots of 9/11 jokes.

[Raoul Duke]

Stay classy pal.

Get over yourself.

[Snipe]

Bobbie, you missed my question.

What would have changed if he had a teleprompter? Seriously? Could you answer that?

You said George Bush should have used a teleprompter on 9/11. Then you said it was no joke. I still don't understand.

[vee4xu]

Yeah I make lots of 9/11 jokes.

I really thought I didn't have to highlight the section to which my post related. But, then again...well forget it. Carry on.

[Snipe]

Get over yourself.

I don't think I take myself too seriously.

[Snipe]

And this matters to Obama using a teleprompter in what way? Or is it just the knee-jerk reaction of when someone picks on your guy shoot back with something about their guy?

That is what it is all about. You say something about Obama and the Bush bashing flood gates open up. I didn't even like George.

[bobbiemcgee]

Bobbie, you missed my question.

What would have changed if he had a teleprompter? Seriously? Could you answer that?

You said George Bush should have used a teleprompter on 9/11. Then you said it was no joke. I still don't understand.

They could have scrolled the urgency of the situation while he was reading the story to them and maybe he would have reacted. Like stop reading to the kiddies, we need our Cmdr. in Chief, instead, he just kept reading the goat doings.

[Snipe]

You know what I think is funy: a political pissing match over a teleprompter.

Thank Jon Stewart.


Not true, Grover Cleveland went nowhere without Dr. McGillicuddy's Daguerrotypic Oratory Visualization Apparatus.

Snipe, you walk the edge of madness. I appreciate this. But bitching about a teleprompter is the 00s equivalent of liberals tittering about Bush saying "nukular."

I didn't think about it as bitching. Is Jon Stewart bitching? It is funny the way he uses and abuses the teleprompter, and a bit creepy too. I am not slobber mouthing Michael Moore and yelling "My pet goat! My pet goat!" at the very inference of humor.

[vee4xu]

Here is the thing about Snipe. He is a smart guy. He loves a good debate. He loves to be contrary. He loves to hop back and forth on both sides of the argument to keep things moving. And most of all he loves the attention. None of these things are bad by the way. Once you realize these things about Snipe you know he's means it when he says he doesn't take himself seriously. At least I believe he means it. This hasn't always been the case with me, but it has been for a while. Frankly, I think Snipe conducts some interesting debates. Personally, I have extricated myself from entering them by posting, but still read the ones that aren't too long.

[Snipe]

I do love a good debate but fail to see where you post furthers it.

[vee4xu]

Played as expected. Nice try though.

[Snipe]

You have four posts on this thread and none of them have to do with the topic. You claim that "most of all he loves the attention". I wrote this post about Obama and his teleprompter. I didn't make it about me. You have four posts about me and you claim that I am most of all looking for attention.

I don't need your attention Vee. If you have something to contribute you are welcome to do so. Otherwise please don't waste my time. Again. That should be simple enough, no?

[LadyMuskie]

I don't know why I'm doing this, but here goes.

I am not, nor ever was a fan of GW Bush. BUT. I've always thought that the criticism of how he handled hearing about 9-11 was unfounded and created by Michael Moore, who is a giant gas bag. What was he supposed to do? Jump up in front of a bunch of little kids and scream "we're all going to die if I don't leave right now"? Come on. He was trying to stay calm in the face of fear in front of KIDS. If he had jumped up and ran out of the room, people would've criticized him for being unkind to the children. He was in a no win situation there, and to criticize him for it is crazy.

As for Obama - he really needs to get a better PR group behind him to polish his appearances. More like Bush's spin doctors if I"m being completely honest. These blunders (which is what they are) aren't that important, but they make him look bad, and unfortunately for most people in this country it pictures are all the further they get. I think its a result of Obama not having been in national politics for long enough before he became president. He's a newbie and his people are all newbies too. They keep making mistakes like this that are stupid, and people who had been around longer would know NOT to make. As much as I loathe Karl Rove's existence, he knew how to spin everythiing and anything to make Bush LOOK good, even when he wasn't. Obama needs a liberal Karl Rove to make his public appearances look good for the people who don't read the articles.

[joebba]

I don't know why I'm doing this, but here goes.
I think its a result of Obama not having been in national politics for long enough before he became president. He's a newbie and his people are all newbies too.

A little off topic but this is part of the reason many people did not like or trust him in the first place. Heck, he really only served as senator for about two years as a freshman senator before spending his time running for the presidency.

[vee4xu]

You have four posts on this thread and none of them have to do with the topic. You claim that "most of all he loves the attention". I wrote this post about Obama and his teleprompter. I didn't make it about me. You have four posts about me and you claim that I am most of all looking for attention.

I don't need your attention Vee. If you have something to contribute you are welcome to do so. Otherwise please don't waste my time. Again. That should be simple enough, no?

Loud and clear dude. I'm out.

[Fred Garvin]

I thought it creepy when I heard Nuts was going to address all of us with a teleprompter for The Brownie Summit.

[Jumpy]

You have four posts on this thread and none of them have to do with the topic. You claim that "most of all he loves the attention". I wrote this post about Obama and his teleprompter. I didn't make it about me. You have four posts about me and you claim that I am most of all looking for attention.

I don't need your attention Vee. If you have something to contribute you are welcome to do so. Otherwise please don't waste my time. Again. That should be simple enough, no?

At this point, I'm rooting for this to dissolve into a LH, "stay on topic" thread.

[Woodburn]

No teleprompter here. I've watched the House of Commons for years in the UK and admired the English tradition of making their Prime Minister go to the lion's den to force actual debate on the issues. Today, President Obama was invited to discuss his policies at a Republican retreat in Baltimore. Luckily for us it was filmed and fascinating. It's well worth 66 minutes of your life. See http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/29/transcript-of-president-o_n_442423.html

[mohr5150]

I watched the discussion between the Republicans and Obama. Not a good idea for the Republicans to agree to have this televised. They looked pretty bad during the discussion. I also didn't see a teleprompter for Obama to read from, and he sounded just a bit like he knew what the hell he was talking about. For every misrepresentation the Republicans threw at him, he refuted them with facts, while also chastising them for acting like little children. He was also willing to amit several times when things having gone well for him and where mistakes had been made. Furthermore, he also admitted that the Democrats hadn't been the easiest to work with, either. He wasn't looking to lay blame but to try and work things out fior the betterment of the country. Unfortunately, the Republicans weren't looking to solve problems or compromise, but were instead hoping to roast him from one question to the next, to no avail. This has been a pretty good week for Obama, and a disasterous week for the R's. They have made themselves look like the crybabies on the playground who don't get their way and storm off to the corner, unwilling to play.

[Xman95]

I also didn't see a teleprompter for Obama to read from, and he sounded just a bit like he knew what the hell he was talking about.

Most professional liars usually do. (At least the really good ones.)

[Woodburn]

Most professional liars usually do. (At least the really good ones.)

Ha! There's a great lead in to civilized debate!

[Cheesehead]

I'm pretty sure all of our Presidents have lied at one time or another. I'm not sure there is any way to avoid it, given the office and complex issues they are dealt.