**Live Obama Press Conference 11:30am Eastern**

Live link
http://c-span.org/Events/President-Obama-Holds-News-Conference/10737422565-1/

President Obama is holding a news conference this morning in the East Room of the White House.

The President is expected to address the situation in Afghanistan, a day after armed insurgents attacked a luxury hotel in Kabul. Last week, the White House announced the U.S. would withdraw 10,000 troops from Afghanistan by the end of this year and 23,000 by the end of next summer.

Reporters may also ask about the U.S.'s role in Libya. Yesterday the Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved a resolution supporting a "limited" engagement in Libya, but last week the House failed to give the President authorization for military action. House members also voted to defeat a measure that would have de-funded parts of the mission.

The President will also likely take questions about the stalled budget negotiations between Democrats and Republicans to reduce the deficit. The Treasury Department imposed an August 2nd deadline for Congress to act before the debt ceiling is reached. Republican lawmakers withdrew from the debt talks after Democrats refused to take revenue increases off the table. President Obama and Vice President Biden are scheduled to meet later today on the budget with the four top Democrats in the Senate.

PB

Now what? How will the Corporate Media tear him down? Will they ignore him? Give GOP more airtime to lie and distort?

He can talk all he wants. The bottom line is that Congress MUST act!!

what then?

But until that happens, I'm taking my chances on the President and NOT the *REAL* enemy: The Republican Party.

as part of a deal on the debt ceiling...you will lose your faith in this president?

in that assessment. It's the one issue that will define his presidency.

And unless that happens, spare me with the knee-jerk haterade.

about how I would be happy if Obama caves.

Like I said, I am glad you answered the question. See you in a couple months.

If the president doesn't cave, will you admit it or move the goalposts?

Do we have a deal or what?

and I will admit I was wrong in doubting him in this area and I should have had more faith.

See you then.

...but have you met the DU member "Random Thoughts"?

:rofl:

When will travel money show up?

:rofl:

-Hoot

but when he does he will be awarded beer and travel money and many experiences.

for the Republicans, though. Only for the president.

Criticism, expectation of fulfillment of promises and angst when promises are unmet is not hatred of the president.

If I buy a product that promises to make me happy, but fails to meet the basic promise then I will be disappointed by said product.

Would you respond postively to your boss telling you that

You need to "Man up"
Stop being a "quisling"
You're "Weak", a "Caver" and "Not a leader"
You're a "mushmouthed" bag of excrement?

Or would you go tell HR you have a problem with your boss?

It should be obvious, but apparently it's not. There's a difference between productive criticism and scorched-earth bashing that serves no useful purpose other than to vent anger.

Some do the former; a lot do the latter.

from start to finish, with certain expectations, I wouldn't then go to a manager in a different division and meet his needs over the verbal contract I had made to my boss in the first place.

That is just good business, and it would also be the difference between further employment and being let go.


Yeah, it should be obvious.

mere disagreement or criticism. There's nothing wrong with criticism, but the day-in, day-out, 24/7 bashing Hatefest is getting out of hand.

Many are probably less well off than 2-3 years ago, and have expected more...much more.

If somebody calls President Obama a f$&#@*!! &*#$@@!! then they should be banned. Possible they are just trolls.


I can understand peoples exasperation when they hear "It's either Obama or the GOP. Toe the party line."


Now that being said, I really, really, really hope that he kicks some republican and Democratic ass and do right for the sake of what is *right.

*By right I mean that the President should not concede anything to the GOP. He should be ruthless. Screw bi-partisanship.

Perhaps they didn't come from you, but they're here at DU.

Yes, I understand that people are disappointed that the president didn't turn miracles in less than two years in office, but few people are willing to listen to reason. And fewer seem to point the finger at Republicans.

Too many people expected this guy to be God-like, and when he showed up as a human and perhaps just another politician, people are angry. Yes, hope and change were the cornerstone of his campaign, but he never said that he could do it alone or that we didn't have a role in that change; OR that it would take less than two years.

Perhaps if the tax cuts are let to expire and SS + medicare are not touched then the same people will applaud the President.

I will.


Until then they will remain guarded in their language and support...I assume.

This is a great start, after too long an interval, and I'm pleased to hear him speaking in a plain, declarative way right now.

He's got to be unrelenting. That's going to be essential, if progressive ideals are going to contest (and even overcome) the right-wing lies in these crucial months ahead.

outlet has aired any of Obama's weekly town halls as he travels across the country. None of them, except for C-SPAN carries any of his visits to plants or factories. None of them air his weekly addresses.

Just because you may not *SEE* him on the T.V. does not mean that he's not out there making use of the "bully pulpit." It just means that the Corporate Media is much more interested in Sarah Palin's hairstyle and Anthony Weiner's penis.

Don't lecture me about this issue until you know for sure what's really going on. Nancy Pelosi can't even get her weekly jobs report aired on the Corporate t.v. stations!!!!

He can also send anyone high up from his administration on to any one of these networks at any time he pleases.

Why do all the problems we are facing always have to be someone elses fault. Are the someone elses fault many of the times? I think thats fair. But you people make it seem like Obama can do no fucking wrong. And this whole blame the media crap is a weak cop-out.

...I assure you: There are a number ways the President of the United States can get himself heard over the national airwaves.

Step one: Don't be afraid to be confrontational.

That does NOT mean "do be rude or wildly emotional", BTW. That's not Pres. Obama's style, and I'm not suggesting it should be.

But it is possible to get the drooling media's attention, to satisfy their thirst for drama, by making the clash of ideas actually... clash. Loud and proud, without apologies, without making the opposition's case for them.

It can be done. Pres. Obama has done it himself. That's how he got elected. I hope he will resume that winning strategy in the months ahead.




edit typo

Tell it like it is!

and paid for by the likes of Clear Channel and Rupert Murdoch.

They're also not news. Which is why they're not on TV.

Obama has weekly town halls? Really?

radio. You tell me who owns all the airwaves?

Perhaps I misstated about the "town halls." That was the wrong characterization. He has been traveling across the country and does visits to towns/communities to speak to citizens; or, visits local manufacturing plants, etc.

Maybe someone should look at his schedule; it's posted on the White House website.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/schedule/president/2011-W27

Ask yourself if you are 100% sure that the president is disengaged with the public. Or, is it just that you're not seeing him on the t.v.?

isn't using the "bully pulpit".

Although yes, this is a good start.

...keep their tax breaks. "Sustainable position" is not the point, Mr. President. These people don't think in "sustainable positions"- they just take what they want.

PB

:7

But he doesn't seem willing to say that he will stick to his guns on tax increases for the rich. Instead he said he hopes republicans in congress will do the right and responsible thing.

Are you kidding me?

Only cuts to spending?

now don't go blowing it by saying nuke energy = peaceful energy.

Will the President let them expire?

I don't hate the guy just very disappointed

But you knew that. Confusing them with the debt talks - barring an agreement to extend them as part of the debt limit talks - is dishonest in the extreme.

as did his DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS

Let's not forget that part.

trading human rights for greed.

That's fantastic.

PB

but only if you are a constitutional lawyer