Obama: Hiding behind Technology

In my book I talk about how technology has made us impersonal as a nation. Now our President is following suit by addressing questions on the internet. Obama already hides behind a teleprompter to deliver his messages, now he wants to hide behind a computer to answer questions. Face it, it is much easier and less stressful to answer questions on a computer without the nation watching. It is safe since the President cannot make a gaffe or an error. I may not speak for everyone, but I want to see how this untested man performs under the scrutiny of tough questions. I want to see if he has the persona to conduct himself under the intense pressure of the Presidency. It is one thing to be smooth and charismatic when giving speeches under the guidance of a teleprompter. It is a completely different thing to be able to conduct himself under the pressure of tough questions in an impromptu fashion. Heck, he may not even be answering the internet questions. The questions can be answered by anyone in his administration. Call me old fashion, but I want to see the President answer tough questions.

Obama has already shown his testy side and is not nearly as smooth when answering media questions as opposed to giving speeches. In last Tuesday's press conference Obama had only one tough question and that came from a CNN reporter. Obama first did not answer the question and when the reporter pushed him for an answer as to why it took him 3 days to show outrage over the AIG bonuses, Obama got testy and responded "I only comment when I have all the facts" (Or something to that effect). This is nonsense, he only responded when the American public showed its outrage. Everyone should remember how fast the Obama campaign machine responded to criticism during the campaign. Well, if he can respond in minutes during the campaign to a crisis or issue, he should be able to do the same as President. It as if Obama detests anyone that gives him a tough question. After all, who are they to question the anointed one. In fact, I think the questions Obama has gotten to this point are fairly vanilla and easy. Think of how the media scrutinized Bush over the Iraq War. Obama deserves the same scrutiny over the economic crisis. After all, he is spending more money in one year than any President in history. Obama's main response to tough economic questions is to say he inherited the problem. That may be true, but when a President spends nearly 2 trillion dollars to fix the problem, he now owns the crisis. It will be interesting to see how long he will blame Bush. Obama conveniently fails to mention that the economic downturn also occurred under his watch as a Senator is a Democrat led Congress. However, he feels he has no blame in this crisis and that is where he is wrong.

Now, as the pressure of his job mounts he is content to run and hide behind technology. I think this is how a coward would deal with problems. A real person will stand up and take the heat for their actions and decisions. If Obama is that confident with his strategy to handle to economy, he would not have to feel it is necessary to avoid the press and the tough questions. A good President would relish the opportunity to give his side of the issue with the whole country looking on.