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Obama Holds Online Town Hall

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 26, 2009 11:26 AM CDT

(Newser) – President Obama held a unique “online town-hall” today, answering questions submitted and voted on at WhiteHouse.gov. An aide acted as a moderator, calling it a “new experiment in getting questions from outside Washington.” The questions ran the gamut from education to the economy to health care, with the highest vote-getters in each category being asked, the Chicago Tribune reports.

Asked how regular mortgage-holders would benefit from his rescue plans, Obama advised homeowners to refinance at the historically low rates. Asked when outsourced jobs would return to the US, he answered frankly that most low-wage jobs wouldn’t. Obama also paused to answer the Internet’s favorite question: whether he thought legalizing marijuana was a good plan. “I don’t know what this says about the online audience,” he joked. “I don’t think that is a good strategy.”

President Barack Obama takes part in an internet town hall meeting today at the White House. (AP Photo)

President Barack Obama takes part in an Internet town hall meeting today in the East Room of the White House. (AP Photo)

President Barack Obama takes part in an Internet town hall meeting today. (AP Photo)

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Barack Obama • online • town hall meeting • interactive • Obama administration • President Obama • WhiteHouse.gov

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Detroit Bust Would've Been Better Than Bailout

Ex-Prez Bush says bailout his idea, and a good one

Obama Unveils $3.8T Budget, Targets Rich

Budget would institute 'Buffett Rule,' boost infrastructure

White House to Budge on Birth-Control Mandate

'Accommodation' for religious employers will likely be announced today

Small Donors Gave 48% of Obama's 2011 Donations

That's more than double the proportion from 2007: analysis

No Child Left Behind Waiver Granted to 10 States

At least 28 more plan to seek one

About Us

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Newser By Users

Community

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What is Newser?