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Obama TV Has Become a Snore

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 29, 2009 4:58 PM CDT

(Newser) – Say what you want about President Nixon, but at least his press conferences were entertaining. “It was the Colosseum, and everybody’s thumb was down,” recalls staffer Pat Buchanan. “It was something worth watching.” The same can’t be said of President Obama’s all-too-frequent appearances. Last week’s health-care presser was “arguably the most listless televised hour” he’s delivered yet, writes Felix Gillette in the New York Observer. Obama’s become “nearly unwatchable.”

Viewers agree: 49.4 million tuned into his first press conference; last week’s drew 24.6 million. One Republican blames it on Obama’s policies, adding that his reliance on the teleprompter makes for “very boring, unemotional TV.” A Democrat says Obama’s just overexposing himself: “Even the best communicators, if they go too often, wear out their welcome.”

[Images (3)]

[Videos (1)]

President Barack Obama gestures during a town-hall meeting on health reform today in Raleigh, NC. (AP Photo)

Fewer are tuning in when President Obama speaks. (AP Photo)

President Barack Obama participates in an AARP tele-town hall on health care yesterday in Washington. (AP Photo)

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Obama's press conference inspires Jon Stewart. (hulu.com)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 21 comments

Snarfeh

Jul 31, 2009 6:53 AM CDT

@palerider - As long as it's grape flavored, yes. If Obama switches to cherry or strawberry, I may abstain until he goes back to grape. Essentially, that means I support him, but would not hesitate for even a nano-second to state when I disagree with him or what he is doing. Stay thirsty, my friend...

kokuaguy

Jul 30, 2009 12:16 PM CDT

By the way, it has been suggested that users be given a method of blocking "trolls" whose posts they object to from being displayed on their view of the comments threads. I'm not sure how that works. I think the present flagging policy is acceptable, IF is doesn't allow partisans to gang up on someone they don't like and flag a comment that is not clearly "abusive."

kokuaguy

Jul 30, 2009 12:12 PM CDT

Well, there you are C_k. Why are you reluctant to show your face at newser's facebook "discussionos" site? The bottom line for newser editors is profit, and rightly so. They worry that drivel such as yours may drive away traffic from the site. I agree with you that controversy sells, but all things in moderation. My only concern is that any new ZERO-TOLERANCE policy toward "abusive" postings should be clearly understood by all and evenly enforced so that obnoxious fools are all treated equally. I do not classify you that way, as you know. But many other "newsies" (probably a big majority) do.

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Barack Obama • media • Richard Nixon • press conference • Pat Buchanan • political strategy • President Obama

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