What Questions Did Obama Answer During a Website Q&A Yesterday?
- Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:36am by
Liz Klimas
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(Image: Wikimedia)
The ever hip on technology president, Barack Obama, took to the social news forum reddit yesterday to answer users’ questions. Suffice to say, the site crashed at one point and broke its record for number of users at one time.
Before getting into some of the questions that were asked and how the president answered, it might be worth noting the manner in which he got the word out to the “redditors,” as they’ve been called. He reached out to them in the way he knew he could contact them the best: Twitter.
Hey, everyone: I’ll be taking your questions online today. Ask yours here: OFA.BO/gBof44 -bo
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 29, 2012
Proof that it was him? This “verification picture” of himself at his MacBook posted on Imgur.
(Image via Imgur)
Unsure what reddit is? It is one of the most popular sites for viral stories, where content is submitted by regular users. But it’s not all roses and puppy dogs. Last year TheBlaze reported that there was a seedier side to reddit that included pornography and blatantly racist discussions. TheBlaze noted Alexa, a web information company, finding that 9 percent of traffic driven to reddit was from porn-related inquiries. Google Trends also indicated an uptick in traffic driven to the site for pornography as well. In February 2012, the site instituted an official ban on child pornography or suggestive images of minors.
More recently, TheBlaze blog pointed to a trending discussion in the politics section of the website regarding why Republicans are “crazy.” The topic: “Why is it that I constantly hear about crazy s**t Republicans are doing but I never hear about Democrats doing anything at all?”
The 30-minute chat with Obama began at 4:30 p.m. EST and as of Thursday morning, the main thread titled “I am Barack Obama, President of the United States — AMA” had more than 22,000 comments. The Los Angeles Times reports the conversation allowed the site to break its record for most users at one time.
Reddit's overall site stats as of Thursday. (Image: reddit)
Here are some of the questions that were asked and how the president answered:
- What was the most difficult decision that you had to make during this term? Answer: The decision to surge our forces in afghanistan. Any time you send our brave men and women into battle, you know that not everyone will come home safely, and that necessarily weighs heavily on you. The decision did help us blunt the taliban’s momentum, and is allowing us to transition to afghan lead – so we will have recovered that surge at the end of this month, and will end the war at the end of 2014. But knowing of the heroes that have fallen is something you never forget.
- Who’s your favourite Basketball player? Answer: Jordan – I’m a Bulls guy.
- We know how Republicans feel about protecting Internet Freedom. Is Internet Freedom an issue you‘d push to add to the Democratic Party’s 2012 platform?Answer: Internet freedom is something I know you all care passionately about; I do too. We will fight hard to make sure that the internet remains the open forum for everybody – from those who are expressing an idea to those to want to start a business. And although there will be occasional disagreements on the details of various legislative proposals, I won’t stray from that principle – and it will be reflected in the platform.
- What is the first thing you’ll do on November 7th, win or lose? Answer: Win or lose, I’ll be thanking everybody who is working so hard – especially all the volunteers in field offices all across the country, and the amazing young people in our campaign offices.
- What‘s the recipe for the White House’s beer? It will be out soon! I can tell from first hand experience, it is tasty.
- Are you considering increasing funds to the space program? Making sure we stay at the forefront of space exploration is a big priority for my administration. The passing of Neil Armstrong this week is a reminder of the inspiration and wonder that our space program has provided in the past; the curiosity probe on mars is a reminder of what remains to be discovered. The key is to make sure that we invest in cutting edge research that can take us to the next level – so even as we continue work with the international space station, we are focused on a potential mission to a asteroid as a prelude to a manned Mars flight.
- I am recent law school graduate. Despite graduating from a top school, I find myself unemployed with a large student loan debt burden. [...] What can I say to encourage those in similar situations as I am to show up again in November? What hope can you offer us for your second term? Answer: I understand how tough it is out there for recent grads. You’re right – your long term prospects are great, but that doesn’t help in the short term. Obviously some of the steps we have taken already help young people at the start of their careers. Because of the health care bill, you can stay on your parent‘s plan until you’re twenty six. Because of our student loan bill, we are lowering the debt burdens that young people have to carry. But the key for your future, and all our futures, is an economy that is growing and creating solid middle class jobs – and that’s why the choice in this election is so important. The other party has two ideas for growth – more taxs cuts for the wealthy (paid for by raising tax burdens on the middle class and gutting investments like education) and getting rid of regulations we’ve put in place to control the excesses on wall street and help consumers. These ideas have been tried, they didnt work, and will make the economy worse. I want to keep promoting advanced manufacturing that will bring jobs back to America, promote all-American energy sources (including wind and solar), keep investing in education and make college more affordable, rebuild our infrastructure, invest in science, and reduce our deficit in a balanced way with prudent spending cuts and higher taxes on folks making more than $250,000/year. I don’t promise that this will solve all our immediate economic challenges, but my plans will lay the foundation for long term growth for your generation, and for generations to follow. So don’t be discouraged – we didn’t get into this fix overnight, and we won’t get out overnight, but we are making progress and with your help will make more.
During the chat, Obama also said the nation should consider mobilizing behind a constitutional amendment process to overturn the Supreme Court ruling that loosened restrictions on money in politics. The 2010 Citizens United ruling paved the way for a flood of campaign cash from corporations, unions and wealthy interests.
The president says that even if the amendment process fell short, “it can shine a spotlight” on super PACs and, in his words, “help apply pressure for change.”
Obama says that in the meantime there’s a need for more disclosure of the large campaign contributions flowing into super PACs and that such contributions, quote, “fundamentally threaten to overwhelm the political process.”
The president ended his reddit conversation telling users he had to get going to make dinner in D.C. and reminding redditors to register to vote and make it to the polls in November.
“By the way, if you want to know what I think about this whole reddit experience – NOT BAD!” he concluded.
Read more of the reddit conversation here.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Comments (64)
MistaB
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 11:22amObama is a chicken****! God forbid he takes questions from a real news source!
Report Post »Gold Coin & Economic News
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 11:57amNo matter how much of a free pass the press gives Obama gets, some idiots like this dude will still vote for him:
Report Post »https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTRqjpK6ScQ
AvengerK
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 1:35pmI love Obama’s answer to the law student without a job…”Obamacare lets you stay on your parents health insurance till you’re 26″. Way to solve the job problem Barry….What an ultra-maroon.
Report Post »Just vote ths idiot out and lets get someone who’s serious in the white house. Enough of Barry’s insults while the country declines already.
Livia
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 8:07pmHe is not going to trake questions like most of us on here would ask, MISTAB. You’re right that he is a chicken feces. In the meantime, he is scheming and plotting against this country to take everything he can that has made it good and turn it into mud.
Report Post »Sy Kosys
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 11:20am“Obama also said the nation should consider mobilizing behind a constitutional amendment process to overturn the Supreme Court ruling that loosened restrictions on money in politics. The 2010 Citizens United ruling paved the way for a flood of campaign cash from corporations, unions and wealthy interests.”
Left hand…right hand….
“Without question, Obama has set the bar at new height with a truly staggering sum of cash. And that is why as we approach this November, it is worth reminding ourselves what Barack Obama said last November.
One year ago, he made a promise. He pledged to accept public financing and to work with the Republican nominee to ensure that they both operated within those limits.
Then it became clear to Sen. Obama and his campaign that he was going to be able to raise on his own far more cash than he would get with public financing. So Obama went back on his word.
He broke his promise and he explained it by arguing that the system is broken and that Republicans know how to work the system to their advantage. He argued he would need all that cash to fight the ruthless attacks of 527s, those independent groups like the Swift Boat Veterans. (It’s funny though, those attacks never really materialized).”
http://articles.cnn.com/2008-10-28/politics/campbell.brown.obama_1_barack-obama-obama-supporter-public-financing?_s=PM:POLITICS
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 3:18pmWell, he IS a slime ball lawyer (who is not allowed to practice law for some hidden reason) so he knows how to mince words just like that other slimeball, Bill (depends upon what is, is) Clinton.
Report Post »I am hoping enough people see through his BS so that we can kick is a$$ down the street come November.
TheLeftMadeMeRight
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 11:19amGee Mr. President, do you like the toilet paper roll to go over or under in the white house bathrooms?
Have you ever tried the TP with lotion in it? Because your gona need some when you get your donkey handed to you in November.
Report Post »Sumrknght
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 11:07amDo you really think the guy who graduated from a top law school gives a flying cr@p about being able to stay on his parents medical plan till he’s 26 Mr. President???? With a pile of school debt, THAT is his benefit? Ooooooooo… Obamacare.
Without a job – it’s all bs. That goes for that recent graduate – and the rest of the country that is unemployed – underemployed.
ROMNEY / RYAN 2012!!
Report Post »Joss
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 11:20amIf I were a law school grad and had passed the bar, I’d put up a shingle.
Report Post »johnjamison
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 11:37amJoss there is really good money in roofing so put a couple squares of shingles a day.
Report Post »paperpushermj
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 10:56amA point of inquire:
Report Post »I’m showing my age here but in this medium (Reddit) does Obama choose which questions to answer?
If that is the case then we can expect to see more of this dog and pony show in the future.
bu11Dawg
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 11:06amYes he chose the ones to answer and the ones to ignore. The questions can be moved to the top based on votes of the members. There had to have been 100 questions about legalizing weed. That‘s the demographic he’s targeting now.
Report Post »paperpushermj
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 11:16amso it was a dog and pony show!
Report Post »bu11Dawg
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 12:45pmWell, I would agree that it was a dog and pony show, but we have to be careful here. Reddit has a very large community base. We shouldn’t be discrediting them, we should be reaching out to them. Woody Harrelson did one of these AMA (Ask Me Anything) posts, and he got killed by the community. All he wanted to do was talk about a movie he was promoting, and Redditors are smarter than that. It’s supposed to be a forum for someone to get up close and personal. Obama basically did the same thing. Instead of a movie, he was promoting his re-election. Why the average Redditor can‘t make that connection I don’t know…
Report Post »RELEVANT_GIF
Posted on August 31, 2012 at 1:07am@BU11DOG
There has, as one can expect, been a massive amount of discussion about the President’s AMA, and I would argue that most of Reddit understands, similar to the Woody Harrelson example you gave, that the whole purpose of his AMA was not to actually to engage the community and have questions asked, but instead promote himself. True, there were many, many questions asked (to the point where they shut down commenting on that post), but he barely answered in questions. Everywhere on the site, people were criticizing the president for answering the very few questions he did, and the very watered-down, generic answers, to very easy questions. Despite this, however, I think Reddit will still vote for Obama this upcoming election, the two main reasons being, that one, Reddit is typically very liberal anyway (not everybody is, but on the whole, people are left-leaning), and Mitt Romney isn’t close enough to Ron Paul, (and /r/circlejerk has an awful lot of satire about Mitt being evil, as /r/metacirclejerk has noted).
TL;DR: Reddit’s reaction to the Obama AMA (aka ObAMA), IMO: http://imgur.com/klHkN
Any thoughts?
Report Post »Ashton Xander
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 10:54amObama must be the first ever president to this kind of strategy. I hope this could bring up his reputation to public. Do you know that there is someone who wants to help your company? There is. Please visit http://www.givemeyourworst.com/
Report Post »term limits for congress
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 10:41amMr. President,
Jihad or race war?
‘Mini-Me’ suite like Kim Um Phat in North Korea? Or, bed sheets like Karzai? Or, fatigues like the Castros? What fashion trend will you start if re-elected?
Will you nationalize the financial/banking industry in 2013 or 2014?
Report Post »rosegrower
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 10:39amAnyone notice how many spelling and grammatical errors there were in Obama’s posts? Makes you wonder how he ever 1) graduated from Ivy League schools, 2) became an EDITOR at the Harvard Law Review, and 3) had two publishable books. Can you say, “ghostwriters galore”?
Report Post »TheLeftMadeMeRight
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 11:32am“Makes you wonder how”
Makes me wonder “IF” ???
Report Post »Budrow
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 10:01pmHe duzzent seam to rekognize proper knowns are know how to uze capitol leters. Thatz evident.
Report Post »bu11Dawg
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 10:30amMake no mistake, Reddit is not for the average person. It is FULL of atheists, liberals, and cats. I was a member of the site for a month or two until I realized that it was not for me. It brings out the worst of this country. I submitted a post about my dog dying from cancer, the first comment I get: “F*** you”. I was done after that. Very fitting that Obama went to that crowd, and it kills me that they think he’s “one of them” now. He wants your votes morons.
Report Post »hayesstephen
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 11:07amSorry to hear about your pup. I do not know what I will do when mine goes. Its true, where ever Liberals gather it is not fit place for decent people to be . Liberal Christians, Oops I am back, When ever I say Christian Liberal I break down in laughter. Now that is a oxymoron!!! People who murder unborn babies, people who will not let a Christian say a prayer at their Convention but almost faint with happiness over having a hate spewing Muslim, will open their convention, people who will one day pass a law to force Christian Churches to have gay marriages, while exempting Mosques, people who will fight to deny Christians the right to worship our Yahweh and His Son Yeshua. People who are working for Sharia law to become the Law of our once Great Republic. Yes you are Born again, washed in the in His Life giving, sin atoning Blood. THESE CHRISTIANS ARE evolving into follower of Chrislum. They deny Yeshua is the Son of Yahweh, they deny He died for our sin, they accept that Yeshua is a Muslim. Of yes many who depend on the government for their welfare checks will go along with anything as long as the checks keep coming. Well the day is very near when the Number will be forced to these same people, if they want to keep getting their welfare checks. You Christians who vote for people who believe in all the above, are the same ones who will force you to take the Mark Of the Beast. CHRISTIANS JUST KEEP VOTING FOR LIBERALS, THEY WILL REPAY YOU HANDSOMELY.
Report Post »RELEVANT_GIF
Posted on August 31, 2012 at 1:12am> It is FULL of atheists, liberals, and cats.
/r/atheism, /r/politics, and /r/aww, accordingly. Also, you forgot weed-smokers (/r/trees)
> I submitted a post about my dog dying from cancer, the first comment I get: “F*** you”.
What subreddit did you post on? I must say, that is a bit unusual of Reddit, in my experience.
>Very fitting that Obama went to that crowd, and it kills me that they think he’s “one of them” now.
Report Post »He certainly thinks that, but he doesn’t get it, that’s for sure. As I mentioned in a previous post, I think while Reddit was very exited about the AMA (like everybody was), they voiced quite a bit of criticism.
pwatkins
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 10:16amHow can you be the first gay president and love women more than republicans, oops I mean woman(your correct sp.) at the same time?
Report Post »How do you as a Christian turn away a Catholic from the DNC and have radical Muslims praying insead?
I think I already know the answers to those questions and that is a good thing bc I know I won’t get them from you.
NewLife56
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 10:13amHe can’t even type without lying
Report Post »freedomisasfreedomdoes
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 10:11amObama is more than likely a fun guy to hang out with, almost irrefutably. However, he is not the guy to re-elect for the job of president. That question has been already answered–say by last almost 4 years.
Report Post »Revere2
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 10:05amMore BS this time in writing.
Report Post »JRook
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 10:15am“The other party has two ideas for growth – more taxs cuts for the wealthy (paid for by raising tax burdens on the middle class and gutting investments like education) and getting rid of regulations we’ve put in place to control the excesses on wall street and help consumers. These ideas have been tried, they didnt work, and will make the economy worse.” No this part is true and you know it. $10 trillion plus of the debt was run up under Reagan, Bush Sr. and Bush Jr. Bush Jr. squandered a budget surplus and left the PRESIDENT a $1.2 (2008 f.y.) trillion deficit run rate. And before you bash me with the intellectually challenging name calling. Show how the above FACTS are wrong.
Report Post »investlite
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 11:22amJRook(ie)
Report Post »Your point is absolutely stupid. You say that the policies that have been tried and failed are ones that involves running up the debt 10T in 18 years, if that is the measure then by his own definition Obama is a failure because he’s run up 5T in 4 years and run a deficit above a trillion the whole time. You can’t just state facts and think that means your point of view is correct, the facts have to ACTUALLY support your point of view.
Tri-ox
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 10:01amWho cares?
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 10:40amExactly, who cares?
Report Post »Sirfoldallot
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:58amWe should of known when we seen a fly flying around his mouth, & I seen @ lest 4 X‘s fly’s on TV flying around this stranger 2 USA !
Report Post »AJAYW
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:55amMy question would be- When are you going to divorce Michelle and marry Chris Mathews?
Report Post »Sirfoldallot
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 10:06amlmao , really, lol.
Report Post »thegreatcarnac
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 11:54amLOL….good one…
Report Post »Eblaze44
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 7:16pmI never thought of that – it‘s a better question than the one I had for Chris Matthews about whether he was angry because he doesn’t have dark skin or that his wife isn’t black – No wonder Chris gets a tingle up his leg – just thinking about Obama between the sheets.
Report Post »EqualJustice
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:54amHe has a hair across his BUTT when it comes to Citizens United and he will do almost ANYTHING to SHUT THEM UP. Obama’s biggest FEAR? The TRUTH! SUPPORT CITIZENS UNITED! :)
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:50amHardball questions for Dear Leader to answer:
boxers or briefs?
Report Post »East Coast or West Coast?
What’s your favorite color and why?
McDonald’s or BK?
Who’s the better kisser, Michelle or Reggie?
Kim or Khloe?
B0ng or spliff?
Team Edward or Team Jacob?
Starsky or Hutch?
EqualJustice
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:55amHe did answer “red or green” already, right? HAHAHAA
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 10:04amHe did, indeed! He just didn’t specify which breed goes best with his chili of choice.
Report Post »EqualJustice
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 11:00amChihuahua, I assume? ;)
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 11:10amPerhaps, but the Xoloitzcuintli might be easier to prepare since it has no hair or fur. :)
Report Post »Sirfoldallot
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:46amStand up 2 this lier & if No pic ID come 2 Vote , turn them away & make those cheats take u 2 court, & make a judge rule against u 4 up holding the law.
Report Post »toomuchgovt
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:46am71% of obummers facebook page is fake, how many of these users are fake. I guess we will never know.
Report Post »teddrunk
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:46amWhat’s your favorite color? What’s your sign? What’s your favorite 40oz beer in a paper bag? Softball, the sport of girls.
Report Post »Cabo King
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:45amAND the #1 question, how did you do such a great job forging that birth Cert.???
Report Post »Eblaze44
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 7:19pmThat’s not a bad question either? but don’t expect an honest response. First – whoever did it should be ashamed of such shoddy work and second – I hope it was lots of money – cause your reputation is shot after such a botch job – unless you intended it to be a botch job – in which case – you should write a book about the episode.
Report Post »DrunkGOP_Hack
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:45amUses a MacBook but swings with a Blackberry.
Report Post »Fist off he is a RACIST.
Secondly, Tech Mashup, no wonder he stinks as prez!
trolltrainer
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:45amObama is tech-savvy and this is an advantage; especially in relation to the younger generations. It is easier to give a BS answer in written form than it is to read off a teleprompter. The unfortunate part is the kids he is talking to are ignorant of the real world and will believe his spin.
Report Post »DrunkGOP_Hack
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:43am1 semi-good question?
Not to mention asking for help, a.k.a., handout.
Shouldn’t have become a lawyer.
Report Post »