As Twitchy reported, President Obama was only too glad to answer questions this afternoon at a press conference — provided the questions were from reporters on Jay Carney’s pre-approved list. As the presser dragged on, viewers were left wondering whether anyone would dare force the president to explain his actions.
Fortunately for us, one pre-approved reporter managed to slip by the White House’s embargo on tough questions.
https://twitter.com/jrsalzman/status/387657037867253761
And the winner is … Mark Knoller:
Finally – @markknoller with a real question
— heather (@CFHeather) October 8, 2013
Knoller with a real question
— Gary Eaton (@garysteveneaton) October 8, 2013
It’s about damn time.
Hey, a question about piecemeal bills! From @markknoller
— Guy Benson (@guypbenson) October 8, 2013
Here we go @markknoller with a question about now 10 house bills passed to fund various elements of the government.
— Bret Baier (@BretBaier) October 8, 2013
https://twitter.com/amandacarpenter/status/387657032377315328
.@markknoller asks great question. Why isn't Obama signing bills that could fund WIC, NIH, and veterans programs today?
— Matt Gorman (@mattsgorman) October 8, 2013
A great question, indeed. And it’s one that deserves a proper, honest response. Unfortunately, this is Barack Obama we’re dealing with, so we didn’t get one.
Obama says "it's tempting" to approve bills that fund FEMA and FDA, but "can't do a shotgun approach like that."
— Roger Simon (@politicoroger) October 8, 2013
POTUS says – he doesn't favor "shotgun" approach – only high profile things like national monuments get funding from House
— Shannon Bream (@ShannonBream) October 8, 2013
Finally @markknoller asks why not sign House bills to fund key parts of gov't favored by POTUS. Answer: less publicized agencies left out.
— Brit Hume (@brithume) October 8, 2013
https://twitter.com/oliverdarcy/status/387657406898917376
And President Petulance needs political heat — as long as it’s directed at someone else. While Obama was busy bobbing and weaving around the heart of Knoller’s question, he actually revealed we’ve known along: his sole objective is to inflict as much pain as possible and hold the GOP responsible.
https://twitter.com/lachlan/status/387657710399127553
Obama goes off on GOP for "holding economy hostage" for leverage, then explains why he must do the same thing re: funding NIH, FDA, etc.
— Guy Benson (@guypbenson) October 8, 2013
Wow, @BarackObama is admitting he's willing to harm vets and kids with cancer to keep pressure on Republicans. Disgusting. #SpiteHouse
— Derek Hunter (@derekahunter) October 8, 2013
https://twitter.com/Matthops82/status/387658091451252736
Bingo. This is all about spite, pure and simple. Anyone expecting the buck passer in chief to willingly take responsibility for his actions is foolish — but Knoller’s no fool:
https://twitter.com/FilmLadd/status/387663201061462017
@FilmLadd Didn't come up. He would have denied it.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) October 8, 2013
Says it all.
***