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Ask President Obama Your Questions in Online Town Hall
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by Pythiian1 | March 25, 2009 at 05:07 pm
636 views | 56 Recommendations | 13 comments
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Last night, 40 million Americans watched President Obama's second prime time press conference to discuss some of the progress of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The President fielded 13 questions and a handful of follow-ups during a session that lasted just under an hour.
While the President focused heavily on the economy, he also answered questions on race, stem cell research, China, Israel, Mexico and the military budget.
This writer covered the preview of the press conference. For a replay of 3/24/09 press conference here.
President Obama is determined to reach as many Americans as possible in order to rally for their support of his economic plan, including the $3.6 trillion budget. To that end, the President has pioneered a different approach to reach the public by inviting Americans to use a new feature on the White House website, called Open for Questions, from Mar. 24-26, to ask questions about the economy, and rate other questions up or down. The voting will be closed at 9:30 AM on Mar.26.
The questions from around the country cover a wide range of issues ranging from education to auto industry, green jobs to home owners, veterans to small business, retirement security, and financial stability, to name a few.
Currently, there are 85,064 people who have submitted 94,885 questions, and cast 3,349,575 votes. The numbers have been updated since they were first posted.
For the first time in the history of the American Presidency, on Thursday morning, Mar.26, at 11:30 AM EST, President Obama will conduct a special Online Town Hall on the economy and answer some of the most popular questions and the event will be streamed from the White House.
Related Article by this Writer:
President Obama's Prime Time Press Conference & Online Town Hall
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Pythiian1
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (13)
at 17:28 on March 25th, 2009
I'm surprised he even has time for all of this, but I think it's great he is so interactive!
at 18:09 on March 25th, 2009
It's a great 21st Century way for the President and his staff to hear what Americans have to say about the economy and to express their concerns. Thanks so much for your interest and recommendation, Amy.
at 17:35 on March 25th, 2009
I be worried he spend to much time on the computer and not enough getting briefed.
at 18:31 on March 25th, 2009
I'm sure he'll be able to handle the questions, which he has had in the recent town halls.
It will be quite interesting to see what kind of questions will be asked by any American who has registered and logged in.
Thanks so much for your comments and recommendation, Paschen.
at 06:52 on March 26th, 2009
People who brief the president are sometimes biased or get biased info. Sometimes the real answers lay in talking to the people directly, instead of the watered down version before it gets to the top.
This is what I always say... the people on the top are mostly out of touch with what goes on "in the field". Yet they are the ones making the decisions. Doesn't make sense to me.
at 15:11 on March 28th, 2009
Thanks, Sara, for your recommendation and comments.
One of the reasons that the President had chosen to hold the first online Town Hall is to reach the American public and to hear their questions and concerns directly without the media filters that have often distilled the messages for mass publication or dissemination. It is certainly an innovative way for Mr. Obama to interact with the public.
The type of questions asked in the Open for Question forum is decidedly interesting and diverse although they couldn't be shown to the public at-large during the event, but if any citizen wants to register and sign in, that person will have a chance to see what Americans are thinking across the country.
at 17:45 on March 25th, 2009
Well, it sure is a different approach and one that needs to be washed and weighed.
at 18:36 on March 25th, 2009
Yes, it is a unique approach and like Amy wrote above, it's great that Mr. Obama is using the online interactive means to communicate with and hear from random American citizens.
at 18:53 on March 25th, 2009
Thank you, Esta, for your recommendation and comments. It should be interesting, as I mentioned above, to hear what various Americans have to ask and say.
I've posted updated numbers of submitted questions and votes cast.
at 05:24 on March 26th, 2009
It is definitely a way to manage questions and answers. Will watch and see what questions are actually taken and answered at this virtual town hall meeting. If the lines of communications are being opened on a bipartisan basis it will be a good thing.
at 08:04 on March 26th, 2009
why does the military [4 times in the service] restrict returning to the military? while I can't jump as high, I have
exceedingly new skills and can lead a division/regiment. I can bring other military retirees. Since it is a fact that
every grunt on the ground requires many support soldiers, we returnees can easily fill those roles.
at 08:19 on March 26th, 2009
I'm 68 and retired receiving social security which ain't much folks.
I want to know whats to become to people like me. grocery prices keep rising and also drugs we need but not our wages. We work all our lives and then have to starve to death when we retire?
I'd like a stimulus package given to us.
at 07:25 on June 15th, 2009
I wanted to know if Pres. Obama has a health plan for the American Indian reservation population who are so poor and cannot afford any kind of health care. Thanks.