More than 90,000 Web users submit questions for Obama
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/03/26/art.getty.obama.online.th.jpg caption=" The meeting - a new take on President Franklin Roosevelt's fireside chats - was streamed on the Internet from WhiteHouse.gov."] (CNN) - In an appeal to the tech-savvy public, the White House's Web site opened itself to questions for President Barack Obama's online town hall meeting Thursday.
The meeting - a new take on President Franklin Roosevelt's fireside chats - was streamed on the Internet from WhiteHouse.gov, another sign that Obama is reaching out to online followers as he tries to rally an anxious country in support of his solutions to the economic crisis.
By the time the call for questions closed at 9:30 a.m. ET Thursday, 92,918 people had submitted 104,113 questions for the president. The questions spread across several categories, and more than 3.6 million rankings of the queries had been registered.
Obama had promised to answer some of the highest-ranked questions during the town hall meeting, which was held in the East Room of the White House.
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All those questions but one of the most 'important' was to answer the question(s) related to legalizing marijuana? It couldn't possibly have been one of the most asked questions from Americans ! But for media attentions it does get more press. This is soooooo sad – when people are suffering soooo much.
where will Obama appear next week in major media exposure?
The fundamental factor to the President's efforts on all issues is the admission that America has fallen woefully behind the world in a variety of areas, energy, innovation, finance, health care, education etc... in short America is no longer a world leader and his budget and efforts reflex his goal of catching up to where we should be!!! The world has advanced in many areas, particularly with energy since fuel cells are now global and spreading into virtually all areas of business with America trailing dead last modern powerhouses such as China, Abu Dhabi, Japan, Germany, Iceland, England, etc... California has plans for 150 hydrogen fueling stations for their fuel cell fleets yet receive virtually no support from any entity except the President to grow their innovations a sad state of our industries!!!
Not all of us get to go to a "town hall" meeting and this was fantastic!!!
It was a "town hall" meeting for ALL the people from a President who is FROM the people, BY the people and FOR the people.
Great as always, Mr. President! While some Republicans are out stimulating themselves, you are still on the job, doing everything within your powers to stimulate our economy. Keep up the great work!
I FEEL SO WARM AND FUZZY INSIDE. Finally a prez who listens to his people. Will the horse and pony show ever end? The EMPEROR'S agenda was set in concrete long before he was crowned.
Answering only the question pertaining to what Obama wants in the budget. How about fulfilling an campaign promise, allowing the American people read the budget before it is signed. We probably will find the gaps and the allowances of more bonuses.
Mr. Obama is the best communicator we ever seen in the white house.
I may or may not agree with all of his policies, but Obama's willingness to listen to the American citizens is to be highly applauded. NEXT ON THE WISH LIST: A web site for citizens to submit SUGGESTIONS to our problems, not just questions.
President Obama, if I could follow up from my bros, Chip 'n Dale, why did it take you so long to hold a town hall meeting? They've been holding town hall meetings in New York since before there was an internet. Why the delay?
he's doing The Daily Show next week, right? Then he's off to host Saturday Night live. . . keep up the good work, Mr. President!
Is anyone working in this country anymore? First you have to think about the question, second – to post it, and third – to watch TV or Web if President is going to entertain your question. 92,918 people wasted their time today thanks to the President.
What do you expect from a neophyte, unexperienced president? He is simply a celebrity who, like many, seek the limelight. Only his pursuit is of a different goal - not just to increase his popularity, but to feed his pathological narcissism.
Please just let this man have everything the way he sees it. He has a vision. He knows what it is he wants, would everyone just get out of his way and agree to put his plan into action. Then we will be OK.
@ J: It wasn't that important of a question at all, but the marijuana lobby had a concerted effort to get the questions posted as many times as possible. I'm for legalization but I think what they did was pretty unfortunate and really uncalled for.
@ anita: Wherever he wants. He's the President and the American people like to see him speak about the issues. I'm sure the Republicans want him to go away and be silent for 6 months while they lie and spin and spin and lie, but it ain't gonna happen. If you don't want to watch, change the channel.
Over 90,000 questions submitted, didn't anyone ask a question about the economy? Are people more concern about pot?
Really, stop doing interviews and start doing some work!
I missed the event 'cause I was working. So, I'm gonna invite Barack Obama to my backyard bar-b-que where we can exchange recipes, talk politics and drink beer. That's my kind of media exposure.
Hope he likes his steak rare.
There is not enough time in the day for Obama to answer even one question let alone as the number qouted. He really never answers a question anyway. I habe never heard him utter a question not answer that made any sense. I am prone to believe he does not pocess much intelligence or he has problems formulating ideas or thoughts quick enough to answer any one's questions. Even the lady school teache when she asked about teachers losing jobs and charter schools. He really never did answer her question. He only beat aroun d the buch with it. Perhaps he needs to study comprehension.
I think he really does it to throw people off the fact that he really does not know the answer nor could he even possibly attempt it.
President Obama answered my question regarding job out-sourcing. And as he has stated that the jobs will not be coming back, and apparently he isn't going to do anything to stop the flow of out-sourcing. Although, he promised to close the tax loopholes that allow for all the outsourcing. In addition, the stimulus package only grows and benefits government. Yes, I did vote for Obama, however, in 2012 I will not. Upset, unemployed American.
The number of questions is of little value . . . the democrats are still controlling the questions . . . BO is unable to answer any tough questions. Come on America, please open your eyes and see where we are heading . . . people that lie to us can not be successful leaders.
Rep. Boeher unveiled the Republican alternative budget proposal "The Republican Road to Recovery" earlier today. Not surprisingly, the only specifics offered in this document are on tax cuts. The rest is essentially an op ed poking holes at the administration's proposal and arguing that the GOP can do it better. Please - I'm not thrilled at the prospect of increasing the defecit, but it's hard to argue against the fact that investments in infrastructure, healthcare and energy independence are needed in the short-term to help curtail long-term costs and establish long-term economic growth. If the Republicans actually invest the time to come up with a clear, detailed alternative proposal that offers solutions for long-term growth while addressing long-term debt, and that doesn't pull from the same playbook that's been in use since 1994, then I'm all ears. I'm sure most of America, republican, democrat and independent, would be as well.
A President who comes out to talk to us and answer our questions instead of just telling us he knows best.
How refreshing even if the right wingers still don't get it.
So around 90,000 people putting effort into sending questions off and getting no direct reply. And being fooled into feeling better. Followed by Obama fans hating his opponents, and calling war peace, and calling big government small.
How is that different from "1984" confessing to Big Brother and 2 minutes of hate and the Ministry of Information?
Consider something other than RNC – DNC.