Regarding President Obama's news conference last night

[AndyA]

I was impressed that it lasted a full hour. I don't recall any of Bush's press conferences lasting that long. How refreshing to be able to listen to the President speak without grimacing when words are misspoken, used out of context, or just plain made up. I noted the absence of jaw snapping, eye rolling, fidgeting, etc., which was also a nice change. The "fingernails on a chalkboard" irritation I experienced every time I saw or heard the previous White House occupant is gone.

I was amazed at the ease with which President Obama took questions from the press. I felt his answers were as complete as they could be, and he didn't seem to be straining to make up something. And he actually answered the question, instead of responding with a veiled reply that swept the question under the rug.

I was thrilled to see Helen Thomas back on the front row, which is where she's always belonged.

The only down moment for me was when that idiot asked what the President thought about A-Rod's drug problem. What a moron. I couldn't care less about that considering our dire economic issues, and I felt the question was totally out of place. It just shows how out of touch our media is with the issues today, and that's what allows poor shows like Morning Joe and most of the Faux crap to survive. If the bar were raised, they'd be canceled quickly.

I'm more confident now that President Obama knows what needs to be done in regards to the Republicans obstructing everything they don't like in Congress. I think he has a plan to deal with them, and I think it will involve the bully pulpit. The GOP will find themselves with lower and lower approval ratings as they continue to pull their crap.

I think the American people are finally beginning to see the light on the false allegiance to conservatism. What has it brought us, after all? Smaller government? No. A thriving economy? No. A balanced budget? No. It has done nothing beneficial for most Americans, and that message is now being received and processed by even the hard core Republicans. Many are finally seeing the light. Others never will, but they are in the minority.

Good job, Mr. President. Now if you can just get Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid on board, we may be able to turn things around and undo some of the damage Bush left behind. We might even be able to restore America's dignity, power, and respect around the world. Not an easy thing to do, considering everything that happened during the previous 8 years.

[zeemike]

1. My overall impression was that Obama knows what he is doing

Even the A-rod question was answered well.
And I think the majority of people that watched gained confidence in him and his plan.
I think he is a whole lot smarter than even I knew.

[WinkyDink]

2. No sarcastic attempt at one-ups-manship; no winking at men; no puerility in general.

[Callalily]

3. I too was impress with President Obama's

press conference. He did not shun any questions and gave very respectful but succinct responses. Yes, my confidence level has risen too.

[Deep13]

4. I saw FDR on TV last night.

I didn't know FDR was Black.

Did we pick a winner or what?

[lunatica]

5. President Obama does one thing to perfection. He respects us

He respects our intelligence and he knows we understand the big words and the difficult concepts. He's even respectful enough that he treats the stupid among us with consideration. There is no condescension, no smirking, no put downs and no strutting egotistical pomposity.

I don't have to agree with him in everything, but I respect him in return.

[Deep13]

7. Right, exactly.

I didn't like Reagan or Bush Sr., but I still respected them. I hated junior's guts.

[Jennicut]

8. Me too. He was the biggest idiot out of the three.

[bdamomma]

6. it is great having someone who really cares about our livelihoods right now.

always mentions the American people and sees what is going on.

[Ocracoker16]

9. Well said, I agree with you

I thought he was very impressive. I liked his opening remarks. I felt that he seemed confident when answering the questions. He did give in-depth answers to the questions that were deserving of them. I am referring mainly to the A-roid question. I thought that was a waste of time. There were other reporters out there who had intelligent questions that they didn't get to ask. I doubt that the Washington Post was pleased that their reporter asked such a stupid question. I think that he did also do a good job discussing the bipartisan efforts and explaining that it would be sort of a long term process. He asserted that he wasn't expecting a lot from the Republicans at this point. He used the phrase "bad habits" to describe what has happened as a result of a long 8 years under Bush. However, he was very clear about dialogue with those who think that gowernment should do nothing and have the American people just watch their government do nothing. He was very clear in saying that he really couldn't go anywhere with people who think like that.
:-)

[ginnyinWI]

10. I even thought the A-rod question was relevant.

Because like it or not, besides being a governmental leader, the President is also something of a moral leader. People want him to weigh in on this issue to check his values and the sincerity with which he expresses them. He passed the test just fine.

I think, in a way, having an upstanding moral leader is going to inspire all of us to do better--because we see a good role model at the top. I know less than nothing about sports figures, but perhaps this guy came forward because of the newer, more honest climate Obama is already bringing to the nation?