Is it necessary for a President to have an earpiece during a press conference?

[RadiationTherapy]

There were times last night, during the Iran portion specifically, when it was fairly clear Obama was listening before speaking. Is this now the norm? Is it so shameful to speak carefully or admit ignorance? Maybe I misheard and am mistaken?

This doesn't affect my support in any way, I was just surprised.

[Avalux]

1. Seriously? I didn't notice that.

Not trying to be rude but who do you think he was listening to and what do you think he was being told? Obama stood there and answered questions with very long, thoughtful answers; clearly he knows his stuff. I didn't get the impression he was being prompted by anyone.

[madokie]

11. He wasn't

someone is full of shit

[SpiralHawk]

42. "For me? Absolutely. Smirk." - xCommander AWOL (R)

http://www.spiegel.de/img/0,1020,1207926,00.jpg

[patrice]

2. What earpiece?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8185125

[patrice]

6. P.S. It would be a little hard to hide anything in those ears.

[RadiationTherapy]

9. Thanks for the pics. It is reassuring. I listened on the radio.

The impression I got at times was not thought gathering, but active listening. It is hard to explain, but the pics make me think twice.

[Earth_First]

23. So you listened on the radio...

You think that, in a world that lives and breathes on quick microsecond infotainment that one might glance at only your thread title and begin a horribly inaccurate meme?

I think that this thread does a huge disservice to Obama, and believe that your thread title and OP need an edit to claim that you listened via the radio; and this was not an opinion concluded from visually viewing something that would draw suspect.

[RadiationTherapy]

25. Ummmm. no.

[patrice]

28. You nailed it. Opie is totally TRANSPARENT.

[RadiationTherapy]

36. OHH! "OP" and "Opie" and "Opie" is like a little redneck Mayberry kid!! So, like, I am dumb!

That is almost creative! Are you a scientist?

[patrice]

40. Who said I was talking about you? rofl

[RadiationTherapy]

46. Well...I am the OP, so ... hmmmm. I think you got me again!

[stray cat]

3. I didn't get that impression

[Skink]

4. How else is he going to listen to the game?

[lamp_shade]

5. Earpiece? Did you see an earpiece?

[RadiationTherapy]

29. I listened on the radio, but pics show no ear piece.

[EmilyAnne]

43. Even more compelling, he HEARD an earpiece.

[Belial]

7. He wears an earpiece?

[mucifer]

8. I think most of us here like a president who listens before speaking!

It doesn't mean he's wearing an earpiece. It means he listens before speaking. He thinks before the words come out of his mouth.

[RadiationTherapy]

14. No I mean after the question. It is hard to explain,but it is overly long pauses and stutter starts

The pictures show nothing in his ears; I will go with that. I had listened on the radio.

[mucifer]

17. He is thinking before he speaks. Some people chose their words carefully. That is all.

[patrice]

18. Perhaps you are too conditioned by the media to know what falls within the range of normal.

[RadiationTherapy]

24. Maybe I just asked a fucking question or two.

[patrice]

32. And, then again, maybe you didn't.

[RadiationTherapy]

34. mmmmaybe. hmmmmmm.

weeeeiiirrrrd.

[endarkenment]

20. The pause and stutter starts are Obama thinking

you are just not used to a president who thinks before he speaks. Get used to it.

[patrice]

10. Perhaps you are un-accustom to people thinking before they speak.

[RadiationTherapy]

26. Could BE!! YuK YuK HyuK!!!!

[tekisui]

12. You are projecting the b*sh ways on Obama.

He is a thoughtful and careful speaker.

[RadiationTherapy]

16. Very possible. I am so cynical. I do not necessarily think it would be bad; just curious.

[Earth_First]

13. I didn't notice an earpiece

Left Ear:



Right Ear:



Typically they are very noticeable pieces:

[newfie11]

22. HA!!Thanks for the comparison!!!

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[babylonsister]

30. Bwhaha! Thanks for the laugh! nt

[RadiationTherapy]

33. Thank you very much. That is very reassuring. I had listened on the radio.

[Earth_First]

37. :smiles: n/t

[spanone]

15. so who in your opinion would be feeding President Obama the answers?

he's the smartest guy in the room

[RadiationTherapy]

21. You know, there is so much 'image management' involved with politics, that it would be more about

not saying certain things in certain ways. Just advisement. Maybe a string of keywords to assist in phrasing an answer. I listened on the radio but the pictures are pretty clear; no ear piece. It just had to do with some tempo and stutter starts that perhaps reminded me of the Georgie earpiece days.

[EmilyAnne]

44. You're right about that, RT, so I understand your skepticism.

[RadiationTherapy]

48. Merci beaucoups.

[SmileyRose]

51. LOL

oh look, it has a tag team partner.

[EmilyAnne]

52. You got me! So perceptive, you are! Amazing!

[patrice]

56. There's three of them in here.

[ellenfl]

54. people who think BEFORE they speak often sound like that.

you're just not used to it after 8 years of the chimperor. i will miss that about him. he had some priceless misadventures in speechifying.

ellen fl

[HereSince1628]

19. I don't know if he does, but I could see it as part of the security outfit

Although they are never far away, I'm sure the SS would want the option to be in touch.

[SmileyRose]

27. Netvocates LOL

You know damn well he didn't have an earpiece but nice try.

"Is it so shameful to ... admit ignorance?" Obama ignorant? Yeah right. LOL

[RadiationTherapy]

31. I listened on the radio and did not know he had no ear piece in.

I certainly stand by my assessment, but must conced the point in the face of the pictures I have seen.

I meant ignorance in the context of sometimes people ask questions that need following up or research.

[patrice]

38. And, of course, you have no computer by means of which you could have checked your hypothesis.

You'll have to do better than that the next time.

I'm looking forward to it.

[RadiationTherapy]

41. Riiight. We shall meet again? There can be only one?

Do you really think you are out here "catching trolls" or something? Hilarious.

Geazisphauqingkreist

[patrice]

49. No. At this point in time . . . I am playing the same game you are.

[SmileyRose]

50. Bull

Shit

[RadiationTherapy]

53. FF

S

[INdemo]

35. NO....He was giving the questions some thought before he would speak

and his responses were excellent..All through that news conference I was thinking just how great it was to listen to a President that is very intelligent(for a nice change) And he does so well with our English language vocabulary.
.Could you imagine how GW would have stumbled over those questions? GW's vocabulary would leave an elementary teacher crying...

[RadiationTherapy]

39. I actually feel hostility just thinking of Bush conferences.

Of course I know people think before speaking and I know Obama speaks carefully. I listened on the radio and the cadence at times was such that I actually posted this OP. Now I have seen pictures and think "no earpiece". No big deal, but I was struck at the time by it.

[K Gardner]

45. Did you think of actually researching this at ALL before you posted that "it was CLEAR Obama

was wearing an earpiece" ??

Absolutely absurd.

[RadiationTherapy]

47. The responses to my post was my research.

You can "research" the progression of my awakening by reading this thread.

Did you even read the thread before you posted? Well, I don't care either way because this is a message board!!

[patrice]

57. Oh that's clever, I think I'll use it the next time I show myself for a fool.

[ConcernedCanuk]

55. NO

.
.
.

[jmowreader]

58. I would like him to have one...

If nothing else, his handlers--yes, even President Obama needs them--would be able to steer the PC in a positive direction. "Mr. President, don't call on the guy in Row 8 with the yellow and purple tie--he carried water for George Bush for eight years. The old man in Row 5 wearing the black blazer and orange tie is Joe the Plumber in old-age makeup, and the woman wearing electric blue eyeshadow is named Janet Parshall and she's been out for your ass ever since you ran against Alan Keyes for the Senate. Now, if you want a real good question, the guy in Row 11 is Bartcop..."