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Where has Helen Thomas been for the last, two pressers?

For some background here are the aggregate average viewership numbers from the president’s last 3 prime-time news conferences: Feb: 9: 49.5 million March 24: 40.4 million April 29: 28.8 million This press conference, being in mid-summer, is likely to cost the broadcasters a lot less than the $21.5 million ad revenue estimated for the April one.

And indeed, he wasn’t called on. Did that ever happen with Bush? I know he skipped Helen Thomas sometimes because he didn’t like her and/or the tone of her questions, but did he ever punish a reporter because that reporter’s agency refused to give him free exposure? It turned out to be a savvy business decision by Fox, but then, in our new command economy, it’s hard to blame The One for insisting that he get his way.

President Obama took to the airwaves at 8pm, but FOX was the lone hold out of the four major broadcasters, so people will be very interested to see how Lie to Me does up against the Obama’s press conference. People will also be interested in seeing how Obama’s ratings do. He’s been a ratings powerhouse, though his ratings have been sliding a little (whose haven’t?!). Obama’s first press conference in February averaged over 49.5 million viewers between the broadcast and cable nets that aired it, but a subsequent conference in late March averaged just over 40 million. Update 4: James...

President Barack Obama has asked to make a prime-time appearance during May sweeps. White House officials have requested up to an hour of airtime for Wednesday, April 29, according to TV Week. The press conference, which falls on the 100th day of Obama's presidency, will probably air in the 8 o'clock hour and address questions of the president's performance. Broadcast networks have not yet announced their response, but a source said that they will most likely agree to the administration's request. Will you tune in to President Obama's "100 Days" press conference? Or have there been too many already?

In his first press briefing as President, Barack Obama focused on the fiscal well being of the nation. With only days to the vote on Obama’s version of the stimulus package in the Senate, it was a press conference whose motives could not be mistaken. Is he on the money or off the wall? With a democratically controlled house and senate it seemed more of a perfunctory briefing than a call for the nation to get onboard Obama’s economic tinker wagon. With a pre-chosen list of reporter’s names to call from the entire briefing was mechanical and not very friendly....

The MEssiah has deigned to speak to his strongest supporters, the sheep of the liberal media... Join in the fun as the amateur president stumbles and bumbles!!

Final presser of GW Bush, begins somewhat jovial.

Fox news, other news channel, presser coming up.

When Barack Obama began taking questions during today’s economic press conference, reporters quickly realized that raising one’s hand wouldn’t lead to getting called on. That's because news outlets were selected beforehand. President-elect Obama, according to an aide, went in with “a game plan” of who to call on, time-permitting. Today, he took questions from reporters with three wire services and three major papers. Only the Associated Press and Reuters have asked questions at both post-election briefings, the first of which was held on Nov. 7. Otherwise, it’s been a mixed bag. For instance, the NY Times got an opportunity during...

Obama to speak and then take questions from media. News sources say this conference is due to his loss in the polls:)

The president is holding a live press conference in the Rose Garden @ 10:30 (eastern) to make very public his desire that we DRILL. He will ask Congress to lift the ban on offshore drilling in coastal US waters.

The White House said Bush would veto the bill on his return to the White House and then go before television cameras at 6:10 p.m. EDT, just before the evening news shows, to make a statement, coincidentally on the fourth anniversary of his so-called Mission Accomplished speech.

Yesterday, an exchange between White House Press Secretary, Tony Snow, and NBC White House Correspondent, David Gregory, took place at the WH Press gaggle. Gaggles are not broadcast; thus, no video usually exists for them. As a public service, Fox & Friends' Steve Doocy and Brian Kilmeade reenacted the Gregory-Snow exchange. For your interest and edification, that video does exist: Fox&Friends' Steve Doocy and Brian Kilmeade act out the script of the finger exchange between NBC's David Gregory and Press Secretary Tony Snow at the press gaggle on September 5, 2006. Filename: Fox&Friends Do Gregory&Snow.wmv Filesize: 3.8 KB Note: Arrow...

Press Gaggle by Tony Snow James S. Brady Briefing Room 10:53 A.M. EDT MR. SNOW: Good morning. Just a couple of little pieces of business as we start. First, a formal announcement: The President and Mrs. Bush will welcome Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi of Japan to the White House on June 29, 2006. The U.S.-Japan alliance is an alliance based on common values and a common agenda. The President looks forward to continuing his close consultations with Prime Minister Koizumi on the war on terror, defending freedom and democracy, promoting regional security and prosperity in Asia, and enhancing closer cooperation...

  Links of Interest CSPAN ScheduleCSPAN Video ArchiveWhite House Briefing pageWhite House Setting the Record Straight Live LinksCSPAN1 Video: Windows Media    Real Player CSPAN1 Audio: Windows Media    Real PlayerCSPAN2 Video: Windows Media    Real Player CSPAN2 Audio: Windows Media    Real Player CSPAN3 Video: Windows Media    Real Player CSPAN3 Audio: Windows Media    Real Player In order to play the Real Media links, you need a suitable player. All of the archives are in this format, so you may wish to get one. You can get the genuine article from Real Networks here. Many people recommend, and I personally use: Real Alternative from...

Press Gaggle by Tony Snow Aboard Air Force One En route Chicago, Illinois 10:23 A.M. EDT MR. SNOW: As you know, the President will be traveling to Chicago. Before the restauranteurs he will be talking about immigration reform and also making his first extended comments on the formation of a government in Iraq. Also, I don't know if you've heard, but Prime Minister Blair's office has announced the Prime Minister will be making a visit to Washington later in the week. Details at this point still to be determined. As soon as we have a schedule we will let you...

Tony's First Press GaggleBy Josh Marshall - May 12, 2006, 12:27 PM Tony Snow holds his first White House press gaggle. Check it out below the fold ... TONY SNOW: Okay, first thing, very quickly through the President's schedule for today. As you know, there's a meeting with the former Secretaries of Defense and State, that will be taking place in about 25 minutes in the Roosevelt Room. There will be pool at the end for photos, and, obviously, a stakeout afterward. The President also, at 1:55 p.m., East Room, open press, remarks at the Celebration of Asian Pacific American...

"Links of Interest". Tony Sets Record Straight Whitehouse Briefings CSPAN Schedules

"Links of Interest". Tony Sets Record Straight Whitehouse Briefings CSPAN Schedules

This is news/activism. Terri Schindler Schiavo is still in the headlines. The death lobby shouldn't kid themselves. We are not going to forget... LIVE THREAD of Terri Schiavo Autopsy Press Conference. It begins at 11:00 pm est from Clearwater, Florida at the Medical Examiner's Office right down the road from where Terri was starved & dehydrated to death. The ME will have to address that hmmmmmmmm? John Throgmartin, ME, here he goes. Dr. Steven Nelson joins him. HERE WE GO.

Q Holly might have already asked you this, but do you know if this is an avail or a regular press conference tomorrow? MR. McCLELLAN: Well, it's a press availability in the Rose Garden, obviously, you'll be there to cover it. Q Is it like a news conference? Q How many questions? MR. McCLELLAN: We'll talk that through with Prime Minister Allawi -- we haven't done that at this point -- and work all that out. You'll all be there to cover it. I fully expect questions. Q Thank you.

He looks like he is ready to crap his pants.

THE 225TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE "We Hold These Truths" by Stephen B. Presser Is the Declaration of Independence part of the federal Constitution? The short answer, of course, is "no." For the Declaration to be part of the Constitution, it would have to have been included in the original document ratified by at least nine of the conventions held in the original 13 states between 1787 and 1789, or added by amendment, which requires a two-thirds vote of both houses of Congress and the assent of three quarters of the state legislatures. The Declaration was never ratified...