knapplc Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 BO did an AMA on Reddit today, much to my surprise. Here are the questions and his answers: Here is a collection of all the questions and answers: Question: I am recent law school graduate. Despite graduating from a top school, I find myself unemployed with a large student loan debt burden. While I'm sure my immediate prospects will improve in time, it's difficult to be optimistic about the future knowing that my ability to live a productive life -- to have a fulfilling career, to buy a house, to someday raise a family -- is hampered by my debt and the bleak economic outlook for young people. I know that I'm not alone in feeling this way. Many of us are demoralized. Your 2008 campaign was successful in large part due to the efforts of younger demographics. We worked for you, we campaigned for you, and we turned out in record numbers to vote for you. What can I say to encourage those in similar situations as I am to show up again in November? What hope can you offer us for your second term? Answer: I understand how tough it is out there for recent grads. You're right - your long term prospects are great, but that doesn't help in the short term. Obviously some of the steps we have taken already help young people at the start of their careers. Because of the health care bill, you can stay on your parent's plan until you're twenty six. Because of our student loan bill, we are lowering the debt burdens that young people have to carry. But the key for your future, and all our futures, is an economy that is growing and creating solid middle class jobs - and that's why the choice in this election is so important. The other party has two ideas for growth - more taxs cuts for the wealthy (paid for by raising tax burdens on the middle class and gutting investments like education) and getting rid of regulations we've put in place to control the excesses on wall street and help consumers. These ideas have been tried, they didnt work, and will make the economy worse. I want to keep promoting advanced manufacturing that will bring jobs back to America, promote all-American energy sources (including wind and solar), keep investing in education and make college more affordable, rebuild our infrastructure, invest in science, and reduce our deficit in a balanced way with prudent spending cuts and higher taxes on folks making more than $250,000/year. I don't promise that this will solve all our immediate economic challenges, but my plans will lay the foundation for long term growth for your generation, and for generations to follow. So don't be discouraged - we didn't get into this fix overnight, and we won't get out overnight, but we are making progress and with your help will make more. Question: What's the recipe for the White House's beer? Answer: It will be out soon! I can tell from first hand experience, it is tasty. Question: What are you going to do to end the corrupting influence of money in politics during your second term? Answer: Money has always been a factor in politics, but we are seeing something new in the no-holds barred flow of seven and eight figure checks, most undisclosed, into super-PACs; they fundamentally threaten to overwhelm the political process over the long run and drown out the voices of ordinary citizens. We need to start with passing the Disclose Act that is already written and been sponsored in Congress - to at least force disclosure of who is giving to who. We should also pass legislation prohibiting the bundling of campaign contributions from lobbyists. Over the longer term, I think we need to seriously consider mobilizing a constitutional amendment process to overturn Citizens United (assuming the Supreme Court doesn't revisit it). Even if the amendment process falls short, it can shine a spotlight of the super-PAC phenomenon and help apply pressure for change. Question: What was the most difficult decision that you had to make during this term? Answer: The decision to surge our forces in afghanistan. Any time you send our brave men and women into battle, you know that not everyone will come home safely, and that necessarily weighs heavily on you. The decision did help us blunt the taliban's momentum, and is allowing us to transition to afghan lead - so we will have recovered that surge at the end of this month, and will end the war at the end of 2014. But knowing of the heroes that have fallen is something you never forget. Question: What is the first thing you'll do on November 7th, win or lose? Answer: Win or lose, I'll be thanking everybody who is working so hard - especially all the volunteers in field offices all across the country, and the amazing young people in our campaign offices. Question: How are you going help small businesses in 2013 and 2014? and what if any bills are you going to implement for small businesses, in 2013, and 2014? Answer: We've really focused on this since I came into office - 18 tax cuts for small business, easier funding from the SBA. Going forward, I want to keep taxes low for the 98 percent of small businesses that have $250,000 or less in income, make it easier for small business to access financing, and expand their opportunities to export. And we will be implementing the Jobs Act bill that I signed that will make it easier for startups to access crowd-funding and reduce their tax burden at the start-up stage. Question: Who's your favourite Basketball player? Answer: Jordan - I'm a Bulls guy. Question: We know how Republicans feel about protecting Internet Freedom. Is Internet Freedom an issue you'd push to add to the Democratic Party's 2012 platform? Answer: Internet freedom is something I know you all care passionately about; I do too. We will fight hard to make sure that the internet remains the open forum for everybody - from those who are expressing an idea to those to want to start a business. And although there will be occasional disagreements on the details of various legislative proposals, I won't stray from that principle - and it will be reflected in the platform. Question: Are you considering increasing funds to the space program? Answer: Making sure we stay at the forefront of space exploration is a big priority for my administration. The passing of Neil Armstrong this week is a reminder of the inspiration and wonder that our space program has provided in the past; the curiosity probe on mars is a reminder of what remains to be discovered. The key is to make sure that we invest in cutting edge research that can take us to the next level - so even as we continue work with the international space station, we are focused on a potential mission to a asteroid as a prelude to a manned Mars flight. Question: How do you balance family life and hobbies with, well, being the POTUS? Answer: It's hard - truthfully the main thing other than work is just making sure that I'm spending enough time with michelle and the girls. The big advantage I have is that I live above the store - so I have no commute! So we make sure that when I'm in DC I never miss dinner with them at 6:30 pm - even if I have to go back down to the Oval for work later in the evening. I do work out every morning as well, and try to get a basketball or golf game in on the weekends just to get out of the bubble. Speaking of balance, though, I need to get going so I'm back in DC in time for dinner. But I want to thank everybody at reddit for participating - this is an example of how technology and the internet can empower the sorts of conversations that strengthen our democracy over the long run. AND REMEMBER TO VOTE IN NOVEMBER - if you need to know how to register, go to Gottaregister.com. By the way, if you want to know what I think about this whole reddit experience - NOT BAD! Link to comment
krill Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 Something tells me Romney's AMA would be far more hilarious. I couldn't even get on reddit this afternoon; the traffic from Obama's AMA crashed their servers! Link to comment
Moiraine Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 Obama only cares about students with one parent. Link to comment
zoogs Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 I have to say I'm disappointed by this...what a nice opportunity to ask questions other than {obligatory silly ones} and {what will you have the federal government do for me, personally, or those in my specific situation}? Link to comment
strigori Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 I have to say I'm disappointed by this...what a nice opportunity to ask questions other than {obligatory silly ones} and {what will you have the federal government do for me, personally, or those in my specific situation}? There were ones bigger in scope. See the NASA, internet freedom, and super PAC questions. Link to comment
bhamHusker Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 If anyone expects Obama, or any other high profile candidate, to answer tough, meaningful or thoughtful questions on a platform like reddit, they're destined for disappointment. This is an opportunity to be seen pandering to (primarily) young Internet users, not go on the record with issues that matter. Most substantive questions get ignored, the few that aren't ignored get boilerplate answers (see the "We the People" web site for an example of this in action). Stunts like this are next generation photo-ops and nothing more. Link to comment
BigRedBuster Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 Oh isn't it just precious. He showed he can run a computer. I would be shocked to learn those were actual questions from actual people and he had absolutely no idea of what was going to be asked. That's just how politics goes in the US anymore. No reason to allow real people to actually ask tough questions. Link to comment
carlfense Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 Oh isn't it just precious. He showed he can run a computer. I would be shocked to learn those were actual questions from actual people and he had absolutely no idea of what was going to be asked. That's just how politics goes in the US anymore. No reason to allow real people to actually ask tough questions. Let the anger go, man. Link to comment
zoogs Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 I have to say I'm disappointed by this...what a nice opportunity to ask questions other than {obligatory silly ones} and {what will you have the federal government do for me, personally, or those in my specific situation}? There were ones bigger in scope. See the NASA, internet freedom, and super PAC questions. I don't think these.. We know how Republicans feel about protecting Internet Freedom. Is Internet Freedom an issue you'd push to add to the Democratic Party's 2012 platform?-- Are you considering increasing funds to the space program? are really impressive, though. I feel like this was an opportunity to really get a policy debate going. But the specific detailed and heavy-hitting questions either weren't asked, or were ignored in favor of this stuff. I realize I'm just griping and what did I expect, etc...but "is this an important issue to you?" How about, "Mr. President, under current trends federal spending is projected to increase by ____ in 20__. This means we will need an extra ___ to pay for it. From where will that money come, and how do you see this affecting your efforts to cut down on national debt? If you expect current trends to deviate, where are you proposing your spending cuts to fall?" I would love love love for both candidates to answer this. I think this is probably the defining debate of this election, and I'm still waiting for the moment when the two parties are going to have a real debate about this and lay out their positions in an academic, non-pandering way. Link to comment
bhamHusker Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 It's worth noting that reddit was actually down for much of the duration of Obama's AMA. I don't think it would have made much of a difference in the quality of answers, but the range of questions addressed may have been a bit broader had reddit been functional. I don't think these.. We know how Republicans feel about protecting Internet Freedom. Is Internet Freedom an issue you'd push to add to the Democratic Party's 2012 platform?-- Are you considering increasing funds to the space program? are really impressive, though. I feel like this was an opportunity to really get a policy debate going. But the specific detailed and heavy-hitting questions either weren't asked, or were ignored in favor of this stuff. I realize I'm just griping and what did I expect, etc...but "is this an important issue to you?" You may not think these two are of particular importance, but for the crowd he was addressing, (mostly) young new media types, both of those are issues of some importance. Even had he answered the types of questions you're championing, do you really think they'd have been substantive answers? I just don't see any candidate making major policy news during a q&a session like this. Link to comment
BigRedBuster Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 Oh isn't it just precious. He showed he can run a computer. I would be shocked to learn those were actual questions from actual people and he had absolutely no idea of what was going to be asked. That's just how politics goes in the US anymore. No reason to allow real people to actually ask tough questions. Let the anger go, man. I will when the worst President of modern times is out of the White House and politics in America has improved to allow for truthful debate/interviews and honest discussions. Link to comment
carlfense Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 I will when the worst President of modern times is out of the White House and politics in America has improved to allow for truthful debate/interviews and honest discussions. It might be a miserable four years for you . . . How do you define worst president of modern times? Link to comment
zoogs Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 You may not think these two are of particular importance, but for the crowd he was addressing, (mostly) young new media types, both of those are issues of some importance. Even had he answered the types of questions you're championing, do you really think they'd have been substantive answers? I just don't see any candidate making major policy news during a q&a session like this. No, I kind of doubt they would have been substantive. Still, they would have been revealing. I mean, ask some heavy questions and see how the guy responds, right? I don't think it would have been news he'd have been making, so much as telling us about his philosophies. Well, likely it would have just been crowd-pleasing PC stuff, but at least the questions would be out there. But this isn't so much a criticism of the President so much as an exhortation for us young media-savvy people to do better next time. That is something where we are in control. I'll have to find this reddit thread and read through it though, see what was ignored Link to comment
knapplc Posted August 30, 2012 Author Share Posted August 30, 2012 I will when the worst President of modern times is out of the White House His second term ended in 2008. 3 Link to comment
carlfense Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 I will when the worst President of modern times is out of the White House His second term ended in 2008. zing. Much easier to make that case. Link to comment
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