[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 83 (Friday, May 28, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E986]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 MEDIA SHOULD DEMAND ANSWERS FROM OBAMA

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                            HON. LAMAR SMITH

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 27, 2010

  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Madam Speaker, today President Obama had his 
first full news conference in about 10 months.
  That's longer than former President George W. Bush ever went between 
news conferences.
  Here's what the Washington Examiner's chief political correspondent, 
Byron York, wrote recently about why the national media have tolerated 
President Obama's silence:

       While Obama dodges questions, his spokesman stonewalls 
     them.
       In one sense, the press, or at least some members of the 
     press, have only themselves to blame.
       Obama treats them with contempt because he knows that when 
     big tests come, they've always been on his side.
       There's no reason for him to think they won't be there in 
     the future.
       Why does Obama do it? Because he can.

  The national media should demand answers from the President, not give 
him a free pass on news conferences.

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