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Obama jabs at media for furthering coarsened rhetoric

By Michael O'Brien - 09/20/09 11:05 AM ET

President Obama made some pointed jabs toward the very media outlets on which he appeared Sunday, blaming them in part for a coarsened political debate nationally.

The president called for cooler heads to prevail when it comes to political discussion, blaming media outlets for giving voice to the most outrageous claims about him and his legislative priorities.

"You know, and the other thing I've got to say is, is that I think it's important for the media -- you know, not to do any media-bashing here -- to recognize that right now, in this 24-hour news cycle, the easiest way to get on CNN is or FOX or any of the other stations -- MSNBC -- is to just say something rude and outrageous," Obama said during an appearance on CNN's "State of the Union with John King."

The president pushed for a more temperate national debate, especially in the wake of Rep. Joe Wilson's (R-S.C.) now infamous "You lie!" outburst toward Obama during the president's joint session address to Congress earlier this month.

"The one thing I hope is, is that we can have a civil argument about it and that we are able to acknowledge good motives on both sides," Obama said during his appearance on ABC. "Everybody is a patriot. Each of us are Americans that care deeply about this country."

"If you're just being sensible and giving people the benefit of the doubt, and you're making your arguments, you don't get time on the nightly news," the president added.

Source:
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/59503-obama-jabs-at-media-for-furthering-coarsened-rhetoric

Comments (13)

"…The president called for cooler heads to prevail when it comes to political discussion, blaming media outlets for giving voice to the most outrageous claims about him and his legislative priorities…"Obama need not face this kind of opposition if he had one ounce of vision. The vision is 70% for single payer or public option. But he is completely IN AGREEMENT with the corporations, so much so he is willing to fork over trillions of your taxes, to these corporations, even though he could cover everyone for free several times over with that kind of money. (Obama is NOT into change. Won't touch it. Won't happen despite all the money).And what do you call the liberals and independents who no longer respect Obama? Are we all brainwashed? Oh, I forgot, we are all racist, right?BY tropicgirl on 09/20/2009 at 12:37
I sense dissention, comrade…come…drink your kool-aid ration.BY Cowabunga on 09/20/2009 at 20:49
It's all about the 'Tone at the Top'. It is perhaps a tad disingenuous, bordering on the hypocritical, for the President to be preaching on 'coarsened rhetoric'. I mean I don't know all the facts but I believe he's acting Stupidly.BY jim on 09/20/2009 at 20:51
Get a brain! We don't want government ran health care.Don't blame the media. The government screws up way more stuff than they fix!BY Stu on 09/20/2009 at 21:16
If it critical of HIM.. it is racist and coarse.. does no one remember when the liberals were the opposition, and the terrible things they did and said.. Grow up Obama, step into the real world.BY Terry on 09/20/2009 at 22:40
This president is extremely SLICK, actually better the Bill Clinton. MOVE OVER, Bill! You've lost your title…BY benh on 09/21/2009 at 01:02
Meanwhile…back at the white house, the Prez. calls Kanye a Jack%^^%!BY Dave Thrush on 09/21/2009 at 03:11
Kanye IS a jackass…and other words not polite to mention here…The problem with a lot of folks is that this time we have a president that doesn't "play nice"…he calls 'em as he sees 'em. Face it, we aren't used to a candid person in the White House…nice change of pace if you ask me.Plus the fact that he WANTED to inherit this mess GW leftBY Vic Scaz on 09/21/2009 at 10:09
I doubt that SCAZ has even heard of Harry Truman who was extremely candid and often combative. Look it up.BY guillaume on 09/21/2009 at 10:53
Everyone knows we can afford a public option and we can certainly leave the health insurance companies alone and NOT bail them out.Obama is the one setting up straw men to knock down. Even O'Reilly said no problem with a public option. So do my conservative friends. All people ask is to leave their insurance alone that they already have.What is so effen hard about that? Everything if you are already crooked. Obama is going to slick himself out of a job.BY tropicgirl on 09/21/2009 at 11:11

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