Yes, he left the old familiar glass-paneled prompters that helped him recall childhood memories he said he would “never forget,” that helped him talk down to attendants at dirt-floored midwestern appearances, and that allowed him to thank himself for a St. Patrick’s Day invitation. But it wasn’t because he didn’t need them, or because he could be trusted to speak on his own to a room full of reporters and a few thousand people watching on television around the country. Rather, it was because he was upgraded to a full-size plasma screen at the back of the room from which to read his remarks.
Here’s a still from Fox News of Obama reading his speech from the new, Giant TelePrompTer:
Look, you can give him (or his handlers) credit for realizing what a story the glass plates the supposedly-articulate president had become utterly dependent on to make anything remotely resembling a coherent public address. However, you can’t give them credit, as so many are trying to do this morning, for ditching the scripting altogether, any more than you can give a kid credit for no longer cheating on a test because he scrubbed the answers off of his forearm and instead brought them to class on a piece of poster board.
Our own Mark Impomeni, writing at AOL, had this to say:
In a sure sign that it has been stung by criticism of President Barack Obama’s over-reliance on a TelePrompTer, the White House made a change in location for the device for the president’s prime time press conference last night. Gone were the familiar dual glass panels on either side of the podium from which Obama is so adroit at reading prepared remarks, and which have been popping up in more and more news photos of him. Instead, the president delivered his opening remarks reading from a flat panel placed at the back of the room.
The move allowed Obama to offer his remarks while looking directly at the camera, instead of turning from side to side as has become familiar. However, in this observer’s opinion, the president’s delivery suffered. He was not as smooth and lacked his usual cadence. The White House insists there is nothing wrong or unusual with President Obama’s use of the speaking aide. But by moving the device, the president’s handlers put the lie to their own statements. If the Administration was truly unconcerned about the growing criticism of Obama’s use of a TelePrompTer, it would have set the East Room up in exactly the same way it did for the president’s first press conference. Ironically, in trying to blunt his critics, the White House has drawn more attention to the president’s use of the device.
The Fox News video is below:
This has become a much bigger deal than it otherwise would have been because the Left really can’t accept that their Anointed One, whom they marketed as the greatest orator since Cicero, is no better a public speaker than previous president they lampooned for eight-plus years as barely more literate and articulate than a baboon.
Here’s a tip for Democrats: it’s not the end of the world when your leader is poorly-spoken, unable to stay on message, and devoid of any specific ideas or leadership ability — but the first step in addressing that reality is cutting through the denial and admitting you have the problem in the first place. If qualities opposite those you projected on President Bush really are that important to you, the 2011 primary will be here soon enough, and you can make a change at the top of the ticket for someone who isn’t the very embodiment of the Bush caricature you’ve pushed since 2000.
Either way, an inability to speak in public isn’t the worst thing in the world. After all, we’ve all known for quite some time now that Barack Obama is no Ronald Reagan.
Steve Maley
KnightsofMalta
Dan Spencer
Moe Lane
Dan McLaughlin
The guy can't work without a net.
NeoKong (Diary) Wednesday, March 25th at 9:18AM EST (link)Show me a speech where he speaks with out a teleprompter.
Follow me on Twitter.
I wonder if little binky is jealous.
paulincolo (Diary) Wednesday, March 25th at 12:23PM EST (link)I did not sleep with that telepromter, Ms. Lewplasmaski!!!
I'm waiting for Binky's "kiss and tell" memoir to come out
civil truth (Diary) Wednesday, March 25th at 12:43PM EST (link)Of course, she’d better watch out for retalitation from the mob…or Michelle.
The greatest evil…is conceived and ordered (moved, seconded, carried, and minuted) in clean, carpeted, warmed, and well-lighted offices, by quiet men with white collars and cut fingernails and smooth-shaven cheeks who do not need to raise their voice. Hence, naturally enough, my symbol for Hell is something like the bureaucracy of a police state or the offices of a thoroughly nasty business concern. -C.S. Lewis
http://www.gmsplace.com/
Before the follow on discussion on FOX News Channel last night,
USNJIMRET (Diary) Wednesday, March 25th at 9:22AM EST (link)I noticed that absence of the TelePrompTer screens.
But DID notice that while he was looking straight at the camera, his eyes were doing the flick-click left and right that generally indicates someone reading, word for word, what they were saying.
I assumed that the screen(s) were located at the back of the room and, in all honesty, wasn’t the least bit surprised that the “eloquent and soaring orator” was still nothing more then a decent script reader.
He might have a future in voice over work once this little POTUS gig ends.
USNJIMRET....maybe Geico commercials....Speciallist Can I get a mashup??...nt
Aaron Gardner (Diary) Wednesday, March 25th at 10:25AM EST (link)conform and celebrate diversity….or else!!!
“We’d be much better off if We The People had desired small government enough to keep it.” acat
Follow @Aaron_RS
So what the Cardon Footprint difference?
djemi (Diary) Wednesday, March 25th at 9:23AM EST (link)Plasma verses teleprompter?
“If I can’t shoot rabbits,then I can’t shoot fascist”
“With age, comes Wisdom, but only if you are paying Attention, son” my ‘Old Man’
RS Help files (h/t JLenardDetroit) Grassroots in Michigan
Moes Strategy
I remember in high school/undergrad speech courses...
manstreammedia Wednesday, March 25th at 9:51AM EST (link)…when children could deliver smooth extemporaneous speeches with either keywords on note cards (i.e. glance down occasionally) or no speaking aids at all. Our president should take a few of these courses at a local community college.
Is TheOne™ smarter than a 4th Grader??
From ME to You (Diary) Friday, March 27th at 8:47AM EST (link)I recently attended a private school “open house” where the children performed poetry and prose recitations as well as singing songs they had learned.
The high oint was a 4th grade girl reciting John Kennedy’s Inaugural Address from memory! As you can expect the audience erupted in a standing ovation.
You would expect a “Hahvahd” trained lawyer to at least be able to make a speech using notes. TheOne’s™ use of a prompter seems to indicate that he doesn’t believe what he is saying or that he has no real knowledge of the subject on which he is speaking.
Then again….does he have ANY real knowledge.
“You can tell a “Hahvahd” man but you can’t tell him much!” — Anonymous Yale Graduate
That should be "The high point...." — my bad!
From ME to You (Diary) Friday, March 27th at 8:50AM EST (link)Spell check, spell check….to ∞ and beyond!
OK, about that *new* teleprompter - in all seriousness
E Pluribus Unum (Diary) Wednesday, March 25th at 9:58AM EST (link)AAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
::inhales deeeeeeeply::
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Obama = loser
Kill the Terrorists
Protect the Borders
Punch the Hippies h/t IMAO
5*5*5*5*5
Steph C (Diary) Wednesday, March 25th at 10:09AM EST (link)(Where’s that infinity code when you need it?)
“[I]f the public are bound to yield obedience to laws to which they cannot give their approbation, they are slaves to those who make such laws and enforce them.” –Candidus in the Boston Gazette, 1772
Hillbilly Politics
Here it is...
azaeroprof (Diary) Wednesday, March 25th at 10:35AM EST (link)5 ∞
well, maybe. I don’t know if I can turn off the html formatting, but here goes:
5∞
Never mind...
azaeroprof (Diary) Wednesday, March 25th at 10:41AM EST (link)I obviously don’t know what I’m doing! The above text worked fine in a plain html file, but doesn’t work in a comment here. I’ll keep trying unless someone else who knows what they’re doing jumps in!
Well, if I hadn't been too busy laughing...
Steph C (Diary) Wednesday, March 25th at 10:49AM EST (link)?
I would have pulled up character map.
“[I]f the public are bound to yield obedience to laws to which they cannot give their approbation, they are slaves to those who make such laws and enforce them.” –Candidus in the Boston Gazette, 1772
Hillbilly Politics
ok ok ok Steph
azaeroprof (Diary) Wednesday, March 25th at 12:33PM EST (link)?
5 ?
But will the superscript work??
(You’d never know I’ve actually spent a lot of my career writing programs, would you! Mostly engineering number crunchers, not HTML though
)
I don't know
Steph C (Diary) Wednesday, March 25th at 12:37PM EST (link)I’ll try it next time… If I can remember by the time I need it.
“[I]f the public are bound to yield obedience to laws to which they cannot give their approbation, they are slaves to those who make such laws and enforce them.” –Candidus in the Boston Gazette, 1772
Hillbilly Politics
5^5^5
azaeroprof (Diary) Wednesday, March 25th at 10:12AM EST (link)Best comment ever!
=
JLenardDetroit (Diary) Wednesday, March 25th at 12:21PM EST (link)Obama =
Democrats hearing Facts =
Proper response to almost 98% of Obama’s thoughts:
he does have some good thoughts, those are the occasional Conservative notions he contends should occur, but doesn’t really believe and will NOT enact (read: LYING)
Mindless ObaZombies =
clueless, yet happy about it
The Eternal Sunshine of a Spotlessly Empty Liberal Mind
Regards from NoMoTown (the MOTORlessCITY)
“Liberals, looking to do for? America what they’ve done for? Detroit! which is DESTROY IT!”
“I think, therefore I am Conservative”
“Conservative by choice, Republican by necessity”
“You can lead a Liberal to the Truth/Facts, but you cannot make them THINK!”
“Romney [No, not my first choice] does NOT have a MORMON problem. He has a, far too many Americans; these days; are MORONS problem!”
Follow @JLenardDetroit
(RS:Help) (JLD) (Hollyweird) (Brain-deads) (SPIN-cycle) (Obamaocare) (Party of kNOw) (Conservatism) (TEApeats) (respectful) (message) (Warning: Children Will Die!!)
Heil “O” Hell No Obamao is NOT MY PRESIDENT! “No U won’t”
I want “O” to FAIL (here, here, & whole Diary (Ofail) here, is why)
“The first Liberal was Satan” – a Rush caller (other Quotes)
Something is rotten in the state of Denmark
franklinslocke Wednesday, March 25th at 9:59AM EST (link)There is something not right here. This is driving everyone, the People, crazy. We all sense there is something wrong with him using a teleprompter or monitor or whatever all the time. We just cannot put our fingers on it, but all of know it isn’t right.
The fact that to stay on message he needs this “thing” is alarming. We have elected a person who cannot convey what he believes or does not have core principles and value to convey and stand for. Either way, the People have a serious problem and the entire world sees it, including our enemies.
http://franklinslocke.blogspot.com/
We Elected a Celebrity
jimmuy8 (Diary) Wednesday, March 25th at 11:13AM EST (link)and he is only good at one thing: Playing a President on TV.
That’s the unease that is settling in.
We thought Brittney was cute and talented so we elected her President–and now we’re finding out she’s not that good of a singer, she makes a lot of horrible choices and she’d lose an argument with a box of rocks.
“Barack Obama: I’m not a President but, I play one on TV.”
Why’s he on Leno, why’s he posing for so many magazine covers, why is he having prime-time press conferences: Because their internal numbers tell them that he needs to look Presidential–they have got some serious doubts, internally and externally about whether he can be President–, and to the phony-baloney, plastic-banana, good-time rock-n-roll crowd being on TV is what makes a President. Because if he loses President Celebrity he has to be President Policy and he can’t do that–they are deathly afraid of that. Their whole strategy was for President Celebrity to wow and cajole everyone to blindly buy New Coke–and a lot of people did but are now saying “this stuff tastes like junk.” So last night he comes out with a new, serious video, with a lot of serious looking back-up dancers and says “just buy a little more, try it one more time. I promise you’ll like it–I’m a good looking guy, I talk real nice, I’m on TV; it’s real good, I like it and I drink it–You should too.”
And somebody mumbled from the back, “I already got a whole case of that crap, drank 1/2 of one and poured it down the sink–and now I can’t get rid of the stain in my sink. Kids won’t drink it, wife won’t drink it. Took it to the food kitchen and they told me they told me never to come back.”
Muffled laughter in agreement . . .
It's still a prompter
cirby Wednesday, March 25th at 10:10AM EST (link)Sure, they didn’t use the “conference glass,” but it’s still a prompter system. They have someone with a computer sitting backstage, feeding him all of the info live. I work with these things all of the time, and you can have glass panels, plasma screens, or even big projection screens hanging from the ceiling. Everyone still calls it a prompter.
It’s not just canned text, either – you can use these systems to give someone real-time notes. Use of a big plasma like the one at the press conference has some huge drawbacks, too – if someone was smart, they’d just point a camera at it and get Obama’s notes as he was reading them.
It would make a really interesting video – splitscreen him speaking with the notes. Or watch the real-time edits when his advisers tell him what to say…
Oh my stars...
itrytobenice (Diary) Friday, March 27th at 7:50AM EST (link)*That* would be *perfect*. I mean, perfection on a cracker. With cheese.
Who would do that? You think Politico ever would? They seem like the most likely to pass over to the dark side.
Especially when the live questions start and binky starts feeding him the answers to the questions. Particularly, especially, wonderfully when binky is just feeding him talking points rather than answers and he dutifully spews them.
Proper grammar saves lives.
Let’s eat Grandma.
Let’s eat, Grandma.
Great communicator?
Sharp_Right_Turn Wednesday, March 25th at 10:10AM EST (link)Why does the mainstream media insist on comparing Obama to Lincoln and Reagan. Don’t they have any past Democrat Presidents they can compare him to?
Even the AP is starting to notice.
Brian Hibbert (Diary) Wednesday, March 25th at 10:37AM EST (link)To get to my Comcast web email account I have to log in through their home page. It pops up the standard stuff that ISP home pages usually do, a few snippets of random news articles, local weather, etc.
I was a bit surprised to see one headline links on my home page this moring Analysis: Teleprompter telegraphs Obama caution
The first line is a question “What kind of politician brings a teleprompter to a press conference?”
And this is the Washington bureau chief to the AP!
Candidate for Trustee of Illinois Central College
Socialism doesn’t work. It looks nice on paper, but it’s been tried and it’s failed miserably every time (usually accompanied by widespread death and suffering).
Proud member of the V.R.W.C.
Take back our party!
Check out Unified Patriots
He's no Jack Kennedy, either
JustLeaveMeAlone (Diary) Wednesday, March 25th at 11:31AM EST (link)He may be Caroline, however.
“To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.” Thomas Jefferson
No Caroline...
Sharp_Right_Turn Wednesday, March 25th at 12:45PM EST (link)He’s no Jamie Kennedy for that matter.
Will the Greens call him out on this one?
mikefisk (Diary) Wednesday, March 25th at 10:36AM EST (link)…after all, plasmas are notorious energy-suckers.
An LED-driven DLP would’ve done just as well with the angles involved and probably used a quarter of the energy to do so.
…and now my head hurts from having to think green. Time to take the blue pill (in this case, Aleve) and return to this world.
“Once within the maw of Leviathan, degree of digestion is irrelevant.” – Michael Fisk
9.25, -4.77
I'm confused
red4ever (Diary) Wednesday, March 25th at 11:23AM EST (link)Is he Britney or New Coke?
The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in times of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality.
Dante
He's New Brittany
The_Gadfly (Diary) Wednesday, March 25th at 12:07PM EST (link)even better than drinking Wriggley’s spearmint menthol…
Or Milli Vanilli? (nt)
Uma Richie (Diary) Wednesday, March 25th at 12:19PM EST (link)nt
Aw, come on and give the guy a break
The_Gadfly (Diary) Wednesday, March 25th at 12:00PM EST (link)It’s not like he’s had 50 years to hone his speaking skills the way Reagan did.
/end sarcasm
I know you are being sarcastic
robmikpet (Diary) Wednesday, March 25th at 1:15PM EST (link)But Reagan was a GE spokeman close to when he was Obama’s age and if possible he was as good or BETTER than later in his presidency.
True, but Reagan believed in the average guy
The_Gadfly (Diary) Monday, March 30th at 2:05PM EST (link)which is something Obama never has, and never will. So for the point of the sarcasm I had to find something with which, in theory at least, Obama might be able to match him. Reagan also had some real life experiences making things work at places like GE, and actually rubbed shoulders with real Americans and got to know them. Again, all things that are completely incomprehensible the Big 0.
Unchecked liberalism gone amok. What can possibly go wrong?
Sharp_Right_Turn Wednesday, March 25th at 12:09PM EST (link)Come to think of it, wasn’t Jim Jones a community organizer? Moreover, didn’t the mayor of Indianapolis appoint Jim Jones head of the Human Rights Commission in 1960? Didn’t SF Mayor Masconi name Jones to a seat on the SF Housing Authority Commission in 1960?
I recall Jones describing his sermons at his People’s Temple “apostolic socialism”? He also declared his liberal Shagri-La, Jonestown, socialism incarnate. In fact, many prominent liberal politicians (Jerry Brown, Harvey Milk, et al) made the pilgrimage to Jonestown, giving Mr. Jones the thumbs-up.
My memory may be a little fuzzy but how did all of that Jonestown stuff work out?
Correction.
Sharp_Right_Turn Wednesday, March 25th at 12:12PM EST (link)SF Mayor Masconi did not name Jim Jones to a seat on the San Francisco Housing Authority Commission in 1960. Truth is, Masconi named Jones to a seat on the commission in 1976!
I read somewhere
robmikpet (Diary) Wednesday, March 25th at 1:18PM EST (link)where we will be able to watch movies on our eyeballs or with glasses. Watch for the next Darpa announcement trying to develop this for Obama speeches
I mean projected onto our eyeballs
robmikpet (Diary) Wednesday, March 25th at 1:19PM EST (link)n/t