President Barack Obama doesn’t go anywhere without his TelePrompter

[trickblue]

Link (http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0309/19663.html)

President Barack Obama doesn’t go anywhere without his TelePrompter
By CAROL E. LEE

The textbook-sized panes of glass holding the president’s prepared remarks follow him wherever he speaks.

Resting on top of a tall, narrow pole, they flank his podium during speeches in the White House’s stately parlors. They stood next to him on the floor of a manufacturing plant in Indiana as he pitched his economic stimulus plan. They traveled to the Department of Transportation this week and were in the Capitol Rotunda last month when he paid tribute to Abraham Lincoln in six-minute prepared remarks.

Obama’s reliance on the teleprompter is unusual — not only because he is famous for his oratory, but because no other president has used one so consistently and at so many events, large and small.

After the teleprompter malfunctioned a few times last summer and Obama delivered some less-than-soaring speeches, reports surfaced that he was training to wean himself off of the device while on vacation in Hawaii. But no such luck.

His use of the teleprompter makes work tricky for the television crews and photographers trying to capture an image of the president announcing a new Cabinet secretary or housing plan without a pane of glass blocking his face. And it is a startling sight to see such sleek, modern technology set against the mahogany doors and Bohemian crystal chandeliers in the East Room or the marble columns of the Grand Foyer.
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“It’s just something presidents haven’t done,” said Martha Joynt Kumar, a presidential historian who has held court in the White House since December 1975. “It’s jarring to the eye. In a way, it stands in the middle between the audience and the president because his eye is on the teleprompter.”

Just how much of a crutch the teleprompter has become for Obama was on sharp display during his latest commerce secretary announcement. The president spoke from a teleprompter in the ornate Indian Treaty Room for a few minutes. Then Gov. Gary Locke stepped to the podium and pulled out a piece of paper for reference.

The president’s teleprompter also elicited some uncomfortable laughter after he announced Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius as his choice for Health and Human Services secretary. “Kathy,” Obama said, turning the podium over to Sebelius, who waited at the microphone for an awkward few seconds while the teleprompters were lowered to the floor and the television cameras rolled.

Obama has relied on a teleprompter through even the shortest announcements and when repeating the same lines on his economic stimulus plan that he's been saying for months — whereas past presidents have mostly worked off of notes on the podium except during major speeches, such as the State of the Union.

[iceberg]

it makes you wonder if his orator skills are not as good as we give him credit for. in the one white house speech he gave obviously w/o one he was horrible.

he knows what image means. the more he does to protect it the bigger target it will become, sadly.

[ThaBigP]

it makes you wonder if his orator skills are not as good as we give him credit for. in the one white house speech he gave obviously w/o one he was horrible.

he knows what image means. the more he does to protect it the bigger target it will become, sadly.

What is this....we...of which you speak?:cool:

[Bob Sacamano]

it makes you wonder if his orator skills are not as good as we give him credit for. in the one white house speech he gave obviously w/o one he was horrible.

he knows what image means. the more he does to protect it the bigger target it will become, sadly.

I don't know what his teleprompter has to do w/ his oratory skills

that's speech

what I don't get why his speechs are so revered, he doesn't arouse any passion, and he has a deep, nasal voice

[sbark]

it makes you wonder if his orator skills are not as good as we give him credit for. in the one white house speech he gave obviously w/o one he was horrible.

he knows what image means. the more he does to protect it the bigger target it will become, sadly.

On the Contrary.......His oratory skills are excellent.

The difference lies in whats in his head....or lack of it....

When Rush can start out on a 2 hour CPAC speech with very few notes, let alone a teleprompter and not miss a beat......its because he doenst need to worry about a miscue based on something previously said. His speech came from principles and convictions which dont change, are not hidden...he can say what he beleives.....he is what he is....he is not a cameleon changing with the background.

Obama, needs a teleprompter for a 20 minute speech, even a intro for a cabinet nominee because he wants to avoid a lie from a previous flip flop based on complete lack of principles and convictions on anything of merit.

Even the NYT taking notice....
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/06/us/politics/06web-baker.html?_r=1&em

a Web site called teleprompterpresident.com (http://teleprompterpresident.com/) to post videos of the candidate stumbling over words when he did not use the machines.

[MetalHead]

I don't know what his teleprompter has to do w/ his oratory skills

that's speech

what I don't get why his speechs are so revered, he doesn't arouse any passion, and he has a deep, nasal voice

Plenty...his command of the language,his thought to word process.

[trickblue]

I don't know what his teleprompter has to do w/ his oratory skills

that's speech

what I don't get why his speechs are so revered, he doesn't arouse any passion, and he has a deep, nasal voice

He is no doubt a smart guy, but he is relying too much as a crutch.

I ran teleprompter for 8 years with the company I worked for in Dallas. The teleprompter operator is your best friend/worst enemy. Highlighting certain phrases, changing the color of words helps them no where to place emphasis. The key to being good from the prompter is to not concentrate on the speech, but rather read through it like a narrator.

He needs to learn to speak from notes or at some point we will make an embarrassing blunder. I would at least hope he keeps notes/copy of speech on the podium.

[Bob Sacamano]

Plenty...his command of the language,his thought to word process.

orating is how you deliver your speech, and Obama sounds robotic and monotone

Joseph Goebbles knew how to stir up a crowd...and his subject-matter was specious

[sbark]

He is no doubt a smart guy, but he is relying too much as a crutch.

I ran teleprompter for 8 years with the company I worked for in Dallas. The teleprompter operator is your best friend/worst enemy. Highlighting certain phrases, changing the color of words helps them no where to place emphasis. The key to being good from the prompter is to not concentrate on the speech, but rather read through it like a narrator.

He needs to learn to speak from notes or at some point we will make an embarrassing blunder. I would at least hope he keeps notes/copy of speech on the podium.

.....he has made numerous "blunders" w/o the prompter, 57 states, Joe the Plumber "wealth redistribution to be fair" among those that come to mind that tower over "potatoe" and other historical blunders on note.......the blunders Obama threw out would've put other candidates out of their misery....
.......but Obama is "to big to fail"........
Until the 4th "branch of Govt" deicdes to take notice....his forbars will be minimized for him.....
Tide is turning however slowly....he just needs to attack some more Santellies and Cramers of the world

[trickblue]

.....he has made numerous "blunders" w/o the prompter, 57 states, Joe the Plumber "wealth redistribution to be fair" among those that come to mind that tower over "potatoe" and other historical blunders on note.......the blunders Obama threw out would've put other candidates out of their misery....
.......but Obama is "to big to fail"........
Until the 4th "branch of Govt" deicdes to take notice....his forbars will be minimized for him.....
Tide is turning however slowly....he just needs to attack some more Santellies and Cramers of the world

Yes he has, but at some point he has to be weaned from the teet...

[sbark]

Yes he has, but at some point he has to be weaned from the teet...

.....he cannot be, he has said so many conflicting things on so many issues over time, because he has no base principles, no core convictions, that ideas will hit his mouth without review of the brain...

thus the uhh's uhh's uhh's when off the prompter......he is sorting thru his internal index-card system for a stance he can take without throwing a curve ball on a stance he was adament on just 6 months ago......

[trickblue]

.....he cannot be, he has said so many conflicting things on so many issues over time, because he has no base principles, no core convictions, that ideas will hit his mouth without review of the brain...

thus the uhh's uhh's uhh's when off the prompter......he is sorting thru his internal index-card system for a stance he can take without throwing a curve ball on a stance he was adament on just 6 months ago......

His Press Sec does that... maybe it's contagious... ;)

[iceberg]

I don't know what his teleprompter has to do w/ his oratory skills

that's speech

what I don't get why his speechs are so revered, he doesn't arouse any passion, and he has a deep, nasal voice

death by technicality.

[sbark]

http://images.quickblogcast.com/35238-32833/ObamaPrompt1.jpg

special white house mobile take everywhere telepromTER

[trickblue]

http://images.quickblogcast.com/35238-32833/ObamaPrompt1.jpg

special white house mobile take everywhere telepromTER

:muttley:

That's funny no matter your political persuasion...

[ThaBigP]

http://images.quickblogcast.com/35238-32833/ObamaPrompt1.jpg

special white house mobile take everywhere telepromTER

You Photoshopped out David Axlerod feeding him his lines...took me a while to see what somebody had edited in that photo.

[sbark]

:muttley:

That's funny no matter your political persuasion...

and can be converted to beer party hat with minimal "stimulus":cool:

http://www.prodigalscribe.com/wp-content/Content/homer%20simpson%20cap/beer_cap.jpg

[Bob Sacamano]

death by technicality.

is that the same as death by correct definition?

[silverbear]

Who cares if he uses a teleprompter?? Dubya might have been well-served by doing the same...

I swear to God, Obama gets criticized in here for the most ASININE things...

[trickblue]

Who cares if he uses a teleprompter?? Dubya might have been well-served by doing the same...

I swear to God, Obama gets criticized in here for the most ASININE things...

Bush was constantly criticized for his speeches...

The issue is that he can't give an impromptu speech... and he needs to learn that...

[sbark]

Who cares if he uses a teleprompter?? Dubya might have been well-served by doing the same...

I swear to God, Obama gets criticized in here for the most ASININE things...

.......so you are saying if Palin needed a teleprompter to basically say a 20 minute Cabinet post announcement (as per the NYT article listed) you wouldnt question her ability to be POTUS?........methinks not.

really Obama is no sharper naturally with words than Joe Biden.or GW...but he can resonate them out very eloquently ....in other words if you cannot dazzle them with brilliance.......fill them full of b.s.....

the left went nuts over "potatoe".......let alone 57 states and Joe the Plumber economics, stand up chuck, 3 letter word "work" and a myriad of others........

Liberals have a 20 second memory chip......but a 5 hr hypocrisy drive.....

[numnuts23]

To be honest - Obama is basically an actor, who is starring in a 4 year movie.

With the media being the driving force - I can't see how he will fail in the eyes of the public.

[silverbear]

Bush was constantly criticized for his speeches...

The issue is that he can't give an impromptu speech... and he needs to learn that...

Why exactly does he "need to learn that"??

Seems to me that what he's been doing so far has been working just fine...

[trickblue]

Why exactly does he "need to learn that"??

Seems to me that what he's been doing so far has been working just fine...

Oh I don't know... maybe when he has to give an off-the-cuff remarks?

[Hoofbite]

Bush was constantly criticized for his speeches...

The issue is that he can't give an impromptu speech... and he needs to learn that...

Well nearly every speech produced dozens of sound bites.

Nothing will ever top "fool me once........"

[Rackat]

Who cares if he uses a teleprompter?? Dubya might have been well-served by doing the same...

I swear to God, Obama gets criticized in here for the most ASININE things...
Jeeze. Cry me a river Bear. They're poking fun at Obama's inability to speek without prompting. It's no different than when people poked fun at Bush for his Bushisms.

[trickblue]

Well nearly every speech produced dozens of sound bites.

Nothing will ever top "fool me once........"

so... teleprompters for at least the next four years?

His first presser he used a prompter and every question was predetermined and in order...

Maybe he can think on his feet... we don't know that yet... but we do know he can't speak on his feet thus far...

[ThaBigP]

so... teleprompters for at least the next four years?

His first presser he used a prompter and every question was predetermined and in order...

Maybe he can think on his feet... we don't know that yet... but we do know he can't speak on his feet thus far...

When he speaks extemporaneously, we get calls for children to be given breathalyzers. I'll put that up next to OB/GYNs "practicing their love on women" any day of the week. :)

http://dopetype.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/drunkkid.jpg

[numnuts23]

so... teleprompters for at least the next four years?

His first presser he used a prompter and every question was predetermined and in order...

Maybe he can think on his feet... we don't know that yet... but we do know he can't speak on his feet thus far...

Could you imagine Obama standing there after 9/11, with the collapsed buildings all around - and he has his teleprompter there, as he gives his rally speech to the workers and citizens of NY.

Wouldn't have the same effect would it?? :(

[iceberg]

Who cares if he uses a teleprompter?? Dubya might have been well-served by doing the same...

I swear to God, Obama gets criticized in here for the most ASININE things...

so did bush.

gitmo = gulag? was never even close but wow - the hate that came from that.

if you don't like hate coming back at you, quit hating at others.

[Hoofbite]

so... teleprompters for at least the next four years?

His first presser he used a prompter and every question was predetermined and in order...

Maybe he can think on his feet... we don't know that yet... but we do know he can't speak on his feet thus far...

In fairness to both Bush and Obama there really is nothing you can do to prepare for presidential speeches. As far as I am concerned there isn't any connection between oratory skills and ability to lead or make decisions.

You said Bush was criticized and I was simply telling you why. He butchered a lot. If Obama does the same, criticize him for not being able to speak.

IMO, I could care less. Sure, it doesn't make anyone just beam with pride when someone speaking abruptly stops, bumbles a few words and looks like they having a stroke but who cares.

Hopefully the President, whoever he is, whatever party he belongs to has a few more important things on his mind than memorizing a speech. They give so damn many speeches who in their right mind could expect them to be able to get up there and let it flow?

You want nice unscripted speeches, hire a professional performer to memorize 45 minutes worth of dialogue and be happy.

Which reminds me. I went to see George Carlin about 6 or 7 years ago and he got up on stage, opened his act with a little disclaimer as to why he doing it, and then produced 5-6 pages of typed paper from which he read the opening titled "Modern Man" from what I believe turned out to be his last HBO special. Maybe there was another one, not sure. Point is, a professional comedian.....One of the greatest performers of all time got up on stage and read from papers. His reasoning was that he felt it didn't take away from the show and was much better than him getting up there and butchering a very long winded and thought provoking opening that he had not fully memorized.

[tyke1doe]

Many presidents of recent past read from a teleprompter. Why is this an issue? :huh:

[trickblue]

Many presidents of recent past read from a teleprompter. Why is this an issue? :huh:

It's not an "issue" just unusual to use it for 4-6 minute speeches... as it says in the article...

[iceberg]

Many presidents of recent past read from a teleprompter. Why is this an issue? :huh:

cause someone needed it to be.

so far my take on obama is he sounds fantastic when the plan comes together.

but his leadership is like he's responding to newsgroups and making the loud happy.

the loud changes w/o thought. they have no vested interest.

obama picked a hell of a wave, we'll see how he rides it.