At his final press appearance as president, Obama told reporters they must ask tough questions of people in power. While that’s a true statement, it’s about nine years too late.
Obama has enjoyed more adoration from the press than any president perhaps ever. Journalists have acted more like fans and supporters than government watchdogs.
For Obama to say this on his second to last day as president is rich with irony.
The Wrap reports:
President Obama’s Final Press Conference: ‘You’re Supposed to Be Skeptics’
President Barack Obama began his final press conference on Wednesday afternoon by stressing the importance of a free press corps.
“We are accountable to the people who send us here,” Obama said of the presidency. “You’re not supposed to be sycophants. You’re supposed to be skeptics.”
Obama’s comment was a clear dig at President-elect Donald Trump, who has a combative relationship with the press. Trump recently called CNN “fake news” and mentioned that he only uses Twitter to defend himself against the “dishonest media.”
Watch the video:
Pres. Obama to press: "You're not supposed to be complimentary. You're supposed to cast a critical eye on folks who hold enormous power." pic.twitter.com/sTKl34FlrQ
— CBS News (@CBSNews) January 18, 2017
What a joke.
They haven’t asked him a tough question for eight years.
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