Lest anyone think it can't be done in 140 characters or less, here is my live-tweet coverage of the Presidential News Conference of April 29, 2009, marking President Obama's first one hundred days in office:
POTUS prime-time news conference: First item is swine flu outbreak. Be prepared for school closings. Use appropriate precautions.
Gratified that House, Senate passed budget resolution. Thanks Reid, Pelosi for working to accomplish that.
Can't go back to economy built on house of sand. Have to lay new foundation for growth.
Have closed GITMO, banned torture. Off to a good start, but it's just a start. Not content to rest on what we've done so far.
Expect us to work on health care reform, energy legislation, new rules on Wall Street.
Expect us to work on credit card legislation, procurement reform.
We will endure as a beacon for weary travels from distant shores. Look forward to the next hundred days, and all the hundred days to follow.
Q (AP): Time to close the border from Mexico?
A: Time for deep concern, but not panic. Health officials have not recommended border closing; akin to closing barn door after horses out.
A: We need to treat this like other flu outbreaks; have to take additional precautions. Asked for additional $1.5 billion if worst case.
A: Key now is to maintain great vigilance. Individual families need to start taking sensible precautions that will make huge difference.
A: If you are sick, stay home, keep sick children home from school, stay of public transport, aircraft, etc. Wash hands; take care w/contact
Q (Detroit News): Have you considered bankruptcy inevitable with Chrysler?
A: More hopeful about Chrysler than I was. Unions have made huge sacrifices. Details not yet finalized. Am more optimistic.
A: GM, need another 30 days to assess. Would like to get US govt out of auto business as soon as possible.
A: Need auto industry help to not be short-term fixes, but long-term help.
A: Chrysler bankruptcy filing was prudent thing to do, to prepare for possible contingencies. Not clear they'll have to use it.
A: No denying there is significant hardship involved with auto workers and their families. Will try to help them land on their feet.
Q (Jake Tapper/ABC): Do you believe the previous administration sanctioned torture?
A: Waterboarding violates our ideals, our values. That's not just my opinion. We could have gotten info in other ways consistent w/values.
A: British during WWII had 200+ detainees; Churchill said, "We don't torture." Start taking short-cuts, over time that corrodes character.
A: Strongly believe steps taken to eliminate torture will make us stronger, safer over the long term. Hold true to ideals even when hard.
A: Puts us in better position to work with allies. Hope American people over time will recognize this is best, even w/unscrupulous enemy.
A: (to follow-up) I believe waterboarding torture, and whatever legal rationales used, it was a mistake.
Q (CBS Radio): Did you read Cheney et al's comments about interrogation techniques saving lives? Can you envision using those techniques?
A: Documents classified; can't discuss. Could we have gotten info another way? Are we safer?
A: I will be judged as Commander-in-Chief on how safe I keep the American people; will do whatever is required to do that.
Q (Chuck Todd/NBC): Can you reassure Americans that if necessary US could secure Pakistan's nuclear arsenal from falling into wrong hands?
A: Yes, primarily because of Pakistani army recognizing hazards. Strong military-to-military cooperation. Gravely concerned about Pakistan.
A: More concerned civilian govt there is fragile, can't deliver basic services, rule of law. We need to help Pakistan help Pakistanis.
A: Obsession with India as mortal threat to Pakistan has been misguided; they are starting to realize that.
Q (Jeff Mason/Reuters) : Does large-scale violence recently in Iraq affect strategy now?
A: Political system holding, functioning in Iraq. Called for gradual withdrawal because more work needs to be done on political side.
A: Confident in new ambassador, Chris Hill, and others working with Iraqi govt after natl elections. Serious work to do there still.
Q (Chip Reid/CBS): How big is Sen. Specter's defection? Is this beginning of one-party rule? What does this switch say about state of GOP?
A: Think highly of Sen. Specter; he has always had independent streak, will likely continue. Will not march lockstep, have strong opinions.
A: I think having him in Dem caucus will liberate him to cooperate on critical issues like health care, infrastructure, job creation.
A: Vote on Recovery Act was classic example. Overall, it is a positive. Under no allusions I will have a rubber-stamp Senate
A: Majority will be determinative in resolving hard core differences.
A: Politics in America changes very quickly; things never as good or as bad as they seem. I was 30 pts down in polls in Iowa.
Q (Ed Henry/CNN): Giving commencement speech at Notre Dame, do you still intend to quickly pass abortion legislation, Freedom of Choice?
A: My position on abortion is consistent; those who are pro-choice are wrong when they say it's just about women's freedom, no other issues.
A: I am pro-choice because I don't think women take that position casually; they are better to make decision than lawmakers.
A: I would like to reduce # of unwanted pregnancies to reduce abortion, esp. teen pregnancy. Working on consensus on that.
A: Freedom of Choice Act is not my highest legislative priority; need to tamp down anger, find areas of agreement, will be my focus
Q (NY Times): What in first 100 days has surprised, troubled, enchanted, and humbled you most?
A: Surprised: # of critical issues all coming to head at the same time. Iraq, economy, other problems, didn't anticipate that.
A: Troubled: Sobered by fact that change in Washington comes slow. There is still quotient of political posturing and bickering.
A: Would like people to take time-out from political gamesmanship.
A: Enchanted: by service men and women, profoundly impressed and grateful to them for what they do. They are really good at their job.
A: Humbled: by the fact that the Presidency is extraordinarily powerful, but we are just part of a much broader tapestry of American life.
A: Make best arguments, listen hard, coax folks in right direction. Ship of State is ocean liner, not a speedboat.
A: 20 yrs from now, kids will say now is when things started changing for the better, hopefully. I have longer time horizon than candidates.
A: Humbled by American people who have shown extraordinary patience.
Q (Telemundo): What is your strategy on Immigration reform, timetable? Will you reach out to Sen. McCain on immigration reform?
A: We reach out to Sen. McCain on whole host of issues, will continue to do so. Told Congressional Hispanic Caucus we want to move process.
A: Would like to convene working group of legislators to start looking at framework to shape legislation. Take key admin steps in meantime.
A: Need to show more thoughtful approach than just raids on handful of workers. Napolitano working on border issues already.
A: I see process moving this first year, as quickly as possible, on immigration. I don't have control of legislative calendar.
Q (BET): Given unique desperate circumstance of blacks in recession, what specifically will target those communities, timetable for results?
A: Every step taken is designed to help all people, but most vulnerable most likely to be helped, because they need the most help.
A: If economy is strong, that will lift all, as long as it is also supported by college affordability, job training, tax cuts for working.
A: Need to level playing field, assure bottom up economic growth, which will help African American communities.
Q (TIME): How does your view of state secrets differ from President Bush's?
A: I believe doctrine should be modified, is currently overbroad. We had court filing w/in a week of taking office, couldn't reform quickly.
A: There are going to be cases where natl security issues will be at stake; you can't litigate w/out revealing info that will compromise.
A: There should be addl tools so judges can review, not such a blunt instrument. Holder, others working on it as we speak.
Q (WSJ): As largest shareholder of AIG, auto companies, what kind of shareholder will you be?
A: Shareholder looking to get out. I've got 2 wars to run already; have more than enough to do. We are in unique circumstances.
A: Need for significant intervention was there with TARP. Helping auto companies restructure at this time is not inappropriate.
A: Need to help them restructure to prevent systemic risk; as soon as they're stabilized, we need to get out, find private buyers.
A: Don't think we should micromanage, but we have right to scrutinize, make sure money not being thrown down drain, strike balance.
A: My job is to ask US auto industry why they can't do what Japanese do. Give me a plan, build off your strengths.
A: Hopefully US automakers will be able to do well globally, not just in US, following restructuring. Don't enjoy meddling in private sector
A: Would love a nice, lean portfolio to deal with. That's not the hand that's been dealt us. Every generation has to rise up to challenges.
(The above comments were from the Presidential News Conference earlier and were characterizations, not my own comments.)
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