In reporting on President Barack Obama’s first news conference in eight months, newspaper stories yesterday were missing some items of interest to ever-squeezed taxpayers, notes Grumpy Editor.
With the economy, Benghazi and taxes of most concern to Americans, among questions fielded by the president at the White House news conference pertained to immigration and climate change --- overcovered topics that brought lengthy responses parallel to what was heard for months on the campaign trail leading to Obama's Nov. 6 re-election.
During his 50-minute appearance (clocked at one hour by the Washington Post) in which he called on reporters from a pre-selected list of names, the president repeated some other campaign stump material.
Among his comments:
(Under a law awaiting passage in Congress), “98 percent of all Americans and 97 percent of all small businesses won’t see their taxes go up a single dime.”
“Five and a half million jobs have been created.”
“I know the math well. There will be a modest tax increase on the wealthy.”
“I’m open to new ideas on tax rates.”
No member of the note-taking press was allowed to raise a hand in seeking amplification on any of the above statements.
Also, no questions were asked about Obama’s Southeast Asia trip, departing tomorrow, to Myanmar (Burma), Cambodia and Thailand.
Meanwhile, a Wall Street Journal story yesterday that focused on the president pressing for higher taxes mentioned:
“About $400 billion in tax increases on virtually all working Americans will begin Jan. 2 unless an alternative plan is hatched.”
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