Obama Press Conference

As Barack Obama prepares for his first prime time news conference as president, it's interesting to look at the press conference habits of Mr. Obama's predecessor, George W. Bush.

President Bush's first White House news conference was on Feb. 22 - but it was at 240pm in the afternoon, in the Briefing Room.

Mr. Bush's first prime time news conference, by contrast, was not until Oct. 11, 2001 - nearly nine months into his presidency.

Mr. Obama's press conference this evening is also notable for the varied number of news organizations given seats.

Before taking questions from the press, the president addressed the economic crisis and said "this is not your ordinary run of the mill recession." The President drove home the need to get the $834 billion stimulus package passed in congress. Obama didn't mince words on the severity of the crisis and was blunt about the consequences of no action.

President Barack Obama will receive the Presidential Daily Briefing, the Economic Daily Briefing and attend a senior staff meeting tomorrow morning in the Oval Office. All three meetings are closed to the press.

"A failure to act will only deepen this crisis, as well as the pain felt by millions of Americans. My administration inherited a deficit of over $1 trillion, but because we also inherited the most profound economic emergency since the Great Depression, doing little or nothing at all, will result in even greater deficits even greater job loss, even greater loss of income," Obama said.
Obama holds first presidential press conference
President Barack Obama held his first presidential press conference at the White House Monday night.


The president said the government is the only entity with the resources needed to break what he calls a vicious cycle of job losses and slumping consumer demand. Obama said the stimulus plan isn't perfect and he isn't guaranteeing that everything in the plan will work as the administration hopes.

Major U.S. news organizations were limited to one seat each. Among those also getting a seat: 538.com, Gray Communications, Air America, Ed Schultz (liberal radio talk show host), Al Jazeera, Essence, Saudi Press Agency, Scoop44.com and America Blog

President Obama official schedule and guidance, Feb. 9, 2009. Press conference tonight

In the morning, the President will travel on Marine One to Andrews Air Force Base. The President's departure from the South Lawn will be open press. President Obama will then depart Andrews Air Force Base en route South Bend, IN. President Obama will deliver remarks to residents of Elkhart, Indiana, describing his commitment to put aside politics as usual and implement a plan to create jobs, jumpstart growth and transform our economy for the 21st century. Across the country, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan will help businesses create jobs and families afford their bills, while laying a foundation for future economic growth in key areas like health care, clean energy, education and a 21st century infrastructure. This plan is especially crucial in Elkhart, where the unemployment rate has jumped from 4.7 percent to 15.3 percent since last year. The President will return to Andrews Air Force Base on Air Force One then travel to the White House on Marine One. The Presidents arrival aboard Marine One on the South Lawn will be open press.

At 8:00pm tomorrow night, President Obama will hold a news conference in the East Room. This event is open press, credentialing for this event has closed and riser space has been allocated. Members of the media receiving credentials for a seat should check-in upon arrival in the Lower Press office to receive their seat assignment.


Intown Travel Pool
Wires: AP, Reuters, Bloomberg
Wire Photos: AP, Reuters, AFP
TV Corr & Crew: NBC
Print: The Hill
Radio: Salem Radio Network
Magazine Photo: Newsweek
Independent Pool: AP international

Out of town Travel Pool
Wires: AP, Reuters, Bloomberg
Wire Photos: AP, Reuters, AFP
TV Corr & Crew: NBC
Print: New York Times
Radio: NPR (ABC for Return Flight)
Magazine Photo: Newsweek
Magazine Print: TIME

EDT

9:00 AM In-Town Travel Pool Call Time
North Doors of the Palm Room

9:30 AM THE PRESIDENT departs The White House en route Andrews Air Force Base
OPEN PRESS (Pre-Set 9:00am: Final Call 9:15am - Gather at the North Doors of the Palm Room)
SOUTH LAWN

9:45AM THE PRESIDENT departs from Andrews Air Force Base en route South Bend, IN
OUT OF TOWN TRAVEL POOL
AIR FORCE ONE

11:15AM THE PRESIDENT arrives in South Bend, Indiana
OPEN PRESS

12:05PM THE PRESIDENT holds a Town Hall in Elkhart, Indiana
OPEN PRESS
CONCORD COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL

2:30PM THE PRESIDENT departs South Bend, IN en route Andrews Air Force Base
OUT OF TOWN TRAVEL POOL
AIR FORCE ONE

4:30PM THE PRESIDENT arrives on the South Lawn
OPEN PRESS (PRE-SET 4:00PM - FINAL CALL 4:15)
SOUTH LAWN

8:00PM THE PRESIDENT holds News Conference
OPEN PRESS
EAST ROOM (PRE-SET 6:00PM - FINAL CALL 7:20PM)