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President Obama and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg take off their jackets before the start of their town hall meeting today at Facebook headquarters in Palo Alto to discuss reducing the national debt , Calif. (AP)
From NBC's Kevin Hurd
With President Obama holding an online town hall at Facebook headquarters this afternoon, some are questioning how close the administration is -- and should be getting -- to the social media giant.
Two big headlines shine a light on the issue today. From the LA Times political blog, Politics Now: "With town hall, Obama-Facebook friendship continues." And in this morning's Politico, "Are Barack Obama and Facebook getting too friendly?"
It's easy to see why the Obama administration wants to get a jump on using this tool again with the presidential election gearing up. Today, the site is home to more than 500 million active users -- 30% of whom live in the United States. And for Facebook, it's another moment for the company to shine. In today's Politico, Peter Sealey, a business consultant who has served on Facebook’s advisory board, called it a "win-win" for both the president and Facebook.
But some say mixing politics and business doesn't always make a good finish. “Large companies try to appeal to a mass audience, and it’s smart of them to be nonpartisan," said Aaron McLear, GOP political consultant and former spokesman for then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, in today's Politico. "Administrations change. You want to have relationships and dialog with anyone in power. The better relationships you have with people in power, the better chance you have in getting things done for your company.”
In a phone interview this morning, First Read talked with officials at the Center for Technology in Government at the University at Albany (SUNY) about this issue.
Anthony Cresswell, the center’s deputy director, pointed out the risk runs deeper than being associated with the company. "There is a risk of potential ammunition for critics of [the president] being associated with Mark Zuckerberg." Essentially, past or future actions by the company's young CEO could bring with it Obama's name into the spotlight. "The president could be accused of endorsing that [action]."
Another question: Is today's online town hall a presidential function or a campaigning event? With Obama announcing his re-election bid earlier this month, it could be one or a little bit of both. As Theresa Pardo, the center’s director, explains, the answer may not be clear. "Facebook ensures communication flows between parties and information should flow two ways in a campaign. But how does that change as president? Does it change the expectation that he will always be there or does it threaten the expectation of accessibility with the audience?" Basically, should we expect President Obama to be conducting online town halls like Candidate Obama would?
Whether it's a presidential move or a campaigning move, Facebook does provide the president a way to clearly send a message to those listening. University of Albany professor Theresa Harrison went on to comment about the open microphone that Facebook provides, saying, "The president is using Facebook as his broadcast platform. He doesn't have third channels to go through."
But that is only initially. Cresswell points out that a town hall on Facebook does not stop networks from analyzing and criticizing his comments.
How about other social media? According to these University at Albany officials, it is tough to judge the impact social media will play in this election. "There is no definitive research but we learned ordinary citizens don't follow candidates or government officials on sites like Twitter," said Natalie Helbig, the center’s program associate. That could sound like a blow to two GOP presidential hopefuls -- Tim Pawlenty and Mitt Romney -- who both announced their exploratory committees on Facebook and Twitter. But there is hope. While things are changing rapidly, the candidate who can adapt well and is on their game, may do well.
Cresswell says, "Things change rapidly. We need to look at social media overall and ask, where do we invest our limited time and energy?"
Campaign event or presidential event, Cresswell explains that Obama has a good start on that idea with today's town hall. "He gets it. He understands it. He knows how to get his message out to people. It's clear he'll use the strategy from last time around.”
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Maybe he can friend Standard's and Poor?
The things Zuckerberg has to do to get a waiver from having to implement ObamaCare.
Stop me if you've heard this one before:
"this 'snippy' guy walks into the House of Represetatives, and says "Hey, where's the jobs"....
HaHaHaHa..... I kill me, sometimes!
Hey Spakster! Good to see you here. Not so much to read your drivel though.
About that S& P thingy. They were the ones that missed the coming crash, right? See no evil, Hear no evil, Speak no evil kind of school of forewarning there wasn't it. If they had been this on top of THAT impending disaster I might have given them some benefit of the doubt on their latest cry of UNCLE about our fate.
Frankly, their most recent comment says more about the lack of civility in DC than anything. BTW did you see that Wall Street bounced right back today after reconsidering their uncertainty of yesterday. Fickle bunch of theives. Especially those energy speculators.
Howdy there Missy.
I'll ask you what I asked another round these parts a little bit ago: have you ever reviewed a S&P report before, or used their ratings in any way? Familiar with the term debt to equity ratio?
Please do me a big favor and explain what you mean by they "missed the crash." And supposing they did, would that be a basis for them to ignore the looming crash of the full faith and credit?
ANd how about those energy speculators? I wonder though Missy if you have an issue with the enviromental regs. in all of this? Why do you suppose there are 22 different blends required for the various states?
Here in Cali $.46 of each gallon goes to taxes. Right now we have the "winter" blend, yet it goes for about $4.25 for regular. In Arizona they don't play the blend game, and guess what, it's about $3.75, give ro take. Now in about a month we get smacked with "summer blend" which is much more expensive.
Do you think all this blending plays a role? There is absolutely no shortage of oil, oil gasoline cause the refineries have to produce so many different blends.
So what you got Missy?
The rest of the story...
And the 'snippy' guys face turns red in embarrassment as we apologizes to all and says "I thought the democrats were still in control"
It would seem to me as tho Politico is just a tad jealous along with the socalled MSM. President Obama has outlets other than them & it pisses them off. They can't drive(be the engineer) the Train all the time.
That Sucks for them!
Frank(lousville) Spanky's gang never has anything to add, just deflection.
It sucks to be them also!
As usual President Obama is playing Chess, while the little kiddies fight over Checkers!
You Betcha!
Spanky,
Sounds like you would prefer Arizona to California. I hear they are looking for some business people to recruit. Especially since the mass exodus to California and other states of businesses because of their crazy laws. If you decide to go I understand and you won't be missed. I think that state suits you.
I get a kick out of regular and premium gas and their associated cost. My understanding is a tanker of gasoline prior to leaving the terminal is provided a container of something to add to the tank capacity. A small amount of additive.
I am told that is the only difference other than cost.
Spanky, our summer to winter blend is also a joke that costs the consumer money while providing the state with increased tax revenues. and our local politicians want to increase the tax on gas which is one of the highest in the nation.
Our Sac politicos and the Spending Party Democrats are amazing. Now they want to tax soda since more folks are drinking it. An article in the paper indicates two 64 oz. containers of soda is less costly than the same amount of bottled water. for those two containers, the tax increases the cost about $1.30.
Oh well, it will be another attack on child obestity, so the libbies will pass it through.
Oh Boy! *dislike*
Back to back Facebook threads...
Let the hater-palooza commence in 3...2...1...
You guys couldn't get enough under the first thread?
When you are right, you are right.
So Feisty, let's you and me change this up. What shall we discuss?
1. Gitmo? No, you don't like that? How about 2. The three wars. Nope, that's not a "WTF" topic.
Ok, how about 3. the $223 billion added to the debt in February, or 4. the amount massed in March? No, not so good either?
5. Immigration. looks like he's trotting that bad boy back on out. Looks like he now like-y likes the Hispanics again. What not that either. Ok, I got it - 6. Global Warming. Say Feisty what is the temperature out there right now?
Oh, I totally got it, let's chat about 7. "Gun Runner", or 8. signing statements? No?
Fine, I got it - tell us how totally great QE3 is going to be. Yeah, that's the one - Quantum Easing. Loving it!
And as always Feisty old gal - loving you. Thank you for being so you!
Hey Spanky, just for funs sake, what do you thinks Bushs' ending debt total would have looked like IF he had included the cost of the wars.
And what would Obama's look like IF he hadn't included them?
Just for funs sake.
have no idea Frank, but I am pretty sure all totalled up he never added $223 billion in debt in 28 days.
And again, Bush sucked at the debt thing, just not to the same scale. Bush was bad, but he's gone. It really is not an excuse for Obama to also suck just cause Bush sucked.
Or is it Frank?
And good golly my man, Bush sucked, the wars sucked and Obama supposedly knew that. So why did he go off and start a whole new one? Why does he keep ramping up the old ones?
If the old ones were such mistakes, and I think they are, then why won't Obama do something to fix them?
Why Frank?
So you of all people have no idea but many more dumb azz questions. Figures.
What's the relevance of the answer Frank? I suppose it'd take about 10 seconds to google, but so what?
Is your response to the fact that Obama sucks that Bush sucked worse? Great, but that doesn't really advance the ball, does it?
$1.5 trillion this year is a mighty big number. S&P seems to not be too happy, right Frank?
So Frank, why won't Obama end the wars? They are mighty expensive.
FrankH, Louisville,Ky
So you of all people have no idea but many more dumb azz questions. Figures.
Frank that's a good one.
Yup, that's right if you ask the Spank(er) a question, it is to no avail, he will invariably answer a question with a question.
oH yEAH.
Truth is I'd cut and paste him an answer, but what a silly waste of time.
Yep questions are bad. We should all just post our conclusions and be done with it, right Bev?
Spanky - bev needs her "cut and paste" to make her post longer to make her so called "conclusions" seem plausible.
Bev,
It sounds as if you may have the same disease as Feisty. You should also see your proctologist for your rectum is also falling through your mouth.
He gets it?
It seems the only thing Obama gets is all the perks that come with the presidency. As to the rest? Pffffft.
Yea! More room to PROJECTILE SPEW!
Careful Missy,
The Dragon Queen above you is about to BLOW!
LOL you nearly made me fall off my chair.
L@@k out -Them fangs of hers are mighty sharp and ALWAYS dripping the venom! ;o)
speakin' about dragging, ever get yours fixed chihuahua fiesty?
"The Dragon Queen above you is about to BLOW!"
...and then Buzz says "I'll take the soup".
Wise man Buzz!
Something tells me the ONLY thing she's blown in awhile, is her own horn! ;o)
Snippity!
"Spanky vs Feisty", the battle of wits, is most akin to what current sports matchup?
a) football "Packers vs Panthers"? b) NBA "Lakers vs Clippers" ?c) baseball "Giants vs Pirates"?
If it was a prize fight, the ref would have called it at 0:05 of the First Round, Feisty would be icing down her noggin....
You guys have been listening to Trump too much. HE runs "Arrogance 'R' Us" these days, you know.
Now you might be icing down your nads bro but her noggin' will be nothin' but a fine hat rack for truth, justice and the only American Way LEFT.
We are sooooo proud of her!
The Keebler Cookie Crusaders V. the Batch of Bocci-Ball Nut-Pickers! One night only!!
Also on the card tonight: Trump v. Palin. Watch the brawl of the Century to see who wins the doofus-crown of the world!!
Awww... Come on booby - you should know by now, if you want some tea baggin action from Spunky, all ya got to do is ask, silly!
No need for you to kiss his a@@!
Really, if the right can have all the Fox network, can't Obama have Facebook? After all, it's Bush's own fault for not being technically literate.
Oh, dbo, that goes to Obama, hands down.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703789104576273300797769750.html
You do not think cutting supply by that much had the teensiest little effect on prices, do you?
I do.
So do a lot of other people.
Not Obama, though. He said he has nothing to do with gas prices. Not him..no sir.
Spanker and Bob don't either of you like women? You two are always beating up on Fiesty, Bev, AM and Missy. You two sillies need to vent in other ways cause your slips are showing.
Spanker aka the Question man same questions but why don't you ever tells us what You would do and answer your own questions? I know you'll answer me back by deflecting and reframing the question but really you need a to take a new tact my friend.
Bob well you just like to bully others especially the ladies and I bet that gets you off. When I see you on here its like mind over matter...we don't mind cause you don't matter! Same goes for the Spanker
So njnb, how do you explain the high gas prices?
How about all those unused leases that the oil companies chose NOT to use?
Saudi Arabia increasing production if needed and full tankers sitting offshore.
Refineries operating at 80% of capacity so there's room for more.
Just how did Obama cut the supply?
Oh come on Rick let's not forget about my best buddy Drive By. Or are you saying he's a chick? Oh wait my "slip" is showing, so I must be a girl. Got it.
Here Rick, let me break you off a piece. I'd end all the wars, pull the military from just about every other country, and put a whole bunch on the war zone from Cali to Texas. There are places well with in America that are essentially off limits due to cartel violence. That kinda sucks.
Then I'd cut the budget to $2.0 Trillion, and use any thing received over that amount to pay down the debt.
Oh and I'd immediately have Obama announce, then follow through with opening up the North Bank and ANWAR. That'd make an immediate and substantial impact on the price of oil.
So Rick, what else would you like to know?
Oh and neither I nor anyone else beats up on AM. The others, well they are their own worst enemies. It's kinda sad really. But fun too.
Spank well I've seen your answer on oil before and it really is still the wrong answer. I remember a while back that you wanted the president to go all in on drilling here in this country. Well you could drill every hole and pull every drop of oil out of the ground and it will do nothing to lower the prices as all oil gets sold on the world marker at the current world market price so try again. Let me help you...stop the speculators and oil, food and other prices would go down but the repubs won't let that happen they voted against it, so tell me what do we do about that?
You would stop the wars huh well both sides aren't going to let you do it neither is business as they are making too much on. If it was that easy I think the president would have already, although he has reduced the troops in Iraq we need to see what he does this year in Afghanistan.
As for illegals if the government would crack down on the companies hiring it would surely reduce the flow of illegals into the country but you know we need that cheap labor here so we can lower wages and standards here and repubs won't do it. What else you got that we can use instead of the same old same old?
Well gosh there Rick, but just right there above you said I never answer. But now it's just you don't like my answers/I'm wrong. So which is it my man?
See I also said we need to take any business license from any business hiring illegals. What you don't like that one either?
Spanker
See I also said we need to take any business license from any business hiring illegals. What you don't like that one either?
I must be blind but I don't see where you said that. What's the post number please. Your last few lines make no sense but that's nothing new for you.
You also didn't reiterate on what I said about the price of oil not going down because of the pricing on the world market. Again nothing new for you.
Kevin. Who is questioning, besides the Presidents enimies?
Frank H--oil price for barrel of oil "grown" in Texas, Louisiana, Alaska--same as the barrel of oil from Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela. Just finding it here doesn't mean you get to buy it for half-price. The price of gas and oil is a result of market forces which have been manipulated by futures traders who have NO REAL REGULATION! as a result of Cheney oil policy in the Bush admin. The President has no direct impact on supply in this environment. Please don't suggest tapping the strategic reserve. It's there in case of a breakdown in the quantity available--not to soften price impact. This is the free market, by the way. How's that workin' ferya?
opajack - it is really hard to "regulate" the price of oil, regardless of who you wish to blame. Oil is traded in a worlrd wide market, there are at least 5 major commodity agencies world wide. wouldn't surprise me if oil wasn't traded 24/5.
Come join in the fun! I have line up 10 companies to donate each time there is a negative remark against President Obama! You can donate any amount to fight Hate! Go to President Obama's website to sign up! You will feel great!
So tommyblahblahblah when someone critisizes president obuma it's considered megative was it negative when the lefties critisized president bush?
Obama and Facebook .... it's all about campaign and nothing else now. What about the wars, economy, jobs and gas prices ?? Who's in Washington being president? Isn't Obama campaigning for the next 18 months going to bore everyone to death ? Why does anyone re-elect him when he's not planning on doing anything now to the end of his terms BUT CAMPAIGN,which he has proven is all the he wants to do. The country is in deep financial trouble and our President doesn't care and only wants to keep spending money America does not have !!! People don't have jobs and Obama doesn't even want to talk it. His townhall meetings are all staged with selected audience, it's all for show. Let's have a real one...on a street corner ... like the union people use to do -- oh no Obama doesn't want anyone that doesn't like him attending. What a phony-- Obama media reports nothing bad about him -- media bias thick!
As if Obama even "needs" to campaign? LOL He has 2012 wrapped up in pretty paper with a handcrafted bow put on it by the minority voters Republicans have alienated by the tens of millions, Not to mention the 80% of the workingclass that is solidly behind him.
People vote, Corporations DO NOT and their money cannot buy a REAL Americans vote
Boblahblahblah if you are right that president obama has the 2012 wrapped up, it may not be as glorious a win as you predict I believe the senate will go republican. You mention that 80% of the working class is solidly behind him. Just where do you get that statistic from?
If this is what our political system has come to GOD help us. We are doomed to mediocrity!
Well after reading all these very" intelligent" comments WE ALL LOSE! As usual it's grab onto whateever your side says and believe everything.
The Right just keep on watching Fox and believe all.
The Left just keep on watching every other network and believe all.
Please don't get yourselves informed just keep the blinders on don't ever question your side of the aisle then we can just keep on going right over the cliff together. Remember to bone up on your Chinese so we can communicate with our future leaders.
So time4truth you don't watch FOX and it sounds like you are not a fan of every other network, just where do you get yourself informed? Is is on facebook, youtube or some other social network site? I bet it's from wikki leaks.
Jon Did I say I don't watch any of those? It's just easy to see which ones watch only one side. I just find it amusing the same people are on here and they never think their side is wrong, and by watching and reading only one side of a story you will never make up your own mind. So if you let Hannity, O'Reilly,Matthews,Stewart,Limbaugh, or who ever tell you what to think you just don't think. Both sidess are equally good and bad but too many don't really look on the on the other side with an open mind. Social networks to me are strictly entertainment not news or information.
You did make it sound as if you did not watch FOX, or other news shows.
I used to watch Mathews quite a bit until I realized he was as big a nit wit as his former boss, Jimmy Carter. Stewart is nothing but a comedian; can't listen to Limbaugh more than 15 minutes although some of what he says is true; O'Reilly has mellowed ever sense he had that near fight with the idiot Rivera, Hannity has some good points but comes across as an @!$%#, and I just love it when he asks one of his conservative guests "don't you agree with me that....."and the conservative guest tries to politely disagree with him or dodge the question because they don't to make Hannity look like the schmuck he is.
I used to watch Lou Dobbs on CNN and Morning Joe some times. I stop watching CBS when Walter Cronkite retired the the liar Dan Rather replaced him.