Barack Obama doing AMA on Reddit RIGHT FUCKING NOW. -NOT BAD.

[Cantih]

What are you going to do to end the corrupting influence of money in politics during your second term?

[–]PresidentObama[S]

Money has always been a factor in politics, but we are seeing something new in the no-holds barred flow of seven and eight figure checks, most undisclosed, into super-PACs; they fundamentally threaten to overwhelm the political process over the long run and drown out the voices of ordinary citizens. We need to start with passing the Disclose Act that is already written and been sponsored in Congress - to at least force disclosure of who is giving to who. We should also pass legislation prohibiting the bundling of campaign contributions from lobbyists. Over the longer term, I think we need to seriously consider mobilizing a constitutional amendment process to overturn Citizens United (assuming the Supreme Court doesn't revisit it). Even if the amendment process falls short, it can shine a spotlight of the super-PAC phenomenon and help apply pressure for change.

lala can't blankquote

[TacoTaru]

Another:

I am recent law school graduate. Despite graduating from a top school, I find myself unemployed with a large student loan debt burden. While I'm sure my immediate prospects will improve in time, it's difficult to be optimistic about the future knowing that my ability to live a productive life -- to have a fulfilling career, to buy a house, to someday raise a family -- is hampered by my debt and the bleak economic outlook for young people. I know that I'm not alone in feeling this way. Many of us are demoralized. Your 2008 campaign was successful in large part due to the efforts of younger demographics. We worked for you, we campaigned for you, and we turned out in record numbers to vote for you. What can I say to encourage those in similar situations as I am to show up again in November? What hope can you offer us for your second term?

[–]PresidentObamaObama[S] 13 points 6 minutes ago
I understand how tough it is out there for recent grads. You're right - your long term prospects are great, but that doesn't help in the short term. Obviously some of the steps we have taken already help young people at the start of their careers. Because of the health care bill, you can stay on your parent's plan until you're twenty six. Because of our student loan bill, we are lowering the debt burdens that young people have to carry. But the key for your future, and all our futures, is an economy that is growing and creating solid middle class jobs - and that's why the choice in this election is so important. The other party has two ideas for growth - more taxs cuts for the wealthy (paid for by raising tax burdens on the middle class and gutting investments like education) and getting rid of regulations we've put in place to control the excesses on wall street and help consumers. These ideas have been tried, they didnt work, and will make the economy worse. I want to keep promoting advanced manufacturing that will bring jobs back to America, promote all-American energy sources (including wind and solar), keep investing in education and make college more affordable, rebuild our infrastructure, invest in science, and reduce our deficit in a balanced way with prudent spending cuts and higher taxes on folks making more than $250,000/year. I don't promise that this will solve all our immediate economic challenges, but my plans will lay the foundation for long term growth for your generation, and for generations to follow. So don't be discouraged - we didn't get into this fix overnight, and we won't get out overnight, but we are making progress and with your help will make more.

[Xajii]

Wow, actually pretty pleased with a couple of these responses. It may not be anything new, per se, but it's rarely given the time and focus that the Obaam team is able to give in text interviewing formats.

Suggesting a constitutional amendment process related to Citizens United is ballsy, huh? I like it.

[xopher]

By the way, if you want to know what I think about this whole reddit experience - NOT BAD!

http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ll...ib3wo1_400.jpg

[kuronosan]

NOT BAD.

[Talint]

Well Mr. President, I think you just won my vote.

Highly controlled publicity stunt or not, this is great. And I love how he just upstaged the entire Republican National Convention.

[kuronosan]

Yea, I think it made up my mind in so far as Romney will never get my vote.

[Ksandra]

What's the recipe for the White House's beer?
Obama:

It will be out soon! I can tell from first hand experience, it is tasty.

lol

[Plow]

most impourtantly of all:

Who's your favourite Basketball player?

permalink

[–]PresidentObama[S] 269 points 21 minutes ago

Jordan - I'm a Bulls guy.

[archibaldcrane]

Suggesting a constitutional amendment process related to Citizens United is ballsy, huh? I like it.

I was surprised at that too, very encouraging.

[Ksandra]

[–]karlfranks 2 points 36 minutes ago
Who's your favourite Basketball player?




[–]PresidentObama[S] 85 points 13 minutes ago
Jordan - I'm a Bulls guy.

[edit] beaten lol

[Cantih]

Wow, actually pretty pleased with a couple of these responses. It may not be anything new, per se, but it's rarely given the time and focus that the Obaam team is able to give in text interviewing formats.

Suggesting a constitutional amendment process related to Citizens United is ballsy, huh? I like it.

^

I do wish he'd take some of the more hardball questions, maybe I'll be surprised when the dust settles, though I doubt it. TSA getting touched is maybe the most likely that's still unlikely.

[quannum]

is this bill clinton playing the sax on arsenio?

[Andalusian girls]

made it to

Making sure we stay at the forefront of space exploration is a big priority for my administration.

before suffering a paroxysm

you gutted the NASA budget to its lowest level since 1960 you god damn atheist muslim black liberation theologist

such artifice

[Tyche]

Higher number? Cumulative RNC viewers between all networks or unqiue hits on the AMA over the next 24 hours. I don't know reddit's traffic numbers, but I'm guessing it's in the tens of millions of unique hits per month.

[Xajii]

made it to



before suffering a paroxysm

you gutted the NASA budget to its lowest level since 1960 you god damn atheist muslim black liberation theologist

such artifice

Was one of the only places that one could feel even remotely comfortable when reworking the budget because it has to do with things outside of our own planet and we have plenty of problems that require money within our own planet. Don't blame him

[Talint]

is this bill clinton playing the sax on arsenio?

Maybe.

Probably bigger, since he's actually president.

This is a thing he did to get youth voters back in his column/out to vote again.

[Sho]

Staged or not, Obama really did a number with this one. I for one am impressed. He'll definitely go down as the one President that seriously tried to win the youth vote.

Also the fact that an AMA thread in reddit of all places is literally walking over landmines for his presidency and standing. He does this thing like a boss regardless.

[Ksandra]

Didn't see this one posted, sorry if there are repeats:

[–]gobearss 162 points 1 hour ago
How do you balance family life and hobbies with, well, being the POTUS?

• permalink

[–]PresidentObamaObama[S] 12 points 4 minutes ago
It's hard - truthfully the main thing other than work is just making sure that I'm spending enough time with michelle and the girls. The big advantage I have is that I live above the store - so I have no commute! So we make sure that when I'm in DC I never miss dinner with them at 6:30 pm - even if I have to go back down to the Oval for work later in the evening. I do work out every morning as well, and try to get a basketball or golf game in on the weekends just to get out of the bubble. Speaking of balance, though, I need to get going so I'm back in DC in time for dinner. But I want to thank everybody at reddit for participating - this is an example of how technology and the internet can empower the sorts of conversations that strengthen our democracy over the long run. AND REMEMBER TO VOTE IN NOVEMBER - if you need to know how to register, go to Gottaregister.com. By the way, if you want to know what I think about this whole reddit experience - NOT BAD!

[Plow]

the not bad is so much win