Video: President Obama Gets Testy With WFAA Reporter
Local ABC affiliate WFAA-TV of Dallas received one of four coveted invites to the White House on Monday to interview President Barack Obama. Obama got testy during the interview with senior political reporter Brad Watson, and warned him afterward: "Let me finish my answers the next time we do an interview, all right?"
The interview largely focused on the White House's deficit reduction plan. In the interview, Obama acknowledged his approach — which proposes a balance between taxing the wealthy and budget cuts — could be a tough sell in a conservative state like Texas. Other topics discussed included immigration, and ...
Comments (21)
Calvin Ben Lester via Texas Tribune on Facebook
What's wrong with the President requesting that he be allowed to finish his answers? He finished by saying thank you. If the purpose of the interview was to ask questions and get answers, let the man answer!
Kim Batchelor via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Bush was popular in the state, so what does that say about what we value?
Rick Chafey via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I can't believe I fell for this guy's smooth talk. But never again. I just hope he suffers crushing defeat in 2012, and that Ron Paul is the one to lead it.
Amber Cash Floyd via Texas Tribune on Facebook
LOL! He acts like he didn't get to say what he wanted. Oh let's just whine like a baby shall we? I watched the video. I think the interviewer did a stand-up job. That's what pissed the Pres off. *giggle*
Mary Lynn VanZandt Neill via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Hey,the interview with Donald Trump and George stephanopolis was led by the Trumpster.Poor george.
Ana Manciaz via Texas Tribune on Facebook
When attempting to have dialogue with someone who's main point is to win, this type of exchange results. Less an interview, more Texan douche showboating.
Mark Paulson via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Obama had every right to get testy. The unprofessional reporter asked the shuttle question, got the answer everyone knows (Obama did not make the decision), then he interrupted and asked again. Brad Watson is an ass, pure and simple.
Jennifer White via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Shouldn't your headline be: "Reporter Asks Questions, Doesn't Want to Hear Answers"? The problem these days is we have zero patience for intricate answers to complex issues. When reporters rush to fit all their questions in at the expense of thoughtful responses, we have a problem. And when a reporter characterizes the President's request as "not liking to be challenged" we have a serious deficit in comprehension of a statement. He said he wants to finish an answer. Imagine that in an interview!? Oh, and to the"few points" loss in TX, are Texans so arrogant that we want a President to remember the exact percentage points he was off for each state? Is that a priority we demand of a President who was making the larger point that Texas is far more purple than people like to admit? Lame.
Evelyn White via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Please.... ask the "tough" questions..... but, have enough courtesy to the President of the United States..... to allow enough time for complete answers. It's not that hard.
Fred Talmadge
Heck if I had that job you all would be describing me as something more than just testy.
Maricela Gonzalez Rios via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Texas WAS a red state. We're ALL voting Blue, next time around. Thanks you PERRY, for the LIES, the fake tan, the hairspray blow out, and yes your words of courage "don't blame the messenger". Pssssssh, what a loser! ! !
Dale H Curry via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Amen Maricela!
leslie farquhar
YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME.... ANYONE WHO BELIEVES ONE WORD THIS GUY SAYS IS AS STUPID AS HE HIS... STEP INTO THE REALITY OF AMERICA-- FOOL--- AND GET A GRIP OBAMA-
DID YOU NOT JUST FILE YOUR INCOME TAX... OVER A MILLION DOLLARS... GOD, COME TO EARTH !!!!!!!!
Barbara Harless
Obama stated "Remember Gov Perry balanced his budget with about $6 billion in federal help" - as in Perry/Texas couldn't survive without " federal handouts".
Mr. President - just one question - how many billions did Texas taxpayers give Washington last year? Exactly WHERE do YOU think that money comes from? Trees?
Do taxes belong to the People or the beaurocrats?
How about this - repeal the 16th Amendment and let the states collect our taxes. Let the states pay Washington for all services listed in Article 1, Sec 8 - ALL OTHER services can be provided by the separate states.
Obama is an arrogant moron.
poo pee
This putz doesn't deserve 1 second of the presidents time, much less 20 minutes. Ten percent isn't as much as this guy wants to act like it is.
poo pee
Arrogant, racist, blabbering, inbred, typical Texas buffoons propagate this website it would seem. Read books people and not just the Bible. You're preacher is lying to you. Quit defecating all over this Earth please.
leslie farquhar
5 out of ??? how many ??? Thank God there are a few intelligent people out there.
I can't imagine what my children will face.... with the United States in such shameful circumstances. and I'm not talking about global warming. LOL
Michael B Openshaw
Well, try going back and comparing this interview to most of the interviews Bush had to face (and stayed gracious through). Just face it; Obama is too thin-skinned if stuff at this level irritates him. And maricela is cute in her delusions.
True Blue
I was offended that any reporter interrupted the president of the United States, and was further outraged at the smarmy little smirk with which he "corrected" the president. Just an awful display of preening arrogance. President Obama showed remarkable restraint. The use of the word "testy" to describe it is misleading. Try this: the President of the United States of America noticed, and took issue with, the blatant and inappropriate rudeness with which he was addressed, and asked to be allowed to finish answering questions next time. The disrespect shown our democratically elected leader, and the office he holds, is indefensible.
Michael B Openshaw
TrueBlue; why do I suspect you were calling such things as 'truth to power' while Bush was if office? If you would kindly point to your previously expressed condemnation of such actions in those days (including getting shoes tossed at the President), you might come off as somewhat more believable.
Just admit it; you are outraged because THIS president was treated with fairly mild rudeness that was acceptable to you for THAT president.
Barbara Durso via Texas Tribune on Facebook
The President was unhooking his microphone and the interview was clearly over when he made his remark. I think WFAA's decision to play this bit of tape was its way of increasing its standing with its rather conservation audience.