January 7, 2009

Obama: I Read My Bad Press, Not Good Press

@ 5:05 pm by Walter Alarkon

President-elect Obama said he often reads bad press about himself and avoids the good press so that he can stay outside the information "bubble."

"I think it's important not to live in the bubble, so you've got to be open to outside information, particularly criticism," he told CNBC on Wednesday. "I'll tell you, I very rarely read good press. I often read bad press, not because I agree with it, but because I want to get a sense of, 'Are there areas where I'm falling short and I can do better?'"

When CNBC's John Harwood pointed out that he hasn't gotten much bad press, Obama said he's sure it's coming.

The president-elect added that he's paying particular attention to economic news and "market psychology, because part of what we have right now is such a loss of trust in both the marketplace and in government that restoring that confidence, restoring that trust is going to be very important."

But Obama said he'll be focusing on the long-term economic picture.

"I'm not going to be probably watching the crawl at the bottom of an interview," he said. "What I will be doing is making sure that I'm communicating with key market participants on a regular basis, again, to explain to them what exactly our plans are and to solicit from them good ideas.

"And overall, though, one thing I'm pretty clear about is that as president I've got to be looking out at the horizon. I can't be looking at today's headlines, because if I do then I'm probably not going to make decisions based on what's best for the country. I'm going to be spending a lot of time worrying about day-to-day politics, and that's something that I've been trying to block out."

Obama also told Harwood that he's still fighting to keep his Blackberry, which he may have to relinquish because of concerns over security and his presidential records.

Archived under: Administration, Economy & Budget, News
Tags: Barack Obama

22 Comments »

1. Bush STOLE it in 2000.

   Obama BOUGHT it in 2008.

   Another CROOK in the White House…IDIOTS!

   Comment by Ex-Democrat — January 7, 2009 @ 10:30 pm

2. Thank you Linda. I helped pay for the White House then. And by the way, his ancestors built it.

   Comment by Common Sense — January 7, 2009 @ 11:11 pm

3. Bush was not just another crook in the white house, he was a puppet who shilled for the biggest criminal enterprise in the history of the world. These guys stole two elections, started a huge war for their own profit and on the way out the door are currently raping the treasury. I agree that Obama needed to spend alot of money to beat Hillary, but McCain shot himself in the foot with that IDIOT Palin pick.

   Comment by Xander — January 7, 2009 @ 11:13 pm

4. ex-dem, you're exactly what gives bloggers a bad name. A whole lotta nuthin.

   Comment by JoAl — January 7, 2009 @ 11:16 pm

5. I would be delighted to post the first hole in the bubble.
   Dear Prez E. Obama:
   So far, you have chosen the queen of drama as our top diplomat; ou have aq cabinet of Clintons and Bush loyalists,you've brokedn so many promises that there are few left to rape; you've chosen the Bush Drug Czar who has put sick and dying people in jail for decades for using marijuana for medical resaons when it is legal in their states — and have started spouting his party line — (Check out the stories of war hero Brian Epis and Angel Raich, both in prison for medical marijuana use and growing — after the prosecutor got a gag order so that Special ranger Epis could not tell the jury that he was a medical marijuana patient; and now the great Obama who promised us seniors you would protect our social security benefits threatens cutting it and Medicare. HEre;s an eye opener fo ryou and the very rich who walk with you: My neighbors,allelderly women, try to live on from 200 to 500 dollars A MONTH! month after month.

   I was a campaign worker for you, and donated from my slim social security because ..well, I still believed in fairy tales then. God help our nation.. ONe more freebie bailout or pie in the sky spending and China will soon own us.

   Comment by Hannah B. — January 8, 2009 @ 12:07 am

6. Obama didn't buy the election, he earned it with blood, toil, sweat and tears. Some people hate it when the office goes to the person who earned it.

   Comment by Tom Paine — January 8, 2009 @ 12:13 am

7. Ex-Democrat
   You wrote the same thing on Huffpo. Is this the extent of your intellectual ability? Obviously, so.

   IMO, it speaks to Obama's wisdom to read "bad" press. I commend him for having the insight to do this. I've heard other politicians say they don't read negative press.

   Comment by Sabreen60 — January 8, 2009 @ 12:31 am

8. Ex-Dem really do seem to be an idiot & Hannah B is not far from Ex-Dem either. Ex-Dem sould like a bitter loser just like the republican party. The better part of America had enough sense not to go republican after years of failure from the Bush Presidency- and McCain would not have been better either with or without Palin. And as for Hannah B - why dont you let Mr. Obama get into office first and see what he accomplishes first before your criticism or skepticism. Although i didnt support Hillary during the primary, she would make a pretty good Secretary of State. Afterall, she came close to becoming POTUS.

   Comment by juscallmed — January 8, 2009 @ 12:31 am

9. Name one President who didn't but it.

   Comment by Blue Shark — January 8, 2009 @ 12:36 am

10. Trust me! No way has Obama ever bought IT!

    Comment by MidwestMomma — January 8, 2009 @ 2:48 am

11. I have never been so impressed with anyone! He constantly amazes me and gives me hope for this country to get back on its feet. I don't like Hillary being in such a high position, but I believe Obama will keep a tight reign over his cabinet. I have confidence that Obama knows what he is doing and will do a great job.

    Comment by Gloria — January 8, 2009 @ 6:06 am

12. I think Obama is absolutly correct. I don't really want to know what I have done right. I always assume I have done it right. But if I did it wrong, then I want to know so I get it right the next time hopefully. And ex Democrat, you really need to get some help. Your life must be really screwed up.

    Comment by JohnM — January 8, 2009 @ 7:21 am

13. OBAMA IS THE GREATEST!! ALL YOU NAYSAYERS WILL SEE, JUST LIKE HE PROVED TO YOU DURING THE ELECTION!! HE WILL KEEP ALL OF HIS PROMISES AND BE THE MOST HONEST AND CARING LEADER WE KNOW TO DATE!! PLUS HE'S REAL CUTE TOO!! LOL!!

    Comment by LYNN SMITH — January 8, 2009 @ 8:01 am

14. Well, I have to admit, hearing that Obama reads his bad press more than his good press does give me some confidence back, that I had lost over him in recent weeks. Now let's just hope he listens and follows the recommendations of those of us who have been critical of him, otherwise his reading won't be of any use to the country

    Comment by RyanG — January 8, 2009 @ 8:35 am

15. If you remember that pundits, bloggers and newscasters have to create controversy to stay in business, then you will take all the "drama" about the transition with a grain of salt. Since the election I decided to stop Cable because I cannot stand those people creating something out of nothing. Obama can't do much right now, but they are still arguing about what he should be doing as if he were President. He's not. He can't do anything about Gaza and he really does not have the power over any other issue, yet the pundits are blaming him. On Jan 20, he will have the power, and then he can be criticized for what he is or is not doing. Meantime, save money by walking out on cable. It is a good way to help your budget.

    Comment by Wills — January 8, 2009 @ 10:49 am

16. Obama seems to have every single attribute of a great President. And, while I'm not a Hillary fan as such, I've said since the end of the primaries that she would be the ideal Secy. of State–tough, well-traveled, and unlike Bush, knows the soul of Putin to be a very dark place.

    Comment by barabajagl — January 8, 2009 @ 11:15 am

17. I gave Obama a total of $50 throughout the election cycle, so I guess I am one of millions of people who are partially responsible for Obama "buying" the election. Of course, if Obama does not follow through on his promises to me, then in four years, I will not give him any money, nor will I vote for him.

    And what, exactly, is your problem with this Ex-Democrat?

    Comment by Rick — January 8, 2009 @ 1:28 pm

18. OBAMA DOES NOT GET BAD PRESS…..MUST HAVE LOTS OF TIME ON HIS HANDS!!!!

    Comment by CATHY — January 8, 2009 @ 3:40 pm

19. "What I will be doing is making sure that I'm communicating with key market participants on a regular basis.."

    And who might those be?

    Comment by freelyb — January 9, 2009 @ 2:11 am

20. I am a former 44 year supporter of the GOP. I am devastated by the Bush administration: lies, illegal war, Katrina,corruption, unqualified appointees,and on and on.

    No intelligent person can defend this administration and the mess it is leaving behind.

    Retired and on a fixed income, I donated $1500 to Obama. He is simply an intelligent and articulate person. He is a Christian, who knows what that means. And so far, he has proven the MILLIONS who voted for him to be right!

    Comment by Tom L — January 9, 2009 @ 10:03 am

21. Obama did not buy the election, the volunteers (me included) canvassing, donating money and making phone calls ~ walking door to door, spreading the word. YES WE WORKED HARD to get Obama into the White House! YES YES YES WE DID!

    Comment by Susie Jane — January 9, 2009 @ 12:09 pm

22. Now that Obama will be in office, I would like to spend my energy supporting positive change. I have a proposal with change.org to do that. Will you consider checking it out and voting for it if you are in agreement? It addresses what Obama calls the empathy deficit.
    http://www.change.org/ideas/view/bridging_the_empathy_gap_-_yes_we_can

    Comment by Sylvia Haskvitz — January 9, 2009 @ 3:48 pm

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