Obama Working On Shortening Answers In Debate Prep

[DonViejo]

President Obama is working on giving more concise answers as part of his preparation for the first presidential debate on Wednesday, according to a White House pool report.

Jen Psaki, traveling press secretary for the Obama campaign, said that the president is working on paring down his answers during a press gaggle en route to Nevada Sunday, where Obama will prepare for the first debate.

Psaki said that the president had a tendency to give longer, substantive answers "it's just his nature, that is something really we are working on."

Psaki also said the president would not be focusing on "zingers," which reports indicate Mitt Romney is preparing:

"We also saw reports that Mitt Romney and his team have been working on zingers and special lines for months. That is not what the president's focus is on. If you are expecting that, that is probably not what he is going to deliver on. He is speaking directly to the American people and we know what they want to hear is what his plan is for moving the country forward."

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/obama-working-on-shortening-answers-in-debate-prep

[beac]

1. Zing! Take that, Romney campaign! n/t

[mucifer]

2. why are they telling us all of this?

[leftofcool]

3. Not so much us as the opposing side

Keeps Rmoney on his toes.

[Control-Z]

4. Inquiring minds want to know?

Though I'm not sure which campaign you're referring to.

[Jennicut]

5. To make fun of Romney.

President Obama gives such long, detailed answers they have to be shortened. Mittens is working on his "zingers."

[gkhouston]

11. It's yet another hint that the President is a man of substance.

Mitt preps by practicing rim-shots; Obama preps by dumbing down his answers.

And yes, I'm already regretting using the term "rim-shots" considering the recent news story about stupid frat boys...

[WI_DEM]

6. Isn't it a shame that the average voter apparently can't take a substative reply

that you have to deliver, in essence, 30 second sound-bites to keep people's attention.

[lunasun]

7. shame but true imo

[LoisB]

9. WI_DEM

So many Americans have been dumbed down to the point where they don't understand anything that doesn't fit on a bumper sticker. Sad.

[progressivebydesign]

8. yes, we have to dumb down the President, how fucking sick is that???

Frankly, the meme from the Obama campaign should be... Romney has been preparing for MONTHS for the debates, with "zingers" and pity answers. Well you know?? Being PRESIDENT you don't get to spend 3 months preparing your response to the crises America can face in your first 4 years, and "zingers" mean NOTHING when the lives of your fellow Americans are on the line. Being practiced at being a smart ass, and not sticking your foot in your mouth, is useful if you sell cable services door to door, or entertain in the Poconos, but a President has the HARD job... it's not about sound bites.

[ailsagirl]

10. Bravo!! Good points

[gkhouston]

13. One of my favorite exchanges from The West Wing....

Moderator: Governor Ritchie, many economists have stated that the tax cut, which is the centerpiece of your economic agenda, could actually harm the economy. Is now really the time to cut taxes?

Governor Robert Ritchie, R-FL: You bet it is. We need to cut taxes for one reason - the American people know how to spend their money better than the federal government does.

Moderator: Mr. President, your rebuttal.

President Josiah "Jed" Bartlet: There it is. That's the ten word answer my staff's been looking for for two weeks. There it is. Ten-word answers can kill you in political campaigns. They're the tip of the sword. Here's my question: What are the next ten words of your answer? Your taxes are too high? So are mine. Give me the next ten words. How are we going to do it? Give me ten after that, I'll drop out of the race right now. Every once in a while... every once in a while, there's a day with an absolute right and an absolute wrong, but those days almost always include body counts. Other than that, there aren't very many unnuanced moments in leading a country that's way too big for ten words. I'm the President of the United States, not the President of the people who agree with me. And by the way, if the left has a problem with that, they should vote for somebody else.

[Grammy23]

12. Won't they be on a time limit at the debates for responding to the question?

If that is the case, it would make a lot of sense for the President to work on getting this timing right so he gives a thorough answer that fits in the time frame and is a complete thought. He is prone to give lengthier answers that can be nuanced. He needs to make sure his answers are short and to the point. He also wants to use every second he is allowed to give his response without running up against the timer and appear to run out of time. Practice will help him with the timing for this.

[gkhouston]

14. Wonder if there's a minimum time for responses?

If so, will Mitt keep repeating "thousand points of light" or will he opt for the Jeopardy theme?