What would you ask President Obama?

Posted: Thursday, March 19, 2009 1:24 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: White House, The First 100 Days, Barack Obama

NBC's Chief White House Correspondent Chuck Todd wants to know what questions you'd like for him to ask President Obama during his prime time news conference next Tuesday night? Send him your ideas here.

On "The Rachel Maddow Show," Chuck describes what he's learned by reading the user-submitted questions. (VIDEO)

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Comments

Is Helen Thomas as pretty in private as she is at your adoring press conferences?

Thomas Fields (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 1:33 PM)

I would ask our President how he manages to keep his cool with the republicans obstructing, striking out at everything and the media with their constant negativity on whatever he tries to do?
Then I would tell him that the American people support, respect him and are intelligent enough to see through all the hypocrisy of the republicans and the bias of the media.

katiec (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 1:34 PM)

Marlboro or Kools?

Smokey Bear (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 1:34 PM)

Great idea Chuck Todd, really cool! I hope you don't get too many errant questions.

Nicholas: Minnesota (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 1:34 PM)

Mr. President:

Will you these large financial corporations that are too big to fail into smaller, more competitive corporation that can fail without threatening the economy ?

Will you re-instate Anit-Trust laws that have lapsed since the late 70's ?
It seem that a big part of our problems are large, oligarchical corporations that dominate industries like bankning and finance, the media, the grocery business, insurance etc
This is bad for America Mr President
Please help us

MSierra, SF (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 1:35 PM)

1. Does he support congress passing an unconstitutional law to recoup bonuses that never would have been paid without the Dodd amendment to the stimulus bill?

2. If the questions were submitted beforehand so that Obama could formulate his answers. (He'll laugh and say no, of course, but, if you see the teleprompter-tell us about it!).

no joe, no bo, nj (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 1:35 PM)

when, where, how, who, and what will be the "CHANGE", I was G-D well promised!!

I already know WHY we need change, I just need the rest filled in, thanks!

welcome to changeville

Ted K, Hyannis, MA (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 1:37 PM)

Do you get whiplash from turning so much to read your teleprompter? And who massages your neck after a speech? We've heard it's Tim Geithner. Does he really have the time to do that?

Mac Conners, Bridgeport, CT (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 1:37 PM)

Mr President:

What can and will you do to finally reach a settlement of the Palestinian question ?
Will you risk political capital to archieve a just and lasting peace for the Palestinians ?

Will you be willing to stand up th the most powerful politcal special interest in America, the Israeli Lobby ?

Please do, because you are capable of bringing justice and peace to Palestine after 60 years of war, aggression and ethnic cleansing

Will you appoint an honest broker like former President Jimmy Crter to push for a settlement ?

MSierra, SF (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 1:38 PM)

Now that you're President, do you get the really good drugs delivered to you, or do you have to go to the street corner to get them like everyone else?

Stan Goulte, VA (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 1:39 PM)

Thanks for asking:

How does the White House plan to deal with the blue dog democrats in the Senate? Senators like Evan Bayh?

When does the President and Eric Holder plan to reinstate Habeas Corpus?

If President Bush did approve of torture and was convicted, would President Obama pardon him? I know two hypotheticals...but would Obama pardon Bush?

There will be other questions I will be sending along...as I think of them.

Ron Indiana (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 1:40 PM)

Dear President Obama,

The ICRC recently confirmed that the United States did indeed torture. How can we move past this dark episode in our history without putting those responsible for approving torture on trial for war crimes.

American patriot (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 1:40 PM)

I would ask him this:

"What are your plans for returning the U.S. back to a PAYGO system, and working toward paying off the national debt."

GP NW Indiana (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 1:41 PM)

When Stevie Wonder was over to the White House the other week, did you and him play ping-pong?

Kaitie, Lancaster Ohio (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 1:41 PM)

President Obama, do you have a quota of lies you set for yourself to tell every week, or do you just try to tell more lies then you did the previous week?

Richard Nexion, California (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 1:43 PM)

I have two questions that I'd like to hear the answer to:

What is the ideal victory situation in Afghanistan? And... what is the best-case Afghanistan victory you realistically hope for?

Alex Holyk, Denver, Colorado (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 1:43 PM)

Mr. Obama, you're the President now, right? That is so cool.

Chris Farly, Madison WI (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 1:44 PM)

I would want to ask President Obama what his strategy is for defeating Al Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan, given that every other army that's ever fought the tribal warlords in those countries has lost? And if I could follow up on that question, I would ask him what he thinks is the proper balance between military force and soft power (i.e., diplomatic alliances, foreign aid, humanitarian assistance, etc.) to accomplish our security goals in that volatile part of the world?

Philimus, Cleveland, Ohio (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 1:44 PM)

Mr President:

What can we do to end the Media Monopoly ?

How can we prevent a cable network from controlling content or a broadcast network from controlling TV and radio stations and movie outlets ?

Is it right to allow one monopoly to control hundreds of radio stations, including multiple stations in one metropolitan areas ?

Should a television network (NBC) be allowed to control radio and TV stations and multiple cable networks (CNBC + MSNBC) and magazines and media production companies ?

Isn't it time to break up media monopolies ?

MSierra, SF (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 1:44 PM)

Dear Mr. President. You are so smart, so did you ask Senator Biden to be your VP to balance things out?

Maureen Dean, VT (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 1:45 PM)

Please explain "toxic" assets in the following context by contrasting the following to the current housing crisis:
If I buy a new $10,000.00 auto with 10% down and financing at 6% APR for 60 months and I drive off the lot.....6 months later the open retail market on THAT used car is now $7900.00. Is that asset now TOXIC? Does that asset become more toxic as time passes even though I am reducing the principle? Shouldn't the focus be on keeping people in their homes and not worrying about the perceived value of homes? Why should the government establish a "bad bank" to buy up the banks' mistakes? Why can't we compell them to restructure loans by lowering interest rates and/or extending laon terms to 50 years until the market recovers?

Ron Carter (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 1:46 PM)

Mr President:

Why don't you appoint PROGRESSIVE voices to your Administration ?

You talked about a 'Cabinet of Rivals'

Why not appoint Ralph Nader to your Cabinet ?
He was right about NAFTA
Why not ask him to correct our trade poolicies ?

Why not include the voices of PAul Krugmann, Robert Reich, James Galbreath and Joseph Stiglitz to your economic team ?

Why not broaden your economic advisors to those that are not Wall Street insiders ?

Thank you, President Obama !!

MSierra, SF (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 1:48 PM)

Mr President:

California has passed a proposition funding a 'Bullet Train' between Los Angeles, San Francisco and Sacramento

Will you fund this project to lower greenhouse gases, improve mass transit and eliminate fossil fuels ?

Will you fund it fully ??

Will you also help fund a San Francisco subway to Chinatown and under Geary Blvd ??

Speaker Pelosi can explain both projects to you

Will you help fund these projects ?

MSierra, SF (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 1:51 PM)

"Obama, will you please resign NOW??"

Enough Already (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 1:53 PM)

Do you mow the White House lawn yourself?

Jim Ryder, Pittsburgh (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 1:55 PM)

How strong will the regulations be in policing the vicious act of the greedy on Wall Street?

Will there be able attempt to prosecute the perpetrator who took advantage of the uninformed in respects to home loans and the near destruction of our financial system?.

Will there be regulations on speculators, which will limit their ability to control the markets.

Does he keep a watchful eye in respects to the energy price, more specifically the GAS prices?

If the gas prices began to rise out of control and for no apparent logical reason, other than speculations, what would he do and how fast will it be done to ensure the American people are not raped of their hard earn money.

How does he feel about the media's ability or lack there of to inform Americans of the truths of our society?.

What does he think about the term limits of our congressperson - is it too long, should there be a limit?

Should we prosecute the old administration or wait for the U.N. to do it and if they did would we cooperate fully?

Thank you and GOD BLESS AMERICA

The - Democrat Soldier (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 1:55 PM)

Mr. President: Have you given any thought to re-painting Air Force One to look like a giant penis?

Danial Rather, NYC (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 1:56 PM)

Mr. Obama, do you plan on ever reading any of the bills Congress sends to your desk?

Nathan Reynolds, Santa Fe NM (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 1:59 PM)

President Obama, we understand you're singling out AIG executives to pay nearly 100% taxes on their bonus money. Do you have any thoughts about taxing people with big chins?

J. Leno, Burbank CA (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 2:01 PM)

Obama, where the heck are my car keys?

Ford Ranger (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 2:02 PM)

Bush and Cheney have often and loudly contended over the last seven years that because of 'enhanced interrogations" of 'terrorist' suspects, follow-on mass casualty attacks on american soil were averted. Mr. President have you been adequately briefed on all of these alleged plots that were supposedly averted and could you review them so that they can be de-classified for the world's media to investigate?

Paul (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 2:02 PM)

I would ask him that now that we have had this situation with AIG, is he going to push harder to cap the salary and bonus pay of the people at institutions that received bailout money?

chenna benna (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 2:03 PM)

I would ask him, why is your youngest daughter always on your hand, and your oldest on michelle's hand, my wife and i think its because the youngest is a hand full and michelle tells barack top keep up with her and she will take care of the older daughter.

Jeff D Evanston IL (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 2:03 PM)

Chuckie,How do you expect us to take you serious when you can't even come up with your own questions?It's called original,it's what one should strive to be.Not what someone else wants me to be.Did Disney ask Hitchcook for advise,did Lewis ask Dean about when to let the punch line fly,did Gorden ask Petty how to drive into turn one at Daytona,Did Ruth ask Cobb where he could buy a soda?I knew when they choose you for your plush WH job it would be a bit much for a number cruncher.Shuster,at least has 1600 watchable.

jesse St.Paul Minnesota (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 2:04 PM)

President Obama. Will you and Ms. Obama be having Senator Dodd over for dinner anytime soon?

Mrs. Dodd (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 2:05 PM)

when will the corruption end? who will root out the criminal ineptitude that has seeped into every level of our infrastructure? where can we get true information, and who will answer for what has been done? when will we actually change--now, or after it's far too late? or is it already too late?

drew a. (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 2:06 PM)

Chuck, don't waste your time, you're not going to get called on. Mark my words.

The First State (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 2:06 PM)

Mr President:

There is a long standing unjustice in Federal policy

Larger, industrial states like California, New York and Illinois get FAR LESS in Federal FUNDS than they pay in Federal TAXES

Typically, Southern and Mountain states get FAR MORE in Federal fFUNDS than they pay in TAXES

What will you do to correct this injustice ?
When will you do it ?
How will you compensate blue states than have suffered this economic drain ??

MSierra, SF (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 2:06 PM)

I want to tell him thank you for working so hard with sincere intentions to make things right. I don't know how he keeps the patience and stability when there is so much immature posturing going on with the Republicans and the new group of Democrats. I don't have a problem with their having different opinions, but is there really a need to organize and announce their new little special club?

I also would give kudos to Libby for putting up with so much after working so hard for $1.00 and patiently answering some of the same questions over and over yesterday because some of the Congress were clearly not listening.

Becky (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 2:07 PM)

Mr President - when are you going to be a man and tell Pelosi that you are in charge?

Stop letting her set you up.

She wants your job and will destroy you and your goals for this country to get it.

You promised change - Pelosi is Bush in a dress.

The Last Living Democrat (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 2:10 PM)

Why has not one nominee for Deputy Secretary for the treasury not completed vetting and been scheduled to appear before the Senate Banking Comittee?

Alan, NJ (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 2:11 PM)

Mr. President - how many more bills are you going to sign with out reading them?

The Last Living Democrat (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 2:12 PM)

Charles Grassley. Nuts? Not nuts? Chuck spending too much time smelling the Iowa pigs maybe? What do you think Mr. President?

Junior Samples, KY (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 2:13 PM)

Question: What can average American citizens do to help with the nation's economic recovery?

For example, should we try to pay off debts AND spend money to stimulate the economy? Or should we focus on helping others who are downtrodden?

Bethie in TX (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 2:17 PM)

Mr. Obama. We're hearing rumors that your Teleprompter is about to resign and take a position in private industry. Can you confirm or deny that rumor Mr. Obama?

PT Wiggins (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 2:18 PM)

I would ask the president how does he remain calm with all the mess thats going on around him such as conservative radio and tv ?

Bessie lutherville md (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 2:19 PM)

I would ask the president how does he remain calm with all the mess thats going on around him such as conservative radio and tv ?

Bessie lutherville md (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 2:19 PM)

A follow up question sir. If your Teleprompter does not resign, will you offer you Teleprompter a cabinet level position? Perhaps Secretary of State? And lastly, does your Teleprompter have any tax issues we should know about?

PT Wiggins (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 2:20 PM)

WHY YOU SUCK?

JD, MIAMI, FL (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 2:21 PM)

Mr. Obama, you signed a $500,000 book deal just days before you took office. Most, if not all other, Presidents sign deals like that after they leave office. Do you think book deal looks right to the public and was the right thing to do?

Jason Books, Mobile AL (Sent Thursday, March 19, 2009 2:26 PM)

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