Obama's Transparent Presidency: Weekly YouTube Addresses

President-elect Obama's office gave the media a new way to present him as Franklin Roosevelt 2.0 by announcing Friday that it will be posting weekly addresses - fireside chats for the web generation - on YouTube.

The first address will appear on Change.gov this Saturday, after it airs in audio. An Obama spokesperson says that this innovation is just the beginning of the digital, transparent presidency. The plan appears to be in the mold of what the campaign did with videos like "Four Days in Denver" and Campaign Manager David Plouffe's conversations on the state of the race. These videos allowed supporters to feel like they had a direct connection to the campaign, a connection that bypassed the media. Already, the Obama team has made good on the post-election plan. It posted a video from Valerie Jarrett, one of Obama's transition chairs, discussing plans for the new administration. Watch it here:

Can the Obama team use the tools they built during the campaign to drum up support for complicated government initiatives? With a campaign, there were clear goals: raise money, organize, get out the vote. With a presidency, you have over 305 million Americans to motivate. We will be watching, texting, commenting, twittering, and of course, blogging the results.

Comments

[TRichards]

The Obama campaign's "bully pulpit" should include using his mailing list for support on issues in much the same way that he used it to ask for financial support. If he engages and asks for action from the electorate (i.e., pressure your representatives and senators via letter-writing campaigns on _____), then we will have a double win -- one on the issues and one, just as important, on returning citizens to active participation in their government. The network has been built. He should certainly use it rather than dismantle it.

[NOLIESPLEASE]

Oh trust me, Obama would never dismantle his ARMY. This is what we are...an army ready to participate in making this nation and world a better place for all .

Any time the conservative try to bring Mr. O's policies down, just watch what happens with one push of the SEND button.

Politics is forever changed becuase of this man. I said the same thing the first time I saw Tiger win the masters. Golf was never the same and neither with politics. To have two game changing people in one life time ....WOW.

There is light at the end of the tunnel.

[rf-hawaii]

They're way ahead of you.

[Harmony1812]

Yea! A government that includes the people! What a great idea!

[MrsPlear]

I already have 100 stamped envelopes ready. So, I'm sure O already has plans to use me & everyone else in his Army.

[ggirl00]

Is it January 20th yet?

[TLV]

Refreshing!

[dubstyleenation]

I'm feeling celebratory right now. Our guy Obama won and he did it with class and style.

Can I get a virtual ^5 (high-five) from the great people in attendance?

[indyleftist]

Stump speeches have nothing to do with transparency

Weekly press conferences would be better
And publishing more financial records is what the real transparency problem is

[rmetz74]

No one has said this is instead of any of that. He's already given a more honest and articulate press conference than we've had in the last 8 years (or more), and are you familiar with his Google for Government proposal, which will create a searchable public database for every federal dollar spent?

[indyleftist]

Those other things you talk about sound good, buit its not what this article is about
Giving his weekly radio address on youtube seems like a meaningless gesture IMO
I don't think many would argue that Bush has given many speeches, but yet remains not transparent.
I would like to see scheduled press conferences where he is asked questions instead

[w&cheneysuck]

This will be a way to share what his plans are for the future without getting mired down by the stupid MSM questions that are more "National Enquirer" like every day. Transparency is here and you will be pleasantly surprised!

[Sparhawk]

A good way to get the ideas out to the people, but then there is that pesky limitation called Congress. They control the purse strings...and they show no willingness to give up the reins anytime soon...

The soft peddling the Bailout, they are making the the POTUS's job harder....idiots.

[ccsky]

The point here: Vids are part of the contemporary landscape. Chats by radio, a press conference held on tv @ 11a when most ppl are working... kinda limited, the MSM shows u whatever fits in a 3 min time slot. A YouTube channel I can subscribe to and watch at my leisure and still get the message straight from the Presidents lips, blissful.

Another great idea from Camp O. Keep 'em coming!!! A podcast of live events would be great too.

[TLV]

Have you gone to the government website?

[Harmony1812]

I'm sure that he will give plenty of press conferences, too. And and he will give straight answers to the actual questions.

[MaximMaximus]

Rev. Scott should be prosecuted for infringing on people right to practice their religious faith. Who the hell is he to judge people as such? What he did has nothing to do with faith and religion. It is politics veiled with religion. This is a sovereign country which is founded on secular, pluralist democratic principles, and it is time that the Vatican pulled out of American politics!

[UncommonSenz]

Ok, since you went off topic, I'll follow.

Yes, his decision was, in my opinion, ill informed and logically challenged. If Obama is pro-choice, but implements policies that lower the number of unexpected pregnancies (and abortions) are his voters Communion-worthy then? What about saving lives through poverty reduction? What about saving lives through better healthcare? And, of course, what about the lives lost fighting the Iraq war?

But as much as I think his statement was boneheaded, and oblivious to all other types of human suffering, and as much as I hate hearing those who inject religion into politics and vice versa, he has every right to do whatever he wants.

If the administrators of his religion allow him to say and do what he is saying and doing, then parishioners must take it up with them. But it is THEIR religion, and they are certainly within their rights to define who an partake in a religious ceremony and who cannot. I think it sucks, but I am not a part of their religion.

[DFutureIsNow]

Finally a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.

Democracy Barocks !!!

[mdlw]

Ditto. Couldn't have said it better, myself!

[Sparhawk]

We're a Republic...a Democracy is nothing more than Mob rule....That;s how Rome ended so well.....

[Harmony1812]

Demobamacy!

[vinny]

sucks for poor people who dont have internet...

[dubstyleenation]

There's always the library or their friends house. Never fear, there is always a way.

[kathy001]

If they don't have Internet access at home or at work they can always go to the library.

[UncommonSenz]

What part of "after it airs in audio" did you miss.

Same radio address as before, just ADDING a you tube video.

My guess is that many more people will be able to view those videos (at their time of choice) than can actually listen to the live radio address.

[istylit71]

most of those without internet voted for McBush anyway......

[GrkAm]

Glad to hear this! PE Obama has followed protocol and the law by realizing that he is NOT President of this country of ours until Jan. 20th. He is working hard every day to get to that date. If we stop to listen or read, each day brings about change or proposed change. There is a lot to do!!

If all of us are becoming increasingly disappointed and frustrated in the mess we are in right now, how do you think he feels?

I will definitely watch this Sunday. C'mon Jan. 20th!!

[OKSunny]

wow--this actually brings me to tears.
for the first time in a long time I am proud to be an American
America did the right thing voting for Obama
I know he is not perfect and will make his share of mistakes, but I feel that I would be much more forgiving when he does things like this.....amazing

[roshni]

Sounds good to me.
I miss the rally crowds and the personal interaction from the campaign.
It would be good for him to stay connected to the people.

[GrkAm]

roshni . . . I think you hit the nail on the head! For two years, we have had "in your face campaigning", 24/7 reporting/commentaries on cable news, watching the crowds at the rallies, volunteering, blogging, etc. to get us to Nov. 4th, and then BOOM, it's over.

Now we're frustrated. It's like the end of the Holiday season, end of football season after the Super Bowl, etc. People get into a funk.

It will be nice to hear what he has to say on Sunday.

[Scarllatti]

I love this. Pres. Obama, please by-pass the echo chambers in the MSM and talk to the American people directly.

This is grass root democracy in action.

[MPeter]

This man is God sent. Wow!!! A President who answers to the people at last!!!!!

[Harmony1812]

Aw, I guess FOX will not be able to edit and twist the context of his talks.

[dubstyleenation]

You know what's dangerous.....?
Downing 200 buffalo wings at Hooters.

You know what's not?
Our new president-elect, President Barack Obama. I hope he sets the bar so high so that any presidents that follow will have to live up to those same high standards. Whoo hooo. I'm still in disbelief.

[Pupadup4oBama]

Isn't it a fantastic feeling knowing that while we have lived through just about the worst time in the history of not just this country, but the entire world, that we are also living in a time that is going to change the course of human history.
It's just fantastic.

[Sparhawk]

you must be really young, because the last 8 years have been better than 1963....1950-1952....1941-1945....1929-1938....

[silentreader]

O.M.G. - For the first time in adult life, I am proud of MY President (Elect)!

I love this man. Competence in Washington..about d@mn time.

[legalclubs]

A true "transparent" presidency would involve one where at least once a month he sits down with a press pool and answers all of their questions. I'm not talking about taking two questions and walking out, I'm talking about a 2 hour period -- a very very small period time per month -- simply answering questions posed by the press. In addition he should do a one hour television inverview at least once a month with varying reporters from varying networks and major television stations (even Fox News). This will allow for better follow up questions.

The Bush administration was so bad about justifiying and explaining their actions that I think Obama needs to personally answer questions (i.e. don't send a surrogate) to show the "change" of which he speaks. I will say that I watched an interview with his chief-of-staff on the Sunday show that is hosted by George Steffanopolis (I have no idea how his name is spelled). I've never seen such evasive answers to simple questions. I hope that is not a prelude to what we can expect for the future.

[UncommonSenz]

I think what you say sounds good on paper, but may not always work well in reality.

The president is likely to have much more request for his time than he has time available. I'm only talking about the day to day stuff, getting his staff on the same page, resolving different policy debates... in a sense being the "supreme court" of his administration. Given that he has so much change on the agenda (and so many crises), this is going to be swamping his time.

Dedicating to a two hour press conference means a whole bunch of meetings before the press conference to get updated (and not answer every question with "I don't know") and then post mortem to deal with any "clarifications" that need to be issued. So now you've got the single busiest person in the world, whose real value is in making executive decisions spending half a day each month getting ready for what would turn into a dog and pony show.

I want open accessibility and tough questions answered too, but I'd rather him spend that same time resolving tough issues. I think you drastically underestimate the value of his time.

[legalclubs]

I strongly disagree. The President work for us, the people. If he can't spend two hours once per month to give us a report, then we have a major problem. In fact, far more time will be spent preping his youtube speech then a simple question and answer session with the press. In my mind I've rather have specific questions answered then a weekly proproganda report.

Also, one of the "tough issues" Obama needs to resolve is restoring the American public's faith in its government. Openess is the only way to do that.

[Chapmanp2]

The MSM is & has been failing US miserably. The way these guys play gotcha or try to spin words around in order to have a "story" is just an absolute joke. I think Obama sitting & explaining what's going on every week is a great idea & I can guarantee you the media will cover it. I have been quite pleased so far with the openness & transparency coming from Obama & his transition team & the campaign before that. At this point we start from a place of guarded faith & until we have reason (ie: scandal, or evidence of deception) we give him the benefit of the doubt. The media seems quite content to assume everything they're being told is a lie (when they did exactly the opposite with Bush). Call me a conspiracy theorist here if you want, but I think the media is run & in bed with huge Corporations & Obama may not have their best interests at heart (especially at the expense of we the people) & they may have an interest in diminishing the people's trust in him. With a direct unfiltered voice he'll have a free voice to keep that trust alive (as long as he continues to earn it). Food for thought... Peace.

[Harmony1812]

I'm all for the press conferences, but gee, let's give him time to save the world.

[Ice9]

Britain's Prime Minister's Question Time is a great forum for exchange of views with supporters and critics alike. If our President were to appear in Congress more often than once a year (for the State of the Union Show), we could get some important concepts out in the air in a similar free-form debate.

In the British version, the MPs ask their own questions without commentary or editing from the MSM and American C-Span televises it directly to the public. The PM better know what he's talking about or it becomes apparent very quickly. An out of touch leader will not do well; a well informed & focused leader proves his qualifications with each new question.