Obama Says Local Press Tougher Than National Media At McCain Meeting (VIDEO)

President-elect Barack Obama gave a little media analysis during his meeting with John McCain Monday in Chicago, Abdon Pallasch reports in the Sun-Times.

As media filed into the room for what was supposed to be a no-questions photo-op of Obama, McCain, Obama's incoming chief of staff, Rep. Rahm Emanuel, and McCain ally, Sen. Lindsey Graham, Obama said, "The national press is tame compared to the local press."

As if proving his point, ABC 7's Andy Shaw continued to ask questions even as the press was being herded out of the room.

Watch the photo shoot below:

Comments

[dadw5boys]

Give McCain the Embassy in Paris.

Cindy would love Obama then.

[Lupin77]

The chairs do look like something out of a Disney film. But what's stranger is the fact that BO has
requested a meeting with MC who continously referred to BO as "dangerous" during the campaign. Why the need to meet with him? Boggles the mind.

[IndyReader]

I don't know whose idea was the throne-like chairs, but what's funny to me are the tiny side chairs that Rahm and Graham had to sit in. Otherwise I'd love to have one of those Obama chairs.

[Chaucea]

There is something REALLY surreal about that room. Those chairs are HUGE, like... bizarrely huge.

It's like something out of a weird childrens movie where the chairs are bigger-tha­n-life-siz­ed and sitting in the chairs makes you feel and look really really tiny.

[08politicaljunkie]

maybe it was done intentionally. to reinforce viewers (subconsciously) impression of McCain's irrelevance.

and although Emanuel got a smaller chair, well -- he is a small man in stature, but he looks large sitting there -- prominence

[JazzPuff]

I am glad to see that President-Elect Obama is keeping his campaign promises at their word. The complaining media, constantly calling out what they think are crazy choices. I think, Sen. Hillary Clinton, a strategic choice in my opinion, a great diplomatic representative for the US. Sen. John McCain, who wanted to work across the isle, in a bi-partisanship relationship, Obama extended his hand as, I believe a sign of respect and willingness to work through those issues to resolve what seems like more than just a few problems in our nation. Sen. McCain an important asset to our Country and he knows that. Obama is creating a group of the best; qualified, capable, knowledgeable to get us to a new place in history, one we can be happy about. To use a simplistic metaphor; it's just a better football team,.one with bombastically waiting fans, waiting 8 years to be exact.

[Tommygun2146]

So McSame is suddenly honored to be working with a man he labeled a socialist, a man who he said "palled around with terrorists", a man he said we shouldn't trust? So is McSame a lying sack of crap now, or before the election?

[roshni]

McCain is supposed to have credibility after agreeing to campaign for Saxby Chambliss?

[luke150]

Guys, are you really that naive? Political campaigning is a game. Now the game is over and in you start a new chapter. Having lived in other countries where political assassinations are common, I have to tell you, it is very refreshing to see campaign rivals able to sit together and have a civilized discussion.

[omac112211]

Tell that to Sarah Palin. She's still using campaign stump speeches!

[BSERIUS]

Other than John Kass every other reporter in Chicago especially Lynn Sweet , had legs that were more tingly and moist than Chris matthews..­.

[LapisBlue128]

What's the deal with the ball crushing leg crossing?

[fretren]

I noticed that. Its gotta be painful and all three men are doing that. Is there some etiquette concerning that?

[LettuceB1]

Notice Obama's is so big he has to do the "wide-open leg cross!" :)

[CBaraka]

"In his entertaining book Gestures: The Do's and Taboos of Body Language Around the World, Roger Axtell describes a botched 1995 meeting between Saddam Hussein and Bill Richardson, who was then a U.S. Congressman from New Mexico. Richardson was trying to bring about the release of a pair of American hostages, but almost ended the meeting at its start because he crossed his legs and flashed a little sole.

In some Arab cultures, as in other cultures, to show a person the bottom of your shoe is a major insult...H­ow would you feel if someone did that to you while conducting business?" ---- Columnist Martha Brockenbrough, http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/features/columns/?article=rudefeet

Unlike many Americans, Obama has more then a little knowledge of Arab culture and etiquette. Perhaps, depending upon the viewers' country of origin, the meeting sent the correct and intended messages to all. Just thinking..­.

[tablesedge]

What's with those chairs? And the set? Is this a Chairman Mao photo op? Not good, how can anybody be relaxed in this ridiculous setting? Someone should get a pink slip on this p.r. fiasco.

[Kate4Change]

My husband and I thought the same thing. The chairs were too big...look­s like a throne! Hopefully next time they'll bring in smaller chairs.

[harriscrl3]

McCain needs to learn how to relax he always look so tense. Maybe he can get the AIG executives to recommend a spa retreat for him.

Carol

[johnnygoodwud]

mccain did not look to happy. looks like the smile was pasted on

[RonCanada]

Who is that old white guy sitting with Obama? Looks sort of familiar.

[troyemitchell]

Watch John McCain's REAL leadership skills

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWTZu-kTwUU
.