David Gregory Gets Into Argument With Heckler

The Washington City Paper witnessed a testy exchange between "Meet The Press" host David Gregory and an audience member at an education event in Washington on Thursday.

The event was focused on "college completion and the American future," and featured Michelle Rhee, outgoing Chancellor of the Washington, D.C. schools. Gregory was moderating the event.

When Gregory opened the discussion for questions from the audience, one man stood up and asked him some pointed questions -- not about education, but about his questioning style on "Meet The Press."

As the City Paper's Alan Suderman wrote, the man criticized Gregory for "letting politicians get away with not discussing what the man said were the important issues, including 'the need for taxes,' a 'bloated military budget' and a broken down two-party system."

"I listen to Meet the Press and I think a lot of people in the room, we end up turning it off, because during the election season, you're letting politicians get away with softball answers and you're not really forcing the conversations," the man told Gregory.

He responded forcefully to the man's assertions.

"Sir, sir, you know what, with all due respect, I don't know which program you're watching because every week--I'm not going to get in a debate with you--I ask about taxes, I ask about how you pay for taxes," he said.

Suderman wrote that, when the man tried to respond, Gregory cut him off.

"No, sir, I get the last word here, you asked the question... Just because people don't listen or don't take action behind it is not something I can directly control," he said.