To Blunt Criticism, Obama Makes a TelePrompTer Move

In a sure sign that it has been stung by criticism of President Barack Obama's over-reliance on a TelePrompTer, the White House made a change in location for the device for the president's prime time press conference last night. Gone were the familiar dual glass panels on either side of the podium from which Obama is so adroit at reading prepared remarks, and which have been popping up in more and more news photos of him. Instead, the president delivered his opening remarks reading from a flat panel placed at the back of the room.


The move allowed Obama to offer his remarks while looking directly at the camera, instead of turning from side to side as has become familiar. However, in this observer's opinion, the president's delivery suffered. He was not as smooth and lacked his usual cadence. The White House insists there is nothing wrong or unusual with President Obama's use of the speaking aide. But by moving the device, the president's handlers put the lie to their own statements. If the Administration was truly unconcerned about the growing criticism of Obama's use of a TelePrompTer, it would have set the East Room up in exactly the same way it did for the president's first press conference. Ironically, in trying to blunt his critics, the White House has drawn more attention to the president's use of the device.

All presidents of the modern age have used a TelePrompTer from time to time to deliver White House addresses and major speeches. But Obama does seem to use his more than most. If the White House wants to stop the focus on Obama's use of the device, and put it on the president's words, it should either embrace its use, or abandon it altogether. Claiming that the president's use of the TelePrompTer is a non-issue, while simultaneously taking steps to quell the criticism only ensures that the story will continue to grow.

SEE ALSO: An alternative view of Barack Obama's teleprompter use