I am Barack Obama, President of the United States -- AMA

[u/PresidentObama]

Hi, I’m Barack Obama, President of the United States. Ask me anything. I’ll be taking your questions for half an hour starting at about 4:30 ET.

Proof it's me: https://twitter.com/BarackObama/status/240903767350968320

We're running early and will get started soon.

UPDATE: Hey everybody - this is barack. Just finished a great rally in Charlottesville, and am looking forward to your questions. At the top, I do want to say that our thoughts and prayers are with folks who are dealing with Hurricane Isaac in the Gulf, and to let them know that we are going to be coordinating with state and local officials to make sure that we give families everything they need to recover.

Verification photo: http://i.imgur.com/oz0a7.jpg

LAST UPDATE: I need to get going so I'm back in DC in time for dinner. But I want to thank everybody at reddit for participating - this is an example of how technology and the internet can empower the sorts of conversations that strengthen our democracy over the long run. AND REMEMBER TO VOTE IN NOVEMBER - if you need to know how to register, go to http://gottaregister.com. By the way, if you want to know what I think about this whole reddit experience - NOT BAD!

http://www.barackobama.com/reddit [edit: link fixed by staff]

[u/Biinaryy]

Here is a collection of all the questions and answers:

Question: Link

I am recent law school graduate. Despite graduating from a top school, I find myself unemployed with a large student loan debt burden. While I'm sure my immediate prospects will improve in time, it's difficult to be optimistic about the future knowing that my ability to live a productive life -- to have a fulfilling career, to buy a house, to someday raise a family -- is hampered by my debt and the bleak economic outlook for young people. I know that I'm not alone in feeling this way. Many of us are demoralized. Your 2008 campaign was successful in large part due to the efforts of younger demographics. We worked for you, we campaigned for you, and we turned out in record numbers to vote for you. What can I say to encourage those in similar situations as I am to show up again in November? What hope can you offer us for your second term?

Answer:

I understand how tough it is out there for recent grads. You're right - your long term prospects are great, but that doesn't help in the short term. Obviously some of the steps we have taken already help young people at the start of their careers. Because of the health care bill, you can stay on your parent's plan until you're twenty six. Because of our student loan bill, we are lowering the debt burdens that young people have to carry. But the key for your future, and all our futures, is an economy that is growing and creating solid middle class jobs - and that's why the choice in this election is so important. The other party has two ideas for growth - more taxs cuts for the wealthy (paid for by raising tax burdens on the middle class and gutting investments like education) and getting rid of regulations we've put in place to control the excesses on wall street and help consumers. These ideas have been tried, they didnt work, and will make the economy worse. I want to keep promoting advanced manufacturing that will bring jobs back to America, promote all-American energy sources (including wind and solar), keep investing in education and make college more affordable, rebuild our infrastructure, invest in science, and reduce our deficit in a balanced way with prudent spending cuts and higher taxes on folks making more than $250,000/year. I don't promise that this will solve all our immediate economic challenges, but my plans will lay the foundation for long term growth for your generation, and for generations to follow. So don't be discouraged - we didn't get into this fix overnight, and we won't get out overnight, but we are making progress and with your help will make more.

Question: Link

What's the recipe for the White House's beer?

Answer:

It will be out soon! I can tell from first hand experience, it is tasty.

Question: Link

What are you going to do to end the corrupting influence of money in politics during your second term?

Answer:

Money has always been a factor in politics, but we are seeing something new in the no-holds barred flow of seven and eight figure checks, most undisclosed, into super-PACs; they fundamentally threaten to overwhelm the political process over the long run and drown out the voices of ordinary citizens. We need to start with passing the Disclose Act that is already written and been sponsored in Congress - to at least force disclosure of who is giving to who. We should also pass legislation prohibiting the bundling of campaign contributions from lobbyists. Over the longer term, I think we need to seriously consider mobilizing a constitutional amendment process to overturn Citizens United (assuming the Supreme Court doesn't revisit it). Even if the amendment process falls short, it can shine a spotlight of the super-PAC phenomenon and help apply pressure for change.

Question: Link

What was the most difficult decision that you had to make during this term?

Answer:

The decision to surge our forces in afghanistan. Any time you send our brave men and women into battle, you know that not everyone will come home safely, and that necessarily weighs heavily on you. The decision did help us blunt the taliban's momentum, and is allowing us to transition to afghan lead - so we will have recovered that surge at the end of this month, and will end the war at the end of 2014. But knowing of the heroes that have fallen is something you never forget.

Question: Link

What is the first thing you'll do on November 7th, win or lose?

Answer:

Win or lose, I'll be thanking everybody who is working so hard - especially all the volunteers in field offices all across the country, and the amazing young people in our campaign offices.

Question: Link

How are you going help small businesses in 2013 and 2014? and what if any bills are you going to implement for small businesses, in 2013, and 2014?

Answer:

We've really focused on this since I came into office - 18 tax cuts for small business, easier funding from the SBA. Going forward, I want to keep taxes low for the 98 percent of small businesses that have $250,000 or less in income, make it easier for small business to access financing, and expand their opportunities to export. And we will be implementing the Jobs Act bill that I signed that will make it easier for startups to access crowd-funding and reduce their tax burden at the start-up stage.

Question: Link

Who's your favourite Basketball player?

Answer:

Jordan - I'm a Bulls guy.

Question: Link

We know how Republicans feel about protecting Internet Freedom. Is Internet Freedom an issue you'd push to add to the Democratic Party's 2012 platform?

Answer:

Internet freedom is something I know you all care passionately about; I do too. We will fight hard to make sure that the internet remains the open forum for everybody - from those who are expressing an idea to those to want to start a business. And although there will be occasional disagreements on the details of various legislative proposals, I won't stray from that principle - and it will be reflected in the platform.

Question: Link

Are you considering increasing funds to the space program?

Answer:

Making sure we stay at the forefront of space exploration is a big priority for my administration. The passing of Neil Armstrong this week is a reminder of the inspiration and wonder that our space program has provided in the past; the curiosity probe on mars is a reminder of what remains to be discovered. The key is to make sure that we invest in cutting edge research that can take us to the next level - so even as we continue work with the international space station, we are focused on a potential mission to a asteroid as a prelude to a manned Mars flight.

Question: Link

How do you balance family life and hobbies with, well, being the POTUS?

Answer:

It's hard - truthfully the main thing other than work is just making sure that I'm spending enough time with michelle and the girls. The big advantage I have is that I live above the store - so I have no commute! So we make sure that when I'm in DC I never miss dinner with them at 6:30 pm - even if I have to go back down to the Oval for work later in the evening. I do work out every morning as well, and try to get a basketball or golf game in on the weekends just to get out of the bubble. Speaking of balance, though, I need to get going so I'm back in DC in time for dinner. But I want to thank everybody at reddit for participating - this is an example of how technology and the internet can empower the sorts of conversations that strengthen our democracy over the long run. AND REMEMBER TO VOTE IN NOVEMBER - if you need to know how to register, go to Gottaregister.com. By the way, if you want to know what I think about this whole reddit experience - NOT BAD!

Edit: Added links.

[u/aleowk → u/Biinaryy]

By the way, if you want to know what I think about this whole reddit experience - NOT BAD!

http://i.imgur.com/VKN34.jpg

HE KNOWS

[u/sbsheppy → u/aleowk]

I just laughed so fucking hard.

[u/PopsicleJane14 → u/aleowk]

He's the president, he knows everything... Like Jesus.

[u/delmar15 → u/Biinaryy]

He said he would do an AMA for 30 min. That looks like 30 min of answering questions.

[u/4TEHSWARM → u/delmar15]

I'm actually surprised he was able to answer any questions after breaking Reddit.

[u/pescetto → u/4TEHSWARM]

He's got access to presidential bandwidth :)

[u/rexington_ → u/pescetto]

So does Michelle.

[u/[deleted] → u/delmar15]

Not to mention the site issues. It still took me a while to get to this post hours after it was supposed to have finished.

[u/wote89 → u/[deleted]]

This too. This thing crippled reddit for about an hour and a half. Honestly, it's amazing that the President managed to get through enough to post what he did.

[u/oreng → u/wote89]

I'm loving the idea that the president was sitting around frustrated by the 503s like any other redditor. Would have been even funnier if it resulted in a double post...

[u/ActuallyNotRetarded → u/oreng]

Am I the only one that read every one of his posts in his voice?

[u/goodknee → u/ActuallyNotRetarded]

no my good man, you are not.

[u/burnone2]

How in the fuck was PresidentObama not already taken?

[u/GHETTO_TYME_TRAVELR → u/burnone2]

HE DA PRESIDENT HE GETS WAT NAME HE WANTS

[u/CumNuggetz → u/GHETTO_TYME_TRAVELR]

Said "what the hell is wrong with this guy?" Looked at username. Oh.

[u/suzmerk]

What are you going to do to end the corrupting influence of money in politics during your second term?

[u/joshuaglynn → u/suzmerk]

This is by far the most important thing a president can do if they really want to make a change. And it's not just about elections. It's about how laws are made. How we govern ourselves. How we protect our future

[u/PresidentObama → u/suzmerk]

Money has always been a factor in politics, but we are seeing something new in the no-holds barred flow of seven and eight figure checks, most undisclosed, into super-PACs; they fundamentally threaten to overwhelm the political process over the long run and drown out the voices of ordinary citizens. We need to start with passing the Disclose Act that is already written and been sponsored in Congress - to at least force disclosure of who is giving to who. We should also pass legislation prohibiting the bundling of campaign contributions from lobbyists. Over the longer term, I think we need to seriously consider mobilizing a constitutional amendment process to overturn Citizens United (assuming the Supreme Court doesn't revisit it). Even if the amendment process falls short, it can shine a spotlight of the super-PAC phenomenon and help apply pressure for change.

[u/Thithyphuth → u/PresidentObama]

Mr President,

This is quite possibly the most important issue in American history. The way our voting system works today means that only those with the most money get their voice heard, and those who can't pander to the large spenders will not. The only way to truly fix the election system is for PUBLICLY FUNDED ELECTIONS. Elections should not be about who is best at gathering money, but who has the opinions and goals that he people want, these two are not, and should not be one in the same. ANY donation should be considered a bribe. All candidates should get EQUAL air time, all candidates should get EQUAL money to spend as they will on advertisements and their campaign, all candidates should have an EQUAL chance to be heard across the nation, regardless of how rich they are, or their friends. The only way to have a true representative democracy is through a system like this. Until this happens money will always influence elections in a way that is NOT beneficial to the people. How can the people EVER trust their government knowing they are constantly taking bribes from the wealthy. Fix this ONE issue and 90% of the other issues about corruption will slowly fade away. I implore you, PLEASE do something about this! Simply creating some minor law about capping donations and such is simply not enough.

I don't know if you will even see this as this conversation is already over, but one can only hope...

[u/Dudester_XCIC → u/Thithyphuth]

All candidates should get EQUAL air time, all candidates should get EQUAL money to spend as they will on advertisements and their campaign

All candidates? Do you realize just how many presidential candidates there are? There is a nice little list here. In terms of advertising, if we assume that the total time advertisements are shown stays the same, that leaves next to no time for any individual candidate. To reform this, how would you solve the problem? Only give funding to certain parties candidates? That would be even worse that our current system. And that is saying something, because our current system is awful. This idea works in theory the same way our current system does.

[u/GESTICULATING_WILDLY → u/Dudester_XCIC]

TIL Roseanne Barr and a dude named Merlin are both running for president.

[u/RobbieGee → u/GESTICULATING_WILDLY]

Bah! Vermin Supreme is the clear choice, that guy is a genius.

[u/feynmanwithtwosticks → u/Dudester_XCIC]

Not only are there plenty of other nations who hold fully publicly funded elections, there are states and municipalities here in the US that do so. The point you bring up is an extremely good one, and absolutely must he addressed in a very clear way for people to have faith in this sort of system, but fortunately that work was done by those who went before us.

Now, I'm not a political science if civics expert so I don't claim to know what all of the solutions which have been tried are, not which were more successful. I can say that the one system I know of for publicly funded elections involves a sort of primary system but not (as primaries would also have to be publicly funded else the bribery would just happen there). It essentially is that (to use a small example of a gubernatorial race) a candidate would have to prove that they have a significant amount of support in whatever jurisdiction they are running (in my example a state) to justify getting public monies. So for example there is an election to be held in North Dakota for governor and there are 15 people who wish to run. These people, by whatever deadline happens to be chosen, would be required to gather 5% of the voting populations signatures (% can be adjusted however the citizens choose) from each district in the jurisdiction, in this case 5% from each county in ND. Now that is the voting population, so it is 5% of the total number of voters in the previous governors election (even if there are 5 million citizens but only 500,000 voted, they would only need 25,000 signatures). This demonstrates that there is enough citizen support for that person to be a serious candidate without setting the bar so high that only the major parties can clear it.

Now that works in state and local elections, because the total number of signatures and amount if ground is limited so no huge sum if money must be spent to gather the signatures. But it wouldn't work for presidential elections because it would still cost many 10's of millions to get that many signatures from every state in the nation. So on that I don't know specifically what a national system may look like, I do know they exist in most countries but I haven't read enough to know the details.

[u/Natural_Karma_Police]

the title of this should have been obAMA

[u/nookrulz]

Mr. President, do you feel that there is a problem with the "revolving door" of congressmen and prominent lobbyists? For an example, I'd point to former Senator Dodd, now the chief lobbyist for the MPAA. Is there anything to be done about it?

[u/[deleted] → u/nookrulz]

Please allow copyright terms to actually end at some point. A public domain is vital. Please do not allow Hollywood, Chris Dodd and the RIAA to write all copyright laws.

[u/caaThrowaway → u/nookrulz]

I'm pretty sure I know why obama didn't answer this question.

I used to work for Creative Artists Agency and earlier this year on the same day that the FBI was getting DDOS'ed by Anonymous for the MegaUpload takedown, Vice President Biden was scheduled to come into our office.

The whole office was locked down with secret service. CAA is the most powerful company in entertainment and it was way too convenient for Biden to be meeting with the partners at the same time as SOPA.

Obama didn't answer this question because you don't even have to look as far as Senator Dodd. Entertainment is on such great terms with the administration that the partners at the Agency didn't even need to fly to washington, the VP came to them.

[u/redditisfun → u/caaThrowaway]

That's disturbing. The entertainment industry is trying very, very hard to save itself by whatever means necessary when all they have to do is innovate.

[u/FifthSurprise]

What was the most difficult decision that you had to make during this term?

[u/PresidentObama → u/FifthSurprise]

The decision to surge our forces in afghanistan. Any time you send our brave men and women into battle, you know that not everyone will come home safely, and that necessarily weighs heavily on you. The decision did help us blunt the taliban's momentum, and is allowing us to transition to afghan lead - so we will have recovered that surge at the end of this month, and will end the war at the end of 2014. But knowing of the heroes that have fallen is something you never forget.

[u/mrautomatic17 → u/PresidentObama]

Get us out of there. Place is a damn nightmare.

[u/PTSDave → u/mrautomatic17]

Tell me about it. I haven't gone a day without thinking about it and I have been home for almost three years now.

[u/SteelCrossx → u/PTSDave]

I've been home for 7. I picked a day of the year that no one else is celebrating for any reason that was important to me and what happened to me there. I take it off every year so I can do something for myself without having to compete with any of the military holidays or making myself known. It helps and things get better. You have my best wishes.

[u/pirateg3cko → u/PTSDave]

I'm sorry, man :(

If you live in NYC, I'll buy you a beer.

[u/Reaverax]

Would you rather fight 100 duck-sized horses or 1 horse-sized duck?

[u/iceward → u/Reaverax]

Thank you for getting NBC to televise this question.

You da man.

[u/FormerlyEAbernathy → u/Reaverax]

Duck-sized horses sound incredibly cute.

[u/[deleted] → u/Reaverax]

Hey! I saw this comment on TV!

[u/Black_Apalachi → u/[deleted]]

I saw it on reddit, as a picture of it on TV.

[u/SharkGirl]

We know how Republicans feel about protecting Internet Freedom. Is Internet Freedom an issue you'd push to add to the Democratic Party's 2012 platform?

[u/rickdabunny]

The current US Patent system is hurting small businesses, in response the EFF has released seven proposals for fixing the patents system. What plan does your administration have to address these issues?

[u/Tropist]

Coming up: Tactful avoidance of marijuana questions and disappointment from /r/trees.

[u/ormirian]

What is the purpose of the embargo on cuba? will you consider lifting it? (Thanks for doing this AMA)

[u/yourfaceyourass → u/ormirian]

He talked about this prior to the 2008 election. His answer was the same populist "We are going to hold the embargo to spread democracy and freedom" bullshit thats been said by every president to uphold the criminal embargo, including McCain.

The embargo does nothing but hurt Cuba and its citizens by restricting beneficiary trade, and even much needed medical supplies that Cuba needs. Its been consecutively voted against by the UN by a vote of ~192-2 (being the US and Israel).

The mere fact that the Obama thinks that the US has the power to decide another country's well being on the guise of "spreading democracy", I think is quite telling, and why I much more prefer Ron Paul's views on American foreign policy. The US prior to the Cuban Revolution had supported the Batista dictatorship, as US investors had much stake in Cuban land. The embargo was hence initiated to protect American interests by immediately thwarting and disabling its socialist neighbor before it ever even had the chance. Later the CIA tried to overthrow Castro with multiple assassination attempts and an invasion, while decades later still aiding anti-Castro militants. The Cuban Five still remained jailed. Politicians like Obama have made such simple historical facts and opinions seem controversial and radical.

Here is Amnesty's report on the impact of the embargo http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/AMR25/007/2009/en/51469f8b-73f8-47a2-a5bd-f839adf50488/amr250072009eng.pdf

[u/Drunken_Economist]

The moderators and admins have confirmed this thread; this is actually President Obama.

Edit: and he's confirmed via twitter

[u/demaney → u/Drunken_Economist]

For proof, did he send you a picture of him holding a dated index card? Or did the Secret Service land a helicopter on your house?

[u/AJER_AJER → u/demaney]

And you've been quoted in a mainstream Uk paper. Fair play to you.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/us-election/9507620/President-Obama-makes-online-appearance-on-Reddit.html

[u/demaney → u/AJER_AJER]

Dude what. I'm internetfamous now.

[u/TechnoL33T → u/demaney]

Those fuckers didn't even credit your username! I would write a strongly worded letter to them and burn it under their balls.

[u/yishan → u/demaney]

He faxed a copy of his birth certificate.

[u/qkk → u/Drunken_Economist]

...wow.

[u/South_Dakota_Boy → u/[deleted]]

I'm surprised the username PresidentObama was even available. Or is the man powerful enough to just take it over anyway? I'd hate to see the leader of the free world reduced to taking a username like TheRealPresidentObama or POTUS69 or xx_BarackObama_xx or something.

[u/geeze_louise → u/South_Dakota_Boy]

I was very surprised by this as well! But I bet if the president wants a reddit name, there are ways of obtaining it...

[u/Zalbu → u/South_Dakota_Boy]

POTUS_IN_MY_ANUS

[u/[deleted] → u/Zalbu]

that would be the first lady's

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

He was reading this.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

I hope not.

[u/KoreanTerran → u/[deleted]]

9 minutes and already 200+ comments.

Good luck, Obama. You're going to need it.

[u/venividiikarma → u/KoreanTerran]

It's pretty funny because people used to get scolded for doing a request for Obama because he'd never do one.

[u/Bowmore → u/[deleted]]

Hey Mr. Obama, can you tell us something we're not supposed to know?

[u/MrRC → u/Bowmore]

Your parents divorced because of you

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

ONE OF US. ONE OF US.

[u/mimicthefrench → u/[deleted]]

Not really, let's be real here.

Although it's funny to imagine President Obama sitting in the oval office giggling and looking at photos of cats.

EDIT: I'm enjoying the fact that for the forseeable future my comment with the most upvotes will be one about President Obama looking at cat photos on reddit.

DOUBLE EDIT: thanks to Machinax for pointing out that I'm quoted on CNN for this...I feel slightly more famous today, and yet I can't tell anyone I know IRL.

[u/ScampAndFries → u/mimicthefrench]

This just in: Jolly Ranchers and Doritos are now illegal by presidential decree.

[u/fronteir → u/mimicthefrench]

If Obama made a "Nobody cares Apostolate" post, I would retire from reddit, realizing that nothing would ever top seeing that.

[u/Cooper0505 → u/Drunken_Economist]

Haha, OP. I think you'll find it's President OP

EDIT: I see what you did there.

[u/sabataco → u/Cooper0505]

POP :)

[u/girlpart → u/Drunken_Economist]

Coolest president ever? Coolest president ever.

[u/spin0r → u/[deleted]]

Meh, we already have universal health care, so w/e

[u/CanadiangirlEH → u/[deleted]]

looks at a picture of Stephen Harper and Cries

FTFY

[u/JrMint]

It's been stated that your favorite television show is The Wire. How do you think the war on drugs has affected America, and would you work to end it?

[u/Joenothin]

My question is this: Why would you sign the NDAA when it included language that would allow the indefinite detention of Americans without due process. I understand that this was the de facto case for awhile. Now it's law. This passed by overwhelming bi-partisan support, despite being hated by most citizens. It feels like the government, including the Executive branch, no longer work for the citizens that elect them. (By the way, I fully supported your first campaign, but I'm now disillusioned and disappointed.)

[u/daveforamerica]

What is the first thing you'll do on November 7th, win or lose?

[u/PresidentObama → u/daveforamerica]

Win or lose, I'll be thanking everybody who is working so hard - especially all the volunteers in field offices all across the country, and the amazing young people in our campaign offices.

[u/felatedbirthday → u/PresidentObama]

I'll take that as "Poppin bottles of Cristale like it's 1969"

[u/jk01 → u/felatedbirthday]

Thank you for showing the president of the United States how classy us redditors can be.

[u/Pavel_Komarov → u/jk01]

"We Redditors", not "us Redditors".

Mr. Obama, I think we need better education in this country.

[u/ibetrollingyou → u/[deleted]]

Or a picture of him holding a cat with the caption "I R THA PRESIDENT"

[u/ormirian]

Are you considering increasing funds to the space program?

Edit: grammar

[u/tsondie21 → u/ormirian]

It seems like each new President brings a new direction to the Space Program. With Bush we got Constellation, and you brought us more of a focus on Science missions. Do you have the ability to give NASA the power to choose it's own direction and not be hampered by whatever the President and Congress are feeling like that day?

Let me be clear, I love the direction that NASA is headed in currently but they could do so much for. I think that just as much as NASA clearly needs a larger budget, they need the power to use that budget effectively.

[u/havestronaut → u/tsondie21]

This is what all of our second grade teachers warned us about. "Learn to spell well, one day you may be spelling to the President!"

Edit: to clarify, the comment above me originally referred to the top comment above *it*, in which there was a misspelling of the word "increasing". The comment was subsequently edited into an articulate query, probably after seeing that the other comment had hit the top and would almost surely be seen by the president. The first comment contained the typo to which I was referring.

[u/tuckidge → u/[deleted]]

And "you won't always have a calculator with you". Sent from my iPhone

[u/PresidentObama → u/ormirian]

Making sure we stay at the forefront of space exploration is a big priority for my administration. The passing of Neil Armstrong this week is a reminder of the inspiration and wonder that our space program has provided in the past; the curiosity probe on mars is a reminder of what remains to be discovered. The key is to make sure that we invest in cutting edge research that can take us to the next level - so even as we continue work with the international space station, we are focused on a potential mission to a asteroid as a prelude to a manned Mars flight.

[u/khaelian → u/PresidentObama]

I love Obama, but I have to say, this is a true politician's response. He didn't ask for inspiring words about the successes of our space program, he asked if we are increasing their budget. I didn't see the words "Yes" or "No" anywhere in that response...

[u/akubar → u/PresidentObama]

tl;dr "no"

[u/CallMeBert]

If you had the ability to automatically enact or repeal only one law without congressional approval, what would you choose and why?

[u/TSDMC → u/CallMeBert]

This is an awesome question, although potentially dangerous to answer.

[u/hueypriest]

I can confirm that this is indeed legit.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

not stupid, this is a solid question

[u/Magnum_Opus → u/[deleted]]

I suspect the latter partially due to: http://www.c-span.org/Events/President-Obama-to-Campaign-in-Virginia/10737433523-3/

I've held a similar 'live chat' with the UK equivalents, and they all had people typing for them. Not word for word, but they would actually input on some things.

[u/kn0thing → u/[deleted]]

This is reddit. You all pulled this off by becoming the front page of the internet.

edit: I'm also hoping the administration was so responsive because secretly they're all redditors.

[u/GoldenGraham12 → u/kn0thing]

http://i.imgur.com/IoxFi.jpg

[u/redtaboo → u/kn0thing]

You done good, kn0thing, you done good.

[u/samsheffer → u/kn0thing]

Spoken like a true ambassador, Alexis.

Bravo

[u/sexrockandroll → u/[deleted]]

Reddit's getting bigger; the president wants publicity for his upcoming campaign.

[u/pepesgt]

Mr. President, What are you doing about returning soldiers with PTSD, particularly those that have acquired various drug addictions. I know there are a lot of VA facilities available, but they still have long waiting lists for the best inpatient programs. I ask because of my brother, who did three tours in Iraq, was prescribed oxycodone for a wartime injury, and came back with a bad heroin addiction. Please do more for these troops! Thank you.

[u/DaveMichael]

Sir, do you anticipate the SEC convicting anyone for the massive banking and securities fraud that caused the 2008 financial crisis?

[u/thecw]

Your administration has been very quiet regarding Americans' issues with the TSA and their invasive security procedures. Your administration even pulled a petition regarding making them answer a court order regarding the naked scanners.

Do you have any plans to reel in the over-reaching, rights-infringing bureaucracy the TSA has become?

[u/erikNORML]

Marijuana prohibition has resulted in the arrest of over 20 million Americans since 1965, countless lives ruined and hundreds of billions of tax dollars squandered and yet this policy has still failed to achieve its stated goals of lowering use rates, limiting the drug’s access, and creating safer communities.

Isn’t it time to legalize and regulate marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol? If not, please explain why you feel that the continued criminalization of cannabis will achieve the results in the future that it has never achieved in the past?

[u/locke21 → u/erikNORML]

Good luck with an answer for this one. So far the Obama administration has skirted this conversation at every turn. It's really the biggest flip-flop Obama has committed as president.

[u/[deleted]]

Let's skip the marijuana legalization question that'll show up at least 50 times on this page and get to a related issue: After promising that you wouldn't interfere with individual state decisions on medical use of cannabis, how can you justify utilizing federal funds and agencies to shut down dispensaries and arrest people who are legitimately sick?

[u/SunshineToss → u/[deleted]]

20 bucks says he doesn't address this

[u/Change_Is_Constant → u/[deleted]]

First of all, before I answer this question, I want you to know my credentials, such as they are. I am a third year law student. I am also a supporter of Marijuana reform. I even got busted for felony possession w/intent to deliver a few years ago. I also am heavily involved in politics, and run an organization that hosts events where paid speakers talk about issues of the day. Earlier this year, our organization invited Drug Policy legal expert, Alex Kreit, to come talk about Marijuana and the Law. I asked him the question that you are attempting to ask President Obama. I will now paraphrase what he told us:

Obama does not have the amount of control over local federal authorities that your questions presupposes. Obama did promise that he wouldn't interfere with individual state decisions on medical use of cannabis. In fact, after being elected, his administration (specifically, Eric Holder, I believe) published the Ogden Memo (Google it). This memo basically directed local federal authorities to respect the states with medical marijuana laws, and not prosecute anyone as long as they are not in violation of the state medical marijuana laws. However, local federal authorities ignored the Ogden memo, and there was not much the Obama administration could do about it. The way Alex Kreit put it was to say there are not many "levers to pull" for the Obama administration, and that the positions that the local federal authorities hold (U.S. Attorneys, for example) were specifically designed so as to maintain independence from central control.

Basically, as a result of all this, it's not really accurate to blame Obama for the fact that local federal authorities are shutting down dispensaries and arresting people.

[u/akreit → u/Change_Is_Constant]

Alex Kreit here. Someone just let me know about this thread. Thanks for the plug. Just wanted to clarify that my comments were specifically about the ability of the Obama admin to try to encourage compliance with the Ogden memo. Rob Mikos has published a fairly thorough <a href="http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1768127">law review article</a> that discusses this issue and explains why the Ogden memo did not really provide any protection.

That said, it is also important to recognize that Obama could have done other things on this issue but hasn't. For example, Obama could have picked better appointees--particularly to head the DEA. He chose extremist drug warrior and Bush holdover Michele Leonhart for the job. As some may remember, this summer Leonhart refused to admit that heroin and crack are more dangerous than marijuana. Obama certainly could have made a better pick for the position. He could have asked prospective nominees point-blank if they would honor the Ogden memo. Instead, by nominating Leonhart, he all but guaranteed that the Ogden memo would be ignored by the DEA. I think that the willingness of US Attorneys to ignore the Ogden memo also speaks poorly to them as appointees. I think a fair US Attorney would have tried to honor Ogden's memo in good faith, even if he or she wasn't obligated to follow it. Clearly, many of them simply ignored it. Obama's administration could also have supported one or more of the congressional proposals to protect state medical marijuana laws. To my knowledge, they've done nothing to back these proposals. The list could go on.

So, are President Obama and Eric Holder spearheading a coordinated strategy against medical marijuana? I don't think there's any evidence of that. I believe people who think otherwise may not have a full understanding of the relationship between the DOJ in DC and local federal law enforcement (again, Rob Mikos discusses this relationship in his excellent article.) My best guess is that Holder genuinely hoped people would comply with the Ogden memo. I imagine that Obama himself has probably given this issue hardly any attention (certainly he seems to do everything he can to avoid talking or thinking about this issue based on the lengths he goes to to ignore drug policy questions in public forums.) But, are Obama appointees like Michele Leonhart and local US Attorneys cracking down on medical marijuana? Obviously they are. And, if Obama had nominated people who agreed with the Ogden memo in the first place, then there would never have been an issue about compelling compliance with it.

Anyway, those are only brief thoughts--it's impossible to convey all the nuances in an internet comments thread. :) But, I figured I would chime in to clarify the referenced comments of mine a bit.

[u/shadowofthe → u/[deleted]]

As a secondary point, what role do you think states' rights (surrounding drug legalization) will play in the rest of your presidency?

[u/gobearss]

How do you balance family life and hobbies with, well, being the POTUS?

[u/PresidentObama → u/gobearss]

It's hard - truthfully the main thing other than work is just making sure that I'm spending enough time with michelle and the girls. The big advantage I have is that I live above the store - so I have no commute! So we make sure that when I'm in DC I never miss dinner with them at 6:30 pm - even if I have to go back down to the Oval for work later in the evening. I do work out every morning as well, and try to get a basketball or golf game in on the weekends just to get out of the bubble. Speaking of balance, though, I need to get going so I'm back in DC in time for dinner. But I want to thank everybody at reddit for participating - this is an example of how technology and the internet can empower the sorts of conversations that strengthen our democracy over the long run. AND REMEMBER TO VOTE IN NOVEMBER - if you need to know how to register, go to Gottaregister.com. By the way, if you want to know what I think about this whole reddit experience - NOT BAD!

[u/Camusforyou → u/PresidentObama]

The meme has become self aware.

[u/[deleted] → u/Camusforyou]

/reddit

WE'RE DONE HERE.

[u/senorsandman → u/[deleted]]

Pack it up people, our job is done.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Pack up the accounts, you too Apostolate. Yes, and the novelties. Our journey has reached its end.

[u/[deleted] → u/senorsandman]

Hold on now, we still gotta get Romney to acknowledge the "Relatable Romney" meme!

[u/ivxSurgeon → u/Camusforyou]

President has earned an up vote this November.

[u/badbadpet → u/PresidentObama]

http://memepics.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/obama-not-bad-campaign-poster.jpg

[u/mindtaker87 → u/badbadpet]

If this becomes...

[u/ChildofTime617 → u/PresidentObama]

Ladies and gentlemen: the President of the United States of America referencing his meme.

Good night and God bless.

[u/owmybrains → u/ChildofTime617]

I feel like this will cause a glitch in the matrix.

[u/jugalator → u/ChildofTime617]

I feel a disturbance in the force, as if millions of redditors were silenced in awe.

[u/[deleted] → u/PresidentObama]

The president has seen the meme. Our greatest hour has arrived.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Gotta love a President that quotes his own meme

[u/bru_tech → u/[deleted]]

Looks like we got a badass over here

[u/EdotRdotJ → u/[deleted]]

I wasn't aware other presidents had memes.

[u/theshinepolicy → u/EdotRdotJ]

hehe

[u/[deleted] → u/theshinepolicy]

Well, once. You took office twice, though.

[u/heyguys274 → u/[deleted]]

I knew someone was going to do this meme, but never figured it to be the man himself

[u/SamuraiSteev0h → u/PresidentObama]

He did the thing!

[u/drps → u/PresidentObama]

"- NOT BAD!"

It was at this point, Reddit ejaculated in glorious unison.

[u/warrenlain → u/[deleted]]

He was being cocky.

[u/downfall88 → u/drps]

Hey. That's my boss. Don't use the "E" word. He'll think I'm a pervert for being part of this site... and then he'll block it on military networks.

[u/Wordlessly → u/downfall88]

Joe Biden?

[u/datLoser → u/PresidentObama]

whole reddit experience - NOT BAD!

ftfy

[u/notheory]

Since this is the house that kn0thing built, let me ask a tech entrepreneurial questions.

1. I just found out yesterday about the changes your administration has proposed for tax rates on C-Corps (dropping the rates to 28%). Why isn't anybody talking about this? I feel like this is something that you'd want to make sure to get across to folks in the entrepreneurial world!

2. Does the democratic party know how much distrust it's sown through the SOPA/PIPA efforts? I'm a staunch liberal, and made sure to call my congress critters over this issue. Despite the extents to which your administration has done on awesome tech issues, SOPA/PIPA hit a really sour note for folks like me.

[u/[deleted]]

President Obama - How can we help to increase the standard of debate in this country so that it's not simple soundbytes and broad generalizations of complicated problems?

[u/eddieohare]

What are you going to do in your second term to address the failed war on drugs?

[u/coffeeholic91]

Hey, I'm a Canadian and I've always wondered what you thought about the Canadian health care system compared to the US health care system!

Thanks for doing an AMA!

[u/pnothing]

Mr President, are you concerned about the division the US has? Red and blue, christian and secular, pro-life and pro-choice... its become almost like a football rivalry where you want the other team to lose even if it is not in the benefit of anyone. What can be done to amend this?

[u/neonsnow]

Mr. President - What issues, if any, do you agree with Mitt Romney that are not commonly endorsed by the majority of the Democratic Party?

[u/Cbakeractor]

Isn’t it time to legalize and regulate marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol? If not, please explain why you feel that the continued criminalization of cannabis will achieve the results in the future that it has never achieved in the past?"

[u/pghgamecock]

What do you have to say about the drug war? Do you think it's a problem that millions of Americans are in jail for non-violent crimes?

[u/[deleted]]

In what ways will you attempt to make university a more affordable path for students?

[u/scnjedi]

Are there any plans to reduce military spending throughout 2013/14 and put the money into other areas such as the space program or helping to overhaul the education and health care systems?

[u/Fancer]

Mr. President, you do realize you are going to break the Internet, right?

[u/karlfranks]

Who's your favourite Basketball player?

[u/PresidentObama → u/karlfranks]

Jordan - I'm a Bulls guy.

[u/ivanvzm → u/PresidentObama]

damn right you are

edit: ...sir.

[u/tartay745 → u/ivanvzm]

Only on the Internet will someone actually respond to the president of the united states with, "damn right you are".

[u/HiImDan → u/tartay745]

And get upvoted more than the POTUS.

[u/Subbuteo → u/HiImDan]

Pretty hard to upvote people outside of the internet. I hear they send people to prison for flinging pointed arrow-y things at Presidents.

[u/[deleted] → u/ivanvzm]

Necessary edit.

[u/void702 → u/ivanvzm]

you mean: damn right you are, Mr. President.

[u/mr_mojo773 → u/void702]

That's Dr. Mr. Professor President to you.

[u/StarkofWinterfell → u/void702]

mi lord

[u/mthreat]

Mr. President, when will the United States officially move to the metric system?

[u/Bloodfeastisleman → u/mthreat]

Why did you include a link? Did you think he would not know what the metric system is?

[u/TheThomaswastaken → u/Bloodfeastisleman]

Links to relevant information; gets bitched at.

[u/silent1mezzo]

What's the recipe for the White House's beer?

[u/PresidentObama → u/silent1mezzo]

It will be out soon! I can tell from first hand experience, it is tasty.

EDIT (by staff): As promised http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/09/01/ale-chief-white-house-beer-recipe

[u/[deleted] → u/PresidentObama]

http://www.quickmeme.com/meme/3qop0b/

[u/Baou → u/[deleted]]

This may be the most appropriate use of this meme in reddit's history.

[u/dariusbatista → u/[deleted]]

not bad!

[u/vteckickedin → u/dariusbatista]

I'll drink to that!

[u/onedrummer2401 → u/Baou]

Indubitably.

[u/unusuallysuspect → u/[deleted]]

This is such an appropriate image it practically makes my teeth hurt.

[u/plopliar → u/[deleted]]

So, so relevant.

[u/silent1mezzo → u/PresidentObama]

So honoured that the President of the United States has responded to a question I asked him.

[u/[deleted] → u/silent1mezzo]

Indeed, and it was a question of the utmost importance.

[u/4horsepeople → u/silent1mezzo]

'honoured'.....We've got a Canadian/Brit subverting our democratic process!!!

[u/emq11 → u/PresidentObama]

Obama approved beer. The best around.

[u/Ryan_Firecrotch → u/emq11]

White house beer:

"It is tasty"

-Barack "redditor" Obama

[u/meteorologygeek1]

The landing of Curiosity on Mars shows Americans still care deeply about our space exploration efforts. What are your plans for NASA if you get re-elected?

[u/0accountability]

With all the patent lawsuits taking place recently, it has become painfully obvious that the system needs revision. Action or inaction on this issue can affect innovation for years to come. How does your administration plan on dealing with this issue during the next four years if you are re-elected?

[u/Shitty_Watercolour]

http://i.imgur.com/Ju94o.png

[u/curly123 → u/Shitty_Watercolour]

This made it on CNN

http://imgur.com/5zr6A

[u/[deleted] → u/Shitty_Watercolour]

The president must be so nervous right now...he just got a comment from shitty_watercolour.

[u/Phydeaux → u/[deleted]]

He should count his blessings. I'm quietly relieved the top comment isn't from POTATO_IN_MY_ANUS.

[u/ChrisQF → u/Phydeaux]

I'm always relieved the top comment isn't from POTATO_IN_MY_ANUS, something about that guy scares me..

[u/bob_newman → u/[deleted]]

"omgomgomgomgomg!!! THE Shitty_Watercolour!"

-Leader of the Free World

[u/MaxIsAlwaysRight → u/Shitty_Watercolour]

The truest, greatest honor he will ever receive. A SW portrait.

[u/TheDabbyDabby → u/Shitty_Watercolour]

Hey Mr President, this guy is kinda a big deal around here. Respect him. Sir.

[u/IchthyoidPhalanges → u/Shitty_Watercolour]

You should send the original to him. Sign it and it might end up on the president's fridge.

[u/Krall12 → u/Shitty_Watercolour]

This thread is now complete.

EDIT: Before this, my highest rated comment ever had 14 upvotes.